Weekend Write In: TANGLE

                                                                                  TANGLE

                                                                              Aug 28, 2021

Looking back on the day it was pretty plain it should be filed under the category of, "that boy just ain't right!" I live by myself, have a job that keeps me fairly busy and a social life that, well maybe not the talk of the social scene, is at least in the slightly average category.

The urge to stop by the animal shelter came out of nowhere. I had never really seriously considered having a dog. No burning desires to frolic about throwing sticks or frisbees only to have them returned by an exuberant canine who would give absolutely anything to have the object hurled away once more. But, the urge did come. And in a moment of weakness perhaps, or a lapse of sanity more likely, I did pull in to the facility and stroll amongst the many cages containing a myriad of shapes, sizes, colors and for some a higher level of noise as they ceaselessly barked. A loud barker was definitely out. And once again I wondered what circuit in my brain had shorted itself out to bring me into this position of having to choose a dog I wasn't sure I even wanted to begin with.

At the end of the row of cages I had the misfortune of making eye contact with a dog. He, or she I did not know at the time, was just sitting on its haunches as if taking in the world at its own pace and giving it no more attention than it wanted to give.

The dog looked at me. I looked at the dog. As I studied it I wondered how anything could be so profoundly ugly? Mid sized, gangly frame, tufts of unruly hair poking about at all angles and at different lengths with a variety of colors ranging from grey to black to dark brown. Close inspection brought to mind no breed of dog I had ever been familiar with.

But, I have to confess the look the dog returned to me, without a word, communicated that it also wondered how anything could possibly be so profoundly ugly? Medium height, lanky frame, a mop of dull brown hair that was not always put in order with a brush or comb, and a complexion that was pale enough it begged the question of whether it should totally avoid sunlight or be tossed out at midday to be fried to a crisp thus eliminating it from ever having to be seen again. Without barking the dog communicated more than I liked.

Well, what the hell. No-one else would consider taking such a biological aberration. Did I imagine it? When that decision popped up was there a slight curving up at the back of its mouth in the slightest of grins? Surely not.

The worker was found. The dog fastened to a lead. The thousand forms I signed made me wonder what it would take to adopt a child. His favorite blanket was provided so he (I had finally taken the time to discreetly check) would have something familiar. A few days sized bag of food to get me started and, because I was so nice, a food and water dish someone had donated. They made a nice topper to the mountain of stuff I was getting.

Of course, as I was enduring this process that required most of my attention, the dog circled my legs until he ended up at the end of the leash with his head staring peacefully from between my legs. He seemed quite pleased with himself and showed no intention of reversing course.

The person chaperoning me through this never ending ordeal wasn't anywhere near the top of the intellectual group. I explained patiently that with him having loaded my one free arm to the max and the dog doing his best to earn his badge in knots, I was for all intents an purposes immobile. After the second try at this explanation I could almost detect the bulb beginning to glow as he did come around the counter and, without getting too personal which I much appreciated, unwound the leash from my legs and crotch.

Balancing my newly acquired possessions I started toward the door. As I stepped out with my left foot the dog, in his haste and desire to be the leader, darted between my legs. Amazingly I got stopped before tripping and only dropped the water bowl from my stack. The dog again circled my legs using up the length of the leash until his head stuck barely out between my legs.

I looked back over my shoulder at the worker who had returned to the business side of the counter. Fortunately the bulb was not completely blown. He walked over to pick up the bowl, placing it again at the top of the heap, and unwinding the dog from my legs.

I looked at the dog who looked entirely like he had every intention of repeating this action at every step or at least until he earned his badge for knot tying. I decided it would be best to merely slide my feet in short steps not allowing room for him again.

"Come on." I said edging him toward the car, "your name is Tangle and we need to have a serious talk." Was that a smile again?