Dogs in Stores: They Don't Belong There

 

A unattended dog in a Price Chopper grocery store. 

In recent years I have noticed a growing trend of people taking their dogs into stores. I find this disturbing and inconsiderate and potentially dangerous.They do not belong there. One dog in a Lowe's store set his eyes on me and growled menacingly while I was checking out.  Another time I saw two different dogs engage in a fight in a Home Depot. Their owners quickly brought it under control. A few months ago a supposed service dog was stretched out on the floor at a grocery store I frequent. Yesterday in Was-Mart a customer had a dog on one of those long, extendable lashes. That leash does nothing to keep the dog in his owner's "space."

Clearly the leash is too long and creates a potential hazard. This dog ran across the aisle in front of another shopper to check me out. It could have been a disaster.

Winter Dog Walker Photo & a Guitar Gig

 We got some snow yesterday (Saturday). I was toying around with black and white camera setting on my iPhone 6s, looking through living room window, through the blinds, spotted this person walking a dog. Snap, snap, snap. I would like to have done better with it, but I like it. 

Person walking a dog past our house in Chaumont, NY.

I snapped this photo in the morning. In the afternoon I had a guitar gig at Orion Art Gallery, Alexandria Bay, near the thousand islands bridge. It was 2:00-4:00 and went well. Used my Guild guitar and battery powered amp. 

I forgot to have someone snap a photo of me playing. 

Will Salisbury, the Man of Steel From Omar Passes Away at Age 72

The late Will Salisbury with his dog at his home in Omar, NY. I snapped this photo in January 2022

"Will, my friend, my inspiration, my heart is simply breaking. You were one of a kind. My life was enhanced after meeting you, and I can’t say that about very many people. With all the love my heart can pour I wish you an eternity of creativity and peace."

Those were the words that came to me upon hearing the news of North Country legend Will Salisbury, artist,  passing away at his home on Grindstone Island in the St. Lawrence River, Jefferson County, NY. He was 72.  He died on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. 

I wrote that to him on his Facebook page Thursday the 11th.  Since then my post seems to have disappeared. 

There is a short list of people whom I have met in life that have had a big impact upon me. Most of them don't know it because I have never told them. Will was one of them.

The initials of  the others are: BG, MH, BM, RS, GL, CD. I need to let these people know how my life was changed for the better because of them. 

Dog Peeks in My Car Window: Gary Walts Photo Archives 1986

In october 1986 I was sitting in my car with window down when suddenly a dog jumped up and peeked in the window. Camera in hand I quckly snapped its picture. A few moments later he ran off.

The photo was made with a Minolta X700, I don't recall which lens, Kodak Tri-X film processed in Kodak D76 developer.