an excuse to say hi

Our puppy is very friendly, most puppies are. She loves people but especially children and other dogs. So, when we walk in the park, if we come within 20 feet of one or the other, off she goes to say hello.

This morning she went up to an elderly Chinese man doing his morning exercises (with a sword no less!). She just sat at his feet, as if to say, "Oh, this is a comfortable spot. I could stay here a while..." He had to stop his routine, but he smiled and was very good about it. Puppies are pretty well impossible to resist!

I find myself saying hello to a lot of people I never used to do more than pass in the park. Not sure how long this will last, whether, as time goes on, I'll become more jaded and less 'open' but for now, this is a great pleasure, and not, obviously, without medicinal benefits, for me, and perhaps for some of the people we meet who are sitting alone.