We all have days when we wake up in the morning full of enthusiasm for something good that is happening that day. Sources of delight cover a broad spectrum.

Daisy’s best day of the week starts with particular sounds emanating from the neighborhood. Extra thuds and rustlings. Garage doors opening. Occasional “Good Mornings” earlier than normal. Her ears perk up, and she heads for the window by the front door.

It’s not just trash day. Better than that. It’s recycling day! Trash day isn’t much fun in our neighborhood. Crows have a nasty habit of ripping into bags and spreading trash around, so people are pretty careful to cover their cans with tight filling lids. Recycling day is a whole different ball game. Those open bins are full of treasures and smells just waiting for Daisy’s prodding little nose.

A morning walk is a long, drawn out event, with a stop at every bin. She never actually eats or removes anything, but she surveys each container. Some bins are rewarded with a wriggle of delight; others just get a quick once over, but they are all investigated.

Trying to hurry the process is a total waste of effort. Better to pop in the ear buds, key up a podcast or a book on tape and resign oneself to a morning meander. If sniffing the contents of recycling bins makes her day, who am I to spoil the fun!