when i started walking mister i was told to look around corners, avoid all dogs, 
cross the street. beware. 
i looked at him and said no way, that is no way to live. we're going to work this out. 
he was anxious and aggressive, yet i knew he was sweet inside.  
i wish i had him at lulu's age.  
how a dog is inside is what you have to work with. the outside will follow 
when the inside's recognized. now people who didn't know him then can't believe 
he was that way, and people who knew him then think he's a different dog, 
but he's the dog he was inside.  
i'm talking about mister and thinking about what some creepy good neighbors say 
about dogs and leashes, people that don't know dogs, or care about their happiness 
or welfare, who don't believe in dog freedom, nor human. 
i knew mister wanted to be off leash. i knew he deserved to be. i knew the restraint 
and control made him anxious inside and fearful and aggressive on the outside. 
when i removed the leash he relaxed immediately,and looked at me with love. it took time, but for years now i've used his leash as a camera carrier and he walks beside me or behind me or in front of me. we do not need a leash. we are good, and we are just doing our thing. good people know that, and when they see us i see their hearts open every day. we feel their embrace, their gratitude. people who love freedom and peace love to see others being free and at peace. i'm not a miscreant, and i know every dog is different, and i feel the same wish for lulu, that she can learn to be free in this complex place with me.