Family Outing

A couple of weeks ago I was on the bus that holds 40 people with 80 of my closest friends and saw a Chinese family "walking" their dog. (Yes, I had angled my way into a standing with a streetside view. I suspect I am becoming claustrophobic, specifically on Chinese buses, and find it is better if I stand by the window.) This scene was notable for a few reasons.

First of all, most of the dogs in China are mangy little mutts who wander the streets gnawing on dropped meat-on-a-stick sticks, stalking small children, inviting themselves into hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and loudly harassing each other outside my window at night. But this dog looked well groomed, not purebred but maybe half-bred. And it was on a leash!

Secondly, the family was not walking. They were on an electric scooter - kid standing in front, Dad stradling kid while steering, Mom stradling Dad and holding the leash while the dog trotted alongside. Everyone look quite happy. If only the grandparents had been along in a sidecar.