There are challenges inherent in co-habitating with a dog. Notice I avoided using the verb “owning.” Our dogs have always owned us. There are obvious challenges like shedding and muddy paws and having to plan ahead for an absence of more than four or five hours. The less obvious, but more consuming, is the worry.

Daisy is aging along with the rest of us. The arthritis in her legs requires weekly shots and daily meds. The good news is that the treatment seems to be working, but we watch her pretty closely to see any signs of change.

Funny how I got off on that tangent. I planned to write about a very positive aspect of sharing one’s life with a dog. You take walks! And these walks often result in discoveries that make life more interesting.

We were at Bourne Farm recently, just ambling along letting Daisy sniff her way through the area, when we came across a perfect little garden plot planted by the children who attended the Outdoor Discoveries Summer Camp. We, along with the children, learned about plants that are beneficial for bees.

All because we walk with a dog who entices us out the door and into places we might not frequent on our own.