“But, Dad …”

“I know you have been scared of dogs since you were thirteen when that dog jumped out of a car and bit you on the arm. You should have confronted your fear back then and taken care of what has now become a major phobia.”

“But, Dad …”

“I’ve talked with her owner and she does not even remember the incident it was so minor. In fact, she says that Precious has never attacked anyone.”

“But, Dad …”

“She has even agreed to helping with our little challenge. You just have to screw up your courage and walk by the open front door of her car – and nothing will happen.”

“But, Dad …”

“Besides, Precious is pretty elderly in dog years. She is too old to attack anyone. She said she would put Precious on the front seat of the car so you can walk by and conquer your fear. Look, there she is at the window watching and waiting for you to show your courage as a grown man. Go on. We will all be proud of you.”

“But, Dad …”

“Sometimes, I wonder if you have a single iota of courage. They should have named you after Leo, the cowardly lion. Let go of my arm! That hurts.”

“But, Dad …”

“Oh, alright, you namby-pamby, I will get out and walk to the front door to show that it is perfectly safe! If you do not walk up there after this, you are through as my son.”
(car door slams)

“See, perfectly safe. There is nothing to fear …”

Cats, dogs, and catfights.

Some of the residents have pets. Cats are confined by their slaves to the personal home apartment. One new cat-fearing resident refused to move in on the fourth floor after she learned one of the apartments was rented by a couple Burmese attack felines.

Dogs are taken for walks around the building. They have to be carried when they outside of an apartment. This kind of rules out Great Danes and Siberian Huskies. Some people wheel their dog outside in walker baskets or shopping carts. It is quite disconcerting when the blind dog being carried turns his head and "looks" at me in the elevator.

I assume there are some fish and canaries around the building, but no Boa Constrictors. I wrapped a couple rubberized snakes on my balcony railing to discourage the pigeons. They also keep my housekeeper away.

Getting back to the cats, four of the commode cleaner/food servers got into a catfight the other day. Three commode cleaner/food servers quit on the spot.

AsA

Abandon the search for Truth; settle for a good fantasy!