Adventures in Virginia

Thursday's weather mimicked the rest of the week - jeepers it's cold outside. The dogs are not amused and all you can see of Ken is his nose by the time he readies himself to walk to the garage or the kennel. The Project is progressing. The upstairs hall is done, the downstairs bathroom is almost complete and we move forward. It looks great. Linda had an adventure in Virginia yesterday. During her evening phone call, she recounted the story of little Maggie Welsh deciding that she would take a tour. When opportunity knocked during the taking out of the recycling, Maggie trotted out the door and out of the front yard. Keep in mind that Maggie has been diagnosed with bladder cancer and has been having chemo therapy for the past year, you recognize that this little dog is determined. For the first time in her decade long life, she decided that she would take a tour of the neighbourhood - without Linda. Off she went, over the icy, slick roads and through the snow (yes, in Richmond Virginia) down the busy Brandermill Parkway and turning up Mill Ridge Parkway in the center of the slippery, rutted road with Linda in hot pursuit. Maggie was suffering a bout of amnesia and completely forgot both her name and the command "come", moving at a determined pace on her way to who knows where with nary a glance back. Linda (remember, she is a retired school principal) was behind Maggie with her two feet somewhat less efficient than Maggie's four, but also in the middle of the road because nobody was going to get past her to hit Maggie. The first person to stop was a young man who parked his vehicle to help. Another car coming in the opposite direction was flagged and as Maggie moved on by, the man opened the back door of his car, called the little Welsh (who is always happy to meet a new friend) and held her until Linda reached him. That was a milestone in the adventure. Linda had the slightly rotund little dog back, had no leash and a mile or so to go to get Maggie home (Arnold Schwartzenegar would be challenged to carry Maggie a few feet). The young man came to the fore again and offered to drive the two home - Linda relieved and Maggie darned proud of herself. Ya gotta love Welsh.



Sophie is bouncing along. Her new playmate is the Cirneco - an almost hairless dog who doesn't approve of the cold temperatures. She comes when called at speed and Sophie follows s fast as she is able. She appears to be trying to figure out how those skinny little legs get such impressive forward momentum.



The house dogs are fine - Sophie is not impressed by either green beans (freshly cooked) or baked sweet potato. She choked down some baked chicken but is truly holding out for hamburger or beef tenderloin. She is in meat mode. Patti had spaghetti on her food and is happy as a clam. Her energy level is incredibly improved with the addition of the potion so her time since her diagnosis has been positive, a true blessing.

Dinner was a winter full meal - roast pork with gravy, potatoes, peas and roasted carrots with gingerbread for dessert. It was a good meal, all was well at the end of this cold day and we are on to another adventure tomorrow.