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I don’t know whether you have ever used a handheld, indoor bug zapper, but I think that they are marvelous. I?m talking about the handheld type that looks like a child’s plastic, toy tennis racquet. They come in two basic kinds. I prefer the rechargeable bug zapper, because batteries end up up costing more than the indoor bug zapper itself, although you could always buy rechargeable batteries, but then they are dear as well.

My wife and I like to spend time in the garden. We meet friends there, eat there and in general laze about outside, as do most people about here, when they are not working. Besides, it’s much cooler outdoors than inside. A comfy chair, a few snacks, a chilled drink and a book or a companion and life does not get much better. In fact, it?s idyllic.

That is until about six or seven o’clock when the first squadron of mosquitoes have judged that the sun’s rays have lost enough strength that they will not evaporate and they come out searching for blood. Some evenings are worse than others, of course. More often than not, the mosquitoes are pretty bearable, particularly seeing as I have discovered the indoor bug zapper. (I don’t know why it is called an ‘indoor bug zapper’, it is equally as functional outdoors as in)..

It’s not that I like to slaughter things, but I find it hard to have compassion for mosquitoes. Nevertheless, I do get a certain amount of enjoyment from seeing and hearing mosquitoes and other bugs literally blow up with a flash and a spark as they come into connection with the electric and ground wires of the indoor bug zapper. These electric bug zappers can pack quite a charge, particularly if the batteries are new or the pack is completely charged.

The other day, I discovered a new use for my handheld, indoor bug zapper. I’ll tell you how it came about. I was in the garden, as normal, and my bug zapper was close at hand as the first wave of mosquitoes was due. I had my book in one hand and the bug zapper on my lap, when my wife asked me to go to the shop for her. No problem, therefore, I set off on the five minute walk.

I was half-way there when I realized that I had the indoor bug zapper in my hand, but it was not worth taking it home and beginning the journey again. Anyway, on my return trip, I had my small bag of groceries in one hand and the indoor bug zapper in the other, when a local tyrant of a dog came running out of a garden right for me. This has occurred often and, although he has never bitten me yet, it is quite intimidating. He stood there glaring at me with teeth bared and his ‘pack’ of sundry neighborhood pals came out to surround me and join in.

I don’t honestly know what the best course of action is in this situation. I have tried standing my position, but the intimidation just goes on and I have tried to continue walking, but he gets terrifyingly nearby at times. This time, I suddenly lashed out with the indoor bug zapper and just hit him on the nose. Well, I’m not sure if it hurt him, it did not seem to too much, but it gave him a very nasty shock in more ways than one, I can tell you! He jumped about four feet into the air as if he were on a pogo stick and then fled for all he was worth with all his pals following him. It was very gratifying after six months of harassment from this dog.

Anyway, I don’t take my indoor bug zapper everywhere with me, but I will in future, if any more local dogs trouble me. I know it works a treat. I have seen that one since, but he keeps far away from me and doesn’t utter a squeak. I believe I would take my indoor bug zapper with me, if I were walking in an unfamiliar part of town or the park nevertheless.