It's a win-win-win situation

I recently experienced the odd sensation of being laid off, offered a severance package and then being told that I have another job offer with the same company and same department. I went from freaking out to confused, all in about ten minutes. I’m sure there’s a better way to break that news. Here’s what I was told: “Hey your position is being terminated. Here’s the severance package and your last day is today. Thanks for all of your hard work. Oh, and if you want it – there’s a position with another team and it’s yours if you want it. I just need an answer by tomorrow morning.” But here’s an alternative they could have considered: “Hey, we have to downsize, but we have another option for you. Blah, blah, blah.” But, I’m over it now and luckily still have a job!

At the beginning of August I house sat for my friend, Sherry. Sherry and her husband were going out of town and I was asked to stay at the house and watch their dog Rocky. Rocky and I are pretty good friends; I’ve watched him about three other times. Well, this visit was going fairly normal. I work farther away from Rocky now than I did the last few times I watched him, so I wasn’t always able to go home and let him out to use the bathroom at lunch; but we found a way to make it work. Well the day before Sherry came home, I let Rocky out to use the bathroom and then I got busy cleaning the house. After an hour I realized that I hadn’t heard Rocky at the back door ‘knocking’ to get back in. I went outside to get him and I couldn’t find him. I looked all over the backyard, called his name, searched under the deck (one of his sleeping spots) and in the garden shed. After calling his name for 10 minutes, my worst fears came true – Rocky had escaped! I ran outside with his leash and just...