Doggie Dilemma

A fly in the apartment. I see it wing by peripherally

out of the corner of my eye. It’s warmer weather

and Spring again. Now a single fly can be annoying

at times, but generally should they find an out-of

the -way place, I don’t much mind. What’s the

normal lifespan of a housefly, anyway, a week

or so when left alone, I suppose? It’s the damn

sliding patio door they fly past as I’m taking the

dogs in and out five times a day. Quick little

bastards, that way. Now what really irks me is

that my Chihuahua is terrified by the sometimes

buzz-bombing insect with wings. He cowers in a

corner all day long when he’s confronted with

such a thing. Occasionally, I’ll go on the hunt

for the speck of a creature. And should I find it

lighted on a wall or furniture, I’ll try to elimi-

nate it with a rubber band or swatter. Still, my

pup has the residual trauma for days by which

time another fly appears and continues the nearly

perpetual cycle throughout the spring and summer

seasons. And I am personally relieved to see the

first freeze of winter appear. But wouldn’t you

know, Chihuahuas also hate snow and tempera-

tures 60-degrees or below. Try encouraging a dog

to poop when he shivers so bad, and refuses to do

his business in the cold. Seismologists say the active

super volcano beneath the surface at Yellowstone

is due for another humongous eruption which would

adversely life on Earth as we know it. A fly, a simple

housefly, mind you, not a serious problem relatively

speaking. Trying to explain, I can’t seem to allay my

dog’s fear of flies. He’s spoiled, you know, and never

tended to listened to me anyway. I will admit, however,

that a dog’s senses are far keener than mine. And who

knows, the flapping of a fly’s wings could set certain

sinister scenarios into motion.

Chris Hanch 5-16-19