Yesterday, Long Island temperatures were in the high forties, complements of a nice southeasterly breeze. The combination of warm temps and an early day home from work prompted me to take my Golden Retriever, Hunter for a nice early evening walk. I felt that Hunter needed alone time so Casey our seven month old Berner was left home. Don't feel sorry for her, she's become to dependent on Hunter and is fearful when he is not around. So alone time for both dogs is a good thing at this stage of her development. Occasionally along our walk, we sometimes run into a new addition to the neighborhood, Ozzie, a nine month old Berner belonging to a family who lives on a cul-de-sac near us. Ozzie has become an escape artist and his family has had problems keeping him contained. They are working on resolving that issue. As Hunter and I were returning home, Ozzie's family pulled out of their driveway and as they passed by, we waved. As we continued our walk, I see Ozzie, loose, walking on the side of the road. At this point I'm both stunned and annoyed that his owners left him loose with complete disregard for his safety. I had no choice but to call Ozzie over to me and bring him home which is approximately one quarter mile back in the other direction. As I grab Ozzie, I notice his family backing down the road, I'm relieved that they have realized he's loose and have come back to get him. Just as I grab Ozzie and secure him, his family stops the car, turns around, and continues on their way leaving me with two excited dogs and one leash. The Berner by the way, easily tipped the scales at 100 lbs. Needless to say I'm furious, as I'm walking Ozzie home, I've decided that Ozzie's owners need to be educated. Beside the dangers associated with letting him run loose. I decide he's much to big for his age so I'm questioning their feeding practices as well. As I'm walking Ozzie down their driveway searching for a safe place to leave him, the owners return home. I'm about to begin my lecture when thankfully Ozzie's dad says " I bet you think that dog is Ozzie" This isn't Ozzie? I sheepishly reply. "No says Ozzie's dad, he lives in the house where you found him" Shame on me! I not only didn't recognize that this dog could not be Ozzie based on the fact that he couldn't have possibly have grown to that size, but Ozzie also has a "Swiss Kiss" which I failed to notice this other Berner did not have. After we all shared a good laugh, Ozzie's owner's thankfully offered to take the Berner back to his rightful home, and Hunter and I took a different way home. It could be my imagination, but I truly believe that my perfectly trained, loyal and obedient Golden was for the very first time, embarrassed to walk with me.
So if anyone doubts the popularity of the BMD, visit my neighborhood, five BMD's within a stones throw. Steve Squillante While an original is always hard to find, he is easy to recognize. John C. Mason (1955-) American Author
