The Dogs in My Neighbourhood

Who are the canines in my neighbourhood?
I know quite a few these days.

There’s Blue, a handsome golden retriever, about four. Always happy to be heading somewhere.
Lots of energy. Well behaved.

This morning I met another golden.
“Male or female?” “Male”
“How old?” “About three.”
“And what’s his name?”
“Yellow.”

Yellow? I had to smile.
Blue and Yellow.
Are dog names chosen by colour these days?
Perhaps.

The local cast of characters brings smiles all round —

Lady, the beagle, Lucy, a golden,
Lainey, the bulldog, Lexy, a bulldog.
Missy a tiny, enthusiastic fluffball

Tami walks Lainey.
Ernie walks Lexy.
John walks Missy.

Can’t forget Sophie next door – also a young golden.
Or Heidi, the Swissy — part Swiss Mountain Dog, part Saint Bernard,
Entirely lovely – the most beautiful face –
Gentle personality – she will lie flat on the pavement,
Front paws splayed in impossible directions – looking entirely comfortable.

So much joy.
When you walk every day, you learn the dogs’ names first —
If you ask —
Only later, the names of the humans attached to the other end of the leash.

The dogs introduce us.

A quick greeting becomes a conversation.
A conversation becomes familiarity.
Familiarity might become friendship —
One of the unexpected pleasures of walking.

The neighbourhood becomes smaller.
The world, friendlier.

Before long, you find yourself looking down the street and thinking,

“There’s Missy.”
“There’s Lainey.”
“That’s Lexy.”

And somewhere behind them,
Oh yes…

“Good morning, John!”
“Good morning, Tami!”
“Good morning, Ernie!”

Every one of these neighbours is friendly and respectful –
Every one of them carries a doggie poo bag.

We all know where the nearest bin is.

Just outside the park gates.

Happy days!

---

The bag I use on every walk is the Earth Rated lavender poop bag, available on Amazon Canada — reliable, easy to tie, and always in my pocket.