Instinct over intellect

I am not sure what it is about the human mind that it can sometimes shut off when faced with moments of the perception of necessary action, but yesterday I ended up injuring myself in order to stop the dog from getting out the front door.

We had just arrived home from a shopping excursion with my visiting parents - they love to take advantage of the retail opportunities here, so vastly different from those in Canada - and I was meandering up the front walk, checking in with the emerging perennials and snapping off the dead stalks of last year’s growth when my daughter walked into the house ahead of me, but failed to close the door after her. Bob had let the dogs out of their crates on his way up from the basement and Shem, alerted to sound of the open door, was ready to bolt.

When I heard Bob yell “Close the door,” my mind left for vacation, because I suddenly found myself flying through the air in a cerebrally-absent attempt to shut the door.

Up two wooded steps.

Before the DOG, who had his perimeter collar on, got out.

With no thought to what if any damage I might do to myself to stop said dog from getting out.

When I landed, failing to establish door closure - I was trying this from the OUTSIDE - I had shredded two toes and bruised the heck out of my knee.

WHY did I even ponder launching myself at the door when a split second’s consideration would have provided ample reasons why propelling myself forward was injurious folly. I simply wasn’t thinking.

There was no thought, only the need to take care of something and it was frightening to realize how quickly I went into the action mode. This automated response on my part would have made more sense if there had been ANY chance either of my daughters were in danger, and while yes, I do adore my dog, the reaction was ridiculous.

Not to mention painful.

Instinct over intellect.

Ow.