Milton’s Position in The Parade, Morning Walk Stories

Awareness of the outside world. Happy Mardi Gras. Laissez les bons temps rouler. Mardi Gras has decoupled from Lent and become its own thing. Much like Halloween & All Saint’s Day. Not a particularly original thought, just one that strikes me each year.

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Last week, I explained that our daily walk is back and forth laps, that I let them walk on their own part of the time, and that Rodney likes to run ahead in the direction heading toward the Dispenser Of Cookies. [Rodney’s Position in The Parade]

Milton has equally strong opinions, although less exertion is involved. He has decided – nay, decreed – that he goes in front of me down the path. When we are marching at liberty, the correct sequence is Rodney, Milton, me.

He is not trying to get to the corner before me. There would be more effort if he were racing me toward cookies. He simply walks slowly a horse length in front of me. If I try to walk next to him, not ahead, just next to him, he will walk faster or even trot. He stops as soon as I drop behind. He’s very clear about this.

Here’s what I think happened. We would turn around. I would let them go. Rodney would hustle off. I would pause for a moment to gather the leadropes. In that time, Milton would get a few steps ahead. He has gotten used to this and decided that this is canon. Now, he is perturbed if the Proper Order is not maintained.

Onwards!
Katherine