Skeeter

Sometimes, when I get caught up in the craziness of everyday life, I tend to forget the roots from whence I was spewn. The only way to avoid this permanent stupor is to load up the Passat and join my fellow Virtues for a weekend of complete ridiculousness. This particular trip was especially refreshing and full of stories sure to tickle the fancy of anyone bored enough to listen. I think it's best to ease you into the vastness of its wonderfulness by polishing off this Sunday evening with the story of our new dog Skeeter. The story begins Saturday morning. I get up and go running. Kimmy and Laura head out on a different route a bit later. As I complete my run and approach the Virtue Homestead (also known as the Mayor's Mansion), I notice that Kimmy and Laura are consulting Eric on the front steps. I'm intrigued by the secret meeting at such an early hour and the site of an additional party on the premises--namely a dog--intensifies my curiosity. Kimmy and Laura were well on their run when the little pup decided to join the two hot looking dames for their early morning adventure. To understand the full magnitude of this story you must know two things. First, the Virtues don't like animals "in person." We have nothing against them on TV or in print, but in person is a different story. Secondly, you should know that Blackfoot City has a "dog catcher" because we need one almost as much as we need a "squirrel catcher." Do other cities have such things? How do you qualify for that job? Is their some sort of exam? I bet the "hands-on" training is done on-site at the Hays household? Anyway, Mr. Dog Catcher must have been at Betty's getting his morning dose of coffee and hashbrowns because Kimmy & Laura soon found themselves running with a whole fleet of canines. Just picture this--two of the non-animal loving Virtues jogging down Shilling St. with their herd dogs. I'm laughing to the near point of pant-peeing right now. Kimmy was afraid she'd trip on the pups and Laura started cursing. . .because I'm sure they understand the command "DAMN dogs--leave us alone." The first dog to follow was one persistant little fellow and followed his new friends back home where he was not so affectionately named Skeeter. Kimmy & Laura weren't about to give up. They had cut their run short--which isn't allowed in our 1/2 marathon training schedule, so they decided to finish up with a bike ride. Apparently, their friend Skeeter loves to run with bicyclists because he followed closely on their ride. So, Skeeter took up residence on our front porch while the girls finished their workout on the indoor stationary bike. By early afternoon, Skeeter disappeared. . .probably found some other hot chicks to follow. No worries. I'm sure our new dog Skeeter will be following the next time we're home. Kimmy and Laura just hope the dog catcher isn't out. They'd hate to see Skeeter Fried Chicken on the Betty's Cafe spring menu. They became pretty attached to their new following friend.