It’s hot. It is the end of May and we are already feeling the Southern summer temperatures. Otto hides behind some branches which gently sway over the surface of the water. The river is lined by a few patches of gentle vegetation that float at will and don’t cloud the crystal clear water that flows through the river Gomenaro or Fuengirola. The name depends on the municipality and the part of the river.
Birds, frogs and who knows what other creatures can be heard in this natural concert that I hear in the background. Samirah is standing in water up to her knees, Her boots, tied to her backpack, are hanging on one side. I’m tired, but it’s nice to see her laughing with Otto, who is torn between his enthusiasm for the water and his fear of not being able to swim. What a strange dog we have!
The water is cool and Samirah starts walking. While also in the water, I film them with my phone, Otto chasing Samirah with his tail swinging frantically from left to right in a gesture of happiness. When the water starts to cover him too much, he speeds up and runs and jumps without stopping until he reaches the shore. His name tag flashes endlessly as it hits his collar, in a calm song that gets lost among the notes of the river’s natural symphony.
Another day that I am alive, another day that passes without anything extraordinary happening. Maybe that’s a good thing, knowing that life goes on, with its little insignificant adventures, nothing extravagant, they are also part of what it means to exist. Thank God we can enjoy it.
