My Kids, The Dog, and The Lone Ranger

Several years ago, when my kids were young, I worked many hours away from home, so they were their own baby sitters. They were old enough to do that safely, but they were still young and did kid things.

We also had a dog. He was part Pit Bull, part German Shepherd. He was a very strong dog and also very smart. He hated cats and would chase them every time he had the opportunity. He hated them because when he was a tiny puppy, a cat attacked him and nearly killed him. So, in his dog mind, he had good reason.

We had a large back yard, but there were no cats there, so he would regularly get out and go looking for adventure and maybe also for cats. He didn't speak about it, so I'm not sure of his motivation. I just know he liked being loose and I saw him chase cats. Oh, and once the chase began, there was no way to stop it. Sometimes the cat got away, but the dog was so fast on his feet, he could out run me and my voice telling him to 'Come back'.

Each time he escaped, we had to find his route and make changes so he wouldn't be able to use that method again. This was not always easy. Actually, it was never easy.

One day, while I was at work, he got out and was roaming the neighborhood. My son discovered this and made chase. That lasted for some time and he enlisted the help of his sister. After the dog was captured, and the leash was attached, it was then necessary to haul him, feet dragging, back to the gate and inside the yard.

Finally, standing at the gate, which was locked from the inside, my son asked my daughter to go through the house and out the back to unlock it. My daughter went inside the house to do as she was asked.

"Hi o Silver Away'. She had left the television on and the Lone Ranger was playing when she entered the living room. This was one of her favorite programs, perhaps her favorite of all programs. She sat down to watch it.

Meanwhile, my son was waiting by the gate, trying to hold on to the dog. The dog was very strong. He could knock me over with his tail. He was a loving dog, so he didn't bite, but he was stubborn and would try to get his own way. He was trying then, and my son was tired.

He began calling out to his sister. She was watching Tonto and the Lone Ranger go after the bad guys. He called her name at the top of his voice. She was inside with the air conditioning running, her favorite program on and didn't hear him.

She sat through three episodes of the show. My son held the dog and called for an hour and a half. She was cool and resting. He was hot and exhausted.  She was enjoying herself, he was getting angry. Finally, her cowboy and Indian show was over and she got up. It was then she remembered.

Hurrying to the back yard and to the gate, she was not aware of just how long she had been watching television. They are both still living. Thankfully. But my son has told his sister that he will never allow her to forget that day.

They both laugh about it now. They were laughing about it just this morning. In fact, my son suggested that I write about it on here for all to read. For all to have a laugh. My daughter, good natured person that she is, said it's fine with her.

They are no longer kids. The dog passed away many years ago. But my daughter still likes the Lone Ranger.