I Have A Dog That Cracks Me Up
Just when you think you know somebody
Chloe and I have been together nearly five years and I thought I knew her every mood and reaction. This evening I learned different.
She has had some interaction, or is at least familiar with the sight of, almost every person here in this small complex. She tends to be oblivious to strangers unless they are approaching me or my apartment or car.
Tonight, as we took our still-light-out post-supper walk, she was trotting along beside me and suddenly slid to a stop, her ears forward, her nose twitching, almost in a pointer dog’s stance. Not aggressive, not scared - the only description I can think of is - she looked astonished. She was gazing at the complex manager fifty feet away, whom she has seen hundreds of times, as though she were some rare exotic creature. It wasn’t my imagination. The manager started to laugh and staggered backward, clutching her heart like Fred Sanford from the TV show. “It’s the big one, Elizabeth.” She was teasing about Chloe’s reaction.
We went over, the manager made over Chloe and Chloe was quite normal.
She did the same exaggerated amazement act with two other people before the walk was done.
All three asked me what was up. I have no idea.
Chloe and I have been together nearly five years and I thought I knew her every mood and reaction. This evening I learned different.
She has had some interaction, or is at least familiar with the sight of, almost every person here in this small complex. She tends to be oblivious to strangers unless they are approaching me or my apartment or car.
Tonight, as we took our still-light-out post-supper walk, she was trotting along beside me and suddenly slid to a stop, her ears forward, her nose twitching, almost in a pointer dog’s stance. Not aggressive, not scared - the only description I can think of is - she looked astonished. She was gazing at the complex manager fifty feet away, whom she has seen hundreds of times, as though she were some rare exotic creature. It wasn’t my imagination. The manager started to laugh and staggered backward, clutching her heart like Fred Sanford from the TV show. “It’s the big one, Elizabeth.” She was teasing about Chloe’s reaction.
We went over, the manager made over Chloe and Chloe was quite normal.
She did the same exaggerated amazement act with two other people before the walk was done.
All three asked me what was up. I have no idea.
