Too Quiet

Has your home ever been too quiet?

Mine was today.* I had come home early---just a quick stop to get changed on my way back out to an appointment.

Normally when I arrive home, my dog faithfully and enthusiastically greets me. My people are far more indifferent to my comings and goings. The dog, in contrast, genuinely enjoys seeing me.

Today, however, there was no dog. Just silence. At first I felt lucky that the fur ball was not barking and bouncing about. I quickly made my way to my room to don different apparel so I could depart again. Still the dog made no response to my clack clack clack across the floor.

As I entered my room, it dawned on me how unnaturally quiet it truly was. Was something wrong with my dog? Was the pooch ill? injured? Good heavens! Could someone have hurt my dog and be waiting for me? Surely not. Yet I turned the lock on my bedroom door just in case.

Hurriedly I changed. I grabbed my club. Obviously, I wasn't all that worried or I'd have called 911 immediately and possibly grabbed a firearm to brandish. Nevertheless, I carried my shoes rather than put them back on as both fight and flight are easier without heels.

After scanning each room and finding no dog, I approached the basement stairs. Was my canine buddy okay? I whispered my four legged friend's name, and up the steps the beast scampered.

Huh. So my dog was absolutely fine and just never bothered to say hello when I came home. I guess the fuzzy creature really is one of the family now.


*Actually written quite a while ago.

Read the rest of the Blogging Chicks Carnival entries. There are some great stories.