Getting Back Into the Swing of Things - Oct. 12, 2011

 Wow, now that was a long weekend.

 Usually the author of this merriment does take a long weekend off, but it was extended a little longer than anticipated following a trip to Saint John yesterday.

 Where, ironically, the author-driver was caught in bridge traffic with Harbour Bridge down to one lane and a slew of cars re-routed to Reversing Falls Bridge.

 It was a trip down memory lane, actually.

 Whenever I go home - and it is home - I have to take a drive past our old house on Manawagonish Road.

 Lots of great memories in that old place.

 Used to be a day when Shelley and I had five dogs. Rufus, Carleton, Buddy, Sonny and Sasha.

 Walking them was indeed a sight.

 Many thought we were actually a dog walking service, but in reality, we were just a tad nuts.

 When we'd walk the streets, we would run into a senior women who had two huge sheepdogs. Huge.

 And those dogs were trained to the highest point of training.

 Those dogs could've carried the woman to the East Side and bag, but nope. They did everything they were told. The lady used to tell us we must have our hands full with five, but our quintet together wouldn't have equalled the size of those sheepdogs.

 So, as I approached the old house yesterday morning, sure enough in front of the place was the lady and two sheepdogs.

 Were they the same dogs?

 Well, it's been nine years since we left Saint John, so it's certainly a chance.

 What struck me was she had them both sitting and listening intently.

 It was like we never left...or went back in time.

 Sadly, all five of ours are gone, but I hope those were the two originals.

 It did my heart good to drive down memory lane.