|
On my street
lives a little dog. I know he must think there's a certain
fierceness in his bark. As I ride my bike by his house he charges like a
warrior intent on safeguarding his domain. His territory has been
breached
and he wants everyone to know it.... |
|
|
especially those pesky two wheeled
violator types. He never attempts to bite. He's satisfied in scampering alongside
and letting his disdain be known by repeated penetrating yelps of
discontent. But of late he's been acting differently……even somewhat
friendly. I think I know the very day that things began to change in
our relationship. One day as I was approaching his house I was surprised
at his absence. Then I understood as I seen him coming towards me
from up the street. I suppose he had been off conquering new territory or
at least scouting
the terrain. As he approached he barked just once as
I rang the bell on my bicycle. He sidestepped as though the bell was an
indication that I was expecting him to give way. I then, in a yielding tone,
spoke a greeting to him. This was a new encounter for the both of us as
I had become accustomed to expect his assault from the rear and new for him in that he
always has to quicken his cadence to catch up with me in order to make
public his scorn for my encroachment. But today was a new day. As I went
past, he turned and began to run alongside all the while looking up at
me as though we had been friends forever. He couldn't follow long but for
those few seconds we set some new boundaries. We had met – face to face – and
something was new. For a fleeting moment I thought about all of the
wasted time he had spent as my rival. Today was much more enjoyable.
Today was productive…..on my street.