We enjoyed a brief period of unusual company on our initial few minutes into the ravine yesterday when we came across our friend and neighbour, Mohinder, walking alongside a tiny figure in front of our house.  Mohinder, with his first grandchild, visiting from Toronto, now three years old, about the age that Mohinder's son was when we first met them.

Wary of strange faces he had never before seen, he was not completely at ease in our company, but in the presence of our little dog felt his confidence returning, more it seemed, that Riley was around and appeared an interesting new companion, than that his grandfather held his hand.

As we entered into the ravine trail before descending the first long hill into the ravine proper, the child was concerned that Riley not be left behind, and spoke to him encouragingly to come along, reaching over to pat him reassuringly from time to time.  They went no further than the crest of the hill, before taking their leave of us, the child by now assured that as friends of his grandfather we were reliably invested in his best interest.

He attends a Montessori preschool, and already, his proud grandfather told us, can count to ten in French, to eight in Spanish and ten in English.  And he knows the alphabet.  He speaks volubly when the spirit moves him, and behaves with complete confidence among his peers. 

A very pleasant start to a warmer-than-usual walk in the woods.