Snug as a bug...

Brrrr

When it's as cold as it has been no one wants to go outside. And with a projected high of 6 degrees, with wind chills in the negative, the dog doesn't want to go out either. But, the 6 degrees is feeling like a little heat wave after we didn't get above freezing for three days. I truly can't even fathom what the first settlers were thinking when they got here. "Hey, it's negative 20 and theirs 5 ft of snow and insulation hasn't been invented yet... I know, let's stay here"... Sounds about right... Ok, enough griping about the weather, but just so you know, I'm allowed to do that; I didn't move here by my choice. (There's this whole being in love with my husband thing. Proof that love will make you deal with anything.) Today Sparkle couldn't take it anymore and she wanted to go out. The first time I opened the door a BIG gust of wind came through and she just backed up. I swear I heard her say, "Are you serious? I'm not going out in that. I can totally hold it." But she has been just itching to run. So after the third time, no wind gusts to scare her off, she ran out the back door. She hit all her favorite spots in the back yard, in less then five minutes; this usually takes 10-15. Then from the far end of the yard she sprinted to the door. Total time outside five, maybe six minutes. Usually a jaunt in the backyard will go at least 15 minutes. She ran into the house and did the "after-bathnpuppy sprint" (if you've ever owned a dog, you know what I mean). This same thing happened about four times today. Yes even the three tries to go outside. On the last outing when I let her in my youngest took off her coat. I'm guessing she thought Sparkle was cold because when I came down stairs this (the picture) is what I saw. My little one turned on the fire for her and then put a blanket on her. 

Dog Fail!

 So this was Sparkle today, when she wasn't running in the back yard. I understand the need to relax when you've spent 30 minutes running around with a ball in your mouth. But there are certain things a dog is suppose to do, and one of those things is clean the floor. There was about a five month period when we didn't have any dogs. I really don't like it, for many reasons. One of the reasons and perks, if you will, of owning a dog and having small children is that the dog cleans up the floor. When we didn't have a dog I would have to sweep four to five times a day. So today Miss Sparkle failed in her dog duty, she was a little to occupied with playing in the backyard. There were things on the floor that needed her attention and she just wanted to run in the backyard. Ok, now I'm not to upset, seeng how the temps are going to drop below what Siberia would consider cold, but seriously, it doesn't take that long for a dog to "vacuum" up some Cheerios and a piece of bread crust. It would take me longer to get out the broom and dust 

pan... Come, tell me I'm wrong. Dog Fail!

Shhhh....

Let sleeping .....

Kids, dogs, adults... Sleeping in our household is never something you can do alone. If it isn't one of the girls, it's a dog or a cat or all of the above. But it is mostly "nap time" that this is an issue, as everyone has their own beds and keeps to them; for the most part. Mostly the the top offender is Sparkle. She sees you,"Oh are we taking a nap, great I was just thinking  I could use one of those." It doesn't matter if its the kids, the cat or me, if there is space for her to curl up next to you is there (or if there isn't), she'll be there to take in the nap with you. But her favorite to curl up with would have to be my youngest daughter. And she is less likely to mind if my little one joins her after she's already settled in. I'm really glad that is the case because my little one has been taking naps with the dogs ever sense she could crawl. I have pictures of her curled up with Cora, my Rottie.  But the cutest is when Sparkle joins her, that's when you know the love is mutual.