Oh, I was laughing all the way because I recognized my big mistake. I was just glad that I didn’t lose him. He had been found running as a stray, and I didn’t know yet whether he’d always be trying to get away from his people. He turned out to be very much a Velcro dog, as most Goldens are.
One of the first things you should learn is that a new dog is not going to be like your old dog. I was never able to teach him the silly tricks that his predecessor mastered. But, he had tricks of his own. He was a wonderful dog, and I’ll never find another like him.
We live on 12 acres at the end of a long drive. But, I took Max to work at our manufacturing plant every day he was with us. Our manufacturing plant has a grassy yard, but it is surrounded by streets, schools, children, rabbits, etc. I was always worried that he might run after some of the passersby — especially after I allowed him to walk in and out of the building unleashed. But, he was very good. In fact he was better off leash than on. And then I discovered that he would respond to a whistle, so I always carried one on my key chain. OMG, I miss that dog.
“One of the first things you should learn is that a new dog is not going to be like your old dog.”
That is a very sound piece of advice. I do admit that I think I had a benchmark in my mind from my previous dog and that I will definitely have to change that perspective. It will be good for me and for Buford.