Lucy Knows Things

Lucy enjoying her daily walks.

It usually starts with a baseball cap and a pair of tennis shoes.

Lucy knows what they mean.

The moment she realizes we’re going for a walk, she starts bouncing off the walls. No barking—just pure excitement. So much, in fact, that I usually have to wait a minute before she’ll settle down enough for me to get her walking vest on.

I’ve walked these neighborhoods for years, and I’ve discovered something happens when you travel the same sidewalks over and over.

You start recognizing people.

First comes the nod.

Then, “Good morning.”

Eventually you stop and talk. You learn a first name. Sometimes I even remember it.

Lucy, on the other hand, doesn’t believe in passing anyone without saying hello.

Dogs, however, are evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to some unknown criteria that Lucy keeps to herself.

Many of the ideas, photographs and stories I create begin on these walks.

Lucy notices things too.

Hers usually require considerably more sniffing—and enough marking along the way to make sure we can find our way home.

Yesterday doesn’t seem to matter much to her.

Every morning is a fresh start.

Same walking vest. Same neighborhood. Sometimes the same park. Many of the same people.

Doesn’t matter.

We get to go for a walk today.

Maybe that’s what Lucy knows.

Every morning gives you a chance to start all over again. To get out there, look around and see what you can find along the way.

And don’t worry. We can always find our way back home.

Lucy marked it yesterday.