My husband proposed that we drive down on a Sunday to see an Earthdog competition. I thought I’d heard him wrong. “You mean Earth Day exhibition?” I’d gone to the very first Earth Day event in 1970, and remembered how New York City police on horseback intimidated the 100,000 who’d gathered in Union Square that April day to raise awareness of environmental issues.

I am not a “dog person.” When I walk down the street, I smile at babies and delight when I see young children in their colorful outfits.  Dogs?  I barely notice them.  And yet, married to a veterinarian, our house has been a home to both dogs and cats.