The fleet of limousines came down Pennsylvania Avenue slowly, flanked front and back by motorcycle cops and a Secret Service detail. Nothing too unusual for this part of the District.
Rounding a final turn before heading to the White House, the procession was suddenly halted when a mixed-breed mutt dashed out from nowhere into the path of the lead vehicle. Brakes slammed on in a succession of shiny, imposing black cars. The dog darted left and right trying to avoid being hit, but didn't seem to know which way to turn.
A door opened from the vehicle in the very middle of the procession. A tall dark man stepped out, waved off several men from the security detail as he stepped toward the dog. The dog seemed to warm to the man immediately. The tall man picked up the dog in his arms, and said to a Secret Service man on his left, "I'm taking this one to Joe. He just lost his family dog last week."
And the procession moved on.