Playing Possum!

Walking your guide dog in training is mandatory, according to GDA. So we walk. Usually I walk her about 1 to 2 miles. (or is it blocks) I get those confused. Anyway today was an interesting time and we had a distraction for her. After walking along busy boulevards and crossing streets with traffic lights, I was heading home when something caught my eye on the sidewalk ahead. Now normally Dylan would spot anything before I do, but not this time. The object was very still, but it was very much out of place. I stopped about 50 yards from it and sat Dylan. She was interested, but very much in control. Walking up a bit closer, I saw that it was a possum. A very large possum, right in the middle of the sidewalk.

Now it seemed a perfect chance to test our proofing while working with Dylan. So I walked a bit closer and took a few pictures while Dylan was anxiously looking at this creature she had never seen before. Not once did she break or bark or strain at the leash as I walked around it. I had Chris call animal control but they would not come out. I guess these are a common occurrence around Long Beach, but not during the day. Possums are pretty much blind during daylight hours. It was convulsing a bit and looked to be doing some pushups, but didn't move much when we walked on around it. I know, it was, you know, playing itself.