The Race

So it isn't a secret that I'm still trying to lose weight brought on by both pregnancies. I'm losing the pounds slowly but I still have quite a ways to go before I'm in what most people would consider "good shape". Please keep this in mind as you read the following story.

This afternoon Nathaniel, Jeffrey and I pulled into the driveway after a long trip to Walmart shopping for things we didn't know we needed until we saw them. I drove the car into the garage, removed the boys from their car seats and then unloaded the bags of treasures from the car to the house. All was going well and everyone was happy.

Jeffrey has a list of chores to do everyday and one of the really important chores is to let Molly out of her cage when we come home from somewhere. Immediately, upon arrival, Jeffrey ran into the kitchen and released Molly from her metal enclosure. Of course she was thrilled and began jumping about and wagging her tail in excitement. As a rule, I let her out as soon as I can to help prevent accidents in the house. Today was no different. I opened the back door and called, "Molly, let's go potty!" Instantly a ball of fur went whizzing past me and flew into the grassy outdoors.

Normally, I just let her run around outside alone and go about my chores inside until she asks to come back in but today I had a task to complete outside. I followed her out the door with tools in hand for completing this task. You see, earlier in the day my neighbors came to me and informed me that they watched Molly jump our fence, run around in the preserve area behind our house and then jump into their yard over their fence. While at Walmart I purchased a long leash and a stake so that this would be a one time event and we could keep her safe from the wild animals living in the preserve.

As I was making my measurements and talking things out in my head I saw something out of the corner of my eye that made me want to cry. Molly jumped the fence and was staring at me from the other side as if to say, "Ha ha, just one more time and this time I'm going to make you work for it!" I tried to remain calm and just call her name slowly as not to spook her. "Molly, come here!" I said several times. "Molly, would you like a goodie?" One time I really thought she was going to jump back in for a goodie but then a bird flew past her and that was that, the race was on. I ran to our gate that opens up to the preserve, which is a vast area of lakes, trees, shrubs and wild animals that I would never normally wonder off into. Obviously today would be different. Molly began running, jumping and making big circles around me just messing with my mind. I would get close and make a jump to grab her and sure enough her quick little body would manoeuvre through my legs. I would move right and she would jump left. I would jump left and she would run right. We were a well choreographed ballet of opposites in motion. I ran, yelled, clapped, stood still and did everything in between trying to get a hold of this crazy dog. I felt similar to a person in a pin trying to catch a greased pig. It was one of those things that you knew you couldn't do unless the animal let you do it and yet you still attempted to win at all cost.

Now if you have ever seen an overweight individual run you know it is pretty funny. Add to that flip flops, tall grass, and hair that is beginning to resemble a "fro" due to the humidity and you have material that could be used on SNL. I continued on with this adventure for approximately 15 min before I heard the sweetest little sound in the whole world. "MOL, mere. Mol, mere". It was none other than my precious little Jeffrey standing out in the backyard attempting his best to help mommy out and bring his new little friend home. At first I thought, "no way will she respond to him. I did the same thing and she just laughed at me." I continued chasing her and then it happened, Jeffrey yelled just a bit louder and clapped his hands, "MOL, MERE" and immediately she changed her direction to face him and began to run full speed straight at him. Within seconds she had jumped the fence back into our yard and was standing next to my little man wagging her tail and licking his hand. I just wanted to die! I was all out of breath, really sweaty and totally embarrassed with the idea that at least 10 different neighbors had witnessed this sight. Never in a million years would I have thought to ask Jeffrey for help in this matter and yet, it was as easy as Jeffrey calling out her name. Geez, I know who is in charge of this house!

After returning to our yard and closing the gate behind me I managed to plant the leash stake and attach her new chain. She went from wild and free to chained up in our backyard. I feel bad about doing it to her but I would prefer to lose my weight in the gym and not chasing a dog in a space shared with gators, otters, turtles, raccoons, a panther and some bobcats. I like the safety of my gated backyard with the "critter" fence going around the base. It makes me feel happy to know that I can't be eaten by gators in my yard.

So all is well again in our house. Molly can no longer jump out of the space we have provided for her, Jeffrey proved that he has more power than mommy when it comes to the dog and I feel like I worked out without having to pack everyone up and drive to the gym. I guess it was a successful day. Just remember this, when you think all is lost, ask a kid to come in and clean up your mess.:-)