It’s Friday.  So I’ve been told.

It’s crazy busy over here, with everyone out on vacation.  I knew today was going to be this way, so I took it WAY easy last night, and made sure to get out the door this morning just a few minutes earlier than I had to be.

I made it to my car when my deaf dog, Mabel, trotted up to me.

Just so we’re all clear, my deaf dog Mabel doesn’t LIVE on that side of our fence.  She is wet from head to toe, and she’s VERY excited.

I am not.

That’s when I notice that someone has finagled our gate open.  This is not an uncommon occurance in Five Points; it’s often how kids prank the adults.  Ha. Ha.  I laughed long and hard at that prank.

Charlie was just a streak of white, up and down our street.  I tried to coax Mabel into the house with a dog treat, but to no avail.  They were both gone.  No trace of them anywhere.

I ran inside to change shoes (so I could run), grabbed a leash and headed out.  This part sucks, because Bryan is out of town, so they could come home and I wouldn’t know.  I called for Charlie, since he’s the only one that can hear, which feels futile because he’s also the one who won’t come back.

Here’s the question of the day: you see a seven month pregnant woman, jogging down the street, holding an empty leash, and alternating between sobbing and crying out a dog’s name.  Is THAT the woman that you slow your car, lower your window, and ASK DIRECTIONS OF?!  I wish a thousand flea bites on that man who stopped me to ask me where Dixson street was.

By now, I’m REALLY late for work and I don’t know what to do.  I’m sweating, my pulse is WAY too high to be safe for the baby, and all is lost.  And I spot my baby Mabel trotting toward the backyard.  Charlie is about twenty yards behind her.

I stand at our back gate, and ask Charlie if he wants to go for a walk.  He comes right to me and sits.  He is covered from head to toe in some feces.. the origin of which is beyond my recognition.  They are both soaked.  I leash Charlie up and get him inside, with Mabel following.  Thank GOD they travel in a pack.  Charlie is often the only reason Mabel isn’t hit by cars when they get out.

I got to work right in time for my first meeting, covered in sweat and smelling like wet dog and whatever that damn dog rolled in.  Which is great, because Fridays bring a high level meeting with our customers.  It’s been a great Friday.  Truly.  Amazing.

(Yes, I know to count my blessings.  All of my animals are in my house.  Stinky and dirty, but in my house.)