Every day heralds a new adventure for our two little black sibling dogs. And they anticipate each and every day's promise of yet another one. We don't venture out into the ravine close by our house to traverse the forest trails at the same time every day. Sometimes we go out in the morning, more frequently it will be at any time in the afternoon.

But they seem to know. It's not that they anticipate, it is that they somehow catch clues so subtle we cannot even imagine what they might be. They know. They become anticipatory because they know. And they begin to race about after one another in a mad display of absolute glee at the prospect. Just as, after our ramble through the woodland trails yesterday we failed to remove their collars on arrival back home and they know instantly that something is up.

That, we can understand as a signal. That means, to them, that we're about to go somewhere else and since their collars remained in place we must be taking them with us. Normally they don't wear their collars in the house; no need. So they were doubly excited yesterday; once when we set out for the ravine and a second time soon after we were finished with our walk, once again.

Despite that they intuit they'll be accompanying us, they become excitedly animated with concern that we'll be leaving them behind, and they speak imploringly to us not to forget and leave them behind. We had planned to make a short trip downtown to Byward Market. When we take them with us they stay in the parked vehicle on arrival. I remain there with them. They'd be left at home if I meant to accompany my husband to the shops where his special magazines are sold, and the other where we shop for specialty cheeses.

It was yet another heavily overcast day, but warmer than the day before when rain threatened and it was cool enough to wear heavy rainjackets. As often happens throughout the length of our circuit we saw no one else out and about. But it was a pleasant day, the forest aglow with variations of shades of green.

The drive afterward was also relaxing and pleasant. The RCMP's black stallions were out to pasture, the ones they use for their famed musical ride. Small planes were taking off from the little airfield we pass, adjacent the National Aeronautical Museum along the Eastern Parkway, our favourite route downtown, one that takes no more than twenty minutes from our home and is seldom crowded.

We make room for Jackie and Jillie at the front of the truck, seated with us, just placing a cushion over the gap in the seats. Jillie tends to cuddle her head and front end on my husband's lap and snooze, and Jackie has a tendency to sit on my lap, intent on observing the passing scene. Once parked at the market, pedestrian traffic is what intrigues them and they watch people go by continually.

I'm not particularly fond of being in crowds, and nor are Jackie and Jillie. So we sit and wait while my husband pursues his double goal. And, just as you never know what you'll see while on the forest trails, nor do you know what you might see watching people in pursuit of their agendas.