On the Leash

One hesitates to complain too much, to convey irritation. Owners walking their dogs here instead of the maids ought to be applauded. In the Joo Chiat area many of these chaps would have a maid at home; the size of the dogs show they can afford it and suggest landed property rather than HDBs. (There are not so many condos in this precinct, at least around Carpmael Road.) Yet instead of taking pleasure in their walk with their particular breed of canine—the closest thing to a true acquaintance with nature in such an urban setting—these guys as they pace along often in quick tempo are entirely preoccupied checking their phones. Heads bent on the ends of their leads wouldn’t know where they were or why. While the dog was taking a pooh and perhaps taking their time about it, perhaps it was forgivable. But to miss such a golden opportunity in the great outdoors under the vault of the heavens in the cool air of morning and evening.... Mindfulness chaps; you know, dwell in the moment. Behold the leaves of the trees reaching out on the branches; the perfume of the grass after the Indian crews have been through with their whippers alone can delight. There fly occasional birds into the trees, see them before they are hidden from view. A pretty girl sometimes happens by in the same bundle desperately, woefully unhappy to be ignored. Golden opportunity missed. How to alert the poor sods, awaken from the sleepwalking? They are certainly not followers of meaningful blogs. Flicking through with their thumbs hopefully from page to coloured page like schoolboys licking ice-cream. The maids sometimes talk to their charges, pet and encourage them; one pretty young Indo from the Haig whose Ma’am often accompanied in her motorized chair carries their little pooch high on her chest when the poor dear has exhausted itself.