Hope guards the front door while the evil vacuum cleaner roams the house.

Hope, our miniature schnauzer who was in an Amish puppy mill for five years, decided she wanted a walk and didn’t care if no one else wanted one.

Hope started her “I want a walk” bark. Jake and Windy joined in. With about 2 to 3 inches of snow, I was skeptical about walking everyone. After I put their coats on, and they do like their coats, with leashes in my hand out the door we went.

Somehow Windy’s leash slipped through my hand. She headed across the yard into the cul-de-sac. I called to her to come back. She stopped in the unplowed street, looked at me and ran back.

“Great, Windy comes when called now,” I thought. She ran past me, up the steps to the front door and began scratching frantically. Jake thought this was a good idea too and joined her. Hope stood beside me. I got the wieners’ leashes and tried to get them off the porch. They dug their feet into the snow and started to slide.

Sometimes you have to obey your dogs. Back into the house we went. Hope, however, stayed inside by the door while Jake and Windy ran into the living room.

After removing Jake and Windy’s coats and leashes, I saw Hope still by the door. Sometimes you have to obey your dog, so off for a walk we went.

Hope was excited and galloped a bit. She did not mind being alone with me. This is a breakthrough. We had a nice walk, but she was ready to go in when we returned to the house.

So, remember: Sometimes you have to obey your dog.