January 1, 2026
While visiting my daughter in Williamsburg, VA, I strolled through New Quarter Park, where I met Mike and his canine companion, Leila. The unleashed Leila, an eighty-pound German Shepherd, approached and sniffed my outstretched hand before continuing to investigate the surroundings. Mike explained that Leila, although very affectionate, was not the kind of dog who lounged on his lap or slept in his bed, which, given her size, would overwhelm Mike’s modest build and take over his bed.
Leila actually belongs to Mike’s brother, who lives in a Manhattan apartment and had lent the dog to Mike for a few weeks. The thought of keeping such a large German Shepherd in a downtown New York apartment struck me as challenging, especially since Leila is five years old and needs regular exercise. I found it hard to imagine how someone could care for a dog like her in a constricted space, particularly if she was left alone while her owner was at work.
Mike walks Leila twice a day and buys substantial amount of food to keep her appetite satisfied. Despite these challenges, Mike spoke fondly of her, describing her as very protective. This made me wonder if his brother kept her for safety, but I realized this might be a stereotype image I have of big cities, the neighborhood where his brother lives in New York may be pretty safe.
Leila’s friendly greeting led to an extended conversation with Mike. I learned that Mike grew up in Norfolk, VA, near Williamsburg. After living in various places, he returned to the East Coast and is now happily retired in Williamsburg. His downtown apartment is comfortable and close to amenities and the park, so he can easily walk Leila.
Continuing along the park path, I met three people with two dogs running around them. When they noticed me, they quickly put leashes on their dogs. I assured them that I liked dogs and encouraged them to let the dogs remain loose and invited the dogs for a “sniff introduction.” A black Labrador came over to acknowledge me while the other one paid no attention. The owners shared that during the Covid pandemic, they kept their dogs away from people because most people shooed them away. They also mentioned that not everyone in the park welcomed dogs on the loose and had been asked to leash their pets.
Reflecting on these encounters, it dawned on me how easily dogs initiate and facilitate conversations among people. Confirming my eureka moment, I encountered another dog pulling her owner’s arm out of its socket to get closer to me. She was a middle-aged woman, and rather than watching her struggle to keep the dog from crossing the road, I walked over and explained that I would be comfortable with her pet greeting me. In the ensuing conversation I discovered that she was, in fact, my daughter’s neighbor.
In just a couple of hours, I had three interesting conversations with dog owners, each one initiated by their dogs’ curiosity. The lesson: to meet people, go for a walk and find dog-walkers.
andrasthehun.ca 