I took my schnauzer, Mikey, for his constitutional today. We live next to a huge walking park, with winding concrete paths, two ponds, wooded areas, and rolling stretches of green grass. Mikey adores it. Heck, I adore it. It never fails that we pass at least one other person who is being walked by their dog, and Mikey always has to stop and make a new friend. A few moments of mutual derrière-sniffing and playful down-dog postures, and we’re on our way.
Today, it occurred to me as I watched Mikey get to know his new best friend Jack, a wee beagle we met for the first time this morning, that the humans on the other end of the leash do just about everything to avoid eye contact with one another. Why? Are we embarrassed because our pups are snout-deep in each other’s business? Is there the uncomfortable worry that the other person might think us rather pervy for watching the dogs get to know each other in such a way?
I mean, if dogs can walk up and smell each other’s butts, then surely the humans can at least make conversation, yes?
Then again . . . maybe I’m the one who has it all wrong. Maybe the other people are feeling awkward because I haven’t sniffed their butts yet. If that’s the case, I think I’ll just have to go without new friends for the time being. At least until it gets cooler and folks are less sweaty. I mean, if you’re going to sniff a butt, better to sniff a non-sweaty one, right?
Right?
Oh, nooooo! I love to talk to both doggies and owner. That being said, I probably remember the dog names better.
I wonder if it’s because dogs *immediately* show loads of personality? Humans tend to be blobs during chance encounters like that, so I suppose it’s natural that they vanish in memories while their pups wriggle and shine. Be more like puppies, people!
Does that mean I can pee all over zee park, too?! *wags tail excitedly*
So true so true about lack of eye contact – on trails i will say hello to people, and i usually get a grumpy umph in response. On the street or in a store, people will look away rather than look someone in the eye.