Central Park is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world.

Every day is like Christmas…Central Park is the gift that keeps on giving.

I usually take the same route and revel in the familiarity.

Routine is not necessarily a bad thing.

Finnley and Madison have joined me on my daily constitutional.

Lately, the first walk of the day is along Sheep Meadow and then down around the baseball fields and back up the other side of Sheep Meadow.

It’s a 2 mile jaunt and that is a good workout for Madison.

I drop Madison off and then Finnley and I head out for 4-5 miles.

In 2 weeks time each arm has grown an inch.

Finnley is over the moon.

She has never experienced a park with critters and expansive grassy fields, trees, tons of chewable sticks (Los Angeles is stickless…only palm fronds), endless paths.

Being dragged through the junglelike Ramble is fascinating as seen through Finnley’s sense of sight, sound and smell.

Her reaction runs parallel to my response when exploring Kruger Park in South Africa.

The California beaches are great, but this is heaven.

Finn is on red alarm for every single solitary bird and squirrel.

Her routine includes frequent stops, standing upright supported by the park fencing and staring down every specie.

Next, Finn assumes the downward dog position whenever she sees a fellow canine.

By the time we have finished our walk, we have stopped, jumped, romped, charged and laid down probably 75 times.

Now, this gets to be a lot, but it does have an upside.

I am taking the time to notice the little things.

Yesterday, I turned into a nerdy birdwatcher, regaling an Oriole, Warbler, White-Throated Sparrow, Blue Jay and Cardinal.

I am chatting up a plethora of Central Park strollers.

Finnley is a people magnet as she is a stunning puppy with distinctive ears.

The bitch is an attention grabber.

My doggies have opened up a whole new world for me and I am seeing my special place through new eyes.

Thanks, girls.