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What a day! Quite nervously, I had driven to Woodburn for my first dose of the Covid 19 vaccine courtesy of Moderna. It was not the vaccine that made me jumpy but driving on the freeway. I hardly drive at all these days and am always fearful of freeway driving. The French system of autoroutes with roundabouts feels more comfortable to me especially after driving extensively around Monflanquin during my last two visits. But, I needed to get that vaccine, was fortunate to get the vaccine appointment, so off I went to Woodburn.
Later that day, I was happy to be home and snacking on apple and cheese in the kitchen when suddenly I became aware of a persistent and foreign rapping sound. I got up and walked toward the direction of the sound. Much to my horror, I spotted Maggy behind the tall window adjacent to the front door. But she was outside instead of inside. Maggy can go out to the back yard as she wishes through her dog door. The back yard is thoroughly enclosed. How the heck had she managed to get outside to the front door? As I let her back into the house, I stared at her with astonishment and bewilderment. Was this dog really Maggy? I checked her markings. Yes, those markings were indeed Maggy, and that dog was not a double but indeed Maggy herself.
I flew to the backyard. It took only minutes before I spotted the problem. Several boards of the fence had rotted along the side where Bill keeps his canoe which blocks the view of this part of the fence. A big gap stood open providing the explanation for Maggy's escape into the neighbors yard with access to the street. My mind went immediately into creative problem solving mode. Bill was in New York so the logical solution of fence repair would have to wait. I remembered the baby gates which we keep who knows why. One of the gates provided perfect blocking of the rotted fence board gap. For good measure, I added two lounge chairs, against the baby gate, a wheel barrow on its side further down to discourage exploring. Against the wheel barrow went two spiky dog furniture deterrents. Way down on the opposite side, I placed another baby gate and a broom for good measure. Yes, I love this dog with all my heart and all my soul. Just the idea that she had escaped horrified me. But then the fact that Maggy politely and persistently rapped on the front door to be let in made me laugh. She could have gone off anywhere, but chose to come home to her two square meals, doggy treats, warm bed, and family. My opinion of Maggy's intelligence increased dramatically after this incident. She can find her way home and know to knock on the door to be let in. What next? Maybe I could teach her to ring the front door bell.
