buster's mom

it's inevitable to run into the same dogs and owners as most folks have a daily routine.  we end up recognizing the pair - same owner with same dog(s).  there's a older gentleman with 2 huskies.  a couple with their australian beagle.  a very masculine man with a very fluffy white dog.  other walkers with a breed unknown by me, but happy dogs all the same to be in the park.

a few weeks ago, i happened to leave late for the morning jog and recognized buster, a black pug with his purple leash harness, at the cross walk with whom i assumed was his dad as he's usually walked by a lady.  we, jelli bean and i, said hi to buster and continued on our way.  the next morning, i ran into buster with his mom and said hello and politely asked if everything was ok - because we dog owners have a routine and responsibilities divided between family members.  it's odd if someone misses a walk.

it turns out not everything was ok.  she said she had spent the previous morning at the hospital.  without intruding for details as i only knew the her dog's name, i wished her well and hoped everything worked out.

that was a few weeks ago...this morning, we saw buster with his dad at the park.  keep in mind, the humans don't know each other's name.  i asked about his wife and he started to offer details as he wasn't aware of my vague exchange with buster's mom.  respecting her privacy, i stopped him but expressed my wishes for her speedy recovery from what was major surgery and to please let her know i've been thinking about her.

it's a small world and sometimes made smaller when life happens.  little exchanges during the day with people in the park can grow into a community, maybe not a tight-knit everyone knows each other's business community, but supporters and well wishes of good things...things we all wish for - health, happiness, love.  i've been thinking about buster's mom and i hope she's comfortably recovering.