Music to His Ears 

As an abused shelter dog, Otis's musical knowledge was, at best, limited. Despite his upbringing in Jersey City (which I consider to be a Mecca of musical talent and history), he has never expressed the passion that I know is possible for a well laid beat. I have played record after record for dear sweet Otis, hoping to see a tail wag for the salsa infused jazz of Ray Barreto, or a head bob to Toots. He denied funk, punk and walked out of the room when I played Dizzy Rascal. I worried he would never open up. Was it the confines of my basement that deterred him from really listening to the music? Is he partially deaf? Does his large head have some auditory effects i dont know about?

I determined he needed a change of scenery.

But where do you get the chance to mingle music and mutts? Maxwell's sells food, and despite health code violations, I don't see them taking kindly to dogs, Uncle Joes is no more, and the jukeboxes of other dog friendly bars in Jersey City don't deliver the way I know they can. WFMU (located in downtown Jersey City) is a dog friendly establishment, but this courtesy does not reach the mail room volunteer (as I so humbly have been in the past).

Then it happened. I stepped off the Grove Street path train and was greeted with a 5 piece country band standing on the corner, preparing to play directly into my soul.  Any Day Parade was setting up, and since this was a street show, sponsored by Grooves on Grove, Otis was, of course, welcome. The Kentucky twang of singer / guitar player Tree Jackson's voice sprawled out in the atmosphere like fog. The sun hung low on the horizon of Newark Avenue, and for a few moments, Jersey City thrilled me. While enveloped by the harmonies of their savagely spirited country music, I saw a large smile walking towards me. It was Otis, and finally, he liked what he heard. He found music he could vibe with. Escorted by Buka and Jay (whose smile and love of Any Day Parade was equal to Otis's) we sat as a pack and let them tell us stories wrapped in bass lines. We are still working on Otis's toe tapping rhythm and harmonica howling, but it was nice to have a chance to share the music I love with the dog I love.