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People in L.A. are crazy about their dogs. People everywhere love dogs, but there’s a special kind of cuckoo that comes with some Angelenos and their canines.
Today’s good deed: STOP AND PET A DOG AND SAY HELLO TO THE OWNER
A lot of dogs in L.A. are about the size of a low-fat appetizer. And for some reason, it’s become incredibly hip to walk around with these little puffballs in designer dog purses. And it’s not just carrying cases. I have a friend who actually has a stroller for her dog. The dog’s not sick, she just doesn’t want it to have to walk.
And that’s not the half of it. People are throwing dog weddings. Yeah. I’ve been to a one. There were groomsmen in little dog tuxes and bridesmaids in dresses. The bride had a full on wedding gown with a train and a veil. She walked down the aisle to ‘Puppy Love.’ There was even a wedding cake JUST FOR THE DOGS! Like I said … a special kind of cuckoo.
I was on my way out of the gym one day when I saw a woman who was stricken by a case of puppy love. I had to admit, her dog was pretty cute. I stopped partially to pet the dog and partially because I was exhausted and could use any excuse to stop moving. The dog came up to me immediately and started licking my hand. She could probably smell the meat I had sweated out during the Zumba class.
It was a sweet, 4-month-old, terrier/chihuahua mixed puppy. The owner looked pretty young too, in her early twenties. This was her first dog and to her credit, she didn’t have a bow in its hair or have it in a doggy Moby Wrap. When I asked how she liked having her puppy, she shook her head, exhaled and said, “It’s a lot of work.”
We talked about the walking and the training and the whining and the peeing on carpets. I talked about my last dog, Randall Patrick McMurphy. I asked if all the hassle was worth it and without hesitation she said, “Absolutely.”
Another woman from my exercise class came out and began chatting with the dog owner. I could comfortably breath again so I wished my new friends, Jasmina and Jazel, a good day (guess which is the dog’s name).
It’s funny. Two complete strangers instantly bonded over dogs. We discovered we were more alike than different. When I see a cute dog on the street, I typically pet the dog and talk more to it than the owner. I’m glad I reversed it this time. Huh. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Photo (Flickr CC) by Ian Sane
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Holly Walker
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