Family Renovation – Episode 8
I am writing to defend Lola, our Labrador.
I don’t stop to appreciate how much she adds to the culture of our household often enough. Regardless of the level of chaos (which generally ranges from high to higher), when the front door opens (even though the kids know they are to use the backdoor), Lola jumps down from the armchair in the livingroom (even though she knows she’s not supposed to sit there) and frenetically greets them with tail wagging. When someone enters our house, they know they are loved by Lola unconditionally.
This love was not returned by the construction crew. A great deal of this week’s episode revolves around Lola being falsely accused by the crew while raw sewage floods our basement.
I am not sure if HGTV tracks these matters but I am pretty sure this week’s episode eclipses all records for references to and visuals of poop.
Allow me to summarize: our toddler is toilet training, Lola is (perhaps) expressing her displeasure via her bowels, and the one toilet we have is completely backed up thanks to some tree roots in the City’s pipe. The crew, convinced that the poop is Lola’s and the fluid is from the washing machine, dither and dawdle about getting a plumber. They roll their eyes at my sense of urgency. At the end of their day, despite earlier assurances otherwise, I am told that no plumber is coming. They leave with the basement a mess. I get the plumber.
My blood still boils as I remember this day. (I am not letting my husband watch this episode for fear of apoplexia).
Some people divide the world into two categories: my problem or your problem. I prefer people who see a problem and, before going through a judgment process, look to solve it.
Like Lola: when the door opens, someone needs to know they are loved. She solves the problem without asking questions.
