Passing by a stranger’s house on my morning walk one sunny summer day, a couple sitting on the side patio popped into view. A cheery good morning trilled off my tongue, evoking a blunt and rather unexpected response. “Are you the lady with the dog biscuits?”
Somewhat taken aback, and uncertain where the conversation would go, I confessed that yes, I carry dog treats with me when I walk in case I run into one of my favourite dogs. But how do you know that, I asked? “Oh, everyone knows about the lady with the dog biscuits. I just had to find out if it was you,” said the woman. Feeling a need to defend myself, I continued. “I don’t have a dog and don’t really want one of my own, but I love other people’s dogs. It gives me great joy to see a dog recognize me and be excited to see me approach.”
I tend to prefer small dogs, but not yappy ones. Big, gentle dogs are fine too, but I’m hesitant around large, barking dogs. My discomfort is due to fear of harm because of their size. My anxiety is quelled as soon as I have greeted them and feel that I’ve ‘won them over.’ Once they’ve wagged their tail, accepted a treat and performed a trick for me, I’m confident they won’t hurt me. And so far, I’ve been right.
My love affair with dogs started only about 20 years ago, when we became RVers. Although we were both still working at that time, we spent many good weather weekends travelling in it, and our three week summer vacations were spent exploring the country in that RV. It was during this time that I started noticing retirees with their dogs. It seemed to me that every retiree in an RV park had at least one dog, and the bigger the dog, the smaller was the size of the RV. It became apparent that people gave not a single thought to leaving a pet behind. That was my introduction to the concept of dogs being members of the family; going wherever their masters went, and the pet dog being as precious to the owners as a human child would be.
About fifteen years ago, on a beautiful summer weekend, we were part of an RV club rally in Indiana. The rally had been sponsored by the owner of the factory that made the brand of fifth wheel trailer that every Club member owned. Sixty RVs were parked close together on fairgrounds property so as to encourage camaraderie, the development of friendships and promotion of the brand. In this area of close proximity and friendly neighbours, I began to witness the Reign of the Dog.
Wilma C. Guzman4 years ago
So nice to hear how you have connected with your neighbours through their dogs. They trust you because their dogs trust you. We need to find new ways to connect. I may be known as the lady who picks up plastic bottles while walking my dog. Thanks for sharing.