Three Dogs & a Gnome

A True Story

How to get what you want? Just ask for it! Let me tell you a true story:

Two years ago, I was walking along de Oude Gracht, the main canal in my city, Utrecht. It was sunny, and I walked past an old man sitting on a bench in front of his house. He looked like a human-sized gnome but without the hat and the friendly smile. A dog was at his feet, one of those cute dogs with long ears and droopy eyes, a basset I later learned. I struck up a conversation with the garden gnome, squatted close to the dog, and extended my hand to her. She started sniffing it, and I stroked her and she seemed to enjoy it. Then, bluntly, I asked the gnome:” Could I walk your dog?” Without a heartbeat, he said:” Sure, why not?” That's how I started to walk Sophie. She was an old lady of fourteen years. How I loved walking her. She was so funny! Sniffing was her thing: following scents while she wobbled on her short little legs to chase some invisible prey.

I love walking in the park, but I need a reason to, and Sophie was all the reason I needed. Since the gnome never walked her, that suited the three of us just fine.

The garden gnome really is a character. I could tell you many stories, but privacy laws and fear of his revenge restrain me. I enjoyed our conversations a lot. That was strange because I have never been insulted as much in my life. He called me an idiot, an Asperger, and, worst of all, a member of the Dutch reformed church ( a kind of Amish without the light-heartedness), etc. Somehow I enjoyed it, although one wouldn’t expect such language from a gnome. It was great: I made two new friends: a dog and a gnome! Unfortunately, after nine months, Sophie died of old age. She was buried in the backyard, and that was that.

I was sad and lonely. Then one day, while out walking in the park, I met a guy with a dog. We talked for a while, I hugged the dog and, again, I asked:” Can I walk your dog?” He had to think about it, so we exchanged numbers. After a week, he texted me, and we made a trial run to see how I and Bowie, his border collie, would go along. We got along just fine, and since then, I walk Bowie about once a week. He is such a nice dog, very different from Sophie. He is into running (I never once saw Sophie run). Unfortunately, there are no sheep to herd in Utrecht, because that’s what he loves most.

Then something happened: the gnome got a puppy. His name is Covid (I know...), and he is a Belgian Shepherd. A beautiful and fun dog, too. In the beginning, he didn't listen at all. He was pulling on his leash all the time or staying put, so I had to drag him along. Shepherds are very intelligent, and Covid certainly is, so he learns fast. Now, after a month or so, he is easy to walk, without too much pulling on his leash, and when running around, he readily comes to me and sits when I tell him to. He is so inquisitive and bouncy! I always enjoy the moment he meets another dog, and they start sniffing each other’s bottom and play or run or lose interest after ten seconds. I like to think his youth and bubbliness and general attractiveness rub off on me.

So now I have two dogs in my life. A few days ago, I tried to walk both of them simultaneously, and there were no casualties. I was surprised though that little Covid was quite dominant, Bowie being the grown-up.

The moral of this story: ask for what you want, and you might get it (but watch out: you might get a gnome into the bargain)!

I am curious about your thoughts, please leave a comment, or otherwise send me a message: henkbruinsma@hotmail