Page 42 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
I was so focused on Vera, I hadn’t noticed the commotion coming from the other side of the square until several women shifted their gaze to the south. I couldn’t help but notice the smiles on their faces before I saw what had drawn their attention.
A herd, at least that was how I’d describe it, of dogs raced toward us. Not just dogs, but at least a dozen pugs.
Emma chuckled beside me and called out, “Millie!”
I wouldn’t have been able to pick Millie out of a lineup of this motley crew racing toward us. That was until one of the pug’s ears perked up and raced toward us. Her tongue wagged out ofher mouth, and her stocky body rippled as she ran. I sensed the power behind her jiggling wrinkles as she sped past the other women to Emma.
Emma kneeled, and Millie launched herself at Emma, bowling her over. I couldn’t help but laugh as my sister giggled and rolled around on the ground with Millie.
Millie quickly tired of Emma and ran off to greet others.
Robyn, along with three other women, arrived at the chaotic scene where pugs ran unencumbered through the group.
The music cut off, and Vera said, “We hope that pug yoga becomes all the rage.” She gave Robyn a quick hug and then said, “Robyn will be your yoga instructor today, and she’ll be joined by her posse of pug wranglers.”
“Wrangling pugs is just about as easy as herding cats.” Robyn glanced at the volunteers. “I’d like to thank everyone from Pups are Us for bringing our special guests for a visit today.” She pointed toward Millie, who’d found another friendly face to lick. “And my little Tasmanian devil, Millie, will also be here for your entertainment.”
During the introduction, we discovered that Pups are Us was an animal shelter and doggie day care all in one. Some dogs, with their owners’ permission, were attendees at the day care, while others were awaiting adoption. While Millie was what I’d call a traditional colored pug, with a tan body and black snout and ears, there was a sweet little black puppy whose playful antics caught my eye. He raced between the mats like his ass was on fire, never stopping long enough for pets or ear scratches.
Robyn began the class with a sun salutation. The pugs chased one another as we stood and reached our hands back over our heads. It was when we brought our chests to our knees that some dogs went after the women’s long dangling hair.
As I stretched forward, I couldn’t see anything, but giggles nearby and the playful screams ofnotold me the pugs were intheir glory. When I dropped to the ground and arched my back, a dog ran up my legs, across my butt, and settled on my lower back.
At first, the presence was light as I continued my stretch, until it wasn’t. Eventually, my arch collapsed as more weight piled onto my back.What the hell?I glanced over at Emma in the throes of laughter. Several other women were now staring in my direction.
Robyn walked toward me and said, “Pug pile.”
Several other dogs, hearing her voice, raced toward me. Soon, a sea of pugs crushed me to the ground. “Jesus, how many are there?” I asked Emma.
“Eight and counting,” Emma said through her laughter.
Now I was flat on my face, giving them more surface to run across. Something wet tickled the back of my neck. “Tell me someone didn’t just pee on me,” I called out, eliciting laughter.
Robyn had arrived by then. “Millie, stop.” She looked down at me with a sheepish smile. “I think she likes the taste of your body wash or lotion.”
The dog had expensive tastes since it was imported from France. The relentless licking continued, while the rest did aerobics on my back. At least it felt like it.
“Help,” I cried out, pretending to wave a white flag, but my laughter gave me away.
Another volunteer rushed toward me to help Robyn extract the dogs, but before she could intervene, the pile dispersed and raced across the lawn, chasing something none of us could see. Once free, I rolled over onto my back. Tears streaked down my cheeks as I laughed and tried to catch my breath.
Robyn reached out her hand. “We better get you on your feet before they circle back.” Her smile was broad, and her dark brown eyes twinkled, sparkling more as the morning sun hit them.
I grabbed her hand and let her pull me to my feet. “Oh, god, what was that all about?”
Robyn let go of my hand. “Animals have a sixth sense. I’ve seen it time after time. They seem to know who needs their services.”
Did I need the services of a marauding band of pugs? I arched my back and stretched. Damn, the tension in my shoulders was almost gone. I lifted and released my shoulders. “I think it’s working.”
“A pug is never wrong.” She smiled. “Just ask Millie.”
Millie was leading the charge toward another woman who was rolling on the ground with several pugs nosing at her shirt and pants. Their distinctive snorts echoed through her laughter.
Robyn continued our class as the dogs made their way through the group, not sparing anyone from their relentless pursuit, but I couldn’t help but notice they circled back to some more than once, myself included.
It was their reaction to Helena I found most interesting. While the dogs had been rambunctious with me, they’d approached her with care. Almost deference. Robyn had gone over several times during the class and gently helped Helena deepen into her stretches. It was the first time since we arrived that I’d seen a relaxed expression on Helena’s face.
Maybe pug yoga wasn’t so bad after all.
