I step out into the wind and cold, suitably armed. I have a sage green zip up jacket with a heavy hood. A black puffer jacket over it, also with the hood on, gloves on my hands and boots on my feet. Felix has his blue harness on and he zips right past me the minute I open the door. I run behind him as he sniffs each lamp post, every mailbox and, tree on the way. I notice how he lingers at certain places, pauses for every sound he hears and begs to be petted by every human he passes. He holds up his front paws, puts them together and literally begs. It is the cutest thing I have seen.
What brings me joy each time it happens though, are the leaves in the wind. He chases after one, then another. He pulls at the leash and I honestly fear my shoulder will be dislocated at some point. He lays low on the road, growls at the leaves and rushes at them as the float daintily in front of him. First one, then another, then yet another. The joy is endless. We walk, run on a loop along the oval in front of our home. On a good day without leaves it takes maybe ten minutes. On days like today, we are out there lingering, smelling the literal grass and gamboling without a care for twice that time.
In the days before Felix came into my life, my afternoons were drab. I only ever stepped out under dire circumstances. These days, rain, wind or snow, I am out there two/three times a day with Felix leading the way. He decides which snow mounds are perfect for him to pee on. He decides today is the day I mark the Khans home. He decides when it is time to get home.
Even on the days I am resentful, I get my coat on and we go. On the days I am particularly mad at him, I tell him that I regret bringing him home. He listens, his ears droop and then he perks up and barks loudly. I take it to mean he regrets having me in his life as well.
He turned one yesterday.
I felt the same feelings I had when my other babies turned one. A misplaced sense of pride. A whole lot of joy. A renewed sense of optimism that better days lie ahead.
So, yeah! Happy birthday big boy. May the leaves only ever fly your way.
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