Dogs In Heat

It was the hottest day of the year when this savage dog tried to attack me. I hate dogs, I despise dogs. Nothing will ever, and I mean EVER get me to like dogs.

I’ll tell you how it happened. So, I was outside enjoying the blazing sun, wearing my water goggles as I was heading to the local pool for a little dip. Obviously I had to wear my black shorts because who doesn’t like black? Now I know it attracts the sun and yes, I was sweating like crazy. But I didn’t think it would attract a dog. It came out of nowhere–

it came out from behind a car, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that this dog was growling at me and backing me into a corner! Now as a person I had the right to defend myself, so what did I do? I ran. Oh –and I threw a rock at it.

It was chasing me down the road.

bark bark bark.

That’s all I could hear! So I ran around the block and back into my home. It sits above a café by the way, I shut the door so hard, I thought it might have fallen off its bloody hinges.

So that’s where I’m currently up to now, and I’m really sweating. I don’t know what to do! A scary dog is downstairs, and all the water is turned off because of a break in the pipes! Todays just absolutely hopeless.

Sighing I take off the goggles and lay them down beside me on the side table, looks like there’s no pool today... I was sitting on this dirty grey-green couch that my grandma had given me as a welcome present on finally living alone.

Man am I beat…

I look around the room. A meager fan running in the corner shooting hot air around the room. The room itself was old, dirty-brown looking with flower wallpaper peeling, windowsills sticky and frosted glass making it so you can’t see outside. No matter how much you clean this place it still looks like bum.

I wish I had it easier. Somewhere with nice cooling and comfort, not this… shack.

Looking beside me, I spot a zebra print blanket. I don’t know why its even out, its too hot and sweaty plus the stripes are making me feel nauseous. But it also reminds me of the desert, the way the animals have to live in it. Constantly battling the heat and trying to find a stable source of water. Security.

Hiding out from predators, having their skin blending in with nature, their legs built to run on first sound, and having support from others as they’re always in a group, rarely out alone.

Picking up the blanket I put it away, hiding it from the heat in the laundry closet. There. A little security for you now. Scratching my head I question to myself, what to do… what to do…

Maybe a cup of milk, that’ll cool me down!

The kitchen wasn’t much better than the lounge room. It had a white bench with chips in the wood, the sink is clean, with dishes drying beside it on the dish rack. Curtains above it pulled back letting the light gleam into the kitchen, filling it with warmth. Not even safe from the heat in here.

Now where was the milk? Of course. On the bench… I have long life milk because I don’t own a fridge, and its just my luck that today is a steamy day! Hopefully not spoiled, its still somewhat morning.

I lift up the carton and bring it to my nose inspecting it, I need to be thorough about this. Not spoilt, yet anyway. I better be off just drinking some before I have to chuck it.

I grab a mug and pour the warm milk into it, hoping that the mug can cool it down somewhat. Finally I have a taste test, the milk was warm. Aftertaste not much better as I could feel the fat coagulating on my tastebuds, ugh… Now even I don’t feel safe, no security from this bloody heat anywhere. Not the safety of outside, not the safety on the couch, not in food, just not even in my house. This is no home.

I wish I had money to buy a fridge, it should be basic rights! But no. Struggle it is.

I give up on this, I pour the milk down the sink, what a waste of hard-earned cash. I wipe my hands on my shorts and look for another thing to do. One last thing before I lose myself to boredom. I see my only kitchen towel; it was a plain yellow rectangle.

Looking like the warm sun it fills me with warmth; I yank it from where its hanging and walk to the bathroom. Hopefully the water is back on… Testing my luck I put the yellow towel in the sink and turn the tap on.

Water ran.

It was a bit brown at first but it got clear. Score! Finally, something good happened around here! I wringed it out slightly and put it on my forehead to cool me down. Ah this is it… This is needed. I look up into the mirror, I saw my teal eyes reflecting back at me, the only other thing keeping me cool in this heat.

My hair is white but its starting to yellow from the dye fading out, but it might have just been the lighting, it was this dingy yellow light, the kind moths would flutter around.

No, it definitely was just my hair. This day may have not been that great but I mean most days are like that. Fighting for life, being able to have a chance to live and not just be alive. The constant search for safety in this desert.

Now looking back on it, that dog is probably struggling just as bad as I am in this retched.

Maybe dogs aren’t so bad after all.