People, dogs & thoughts

In my rounds Wednesday out of the office, I found a few note-worthy blog photos, what we used to call Kodak Moments. My first worthy sight were these two Weimaraners. Their owner had loaded them, one at a time, into a shopping cart and rolled them inside Home Depot. They were like babies, sitting with impatience, worry and anticipation as dogs can do. First one carried from the back seat of the truck to the cart, then the second one. Blind obedience, wagging tails and whining. Glad to be going anywhere with their master. This sight enlightened my attitude.
Then, as I was in a long line of traffic, you know, the ones so long you hope you can make it through in one light change cycle. This cyclist decided to change lanes and bolt into my 'safety space' I like to keep between my car and any vehicle in front of me. I lost my good attitude. No, I didn't honk or yell at him. I told myself relax since he wasn't going anywhere either.
Later in the day while downtown, I had just left the District Attorney's office and saw this usual/but unusual homeless person with all this personal property. (term loosely used) I had held my camera down at my side, as if casually just walking by, and hoped to have taken this picture as innocently as I could. As I neared I could see she knew I'd had taken her picture. I stopped and asked if all this stuff was her belongings. She said, "Some of it, some I'm watchin' for others." It was a matter-of-fact-I-should-have-known-this answer. I asked if she had family and if they knew she was okay. She said yes to both questions. Since I couldn't do what I once was able to do, sometimes get social services involved, I did something out of the ordinary for me. I gave her money, a $10 bill. She took it with a muffled thanks, not a bit fazed by the hand-out. She didn't look to be underfed, but it could've been due to the several pants and coats she wore. I left not really knowing what I should feel having seen this for years without much involvement, keeping a safe distance from this street society. I questioned if $10 was too much or too little. Would $10 buy alcohol or food?

I've saved the best picture for last. It reminded me of the TV commercial where the dogs stick their heads out the window. What a contrast between dogs and us humans. They enjoy life, don't judge us, are resilient and trusting of anyone nice to them (well, most dogs anyway) and seem to enjoy the moment they're in; the little things are important to them.

I can think of several analogies here but I'll leave these to your imaginations. Have a good weekend everyone.