snuppywalk
…from back door to park, dog a mazy journey.
open door let her in; excited as I stoop for lead, slithering against me, wiggling midriff wagging tail skips a step or two away. turns and comes back repeating, like bees point to nectar.
we are negotiating the small ante room. sitting waiting to be let into the world.
keys, pull door closed as she lifts her head to smile across the front garden for signs of play.
and there! morning is breezy, under brazen sky blue, flecks of white, and trees shimmy rustle foliage. sniffing and idling. a life to get back to, a park to walk to, with little provocation, flailing rearing on lead, barely cognisant of invocations to calm. proceed more calmly, gait light tail up in a tempered trot, eager burst of freedom, luxuriating.
pulls on the lead, lunges in play, trying for a pat. having none of that and walks on, impatient.
the storm water canal. the fence grate bridge, a now-dry channel. squeeze through into the narrow strip of grass dirt alongside. she watches my back move further further away. a unilateral decision; follow me a few paces waiting for signal. rushing and halting and bounding back to me, then running away.
…ibis breathed its last delights of her senses. comes reluctantly, c’mon!, resumes patrol, and she smells at the fence line.
finally, sports fields stretch out to accept the ball. bolt after it, ears down, intent before deciding – wander about… look! bubbling fun on their own daily walk, exults: playfellows, watch the fun.
ball traces its studied arc in the sky, tumbles into grass is pounced upon by jaws, low mass tumbles awkwardly changing direction rifles across the oval. gambol in play far away, she comes first. coats fly in a considered parabola, pack exerting will.
dogs all, play, come gaggle, calling, throwing setting panting beasts to snort and glug and slobber. away, chasing and exciting at other dogs until, air settles and light begins its quiet descent, collect charges, farewells, leash snapped onto collar again.
final straight lane home is panted and huffed; no boisterous desire along the storm canal. stays my side to heel, sitting unbidden – good girl!
dashes to the garden, sniffs plants familiar, and trots, panting and snorting, to our front door.
home.
