At the end of our Sunday morning walk, I was approached by a couple. At first, I thought they were apprehensive about Jake, my shepherd. Other people are. He’s big and does tend to stalk which I guess is intimidating to some. But it turns out that the couple, from Fort Bragg, were happy to see Jake because he reminded them of their dog who had died recently.
Then, bounding out of the bushes, came a big German shepherd, bigger than Jake. We exchanged information; their dog was 2, mine is 5. They got their dog as a puppy from a friend; mine is a rescue from Grateful Dog Rescue. Jake and Diego (the other German Shepherd) checked each other out and played a little. Then Diego barked and “talked” excitedly. The couple said he only usually did that when he wanted food. We were all delighted as he did that a few more times and then sidled up right next to the male owner.
The man told Diego to get the toy which he had dropped much further back on the trail. Diego, being a brilliant German Shepherd, didn’t have to be told twice and he dutifully brought the toy. We exchanged “It was nice talking to you” and continued on our way.
