I hope you had a happy Fourth of July. Yours truly had at least one memorable moment.   

Mine started out with an intense desire to step it up. I’ve been trying to walk more. So, I took Baby, my American bulldog, for a 1.8-mile walk. After brief consideration, I decided to take Princess, my daughter’s Great Pyrenees, for a 1.8-mile walk. A combined 3.6 miles would be just what the doctor ordered. 

Baby and I did well. I did see two dogs running around. I’m not a fan of people who allow their dogs to roam freely. While some might not create a dangerous situation or become destructive, others do. Once, Baby and I were attacked by three dogs on our normal morning walk. 

The situation produced two emotions: scared and angry. If these dogs had owners, shame on them for allowing them to roam freely. I don’t blame the dogs. It’s really not their fault. They do what they do. Pet owners are to blame. 

Even if you have the sweetest dog in the world, don’t allow it to roam. Pack mentality is real. A good dog can get caught up in the frenzy and do things it normally would not. If public safety isn’t enough, look at this from your dog’s safety. There are people who would cause harm to dogs allowed to roam freely. You’re doing your dog a huge favor if you walk it on a leash rather than allow it to roam. 

I write all that because it’s important to the next segment of this story. 

Princess and I started out on our walk. Stan, the cat, decided to follow us. He walked behind meowing as if saying “I want to go” and “wait for me.” I initially thought we could outdistance him and he’d turn back. Nope. I decided to head back. Those two dogs were out there somewhere and I worried about Stan’s safety with them on the loose and him meowing like he was in distress. 

Not wanting to give up on my idea, I decided to walk back and forth in front of the house. You’d think that cat would eventually lose interest. Nope. He continued to follow us back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. As we passed him, he’d flop down and roll over onto his back wanting some attention. So adorable. 

A 1.8-mile walk with Baby takes about 4,000 steps, per my pedometer. So, I decided to walk back and forth the equivalent of that 1.8 miles. 

We almost made it. My leg muscles started to scream for mercy. When my right calf muscle started to cramp, that was it. I made one more lap and called it quits. My pedometer read slightly more than 7,400 steps. Not bad. 

I did feel like the cat whisperer. It occurred to me that I must have looked ridiculous walking a dog and having that cat following us. Stan’s safety had to come first.  

Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.