Kateydog Adventure Wednesday!

[thoreau]

Coming Down Duboce from Buena Vista Park

Katey and I took an hour long walk around Buena Vista Park this morning.

Sunrise in that park is an amazingly magical time of the day. The dancing of light through the trees - the different dogs and owners sipping coffee. This morning there were a pair of giant poodles frollicking over tennis balls thrown by a small woman about half their size. Miss Kate and I wondered up on the scene and the two poodles did a fast, furious drive-by sniffing and then right back to their tennis balls. Later in the walk was the procession of the pugs - literally five pug owners in a row. Pugs have that grunting sound they make and nobody seemed to disapprove of Kateydog coming the other direction on the path. Then we encountered "Sweety" a little puffball biscuit dog who was all the way out on the end of his leash pulling and barking at every dog he encountered. His owner was saying "Sweety, no" like a parent who knows that his words are falling on deaf ears. It was humorous to hear Sweety barking all the way the hill after passing us - and echoes of "sweety, no" coming down through the trees.

Katey then ran up in the bushes and said good morning to a guy that had camped in the bushes overnight. I was at first alarmed - she just suddenly jumped up into the bushes. He was sitting up in his sleeping bag eating a granola bar. His tone of voice when Miss Kate appeared said he was happy to see her - then he and I exchanged good mornings. We both agreed that the warmer temperatures and sunshine were welcome signs of warmer nights. I was glad Miss Kate hadn't helped herself to his breakfast.

I really struggle sometimes with the homeless problem in SF - leave alone America. and Miss Kate and I counted our numerous blessings after bidding the man a good day. Part of my struggle - is that I was chatting with a homeless guy that hangs out in the park by the house. He talked about his history - and literally - like I might talk about jobs - he talked about what cities had the best foodbanks and clothing pickups. He said he stayed three winters in Poulsbo on Bainbridge Island west of Seattle because they had the best foodbank and an almost gourmet soup kitchen - - and he could pick up good odd jobs from the folks building McMansions in the woods there. Everyone has their path right? It's just a real "wake up Muriel and smell the coffee" moment when you hear a story like that.

Speaking of coffee - Kona is brewing.


Kateydog on SniffPatrol^tm

Comments

[eireangus.livejournal.com]

That was a great post and some really awesome photos! :-)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I messed with the first photo - erasing the colour from everywhere but the horizon. but - yeah - hiking with miss kate always provides good photo opportunities.

[drewan.livejournal.com]

Ah, Buena Vista Park. I fall in love with that park each time I visit San Francisco.



[Link to my other pictures from that trip]

[tonethbone.livejournal.com]

You shall always be remembered for turning me on to Kona...

Nice post too

[muddster.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a great morning.
Being homeless has always been one of my main fears. It kind of cuts to the bone, losing one or two of the three basic essentials. Not having a secure future in regards to career or finances is very scary, but whatever you do have, you have to give thanks for and continue on I guess.

Sweety, no!

[bukephalus.livejournal.com]

Wow, that first photo gives me vertigo -- I feel this sense of gravity pulling me suddenly downhill.

It's always hard to confront the people who are on the painful edge of issues that we as individuals are not equipped to address. It makes us feel helpless (or at least largely helpless). But if it wakes us up to others' conditions, that's a step forward.

Sweety, no! LOL. I'm going to have to try that on you next time you get out of line!

[bootglove.livejournal.com]

Have you ever taken Miss Kateydog down to Carmel to stay at the Cypress Inn? It is co-owned by Doris Day & with her being a pet lover, Dogs & Cats are allowed to stay in the Hotel. My friends John & Kent from SF take Snickers & Toby, their dog & cat there once a while & even met Doris on one occasion!!