Oh, the Shame...

Ume tagged us to tell an embarrassing Charlie encounter. Strangely, this is kind of hard to do. Not much embarrasses Charlie. And I tend to find his awkward moments more amusing than embarrassing. But here goes...

Charlie has always been afraid to walk too far from the house in the neighborhood with me. It was true in the old house in California and it's been true here in Portland, too.

As we walk down the sidewalk, he constantly glances back, as if to assure himself he can get home. And at some point, usually suddenly and often dramatically, he freaks! It could be a dog barking in a house, or a loud truck, or a distant sound of remodeling; sometimes it happens for no apparent reason. It could be 2 blocks from home or it could be 1/2 block. But suddenly Charlie tucks his tail and cowers, pathetically straining at the leash to crawl home.

I find myself embarrassedly trying to explain the situation to passersby so they won't think I've been mistreating him. And I swear I haven't! Unless excessive hugging and a tendency to be a little heavy-handed with the dog treats qualifies. To that, I plead guilty!