IDIOT MOMENTS

Recently, I have found a love for leashless dog parks. While I do not have children of my own, I relate my experiences with my dog-babies to that of children. This was no exception. I hear mother's stories like this: "It was lunch time. So, we decided to load the kids up in the car, take them to McDonald's to eat and play on the play scape. You know, get them good and worn out so they will come home and just pass out from playing so hard."

[I knew we were having company over last night, and I wanted to wear my babies out - so, after work, the plan is: work out, go home, load up the dogs and off we will go. Simple! My new Boston Terrier friends will meet us at the dog park and play, play, play. ] WRONG. And...enter my version.

I leave work and go workout. Check that off the list - what a great workout. (and one more pound down!) On my way home, my dear friend Lauren calls me. We talk and gab as gals do. I get home, throw a sweater around my waist, grab a fig newton cookie (or two) in a paper towel, grab the harnesses for the dogs and let the dogs inside. Remembering the small child playing outside of my house, I let only Millie girl outside to load her in the car. That was easy. Now, Brodie... and if any of you have seen this little terror load up in a car, you know that this is the point where I SHOULD hang up my phone to have the ability to use both hands, but nooooo. I have to do it all. I go in the house, grab Brodie, juggle my phone in my ear, my water jug, the harnesses, and keys. Brodie BOLTS OUT of the house, nearly pummeling the child next door - foaming at mouth because I have separated Millie in the car and Brodie out of the car. The door opens to the car, he jumps in and all is well.
So, we pull out of the driveway and away we go - only to realize that I am eating a fig newton (which also means I am swatting Brodie away from my hands. He seemed to think that my snacks are really his snacks), talking to Lauren still, trying to manage not to spill my water jug, oh yeah, and drive a stick shift. FINALLY, we get to the dog park. Brodie and Millie now sitting on top of each other shaking with excitement - thinking JUST OPEN THE DOOR. And.... I do. They go in two very different directions (neither of which is near the entrance of the dog park). It is only then that it hits me. GET OFF THE PHONE STUPID! So, I shut the car door with my water jug, phone and harnesses in my hand and get the dogs into the park to play.

You would think it is all peaches and cherries from here - but no. This is where the good story begins. I get into the dog park, I go through the checklist: dogs-check, harnesses - check, phone - check, keys...where are my keys? WHERE ARE MY KEYS??

IN MY CAR WHICH IS STILL RUNNING.

What an idiot. I have done this before. I am NOTORIOUS for locking my keys in my car. STUPID STUPID STUPID! So, I call Cullen with the "emergency code" (a pattern of rings that lets us know this is a real emergency - nifty huh?). He calls back, confirms I am a big dummy and comes to my rescue. All in all, the car ran for about 45 minutes, just idling.

Morals of the story:

• Don't try to do more than you can handle. God gave us two hands for a reason.
• Leashes and harnesses were not made to hold in your hand. They were made to go on pets to manage in situations just like this one.
• Don't eat, drink, transport roaming animals, talk on the phone and drive. That is what causes accidents.
• Get a spare key (or five) to put on the outside of your car.
• and the most important: Never underestimate the power of a Mom. I now have a new found respect for mothers who can "just put their kids in the car, and go!"