There is a rabbit problem in our neighborhood. Apparently a couple little girls got pet bunnies. When their little bunnies started having little bunnies there just were too many little bunnies and a bunch got out. Off they went across the neighborhood making more and more little bunnies. Now there are wild rabbits everywhere. I have a new found respect for the term multiplying like rabbits. It is out of control. Which explains why our dog who is usually pretty well behaved has been taking off lately. He can't help himself. It's the rabbits.
So today Daxter took off. I mean really really bolted. Jack does this incredibly cute thing where he imitates a whistle to try and get Dax to come. He puckers his lips and makes this really funny noise. So he starts kind of whistling and yelling "Daaaa der Baaaa!" (which in Jackanese means Daxter Back!) and for about five minutes I think it is the sweetest thing in the world. He just looked so cute.
But then he started to get upset because, Daxter was not coming back. I tried to bring him inside and he went hysterical. He was running from door to door to window looking for his dog with these huge tears running down his cheeks. He was really upset.
We searched for that dog for over two hours. We walked up and down the street. We drove around for forever the whole time I could hear Jack in the back seat "Daa der Baaa" between sniffles. It was the worst. Seriously the worst.
We finally came home and I tried to explain to Jack we just needed to wait and Daxter would come back. He of course did not understand. Instead he kept putting dog treats in Daxter's bowl. He would run out with a huge smile on his face, so proud of himself positive that Daxter would come running for a treat like he always does. Daxter wouldn't come and the tears would start all over again. I broke down and called Parker sobbing because I had no idea what to do. I couldn't find the dog. I couldn't distract Jack or make him happy. Even with Tarzan and fruit snacks and that always works.
Finally Jack was so exhausted he fell asleep. I laid him down and came upstairs to check one more time and sure enough Daxter was on the porch.
I kind of wanted to kill him. But I couldn't because I found out today how much Jack really really loves that dog. Jack was so excited when he woke up and Daxter was home. So that was nice. But still the whole thing was terrible.
It sucks to see your child so devastated. It feels awful when you can't fix everything. It is not my favorite part of parenting. Not by a long shot. It was a really really bad day.
But today I was reminded that this little boy has a giant heart. I felt how fiercely loyal he has become. I saw that determination I have come to know so well. I'm proud of him. I always am.
In the end it's ok. Dogs come back. Little boys take naps. Bad days get better when dad gets home.
Jack Vincent I don't know how that giant heart fits in that little body, but I am so glad that it does.
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