The old axiom about golf is probably only true for those that beat themselves up over every extra stroke.

I have not golfed in years. I have a tendency to want to walk off into the woods and enjoy the silence or listen to the wildlife that is breaking up the silence. This, I am told, does not contribute to being a better “duffer.”

My dog, Bella, and I take a walk almost every day of the week, some longer, some shorter. I can certify that taking a beagle with you on a photography-walk does not make you a better wildlife photographer. It does teach you patience as well as the value of getting a shot while you can (admittedly two diametrically opposed things, but they are the yin and the yang of walking with Bella.)

My “daughter” is now 3 years old and, with some effort, I have her trained well enough to be off-leash in most situations. As long as I am paying attention to her, anticipating her next move or noticing what she will notice soon, I can usually keep her out of trouble.

Sometimes, though, when there is actually an interesting bird which she hasn’t scared away and I’m aiming my camera, waiting for the light and the angle of the head to be just right, I tend to focus away from her for too long. 

Mourning Dove

A few days ago as I was trying to get a good shot of a female red-winged blackbird on a marsh edge, Bella disappeared on me. I had thought that with the thick underbrush on two sides and the marsh in front of her, she had no way of escaping. Where had the little dickens gone? Into the marsh, of course - the dog that hates water and refuses to take a bath gladly foraged belly-deep in foul-smelling water. Luckily, I keep towels in my car.

As she ages, it can be difficult to get her enough exercise. Whereas I used to have to pull her back, we often finish our walks with me cajoling her along...

She seems most interested in following her nose:

She will still chase her orange and blue ball on days that I break it out early enough in the walk that she still has energy, but late enough in the walk that she is willing to take a break from sniffing everything.

Honestly, I never took the phrase, "Man's best friend" too seriously before Bella, despite loving just about every dog I came in contact with. Love is a reciprocal proposition and we really do enjoy our time together.

And...if she gets muddy while we're out, she knows to jump up into the open trunk and wait for me to wipe her off with one of the towels I keep there. Don't worry, despite being asked by one woman if I was going to make her ride in the trunk, I've never been tempted to close it on her.

Good Dog.

At the End of a Walk, I Say, "Up-Up!" and She Hops In the Trunk So Her Paws Can Be Wiped