So, Charlemagne's a mid-sized shepherd mutt. Poorly trained, boisterous, and the love of my life. Courtesy of unleashed neighbor dogs, Charlie doesn't like anyone or anything except the immediate family. Our morning routine is that we roll out of bed, put on his harness, and send him out the front door. While he does his business, I stagger around getting coffee and trying to wake up.
I waited this morning until the garbage truck had moved down the road, then I turned him loose on the cable that's attached to the porch. And then watched as he snapped the cable and ran for the pickup truck on the road. I'm screaming for him to come back, and fortunately he stopped at the edge of the yard and went no farther.
He starts to come when I call, but then he sees new fun. A neighbor is walking her tiny little teacup something-or-other and he goes racing up the road, still staying in the grass and off the road, to greet them. I'm in pajamas. I'm braless with unbrushed hair. I'm trying to run in slippers through the wet grass, calling his name, gasping for air, and trying not to cry. I didn't have time to grab my cane, so this is all in slow motion.
I'm sure there's going to be a pool of blood shortly. The strange dog is smaller than Charlie's head. The neighbor's less than twice his size. And wouldn't you know, he sniffed them both, wagged his tail, and trotted back to me like "Gee, Mum. Isn't this fun?". The neighbor lady greets me like this is all a normal day's walk, and I brought Charlie inside and just collapsed for a while. If I survive the next hour, I may be able to laugh about it.
this has been a long few months
More shenanigans 
Old folks and neglect...
