Already, I have had some wonderful connections with others sparked by anticipation of Pete’s arrival. I interviewed friends and acquaintances about how they have trained and socialized their dogs.

Two weeks ago when visiting cousins Jessie and Julia in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on Sunday morning, Julia generously taught me how to walk a dog. The lessons were all mine to learn:

• Be the leader in your mind before you step out on the walk
• Don’t look down at the dog, walk with confidence on your path with your gaze ahead
• Calm your mind and all the muscles from your head to your fingers
• Think ahead and anticipate what you need to do to maintain your walk

Julia first demonstrated with Buster and Maisie, then handed one leash at a time to me so I could “experience” how to walk two different types of dogs. She walked Buster behind me and called out coaching so I could adjust as I walked with Maisie (front and center). Through supervised training, I reached the kinetic/mental ah-ha of walking my walk. Sounds simple and intuitive AND I have to say that it was a big revelation to me. I realized that I never walk my own walk unless I am walking alone. I always adjust. I can think back to my days in marching band when I learned the rhythm of moving to the pace of the music in perfect step with my colleagues. I was constantly listening and adjusting to external cues. How different it is to take off at a pace and a rhythm that feels great for me and expect that the dog will match my steps! I am so appreciative for this insight and encouragement. As I will be doing a lot of walking with Pete, I am looking forward to leading the walk, instead of following his lead. Julia says that Pete will look forward to my lead also.