Schnitzel with Noodles: Ruby = Brooks' hero

Last weekend, we made the trek up to the Pennsylvania Poconos to visit Brooks' family. To give you perspective as to the remoteness of their area, we lose satellite radio reception several times on our way, the wildlife necessitates a daily trip to the community dumpster (as opposed to backyard trash cans), and we fall asleep to the sound of crickets and wind rustling through the trees each night. After a lifetime in Brooklyn, they really appreciate the tranquility and slower pace.

Well, on Saturday morning at about 7am, I hear the typical Ruby noises, which indicate she's awake and needs to go potty NOW. Despite our best attempts at ignoring her cat-like purrs and whines, Brooks finally got up and began the 5-minute process preparing to take her out (the forest is no place to allow a 10 pound weenie dog off a leash, thus requiring socks, shoes and either bug spray or long sleeves/pants).

Cute, Innocent Ruby Tuesday

So, Brooks and Ruby go outside (me, still snug as a bug in bed) and after about two minutes or so, I hear Ruby barking. She's a small dog with lots to say, so this isn't abnormal...but we do our best to shush her, especially when it disturbs the peacefulness and could awake neighbors. Next, Brooks rushes back into the house to leave Ruby and grab his phone, harshly whispering to me at the same time "There's a [choice word(s) here] Papa bear on the driveway!" Well, 7am or not, that got me out of bed and lo and behold, there was a black bear sauntering past the driveway, through the neighbor's yard!

Apparently, Brooks and Ruby got outside, Ruby wasted no time doing her business and then she started barking, seemingly for no reason, in Brooks' direction. Brooks turned around to see that she was barking at an enormous black bear who was coming towards them (albeit not very fast, but still). Then, Brooks shouted more choice words and they booked it back to the house. Moral of the story: Brooks owes Ruby his life.