Caution in the Wind

As the days get shorter our mornings walks have become ventures into darkness.  Pajamas is extra cautious  in the dark even in the park she visits every day.  There is an old tree that has been loosing branches on windy days, so bright yellow caution tape has been put up around the area to discourage people from getting too close.  This tape had been up a couple of days, so I know Pajamas had seen it, but something about the yellow tape blowing in the wind just before dawn, set her off.

The minute she entered the park she headed straight for the tape, neck stretched way out in front of her, tail erect behind.  The bark she lets out is completely unlike the bark she makes when we play. She bowowowowow's, gradually getting higher and higher, until her voice actually cracks.  Then it starts all over again.  It's 6 o'clock in the morning.  I hear that woman from the beach saying "your neighbors must hate you."  I dash off after her trying to get her attention and hopefully stop the barking.

She stops within a couple of feet of the caution tape and stands, neck stretched out, barking over and over again.  Every time I get close to her, she moves sideways away from me, barking so loud all four feet leave the ground.  This continues for minutes, although as I think about all the sleeping people around me it feels much longer.

When I finally get Pajamas leash back on, we slink out of the park....quietly.