This past weekend I attempted my first try at rollerskating down by the bay with China in tow.

Obstacles:
1. My poor skating ability
2. China's penchant for bolting after squirrels

I was well equipped with my wrist and knee pads and had a little talk with China beforehand. "China, baby, please don't run after the little squirrelleys cuz you'll make momma fall and bleed." It worked. Somewhat.

We had just started out and were going fairly slowly when she made her first attempt to flee. I held on to the leash after she bounded after some creature in the bushes. Fortunately I wasn't going too quickly so I was able to brace myself awkwardly and pull her out whilst yelling at her to stop. Nobody around. Whew.

I wasn't so lucky the second time. We were going at a fairly good pace when she decided she wanted to stop NOW to smell whatever doggies smell by the side of the path. I wasn't going to hold on to her this time so I let go of the leash, and wouldn't you know it, some dude is walking *slowly* towards us in the opposite direction. I can't stop just yet, so while calling for China, I gradually slowed to a point about 20 feet past her before I could turn around and skate back up to her. Meanwhile dude's just sauntering along slowly, watching the whole event unfold. Greeeat. I recover my pooch and we go on our merry little way with no more major drama.

China was pooped after sufficiently embarassing her mom. I think China's mission in life is to find ways to embarass me. From running around with long tendrils of grass connected poop coming out of her butt, to peeing in water reservoirs in front of a large group of Japanese tourists, I think she's done a pretty good job.