I am almost back to my calm puppy self after what turned out to be a scary day.  The morning started well with an early (pre-rain) trip to the dog park where many of our oldest and dearest friends were in attendance, including Gunner and Marty.  As usual, the Folsom dog park was a combination of dust and mud and when we left we were filthy, meaning a full bath was in store for us.

Wilbur and I don’t exactly enjoy bath time but we are very good boys and tolerate the experience (plus, today we realized we were disgusting and wouldn’t be allowed to snuggle with mama in such a state).  Our post bath routine includes a thorough drying (I don’t like that part) but then we get to snuggle in our special warming blanket — an electric plug-in mama has just for us.

We were warming and drying on the blanket draped over the couch as mama was working on a writing project.  All was as it should be, until mama left to meet a friend for lunch and neglected to turn off our electric warmer.  Side note:  Mama has a slightly irrational fear around fire and is always diligent in checking that everything is turned off before she leaves the house.

In mama’s defense, she was juggling a number of projects and phone calls and she was running late for her lunch date.  In her haste, the blanket remained plugged in when she departed.  We missed mama the minute she left and cried as she shut the door (just to make her feel guilty), then Wilbur and I got cozy together on the couch and burrowed into our warm nest.  But soon an acrid stench tickled my nose.

I smell something burning...

Wilbur and I were immediately on alert and in moments realized that some sort of short circuit had occurred and the blanket was on fire!  Crikey!  Not only the blanket but the sofa was beginning to smolder.  Wilbur, Bella and I tried not to panic, but smoke was quickly filling the house.  We were barking, but no one seemed to hear us.  And, strangely, the fire alarm (which is brand new — installed and tested just a few days ago) failed to activate.

bella - doing just fine post smoke

Mama arrived just as my panic was reaching a serious level.  She heard us barking as she approached the house (not unusual), and the minute she opened the door and entered the dark smoke she jumped into action.  She immediately opened the back door and my siblings and ran out into the yard to inhale some much needed fresh air.  She filled a pitcher of water and doused the couch over and over.  The remains of the blanket were thrown into the bathtub and soaked until the embers had vanished.

Once the danger was eliminated, mama couldn’t stop hugging and kissing us, eternally grateful for our safety and well-being.  Crazy, unforeseeable crap happens to all of us, but it’s how we handle the situation that shows our true mettle.  I am immensely proud of my mama today — she didn’t panic (well, maybe just a tad) and didn’t put the guilt -trip on herself, she was just in action.

Instead of dwelling on what could have been a major disaster, or on the fact that we now need to buy a new couch, we were all just grateful to be safe and in the arms and paws of loved ones.

we'll be shopping for a new couch next week

A state of gratitude overwhelms feelings of fear and guilt every time.  This was the case today as a puppy perspective of love and gratitude won over fear!