“Whirr-e-e-et!” using my New York-hailing-down-a-taxi-whistle, I frantically yelled and continued to whistle for my new Schnauzer Schnazzy, as I peered through the woods that had only a small opening for a small animal to crawl through.

I am learning how to have a dog again – and Schnazzy’s personality is very different from the Maltese I used to have years ago. He is perfect for me because he isn’t scared of life, he seizes the moment… so do I. So, I understand my little dog even if today, I was not happy with him seizing a moment.

I can handle him trying to get on the couch or looking at me when I eat my food hoping I drop something but what he did today made me fear losing him. While out walking around the apartment complex it was a battle of the wills how many bushes we were going to stop at and who was in control.

Schnazzy wanted to explore and look around and not ‘do his business’. I have to say, I respect my little dog because I think everyone should explore and see what is around them. Too many people walk around with their eyes closed and they just may miss something pretty awesome. Not me and Schnazzy. We keep our eyes open and try things out!

I knew after 15 minutes of exploring, I would end up winning the battle and Schnazzy sooner or later would ‘make’. I saw the cute little bunny that hopped across the yard into the bushes I had just hoped Schnazzy didn’t see. He missed it and whizzed on a bush nearby. I doubted he was going to do anything else so just as I was about to lead him back towards the apartment, darn it if that bunny hadn’t come out from the bushes and darted for the far end of the woods!

I was not prepared for a chase from my well-behaved dog; it happened so fast. The leash slipped out of my hands and Schnazzy was gone faster than I could yell out his name! “Schna---!” Doggone. I ran over to the deep wooded area that had only a small opening for my little four-legged friend. I whistled, I called out his name and I heard nothing. No rustling in the woods, no barking.

I kept sounding the NY-taxi-hail call. No Schnazzy. A bazillion thoughts ran through my mind. First being, “I failed”. Second thought was that Schnazzy had a chip inserted in his skin and hopefully someone would turn him in. Then the thoughts chased each other in my head trying to be first as if to win a race! What if he gets ticks and fleas in the meantime? What if someone finds him and wants to keep him? What if he isn’t found and goes hungry?

One of the cool kids in my building came to talk to me. I don’t even remember what was said except telling him that I lost my dog. Matthew is also a writer and will be attending Lookout Valley High this year. He is the most respectful and polite kid I have met and one of the first of my neighbors to talk to me when I first moved in. Just then, we heard barking! “Here Schnazzy!” I called out.

Schnazzy doesn’t take to males unless he has time to get to know them but he ran right to Matthew! I was able to grab onto Schnazzy’s leash. I didn’t scold Schnazzy, I just secretly hoped he pottied while he was out on his excursion and we went straight to the bathroom where he got a bath!

We made it upstairs in time before a storm of wind and hard rain came. My son Nathan, Schnazzy and I watched it through the glass doors. Then I noticed that three vehicles that had parked at the far end of the parking lot were still beside my car after three days. Now, I park my Jeep far away from everyone else’s because I want to avoid door ‘pings’ and I also get paranoid of what ‘could happen’ because – well, I am a female and it’s my job.

But seriously, I have made a few complaints about the circus family above me that are extremely loud up until 2 o’clock in the morning. After the third complaint and the office manager had sent them a letter – Mr. Circus had come down to my apartment at 10 o’clock one evening and told me what I could do with my complaint. That is kind of scary for a female – so yes, I try to watch my back. After my fright with my wheels nearly coming off traveling through Blue Ridge Mountains and I was certain it was from the botched brake job I had weeks before; I still wondered if people who would curse at me and were upset with me might do something more than give me a piece of their mind. You never know!

Nathan thinks I am being overly paranoid because I seemed bothered that two vans and a beat up old car were right next to my Jeep while there were about 10 empty spaces that were closer to the building. This has never occurred before – everyone parks close to the building but for three days those vehicles were right next to my Jeep and had not moved. The beat up car belonged to Mr. Circus I believed. It was right next to mine. While signing a pet addendum at the apartment office last week, I mentioned to the manager once again about my neighbors still not being considerate after hours and the noise was still quite loud.

The cars made me nervous so I decided to move my car closer to the building but still where I could see it from my balcony. Yes, the wind was blowing the rain sideways and yes there was a tad bit of lightning, but aside from that - it was a nice day out. I was glad to have peace of mind about my Jeep and play a little in the rain.

My son thought I had lost my mind as I moved my car and came back soaked and dripping, but I stood at the door laughing because I not only saved my car from pings or whatever else could happen – but I loved the feel of the rain on my face and soaking my clothes and splashing in the puddles to the parking lot! It was fun!

Before moving my car, my Mama had sent me an email saying she ‘hoped I was not out in this weather’ and so, of course, being the big girl that I am, I defied my mother and splashed in the rain and then asked my son to take my picture so I could send it to Mama.

Little did I know, my son was up to something. I changed into dry clothes, sat at my computer and checked to see what was happening on Facebook. I saw a blog my son had posted already!

I laughed immediately and a tear fell down my cheek as I read the title. If anyone has been reading me for a while, you may remember my Mama Sagas where I had written about the time I lived with my Mama and I wrote about the things that got me tickled about her. Well, my son wrote this:

Livin' With Mama Sagas: A New Generation.

Now that my mom and I share an apartment, I have become privy to many more opportunities to laugh at her expense than I have had in a long time. I have realized that living by herself, she has become quite accustomed to having everything exactly the way she wants it. And, of course, I inherited her "mean streak." It started with little things, like rearranging the salt and pepper shakers and sorting hangers. (For more about that, you can read her article on the Chattanoogan.) Although, she has yet to notice the toilet paper in her bathroom... my biggest laugh came this afternoon. You see, she parks her car at nearly the very end of the lot. You know, so she can keep an eye on it. She has said, "There are bad things that go on in this world. You just don't know, Nathan."

Well, for the last couple of days there have been some vehicles that are parked next to her Jeep. And trust me; she has been keeping an eye on things. This afternoon though, she had enough. A fourth vehicle stopped behind her Jeep and sat for about a minute. Now, it could have been because of the torrential rain. But, apparently, it could also have been someone collecting license plate numbers. And the van parked close to her could be conducting surveillance. But even more than that, the ugly car parked next to her could be owned by someone that wants to steal her lug-nuts.

Now, keep in mind that it is not just raining outside, it is an epic downpour - lightning and thunder included. This is when she decides to move her car down a few spaces. So, wearing shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops, she proceeds out into the storm to move her car. She moved it an entire six spaces away! Even the dog was confused at this point. But it gets better; she walks back in, dripping water, and says, "That was so cool."

She grabs her phone and asked me to take her picture, I guess for the memories. Of course, she claims that this was all an elaborate excuse to play in the rain and drink hot chocolate, but I'm not so sure. You be the judge.

And yes, I am aware that she might not find this as funny as I do, but you know what they say, "What's good for the goose..."

Well my son, you know what else they say… “This means war…” and “Let the saga games begin!”