Incompetent Canine Homing

I was crossing 520 on Tuesday evening as usual around 6:30. The traffic was slow approaching the bridge (as it always is at rush hour) but, on most evenings, it speeds up to around 50 MPH on the bridge itself. Not this time. Instead traffic was crawling along as if high winds were whipping lake water over the bridge deck or a car had stalled somewhere ahead. However, there was no wind to speak of, the lake looked benign, and there were no apparent obstructions.

As I slowly approached the western high rise, I noticed that between the two westbound lanes a small dog was trotting eastbound, seemingly hellbent on reaching the Gold Coast of Yarrow Point or Medina. I wondered if he perhaps had an appointment with Mr. Gates or a play date with some wealthy dog of distinction. If so, he had chosen a risky route to get there. Luckily, all the vehicles in sight had slowed way down and he was cheerfully trotting along without a care in the world. The woman ahead of me opened her door and called to him as he passed, but he ignored her as he pursued his mission with all the devotion normally attributed to his species.

I was concerned for his safety naturally, since taking a walk on the freeway is not the best idea for man or beast. However, a few days later this appeared in the Seattle Times which explained everything. It seems the little guy missed his exit and had no choice but to head for the Eastside. And hasn't that happened to all of us?