A wonderful, previously unthinkable thing happened the other day.
For context, moving things have been oh so exciting, which has made cyclists a challenge. When he was an adolescent, he barked and lunged at cyclists. I had to be clear across the park in order for them to be no big deal. With time, practice, patience, and the help of trainers, the distance shrank, but I remained vigilant.
The other day, we went to a pathway around a lake we haven’t been to in awhile. Beautiful day, so good bet people with their dogs, joggers, and cyclists would be out.
New place, different from the neighborhood, so the smells were irresistible. So many messages! 🤣 He had to check them all.
While the pathway is wide, it’s not wide enough for us plus 2 other people and another person and dog. I kept an eye on the couple and the gentleman with the dog as they were approaching faster since we were stopping and sniffing every other second. The couple stepped off and up to their car. The gentleman and his dog turn to the boat launch/dog beach.
I turned my attention back to Ry, who was deep in sniffing mode.
WHOOSH
A cyclist went by.
No warning, bell, or call out. Just
WHOOSH
And close. If I had taken a step back, we would’ve collided.
And Ry?
Nothing. Nada. Not even a glance up! For the first time, he did not care about a cyclist. Something I thought would never happen.
As we made our way around the lake, the cyclist came around a couple more times. We stepped to the side to give space as there were more people on the pathway now, and still Ry didn’t care. A second cyclist joined, and again, no big deal. The other people out walking, joggers, other people and their dogs, also no big deal.
I don’t know if I’ve been more proud.