The iconic, Winnipeg-based band, “The Guess Who” released a song in 1970 called, “Bus Rider” (from the, “Share the Land” album).
The first verse goes like this:
Get up in the morning, get on the bus
Get up in the morning like the rest of us
Places to go, important people to meet
Better not get up or you might lose your seat
A few years ago, shortly after getting on a streetcar in Toronto, didn’t I notice a rather interesting couple of bus riders! I could not get, “Bus Rider” out of my head for at least a dozen or more streetcar stops!
This dear golden retriever sat (as any polite Canadian puppy would do) in his seat, probably contemplating where he buried his bonanza of bones in the yard. I had to literally bite my tongue because I wanted to laugh out loud; not in any other way but to show my sheer and utter delight at this wonderful scene!
The puppy proceeded to do what any other passenger might do on a long streetcar journey:
He had a wee peek out the window; perhaps there was a doggie park that caught his eye.
The interesting observation I made that day was how the unusual sight was played out in such a normal way. The gentleman with his headphones on, listening to who knows what, and his sweet companion who likewise (sans headphones) sat in his seat in a rather everyday fashion.
In case you are wondering, the Toronto Transit Commission does allow doggies on its transit vehicles. It is left to the discretion of the vehicle operator to deny boarding of our furry friends if the vehicle is too crowded, too many other puppies already on board, etc. The day we were on the streetcar was in the middle of the week in the middle of the day on a line that wasn’t very busy. Perfect puppy passenger, was this golden retriever.
Laughter may now ensue.
🙂
The Chicago Files 