The birds let Jimmy share their bath. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Ut-oh, he won’t get in the car. I’ve only had dogs that hop right in, sometimes before I’m ready. Even jump out before I’m ready.

Jimmy, though, took one look at the open door and started scootching away.

I’m used to a dog that sits in the front seat. Jimmy really didn’t get the concept as his front paws were on the floorboard and haunches were on the seat.

As comical as that may have been to witness me getting him in the car, it must have looked even more so as I got him out of there. No way I could drive with him in that position.

Jimmy finds a new home, if only for a day. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

I maneuvered to get the blanket spread across the back seat before lifting this 53-pound 7-month-old Boxer and Anatolian Shepherd mix into the car. I’m also used to dogs who weigh much less. With him being no help, it was like lifting dead weight.

Jimmy is (maybe was by the time you read this) one of the many dogs available for adoption at the Butte Humane Society in Chico.

For the past couple of years I have walked the dog there about once a week. I’ve graduated to where I can walk the more difficult dogs—which means they can be harder to harness, might not like a leash and could be reactive when seeing another canine. All still super friendly and in need of a permanent home.

I’m also recently trained for DOG—or, Dogs On the Go. This means I can take one of the dogs out of the shelter for the day.

Jimmy was my first.

First stop was the nearby drive-through coffee place for a pup cup. I’m not sure if this was his first one, but he didn’t hesitate to lap up the whip cream and crunch the dog treats.

He was content to lay down in the back, never made an attempt to sit up to look outside or crawl into the front.

Once at Lower Bidwell Park it was a bit of a struggle to get him out of the vehicle. Then he wasn’t so sure about his surroundings. I am so used to the dogs at the shelter being eager to walk that I was a bit perplexed.

Eventually, he got going. He’s just a little unsure of himself, maybe even a little shy.

The amazing thing is that Jimmy is a natural on a leash—doesn’t pull, usually walked right beside me. He’s super calm.

Jimmy enjoys cooling off in Big Chico Creek. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

He loved going into the water. For the next pup I’ll wear my flip-flops so I can more easily wade into the creek.

After a little more than 3 miles we went back to my place. He was clearly done with the whole walking thing.

I had some yard work to do so I figured he could be my helper or supervisor. If I was spending too much time doing the work and not enough time paying attention to him, he whined; never barked. This meant it was time for treats, belly rubs and kisses.

He tended to like being sprawled on the inside rugs near whichever door I was closest to while I worked on the drip lines.

Jimmy is such a sweety. I’m guessing when he gets to his forever home, he’ll figure out car rides, long walks and hanging out are so much fun.

Time to find another day to spend with a shelter dog.