Canine Teeth Form a Smile
I've grown with dogs - grown from child to man, grown fond with time passed, grown melancholy when they've passed, grown - increasingly - old.
Something I've not needed to grow is my understanding of the happiness dogs bring. Nevar, my guy, is himself growing old. He's no longer up - physically - for running the trails. His old man has never been up - tempermentally - for moving at a pace slower than a run. But, as we age, we learn, we accommodate, we find a pace to share. For us, lately, it's the pace of an aimless (or directed by errands) wander through town, gazing in windows (both), buying coffee and dog cookies (me) and wizzing with random abandon (him...honest). As we travel, I watch where we're going, what he's getting into, where he's aiming (not there!) and, most enjoyable, watch the faces of those we're passing. As they approach, their eyes follow the orange leash to my dog, observe his curiousity, see his smile, feel the happiness of his exploration. And, with few exceptions, whether directed at me or into the anonymous air in front of them, they smile.
Nevar wanted me to mention: You're welcome, it's his pleasure.
