Gracie : The Dog is the Star

Bus riding is much more fun when you have a dog.

In Spring 2006 Gracie and I were heading home from the dog park. As usual, she sat in my lap -- a tight squeeze but we both enjoy it. Everyone around us asked, "What's her breed?"




Answer: "Anything but a Rottweiler."

Everyone got involved. Beagle? Corgi? Shepherd? Chihuahua? Australian ridgeback (doubtful)?

And everyone wants to touch her. I think people feel disconnected on a bus, in the city. Often people will pat her head, as if she were a good luck charm, as they leave the bus.

Nearly everybody smiles. Occasionally someone's scared of dogs. One guy said, "It's against my religion to touch a dog." And some people are just plain grouchy.

But usually I get compliments on "such a well-behaved dog!" "Looks so sweet!"

An Australian couple took a picture of us as a souvenir of their Seattle trip.

I started out calling her "Amazing Gracie." Now it's "Princess Gracie." We'll need an extra pair of sunglasses at this rate.