4. Photograph – 21
Lady-dog, rather like a cat woman. Sometimes public transit hosts people who straddles the line between human and animal, and the Lady-dog is a perfect illustration of this amazing phenomena. Unlike the more usually observed Catwoman, this commuter has chosen to represent man’s best friend in her own outfit. Imagine a woman with floppy ears, a fuzzy costume with a wagging tail, maybe painted nose and whiskers. Her dedication to the canine look beyond simple clothing; her manner reflects the playfulness and loyalty of a puppy. Between entertainment, uncertainty, and respect for her commitment to the part, fellow travellers could be divided. This Lady-dog questions our ideas of what is acceptable in public places by turning the ordinary travel into a bizarre experience. Her presence begs issues concerning self-expression, identity, and social mores’ limits. Is this regular for her? Is she on way to a performance or costume party? Whatever the motivation, the Lady-dog reminds us that public transportation is a melting pot of many people, each with their own particular method of negotiating the planet.