Who Was Walking Whom?

Here is another story about Tobby and his remarkable physical abilities.

Tobby is strong. No, wait. Tobby is strong.

His chest is so powerful that it works like a locomotive engine: it goes first, and the rest of the dog simply follows behind it, carriage after carriage. And when that locomotive spots something interesting on the horizon, it stops being transport and becomes a natural disaster.

Something interesting can be anything. A cat. A pigeon. A leaf that moved suspiciously. Another dog three streets away. A person who might, possibly, one day, want to say hello.

With age he tries to hold himself back, he really does. But his curiosity, his enthusiasm and his endless desire to greet everyone on this planet turn into an unstoppable wave of feelings. And that wave has often ended in small accidents and general confusion.

Keeping Tobby on a regular collar and leash was incredibly hard. On a harness, it was simply impossible. A harness, for a dog with Tobby's chest, is not a restraint. It's an invitation to pull harder, like hitching a cart to a very enthusiastic horse.

So you can imagine what our walks looked like. To anyone watching, it was never quite clear who was walking whom.

Tobby would come home thrilled, tail high, slightly hoarse from pulling against the collar the whole way. And we would come home behind him, windswept, one arm longer than the other, looking like we had survived something.

Then a small miracle came from a direction we didn't expect.

We found a head halter, a soft strap that goes gently around the nose, so that when the locomotive surges forward, its head turns softly back toward you instead of charging ahead. No pulling against the throat. No battle.

And just like that, our walks became rest. For us, and for Tobby too.

It still feels a little unbelievable. Now I can guide the whole locomotive with one easy movement of my hand, and I no longer come home feeling as if that same locomotive has driven straight through me.

Tobby still greets every pigeon with full emotional commitment. He just does it a bit more calmly now. Most days.

A note: This is the head halter we use (see it on Amazon; affiliate link). A few honest notes: give your dog time to get used to it, starting with short sessions at home and lots of treats, because most dogs find it strange at first. Never jerk the leash with a head halter; gentle guidance is the whole point. And if your dog has any neck or breathing issues, ask your vet first.

Is there a "locomotive" in your life too? Something with so much enthusiasm that you're never quite sure who's leading whom? Tell me about it. Tobby would like to know he has company.

With love, and a wet nose from Tobby

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