Most people walk a dog.
I walk a Labrador, three Shih Tzus, chauffeur one senior Shih Tzu in a stroller, and kick a giant tennis ball for an entire mile because my Labrador, Josey, is absolutely obsessed with it.
On the weekends, my husband comes along so I can take the whole crew. My 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Teddy, has officially graduated from dog walks to chauffeured carriage rides, and managing five dogs, a stroller, and Lab kickball all at once is definitely a two-person operation. Otherwise, there’s a decent chance I’d end up as the subject of a small-town Facebook post that starts with, “Does anybody know whose dogs these are?”
Coming down the street, we look less like people walking dogs and more like a small-town dog parade. Josey leads the procession with her giant tennis ball, followed by the Shih Tzu Lollipop Guild of Buster, Milo, and Mikey. Teddy rides proudly in his carriage as the Grand Marshal, and my husband and I bring up the rear carrying enough poop bags to qualify as event staff.
During the work week, when I’m on a one-woman mission, we divide and conquer. Josey, Buster, and Milo get the first walk. Josey spends the entire mile playing kickball while Buster and Milo run their little legs off trying to keep up and be first to the ball. Meanwhile, I’m hanging onto the leashes for dear life and trying to convince my middle-aged knees and donkey booty they’re up for the challenge.
The second walk is considerably less athletic. Mikey prefers to stop and read every piece of pee-mail along the route, while Teddy rides in his carriage like a retired gentleman enjoying the scenery and supervising the operation.
It’s a little chaotic, a little ridiculous, and somehow one of my favorite parts of the day.
Anyway—off we go. The dogs got walked. 
© 2026 Erica Shoemaker | Anyway—Off We Go
Anyway...Off We Go 