WRITER with flash BLOG

After the Fox
By
RD Larson

© 2005 Rd Larson

Dusk on the west coast is like nowhere else. We were standing on the rock path admiring my flowers. It’s a small tidy area so I give it special attention that I couldn’t give a big garden.

Zippy lay in the driveway looking down hill at the road. He looked like any big dog guarding his home, except he’s only ten pounds of wiry muscle. The neighbors rumbled down the driveway in their truck. The light from the setting sun caught at the top of the firs and slanted in multi-levels across the verdant green branches.

Suddenly, with a roar Zippy leapt to all fours. Every hair along his back rose. His eyes glowed gold. His bark (for such a little guy) is deafening. I grabbed his harness.

“What is it?” I peered into the underbrush.

“Can’t tell -- Oh look -- a fox running down the road.” My husband looked excited. The fox, black with white tip on his tail, looked back. Bad move.

Zippy flew forward. If he’d had tires, they would have screeched. Down the road like a black streak, he ran after the fox.

“Wait, no, Zippy.” I yelled, knowing the fox could turn any moment and slash the chew-wiener dog to shreds.

Of course, he didn’t listen. After him ran my husband. He was yelling, “Here Zippy! Here, boy.”

Zippy didn’t listen. The fox and the dog disappeared around the bend in the road with Hubby is pursuit. I was still standing at the top of the driveway, frozen.

I dashed down the driveway toward husband, dog and fox. As I reached the road, I looked for them. My hubby was still running down the road.

“Here, Zip. Here, Zippy.”

Behind him ran Zippy as fast as his tired little legs could take him. I could tell Zippy was yelling, “Hey, Dad, I’m here. I’m here.”
I started laughing so hard I couldn’t call them. The fox had run into the woods, Zippy didn’t follow, and my hubby had run on by. Zippy ran out of the woods behind him.

Finally, I shouted through my giggles, “Stop, he’s behind you.” Choking with laughter, I sank into the grass when my hubby stopped and Zippy smashed into him when he turned.

I was laughing too hard to see who carried who back home.

End