But first things, first--the "emergency" last night was Don calling me in the middle of my blogging and telling me that one of ours dogs, Hazel, had escaped from the yard and had completely disappeared. I have Italian greyhounds and they are tiny and fast and they just run helter-skelter--they have no clue about things like running in front of cars.
So I dropped everything and tore out of the McD's parking lot like a bat out of hell. It's a horrible feeling to have a lost pet--all sorts of thoughts (mainly guilt) and horrific visions were going through my head.
It was pitch black outside and the dog had already been missing for a good forty five minutes by the time I got home. I was especially worried because there are vast foresty areas all around and a busy highway not too far away. Also, since we're not at home, I doubted she would have any clue how to find her way back to the house.
The kids were crying when I got back-- they had already been out calling and searching for a long time--there was NO sign of her. So I headed out, first by foot and then by car, but there was no trace--no sound of tags jingling-- just darkness and quiet all around. I gave up after about an hour of looking.
When I got back, Don said he and Teddy (who was completely hysterical) wanted to take the car and search some more. But a couple minutes after they left, I could hear Teddy frantically calling Hazel's name so I ran outside. Don was screaming "There she is!!" but I was completely blinded by the car's headlights and he was like "That way!" (apparently he was pointing--like that helped-- a.) in the dark and b). with the headlights in my eyes. )
Then it was like something out of a sitcom. I was screaming "Right or left!?" and Don was like "Left!" "No--your right, my left!" It was complete chaos and all of us were running in different directions.
Finally I got a handle on where Hazel was--she looked completely crazed--panting and running every which way. So I kneeled down and quietly called to her and she came right over. It was such a relief to pick up that quivering little dog! The kids were all jumping and cheering!
I have no idea where she was that whole time (we're calling it Hazel's Excellent Adventure)--but at least she had the sense to come back. I was SO relieved for the kids.
Here's a picture of her with Teddy--you can see that he'd been crying, poor thing. Hazel looks like she's in a complete stupor in that pic.
There's so much more to tell about our vacation and I have a lot of fun pics--so I think I'll continue tomorrow when we get home. I'm getting a little sick of McDonald's--but I think I've cultivated a kind of mysterious presence around here. When I was buying my McCafe tonight the cashier said "Are you the one that comes here every night with your laptop?" And I was like "Yeah--I have to do my blog." She looked really impressed! So, no more McBlogging--but still more vacation updates to come!
They're antique (made in Germany) scientific drawings of a frog and a fly. OMG I love them! they're very large and I'm not sure where we're going to put them--but I'll make room!
It's a "potato basket" and I think it makes a beautiful art object. I'm going to put it on my dining room table! Maybe I'll find something kooky to put under it?
The gallery also has a separate little house across the street filled with vintage quilts--it was closed today but I looked in the window and they've got some beautiful things. When we go back on Friday, I'll be sure to get some pics (and maybe buy a quilt!?). I took these pics of Gooser outside the house. I can't wait to get in there!
After that we took the kids to a "Fun Park" which they could not have been more excited about. They could play there all day. It has...
Even Gooser got to ride a "junior" go-cart. He crashed a couple of times--but he was still into it!
I think this was a little more his speed though:
and bumper cars:
and basketball in one of those inflatable things:
Even though Pickle just had ice cream, we headed off to our favorite pig-themed ice cream place next.
The whole place is covered in pigs!
Even the parking lot! 
McDonald's is very chaotic tonight! They're having a major leak in the ceiling and water is just pouring out. The employees are running around with buckets and those yellow slippery floor signs. Never a dull moment at McD's!
She was hogging most of the buckets though...
A pensive moment.
I like these pics of Gooser running:
Here are the three big boys:
And Teddy holding Pickle:
"No paparazzi, please."
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