Saturday was eventful. It was the day of the Christmas lunch so we were off to Kentville. If that sounds a bit off, it is the lunch during which we choose names for the Christmas stockings. That gives nine months to accumulate items for the person whose name you drew. These are serious Christmas stockings. At the opposite end of the scale, we are saying good by to Sophie. Only on her last day was she unable to play ball. It will be a different house without this wonderful old dog. She offered us much in her consummate dignity, zest for the outdoors and for life. She was so much part of the fabric of Regalridge - with never a cross word for a person or another dog. We hope you might raise a glass to her at dinner tonight.
The kennel is busy. Jasper and Maddie arrived with their gear and smiles on their faces. They know the routine, trot out of their runs to the number three yard and take off with gay abandon to sort out who has been there and what is needed in the way of their ministrations. Shadow is in herding mode - Jake and Abby Labs are her flock and although somewhat bemused are humouring the Sheltie instinct. They are, all three, having a huge time outside. The resident Golden has decided that all toys belong in the exercise yard so all have taken the trip from run to grassy area. One is larger than the Dachshund who is highly supportive of this exodus, lugging the biggest of the stuffed animals as best he can. Barrett found a lovely pink bone that belongs to Piper and was left in the yard when she returned to the house. He is delighted with the treasure and hopes his owner has gone somewhere to find many of them for him. He chases it when thrown and then pounces on it to kill it, returns it to the general area of the throwing arm and waits for the next throw. He kind of missed the part where he is a Setter that 'returns to hand' but he is Barrett after all and marches to his own drummer, fitting right in at Regalridge. The little Cirneco is not a retriever of any sort so while her pal chases the bone, Trebia jumps up and down trying to sort out what Chantelle is doing to make her buddy go away from her. Maggie, the diminutive, is here, replete with her own house. Some days she goes out with Nemo and others she declines that honour. She sits in her doorway able to keep a Yorkie eye on both the inside and outside activity and that suits our Maggie just fine. Sophie is managing her yard and looking forward to spring. She has heard a rumour her people are to return in the spring and is sort of wondering where they are because it has been spring since they left.
Clint has a girlfriend arriving from Massachusetts this week. There were frantic phone calls through the noon hour as their progesterone tests were returned to them with a recommendation that they gas up and get driving. We look forward to the visit - as does Clint. Patti is doing very well and Clem is back in action, living under Lee's feet until Chantelle surfaces - at which point Lee is toast. Scout is working hard at this exercises in anticipation of Agility class on Tuesday. He has perfected push ups and walking around a stool on his hind legs - interesting activities for a dog. Nick made the trip to Kentville and communed with Rascal and Daisy while we had lunch. The little crew are being the little crew - bouncing and barking their way through the day, happy puppies all. Paula is back in the house and firmly in charge of her errant daughter. Viola is much better behaved when her mother is in the house.
Dinner was a light casserole - after the Chinese lunch. With apple pie and ice cream, we were ready for the curling semi-final and a new day.
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