HA is due home tomorrow! (Jet fuel willing.) I didn’t want her to deal with accumulated trash and recyclables, so I loaded them into Timmy the Titan and headed out to the local transfer station. I approached our gate at an unusual angle, so I drove very slowly, watched carefully, and foolishly assumed that Timmy’s proximity warnings — which typically blow out your eardrums when you’re still five feet away from any potential obstacle — would warn me if I was too close.
There was no warning. With the clear view through the mirror, there was ample clearance. Yet the truck’s running board stuck out beyond the door panels just enough that a piece of trim caught in the gate post and, as the trim was destroyed in slow motion by the movement of the truck, it pulled the post out of the straps which hold it to its precast concrete pier. The post, as it turns out, was only attached with some ¾” wood screws.
I was able to hold the post upgright while I closed the gate, and the Zombielock engaged and held it solidly in place. Luna the Big Dog™ and I completed our dump run, stopped by the flower store to get a lei for HA’s return, and went on a walkie.
When we got back, I effected some quick repairs on the gate but had to leave for my yoga class. I could hear Luna howling and crying as our carpool drove by the gate.
After yoga class, I picked up my phone and noticed a number of phone calls and text messages. Apparently Luna had made such a ruckus that one of our charming neighbors — who are big fans of Luna — became concerned that there was something seriously wrong with her or me. Eventually, when they couldn’t reach me, they went over and checked on the big whiny dog. It was immediately apparent that Luna was just hurting for attention, but I felt bad for putting the neighbors through the hassle. I was also touched by their concern.
When I got home, I discovered that Luna had been pushing against the weakened gate post and had damaged it further (Luna can push hard) and had been trying to dig under the gate. She’d made some real progress, too.
Luna, Luna, Luna.
—2p