Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Just One Block

Late Saturday afternoon I put on a rain poncho, grabbed an umbrella and dragged Boz outside because he wouldn't go on his own. I wouldn't have done this if Boz had seemed happy where he was, but he'd been complaining of boredom all day. And he, uh, needed to go.

The rain was steady but light. "One block," I said to Boz. "Just one block, and if you're successful, we can go home."

It's very wet in Pasadena, as you may have heard, but it isn't cold. It's been hovering around 60 degrees during the daytime. So when we came upon the neighborhood kids having a snowball fight, you can bet I needed to investigate.

The kids were bundled up like I used to do in Illinois winters. They were having a blast. They'd been sledding before the snowball fight, and would be sledding again. The parents were having a beer and a nosh, going in and out of the lovely Craftsman home nearby. Christmas lights twinkled on the lawn. I stopped to marvel and asked the homeowner if I could take pictures. He shook my hand and said, "Sure!"

Boz wasn't thrilled. Turning into an alley was not part of our one block agreement. And Boz is not a water dog. The one thing he likes less than rain is hoses.
And that is a hose.

But Boz waited as patiently as he could while I talked to the neighbors and took my shots. Patience under these circumstances meant leaning against my leg and saying "murph," over and over again, as plaintively and sweetly as possible. The neighbors, who don't know me very well, were festive and friendly--they exhibited their Christmas spirit by offering me food and drink and inviting us to their party. We'd have stayed, too, if I hadn't had other plans for the evening--and if I hadn't made a promise to Boz.

Once I had my shots I thanked our friendly neighbors, then Boz and I continued around the block. Boz kept up his end of the bargain and we returned home, each of us knowing, in our own way, that the walk had been a success.

29 comments:

Dina said...

Fantastic shots. I've never heard of such a thing.
And it's nice you keep your promises, even to a dog.

John Sandel said...

… murphh …

Gunn said...

it sounds like you and the dog live a very democratic and happy life together. I like the top photo, it shows action and joy! :)

Joanne said...

Looks like a custom-ordered White Christmas, cue Bing Crosby on that block :)

Mister Earl said...

It looks like two of those people are on fire.

Trish said...

good for you for keeping your promise to Boz. PERFECT description on the noise some dogs make when they'd like attention and know that barking is NOT an acceptable option. Murph, murph, murph..."moooooooom! I'm putting up with rain, AND noise, AND a HOSE, and whavEVER that white stuff iss and oh yeah, this is a longer walk than you said!!!"

have you ever actually had him in snow? the first visit (or first visit in a while) can be hilarious to watch.

Bellis said...

Ah, Hollywood snow - anything's possible in Lala land. Last summer they covered a big house in our neighborhood in snow, decorated it for Xmas, and had the kids building snowmen in the garden, for a J.C. Penney ad due to run at Xmas.

Petrea Burchard said...

It was so Christmasy! They had a tent with lights, and the kids were actually sledding in the alley.

I think Boz might have liked the snow, had it not been raining. If I could have let him off the leash to gallivant with the kids he might have had had fun, but that hose really intimidated him.

I loved it, though. It's lala land, like Bellis says.

Unknown said...

Great story & photos, Petrea! Glad that both you and Boz had a successful outing.

irinapictures said...

Lovely story.
My cat understood Russian very well, I knew several phrases in Cat-ish.
Looks like you too have bilingual family.

pasadenapio said...

That looks like a lot of fun in your neighborhood, even if Boz didn't appreciate it fully!

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Lori!

Dogs communicate well, Irina, if we just listen. Boz is actually quite articulate.

PIO, I wonder if he would have liked the snow without the hose.

Anonymous said...

And you both had something to show for it.

Petrea Burchard said...

We did, Hiker, and with pride.

Here's some fun Christmas cheer from my mother-in-law.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA

Margaret said...

Do we know how the snow got there?

Petrea Burchard said...

See the truck in the background of the second photo, Margaret? It's from North Hollywood Ice. The guy with the hose is blowing manufactured snow from the truck.

Margaret said...

Ah. Pretty cool.

Petrea Burchard said...

You've all seen the animals singing Deck the Halls, haven't you? Not to be missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-0WVfj76bo

Katie said...

Cool photos. Snow from North Hollywood? Whodathunkit. I do, however, wonder why Boz is calling my name. Is he inviting me to Pasadena?

Bellis said...

We're enjoying Deck the Halls, thanks.

Petrea Burchard said...

Murph! Murph! Come visit again!

Yeah, that "Deck the Halls" is charmingly done.

Susan Campisi said...

What a fun production to run into. I love that top photo. It looks like they're performing a Native American ceremonial dance. And I love how Boz leans against you and says "murph." Such a good boy.

J.J. in L.A. said...

How fun!!! Your neighbors are COOL!

Petrea Burchard said...

I do have very cool neighbors, and a very good dog.

Dina said...

LOL I love your videos!!

TheChieftess said...

I think the Christmas Spirit is alive and well in Petrea's blog!!! Loved the two YouTube links!!!

But really Petrea...if you want to see a White Christmas...come on up!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

Dina, I love them too!

For those who haven't heard, Chieftess is writing from Mammoth Lakes, where they've received a record 10-16 FEET of snow.

Sure, Chieftess, I'll drive in that.

TheChieftess said...

It's actually not all that bad to drive in...the realtor who showed us around when we found our place told us there are two rules while driving in Mammoth in the winter..Always drive SLOW, and gravity ALWAYS wins!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

I have experience from my Illinois days, but I've been in LA 22 years! One forgets.