Doggy do and I love you

I am judgemental and I overreact. Wow, I just put my two biggest weaknesses out there for the world to see. The first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem.

Here's the scenario.

Our little dog, Marshmallow, is a mischievous fellow. He gets particularly frisky in the spring. Lately, he's been giving us the slip and running off into the woods to find adventure. It's incredibly frustrating and annoying and has been happening 2-3 times a day. We stopped chasing him because, quite frankly, he's too dang fast. He also returns home within about 10 minutes every single time.

I know there are leash laws and, generally, it's not a good idea for dogs to run loose in residential areas. He could get hit by a car or worse. I also know, that he's less than 9 lbs and wouldn't hurt a fly. I'm already stressed out by this situation.

Then, I get this email from my neighbor.

Heather, Keith,

I am concerned about Marshmallow.  

I know Marshmallow has been running free at times.  People are afraid of him being hit by a car.  I have had to avoid him once while driving home.  I have heard that a neighbor has had to bring him home. I have heard that people were concerned about where he went to the bathroom.  I have stayed out of the discussion, until now.

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My (removed for privacy) office is in my finished basement.  Yesterday I looked out my window, to see Marshmallow in my backyard.  I made a note to talk to you next time I see you.  I do not want to be picking up after Marshmallow in my yard - and don't think I should have to put up a fence - to keep neighbor's dogs OUT of my yard.  Our daughter, (removed for privacy)  picks up everything now..........

Then I saw something scary.  We often see a fox(s) in the woods.  We have had a den behind our house in the past, and have seen the baby foxes.  

Yesterday, I saw a fox appear and start walking in a straight, deliberate, line right toward Marshmallow.  He got to within 10', and Marshmallow spotted him, and took of running - the fox took up the chase.  I ran upstairs and saw Marshmallow running up my driveway - and the fox stopped pursuit at the base of our driveway, and pranced back into the woods.  

If the fox ever gets hold of Marshmallow - he will rip Marshmallow apart.  The fox is bigger, hunts for his food, and now knows of Marshmallow's scent, etc.

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Everyone I know LOVES Marshmallow.  

BUT, Everyone else in this community, who owns a dog, walks their dog with a leash.  You also have a fenced backyard.  I don't understand why Marshmallow is often running free???


So, picture me, if you will, like a time bomb in one of those action movies. Keith is the Macgyver-like hero trying to figure out if he should cut the green wire or the red one. My neighbor just, unknowingly, accelerated the countdown. Then Keith responds like this:

Hey (removed for privacy)! 

Sorry he gets out. Sometimes he bolts and if we chase after him he runs so we've decided to let him go and he always comes back. We never let him out intentionally. If he leaves a present in your yard let me know and I'll come pick it up.  

It's so simple and so perfect. My favorite part is the last sentence. At that moment the absurdity of the whole thing hit me and I couldn't stop laughing. I re-read the email from my neighbor and saw it with new eyes. It's really quite well written and funny! Maybe he ought to consider becoming a writer. Keith knew just the right thing to say. He almost always does.

Boy, do I love that man!