On a September’s walk in a town I don’t live in, I came across a group of young students waiting for their morning school bus. They asked if they could pet my two dogs.  Of course.  Animals, especially dogs, allow children to relax and open up.  Besides wanting to know the dogs’ names and, surprisingly, their breeds, they told me about themselves without my asking.

One tall boy with glasses and eyes going in two different directions told me he likes to throw sticks because “that’s what he does.”  He threw a stick the other day into a pond, and a nearby dog ran after it.  “The dog thought I was playing with him,” he said with a grin.

I asked if they were six graders.

“No,” a girl with glasses said. “Fifth grade. I was supposed to be in sixth though.” Her smile vanished.  

“That’s ok,” I said.  “It’s better to learn more now so you can go forward.”

She nodded, and her smile returned.

Another girl, wearing a bright pink sweatshirt with hair color to match, told me she too was supposed to be in sixth grade but she started kindergarten late.  “I almost got a detention yesterday,” she bragged.

“Already?” I said.  School had just started three days ago.

She grinned and nodded.

Another girl sat in tears in the middle of the apartment complex driveway, hugging her knees and rocking back and forth.  She had a large rip in her leotards.

“Come pet the dogs,” one of the kids called to her. She shook her head “no.”

“Bus!” someone yelled.

The dozen kids scrambled into a line, waving at me and the dogs. I looked up at the bus driver who also smiled and waved.

The dogs and I continued our walk, and the bus grinded off to school. 

I haven’t been back to that town. Part of me would like to time it one morning to see these children again at their bus stop—to learn how their school year has been going, how many detentions have been earned, see what hair color is now in vogue, and maybe soften whatever pain they’re carrying that day.

That September morning was a good reminder of how caring conversation coupled with furry paws and wet kisses can make for a better day.  Lucky me to have those four legged loves with me every day.