White Dog and Steve sat next to me as I finished dressing. We were getting ready to head out for our normal Sunday morning bike ride/ pupfest at the Nature Center. They were both concerned after yesterday's scary incident at the Park that I would not be comfortable being left alone while Gregg, Candace and Steve went biking. They were also worried about my safety.
I tried to calm and reassure them that all would be OK. "Yesterday was a random event. Yes, it was scary and I was very lucky that Nuka did her killer impersonation and that White Dog knew how to subtly deliver a message of protection because I think it made the guy rethink his plan...that and it was clear that he was not going to get to me without getting past the WDA. I am NOT going to become fearful of doing the things I love. So get ready, dear ones, we are going to meet the day."
Gregg's birthday is the week after Steve's. We surprised him with a second bike carrier so Sen-ge could join Dragon and his pawrents on the ride. He was overjoyed that the whole family could ride together. (And the WDA was thrilled that we would have a restful time in nature without the whining pup pining for his peeps).
Before riding off, I once again had to insist that we would all be fine and that Albuquerque had not become The Universal Center of Crime nor was I a danger magnet. They finally rode off, glancing over their shoulders until they could no longer see us.
The White Dog Army searched for roadrunners and found none; we shared a snack; they napped under the cottonwood as I read; we had a delightful safe morning. And when the very hot and tired bicyclists came back, we were all MORE than ready for a nice brunch and naps at home in the air conditioning.