Rack Decides That Tourists Are Fine But Homeless Need To Clear Out of Wilton Manors

 

I am up at Stupid O'Clock.

At this time of year a solid hour and a half before sunrise.  Probably more, it's not specifically important.

I do this so that I can get out and back unimpeded by what everyone calls "Life".  When I am going for a workout, it helps since I live in the furnace called South Florida.  I can get out and back before it is truly hot and people are scurrying for cover in the cool of their air conditioned home.

I'm benched, doctor's orders.  Sports injuries are a bit.. bear... bearish.  I'll leave that there.  But since I am benched, it does not mean that I will sit on the couch with my feet up and get fat.  I get out every morning before 6 and start on the 10,000 plus steps that everyone else is obsessing over.  Four or five walks, and you eventually get somewhere.

Everyone is still asleep except for leftover tourists.  "Hey, go home and do that, the bars are closed" I think as I see someone passing by for the third time in their out of state plated car.

This includes the wildlife.  Ignoring the stray cats that people mistakenly consider "outdoor pets", I see quite a few different creatures out there.  Some don't like that I am coming by with an elderly companion, Rack the McNab SuperDog (TM) and I hear rustling in the brush.

Rack has selective hearing at this point in his life.  I am never quite sure if he hears what I have to say, and I say a lot to him.  He's not hearing that rustling nor is he hearing that tourist approaching for the FOURTH TIME! 

"Damnit go back to Ohio!" I grumble.

Rack doesn't care.  He's happy because he's out with his people, me.  It is a bit much of a walk for him, by the evening he is pulling me away from certain areas because he's had enough.

In this case there's a parking lot.  It's quite dark in the predawn hours.  I make it a point to tread lightly.  Since Fort Lauderdale has passed an ordinance criminalizing sleeping outdoors and basically being homeless, I have noticed an uptick of random people coming through here.  An encampment is beginning to happen in front of "The Shoppes" which are so close to my house that I can see a back wall through the trees.

I'm walking Rack who is a dog who has always enjoyed meeting people and plodding along.  After all I have not had my first mug of coffee.

Rack blocks my way and stops me.  I look at him and then ahead.  One of the people at the encampment is getting a bit too close for comfort.  Rack begins to grumble, first quietly, then rather noticeably.

"I guess not!" I hear the denizen say.
"He's not feeling social this morning.  Good bye!" and I make an excuse to keep going.

I round the last corner near the house and mutter "How about that, after all these years, I have a protector."  They don't know he doesn't have all his teeth and never has.  He looks back at me and smiles.  I guess he has heard that one.

Now that the Nighttime Visitors have all disappeared, and the sun is up, it's time to out and do the second mile.  Rack is looking forward to greeting some people.  The Iguanas and stray cats can go get lost.