A Day at the Dog Track
I’m not what you’d call a big time gambler. But I like to go to the dog track because my kids are allowed to come and watch the dogs race. One Saturday morning my wife and I were talking and decided we were bored. I suggested we make the 75 mile drive and go to the dog track. We asked the kids if they wanted to go and they enthusiastically all said yes.
As the kids piled into the van, I grabbed my wallet and set the ADT Florida home alarm as I went out the front door. We sang songs, told stories and laughed for 75 miles and in no time at all we were at the dog track. To get the kids in we have to go through the tracks’ hotel lobby and then into the seating area of the track. I think it’s great that they let the kids sit and watch the dogs race.
Sometimes I’ll ask my son who looks good in the next race. He’ll check out the dogs as they are paraded out in front of everyone. Then he’ll tell me which one he likes and I’ll go bet $2 on that dog to win. Most of the time the dog he picks loses, but sometimes it wins. Then I’ll share my winnings with him. You would think that dollar or two he gets is a hundred by the way he’s smiling.
Some people might think I’m teaching my kids bad habits at an early age. Bonding is the best word to describe what we do at the dog track. If I were blowing the grocery money, that would be bad. But betting $2 on a few races is an awesome way to have family fun together. The smiles on the kids’ faces is priceless.
Matt Alson wrote this guest post