Dog Interrupted

I went to the park again today.

Armed with my camera and a vague idea of what I was looking for, I knew for a fact that I needed some photos for a group I am in called A-Z Photos. I was unhappy with some of the pictures I already had and I needed an x. My son mentioned that almost all playgrounds seem to have xylophones of some sort any more, so that was my main focus.

Chauncey doesn't care why we go to the park. He just loves being there. All the people and dogs, water and trees are covered in smells that are as fascinating to him as my favorite novels are to me. Today he was engrossed in an especially juicy scent around a very old tree by the miniature golf course. Since he has to stand relatively still while I take pictures from one angle and then another, I usually let him take his time, but sometimes he just takes too much time. That was my opinion today.

Chauncey was dawdling. He sniffed the roots one way, then the side of the tree. He ran around it to the other side and went into little paroxysms of joy and finally ground to a stubborn halt with his nose to the ground. I stood there patiently watching him for a bit, then my mind drifted off to the scenery around me as I contemplated whether or not any of them would make a good shot. Finally deciding that neither they, nor the light in this area were what I was looking for I gave a little tug on Chauncey's leash. What happened next was hysterical.

He stopped what he was doing, and looking up at me, gave an audible sniff, as if highly affronted. Then he sat down and just looked at me and I knew what he was thinking! "Do I pull you away from your book just when you get to the best parts? Do you really need to go right now, because this part is fascinating and I really would like to finish it before we go traipsing off to get more of your silly pictures."

I had to yield. It was just way too funny and eventually he was ready to go find the paddle boats where he had to wait for me. I tried to angle the camera lens through the fence, but eventually had to climb up on a park bench and shoot over it in order to get the shot I wanted.

And Chauncey? He just sat there patiently waiting on me, his big brown eyes staring at me in disbelief.