May 5, 2009
Windows of Opportunity
In my short life, I’ve learned a lot about humans. They enjoy using odd phrases like Window of Opportunity. I first heard this phrase when I was a pup and Gretchen took me to the off-leash dog park, the one by the lake. I had just learned to swim and was not only thrilled to be surrounded by playful dogs on the beach, but equally excited by my new floating toy.
Then I saw someone else’s toy — a bright orange rubbery ring that sailed far out into the lake and bobbed in its brilliance like a beacon. Before I knew it, I was swimming swiftly out to retrieve it and once retrieved, I refused to give it back. I’m a pretty good dog, but given a chance, I’ve been known to “borrow” the toys of my canine friends. Gretchen calls it stealing and on that day way back in my youth when I raced off with the orange ring and refused to come back, she said to another visitor at the park that I looked for a “window of opportunity” to steal (borrow!) toys.
Well since then, I’ve learned that this phrase (Window of Opportunity) can be used in all sorts of situations. Take today, for instance. If it weren’t for all the leaves on the trees and the flowers in bloom, you’d think it was November — windy, cold, and rainy. It’s so stormy, in fact, we all woke up in the middle of the night to the rain and wind smacking against the windows. Both Gretchen and I worried about our walks scheduled for today and so we waited for a “window of opportunity” to venture out.
In this instance, the phrase means we waited for the rain and wind to calm down a bit before we leashed up to fetch Lucy and Ollie. Luckily, the window was pretty large and though it spit on us (another phrase we use a lot around here) we avoided the great soaking we feared. Still, Lucy was none too eager to venture from her bed (my former puppy bed I bequeathed to her in a weak moment…loved that bed). When we went to fetch her, she peered out from her bed (under her afghan) and refused to get up. Generally she pops right up when she sees us, but today she just glared a “You’ve got to be kidding” look at us.
Ollie could have cared less. He bounced with excitement the second we walked through the gate and
bounced all the way to the tennis courts in anticipation of playing and racing and more bouncing.
Lucy warmed up (literally and figureatively) once she realized we’d be playing fetch with my collection of orange and blue balls — she LOVES them because they are squishy and bouncy and don’t require much of a throw on Gretchen’s part to achieve a great distance.
We decided to play at the tennis courts because last night’s rain left the field soggy and wet and just as squishy as the ball Lucy loves to chew on. Besides, everyone would have walked away soaking wet and that never makes for a pleasant day!
As you can tell from the photos, the wind shook blossoms from the cherry trees. They were scattered every where and even the worms were flooded from their homes making all the birds very happy.
The day was spent chasing the orange and blue balls and sliding on the wet surfaces. The slippery nature of the day made for lots of levitating photographs!
It was a busy day. Lucy was as focused and intent as she always is…and Ollie and I had fun slamming into each other (sometimes into Lucy, too!)
Luckily, our window of opportunity stayed open for quite awhile. Rain didn’t really fall on us until we were on our way home after Lucy and Ollie had already been returned. We were lucky, I suppose, and hopefully we’ll find the same luck with windows this afternoon when I get another walk!
Enjoy the day and stay dry!
Rubin
