January 19, 2005
On the brink
I get up this morning to find that someone had left the side gate open all night and the dog was gone. At 6:30 AM. Still dark outside. Dog is gone. DOG IS GONE.
I am immediately PISSED OFF. The f*cking DOG IS GONE. I am on the brink, about to f*cking SNAP. The damn DOG IS GONE.
And I'm not pissed just because my dog is gone and it's 6:30 in the morning and rush hour traffic is about to start and there are major streets close to the house and I already lost a dog to that same f*cking traffic not too long ago, but because I cant count the number of times I have argued and bitched and moaned and emphatically stressed the f*cking importance of making sure the f*cking gate is f*cking closed and f*cking locked.
Did you lock the gate? Is the gate locked? Are you sure the gate is closed? Did you put the lock on the gate? You didnt leave the gate open, right? Gate locked? Make sure the gate's locked? Cerrastes?
DID YOU LOCK THE DAMN GATE?
The damn dog is gone because someone left the damn gate open. Every single muscle in my body turns rigid. The tension just completely overwhelms me and I am this close - THIS CLOSE - to snapping. I mean, it isnt f*cking rocket science, you know. You walk in, close the damn gate. Simple. Easy. Come in, close the gate, put the damn lock on it. You dont need a damn master's degree for it. Inside, gate closed.
It's 6:30 in the morning and the dog is gone and the damned gate was left open and it's cold outside and I have to go to work and the traffic is building up and I already lost one dog and the damn gate was left OPEN. Open. The f*cking gate was left OPEN.
I completely lost it. Snapped. Blew up. Erupted like a volcano, right there, in front of my house, at 6:30 in morning while it's still dark outside, screaming bloody hell at the top of my lungs. I screamed so long and so loud that I am absolutely certain I woke up a shitload of people.
I get in my truck and start looking for the damn dog that got out because someone that knew better left the damn gate open all night and I have to get to work because I have a contractor meeting me at 7:30 but Im driving around the neighborhood looking for the dog and he is nowhere to be found. I can't remember the last time I was so damn pissed. I can feel my rising blood pressure. It's up there. Im so damn pissed I cant even breathe.
I drive every single damn street in my neighborhood at least three times and the damn dog is nowhere. I am driving around with the windows down, screaming his name at the top of my lungs because I will be damned if I have to bury another damn dog.
My cellphone rings and it's the contractor and he's on his way to my office and Im still about 20 minutes away and the damn dog is gone because the damn gate was left open and I have to stop looking for him because I have to go to work so I stop in front of my house and scream, at the top of my lungs and with every single atom of breath that I have, "FIND THE DAMN DOG. I AM NOT GOING TO NEW YORK OR ANYWHERE ELSE UNTIL THE DAMN DOG IS FOUND."
Im on my way to work with a pounding headache and shortness of breath and my blood pressure undoubtedly through the roof and I start sobbing like a damn baby. MY DOG IS GONE. And I cant stop to look for him because I have to go to a meeting.
About a half hour after the meeting and me trying desperately to call and find out about the damn lost dog I get a call that they found him. Four f*cking blocks away in the parking lot of a Sherwin Williams. The damn dog crossed three major roads. In Kendall. In rush hour traffic.
And he was found in the parking lot in front of the exact same spot where my other dog got hit by a car and killed a year or so ago.
Thank you, God.
I'm gonna go finish that cry now. And Ill make sure to lock the damn gate.
Posted by Val Prieto at January 19, 2005 09:40 AM
Comments
{{{hugs}}} What a shitty way to start the morning.. I am glad you found your dog.
Posted by: Kate at January 19, 2005 09:44 AM
Whoooooo...I'm exhausted just reading all that. I'm so glad your dog is safe. May the rest of your day be smooth and calm. You deserve that much.
Posted by: Amy at January 19, 2005 10:01 AM
I'm glad they found him safe and sound!
Posted by: VHMPrincess at January 19, 2005 10:02 AM
OMG! I swear, I was about to start crying...
Babalu is being watched by Othello, definitely!
I'm glad he's home, and SAFE!!
Posted by: Amanda at January 19, 2005 10:12 AM
God was smiling down on you and Babalu, my friend. I'm really glad that he's okay! :o)
Posted by: AWG at January 19, 2005 10:24 AM
...the horror.
Posted by: j.scott barnard at January 19, 2005 11:00 AM
Glad he is safe! Have fun on the trip!!
Posted by: Laughing Wolf at January 19, 2005 11:28 AM
So, are you saying that you left the gate open?
I'm glad you found the dog and I don't mean to be a heartless jerk, but the thought of you yelling "Babaluuuu" out the window makes me laugh. Does that make me evil?
Posted by: Patrick at January 19, 2005 12:17 PM
Several months ago I came out one rainy morning to go to work, and found the garage door open. Apparently not latched securely and blew open, and both dogs are gone.
About 1/2 mile down the road on the way to work found the young one trotting through yards- in the wrong direction, of course. Got her home, then to work.
I spent the next 2.5 weeks driving or riding through the surrounding neighborhoods, and going to the shelter twice a week, with no sign. Then, at about three weeks, on the way to a store found her dead by the street. Less than 1/2 mile from the house.
That really sucks.
(sorry 'bout the double post)
Posted by: Mark at January 19, 2005 12:30 PM
Babalu was acting out a fine Cuban-American narrative - someone bars the gate, he waits until it's open, then the next time someone sees him he's alive and well in Florida, and soon to be seen prosperous and happy in a milieu where he need not fear for his life (and possibly somewhere on the grounds of a household where lechon-roasting activity might take place).
Posted by: Murel Bailey at January 19, 2005 02:40 PM
Highly recommend the Invisible Fence.
Posted by: lauraw at January 19, 2005 04:09 PM
You are one bitchin' writer, Val. Oooh, what a well written piece, I felt it to the marrow!
Very pleased the beast is home safe.
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at January 19, 2005 10:26 PM
sniff sniff... coņo Val you reminded me of my dog that got hit by a car on Coral Way some years ago. Good writing man. Anyhow, I'm glad that Babalu is alive and safe.
Posted by: Songuacassal at January 21, 2005 04:01 AM