A Dog Named Atticus

"And you'll always be my friend, won't you?"
The big eyes were so earnest and entreating.
"How could I ever be anything else?"
"Thank you...I knew you would. Well, I must go now. See you."
And he was gone, leaving silence and great emptiness behind him.
Michael knew only one thing--that he must get out of the house with all possible speed. He felt a movie, any movie, was what he wanted right now.
Something to occupy his mind for a while.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

There’s a new Café in the neighborhood and Alan and I wanted to try it. We were in line to order our hopeful rendition of the perfect cappuccino on a bright, sunny Saturday morning. I noticed a beautiful German shepherd dog seated in a comfortable position near me. A German shepherd is my ‘dream dog’ to have one of these days. I don’t want one until I can give it the wonderful life it deserves.

I looked at the docile eyes in this dog and ‘fell for him’ instantly. I got the dogs’ attention and he leaped up a bit to come near me.
The owner said, “Atticus!”
It was his way of having the shepherd obey and ‘stay put’. I still managed to pet him a little.

I whispered to Alan, “How cool. He named it Atticus. I bet he named it after the Gregory Peck character in ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, one of my favorite movies.”

It was our turn to order our coffee when I looked to the side and recognized the dog owner. He was with a tall, chubby blond guy but the owner had a white ski cap and sunglasses. It was obvious to me that he was slightly disguised but he was none other than actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

Once again I whispered the news to Alan. Jake had been in line in front of us and I was too busy paying attention to his friendly dog, Atticus. I didn't even realize it was Jake until he was a further distance away.
I have a new found admiration for Jake now. It seems he takes his dog out a lot. I found photos online and I became more aware that he just wants to be a ‘regular guy’ with a ‘regular life’. I get the impression that he does not really want the extra attention. He has to be wary about who he can trust. He’s a successful actor but something tells me he just wants to feel non-celebrity at times. I especially like that he has the kind of dog I would own.
And so I say now, “Go Jake, take care of Atticus. I hope I run into you again sometime."
I ended up seated next to him as I enjoyed my cappuccino on this Saturday morning on July 18, 2009. He was speaking softly to his friend. I kind of wish I owned my very own German shepherd now. I might have to neglect my blog to take the dog out for walks though. Time will tell.

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 28, 1984
Saturday

Despite the grand awakening from my rooftop this morning I energized myself and took a drive to mom and dad’s to enjoy a good breakfast at 9:30AM.

I was watching the televised 1984 Summer Olympics from Los Angeles. The Women’s Road Cycling event was exciting to see. A Colorado ‘chick’ named Connie Carpenter won the Gold medal. This inspired me to go on my own bicycle ride.

When I arrived back at my pad I received a call from Bruce. He wanted to see about our going on that hike he had suggested to me last Thursday night. I shunned him off using the excuse of exhaustion.

I decided to pay Suzy and Michael Miller a visit on my bike but they weren’t at home.

I returned to mom and dad’s and took a nap.

When I woke up I watched “The Island of Dr. Moreau”. It was just what I needed (an escape to an island). Of course, this island was not the ideal choice (if you're familiar with the H.G. Wells' story).

I was at my pad by 11PM and went straight to bed, hoping I would not dream of sci-fi
DNA experimentation of turning animals into humans.

The telephone rang and it was a ‘hanger upper’. I had a feeling it was Nici Maurino.