Tags
Acceptance, Animal, carefree, Dog, Free spirit, Guide Dog, Happiness, Inner Peace, Labradoodle, Munch, Non Judgement, Peace, Rebel, Visual Impairement
This is Munch. Munch finds obedience so overrated. He believes that he is my owner, and no amount of persuasion shifts him from his belief. In all honesty though, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Prior to Munch’s arrival in my life six and a half years ago, my only other experience of life with a dog was with my collie cross named Cindy, who we had for around fourteen years. Cindy was our best friend who used to spend hours outdoors with my brothers, myself, and friends. She could header a football like a professional, remain quietly by our side when playing fox and hounds, and jump across rivers with ease. One of the best things about her was her omnipresent loyalty and her obedience. We only had to ask her to do something once, and she would do it without hesitation. Admittedly, an edible treat always helped in her eagerness to please, but she always listened. Knowing that I was going to have a fully trained Guide Dog, therefore, I felt would be a breeze. I think, however, it is fair to say it can sometimes be more of a gust than a breeze with Munch.
In his Minster Guide Dog role, he could easily be mistaken as star pupil to Cindy’s teachings as he listens to his commands. His off duty self is a little less trained and a little more rogue. I was reminded of this earlier in the week when we bumped into someone (not literally as Munch was doing his on duty job) , who witnessed his free spirited side during his early days with me. She reminded me of the time when he decided to show some fellow dog walkers that we were with that my commands were not for his floppy ears. I unfortunately remembered this memory far too well for all of the wrong reasons.
Munch had come to me at just 22 months, and after 2 weeks of training together , we were left alone to start our partnership together. It felt like a diluted down version of having a new baby , where you are left to figure out all the logistics as you go along and you are only able to learn by the huge mistakes you make. It was clear from day one that although on duty Minster could not be a better trained Guide Dog, the harness free prankster Munch was yet to be tamed. This became more apparent as we immersed ourselves in the dog walking world where it seemed all dogs walked at their owners’ heel and did as they were told before the spoken word was completed. It was guaranteed that when all of the other dogs were being good boys and girls, Munch would literally be running around them in circles invitingly play.
The most embarrassing time that I was reminded about, was the time when he decided to take around 45 minutes to listen to recall. It was a week before his second birthday and Munch decided that his 2 mile walk and 30 minute free run was not enough to tire out the little power bank and that I would simply have to wait until he was ready to go back on lead. I called, he ignored, I offered treats, he pretended not to be a foodie, and I pleaded as he closed his floppy ears. Without the help of a fellow Labradoodle long-term sufferer, a.k.a owner, I think I may have been stood there as his second birthday was celebrated. This Earth Angel who helped trick him into going back on lead, will always hold a special place in my paw trodden heart. Judgemental stares and echoing tutting certainly can exists among the dog walking community , as it does in parenting circles, where perfection is paramount.
For a while after that impish incident, I was a little reluctant to be around other dog walkers for fear of being judged by Munch’s carefree approach to our free runs. It was only after chats with the man who helped get Munch back on his lead, that I began to see things differently. His Labradoodle was 6 years old and had only then began cooling down a little and listened to recall more. there was hope after all. I reminded myself that none of the other dogs were working dogs, so their time was always ‘free’. I believe that working dogs need to play a little more to help get the balance in their lives when off duty. This is my go to reminder as he approaches his ninth impish year.
These days, when his sit-down protest occurs mid walk, I remind myself that time may have to stand still for a while, but that is okay. We will get to where we need to when he is good and ready. A tantrum or two here and there is maybe what is needed to slow life down and just to be in the playful moment. This is Munch. I think I need to be more like Munch.