This past September I submitted 2 blogs on my beloved dog Patch. At the time of the posting I was fairly mobile, but now w/ the cold weather setting in, I've pretty much had to more less stay home due to severe Arthritis in my lower extremities. Patch, whom I would take on extensive walks sometimes 3 times a day, is unable to understand this lapse in our routine, yet the critter, though he doesnt fully understand why sences the pain & discomfort I must endure daily. Despite the risk of our landlord seeing him, we just simply open the door so he can indulge in natures calling. Were not suppose to allow dogs to run freely w/o a leash, but Patch will wander around the yard briefly, do his buisness, & faithfully return back inside. Im in process of waiting for the Meds I took for pain managment to start taking effect & then I'll make a serious attempt to take him, via my pick up down to the Susquhanna River less than a mile away. He loves it down there & upon seeing that were going there, he literally gets adenalized & starts shaking from his excitment. There I unleash him & he goes ballistic, running non stop. Its his playground & I enjoy watching him explore, on occasion, hell spot a cat, fox or squrrill & do his utmost best to get it, on many occasions coming very close to getting his targeted would be prey. The animal needs to run, I sence his need, & will help him to release the pent up energy he surly must have.