People often mistake me for a dog expert. Note: I am a walker of dogs. I cannot read the mind of a dog, nor can I speak with the pet via telepathic means. I cannot diagnose a former pound puppy’s excessive howling and barking as being a manifestation of separation anxiety related to a fear of abandonment and the thought he may have to return to the aforementioned pound. I even find it difficult to pronounce Weimaraner (something with those w and r’s). I walk dogs.

While visiting a dog park a few months back, this guy handed me a card trying to sell his services as a dog walker. I felt a bit threatened at first, thinking this guy would take away potential clients. I told him that I too, was in the business and we started to talk. He seemed his-worldly, in that he existed more in his own world than the one where others existed. He probably never gets bored keeping company with his own thoughts. I know that some of my best conversations have been within my own head.

I extracted little more than his name (Jason) and something about graduate school per our initial conversation, but we forged a pretty good referral system in the weeks to come. When I meet a dog a bit too large and hyper for my smaller frame and level of patience, I pass them on to him. He does likewise if he knows a client lives closer to me or acquires too many canines to control.

It’s because of him that I met Blackie.