I was out walking my dog, 8 year old jack-rat Belle, the other day. I had 3 grocery bags tied to the leash handle, as some days are a 3 bag day, and was wearing my bright orange Southside Baptist Church tee. This was unusual for me, as I usually steer clear of bright colors on my dog walk, preferring old white t-shirts from my 'fishing clothes collection'.
We were on a one-bag day as we neared the elementary school. The kids were out in full force, doing timed runs with the P.E. instructor shouting encouragement and stopwatch readings through a megaphone. Now, the children at this school have seen Belle often enough and been corrected often enough, but I let it go today as they yelled to me when they passed the fence. "Hey. Nice chihuahua!" "I like your chihuahua, lady!" "What a cute chihuahua!" But besides that, a few looked me in the eye and said "Hi!". They usually just talk about Belle or to Belle. I thought I recognized them but maybe some of their many faces were separating out and bcoming distinct in my mind. Or, perhaps it was the shirt and they recognized their church!
We rounded the front and went along the far side where there was a line of trees and vines, cut back a bit for extra parking along the school field. It was here, in the long grass, along the tree stand, where Belle had a need. Not usually venturing into 'wilderness', I usually left IT if not out in the open and in tall grass. For some reason, I looked back at the field and saw two girls who had stopped and were watching us. Feeling instant shame for the thought to leave it, I untied a bag, put my hand in it, and bent to scoop up Belle's deposit hearing both the girls..."Euwww, she's picking it up! Euwwww!".
At that point they were encouraged to "Pick it up, girls!" and as they began jogging, I heard one remark to the other, "And she goes to Southside like me!"
For the rest of our walk, I wondered if the story would be retold by her on Sunday and if it would be told with pride that a church member picks up after her dog or told with exaggerated disgust as the gross things dog owners have to do...and a warning....when she's a greeter, don't shake her hand!
