Blast from the past

I had a comment from one of my long ago friends and walking partners which made me smile with the memories.  Many years ago we used to get up early in every kind of weather and go for a brisk walk before going to work.  It was my habit to set my clock for 6:20 a.m. and be out the door and down the lane by 6:40.  The two of us would head out on the same route every weekday morning with our dogs Sasha and Sondra.  Back then we just let the dogs go wherever they wanted without us hanging onto a leash.....my how times have changed!!  The dogs did everything together; and I mean everything.
We would head out of town and go down the same country road talking away; I think we solved every problem known to man.  One time someone commented to me that when we walked past her place she thought it was geese flying overhead - nice.  I didn't care.....well, I care less now than I did then!
We had a few adventures on those walks.  Once we turned to go west we only went past one yard and on occasion the man of the house would be out driving around without his headlights on.  I can remember giving him hell one morning!  Another time we could hear this man's voice softly calling out, "Precious", or was it "Cuddles" or "Lovey", or something like that..Anyhow, it turns out he was calling his little dog.  Thank goodness for that!  We sure had a laugh over that one.
Some days it was foggy and on one extremely foggy morning we set out, picking our way along the gravel road.  We could see a shadow looming up ahead. The dogs were no help since they were off somewhere in the ditch chasing imaginary rabbits and looking for an opening in the fence since it was so much fun to roll around in cow poop.  We were on our own.  The shadow floated closer and we clutched one another in fear; I still get goose bumps thinking about it.  Finally one of us found our voice (not me) and she called out, "Is someone there??"  Just then the shadow turned into a local lady out for a walk and she says, "You two aren't the only ones who go for a walk you know."  With that she kept on walking and once we recovered from shaking in our running shoes we continued on.
In the winter time we missed a few walks due to extremely cold weather but for the most part we carried on all bundled up against the elements.  There was the odd occasion when we walked in town because of snow and ice and wind.  One of those extreme mornings we decided it would be best to stay in town.  It was really icy.  We slipped and slid along but it was manageable.  Well, it was all right until the dogs decided to run close to us.  They picked up speed and came barrelling towards us only to discover that neither one of them could stop due to the ice.  They both skidded into us and down we went like football players, tackled on the streets of our little village by a Black Lab and a German Shepherd.  We were both laughing and howling and as we tried to get up we slipped and fell down again, rolling around with our heavy winter gear.  Good job it was dark and early, although I am sure somebody must have seen us go ass over tea kettle that fine morning!
Oh those were good times and I haven't had as great a friend and walking partner since that time.  We moved here almost nineteen years ago and those days will never be repeated.
Thanks for the memories.