Neighbors Share Daily Dog Treat Tradition

Brent, Bisquit, & Josh

Penny, Bill, Lahni, & Chipper

It’s just after 4:00 pm, and Lahni, our 14-year-old German Shepherd, is on a mission. With her head down, ears back, and a resolute pace during her afternoon walk, she’s taking the shortest route possible to get a handful of treats.

For many dogs in our neighborhood, an afternoon walk includes a stop at Bill & Penny’s, and then Josh & Brent’s. These two stops, just a few houses apart, are part of a daily routine for pups to get treats, with a bit of gossip and socializing for their humans. It’s not uncommon for one dog to be getting a handful of treats while another waits (im)patiently on the sidewalk.

A few years ago and before we had to put our other dog down, Abbey could no longer manage to walk up the 3 steps from our yard, but every afternoon around 4:00, she would very slowly but determinedly, even though a few times she needed a car ride home, make the 5-block trek to ‘Treat Street.’ I genuinely believe her sheer desire to make that walk every day kept her alive for a few extra months. Every dog and owner should have a Bill & Penny or a Josh & Brent in their neighborhood. Ours is fortunate enough to have both. I hope we start seeing more neighbors doing this kind of thing!