These boots are made for walking and that’s just what they’ll do...

Well, not so much boots as tiny little Velcro strapped shoes no more than 10cm long but the sentiment remains the same.   

Alby’s walking is coming along brilliantly – we’ve even been exposed to the occasional bit of running.  And so this morning before heading off to Percy’s puppy class I layered Alby up, stuck the lead on Percy and my boys and I went for a wander around the block.

It was slow progress but nothing too painful and within ten minutes we were back at the house.  Alby had walked the entire way stopping only to admire the occasional leaf or to search for gliders overhead.  When we passed another dog Alby didn’t flinch, he tapped the spaniel on the nose and carried on his way.

This evening, feeling emboldened by my morning success I let Alby walk for the first part of the daily evening Percy walk.  Alby was thrilled – he was at the end of the driveway whilst I was still getting Percy out of the house.  (A little side note to emphasise how grateful I am at the moment to be living in a safe and quite neighbourhood).

The first ten minutes of the walk were brilliant – Alby waddling along at Percy’s side.  At one point he put his hand over Percy as they walked together which really was the cutest thing...

Five minutes later things became a little bit more trying as Alby decided he wanted to hold Percy’s lead.  And that I wasn’t allowed to.  Intrigued by what would happen (would Alby just drop the lead and keep walking? Would Percy refuse to move?) I handed it over.  Silly mummy.

Percy did walk for Alby and for about five seconds I thought “this is the best thing ever”.  But then Alby got distracted by a leaf, Percy used this as his cue to stop walking, Alby started walking, Percy did not, Alby flapped the lead, Percy started walking, we moved five steps, Alby got distracted by a leaf...

Clearly I have a long way to go before I can be described in any way shape or form as a patient person.

Five minutes after that things got even more testing when Alby stopped to watch children playing.  It took an awful lot of coaxing to get him moving again.  When he did he realised I had once again commandeered the dog lead and was thoroughly unimpressed to the extent of ensuring that each step was accompanied with a whine.

So, twenty minutes in and we’d only made it as far as the Welfare Office – not to worry, I’d brought the front pouch with me and whilst Alby wasn’t initially as thrilled about this as I was I think the twenty minutes he had been walking for had knackered him more than he realised. 

Parents and experts alike these days talk so much about how important it is to have children outside playing not just spending their time in front of the telly.  I’m as keen an advocate of physical activity over sofa time as anybody but I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to put my words into practice just 14 months after having Alby.  However, whilst dog walking with Alby isn’t suitable I think there is much to be said about allowing him to walk home from nursery at least a couple days a week.  Great physical (and mental) exercise, an early start on road safety, an early start on staying close to mama and coming when she calls.  Plus, the more time we spend outside the less mess we can make inside, which means less cleaning and that is always a good thing. 

If I want 5 year old Alby spending his weekends playing football / rugby / cycling then why not start now?  Why not get into the habit of doing this as much as possible as early as possible so that it becomes second nature to the both of us?  Now, I just have to hope the rain keeps away...