Memories of Denmark – Unexpected bonding

I covered almost all sights of Copenhagen alone, partly because the people I stayed with were scared of the cold, partly because I was the only guy who invested in a bicycle and mostly because I like to travel alone.

Being alone makes me more aware of my surroundings. It might have something to do with the primal instinct of survival we all possess in varying degrees.

I was wandering in one of the many parks in Copenhagen on a cold and foggy Sunday morning. I rarely take the beaten path; I like to enjoy the walk. I know Denmark has no predators except foxes which are the size of Indian stray dogs and I was never scared of dogs. In a thickly wooded area, I heard some rustling at my right and out came a big dog. It could have been the Hound of Baskerville and, judging by the leaves and twigs lodged in its long hair, it looked like it had some fun rolling in the autumn leaves. It came directly at me and stopped at a distance of two feet.


I held my ground and almost half a minute passed with the two animals judging each other. Then it came cautiously and sniffed me; I ungloved my hand and ruffled its muzzle; I didn’t even bend; it was that big. It then did the most unexpected thing; it rose up on the hind legs, put its big forepaws on my chest and licked my chin! I kept on stroking its muzzle. It got down on all fours and started rubbing his muscular body on my side.

It could have been a scene from fifty thousand years ago when we wore no acrylic or wool but still had dogs.

Our party was broken by a female voice – and later an old lady – coming out from the same spot where the dog had. She called out the dog again to which the dog immediately left my side and sped to hers. First thing she did was put a stout leash on the dog’s collar. She said something in Danish which I could not understand. I walked up to her and requested to speak in English. She apologized and inquired whether I was alright and if the dog had harmed me. Far from harming, it was actually nice to me was my reply. She rarely kept the dog loose since people judge it by its size and are easily scared; especially overprotective parents. She thought there was no one around and hence unleashed it. I assured her that I was perfectly fine and I think the dog liked me. I squatted and rubbed the dog’s muzzle again and it licked me right on the cheeks with its warm moist tongue.

Another warm memory of Denmark.