But after awhile, finally, we did turn around and head back home, walking west on Avenue P. (For the beginning of this story, see “Reflections.”)
Pick your weapon!
As we passed an old two-story home, I noticed a woman standing out in her front yard with a garden hose, idly watering some newly planted marigolds. When she glanced up, I offered a friendly smile and a neighborly “hi,” and she quickly returned the greeting and then asked, “Is that stick for other dogs or yours?”
Let me explain. On my walks around the neighborhood with Tip, I always bring along a cut-off broom handle that I use as a walking stick or staff, and this is the stick to which she was referring.
Assuring her that only rarely do I pummel my own puppy dog and instead use my walking stick to gently dissuade any loose and roaming dogs that we happen upon from getting too friendly or, worse, not too friendly, she replied that a golf club might be a more effective tool. She even offered one of her own from an old golf bag that had been left behind by a previous owner and that she still had out in her back yard. I declined the offer, happy with my broom handle, but thanked her just the same. Read the rest of this entry »
