Honestly, I don't know how my hubby puts up with me!  From goofy to grouchy I am one hard woman to live with!  And the things I ask him to do sometimes make him shake his head in wonder.  This past weekend he and the boys were out of town leaving me all alone. He took the oldest 3 boys camping at their Royal Rangers Pow Wow and our youngest spent time with his buddy since I had to work. 
My biggest fear about being alone was taking care of the dogs.  That is one thing I never have to worry about.  When they get dirty - the boys bathe them.  When they get ticks - the boys and hubby remove them.  I was not looking forward to taking on those jobs.
But my biggest challenge was calling our male Jack Russell inside after he spends time outdoors.  Our girl Jacks listen well and come right when I call them but that male dog is stubborn.  He must know he doesn't "have" to listen to a woman - I am not alpha male.  I knew he would spend all weekend wandering the woods, tromping through the creek, get filthy digging for moles, picking up tons of ticks - all while happily ignoring my calls for him to come home.
Thankfully, I came up with a solution.  I asked hubby to record himself calling the dogs inside so I could play it back on a portable radio when I needed to.
He thought I was crazy!  But being my hero - he did it for me - with the boys and I giggling in the background the whole time.  It seemed so silly!
I wasn't sure if it would work but it was the only thing I could come up with. 
Soon after they left I let the dogs outside.  When I called them in the girls came right away, but Arrow was too busy - laying in the grass sunning himself.  When I called him, he just looked at me, slowly blinking because of the bright sunshine.  I tried calling his name in a nice sweet voice, then in a deep stern voice - nothing.  His look said it all: 
"Can you keep it down, you're disturbing my vitamin D absorption"
He closed his eyes and turned his head away from me.
So, I had no other choice - I got out my secret weapon - a MAN!  I hit that play button and as soon as that dumb dog heard my husbands voice he came running up onto the deck with his tail between his legs. 
I ended up using that tape all weekend and Arrow never did figure out that his boss was not really there. 
I wonder what the neighbors thought.
Isn't that something!  I am amazed at the power and authority men have!  God gave men the job of ruling over the animals and clearly He also let the animals know who's in charge.  I am glad I have the protection and power of my man over me.  A weekend without him made me even more aware of what life would be like without my alpha male!