It’s a dogs life

Gran Canaria the volcanic island with deep valleys and picturesque landscapes is the guide book description of this island and I dare say that if I went on one of the organised tours I would probably agree. My visit to the island took a different route, people must of been intimidated by the dark clouds and the breeze as out came coats, cardigans and pac-a-macs for the short walk into Las Palmas, I availed myself on a bench on the Esplanade adjacent to an elderly gentleman busking with an accordion, in the style of Morecambe and Wise” All the right notes but not necessarily in the right order” this help to guarantee a no go zone as people went to the far side of the pavement, just short of falling into the sea to avoid his gaze and hat to throw some coins in. This gave me a fashion show perspective of fellow passengers going by, with a wide variety of tasks in mind, mostly the ladies wanted to visit the perfumery’s the men just agreed or were looking for a bar. The most noteable items on display were a fine array of surgical supports, NHS and Private, knees and ankles taped up, zimmers, crutches, knee braces, whole leg braces, elasticated stockings, Lycra support cycle shorts, oxygen generators, the list is endless, it looked like the parade of athletes at the Stoke Mandeville games only they are properly in better health and better trained. If anything went wrong with the more complicated bits of paraphernalia it would take an Formula 1 pit crew to get them back in the game. Moving onto a local park I decided to turn my attention to the locals who seem to be obsessed with their dogs, of all shapes and sizes, wearing all sorts of leads, harnesses, muzzles and in one case a bridle, it was that big. Some also had outfits on, name harnesses, a hat, loads of cravats,bandannas, small dogs with coloured punk quiffs, and they sh*t were they liked. They say Brits are obsessed with their dogs, these Canaries leave us standing, and at least on the whole we clean up after our dogs, and one other strange I thing never saw a cat.