Dog Poop Park is packed today
It’s the usual, glorious intersection of humans that gathers. Local families and their kids, elderly exercisers swinging on futuristic (but simple) machines, young footballers knocking about a too-hard plastic ball, ex-pats and backpackers taking a breath
And a collection of dogs and their owners, who think and act differently. Laid back, unconcerned, not a care in the world, it’s clear this crew knows how to take it easy.
Why does being from another country make it okay to not pick up your dog’s crap?
I ask a friend.
Well, carrying along a plastic bag and picking up poop isn’t very Bohemian
He responds, with a chuckle.
I meander across the mine field, eyes wide, alert for the all-too camouflaged nuggets that are just waiting to smell up my walk home. I contemplate saying something to the too-chill dog owners but hold off.
Nah, too soon
That’s when I spot the goat.
Normally sequestered at the side of the road, today he’s taken centre stage. Wandering across the tiled path, pausing to nibble on reedy weeds, he’s grabbed the attention of a crew of boys and girls, toddlers to teens, trailing him like newborn ducks after mama. Falling over one another and giggling to get closer. Mr. Goat obliges by leaning in. Clearly, he’s been through this before. Kids are old school.
They can’t get enough of him, he’s the greatest of all time.
The tallest girl, being the tallest, takes charge. She’s holding the remains of a loaf of bread, and the goat is hungry. She indulges him, tearing off small pieces and leading the hoofer along the trail, a Gretel without witches or ovens.
I’m enjoying the spectacle, just me and my boys, enjoying a goat. As one does.
Papa, it’s like she’s trying to leave a trail!
Rhino notices.
Don’t think it’s going to work though.
Can we pet the goat?
Elephant asks
And for the first time since seeing the goat, a bit of paternal instinct kicks in and I find myself wondering
Do goats bite?
Are they ever rabid?
Can they get aggressive?
Am I forgetting my job as Papa?
I snap back to reality and assess the situation.
There’s really no danger here, it’s clear from the smiles on the faces of the kids, and the slow, steady calm of Mr. Goat, that this is not a moment to worry.
In these times, the zeitgeist is about panic, worry. Alarm. What could go wrong? Are we in danger? What do we have to fear?
Instead, I tap into my Bohemian instincts,
and don’t give a crap.
Get Up Eight 
Very clever writing. So well crafted! I loved “She indulges him, tearing off small pieces and leading the hoofer along the trail, a Gretel without witches or ovens.” I could literally smell the fragrance emanating from Dog Poop Park!
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What I felt whilst reading your slice is a sense of inquiry, contemplation and caution as well. “I snap back to reality and assess the situation.” This quote shows how careful you were being.
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Ah, you are a clever one!!!
Your pieces seem to have twists and turns.
My favorite line here is the simple “That’s when I spot the goat.” I laughed.
I also love “a Gretel without witches or ovens.”
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Dog Poop Park! How funny…now the park has a new name. I know it well. I enjoyed reading about your walk in the park that was no walk in the park. Comparing the grass to a mine field was especially clever. SOLC is all about opening up your senses…you definitely done it here. Enjoy your fragrant walk home.
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Well, my true name for it is Dog Shit Park but for purposes of this post I kept it PG-13. 😉
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