The Spring in His Winter

I decided to take Parker outside on his harness Sunday. I wasn’t going to, as I wrote in my last entry, but I thought that this week would be long, and if something went wrong and he was too ill to go for a walk next weekend, he would miss his last chance. So I showed my orange-boy his harness, and he came over to the door to go out.

He enjoyed his time. We both did. It was sunny and pleasant in the late afternoon, about eight degrees Celsius (46.4° Fahrenheit), with no wind. Parker had no trouble climbing the steps to the door (our apartment is one of those semi-subterranean residences that housing developers think everyone wants), and walked right out the door without hesitation. Once beyond, he sniffed the air and ambled slowly about. I had to carry him over some wide puddles, but for the most part, he strolled casually. He lie down quite a bit, rolling about.

We didn’t go far, and when, after about twenty minutes, I suggested we go in again, the sturdy-boy didn’t object. He didn’t throw a tantrum or claw the ground. I opened the door for him and he walked in.

Parker purred almost the whole time, and bumped his head against my legs and hand. He was a happy fellow, and clearly liked his time outside. The weather is forecast to be warm and sunny next weekend; if it is, and Parker feels up to it, we will go out again. If he does not, he will have had this little excursion, a bit of spring in his winter-time.