"Welcome Sweet Springtime..."

I guess I shouldn't be surprised when we get a March snow storm in Ohio. When we were married 45 years ago on March 20, we were married in a snow storm. I usually expect that we will have snow around our anniversary. This year, however, was a fooler. We had such warm weather and we were wearing light jackets on the 20th. No snow then or for days after. Until last night. A rain storm turned to ice and snow when the temperature dropped. So we had another spring time storm.

Emme is not crazy about going out in the rain or even when the ground is wet and soggy after a storm. In contrast, she loves snow. She has no difficulty going outside to take care of her business and eat a little snow a couple times a day.

The good thing about March snows is that they melt quickly. Our weather is predicted to go into the 60's by Wednesday. Welcome Sweet Springtime!

What is This Little Creature?

When Eric, Katherine and Calvin came to visit you could almost hear Emme thinking, "What is this little creature? Is is a dog like me or is it a very small person?" Emme has had little experience with small children, just a few visits from the children of nieces and nephews. She has had no experience with infants.

You could almost see her processing the information. How does it smell? Why does the smell change from time to time? Where do these noises come from? Is it competition? All in all, Emme handled herself quite well. But I don't know what she decided about our visitor.

"For Those of You Who Have Pets..."

The following was sent to me by a friend from my quilt guild. I thought it belonged in the Pupdate.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PETS, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
FOR THOSE THAT DON'T, IT IS A TRUE STORY.


The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.
Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.


The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.


I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.


For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.


The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog's or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.


Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:


TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals.. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.


Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;
(7) don't smoke or drink,
(8) don't want to wear your clothes,
(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children .....

Emme Meets Calvin

Eric, Katherine and our new grandson Calvin came fromWashington DC for a visit this weekend. They are traveling to Ohio and Indiana to introduce Calvin to his great-grandparents. Calvin has three great-grandparents who don't travel and so Eric and Katherine decided to make the "Great Grandparent Trek" to introduce Calvin to them.

This was the first time Emme and Rudy met Calvin as well. Emme and Rudy have had little experience with babies and we were not sure what to expect. It went pretty well. Rudy sniffed Calvin a few times and then decided that his lovie was more interesting. Emme loved to smell Calvin and was very interested in his toys. She did pretty well staying off the play mat when Calvin was on the floor. Some times the temptation was just too much and she had to step on the mat for a close up sniff so she needed periodic reminders to stay off the mat. But we all had a great visit.

Emme and Rudy Meet Calvin

Playing with Grandpa and the Dogs from Eric Nuzum on Vimeo.

Here is a video of Ken, Emme and Rudy playing with Calvin.