Henry is not a small puppy but I don’t really think about his size until something calls it to my attention. In this recent photo with my friend Carol, honorary aunt to all the Doods, he looks huge!
ELBEE Hello! He’s closer to the camera, of course he looks huge. It’s called perspective.
With the long Great Pyrenees legs he inherited from his mother, he’s like the tall awkward kid who will be a star basketball player once he fills out.
ELBEE Thank goodness that unfortunate puppy acne has cleared up.
Lately when we’re walking, I hear lots of comments about his size. Two people suggested I put a saddle on him. I was chatting with a Spanish speaking man, who smiled and said “es un caballo,” which means “he’s a horse.”
ELBEE Someone is showing off her limited Español.
Friday, as I was coming down a steep trail that wraps around the side of the 
mountain, a man and his adult son were waiting to meet Henry. They explained that from a distance they had seen something big and white walking down with me but with the sun on him, they couldn’t quite tell what it was.
Henry’s stature and his unusual coloring draw so many people to him that my mountain social life has really expanded. A shyness that I sensed in Henry has been replaced by curiosity and a bit of attention seeking. He watches everyone and expects them to say hello and pet him. I think I sense a tiny bit of his inner diva coming out.
ELBEE I’m so proud.
GUS & STANLEY So are we.
The mountain meetings are a gift as far as his socialization is concerned. If he’s ever going to follow in his big brothers’ therapy dog paw prints, he needs to be comfortable with people of all ages, shapes and sizes. We go to class for obedience and behavioral issues, but you can’t sign up for all of our trail interactions.
A few times I’ve been surprised by people remembering him after only one meeting. Kids who have briefly played with him on the trails will call out “Hi Henry” when they see him again. After one hike, a little boy rolled down the car window and yelled “Bye Henry” as we were walking down the street. I couldn’t help but smile.
Are Henry and Gus laughing at my post?
