THE WOLF AT THE DOOR!

 "Why?" was the question, to a statement made by my daughter. "Because there is a strike!" was the answer to my question to the statement made!  Samantha, Edward and the baby were in England, and there was, apparently, to be a strike by security officials on the day they were due to return.  If successful in changing their flights, they would come home on Saturday rather than Friday.  To anyone else, this may seem like a logical, and rather sensible idea.  To me, it was a ridiculous, nonsensical notion that meant one thing.  I would have the dogs for another day!  The countdown would be out a day!  It had started at 'eight nights' and I was down to two.  Now I had to add a day!

My daughter and her husband had planned a long awaited trip to the motherland, one which had been postponed due to pregnancy and other things.  To everyone else, the trip was anticipated with joy.  To me it meant a week of dog walking late at night.  Selfish as it may sound, if I had wanted dogs, I would have dogs.  I did not sign up to be a puppy grandma!  It is not that I do not like the animals, after all, they become family and are like children.  However, the gruesome twosome are neurotic, psychotic and generally bonkers!  I do not think that I exaggerate one little bit.  Albeit, forewarned is forearmed, and I was expecting a week of no sleep and general upheaval!  The anticipation was far from exciting, but this was a trip that was hoped for by all.

Admittedly, it is just a minor inconvenience that I had blown out of all proportion, as I usually do. (I still do not think I exaggerate; they are bonkers!)  Their first flight was very early Friday morning, so we were to have the dogs on the Thursday.  She dropped them off just after lunchtime, and I started my 'shift'.  

Last Sunday I did manage to get a couple of hours respite, and gardened for a while before taking the quadrupeds for a long walk. I had my daily routine mapped out for the week.  Dana would take them to the office, and I would walk them when I got there.  Perhaps, if they behaved themselves (highly unlikely) I would take them on my afternoon stroll.

Avoiding the neighbours was not easy.  As I said, the 'gruesome twosome' would play well with others if they were given the opportunity and if they were not quite as neurotic and psychotic. Our community has its fair share of dogs and each doggy parent knows their own pup.  They are all also aware of the dynamics between the pets.  If a strange barking dog comes round the corner, and barks like it is ready to rip anyone and everyone to pieces, it can be rather off-putting for the placid dogs and walkers living here.  The little pups do not really want to hurt anyone, they just want to 'join in'.  The smaller of the two is very vocal and will stand as if ready to go into battle, always aware.  The larger (not by much) is a bit of a wimp and barks if his brother takes the lead.  One pulls forward, the other pulls back.  Walking when someone else is around is not easy!  The smaller dog is very protective.  When they are with him, if the baby so much as whimpers, he will run around until he gets someone's attention (as if we have not heard), where as the larger of the two looks like he has been abandoned, and wonders, "Why?"  He has the look of 'woe is me' each time the little one runs around trying to get everyone's attention.

We were busy again on Monday, and the phones were constantly ringing.  In fact, Samantha face-timed me and I got to see all my grandsons together, which was wonderful, but within the space of a few minutes, I received call after call, all spam.  "I need to know how old you are!" comes the demand.  "Who is your insurance provider?" asks another.  "Jennifer?" is one I receive on a regular basis.  When I tell them they have the wrong number, the caller continues, "Well, as I have you on the phone, can you tell me.....?"  No!  I am not Jennifer!  As you can no doubt tell, patience was not oozing out of me in abundance this week!

"I haven't seen you walking the dogs!" said one of my neighbours on a rare walk I took alone.  I admitted that I try and walk when I know no one else is around.  "But they are so cute!" came the response.  "No.  Really, they are not!" I answered.  I do not think I came across as a caring person, with whom they would ever think of leaving their animals, but I am not one to 'try' a situation to see if it works, if it is unlikely to work!  A dog is a dog, and no matter how placid, it is a canine!  

The baby was not happy on a call I got from Samantha one morning. He was crying.  The two dogs ran to the gate that separates the back office from the front.  The smaller one had concern on his face, and was wondering where his 'charge' was; the larger one, if he could speak, would have said, "What's he doing back here.  I'm here!  I'm all you need!"  Samantha muted the phone, and the larger dog went back to his bed, happy that and end had been put to the pointless drama.

