A man I see in the woods...a man I see on the street.

There is a man that walks his two Italian hunting dogs in the woods most everyday. I have come across him again and again for years now. He’s a large dark haired man…muscle bound…huge arms and legs that he displays in short shorts and T-shirt no matter the weather. I believe he dyes his hair black and has had fillers or botox….He will say hello but I've never spoken with him.

The two dogs are a bit clueless, one older than the other. He has some kind of electrical collars on them so he can find them. He lets them run far afield and we often run into them. They are pretty, almost ghostly looking with their loose skin. They are always preoccupied but will stop to say hello. I have seen them very far away from the man and I often hear him bellowing for them. I believe he lives on the edge of the woods in a big fancy house with a pool ( maybe he is a worker there, maybe a personal trainer...). The dogs know how to get home. One day I saw him showing an equally muscled guy how to take care of the dogs…It all seemed very “fey” to me…but…why I tell you this story is that.....

He is doused in unbearable amounts of cologne. You can smell him deep in the woods after he has passed and is far in front of you. It’s so offensive. What must the dogs think…they need their sense of smell…all you can smell is his cologne…awful…I consider it similar to someone who is smoking…polluting the clean air. I hope to get a photo to show you. He moves quickly and odorously down the paths.

 Additionally, I ran into an older man on my street. He is always walking a little Bichon type doggie. He had a stick which I think he uses for protection...there are lots of dogs in my area and also horses...Big tall glorious horses and a white Belgian Shep that is so beautiful. I love that kind of dog...not like German Sheps...

anyway, the man always smiles and waves at me . He knows I am going very slow to be extra careful. The road is narrow and pothole filled with encroaching greenage and cars moving unexpectedly...( so common here)...Yesterday, I stopped to meet the little doggie. I thought it was old...its face was dirty and not combed...but it is only one year old...ergh! ...Her name is Ava...The man tells me he and his wife are from Strasburg which I know is very very different from here in every way...but stiff french.

When I went to say Bon Journee, the usual exit phrase you say to everyone ( until it gets to afternoon) He corrected me...using the stick for emphasis..."Bon Sante!"...ok...I got into my car, the window on his side was open and I said Bon Journee again as a good by...he corrected me again  with the stick...Bon Sante....now I am confused...( Bon Sante is good health) ...so...maybe that's what they use way up north? I will try it out and see if I get any reactions.