2003-06-16 | 11:30 a.m.

Don't think that just because you've sheltered, fed and lovingly cared for your dog all of her five years on this Earth that when presented with the choice of either staying loyally by your side or running off into the forest, she will choose you.

I learned this weekend while trying to balance my beer drinking and barbecuing with keeping an eye on my feisty, off-leash Siberian Husky. Needless to say, my dog will no longer be privy to future open outdoor grilling events.

I must admit that I was most impressed with her 'Frogger' skills, however.