What are the chances?
I was in the backyard playing with Judy when she suddenly stopped running back to me. As I walked closer I could see Judy gently nudging the ground. As I moved her away, I saw it -- laying on its side. I thought it was dead but then I saw the gentle rise and fall of its chest. With adrenaline and speed, and Judy chasing me, we ran inside to tell Jake.
Jake! Jake! Jake!
Outside again Jake and I leaned over the fence and watched its little chest rise up and down.
It's still alive. What do we do?
Oh no, what is it doing? Why are its legs stretching like that? Is it dying?
Within a few seconds there was nothing. No rise and fall of its chest. No breath. No beat.
It had died and we were there.
What happened? Was it Judy's intense fetching speed? Was it somehow stunned or injured? Or did it just find this spot in our yard to be its last?
It made me very sad to think about why this happened. What are the chances that we were there the moment it died.
I have never watched anyone or anything die.
I know it is just a little mouse but aren't we all connected?
Aren't we all worried about who the next President is going to be?
Aren't we all worried about the economy?
Aren't we all worried about the environment?
Well, maybe not the mouse...but aren't you?
Vote Obama.
I am.