08-10-2020, 11:33 AM
This past Saturday LCF and I took Halvah to the vet for her monthly checkup. We've been giving her fluids every other day since last August, and she's hanging in there at age 12, though we have to monitor her closely.
As usual, upon arrival we called from the parking lot, and someone came out to get Halvah in the carrier and get an update. Then we waited around in the parking lot while they did some tests on her, standing in a patch of shade provided by trees. A couple other people did the same.
At some point we noticed a disturbance out on the sidewalk maybe 40 feet away. Two pedestrians had passed each other, going in opposite directions, but now there was some sort of altercation going on. I just figured that they had recognized each other and were goofing off a bit, but LCF picked up that something wasn't right and took a few steps towards them. Then I saw it and stepped in their direction as well. The shorter, brawly guy was dancing around, loading up his fists, advancing on the taller thinner guy, who was panicked, holding up a hand, backing away. The brawler seemed about to back off and go on his way, but then he'd turn back and advance on the slender guy again, shouting at him, threatening him with fists.
We didn't crowd him but made him aware of our presence, and he kept casting us side glances, distracted, but also ready to challenge everyone. Meanwhile, a woman in the parking lot had pulled out her phone and started to film. Finally the brawler moved on with a lot of swagger, eyeing us time and again, eventually to cut through the alley behind Walmart. The tall slender guy had by now retreated to near El Camino, where he cast back a distraught "WTF!" look and shook his head in rattled dismay.
Afterwards, I pieced together the likely catalyst. The tall skinny guy was wearing a mask. The brawler wasn't. The former likely made some comment as they passed.
In our Mountain View neighborhood, we can usually go for walks without masks, just stepping out into the street or into yards to avoid others. But on that sidewalk in front of the vet's, there's simply no leeway -- a tight hedge on one side, and Showers Avenue on the other, always busy near the intersection with El Camino. You really should be wearing a mask if you walk there.
Fortunately, of the 350 million Americans, only this one guy doesn't seem to agree. And all is well in the world, all is well....
As usual, upon arrival we called from the parking lot, and someone came out to get Halvah in the carrier and get an update. Then we waited around in the parking lot while they did some tests on her, standing in a patch of shade provided by trees. A couple other people did the same.
At some point we noticed a disturbance out on the sidewalk maybe 40 feet away. Two pedestrians had passed each other, going in opposite directions, but now there was some sort of altercation going on. I just figured that they had recognized each other and were goofing off a bit, but LCF picked up that something wasn't right and took a few steps towards them. Then I saw it and stepped in their direction as well. The shorter, brawly guy was dancing around, loading up his fists, advancing on the taller thinner guy, who was panicked, holding up a hand, backing away. The brawler seemed about to back off and go on his way, but then he'd turn back and advance on the slender guy again, shouting at him, threatening him with fists.
We didn't crowd him but made him aware of our presence, and he kept casting us side glances, distracted, but also ready to challenge everyone. Meanwhile, a woman in the parking lot had pulled out her phone and started to film. Finally the brawler moved on with a lot of swagger, eyeing us time and again, eventually to cut through the alley behind Walmart. The tall slender guy had by now retreated to near El Camino, where he cast back a distraught "WTF!" look and shook his head in rattled dismay.
Afterwards, I pieced together the likely catalyst. The tall skinny guy was wearing a mask. The brawler wasn't. The former likely made some comment as they passed.
In our Mountain View neighborhood, we can usually go for walks without masks, just stepping out into the street or into yards to avoid others. But on that sidewalk in front of the vet's, there's simply no leeway -- a tight hedge on one side, and Showers Avenue on the other, always busy near the intersection with El Camino. You really should be wearing a mask if you walk there.
Fortunately, of the 350 million Americans, only this one guy doesn't seem to agree. And all is well in the world, all is well....
I'm nobody's pony.