Dog Leash Confusion

I'm hoping someone reading this can explain it back to me. I have had a situation today that just isn't calculating, so I'm reaching out for help.

First, there are some points of clarification. I live in the City of Denver, the County of Arapahoe and the State of Colorado which require your dog, unless in a designated area (e.g. a dog park) to be on a leash. It's called a Leash Law.

Okay, so with that in mind I also want to clarify that my dogs, Maddie and Kodiak, while sweet and innocent most of the time, are extremely protective of our apartment and surrounding areas. These two dogs are well behaved towards friends and strangers alike everywhere but our apartment complex. Around our apartment complex they feel the need to bark and sometimes growl at most people and every dog. It's something we're working on, but with limited success.

Finally, the story that I need help understanding. This morning I take the two pups outside for a little walk to take care of their business. We're only out and about for a short while before a small Terrier-like dog approaches without a leash. I think to myself, well that sucks but it happens. While my dogs go ballistic, I try to keep a distance between this dog and my insane and out of control, barking and growling, pulling and leaping pets. The dog keeps about 4 feet between itself and them, but then comes another dog, a chocolate chihuahua who isn't as interested in keeping away from Maddie and Kodiak. With one are extended holding the leashes of Kodiak and Maddie, I'm trying to use the other arm to keep these two other dogs away from mine. A woman casually strolls up, apologizes, picks up the two loose dogs (neither is wearing a leash that I can see) and walks away.

Okay, folks, that was my daily freebie. I understand dogs get loose. I understand people bend the rules about the leashes. It drives me absolutely nuts, but I'm not going to get myself labeled and the "cranky dog lady" in the neighborhood over it.

Four hours pass. The dogs and I are again outside for their benefit. I'm not 100 yards from my door when the same small Terrier-like dog is running for Kodiak and Maddie, who are again going out of their mind. This time the owner is kind enough to jog over, and she again apologizes. I respond with "that's why there are leash laws." Her rebuttal, "I know. She just always runs away. She always does this." And, her dog is now running away from her with the lady in pursuit. Again, I see no leash on this dog.

Here's where my question lies. Does a leash not tether the dog and person together, so unless the dog is significantly larger than you, the person can prevent the dog from getting away from the owner? Orrr, is there a new leash available that is invisible? I'm fairly tech savvy; I'd even say geeky. I'd think I'd have heard of it somewhere, but maybe I missed something. If you've seen a web page about this invisible leash, please link to it in the comments; I'd love to invest in some for Kodiak and Maddie.

This woman and her dogs are starting to really get on my nerves! And, while I am seeking some clarification, I also wanted to vent about this inept neighbor of mine. Thank you for your thoughts, support and willingness to read this pathetic and frustrating story.

And, the Grinch's Heart Grew 3 Times Larger

Just short of two years ago, I chaperoned a youth mission trip to Kentucky. This was not only my first mission trip ever, but it was my first time meeting many, if not all, of the youth. This group is from my family's church in Michigan not a church locally that I attend.

On the final day during morning devotionals, each person there - leaders, chaperones and youth alike - shared the "light of their week." Many discussed the people they helped and/or their vast feats at improving the living environments for so many people. My light was the youth working as God's hands. To this day I am amazed at how dedicated and loving they were while working under conditions of sleep deprivation, heat, humidity, distractions and excitement, constant interactions with friends and the mothering and fathering of us chaperones. Often it was the youth driving the work forward and refusing to head back for the night to prepare for the next day. Often it was the youth bonding with those we were helping and drawing smiles from faces who had seen harder times than many of us can imagine. It was the youth following God's will and showing his love that shown so brightly for me that week.

This week I chaperoned another trip with this group here in Chicago. For weeks I have been excited in anticipation to see the youth I had worked with before. I rarely see them, and now was my chance to catch up and get to know eachother all over again. In the end the week was more than I could have imagined. In addition to those I had come to love just a couple years before, I met more of their friends and group members. It was as if I understood the pain and joy the Grinch felt when his heart grew that much larger so quickly.

This week I watched young men and women dedicate their time, energy and love for a week. They ate the food at the shelter without complaint. They worked on projects that put them outside of their comfort zone. They slept in a building with only one room with air conditioning and the others with little air circulation at all. They worked with children and their reading, they cleaned homes and thrift shops, they built cabinets and dry-walled. These youth only wanted to do more than they already were doing. Most simply put, they left things better than they found them. And all the while, my heart burst with love and pride for every one of them.

Tonight I'm back home. While I sit here missing each and every one of them, I think about where each of them are headed. Some are in middle school, others high school and the rest are headed to college this fall. With my own impending move to Denver, I know I'll see them even less than I have these past two years. I pray they continue their relationships with Jesus. I pray that they remember they have each other. I pray they know they are loved and that this was not just a "mountaintop experience."

And, I think back over the week and realize...once again they are my light of the week. Through each and every one of them I saw Jesus this week more clearly than ever. Thank you, Lord, for such a brilliantly bright and loving week.

What an incredible week

Hello, World.

Oh, where to begin. I'm not sure many know this, but I don't do well on my own. I figure it's my parents' fault for having so many kids, throwing me in day care and then, there's the whole public schooling thing. People were always around. Well, this week my sister is up to her usual shenanigans with work and her boyfriend. And, Susan is off on vacation with her family. That leaves me home at night alone with the puppies. This adds up to a minimal level of productivity and too long on the computer wasting time until it's bedtime. It makes for a long week, but I'm coping.

Then, there is the fact that I think we found an apartment out in Denver. I've been working with the Leasing Office this week to get the applications squared away. That's the good news. The bad news is that I'm totally freaking out about how much stuff I have. I think I'm going to have to kick it up on a notch on the sorting and giving to charity.

Finally, the great news. (I've been building up for the excitement. Did you notice?) Long, long ago when email addresses weren't common and 8th Graders were intimidating, my family moved from Richland Center, WI to Sparta, WI (62 whole miles). I was in the 7th grade; we had lived in Richland Center for 5 years. That was the longest I had lived anywhere. Well, I thought the world was ending. Surprisingly, it didn't. I did lose touch though with a lot of good people and friends. A few relationships stretched out over snail mail, but eventually we all drifted apart. This week though, thanks to the glories of the internet and Facebook, I have found a few of those childhood friends. And, I am tickled pink about it! I don't know how hard it is to rekindle friendships from over half a life ago (I still struggle with those just from high school at times), but I'm sure going to try. Today I've just been grinning thinking of these girls and how they impacted who I am today.

It has been a good week. It hasn't been easy, but it has been good. Now, I should do something productive and not on the computer. Anyone up for coming and cleaning a lil' with me?