A Walk In The Park

Barley, a dog, viewed in profile against a rolling expanse of grass and trees.

Barley, a dog, viewed in profile against a rolling expanse of grass and trees.

The old cartoon gag is that dogs think trees and fire hydrants are resplendent oases, and indeed those upright objects command Barley’s attention on walks, but when I walk across large open expanses (fields of grass, empty parking lots, etc.), it really becomes clear what she does and does not consider a visually interesting landmark. Fundamentally, I don’t think dogs see our sidewalks the way we do, as linear tracks to be followed to a destination. It’s more like a natural 3D space has been collapsed to 2D, with every interesting landmark squashed along the margin. So, of course, she needs to stop and smell every interesting thing we come across; there’s so many all in a row! To Barley, pedestrian walkways seem (I think) a bit more like supermarket aisles. In a more naturally open environment extending in every direction, her walking pace feels like a more natural mix of walking, jogging, and running.