I couldn’t understand it. 

 

The warm welcome was absent. It was as if they had never met me or Marley before. 

 

I collected Marley and we left the park and went home. 

 

As I walked home, I couldn’t piece together what I had just experienced. 

 

What had gone wrong? 

 

Did I offend someone? Was Marley anti-social with another dog? Did I miss something? 

 

Did I misunderstand what was said? Had the group had second thoughts about me? 

 

None of it made sense – and it still doesn’t. 

 

I clearly was made to feel unwelcome and I certain didn’t belong. 

 

So - what is belonging?