Happy trails?
Dale Evans was my hero. She could ride a horse and sing.
She and her friends had a lot of interesting things to do. Mostly, they were all nice to each other. Trying to be like her, I rode my “horse” to school in the morning and home again for lunch. The way to school led over a hill that slanted at about 60 degrees. We galloped up but we were careful, after that first spill, to pick our way carefully down over the sliding gravel. Do children still get dirt imbedded in their knees?
It seems to me there was a dog in that TV show, too, often running across the open fields or being well-behaved in the dooryard. It seemed a fairly benign animal and I don’t recall it ever jumping on people or licking them. Still, the dog held little interest for me. I had learned my lesson about dogs the year before I started school.
Lassie was the star of another early series on TV. Lassie was shown bounding free, silky coat rippling as she dashed around being wise, courageous and benevolent. On my way home from playing with neighbour, I was delighted to meet a Lassie dog. It had been running. Its tongue was hanging out and it was panting. I tried to bring it home to show Mum and give it some water. I was shocked as well as injured when Lassie turned on me and clamped her teeth over my arm. Dogs running free have never held any appeal for me since.
I often meet well-mannered dogs and their owners on the trail system. The dogs are secured on a leash and, often, the master is carrying one of those little bags that proves the animal is being looked after in a responsible way. The creature can be admired from a safe distance.
Sometimes, I encounter pets which do not enjoy such careful attention. Really, there is a dog park in Blue Mountain where you can let your animal run free. Still, some of these dog-owners will call their animals to them and attach a leash to their collar. This makes it possible for all of us to enjoy our trails.
Other times, “He’s,” as if it were a person, “friendly” the “master” will call out. I ask you, is it friendly to have dirty paws push on your shoulders? A slobbery tongue slop across your hand (mind those teeth)? Piddle on your sneaker? Personally, I do not enjoy these attentions. No amount of perfect configuration or shinning coat make up for lack of control.
Then there are the ones who, as a mean mass of muscle and teeth hurtle toward me – sans leash of any kind in view – call out, “She won’t bite!”
Oh? Is that why “she” is crouching down, ready to lunge? Growling and snarling? With a jaw like a bear trap, baring “her” teeth? Forgive me if I can’t quite see my way clear to believe you.