Today is the anniversary of my retirement. In the last year I've been able to spend a lot more time with Holly than while I was working. Looking back, our relationship has changed over the year. Before retirement we'd have two long walks a week, nowadays we're out together for five or six days a week. We're often out in the countryside so I've taken to carrying a camera. I've worked on training her how to behave when I want to take wildlife photos, and she's getting quite good at following hand signals. She's still a bit restless if I stop for too long in one place, but is getting better. Holly and I have both become much more fit, and we now think nothing of going out for a whole morning's walk in most weather. Before retirement she would stay very close when on unfamiliar paths, whereas now she's very relaxed and more confident. She still likes to keep me in sight but is happy to explore new areas on her own. At home, she no longer tracks my movements so closely. While I was working she was always rather low when I went to work, and would listen intently and watch the door when she thought I should be coming home. Now she monitors my movements from her basket and views my going out as an opportunity for a walks. During the last 12 months I feel that we've become much closer. I think we can read each other much better and, to some extent, each has learned to anticipate what the other wants. She's helped me to relax and change from the intensity of working life to a more relaxed pace. She's taught me the importance of living for the moment, and I'm grateful for that lesson.
Oh Phil, you brought a tear to my eye reading this. You two really do have a special bond and it is amazing how you feel happy being retired. Less chances of spreading Holly's hair across the world, but instead you get to spend more precious time with her
What a grand post to read, I confess to my eyes getting a bit blinky in the last paragraph. Holly is such a lovely girl, and it's admirable that you can photograph wildlife as you do.
So very poignant , I can relate to this Phil , having been retired for ten years . Nothing beats that closeness , the bond is wonderful .
Nice to read and yes the bond is great. I can relate (not retired), we are similar when it comes to 2 walks a day whilst working. But having been off for a week you can see a change in Vanilla as she is more relaxed and just watches rather than follow all the time. This I am sure will change by tomorrow when back at work. Somehow have to win the lottery to retire
Great post HDad! Of course this is totally anecdotal, but I have noticed quite a difference between dogs that are in working households and those that live with retired folks, like us. As you posted, they seem to be way more relaxed. It made me chuckle when you wrote that she views your going out as an opportunity for a walk. They do that! Murphy sees me heading for the back door. . . ah hah! WE must be going outside to do something! Unless it is a day like today, it is about 20 degrees out with a slight wind. When I headed out to get something from the shop he looked at me like "Uh huh, go ahead, I am staying right here in front of the fireplace, what are ya? Crazy?" Really enjoy reading posts like yours.
