The dog went home. (Or left us, anyway.)

She hung out most of the day on the deck, moving with the shade. Then she woke up and saw some of the local bunnies (there are bunnies all over this neighborhood) and got interested in them, then meandered over to the gate and went home. Well, we hope she went home. We’ll be more careful about keeping the gate shut from now on…

It was a good day to hang out in the shade. Today will be too – at 7:30 am, it’s 76 degrees and raining. I haven’t felt warm rain like this in a long time.

There is a pit bull sleeping on our back deck.

This morning we saw her wandering around the yard.  No collar.  Sad eyes.   Expressive ears.  We took some water out; she sniffed it and walked away.  It is horrid stuff; we drink filtered water but sorry, dog, you want a drink, you get tap water.  Eleanor wanted to put out some food, but the only dog-appropriate food I have is some leftover steak, and that’s for our dinner tonight.   Sorry, dog, no steak for you either.

Eleanor was excited and couldn’t wait to tell James.  He has been wanting a dog for a long time and is anxious to get one.  We all want one, but we don’t do things quickly around here, especially when they involve long-term commitments.  So we have all been praying about the dog situation:  that we’d find a dog, the right dog for our family, and that we’d (James) be patient while we wait.  And that we’d show our interest by researching dog training, etc.

When he came in, Eleanor pointed the dog out right away.  I predicted his response: “Oh, a dog!  Our dog?” he asked, brightly and expectantly.   As if we’d engaged some overnight dog delivery service to drop off a dog but no food or other dog accessories.    I have to admit I had a moment of wondering if this was God’s response to our prayers, but that instead of the perky Lab puppy we all want, we’d get a grown (maybe? how do I know?) dog of a breed I know only bad things about.

She’s snoozing quite contentedly in the shade.