aamusedinatx | May. 26th, 2008

This morning Parker and I walked to North Berkeley to meet Lucy and Diane and a friend of theirs, Rosina, with her little guy, Benny. On the way up Shattuck, Parker caught the attention of one guy who sat in a wheelchair shaking a paper cup as a way of asking for change from passerby. He cooed over Parker, picked her up and held her in his lap, petting her, remarking on how pretty she was, scratching her on the chest, which is the sweet spot which makes her leg thump in pleasure. Lastly, he kissed her on the head, very gently, and set her down again. He never asked me for money, or shook the cup at me. Parker had made his day and it made me smile.

Just as we crossed over Hearst, I caught sight of Diane and Lucy heading toward us from the other direction. Diane is hard to miss. She's statuesque and has a head of flaming red hair. I waved, she waved back. Parker seemed oblivious. Soon though she caught site or sent of Lucy. She started wagging her tail so hard her body bent in half sideways and she scuttled like a crab as fast as she could to pounce on Lucy. Those two just adore each other!

I was *SO* tempted to have coffee this morning. I feel much better, I took my last Cipro this am. But no, I was a good girl. I ordered herbal tea and a chocolate croissant. Diane got her 'usual' latte and we sat down inside with our dogs to chat and to wait for her friend Rosina and Benny the Bullet, who would join us for the hike up to the Grand Theological Union campus.

Diane had tried to go up to the GTU with Lucy on Saturday, but the place was crowded with people and music blaring--a party was in process. On Sunday they went back up, but just as they reached the stairs she saw smoke. 'Maybe they're having a BBQ', she thought. Then she heard a panicked voice cry out "FIRE!" Sure enough a bush growing up against the wall of the chapel was on flame.

"A bush on fire at the GTU," I said. "You'd expect to hear the voice of God!"

"Yes!" Diane agreed. "Saying 'You dogs stop peeing on my lawn!"

We were still giggling over this Sophomoric humor when Rosina and Benny showed up. Benny is a delightful floppy, mixture of a dog. Who knows WHAT he's made up of, but he is so cute with those perky ears, huge feet, little legs and whippy tail. It was difficult getting all three of the dogs herded in the right direction. we'd go a half a block and a wrestling match would break out, we'd get a little farther along and someone had to dig a hole, or stalk a leaf, or chew a stick. As soon as one started the other two had to join in, naturally.

The GTU was not in the middle of a party nor ablaze (though we could see the remnants of yesterday's fire.) The chapel wall and roof were slightly damaged, but it looks like it was put out quickly. As we played and talked and took pictures of the pups others arrived with their dogs.

Frances and Franklin, a black poodle, stopped by for a little bit. Franklin was overwhelmed and barked a great deal so Frances decided to take him home again. Then a couple with two young kids arrived with their three dogs. An aged husky named Tali, a black lab, and a young brindle pitty mix named Jesus. yes, Jesus; not Hay-Zeus either. The kids were entranced by Parker and how tiny she was so they spent a lot of their time picking her up and carrying her around. Jesus wanted my treats. "Hey Jesus! How's that carpentry gig going? I have a table wot has a wobbly leg, needs fixin." Diane looked at me strangely. "I'm so going to hell," I commented. She cracked up and said she'd join me on the trip.

Rosina and Benny brought a George Bush doll. when I get the video uploaded you can see them play with it. All three of us women were wearing treat bags and who ever was sitting down (easiest to get at) was the most popular of the moment. We decided that the pups were actually the three stooges. Larry (Benny), Moe (Parker), and Curly (Lucy). Two hours and lots of dogs later, we finally wandered home for a nap.