The neighbors across the street got a new puppy a couple of weeks ago. I'd see it frolicking in their yard, often with the 2 young kids who live there nearby. A girl and boy, maybe 8 and 5 respectively?
One day I saw the white puppy running around with a much larger blonde dog. Mama by for a visit? I wondered at first but then decided they were just buddies because they looked too dissimilar. The large dog looked like a labrador while the puppy had kind of a smushed face and didn't seem like he'd get very big.
More recently when I saw the puppy it was on a leash with either the dad or his daughter holding it.
Yesterday for the first time in a couple weeks, it wasn't raining or cold, so I headed out for a walk.
The parents were both leaf blowing towards the back of their yard, not that far away, which was loud and annoying. It'd been going on for quite a while so I thought/hoped, surely they'd be done soon. I was wrong. sigh.
The kids were in the front yard near the curb with the puppy. The daughter held the leash.
When I got to the street, the puppy saw me and pulled forward on the leash and then stopped like he wanted to see what I was about. The kids both looked at me.
Then I did a tremendously uncharacteristic thing: I walked across the street.
As I approached, the puppy kind of sat down which made me think they'd been training him. Otherwise, I looked like a giant to the dog and he was having second thoughts.
I crouched down in front of the puppy and held out my hand. He stood up and promptly starting licking my palm.
"What's your dog's name?" I asked the girl.
"Apollo."
"That's a good name," I said and meant it.
With my free hand I patted Apollo on the head. His fur is short but pleasantly fuzzy.
I got up, crossed the street, and started my walk, my hand still wet but not overly slimed.
A good first meeting I'd say.
10 years ago on TTaT: Eye Contact (intermezzo)
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