Delights in Springtime Things

Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of the Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. We’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together.

This month, Charlie delights in being a doggie without accolades, visitations or dreams, as he gets grounded in the simple pleasures of spring.

Sniff, sniff, s-n-i-i-i-i-f-f…. SNIFFFFFF! s-n-n-n-i-f- f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f.

Ahhhhhhhhh….. I was right.

Springtime in the Market Common still smells like contentment. Nothing fills me up and makes me feel so complete as the smell of spring.

It’s as if the world is waking up from a long nap. The trees shrug off the last of their barrenness and buds begin to appear; the grass grows greener, water pours from the sky a little more often… Believe it or not, this dashing downtown doggie loves to splash in puddles. The best part is, as nature undergoes this transformation, it gives off more succulent smells then the garbage can behind my favorite Italian pizzeria. It just drives me wild with delight.

Did you know that we doggies possess around 300 million olfactory sensors compared to the 6 million that humans have? You couldn’t walk in a straight course either if you smelled what we do walking down the street. Such a fabulous part of being alive, to inhale the complexity of it all and sort it out in my doggie brain. I’m so inundated by the spring aromas that I’m in a near bliss state— here a squirrel, there, a crocus popping up in the grass— and the grass! I could write sonnets about my love of frolicking, rolling, sniffing around and digging in it. Not to mention you can find the neatest bugs and fascinating things decomposing with a little prodding, which of course have an aroma palette all their own.

Then there’s the trip to Trimmers Pet Grooming I have to look forward to, where I’ll get a doggie massage and a new do. I think I’m getting my nails done too.

There’s nothing like sprucing up the old fur coat and showing it off to the new ladies who have come to town since the winter. There will be plenty of opportunities to do so. I always ask for more walks this time of year (just to keep Jim on track with his New Year’s resolutions into the warm weather months). All my friends must ask too, because I’ve been seeing so many more of them out for walks with their people.

And I just love all the wildlife. The ducks, geese, birds, and squirrels. Maybe this year I’ll catch a bunny. I always try but haven’t succeeded yet.

And of course most important of all (but truly how could I put a ranking on spring’s delights?), there’s an extra hour of sunlight every day in which to enjoy… nap time.

Until next time,