EVENING DOG SPA by Stormy O’Shea
In the evening, at a local RV park, a strange thing happens. Using a form of communication not known to man, all the dogs who are not on leash, begin to make their way to the end of the park. Not in a mad dash, they simply stroll along, stopping now and then to greet other dogs.
The heat had been brutal for days. Some dogs had stayed inside air conditioned motor homes. Others were taken to a river to romp and cool off. The majority of the dogs, lay panting in the shade. Until evening.
I followed them one night. At a camping spot someone had partially filled a round kiddie pool with crushed ice, then added water to the brim. It was hilarious to watch the dogs display such nice manners, as they waited patiently for a turn in the icy-spa. One dog at a time, got in, soaked, stepped out to shake dry, then head back to his home.
One dog took so long in the pool that finally a black lab reached in and put a paw on his back, indication, “Time’s up pal, let someone else have a turn.”
It was a ritual that amused us, brought us together to socialize, but more importantly, taught us that if we could just imitate our beloved dogs, we’d all eventually get a turn!
