Why is it...

Why is it that Cole moves with the speed and agility of an Olympic track star 98.5% of his waking hours, keeping me playing chase and catch me every time I need him to hold still BUT when I need him to move along and keep the pace to keep our blood from freezing while we are out walking Tucker, he pokes along at a snail's pace, wandering and strolling down the icy trail as if it was a balmy 80 degrees out??

I am happy he loves his daily walks as much as Tuck but I have Cole 25 yards behind me and Tucker 50 yards ahead of me and I'm running in place cursing this continuous winter under my breathe while I manage them both trying not to lose my patience. I have to keep Tucker in my line of vision but avoid hurrying Cole along since he has taken to sitting down in the snow in protest when I push him to move when he isn't ready, further delaying our lap around the park.

So sometimes, depending on how long a day I have had, I end up carrying a writhing 30lb unhappy little boy the remainder of the walk, as the pooch bounds ahead joyfully though glances back in our direction sensing my growing anxiety.

I shuffle along praying I keep my balance as I wrestle with Cole who wants to be under his own power. Good thing only a rare few are witnesses, as I'm one of only a handful of idiots out dutifully walking their canine in this weather and the only one insane enough to bring her toddler along!

I am toasty warm thanks to clutching Cole for the past 15 minutes by the time we return but irrationally irritated as I now have to navigate the two kids as we re-enter the house. I make everyone STOP, I get Cole's wet slippery boots off so he doesn't fall on his face as he now revs his engine and is back in the race again across the tile floor. I beg Tucker to sit until I can dry off his soaking 85lbs in a vain attempt to lessen further collection of muddy paw prints across the floor I just cleaned for the 4th time that day, 2 hours before. I have to get my 18 layers of clothes off, chase Cole to remove his snow pants, Tucker is drooling for his treat and now dinner needs to be started. *SIGH* But I guess if this is one of my biggest frustrations of the day, I should be so lucky!