The Lead Dog

This morning's stroll with the Trusty BoulevarDog was abbreviated due to an early morning commitment across town. We didn't get to the boulevard, but stayed in our own neighborhood. A block from our home, a neighbor saw us and asked a question often asked of dog-walkers: "Who's walking who?"

Your Boulevardier answered impulsively, but was immediately proud of the response. "I choose the route," I said, "but she sets the pace."

Forgive the philosophical digression from the usual fact-filled content of the Castro Valley Boulevardier, but isn't that a pretty good way to go through life with another person or creature? One chooses the route: decides what will be done, seen, and experienced. The other sets the pace: decides when to pause and sniff the shrubbery, and when to sprint after a squirrel.

It works for the Trusty BoulevarDog and myself.