Our Day Started Well - and Got Better

 Cooper and I gave Arlington Park a miss today in favour of going to the Bayfront.  The Park is still closed, but there's a pleasant walk alongside the place where rental boats are moored.

I had a sincere hope that C and I would see some of our regular walking pals.

We did!   Bob, Sharon, and Susan who walk together.  We rejoiced because we hadn't seen each other in a couple of months.

Cooper met Susan's miniature Schnauzer "Max" - they got on well. 

 Bob loves to rough house with Cooper - and also gives the best haunch scratching. 

Susan said a bit about her visit to Vietnam and Cambodia; and the nightmare of getting back to SRQ just as Milton was doing his worst.

They each noted how Cooper has matured. That's great. Just as Zion did Cooper now does.  He sits down comfortably when the humans natter, no tugging, no pulling.  What a blessed start to the day.

And then.... 

I took Cooper to the Groomer (on Cooper Creek Blvd!). He trotted off happily with Siobhan his groomer.

When I returned Siobhan told me that he had been a gem.  She'd never before groomed a dog of C's presumed partial breed. She noted especially his eagerness to learn.

When I picked C. up he was, of course, pleased to see me.  But there were no histrionics.  Just a wagging tail, and a pressing up of himself on my legs.  He is cool!

If that were not enough joy, there is more.

On our way home I stopped into a 7/11 to get some "bits and bobs" (as we say in the U.K.)

I couldn't help but hear a conversation.  A woman in line was chatting with a thirty something man.  It was clear that the man had some health issues - maybe in the Autism/Aspergers realm.

He needed gas/petrol but lacked the funds.

The woman pressed him gently, then insisted that she would buy him fifteen dollars work of gas/petrol.  He resisted. She persisted. 

She pre-payed for the gas/petrol.

She and I chatted in the parking lot.  We agreed that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

There are bright and hopeful acts in this our divided American life!

And here is Cooper in the tie which the groomer gave him. He is looking a bit grumpy 'cause he hates his paparazzi!