Lee

My dog is smart. She understands the word WALK. She even knows it starts with the letter "W". Say it and you get the same reaction as that of an old lady who's just won the bingo. You say the word, "Doggie Park" and she's bouncing up and down like a Kangaroo, tail wagging excitedly and dusting-or whipping (depending upon her haircut) every surface in sight. She knows the hidden meaning in putting on certain clothes too. A warmer jacket = excellent times. Put on boots and you can hear her little doggie brain scream, "YAHOO!" But throw on spandex shorts combined with a tank top and a pair of sneaks and she's outta there. You say the word "run" and she slinks away like a child presented with broccoli. If you insist, she will begrudgingly - tail firmly between her legs - come. It's pitiful really. But I am her owner and one of her doggie duties is to protect and keep me company while I'm exercising. So I do insist. And she does complain. Daily.

Every morning we start out with the rigmarole and I am forced to pull her for the first 100 meters. And then it happens. On the sidewalk leading down to the park, Morley sees her best friend, Lee. The next thing I know, Morley is pulling me and yelling loudly in her doggie brain, "hurry up, you two legged slow poke!" I want her to be a well behaved dog, so as we dash across the street I am uselessly insisting that she "heal", but the truth of the matter is that I am almost as excited as Morley is to catch up with Lee.

I think his name is Lee. I've heard him be referred to as Mr. Lee by some folks, but, after meeting him hundreds of times, it would be embarrassing to ask for clarification now. So I call him Lee and he doesn't seem to mind.

Lee is our Bownesian relic. He's 90 years old and he is cool. Lee's got that X-Factor that attracts every human being and dog (especially dogs) to his side. He is the friendliest man I've ever met and he knows everybody and every dog by their first AND last name. He's lived in the community for 60+ years so he's got some fabulous stories to share, but really the best part about Lee is that he's got a "warmth" emanating from him, and a sparkle in his eye that just makes being in his presence enough.

Morley knows he's special. She runs up to him and sits at his feet in a controlled "un-Morley-like” way. When he pats her head and scratches her back, she gazes lovingly at him in a way that she's NEVER looked at me. He loves her too. "Morley!" he bellows. " I was hoping to see you today!" then he proceeds to gush over her and praise her good behaviour. After a few minutes he will say, "Oh, hi there Christina! It's good to see you too."

Despite having old joints and a very sore back, Lee insists on walking to the park to meet his buddies every morning. He walks slowly and doesn't venture too far into the park, though you know he wants to. He's a twenty-year-old trapped in a ninety-year-old body.

Lee was married to a lady named Marie for 66 years and she died four years ago. I didn't know Marie, but I wish I had because I know that she too must have been special. When Lee mentions her name, his face lights up and then a shadow crosses it and I know he misses her a great deal.

This morning, the kids slept in (bless their hearts) and we headed out later than usual. I had to pull Morley further today because Lee was not at his post. We crossed the bridge, s-l-o-w-l-y, and I allowed Morley to have a little detour in the "illegal doggie park" for some play time. After a few minutes we continued on our way towards the river path.

It was a gorgeous morning. The sun was bright but not yet too hot. The river was shimmering and a cool (but not too cool) breeze made the air light. Yes, this is what we runners refer to as perfect running weather. By this time, even Morley didn't seem to mind jogging besides me. Suddenly I felt the pull of her leash and a renewed energy flowing through her tail. Her run turned into a giddy gallop and I looked around trying to figure out where the magic was. And there HE was. Lee had managed to cross the park and he was just steps away from a solitary bench overlooking the river. At first I was worried. This was a VERY long journey for him to get here.

We caught up and played our daily game and then I asked him what he was doing so deep in the park? There is no doubt in my mind that if he wasn't hurting from such a jaunt he will most definitely be in pain tomorrow.

"See that bench, Christina?"

"Yup." I glanced towards the bench overlooking the spectacular view of the Bow river.

"Marie and I sat in THAT bench everyday for 60 years and today I was bound and determined to make it here."

"That's terrific Lee, " I praised. I wanted to ask him more. Was today a special day in history for his wife and himself? Was he feeling particularly lonely today? "Was he feeling her ghostly presence calling to him? But, I could tell that he wanted to finish his goal and I was delaying him. So, Morley and I said goodbye and carried on down the path.

I was a little concerned about Lee and wondered if he would make it back home safely. As usual though, I left feeling energized and today I had even more energy than usual.

Thankfully as we were nearing the end of our run and crossing the street back to our house I heard a call from Lee's familiar voice, "Have a good run ,Christina?"

"It was awesome Lee! We went an extra 3 km," I responded. Little did he know that he was the inspiration that pushed us to go further today.