I’ve been house sitting for a couple of days now, and it just so happens that I’ve also been sick for two days. I wonder if the two are related.

I’ve never done the house sitting thing before, and I have to admit, it’s a little weird being alone in someone else’s house. It’s been an adventure, though, to be sure.

This morning, for instance, I got up and let the dogs out into the back yard. I’m not sure how the gate was left open, but it was. No sooner did the dogs leave the back door before they were running full-tilt toward the open gate. Being groggy still, I watched the dogs run toward the gate, and it was one of the most surreal moments of my life. Hah. Second day on the job and already the dogs are running off.

I ran out after them, and luckily, these dogs are quite well trained. I called after them when they were about to tear off through the neighbors yard, and each one of them made a quick 180-degree turn to run back to me. We got back inside the gate and came in the house.

A few hours later, I let them out again. After several minutes, I realized that it was quiet outside. No running, playing doggies. With a sense of dread, I walked out the back door, called the dogs, and got no tinkling collar-tag response. I groaned. I looked around, found another gate that was open–one I didn’t know existed–and called after the dogs. They, again, immediately returned.

Whew. Almost lost their dogs twice in one day. That’s quite enough for me.

Also, because I forgot to mention it last time: thanks to Squidfingers for the background pattern!