Teddy

Remember way back to Sesame Street, when they would sing about 'Who are the People in your Neighborhood?

Today we are going to sing about Teddy. He's the Carpenter's dog. (The Carpenter's live about 4 houses down the street...and No, they are not Karen and Richard)

Teddy is a medium sized, grey shaggy mutt. Breed indeterminate. He's kinda cute and really friendly.

Now we have leash laws in our little town, but no one told Teddy. Twice a day, Teddy strolls down the middle of the street, sniffing around and greeting his neighbors. He never causes any problems, doesn't bark, doesn't chase cats. There are a lot of runners, walkers and rollerbladers in the 'hood and sometimes I wonder if Teddy is just doing the canine equivalent of a walk around the block.

Just like on Sesame Street, everyone speaks to him, some extend their hands and offer Teddy a scratch or a pat.

Teddy walks down to the end of the block, turns and heads back home.

In June,The Carpenters had Teddy shaved for summer comfort and the dog stopped his daily parade. A quick consult with Steve, the Vet...Steve lives between our house and the Carpenters, revealed that Teddy was probably embarrassed by the haircut and just between us, he really did look silly, like a shorn sheep

Teddy's humiliation was brought up at the neighbor block party and it was unanimously decided that Teddy should be taken for a walk and all the neighbors would tell him how handsome he looked with his new do.

Next day, Teddy was out struting his stuff again.

I have no Reader's Digest ending to this story. Teddy hasn't been hit by a car and he hasn't pulled a baby out of a burning house. He just walks down the street and greets the neighbors. But as I was looking out the kitchen window this AM and saw Teddy walking by, I stopped to think about this dog, who's not my dog, and how he adds just a little smile to the texture of my life.

4 People have told Dr JJ all about it