When Murphy picked his part in the personal pet therapy project, he did so without complaint –but with much sacrifice. Among other things, gone were his leisurely walks multiple times a day.
He’s making up for lost time now. These days Murph wakes up early and with tons of enthusiasm. There’s work to be done, and he needs my help to do it.
Company on My Morning Walk
I like to start my day with a nice walk. But when I started caring for my mom I rarely got to walk. And therefor neither did Murph. Not the long walks we used to know anyway.
However, lately I take him almost every morning. For one because it’s cooler in the mornings. For another because now that I don’t have to be responsible for my mom all the time, I’m back to playing volleyball five nights a week. Mornings are the best time for me to spend quality time with Murph.
But there’s also a third and most important reason…
“Get up! The bunnies are out!”
Because Wayne’s the early bird in our flock, he’s usually the one to take Murph out first. That’s sometime around five a.m.
If I had my druthers I’d sleep until seven, but I’m not allowed such a luxury anymore. Nary an hour after Wayne’s taken him out, Murph’s nosing me.
“Get up! The bunnies are out! Time to get walking!”
Yes, yes. I know. The sun’s up, the bunnies are out…and I’m supposed to be accomplishing my morning walk. Ugh.
Another day has begun. Up, dress, and out the door we head.
Run, Rabbit, Run!
And fly, Courtie, fly.
We don’t even make it three houses before we usually spot the first batch of bunnies. The chase is on. Murph starts a’pulling and I start a’holding on for dear life!
The Big Spotted Bunny Hunter
Murph takes his bunny hunting responsibilities very seriously. He has no clue the walks were meant to be my exercise. He thinks it’s all about tracking down every bunny in the neighborhood.
Which we do. And which gives me more exercise than I’m really wanting most mornings.
We sprint from lawn to lawn in search of rabbits, hike every hill in hopes of finding some more, and race from one side of the street to another to scope out dens.
It’s a rough job but someone’s got to do it. And Murph is just the pup to get it done. (With a little help from me, his faithful sidekick, of course.)
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