GPS...and not the technology kind

Two summers ago, I went to friend's place in the Ozarks. I decided to take advantage of my new surroundings and go for a run...I like going to new places and exploring them through running.

My friend and her family instructed me on the best route to go where I would run into the least amount of traffic. Now, as many of you don't know, I am HORRIBLE with remembering verbal directions and have absolutely NO internal compass (foreshadowing here...if I could make the sinister DA-DA-DUM noise you hear in horror movies right now I would).

So, I head out on my merry way. I'm enjoying my surroundings, appreciating the beauty of nature. About 2 miles into my run, I came upon a house with a dog sittin' out front. He wasn't chained up, so he just popped right up when he saw me and decided to trot along side me as I ran. Being a dog owner myself, I was concerned that the dog would get lost and I tried to encourage him to go home.....he wasn't having anything to do with that business. He was determined to keep me company. When I turned left, he turned left. When I sped up, he sped up. I had found myself a vacation running partner.

Several lefts and rights later, I had NO idea where I was and (of course) all the street names sounded similar. It was getting hotter and hotter out and I already had ran about 5 miles. I was getting concerned that I was going to pass out on the side of the road without water if I didn't figure out how to get back to my friends' place. My runnin' bud just looked up at me with a happy grin. I looked back at him and thought, "He's a dog. I bet he has that internal compass that knows exactly where his house is...I know how to get back to my friends from his house. I'll follow the dog!" So, I let GPS (my nickname for him) lead the way. Three miles later, wouldn't you know it, we were right back where we started....at his house. When we reached his yard, he just trotted on over to his lounging spot in the shade and plopped himself down....and grinned at me as if to say, "I got your back."