Men, a repeat
January 28, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff
The other night Alpha Man and I were standing on the deck admiring the sunset. I know that sounds romantic, but it was more sheer exhaustion from a long day working our asses off on the house than anything else. Anyway, standing there in a stupor, each of us trying to get the other to agree to go get some dinner, we were stunned into startled silence by the howl of a lone coyote.
And then the answering howls of what sounded like a thousand others. They were circling their dinner, no doubt, closing in on their prey. Every hair on my body stood straight up, it was the most chilling sound I’ve ever heard.
Well, actually, the most chilling sound I’ve ever heard was when I was stalked by that bear, but that’s another story altogether.
After the howls escalated, they began yipping and barking as if they’d cornered something, and then came the unmistakable sounds of a fight. Heart in my throat, I grabbed my husband. “Maybe it’s Ashes!” Who had just gone outside a few moments before for her last prowl of the area before her bedtime.
“Are you sure she’s not on her bed?”
“YES!” I went running to find my car keys because even though it was only a hundred yards to the woods, it was dusk, and there was a pack of hungry coyotes.
I couldn’t find my damn keys. To those who know me, this will not come as a surprise. In the precious two minutes it took me to find them – in the silverware drawer, WTF – my husband had dropped his tool belt and had taken off.
On foot.
Alone.
Into the woods.
And guess what? I turned and there was Ashes. On her bed. Exactly where I’d just told my husband she wasn’t. Big wince, and a pause while I considered my options, such as kicking the dog out and pretending I hadn’t screwed up, but I decided that saving face was not quite as important as the hubby’s well being. After all, if he got eaten, who’d change the light bulb on the high living room ceiling? Who’d go get the ice cream and watch MTV’s The Gauntlet with me late at night? So I got into the car and raced out there to find him standing at the edge of the woods, face to face with the coyotes. Waving his arms and yelling, he watched with satisfaction as they took off running. Seriously, he might as well have beaten his fists on his own chest.
No longer worried about my MTV viewing habits, I’d gone from terror to fury like only a woman worried about one of her own can do. “You’re crazy!”
He stared at me, bewildered. “What, I saved your dog.”
“You did not. She’s on her bed.”
“But you said she wasn’t.”
“But she was.”
A long beat while he considered this information. “You owe me.”
True enough. “Okay, so I’ll get the dinner.”
“No. Bigger than that.”
“So I’ll get the ice cream, too.”
“Even bigger.” He accompanied this with The Look.
“You could have been attacked,” I said in disbelief. “Torn limb from limb. EATEN for dinner! And you want to talk about what I owe you.”
“That’s right.”
Men. I almost admire their single-mindedness.
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Judy F says:
Jill you do owe him BIG. Glad everyone was safe.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 3:50 amStacy ~ says:
I’m with Judy, Jill. Just give in quietly. It won’t hurt a bit
(Pssst – way to go Alpha Man! But don’t ever do that again!)
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 3:59 amBayou Woman says:
Jill, great story! You sure had my attention captured! Alpha must be a really cool guy, and hey, you know what they say about guys who wear Tool belts!!!! We have our own version of coyotes in the marsh, except they are called coy-dogs—feral dogs bred with coyotes. I can hear them late at night running the marsh, surrounding their prey and that wild, wild victorious yipping. Then all the neighboring dogs start howling and baying at the wild dogs. It’s really creepy. I’m so glad ashes was safe. And I hope you paid your debt with great gratitude in your heart!
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 5:58 amBW
Fannie says:
I am glad Ashes is okay. I hope Middle is feeling better. That must be painful. As for the insurance company, give them hell girl. Now to Alpha, you are so lucky. He goes bravely to save Ashes. He still gives you The Look after all these years. You have a winner there. Take care of him. Have a great day and hugs to all. :wave:
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 6:46 amDevon Ellington says:
That single mindedness is what often makes them so much fun.
Glad Ashes and your husband are fine.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 6:52 amLiza says:
Glad everyone was safe. You do owe him Big time.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 6:58 amAsthmagirl says:
My husband is infamous for “the look”!
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 7:31 amGlad everyone is safe. Did you figure out what the coyotes were going to eat for dinner?
Gwen says:
I love your husband.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 9:57 amTilly says:
My first time here. Love your humor.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 10:02 amNancy says:
Alpha Man is definitely a keeper. Does he have a brother?
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 10:03 amThe Hunter's Wife says:
Men to the rescue! I also have one of those.
Glad to hear Ashes was safe and sound.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 10:04 amBrandy says:
I am so glad that Ashes was okay and I hate to break it to you, but yeah, you owe him BIG. *g*
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 10:46 amWendy says:
Hehe, “THE LOOK”
You definitely owe him. :yes:
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 11:22 amCryna says:
So glad that Ashes and hubby are okay……..And I have to agree with the rest – you do owe him BIG time……….
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 11:24 amCourtney says:
Does your husband have an available brother?
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 11:33 amJo says:
Sorry, i have to agree with everyone else. You owe him big. Glad everyone is ok.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 11:36 amJill says:
Oh boy. Hope Alpha Man isn’t reading these comments today, lol. He will be quite amused that you all sided with him.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 11:47 amDonna M says:
Sometimes an Alpha Man is a good thing! Guess I have to say you do owe him! :yes: Also, like everyone else I’m glad Alpha Man & Ashes are ok.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pmSusan says:
Alpha Man definitely deserves what The Look! :wigglebrow: After all he is single-minded.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 12:26 pmVal Cox says:
ahh, what a great story, thank you for writing it!
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 1:39 pmJill says:
Val, if only it was just a story. Unfortunately, every single word is true.
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 1:40 pmLori says:
We had a deer lease on the Mexico-Texas border when I was growing up and had coyotes howling at all hours. When the parents were out on the stands we would howl back and eventually call the coyotes pretty close to camp. We thought it was cool how close they would come but looking back at it as an adult we really were pretty dumb!
Glad it wasn’t any of your fur babies!
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pmBailey Stewart says:
Alpha man rules :bananadance:
The Look, huh?
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 3:47 pmBailey Stewart says:
Ummmm, you’re back on MySpace. Did you know?
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 5:40 pmShelly says:
Whew! Good thing he is OK….. who would kill the spiders if the coyotes ate him?
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pmjeanne says:
Oh I’m really lol – I didn’t read your heading at first that this was a repeat and I’m thinking – oh my goodness, it happened again – only Jill!!!! It was just as good the second time around
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm