In Search of Meaning Here: Logic, Data, Patterns, Predictions, Assertions, Knowledge, Truth, Surgical Masks, & Dog Poop. Of Course That Was My Yesterday

Doctoral studies and participation in research organizations kept/keep me loyal to reading the word and world, seeking out patterns, noticing, and curiosities to name truth and make sense of the phenomenon around me. Knowing patterns helps me with logical decision-making. It's scientific method 101. Don't touch hot stoves. They burn. That will lean ya'.

So, Karal has fascinated me. We walk 3 to 8 miles daily and she rarely stops to pee. I'd estimate on the 200+ walks we've done thus far, including long hikes, I've witnessed her squatting twice to pee...maybe three times Her norm is to wait until we return home, run to the gate, and do her thing in the back of my house...it's a cookie tray of her deliveries that I need to pick up each week. I've never had a dog like this, but it is what she does. 

Still, I always put two doggie bags in my pocket, in anticipation of her doing as dogs do on walks. I want to be prepared. Never once have I used them with this dog; instead, I find them in coat pockets, jean pockets, the pockets of gym shorts, and on tables where I put them because of the lack of use. I just want to be sure I have them when they are needed.

Yesterday, in a short window between ZOOMs, meetings, and courses, I said, "Let's get your walk in, shall we?" She ran to the door, I got her harness on, and then thought, "Shoot. Let me grab a bag."  I was lazy and didn't want to re-enter the house so I grabbed two surgical masks out of my car (there are piles there). I stuffed them in my pocked and we were off. I figured it was a back up if we needed something, but like I said, "The dog is a routine shitter."

And of course she pooped twice on our walk, and I was thankful to have surgical masks for each. Murphy's law, as alway. She totally chose today to be the absolute outlier of her norms and to prove me an idiot. Here I was walking around Stratford with two surgical masks full of dog turds until I could find a can to dispose them. They worked, but it felt odd....a tisket, a tasket, Crandall carrying his surgical basket.

The blame goes to the monsoon on Tuesday. I'm guessing she held in more than I thought because the winds and rain were ridiculous. 

But two substantial piles on one walk? That's just crazy. So out of character. Or maybe so in Crandall character to give him something to write about.

I'm noting this on my notepads just to make the case that patterns, rituals, routines, habits, recordings, predictions, observations, and data often state what they do, but there are always exceptions. ALWAYS. I love to have my hypothesis proven wrong...especially by a dog.

And yes, Mr. Jones and Ms. Brown, you saw what you saw when you drove by. I've learned my lesson.