Hiking Partners: Me or the dog?

        When I first started going out with Mike, he had a dog. Let it be known right away that I'm not a dog person. Bailey was an all-right dog, and I probably don't do her justice because I didn't have much to do with her (or she with me) and because she was an elderly dog and wasn't showing off the best that dogness has to offer. But I recognized that Bailey was an important part of Mike's life and that they had hiked many trails together before I came along. It was understood between them that she would go on hikes with him, whether I were there or not, so, if I were going to hike with Mike, which I very much wanted to do, I would have to hike with Bailey, too. Love me, love my dog.

Bailey is the light brown dog at the water's edge.

       Bailey died a few years ago. And Mike and I have hiked many miles together. Somewhere recently on some trail for some reason we started talking about the differences between me and Bailey as hiking partners. As the pros and cons were thrown out, I began to get a little nervous that Mike would get another dog as a preferred hiking partner.

        I had to admit that Bailey had some advantages over me, but I was quick to point out that I had the advantage in other ways. I am, for instance, by far the better conversationalist (one point for me). On the other hand, Bailey didn't talk back to Mike or argue about the names of the peaks. If Mike said, "Oh, there's Mt. Elijah," Bailey didn't say, "No, it isn't. That's Grayback," as I am apt to do (though I am usually about as correct as Bailey would have been). Bailey never corrected Mike if he used "imply" when he meant "infer," either. Bailey didn't care. That put grammar-dictator me up against all-accepting Bailey (one point for Bailey).

        I don't run off into the forest chasing squirrels, so Mike doesn't have to call me back, as he did Bailey (point for me). On the other hand, Bailey did obey him (point for Bailey). If Mike said, "Comel" Bailey came, wagging her tail. I'm likely to balk at commands and sometimes affect a fetch-it-yourself attitude.

        Bailey accepted that Mike was her master. He is not mine. I did not promise to "obey" in my wedding vows. Bailey's hero-worship was flattering, but, sorry, as much as I love Mike, I'm not going to take him as my master. Still it's another point for Bailey, the yes-master worshipful hiking partner.

        Bailey, like me, liked to swim in the lakes. My advantage is that I don't spray water over Mike with a vigorous shake when I get out (big point for me).

        Bailey would lie next to Mike in the tent and keep his body warm. I do that, too, except sometimes my feet are so cold it's like putting a bag of ice on Mike's legs. Point for Bailey, though I'm reluctant to concede it because my warm body feels good against Mike's, too.

        Mike doesn't have to follow me picking up my poop. Big plus for me.

        I don't jump up and lick Mike's face when we meet, no matter how glad I am to see him. But maybe Mike liked that kind of greeting from the dog. Some people do. I don't. From my point of view, this is a plus for me, but Bailey would say such an enthusiastic show of affection would be a plus for her, so this is a draw.

      After a hike Mike had to feed Bailey, whereas it's I who give Mike good things to eat. Big plus for me.

      I don't shed hair. Well, I do, these days, but not a lot. Not like a dog. Point for me.

       Bailey was always in a good mood. I'm usually in a good mood, but I get irritated from time to time, which Bailey never did. Bailey never complained, as I sometimes do. Point for Bailey, the good-natured, Pollyanna, thank-you-master dog.

        Counting points, I barely come out ahead, with six points to Bailey's five, but an even stronger factor is the strength of various points. Being a good conversationalist is a very big factor, but so is Bailey's never-complaining outlook on life. I am fairly secure in thinking Mike won't replace me with a dog for a hiking partner, but maybe, without moving into hero-worship or obeying every command, I could learn a few things from Bailey about being a good hiking partner.