I like to think of myself as an animal person.
I cried the last time I hurt a bug. It was summer, I was hot, moody, and becoming more and more impatient by the incessant buzzing of a misguided bumble bee.
I meant to help when I got a piece of newspaper. I didn't roll it up. I kept it open and tried my best at prodding the bee to walk on it so I could set him free.
In my impatience, I became a little too forceful and broke off one of his legs as I pushed the newspaper between him and the window. Once, I opened the door and shook the paper, he flew off sideways and I knew he was flying away to die.
I cried.
I hurt a bee, a life force, a breathing being.
I don't normally kill bees... or spiders... or anything for that matter.
I have respect for all life.
Today, however, proved to test my love of animals and one type of animal in particular:
the canis, the canine, the DOG
or in my case
the
DOGS.
All 4 dogs.
Being the good family member that I am, I have been dog sitting my brother's 2 horribly misbehaved dogs, as well as my parent's dog, and my dog Deogie.
The morning started out as all my other mornings for the past week have... my alarm hasn't been the gentle vibration of my phone peacefully waking me from my slumber but rather barking and whining proceeded by more barking and whining.
There is no snooze button on barking.
As I opened the garage door, I was greeted with a melange of
1) vomit
2) Torn up beds
and
3) 8 piles of
YOUR PICK:
dog crap, shit, doodoo, fesces.
The day was off to a great start.
The dogs needed exercise.
If you watch the Dog Whisperer you would know this.
I took them on a walk on the golf course and up the "draw" to Hartmans. The dogs are beautiful when they run. Sophie leads leaping thru sage, over rocks, and splashing in mud puddles completely happy to be free. Deogie follows on her tail, yapping as his little lamb legs try to keep up with her gazelle legs. Jack is right behind his short legs look like nothing more than blurry lines with an occasional glimpse of a paw, and Hunter...Oh dear Hunter, he stays with me, poking along as we watch the others race.
I came back from the walk feeling refreshed and had the chance to mentally prepare for the clean up task at hand.
INTERMISSION
(here is where I will spare you the details)
Dog poop and vomit cleaned up, hands washed, I decided to reward myself with some coffee and pre-work sun soaking which began in 10 minutes and counting.
I pulled up a chair and sat out on the deck only to hear Sophie, Deogie, and Jack barking bloody (or better yet: desired kitty cat) murder.
Ethan, the next door neighbor boy, was also outside. His eyes told me what I didn't want to know.
"Your dogs chased my cat. She is scared and hiding."
I followed his gaze 5 houses down.
There were the dogs surrounding the grumpy neighbor's deck. Below I knew the cat was hiding and "my" dogs on a sleepy Sunday morning were disturbing the peace.
I looked at my watch 9:56. I had 4 minutes to stop all mayhem.
I jumped in the truck and parked on the side of the road.Walking thru your neighbor's yard is like peeking in their window or worse yet riffling thru their underwear drawer . It's a very unnerving feeling. I stood averting my eyes from their big South facing window calling out their names. When this didn't work, I tried bribing them with treats, finally in desperation I tried catching them only to have them come running towards me until once in my reach they darted away.
It was 9:59.
I jumped back in the truck and went home. Defeated, their barks still echoed throughout the entire neighborhood like some kind of gong going off letting the entire street know I was a poor dog sitter. The phone rang. I knew it was someone complaining. I didn't answer.
The dogs came back. They knew they had misbehaved and gotten away with it like a wayward teen who stayed out past curfew.
I still want that cup of coffee and outside sun baking but there is no time for that.
By: Elisabeth Sparks
Crested Butte, CO
I cried the last time I hurt a bug. It was summer, I was hot, moody, and becoming more and more impatient by the incessant buzzing of a misguided bumble bee.
I meant to help when I got a piece of newspaper. I didn't roll it up. I kept it open and tried my best at prodding the bee to walk on it so I could set him free.
In my impatience, I became a little too forceful and broke off one of his legs as I pushed the newspaper between him and the window. Once, I opened the door and shook the paper, he flew off sideways and I knew he was flying away to die.
I cried.
I hurt a bee, a life force, a breathing being.
I don't normally kill bees... or spiders... or anything for that matter.
I have respect for all life.
Today, however, proved to test my love of animals and one type of animal in particular:
the canis, the canine, the DOG
or in my case
the
DOGS.
All 4 dogs.
Being the good family member that I am, I have been dog sitting my brother's 2 horribly misbehaved dogs, as well as my parent's dog, and my dog Deogie.
The morning started out as all my other mornings for the past week have... my alarm hasn't been the gentle vibration of my phone peacefully waking me from my slumber but rather barking and whining proceeded by more barking and whining.
There is no snooze button on barking.
As I opened the garage door, I was greeted with a melange of
1) vomit
2) Torn up beds
and
3) 8 piles of
YOUR PICK:
dog crap, shit, doodoo, fesces.
The day was off to a great start.
The dogs needed exercise.
If you watch the Dog Whisperer you would know this.
I took them on a walk on the golf course and up the "draw" to Hartmans. The dogs are beautiful when they run. Sophie leads leaping thru sage, over rocks, and splashing in mud puddles completely happy to be free. Deogie follows on her tail, yapping as his little lamb legs try to keep up with her gazelle legs. Jack is right behind his short legs look like nothing more than blurry lines with an occasional glimpse of a paw, and Hunter...Oh dear Hunter, he stays with me, poking along as we watch the others race.
I came back from the walk feeling refreshed and had the chance to mentally prepare for the clean up task at hand.
INTERMISSION
(here is where I will spare you the details)
Dog poop and vomit cleaned up, hands washed, I decided to reward myself with some coffee and pre-work sun soaking which began in 10 minutes and counting.
I pulled up a chair and sat out on the deck only to hear Sophie, Deogie, and Jack barking bloody (or better yet: desired kitty cat) murder.
Ethan, the next door neighbor boy, was also outside. His eyes told me what I didn't want to know.
"Your dogs chased my cat. She is scared and hiding."
I followed his gaze 5 houses down.
There were the dogs surrounding the grumpy neighbor's deck. Below I knew the cat was hiding and "my" dogs on a sleepy Sunday morning were disturbing the peace.
I looked at my watch 9:56. I had 4 minutes to stop all mayhem.
I jumped in the truck and parked on the side of the road.Walking thru your neighbor's yard is like peeking in their window or worse yet riffling thru their underwear drawer . It's a very unnerving feeling. I stood averting my eyes from their big South facing window calling out their names. When this didn't work, I tried bribing them with treats, finally in desperation I tried catching them only to have them come running towards me until once in my reach they darted away.
It was 9:59.
I jumped back in the truck and went home. Defeated, their barks still echoed throughout the entire neighborhood like some kind of gong going off letting the entire street know I was a poor dog sitter. The phone rang. I knew it was someone complaining. I didn't answer.
The dogs came back. They knew they had misbehaved and gotten away with it like a wayward teen who stayed out past curfew.
I still want that cup of coffee and outside sun baking but there is no time for that.
By: Elisabeth Sparks
Crested Butte, CO
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