ZoeIsAReindeer

Today was one of the most exciting days yet. Zoe decided to become a
reindeer and practice her "Up On The Rooftop" dance for Christmas. She
looked so funny! Only Zoe's dad didn't think it was so funny. Let me
elaborate.

Zoe and Katy were up in Katy's room. Katy was doing Katy things and Zoe was
doing Zoe things which means that she (Zoe) was hunting for cats or cat poop
or cat food. Katy's room is Josie's room when Josie comes to stay. Katy let
Zoe outside on the balcony. Zoe was happy to go out. The balcony is on the
second story. So is Katy's room. That's kind of how things work around here.

I barked and barked and then came running downstairs to tell Mom that Zoe was
in trouble again. BIG TROUBLE. Everyone ran upstairs. I felt just like
Lassie. Nobody could find Zoe. We looked high. We looked low. "Not
another Thanksgiving fiasco," I thought. Well, it turns out that we didn't
look high enough! Zoe was on the roof!

She had jumped onto the roof from the balcony and then chased a squirrel up
one side and down the other and ended up (way up) on a section of roof above
the front door. And there she sat. And then she started sliding....

Mom said the roof is an 8:12 pitch. Erik said the roof is very steep. Zoe
said, "HELP!" She started to shake and whine. I was fascinated. I have
never seen Zoe afraid before. Zoe said she was NOT afraid, she was just
furious at the squirrel for being so unsportsmanlike as to jump into the
adjacent tree and thus was whining in frustration and sliding her back paws
on the roof to make a point.

Erik got a ladder. Mom put her back paw on the paw of the ladder to steady
it while Erik climbed up and sweet talked Zoe into creeping down to the rain
gutter. Katy had the presence of mind to grab the camera and make us all
famous.

It took a little while for Zoe's dad to persuade her to come close to the
roof edge so he could grab her. Well, actually, it took more than a little
while. But finally Zoe was grabbable and Erik carried her down the ladder
over his shoulder. Katy was a little worried, but I wasn't. I knew Mom was
right there ready to catch them if they fell.

Mom even had the presence of mind to ask Erik if the rain gutters needed
cleaning. He said they looked pretty clean to him.

So, Zoe, how do you like being a reindeer up on the rooftop, huh? Betcha get
a pair of antlers and a big red nose for Christmas!

Mom put some pictures of The Daring Rescue onto my web page. I tell you, it was quite a day!

Sailor who would NEVER be found on the roof and
Zoe who obviously would. And did.