A moment of gratitude. I try to have at least one every day. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s really, really hard. Today my moment of gratitude is super easy. Today I am grateful for Dottie the Dotted Dog.

I have often wondered how I would react if I felt in danger – specifically if I felt threatened in my own home. I have wondered this more so since last winter when my ever-so-brave cousin ran outside barefoot in her nightgown to save her dog from being attacked from a cougar. Much as I measure cold water by being “creek cold” or not (our creek at home is fed by the Rocky Mountains and can cause numbing pain unless you are brave and prepared for the cold) I measure bravery in terms of “Cherie brave”.I’m pretty sure I’m not brave enough to run outside and chase down a cougar. But, I did discover today that I’m also not the run away, arms flailing, screaming for help type either.

I was downstairs enjoying a nice cup of tea before the kids came home and I heard the dog barking, feet moving and people talking upstairs. It was an hour before kid time, so I knew it was not one of them and I wasn’t expecting anyone. I went and stood at the foot of the stairs to get a better listen and sure enough there were people in the house. I could hear Dottie growling and someone saying “hi dog, nice dog”. I stood there looking at the door to outside wondering if I should just bolt out the door and call the police when I thought ‘no way. My dog is upstairs. I’m not leaving her here with intruders. I thundered up the stairs screaming “what the f**k are you doing in my house? My dog will attack you. Get out!!” I arrived upstairs to see 4 terrified people standing there, one of them stammering “I’m a realtor, I’m a realtor.”

Realtors are supposed to call and set things up. She swore she called our realtor but she didn’t. This woman just walked into our house (along with her clients). I yelled at them to get out of the house, it was not available to show right now and that they could call and set something up. I’ve never seen people run so fast out of a place!

I have never been so grateful for my Dotted Dog who stood at the entrance to the main part of the house growling at them. I have always felt she would protect us, but today I saw how right I was. Those people were lucky they weren’t really attacked (by her or me!) I was also glad to see that in a time of fear I was in fact able to act. Perhaps bolting out the basement door would have been smarter, but I am thankful that as much as Dottie wanted to protect me that I also wanted to protect her.

Sometimes I get short with my Dotted Dog. She can be a maniac and takes a certain amount of understanding and patience. For example she got into the garbage 3 times last week (sigh). But, today was a good reminder that the pure, true love she has outshines anything else. I love her and I am so thankful for her.