Gemotions

The morning sun warmed Elias's face as he walked to the back fence. He heard the familiar scuffling first. Then, the black lab, Buster, was there, wagging his tail furiously. Elias leaned down and scratched behind Buster's ears. He’d left the gate slightly ajar again.

Elias, still slightly bent over, saw Mrs. Gable emerge from her back door, a smile gracing her wrinkled face. "Good morning, Elias! Isn't he a handful?" Her voice was filled with good humor. He chuckled and nodded, already picturing the solutions they might try today.

He reached for the latch to the gate. Today, maybe they could add a heavier weight to the bottom to prevent burrowing. It was just a matter of time before they got it right, and Buster would be safely in his own yard. The prospect filled him with warmth.