The park has some nice shady trails.
The wise adapt themselves to circumstances as water molds itself to the pitcher.
— Chinese Proverb
After our last walk on the rail trail, Waldo developed a bit of a limp, favoring his right hind leg. As far as I know, he hasn’t suffered any trauma. He’s had sore legs before, for some reason, and not always with the same leg. I never figured out why and, after resting awhile, the problem was resolved and he went back to his usual self. This time seems a little worse than before. He even has difficulty going upstairs, because it hurts him to put weight on it. So, for the past few days, we’ve just hung out around the house and walked around the property for Waldo’s unwatering and depooping.
Today, he seems a little better, although his limp is not totally gone. It’s also quite hot again, too hot for a full rail-trail walk. The minimum temp for the day is in the low 70s and will increase rapidly from there. So we’re going to Ghiloni Park (not even a mile away) for a shorter walk in the woods (about a mile).
Ghiloni Park is a city park designed for many activities. There is a playground for little kids, with a splash pad next to that, so they can cool off in water sprayed from frogs, flowers and a touch sensitive pole. There are soccer and softball fields and a basketball court too. And there are trails, some paved, others not, that wander through a deciduous forest of pine, oak, maple, black cherry and beech. That, of course, is where we’re headed.
After parking the car, Waldo and I walk past large soccer fields and follow a paved walkway that leads into the forest. The path isn’t as wide as the rail trail and the trees are closer to the path. That makes it feel like our walk is ever so much more intimately involved with nature. There are a few house sparrows that call out to us, and a northern cardinal or two, but, for the most part, the birds are quiet. The trail leads up a low incline and, in the heat, I’m soon sweating and Waldo is panting. He’s up at the forward end of the leash, since there are no bikes anywhere in sight, and exploring around in the bushes off the side of the path. His tail is wagging and he is obviously enjoying himself. I watch his hind legs, as he trots ahead, and he doesn’t seem to be favoring the right.
Going down the other side of the hill, we come to a fenced-off area. The city of Marlborough created a dog park there, only a couple of years ago. It’s empty – although we did pass a couple of other dogs on the trail, there are none inside the fence. I don’t know why. We’ve visited other dog parks elsewhere that aren’t as nice and are less convenient, yet actively used. Maybe the word hasn’t yet gotten out that this park is here. Because of Waldo’s leg, we don’t stop there today.
The paved trail now turns left and parallels a road that runs through the middle of the park. On the other side of the road is a dirt path that dives deep into the forest. It wanders around in a loop for a couple of miles then returns to the road. Waldo and I have explored it before, but not today. It’s just too hot. We continue on our way, turning to the left, and end up back at the soccer fields. I’m soaked in sweat and Waldo’s tongue lolls out limply, dripping saliva. It’s time to end our journey and head back to home, water and AC. The walk took us about a half-hour.
When we get home, Waldo is a bit reluctant to climb the stairs, but finally does so, although haltingly. He drags his left foot a little, as he goes up a stair, because it hurts him to lift his body on his right leg high enough for his left leg to easily reach the next step. I fear even this short walk might have made his leg worse. But it has fed his soul so righteously.
Once inside the apartment, Waldo does a full body flop onto the floor, tongue fully extended, lying flattened out. He will lap up a little water after he cools off a bit, but first, he has to get rid of some of the body heat he’s acquired. There’s no better way for him to do that than to lay out so the floor can absorb what it can. It is so much better at heat conduction than the air. I settle into my recliner and turn on a tower fan to blow cool air onto my hot sweaty skin. On days like this, even a short walk takes its toll.
Today is a Friday, so I decide to wait another couple of days. If Waldo’s leg doesn’t get any better, I’m going to have to take him to the vet Monday. Until then, we’ll just have to do shorter, but more frequent walks.
We do what we can do.
Waldo enjoys the dog park, even when he’s alone.