OKC Pets Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

26 OKC Pets • November/December 2020 WRITTEN BY: Michael Bell 5 Paw Review! Pet-Friendly Review: Patio Rivière Modern Bánh Mì T hroughout this unique year of COVID-19, we’ve all faced challenges. We have suffered through intermittent lockdowns, institutional closings and idealistic viewpoints that differ as much as night and day. These types of scenarios have the epidemiologists of the world scrambling to test all types of short- and long-term model projections. Although their forecasts and timelines vary, I think the best news I’ve heard from the experts is early evidence suggests that personal behavioral changes, such as hand- washing and wearing masks, are helping to stem the tide of infections. As a dog owner, I have developed a natural obsession with handwashing (especially after picking up poop!). Now that people are adapting to what has become our “new normal,” many places are reopening their doors while following CDC- recommended safety guidelines, and we have resumed our dog-friendly patio reviews. Our acceptance of this new normal will greatly depend upon how much social mixing is permitted to resume, as we humans are very social creatures. Do you know who else are social creatures? Our dogs—they love to get out with us and socialize. I am grateful to have a dog park such as Midtown Mutts that offers both dogs and humans the opportunity to experience social interaction while minimizing our risks. Through the Facebook group “Friends of Midtown Mutts Dogpark,” many of us have developed friendships and kinships that will outlast whatever situation we are forced to face.