Booker the boxer

booker, originally uploaded by pr9000.

Amina and I were in New Orleans for a few days last week, and of course I've always got my camera with me. You never know when you're going to see the perfect shot, and without a camera it's just a memory that you'll chase forever ...

I saw the perfect shot on our first night there, as we walked down Bourbon Street, and went back the next night to get it, but it didn't present itself. I did the same thing in Hawaii a few years ago -- on my first evening there, I saw the prototypical "surfer girl" shot at sunset on Ka'anapali ... and I didn't have my camera. I still haven't managed to find that shot, and I probably won't be happy until I get it.

But ... to the handsome young man above: There's a dog park near (I think) Avenger Park, along the river, that we passed as we explored the Garden District. We pulled over because we were missing Trotter, which is as pathetic as it sounds ... and that's where I met Booker.

On first glance, I felt very sad for him -- obviously, how could you not? -- but after seeing him prance around the park and play with the other dogs, I gained a lot of respect for him. I'm sure he "knows" he only has one eye, but animals tend to overcome such minor things. I've seen three-legged dogs run faster than I can, and I saw Booker barreling through the park with that familiar "puppy spring" in his stem.

He was happy because he was loved, he had friends around and (I'm sure) at the end of the day he'll be in his home, well fed and rested and loved by his owner.

When I find myself feeling down about things around me, I try to remember Booker. He knows something that I don't; I just hope I'm smart enough to learn it.