The Library

Today was the Summer Reading Kickoff at our local library.  In an attempt to be proactive, I actually signed up my children for the program on Saturday.

However, in a moment of temporary insanity, I decided to head up there today to stock up on some more books.  In my defense, I rationalized that if I went up during the actual "kick off" part of the program, I would miss the chaos, grab the books from my pre-determined list, and head out before it became a mess of moms and tots.

Wrong.  I was so, so wrong.

Not more than two minutes after getting through the lobby, the Mohawkless Monster decided to throw himself down on the floor in a fit of screaming rage over not being able to ride on the back of the stroller.  I won't even try to explain.

Let's just say that I made the phrase "so fast your head will spin" come to life.  All three kids were loaded back in the car, seats buckled, and ignition on before any of them had a chance to protest.

I was proud of myself for the fast reaction and following through on my promises to remove them at the first inkling of misbehavior.

Then, I saw the dog.

In case you're wondering, it is HOT here right now.  I mean, as in  HOT AS HELL in the most literal sense of the phrase.

So, when I saw this old man leave his dog in the car - albeit with a window cracked - I kind of lost my mind... again.

I sat there for five minutes, kids strapped in (probably thinking I was completely insane), just wondering what to do.  Should I call the police?  Do I look up the number for animal control? Do I try to get the dog out of the car so his brain doesn't boil?

My imagination ran out of control... fast forward to the 5:00 news: Dog dies after being left in car in 100+ degree temperatures.  Full story coming up after the break!

I couldn't bear the thought of it.

So, still reeling from a) having nearly induced my children with whiplash from leaving the library so quickly and b) worrying about this poor dog and his clearly insane owner who left him in the car, I called the library.

I'm pretty sure the woman thought I was crazy.

So, then I called the police...

The nice dispatcher (whom I'm pretty sure was a cat person) gave me the number for animal control.

So, I called Animal Control...

Animal control told me that if the dog had only been in the vehicle for 10 minutes, it was not in distress and they would not do anything.

Barely containing my stress over the situation (as evidenced by the squeaking detectible in my voice), I explained to the woman on the other end of the line that the temperature gauge in my car read 88 degrees and that it was only a matter of time before the poor dog was in distress and then it would be too late to do anything because our county is a big county and I had been watching the car for 10 minutes and I had called the library and the police already!!!

At which point, she asked if I had another problem to report.

Putting the car into drive, I reluctantly left the parking lot.

And circled the block.

And came back to the library two minutes later only to find that the car was STILL THERE!!!

I had a decision to make...

I threatened my children to the fullest extent imaginable that wouldn't cause undue harm, and took them out of the car, into the library, fully prepared to give that old man a piece of my mind.

Except, I passed him on the way out.  And I'm very non-confrontational when not behind a keyboard.  So, I smiled and nodded.

And the dog was fine.

And my kids got to go to the library after all.  And much to my surprise, they behaved.

I think they were scared I'd call the police or worse, animal control, on them.

I, however, was devoured in a swarm of moms and tots because of my 15 minute stint of insanity.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama