Fall walks

We're big walkers around here. The dogs love to get out into the occasional sunshine and don't seem to mind the Seattle drizzle. They're trained to walk together on the coupler. More accurately, Ziggy takes Missy (who would run ahead) for a walk at my heels.

When we get back to our driveway, I unclip them and say, "Go home!" They head for the front porch.

"Up!" and they jump on the porch bench while I go inside for a towel to dry them off or wipe their paws.

"Good dog!" and the clean one jumps off the bench to wait at the door.

"Shake!" and they shake their coat clean of raindrops.

When I open the door, they wait on the front rug. "Wipe your feet!" I wipe their paws on the entry rug. I've noticed Missy - the smarter of the two - wiping her feet on the outdoor mat a time or two. When she does, she gets to skip the indoor foot wipe.

They love routines. And I like my clean house. Good doggies!