Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Amanda and her sweet Chihuahua, Subi.

Every morning, Subi takes to her spot on the couch to watch the day roll by while people and cars pass our window. You’re probably thinking – take her out there! – but truthfully, she’s never been much of a walker. When my kids were little, she’d joyfully ride along the undercarriage of the stroller, taking in the air as if she were on a journey of her own without moving a muscle. Really cashing in on the good life. Nowadays, a quick rip around our yard is enough to bring on a mighty nap, and I say mighty because this girl can snore.

I think Subi actually gets a lot of joy from watching out the window. Witnessing the activity of our street from the safety of her spot. We have a few regulars, dogs and their humans, who frequent the neighborhood, and I feel like Subi has become a part of their daily dose of “crazy window dog.” Let me introduce you to what I like to call our “canine friends from a distance.”

Our Canine Friends (From a Distance)

We have a giant black Newfoundland-looking pooch whose owner wears a waist leash. You can tell he is an old boy because he saunters more than walks. They are an early morning duo who are occasionally accompanied by an adorable black long-haired cat who follows close behind. She is part of the family but only goes for walks on her terms. It feels like a treat when we see all three of them together. A gentle giant and a curious kitten.

I had to call on some of my Dogster friends to help place these next two. For the longest time, I thought they were Husky Corgi mixes. Super thick fur with short little double-time legs. Turns out these cuties are actually Swedish Vallhunds. Unfortunately, we only get this pair a few times a week, but they’re speed walkers, which is impressive given the length of their wee limbs.

Three to four times a day, no joke, we have a Goldendoodle who walks mainly with one human companion, occasionally with two. They are an active bunch, always keeping a steady pace, like the fast-walkers in the Olympics. I’ve been able to swing a few window waves while trying to distract Subi from barking since they pass by so frequently. I’d say they were our best “friend from a distance” because we get to see them the most often.

We also see two little white dogs, the neighborhood yappers, walked by a lovely elderly woman. They are sassy gals and bark at everything, everyone, every time. Subi’s heckles spark up and she barks back, her way of shushing them, I suppose. We ran into these two while walking home from school with my youngest son. The owner immediately retreated back into their house until the coast was clear. They’re wild; we avoid.

Real Life Besties

Subi’s real-life bestie is a Doodle of some sort who lives in the house behind ours. We share an alley and run into each other every so often. They get along, doing dog things: sniffing, playing, peeing on each other’s spots. A budding friendship I love to see for our usually meek and timid Subi.

Other than her friends walking by for unscheduled, casual visits and the corresponding exchange of pleasantry barks, Subi’s demeanor is cool, calm, and collected. Watching the wind blow the leaves around is one of her favorite pastimes, aside from finding the one sunspot on the floor to bask in.