CRIME THAT DOES PAY

The policewoman hunkered down in the chill of the autumn night, being as quiet as possible. She had heard noises near the third vehicle parked a short distance behind her and had her flashlight pointed there, waiting to power it on. She didn’t want to give away her position too early.

Her older dog’s attention to that same spot convinced her that she was right. Slowly she crept in the targeted direction, then stopped when two shadows appeared from behind the car’s trunk.

“Hands in the air!! Don’t move!!” The thieves, caught by the torch held in the cop’s hand, straightened to do as ordered – the biggest one immediately, the smaller one a little slower. The latter turned and scowled at his partner in crime.

“You said we wouldn’t be seen in the dark!” he accused.

“You guys never had a chance!” crowed the cop. “I got me two smart police dogs!!” At that precise moment, one of the dogs pranced into the light, throwing a ball up into the air before scurrying after it, and paying no attention whatsoever to the thieves standing there. The giggles rang out and the arms came down and the pleading started.

“Come on, Mémère – one more time. Just one. And this time you can’t use the dogs to catch us.” Nalou watched as Smooch came barreling toward us again, still with the ball in his mouth. “Well – you can use THAT dog if you want,” he added. Another round of giggles.

“Bedtime, guys.” said the cop firmly. “Tomorrow’s another day.” And the race was on to see who could get to the top of the stairs first. (The dogs won.)

How long has it been since I’ve played cops and robbers? Hmmm...let me count the years. Then again, let’s not. One thing I will tell you is that the thrill of it is still there.

Kabu’s post about her childhood and the love of a family not so rich in material things, but very affluent in “caring” comes to mind. The electronic era has many good things about it (i.e. Blogit), but it can separate us as much as keep us together if we are not careful. Maybe playing a video game with your child can bring the two of you closer, emphasis on the word ‘with’; the child playing alone is just that...alone. But, at the risk of sounding like an old fogey, I find there is nothing quite like being outdoors, especially after dark in the crisp air, playing imaginary games such as cops and robbers. I’d be willing to bet that the kids sleep much better too. Fresh air and exercising the body are way ahead of just stimulating the brain.

Oh – and not only the children sleep better. The “cop” proved that by being in bed shortly after baths and snacks and hugs. I’m sure that when Morpheus joined us, we were all SMILING.

Luv from the Bush in Quebec