Emily was minding Jess’s place. This also included her precious Border Collie, Oscar, AKA “the Surrogate Man”. Although, Jess had left copious instructions, Emily was more laissez-faire and gave up after the first page. A dog was a dog.
So, she didn’t read: “Keep the bathroom door SHUT!”
Tonight, Emily had invited Tom over for a candlelit dinner. Tom was so hot, he lit all her fuses at once.
Emily slipped into the bathroom.
“OMG!”
Knickers round her ankles, the door flew open and Oscar barged through wanting a pat. Eyeballing Tom, Emily wished she’d read the fine print.
……
You may well be aware that our Border Collie, Bilbo passed away recently. However, he remains such a part of our lives, fused into so many memories and like so many dogs, he had his “quirks”. In addition to being totally ball-obsessed, Bilbo never liked closed doors, even on a cold day, he’d insist on having the back door open. He’d also routinely open the bathroom dog and come in for a pat if you weren’t careful. Indeed, our house sitter mentioned that we we arrived home from holidays once. Not that this was quite the scenario in play, but I felt like a laugh today.
This has been another contribution to Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle Wishoff-Fields Photo prompt © Rochelle Wishoff Fields.
xx Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
Hey, nice story. Those of us who have dogs knows this scenario all too well. Their little routines to keep them safe and things consistent in their ‘parents’ absence. I was a tiny bit confused at the end, I think it was the split infinitive… Eyeballing Tom, the toilet door flew wide open…. that threw me. I enjoyed lots of turns of phrase, particularly, Tom was so hot, he lit all her fuses at once. Great story of babysitting infidelity.
hahaha.I dont know whether to laugh or cry at Emily’s predicament.
She certainly should have taken the instruction sheet more seriously. 🙂 🙂 Anyways, sometimes we learn them the hard way.
Brilliant story, Rowena .
Sad for Bilbo . I know how they become family.
love,
moon
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Cheeky Oscar! He has no sense of romance or manners 🙂
Thanks very much, Moon. He was a very special dog who went through so much with us. We have had another dog for a few years, Lady, who is a very happy border collie x cavalier. We’ve all been getting each other through.
xx Rowena
Too used to being no. 1.
That lost sentence does have a problem and thanks for pointin git out. I think it might have been another casualty of the word limit, but it could also be a thing of knowing what I mean to say, and not getting there. The door needs to open before she eyeballs Tom. Off to do some editing. Thank you.
xx Rowena
You never know, it may well’ve enhanced her as as a date!
I thought it might have got the ball rolling, especially if she had a sense of humour about it. Turned it into a laugh. It could be a great ice breaker.
No probs, Rowena, constructive comments are key. Hope mine helps unlock the door for you 😇 x
HAHAHA! Our kitty is the same way about doors. Love it! Hugs for your loss.
Oh dear, I hope Tom has a good sense of humor! And I bet she’ll read the instructions next time…
Sorry to hear about you losing your Bilbo. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a beloved pet. Great name, by the way. Sounds like he was a fearless adventurer, like his namesake, at least when it came to bathrooms. 🙂
Brilliant – I could imagine the scene and it wasn’t a pretty sight!
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teehee!
That was fun. I’m sure the hot date and she will turn it into a memorable occasion 🙂
Haha! Talk about embarrassing! or of she was quick witted, she could have turned it to her advantage.
This was a good laugh. As a dog owner I know they have their quirks and some never let a closed door stop them. I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved Border Collie. We just lost one of dogs. They fill up so much of your life when you have them and leave a big hole when they are gone.
Thank you very much. I’m so sorry for your loss too. It’s hard to put into words to people who aren’t this way about their dogs or other pets. I still see Bilbo as part of our family. Part of our story.
I’m hoping she was quick-witted. It might have been just the thing to break the ice for both of them.
I can see them laughing about that night in their old age.
Bilbo was a real character. So human and part of our family and I’m sure he believed he was our third child.
Thank you very much, Jelli. Pets are so entertaining. Such quirky characters…and soo loving!
Cats do seem to believe that, don’t they? But then, I do keep referring to mine as my “baby cat,” even though she’s four, so who can blame her?
It did. Thanks very much, Kelvin.
I smiled and laughed reading your comment. We met a couple a cafe with their dog. This dog was sitting on his owners lap at the cafe, like a parent holds the baby while his food was going cold. Actually, my kids were put in their prams so I could eat. This dog was treated like a prince and yet I understood that perfectly.
Dogs and little kids–nothing is sacred 🙂
Cute story — I understand the dog on the lap thing, but that’s where I draw the line. Anyone tries to get between me and my food? Nope. 🙂
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I’m with you. Turned out this guy had bacon on his sandwich, which he didn’t eat and his dog doesn’t eat it either and so Lady scored it. No wonder she loves cafes! She also knows quite how to perfect that gorgeous dog look too. More than just the eyes, but the ears, the face…She’s got it down pat!
So true. There’s a definite alliance!
Hey, if it got me free bacon from strangers, I’d work on my puppy dog look too! 🙂
My thing would be chocolate.