December 21, 2009 - I was inspired by the dogs playing in the snow today, as well as by their recent behavior, to write this "poem." 

Dedicated to my four fine freckle-faced friends,
with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways:

 I love thee for the way thou makest elephant ears
when thou art caught doing something naughty.

I love thee for the way thou pretendest thou wast retrieving
when thou art discovered snatching socks from the laundry.

 I love thee for the way thou climbest into my lap uninvited.

 I love thee for the way thou growlest at the other dogs
to let them know my lap belongs to thee alone.

I love thee for not barking at my mother,
for remembering that she’s family
even if thou hast not seen her in months.

I love thee for being delighted to see me again
when I come back inside with the mail,
as if I’d been gone all week.

I love thee for how clean and soft thou feelest after a bath.

I love thee for thy patience
when thou hast been on the grooming table for an hour,
when one hour must feel like 7.

I love thee for thine enthusiasm at mealtime,
as if it’s the most exciting food thou hast ever tasted.

I love thee for the way thou racest to the back door
to bark at sparrows on the deck.

I love thee for the snow that covers thy head
when thou hast been diving into the snow drifts.

 I love thee for the way thou barkest
at the wooden reindeer in the field next door.

 I love thee for the rapt attention thou payest
when I read poetry to thee.

I love thee for thy tail that wag’st
half thy body when thou art happy.

And I love thee most because thou lovest me best.

December 15, 2006

PUPPY ESCAPES KINDERGARTEN--Leads Wild Romp

(South Hadley, MA)  A 3-month-old puppy escaped from her kindergarten class on Wednesday, leading her classmates on a romp through Exercise Finished, a local facility that offers obedience and other dog training classes.

It was during recess that the puppy, a Welsh Springer Spaniel called Randi, slipped through the accordion-style gate that sectioned her class off from the other parts of the building.  A German Shepard pup tried to follow but her head didn't fit, and the structure tumbled over.

A parade of puppies, including a Golden Retriever, English Springer, Bernese Mountain Dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and a cockapoo, seized the opportunity and raced after the Shepherd.  While Randi slipped into an adult obedience ring, the others raced down a hallway to the door, with a line of owners, leashes in hand, in hot pursuit.

While one assistant stood by helplessly laughing, another assistant retrieved the Welsh Springer from the obedience ring.  The other pupils were rounded up and sent back to their classroom.  Recess was brought to an immediate halt, and the recalcitrant students were returned to their mats. 

The guilty party who instigated the breakout was seen panting happily with what appeared to be a canine smile on her face.  A rumor that the assistant who was laughing was related to the puppy’s teenaged owner could not be confirmed at press time.

The instructor was quoted as saying, "We haven't an escape that good in a long

time."

 (Catherine Lee for WSS News Service)

December 15, 2006

PUPPY ESCAPES KINDERGARTEN--Leads Wild Romp

(South Hadley, MA)  A 3-month-old puppy escaped from her kindergarten class on Wednesday, leading her classmates on a romp through Exercise Finished, a local facility that offers obedience and other dog training classes.