Window on the World, Er, Neighborhood

I heard the alarm. 

I was walking down the opposite side 

of the street. I'd heard it often enough 

before, coming from a back yard -- 

a very large yellow dog and his equally large 

ebony coated cohort, barking their warnings 

to passers-by. This time, however,

the bark was a bit muted. I looked around

to see the huge dog standing

in the front window of his home,

the sort of space usually reserved for

smaller breeds of dogs, Shih Tsu 

and the usual little yappers.

This guy, though, made the small dog

space a big dog throne,

where he gazed upon the passing throngs 

of 'others', and kept guard 

over his particular humans' territory.

Waiting

While I was waiting to start my own practice session, 

a man came into the Natatorium to swim laps.

With him he had this sweet, black Labrador 

Retriever, a puppy in training for

Canine Companions for Independence.

It seemed ironic that a member of this 

water-loving breed should be brought to a large pool, 

then asked to ignore it while his human swam 

long, lovely laps. But the puppy was noble,

waiting patiently with paws crossed,

and passed the task with flying colors.

Harley

This is Harley, a member of the Weimaraner breed, 

one of the most beautiful dogs ever.

He is sitting at the door of his family's home, 

watching the action in the neighborhood.

I always look for him when I walk past

the house because I never tire of watching

his springy stride as he follows his humans around

their yard or trots over to greet me.

His taut body covered by shiny coat

is aptly described by the phrase "gray ghost,"

words that are emphasized when he stands in

the doorway, his form contrasting sharply

with the background.

Walkies!

During my walk on Wednesday around the downtown area, 

I stopped at a shop for a cup of coffee. While there, I set my camera 

on the table and clicked the shutter every once-in-a-while 

if an interesting grouping presented itself. 

Unfortunately, it was just after the lunch hour so the Circle

 was pretty bare and the results were nil to meh,

except for this man walking his English Bulldog in its

special pram. Bulldogs' shapes are deformed, 

they have breathing problems, and a fairly short

lifespan. This man was taking his buddy for a bit of air

on a cold day, wrapped in its sweater.

Workday Scenes

A cloudy morning greeted me this past week when I left for work. 

Downtown, the lights in the buildings and on the streets provided 

whatever twinkle and flash was to be had, lending the only

color to the otherwise drab granite and limestone covered buildings.

The bus stop outside my workplace is near a Hispanic-owned auto 

repair business. Above, the proverbial "junk yard dog," 

who provides security. Accompanied by his mate, a black female 

pit bull who recently had puppies, the two are effective 

deterrents to would-be thieves.

When working during the winter, we generally stay inside all day. 

If lucky, we will be provided the gift of sunlight during 

our journeys home. This bit of glorious purple and orange 

led me home about a week ago, and was gone 

by the time I stepped into my front door.

Textured Tuesday: Bark'n'Fwuffy

This tree seems to be coming to the end of its life. 

Its leaves are sparse and its bark is brittle and peeling.

And the fluffy little dog below was apparently

watching the fallen leaves as they tossed in the breeze

outside his window.

Neutral Colors and the Three Amigos

While deciding what pictures I would use for today's post, 

I realized that the colors of the abandoned nest were

repeated in that of the three Golden Retrievers.

I found the nest among the brush in the Coke Field 

while the Goldens live about a block away,

across the road from the field.