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September 21, 2007
OFF LEASH: On gates
"Off Leash" is an occasional column by Fiddler. Past columns can be found here.
The recent installation of so-called "baby gates" in the house has led to an unhappy consequence, namely the restriction of my room-to-room movement. Where previously I could, for example, go from the living room to the den, look around, then return to the living room and then, after several minutes, go back to the den, now I cannot. I must pick one or the other.
This constraint may strike some as trivial. What's so great about the den? Why not just stay in the living room? But as soon as one accepts such seemingly inconsequential impingements on one's ability to egress at will, suddenly more oppressive measures appear less unreasonable. Next thing you know you're spending your nights in the laundry room. The slope has been greased.
Which is why I poke my nose through the bars, look up with my big watery eyes, and make a sound that could not fail to arouse pity in even the most hardened of hearts. Works every time.
Posted by teb at September 21, 2007 10:50 AM