The Bright Side

sunshine and tulips

Today we enjoyed sunshine, blue skies and 54 degree weather on our hike around Lake Harriet.  Signs of spring were everywhere.  The ice on the lake is beginning to melt all around the edges.  I have a feeling sparkling blue water isn't far off. We saw pairs of ducks and geese quietly paddling in the open water, enjoying the warm weather. Cheerful little chickadees hopped from branch to branch and we spied a few trees beginning to bud.  Yes! 

All of that springiness inspired a quick re-do of the foyer table.  It's time for tulips and bunnies and colored eggs.  I can't wait for 60 degree weather and more sunny days.  Happy spring, everyone!

Oh, and Sophie found a cozy spot for a snooze.  All in all, a great day!

 

fur baby #2 and a half

So far on this blog, I have introduced our yellow lab, Katie and our black and white cat, Sophie. Now, I'd like to introduce our fur baby number 2 and a half, Zack.  Zack-Attack. Bizzz-ACK-o! I say he's only "a half" because he technically belongs to my daughter, Chrissie. So, he lives with her at college and comes home with her whenever she comes here to stay. Here's a picture of him as a kitten last summer right after she adopted him from the humane society.

Zack is a lot bigger now, but he is still bursting with that kitten energy, as he demonstrates here for us on top of Chrissie's fridge.

Even so, he does pretty well coming from Chrissie's apartment where he rules the roost to our busy house with 2 cats and a dog. Emma, our oldest cat basically endures his presence and gives him a wide berth. Our other cat though, Sophie, has this sort of bonkers relationship with him. One minute they're tumbling and tussling, complete with biting, hissing and spitting. Then, the next minute they're in a heap in the corner, grooming each other and purring. Crazy cats! 

It's always the same routine though, when Chrissie packs up Zack and goes back to school. Ten minutes after they've gone, Sophie is wandering the house howling for Zack. There's never a dull moment around here! Wouldn't have it any other way.

fur baby #2: our katie girl

My camera is on the fritz!  So, while I deal with those technical difficulties, I will just have to make use of some older photos I have on hand and tell you about another one of our fur babies. Today, I would like to introduce our 7 year old yellow lab, Katie.  She is your typical, happy go lucky, slightly goofy labrador retriever.   

Water + Frisbee = Happy Dog

A Few Reasons Why We Love Our Katie Girl

1.  Olympic Gold Worthy Swimming Endurance.  Katie LOVES to swim in the lake.  When we visit a lake cabin, we have to watch her like a hawk and force her to take breaks.  Otherwise, she will just keep swimming until she literally begins to sink in exhaustion.  (It probably isn't polite to mention here, her extreme fear of jumping off the dock.  It's sort of embarrassing when my husband has to lower her into the water like a toddler or something, because she is too afraid to jump.) 

2.  Kangaroo Impersonation is Spot-On.  Whenever Katie gets really excited, she actually morphs into some sort of crazed kangaroo right before your eyes. It's true! For example, if she hears the faintest click of one of those laser lights being turned on, she tucks her rear end way under and begins hopping around the house like a rabid kangaroo.  It is hilarious.

3.  Helicopter Mode.  When Katie's happy, her tail wags back and forth, but if you start sweet-talking her, she switches her tail to wag in a circular pattern. She looks like a helicopter about to take-off. It's fun to mess with her and switch our speaking tone back and forth from regular to sweet, over and over, and watch her tail try to keep up with the changes. This is the first dog I've ever had, so I don't know if all dogs do this.  Do all dogs have a helicopter mode? 

4.  High Tolerance of All Things Feline.  Sharing a home with 2 cats isn't always easy, but she puts up with all of their teasing and fickleness (hiss-nuzzle-purr-hiss) without batting an eye. She's very nearly a saint in this department.  

5.  Sweetness Factor.  Above all, we love Katie because she is sweet, loving and knows just when you need a snuggle.  (Let's just try and ignore the toy kitten clenched tightly in her jaws as she dreams, merely a wee bit of wishful doggie thinking.)

Do you have a slightly crazed dog at your house? I'd love to hear about them.

fur baby #1: the cuddler

You know how cats are suppose to be all aloof and cynical?  Well, somebody forgot to let our cat Sophie in on that little fact.  This cat is such an attention hound! I'm surprised she doesn't sit up and beg. 

Sophie is sooo over the moon in love with my husband, that it is almost embarrassing for him.  Many mornings when he comes down for breakfast, she'll hop on the back of a chair to greet him. Putting one paw on his chest and one on his cheek, she'll look deep into his eyes.  It is the craziest (albeit disturbing) thing!

Oh sure, Sophie gives me plenty of attention, too. Yeah, like when Paul isn't home. He he. Anytime I sit still long enough, she'll snuggle up close and doze. It's nice. Homeschooling at our house just does not happen without her flopping down in the middle of everything. Heaven forbid something important happens without Soph in attendance!

She was a shelter cat and bringing her home was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Her sweet personality brings plenty of sunshine into our lives each and every day. We love her to pieces!

I'd love to hear about your fur babies. Anyone else out there have a cat that didn't get the "cats are aloof" memo?