Personal Narrative: Sammy And Sushi

The first paying job that I ever had was walking my neighbor’s dogs: Sammy and Sushi. Sammy is a stunning American Cocker Spaniel with caramel fur that burns in the late afternoon sun and Sushi is an adorable Japanese Shih Tzu with black fur and white spots with nubby legs and a tongue that is always sticking out. Their eyes are impressive; when you have four chocolate orbs staring at you, it makes you feel comfortable and that everything is at ease. The two girls and I have taken several walks together over the past six or seven years, but the responsibilities involved were more than I initially expected. All good things change with age, and the same applies to loving, four-legged friends. In years past, Sammy and Sushi would always wait …show more content…
One would have to remember when walking with these two that they are the first priority. Making sure to take breaks when needed and cleaning up when they relieved themselves was a given. Their needs became my duties. I was there to keep them safe and away from speeding cars, and everything else was up to them. On rainy days, I would sacrifice my umbrella to keep the girls dry because I felt that I could handle the chill more efficiently. When it snowed, I altered our route so that they would be able to play in and enjoy the new, frozen blanket while staying healthy and able. This was always the case from the fence all the way until the end of the next street where a single yield sign stood. Approaching this destination triggered an instinct in all three of us and we knew that it was finally time to turn back. Thus, we went back the way we came, Sushi still at my heels and Sammy exploring the other side of the …show more content…
While going down the stairs was a major challenge before, going up them was another story to be told. It was at this point in the walk where newspaper bags were tied and thrown in the garbage can and Sushi braced herself against the wall, ready for me to climb the mountain before her as a beacon towards which she could strive to. When I succeeded the stairs and stood on the porch, Sushi hopped one step, two steps, three steps, until she arrived where I was. On the contrary, Sammy did not like to take as much time going up as she did going down, and hurriedly climbed the stairs as fast as her deteriorating bones could allow. The worst was over for the three of us, but now the most rewarding part of the journey was to come: treats and belly