This morning marks the first morning our children are on summer visitation to our extended family. As the morning dawned four of our household pets reminded me that the children were not home to do their morning walk. Within moments a pajama clad middle aged woman harnessed one on a lead and three who were thought to be more trustworthy out the front door. I believe you could have heard “let the games begin” if you would have listened carefully. Tator, our small man, took off “lords a leapin” style across the street singing “Freedom…..” while the typically pristine in behavior Mr Bingley took one look at Grizz on the string with the woman and saw it as the opportunity to sew the wild oats he never did as an adolescent in the polar opposite direction of Tator. Woman is now holding wild lab puppy, calling for other dogs in both directions while Bella strikes out in yet a third direction which involved a street. Woman is now standing in said street in lovely attire, bare feet, a lab puppy in arms directing on-coming traffic while escorting small black and white fluff dog named Bella back to security at the house. The hitch is Bella and Grizz have a love/hate relationship. Bella is now in middle agers arms, Grizz is hopping at her every.step.of.the.way believing kisses would soothe her rabid soul. She is not that kind of girl.
The two young ones are put in the house to more fully ascertain what Mr Bingley and Tator have achieved in their freedom journey. Middle ager is now in car with top down calling to the two gentlemen through the neighborhood. Neighbor south is enjoying the show and has invited his wife to come participate. How kind of them, a stands of sort providing the oohs and ahhhs responses known to draw attention. Before long we have two sets of neighbors watching, providing ample audience participation (no help however) as they watch the antics of the show.
Mr. Bingley, long known for his hoop leaps and circus tricks, misunderstands the nature of the audience and circles back to do what he does so well….perform. Now said middle ager has pulled to the curb, Mr Bingley has gone into full routine, only a little miffed he was not in costume as he does his best to imitate the show ring exercises with bountiful leaps in circles and leaping through a pretend hoop at great heights. If only a judge were here now. Tator, not to be outdone, then comes and begins running around Mr Bingley in circles, so that he too can receive the lavish attention only a crowd brings. At the end of their routine I simply open a car door and they, like any other celebrity, get in the hired car with their people and head away from the pappazi…
At the house, we entered the front door, where a full length mirror is standing….the middle ager got a glimpse of just how well the polka dot pajamas went with the black and white dogs show….and how perfectly they aligned as her role of the clown in the car…
…and that all before 6 am.
Happy Monday to you!
* This is a true story, the names have not been revealed to protect what is left of the middle agers name, though from the messages now being left on the answering machine, the crowd not only enjoyed the show, they have pictures….happy, happy, happy.
