Mindful Walking (With the Dog)

JJ at the Greenway

I am walking JJ at the Greenway. I breathe, "In, out. In, out. In, out."

JJ stops. He sniffs. He pees. He kicks.

I try to keep my breath deep and even while I wait to start walking again.

Let go, don't pull his leash.

"Present moment, wonderful moment."

I watch him watch and sniff and listen.

"Deep, slow. Deep, slow. Deep, slow."

We are a fourth of way through the hike. In rhythm together.

(Now that it is Springtime, I have to watch out for the poison ivy.)

"Deep, slow. Present moment, wonderful moment."

He stops. I breathe. He sniffs. I breathe.

His memory of smells is amazing!!!

The place in the grass where he found the forbidden "snack" last Friday. He searches again ...

That spot where something bad had happened on the trail last Tuesday ...

(I don't even know what that was!!) ...

He watches for it so he can take a sniff.

"In, out. Deep, slow. Calm, ease. Smile, release."

My lips curve up into a smile and I relax my body.

"Present moment, wonderful moment."

We are coming to the end and JJ is slowing down.

Is he sad we are getting to the end of the walk?

Next time ...

"In, out. Deep, slow. Calm, ease. Smile, release. Present moment, wonderful moment."

My meditation partner and I go home.