User:Charlie/Omens From The Dog Park

Omens from the dog park is a form of divination, based on dog-walks through the park. 

The Dog Park

Since adopting my dog Kiri in 2021, I have been regularly taking her to our local park, Museum Park. Since starting that routine, the park itself has undergone many changes. But one thing has remained the same: its generally ominous aura..

In addition, since walking my dog, three times a day, everyday, the way I perceive and observe the city, and especially the walkways has drastically changed. Kiri is a habitual scavenger, like many former strays. This has led me to develop a new skill, the ability to proficiently scan the ground for any sort of comestible and/or non-comestible objects, always one meter ahead of a sniffing dog. A skill that greatly benefits from color-vision! All in all, this has led me to regularly spot "interesting things" scattered on our walks. Which I have started documenting throughout the years. Becoming in my own way a habitual scavenger.

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Ominous bits

Omen: "An omen (also called portent) is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change." [1]

In January 2025, I finished reading the Liveship Trilogy by Robin Hobb, in which exists an island called "the Other Island". In the story, the island is believed to house an oracle, where pirates and sailors travel to seek divination from "the Others", grotesque humanoid fish creatures who inhabit it. When on the island, the omen is sought by walking over a designated beach and picking up one to three stranded objects, of the many strange objects one may find, that most resonate with oneself. Then, after crossing the shore, one meets an Other who will take the objects, and from them, profess an omen to the visitor. After that, one is to promptly leave the island, and under no circumstances sneak off with an object!

The overall plot of the island and this form of divination resonated with me. Especially, because it reminded me of all the odd teed-bits and pictures collected on my walks, over the years. And how, many-a-times, I have found myself fabulating on their origins and meaning. Sometimes, even trying to construe some sort of omen from my findings.

Omens from the dog park are just that, omens interpreted from the odd finds and encounters from walking my dog at the park.

The Omens

Sunday - 26/01/25

1."Walhalla"...

2. White lighter

3. Another white lighter but with an "X"

1. Object reads "Walhalla", with an illustrated white man's face. Ominous..! It seems to be the latest newspaper from Theater Walhalla (local theater).