Serena and I slow-mo in Portland's Strut Your Mutt

Two Mutt Struts in a row! Serena and I rule! We got last. Again. Perfect.

Last month our twelve and a half year old Shepherd/Lab mix and me succeeded in our plan to bring up the rear in Salem's WillaMutt Strut. Yesterday, without even trying, we seemingly achieved the same result in Portland's Strut Your Mutt.

Laurel, my wife, signed us up because we adopted our younger dog, Zu Zu, from the Family Dogs New Life Shelter up Portland way, and she wanted to be part of the shelter's fund-raising team.

Here's Laurel with old dog and young dog soon after we arrived at the Laurelhurst Park event. Serena and Zu Zu look like they could be related, but they're distinctly different mutts.

And here's Laurel plus dogs just before the one mile'ish walk started. She took Zu Zu. I took Serena. Laurel likes to walk fast. That doesn't happen with Serena on the other end of a leash. Which is fine with me. I'm happy to go as slow as Serena wants to go.

Yesterday, that ranged from glacial to full-stop, depending on whether Serena was in a meandering or sniffing mood. 

By the time we got close to the end of the Laurelhurst Park loop, few Strut Your Mutt'ers were behind us. Then, so far as I could tell, we got passed by the only mutt that had been challenging Serena for slowness.

A dog with no front legs.

A dog that got around with the aid of a wheelchair-like appliance. When the dog passed us, I said to its owner, "Geez, we're getting passed by a dog with two legs. Could you get your dog to stop and sniff for a while, so my old dog could have a chance of not being last to the finish line?"

Actually, I was kidding. I wanted to be last. Serena and I like to stand out. Last is distinctive. Near the end of the pack, so plebian.

As if we had a choice. The "wheechair dog" could move remarkably well. It did like to sniff almost as much as Serena, but when it stopped sniffing and went back to walking/rolling, we got left in its wheeled wake. This was a non-competitive event, so we didn't get an award. 

In my own mind, though, Serena and I are #1. Counting from the end.

Comments

[Charlotte P.]

I thank you so much for you sharing your story about your relationship with you doggie. I put my beloved Dutch to sleep yesterday. I felt guilty and very depressed that I did the wrong thing but reading your story really helped me realize that I wanted the best for Dutch. I never wanted him hurt or sad so I made the right decision and your story has helped me feel bettet about this. Dutch was 11yrs 11mos old American Pitbull Terrier. The most smart, gentle friend I ever known. I LOVED HIM