I saw a lady the other day reach into her car to pull out an odd-looking, brightly painted, holed board with little bicycle wheels attached underneath, which she set on the parking lot’s tarmac. Next, she lifted out a 25-pound dog with no hind legs. In a jiffy the cheerful animal’s thigh stumps were lowered into the holes. A bungie strap secured its back end. She saw me staring, and explained. “Jazz and I are gonna explore this area; his legs had to be amputated- a birth defect- but we’ve solved the problem with this personally designed dog-mover, haven’t we, Jazz? I’m constantly making modifications…” Off they went, the little dog navigating with his front paws, his nose busily sniffing the air, his tail wagging. Wow!
Which brought mind another lady-with-dog I’d met in England a few years ago…
I’d parked my car and was heading for High Street in Hereford, England one sunny March afternoon in 2010. I’d been working on restoring my family home there, and needed a break. Town strolls are always interesting.
As I walked through the parking area I came upon an elderly lady who was organizing herself to go shopping. She’d expertly maneuvered her compact car into one of the typically tiny spaces I’ve always found so daunting, and was gathering her paraphernalia: a cane, a book and gloves. When she opened the back door of her sedan a mature Alsatian dog emerged, wearing a backpack capable of carrying small purchases. The animal looked me up and down and smiled, the way dogs do, and her tail wagged politely. Her owner and I struck up a conversation about this clever tote.
“Toni and I drive into town weekly to grocery shop. She loves to be useful and it’s a great help.”
As if on cue the dog reached into the car’s front seat to collect the woman’s purse by its wooden handles. Then she sat quietly beside her owner.
What was this?
The woman explained.
“We were potting around in town about a month ago, enjoying the various spring window displays, when I felt an almighty jerk. My purse was yanked out of my hand! The yob who snatched it ran down one of the alleys. I was too shocked to react until it was too late. Toni was leashed; cars were everywhere on the side streets, so she couldn’t give chase. Witnesses couldn’t produce a decent description, as the thief had worn a hoodie and was dressed like most of the young men milling around here. I lost nearly eighty pounds, along with my driver’s license, house keys and cell phone. Later the police found the purse- the very one Toni’s carrying now- in a rubbish bin, along with my emptied wallet. I’ve had to change my home’s locks, and haven’t felt as safe since.
“When the two of us came into town the next time, Toni nudged me aside, thrust her muzzle into the car and took out my purse. I swear there was a gleam in her eye as she looked up at me. I was astounded that she would think to do this, but now it’s our new routine. I dare anyone to try that theft again.”
Her eyes gleamed, too.
I looked at Toni sitting calmly beside her owner, controlling the purse. She looked right back. That dog had thought it out. She, with her clever brain, sharp teeth, and four huge, clawed paws would make snatchers pause- to contemplate those jaws.
Nope. No worries here.
We parted and they strolled confidently toward the giant, car-free plaza with its surrounding shops and restaurants. Toni kept to heel; her mistress stroked her head occasionally.
Other mammals can astonish.
Using his smart phone a Russian father and his family filmed a big crow squawking with glee as it repeatedly sledded down a steep, snowy city rooftop while clinging to a decent-sized white, circular disc it had found somewhere.
Furthermore, when one sled path eventually wore through to the roof tiles, the bird shifted to a snowier one!
Seeing is believing. Simply google ‘sledding crow in Russia.’ And keep watching as other clever birds, filmed by fascinated people, demonstrate their reasoning skills!
It’s a wonder-full world!
Which brought mind another lady-with-dog I’d met in England a few years ago…
I’d parked my car and was heading for High Street in Hereford, England one sunny March afternoon in 2010. I’d been working on restoring my family home there, and needed a break. Town strolls are always interesting.
As I walked through the parking area I came upon an elderly lady who was organizing herself to go shopping. She’d expertly maneuvered her compact car into one of the typically tiny spaces I’ve always found so daunting, and was gathering her paraphernalia: a cane, a book and gloves. When she opened the back door of her sedan a mature Alsatian dog emerged, wearing a backpack capable of carrying small purchases. The animal looked me up and down and smiled, the way dogs do, and her tail wagged politely. Her owner and I struck up a conversation about this clever tote.
“Toni and I drive into town weekly to grocery shop. She loves to be useful and it’s a great help.”
As if on cue the dog reached into the car’s front seat to collect the woman’s purse by its wooden handles. Then she sat quietly beside her owner.
What was this?
The woman explained.
“We were potting around in town about a month ago, enjoying the various spring window displays, when I felt an almighty jerk. My purse was yanked out of my hand! The yob who snatched it ran down one of the alleys. I was too shocked to react until it was too late. Toni was leashed; cars were everywhere on the side streets, so she couldn’t give chase. Witnesses couldn’t produce a decent description, as the thief had worn a hoodie and was dressed like most of the young men milling around here. I lost nearly eighty pounds, along with my driver’s license, house keys and cell phone. Later the police found the purse- the very one Toni’s carrying now- in a rubbish bin, along with my emptied wallet. I’ve had to change my home’s locks, and haven’t felt as safe since.
“When the two of us came into town the next time, Toni nudged me aside, thrust her muzzle into the car and took out my purse. I swear there was a gleam in her eye as she looked up at me. I was astounded that she would think to do this, but now it’s our new routine. I dare anyone to try that theft again.”
Her eyes gleamed, too.
I looked at Toni sitting calmly beside her owner, controlling the purse. She looked right back. That dog had thought it out. She, with her clever brain, sharp teeth, and four huge, clawed paws would make snatchers pause- to contemplate those jaws.
Nope. No worries here.
We parted and they strolled confidently toward the giant, car-free plaza with its surrounding shops and restaurants. Toni kept to heel; her mistress stroked her head occasionally.
Other mammals can astonish.
Using his smart phone a Russian father and his family filmed a big crow squawking with glee as it repeatedly sledded down a steep, snowy city rooftop while clinging to a decent-sized white, circular disc it had found somewhere.
Furthermore, when one sled path eventually wore through to the roof tiles, the bird shifted to a snowier one!
Seeing is believing. Simply google ‘sledding crow in Russia.’ And keep watching as other clever birds, filmed by fascinated people, demonstrate their reasoning skills!
It’s a wonder-full world!