Walkies- this time it's about the dog.

Zeke and Bono met for the first time one day this week for early AM Walkies. As previously mentioned, Bono is a Great Dane. Very sweet and sensitive and accustomed to walking on a leash. Zeke is not. We have trained him to walk with us sans leash, so walking on a bike path, (what mom? seriously no running? where's the ball? can I take a quick swim in the river? pretty puleeeaaase?) on a leash with a Great Dane, my girlfriend, and I along a lovely river was an excursion into unknown territory. I mean the path we walk is laden with squirrels (SQUIRREL!) and ducks and geese oh my! Zeke has very firmly identified as a bird dog. And a water dog. And a dog on a mission to finally catch a squirrel one day. And a dog that can contain himself without a leash thank you very much.

All that said, my biggest concern was actually Bono, who as stated, is a real sweet heart that can't help his SIZE. Better stated, I was worried about how Zeke would react to Bono. Brace yourself for a painful confession, Zeke has a thing against what he perceives to be aggressive dogs. It makes him...oddly aggressive for such a cute Golden Retriever.

Look at him. So sweet and adorable and sensitive and cuddly and racist. I can't believe that I have to admit to this. It is not something N. or I abide in our lives, and yet...Zeke has a definite issue with certain breeds of dogs. He is not at all fond of Boxers, Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, or Rottweilers. By not fond I mean he growls at them. The lips raised, rushing the fence spittle flying like a maniac kind of growling at them. Maybe its because he tries to be alpha wherever he goes. Maybe its because he had a tired, old Rottweiler teach him some doggie manners as a pup. Maybe its because...I don't know what it's because. I do know we taught him better than that.

Needless to say, I was a bit uncertain about how Zeke would respond to Bono - the horse dog. Good news! Apparently, Great Danes aren't on Zeke's list. They got along just fine. (Candice got them both up on a stump for the photo op.) Zeke did quite well on the leash too. He really is a great, smart, loving and kind dog.

ps. Zeke grew up with a Boxer in our Neighborhood, TO THIS DAY they play with each other. Duce comes over to get Zeke to come out and play. I can always tell when Duce is here because Zeke gets all excited, pacing to and from the door whimpering until I let him out for dog time. All racists, it seems, can make exceptions. This gives me hope on so many levels.

Zeke turns FOUR on Sunday. Happy Birthday Zeke!