July 2026
I was doing my last run in Galway in Merlin Park. Merlin is more forest than park, the running paths second class citizens to the sprawling expanse of tree and undergrowth. I had brought my half-frame film camera with me, and was taking snaps of something beautiful and green, when all of a sudden, something even more beautiful appeared out of the forest.
A pup named Peigi! Peigi immediately won me over by resting near my feet.
Isn’t she spectacular?
So Peigi, Liz, and I went on our way, traipsing through an unmarked path through the forest. While getting to know each other. I learned that Liz spent years in New York City (where I grew up), which somewhat explains our instant friendship. Liz is also Irish of course, and I tend to love the Irish.
We reached the garden, which to the surprise of no one was absolutely beautiful, curated and well-kept, but also still wild-feeling. I was in danger of missing the train to Dublin, so I left Peigi and Liz with gratefulness, a whatsapp number, and a promise to keep in touch. The run back to the hotel was kind of a pain due to the heavy rain sogging everything up. But thanks to Peigi and Liz, I smiled (at least on the inside, when I wasn’t grimacing due to the pelting rain), the whole way back.
