By José Dominiguez, August 8, 2019 — Living in my son’s house here in Philadelphia gave the opportunity to be included in the dynamics of his family and it included not only humans but also their dear dog, Zorro.
One of my activities to support the family was to walk the dog. [It is] no big deal to do it but it … [is required] to do it 2 and generally 3 times a day. I have to say that I’m not so enthused about pets perhaps because I’m an auto-sufficient introverted [person], but Zorro and I accepted our silent relationship with human and canine respect. I suppose he is a kind of pedigree dog but I’m not interested in genetic privileges so I can’t tell you his race and I prefer that just not to create false expectations. He is short, a little heavy and medium-sized, and hairy with a look between wandering and innocence. I think he likes me because he follows me as a shadow and loves to smell my feet and shoes. When I’m preparing to go outside he raises his head to follow my movements when I call him, “Zorro, let’s go outside!” He walks slowly tentative and I have to walk towards him to put the collar and leash. But when we arrive to the door he wants to jump to the street. “Wait, Zorro, wait!” I have yell immediately. He knows his path perfectly, I suppose that path is full of smelly surprises. He sniffs so strongly that the air of his nose produces a special sound at the contact of the sidewalk. He goes as if he is looking for something, a cue, a memory, the track of a friend, he is super sensitive. When another dog comes from the opposite direction he jumps and barks as if he were a powerful pit bull. But the reality is that he is so emotional about those encounters that he wants to be near — not to bite — but to present his credentials. Until now, all dogs have responded friendly and they participate in the greeting ceremony and they offer to the other dog the chance to smell their intimate doggy nature. This creates an opportunity to the other dog owners to recognize Zorro’s inoffensive approach [and] to acknowledge Zorro’s charisma and he loves to be patted.
When he finishes his natural need I will take the decision to wander through the neighborhood or to return home.
Thanks to Zorro, I have met very nice people and also the spots and the people who do not allow pets around.
The walking is over, and Zorro has met new friends and me too.