| Sunday, August 31, 2008 |
| Stockholm Diary #15: Dogs |
It seems like everyone in Stockholm has either a dog or a baby. Sweden is in the midst of a baby boom, and everywhere you go here, you see people pushing baby carriages. Many stores and cafes have special "parking" for the bulky strollers. Also, if you have an infant, you can ride free on the buses here! You don't even need a special pass to show the driver -- just get on through the bus's center doors with your baby carriage. Naturally, it occurred to me that a non-parent could save a fortune on bus fare if one bought a cheap used baby buggy, put a doll in it, and covered the doll with a blanket. "Quiet, she's sleeping!" Does anyone ever check? Of course, this is a country where tons of people either don't bother locking their bikes or use locks that look unbelievably flimsy compared to the ones riders use in the U.S., so maybe Swedes are a fairly honest lot.
There are no special deals like that for dog owners, but you are allowed to bring your dog on the bus, too -- you just need to sit towards the back. You also see a lot more dogs in shops and outdoor cafes than you do in the States, and no matter what time of day you go out, you'll see people walking dogs. They pass my window all day long. Jack Russell terriers seem to predominate, but I've also seen lots of pugs, chihuahuas and larger mixed breeds. So far, I've only seen one Boston Terrier, on my first full day here.
A couple of days ago, we finally met the woman who manages this rental unit. She's been on vacation all month long -- she had a deep tan, as the ideal Swedish holiday seems to be traveling to warmer climes (and who can blame them, since it's already crisp and fall-like here). Usually this apartment is a short-term rental, but we got it all month since the manager wouldn't be on hand to wash the linens and give the key to the new tenants. She said that it had been great to have longer-term tenants, and hoped that we would be back again -- maybe next summer? We love the apartment and the location can't be beat, but realistically, it seems unlikely that we'll be taking such lengthy trips on a regular basis. As I've mentioned, the only reason we did it this time is because Hobie's passing meant there wasn't a little furry creature to take into account.
I can totally understand why people think dogs are too much responsibility -- it's not like having cats, where someone just needs to come by once a day for 10 minutes to scoop the poop and pour some kibble in a bowl. Dogs are demanding and needy. Even if you have a doggie door, they need company and exercise. Sometimes I think it would be easier not to get another dog, as we could travel more freely and even at home, I could plan all our activities without having to worry about leaving the dog alone for too long a time. And yet, I desperately miss the company a dog provides. It has been hard for me to come home to an empty house during the past few months.
A couple of weeks ago, the rescue organization from which we adopted Hobie emailed me to ask if I'd be interested in meeting a new dog after we return home. Yes, I responded, although I won't know until we meet him whether or not I am ready. He is a primo rescue dog -- fairly young, purebred, no health issues -- so if things don't work out with us, there will be no problems finding him a home. No pressure.
Looking around at all the people on the street walking their dogs, I find myself envying them, thinking, That was me, once. No other dog will ever be Hobie, but I hope I can build a new and different relationship someday with another dog. Whether it'll happen soon or further down the road is a question I can't answer yet. |
posted by 125records @ 1:37 PM  |
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| 2 Comments: |
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No other dog will ever be Hobie, but I hope I can build a new and different relationship someday with another dog. That's it exactly: we still miss Spin, but we're so very happy with Lumen and Oranj, and they're very different cats (from each other, and from Spin). But we too needed time after Spin's passing - we were just too raw. As it was, when we went to the Humane Society to find our cats (or, as it turned out, to be found by our cats...), there was a very cute kitten there who looked so much like Spin...that was a bit tough. But if you find a dog when you get back, I think you'll know whether it's time or whether you want to wait a bit longer.
On the not checking for real babies thing: once again, I think if you treat people like decent folks who will generally do the right thing, most of them will. If you treat them like liars, cheaters, thieves, and generally people who cannot be trusted, more of them will act that way.
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I WISH I could have that trusting attitude, but as someone who came of age during the days of Ronald Reagan's welfare queen, I don't think I ever will. Trying to beat the system seems ingrained in Americans; in San Francisco, it's been estimated that up to 60% of people riding buses are fare evaders.
Even in my smallish city, there's loads of political infighting, nastiness and division where you'd think people would basically have the same goals. But no, it's always the bikers vs. the drivers, the public school supporters vs. the childless/private school contingent, redevelopment vs. keep everything exactly the same, etc.
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No other dog will ever be Hobie, but I hope I can build a new and different relationship someday with another dog. That's it exactly: we still miss Spin, but we're so very happy with Lumen and Oranj, and they're very different cats (from each other, and from Spin). But we too needed time after Spin's passing - we were just too raw. As it was, when we went to the Humane Society to find our cats (or, as it turned out, to be found by our cats...), there was a very cute kitten there who looked so much like Spin...that was a bit tough. But if you find a dog when you get back, I think you'll know whether it's time or whether you want to wait a bit longer.
On the not checking for real babies thing: once again, I think if you treat people like decent folks who will generally do the right thing, most of them will. If you treat them like liars, cheaters, thieves, and generally people who cannot be trusted, more of them will act that way.