Walking the dog in winter rewarding

Television has covered just about every aspect of this wicked winter from leaky roofs to lack of salt, to the real danger of peeking around snowbanks when leaving your driveway.

One part of this old-fashioned winter it hasn’t mentioned is dog walking. Narrow roads and house-sized drifts have cut our visibility and put us in more peril than a skinny snowman in a January thaw. Did we have a thaw this January?

When we got Drake, our yellow lab, eight years ago, we were told he needed plenty of exercise. My wife, Sally, and I decided we did, too, so we faithfully walk “the boy” twice a day.

Although I now do most of the dog walking, Drake is really Sally’s dog. First, as a puppy, he was my dog. When my oldest son got a pickup truck, Drake’s allegiance changed. He always behaved best with my youngest son, but when Drake was a puppy he had one problem. Matt was the guy who usually came in late and had to put a sleepy Drake in his kennel.

Drake is still not happy when being awakened late at night; his first real traumatic experience. During the last few years he has become my wife’s dog. I guess he’s not so smart; it took him about six years to learn who’s the real boss around here.

Drake and I have had our adventures on our walks. We’ve seen moose and once a poor dead deer hit by a car. Once, while walking the railroad tracks, we found a $10 bill. No, I didn’t go halfsies.

Last summer we happened upon a turtle stuck in the sand, unable to get his footing. His pond was 20 feet away. While Drake sniffed, I gently headed the stranded guy back toward the water. Drake never complains on our walks. He ignores my mumblings and musings. Although he stops at all “mail” left by other dogs, he is private about one of his bathroom habits and always wants to perform this act in the woods. It’s difficult this winter with the deep snow and if he does get bogged down in the white stuff, I probably would, too, in an attempted rescue. Both walker and “walkee” could be hung up like our turtle friend.

This winter, I’ve come up with a whole list of winter dog-walking tips. Most are common sense, but range from attitude to gratitude. Listed below are my top 10:

1. When ice fishing shacks have “For Rent” signs on them, it’s time to be off the ice.

2. High-pitched mournful sounds from the lake are not returning loons, but just a fisherman who lost the big one.

3. Talk to your dog in a firm, polite tone and never refer to yourself as daddy in public.

4. Take along some dog treats for good behavior. Be sure you pack a brand that coyotes and bears like. You can never tell.

5. Always wear something red. It’ll help them find you in case you’re plowed into a snowbank.

6. Dedicated dog walkers never take along cell phones.

7. Remember all the pretty girls waving and smiling are not carrying on for you, but it’s your dog they love.

8. Don’t let your dog leave “mail” on cars; also, people love their pickups, too, no matter what age or condition.

9. It’s really important to teach your dog to sit. Traffic will be heavy sometimes from school buses, snowmobiles and people late for latte. If it’s really congested, I sit, too.

10. Don’t let the snow and cold get you down. Maybe someday they’ll let us walk our dogs in the mall. Maybe.

As we get closer to spring, there are many rewards to winter dog walking. Your will probably see the first robin, feel the first mosquito bite and be the first to answer that all important question from a lost traveler, “How far is it to the L.L. Bean store?”

Ted Wallace of Enfield is a former teacher and radio personality.