The rain started quite early on Thursday morning.  I had walked the dogs early on Wednesday night, before the storm, and thankfully there was no one else around.  It poured quite heavily and I was unable to take them out when I got to work the next morning.  Each time it looked as if it was stopping, I grabbed the puppies and headed for outside.  By the time we got to the door, the rain had started to tumble again.  We did manage to get outside, once, but as soon as we got to the 'patch', the rain poured again and all three of us were soaking wet within seconds. 

It was Thursday afternoon that I got the confirmation of the delay in the return of the pups parents.  I could understand, and would have been far more amenable to the idea, giving encouragement, perhaps, if it was nicer weather.  However, the rain did not look like it was going to cease for a few days.  We managed to get as far as the next condo that evening before having to turn around and come back.  Monday had been over ninety degrees.  The temperature had dropped to fifty and it felt much colder due to the dampness.  

I would imagine it is the maternal instinct in me that causes the lack of sleep.  Each time one of them moves, I hear it and am up, wondering what each dog is doing.  Neurotic and psychotic does not a peaceful nights sleep bring!  "Perhaps they are home", one of them thinks, as he jams his nose under the door, at 2am.  "No, they are not" I whisper as if he has asked the question, and as if he understands a word I am saying!  

Thankfully, the rain petered out by Saturday morning, and we took a quick hike up the hill, and back again.  Dana took them to the office, whilst I was left to my own devices again.  I enjoyed the freedom for a couple of hours, and received a few messages from Samantha as she flew across the Atlantic, and over the northern tip of the United States.  "Welcome home, ma'am", I said to her as she called to say she had landed in Houston.  I was glad to have them back on Texan soil, not only because I knew my personal space would no longer be invaded, but she was 'home'.  Yes, she was still in Houston, and I know how far that seems when you have no way of getting 'home', but once I touchdown from my international flights, and there is another flight waiting to bring me to Austin, I feel safe!  It is an odd sensation, to think of Texas as 'home'.

Dana and I went out for dinner and enjoyed a little bit of 'alone' time, leaving the dogs to 'chat among themselves' whilst we were gone. I think the smaller of the two sensed the imminent arrive of 'mom and pop' as he was a little unsettled, and we had to walk around the block three times before he showed any signs of settling down.  every time he seemed to settle, something got his attention.  A cat, a racoon, a leaf, the stars.  Neurotic and psychotic!  The larger of the two wondered why he was being 'dragged' around, against his will,, when he could just be hugged and loved and as cute as could be!  

Thankfully, all was well, and the kids arrived home, in their house a little after midnight.  I had turned my phone on silent, as I knew the 'ping' would alert the dogs.  One more night!  It is shameful the way I have a countdown!  

I walked, alone, on Sunday morning, and as I rounded the corner, I saw Dana with two little dogs.  The smaller one was standing as if he was on guard.  The larger was pulling to go inside.  "I've done my stuff, just get me inside!"  After breakfast, I took them for another walk, and waited.

Samantha was expected around ten, but did not arrive until a little after twelve.  Both dogs were delighted to see her.   The little one was ecstatic to see the baby and wanted to say "Hello".  The larger one sniffed and looked around.  "I am here!" his face said.  "Woe is me", he continued to sulk.  

Losing the dogs was no great hardship but as usual, I am looking around for them.  After I finished in the garden this afternoon, I came in and took the leads out of the box, ready to take them for a walk.  It was nice that I did not have to, but I realised how empty my house seemed, again.  I don't think I will ever miss them enough to have any of my own!  

An afternoon of freedom and an evening of just relaxing, without having to go out, avoid neighbours or do anything I really do not want to.  I can even fall asleep in front of the television, and not wake up until morning, if I want to.  I know I wont, but I could!  Selfish?  Why not! 

A long weekend was had by some, as Good Friday saw a lot of places closed, but Monday will probably be 'back to normal'.  Perhaps something out of the ordinary will occur, but for me, ordinary sounds perfect.  Whatever the outcome, I will check in next week.  Same time, same place, in ............. another story!