THE MORNING NEWS

Rocky allowed me to walk with her this morning; the pleasure was mine. Sleep, still in my eyes and fog drifting through my mind, we walked into the hazy morning light.
The day was ours.

Like the start of most days, the first thing to do is to read the papers to know what's going on. Rocky showed me where to look; she has a nose for it. Printed on green leaves of grass and shrubs, on tree trunks, curbs and hydrants the daily dirt was plain to see if one has the tools to read it. Alas, I could only be the observer of her abilities even though the news was most everywhere.

It seems no names are dropped when each edition is printed; dogs are discreet. Some news was fresh, but most was old, some more interesting to Rocky than other news. No, everything was interesting. Perhaps there were notices of someone being in heat or statements of territorial issues beyond my ken.

A rusty yellow hydrant posted many advertisements, ignored after a quick scan as there were many lead stories to pursue. Rocky was glad that the leash was long. A running squirrel provided sports and the dog barking behind a backyard fence had breaking news. We met a fluffy white fur ball of a dog who gave me the comics but the personals to Rocky.

As we walked through the morning mist my companion left her own first edition and we traveled until the second edition was printed before turning back to read the other side of the street. This section had more advertising and even pop-up windows for two birds and another running squirrel.

I noted neither editorials nor opinions on these pages. Perhaps Rocky knows how to read between the lines. Though, there may have been letters to the editor, like graffiti scribbled on previous issues. All was local news, if not current at least as recent as the last rain.
It's the second editions that carry a more lasting message.

In conclusion, if you have a canine companion and are invited to go for a walk, even as the late edition is going to press, let your pet's nose be your guide as she reads all about it.

Ron Eklof 2003