Cold, cold dog-walker in NYC today.

As you can see from my photograph of Rochester the English Springer Spaniel in Central Park, the sun was piercing bright, despite the freezing air.

It felt colder today than yesterday, even though temperature-wise, it was warmer, but, still freezing.  The sun, however, was strong and clear and such a gift on a cold, cold day.  Especially when a person has dragged herself outside on a day when she really should have stayed in bed with some nagging virus.  I did hear something about a sun spot reported?  I’m not sure.  Maybe I dreamed it.

So I picked up Rochester (English Springer Spaniel) and we walked South (that’s downtown in Manhattan) around twenty-five block, and then cut West across Central Park to Columbus Avenue and headed North (that’s uptown).  By the time we got to the 72nd Street entrance to the park at Central Park West, I could barely lift my feet to take a step.  Rochester, however, was prancing along eager to find squirrels and give me a chance to shout “leave it!” 

Walking along in the cold air, it was fairly quiet and my mind kept going back to that poor family whose baby boy was killed by their pet dog.  Honestly, I think it could happen to anyone with any breed of dog, but, I do wish people who choose to bring powerful dogs with bites that can kill in a second would do so with greater planning as to how they’ll manage their little humans and keep both dog and family safe from harm, even accidental harm.  Stuff happens.

And I thought a lot about the fire fighter who lost his life in Crown Heights last night in an apartment building fire.  And the elderly couple who died in their home this weekend in Yonkers when their space heater sparked a fire amid their clutter (both people were in their mid-eighties, alone, and obviously unable to keep up with housekeeping).  There’s a hidden story here about people forced to use space heaters or stoves when they can’t afford heating oil or gas, or, when the landlord is barely providing enough heat in freezing weather.

Thought alot too about Britney Spears and how messed up she is.  Too late for her?  Not too late for her children.

Then, thought about how tired I am.  There’s something about wearing woolen tights, three pair of socks, boots, jeans, two sweaters, a hat, and a down coat with a hood that makes walking a dog for two hours a most exhausting experience.

I swear tonight I feel like I climbed the Matterhorn.

We did manage to get in a fifteen minute rest on a sun-drenched bench over looking Hernshead and The Lake.  As I’ve already said, that bright sky and gorgeous sun was a wonderful gift and I’m so thankful.