Friday, February 20, 2009

Is is Summer Yet?

In summer, the song sings itself. ~William Carlos Williams

It snowed last night. I took Dakota out at 2:30 a.m. and it was snowing. A lot. And had been snowing a lot for a while. Clearly I am not paying close enough attention to the weather reports, as I had no idea it was supposed to snow. Or perhaps I am in denial.

My local Agway has their seeds out. And the starter kits and peat pots and other horrible temptation. I don't have a greenhouse. I need one, oh-so badly, but I don't have one. So when I opt to start seeds, they end up taking over all the windows in the house. Since I usually start in March and can't plant until the end of May... it's a little crazy. Last year I chose to buy plants instead, and I probably will this year as well. But those little packets of seeds? They call to me.

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Dakota has her AKC Canine Good Citizen test today. Excuse me while I laugh..... :::collects self:::
Okay. The simple fact is this: although she is a sweet, smart dog without a mean bone in her body -- she doesn't always behave. She's a baby with a bundle of energy and tons of goodwill toward nearly everyone.

So? "Sit for a greeting"? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Nope... she stands with her entire body wagging. She doesn't jump (much), but to keep all that excitement under control enough to SIT while she meets someone? Doesn't happen.

Then there's the ever popular "Heeling through a crowd". Note: that's a "crowd" of people AND dogs. So, uh... nope. She's supposed to not pay any attention to anyone, and simply stay calmly glued to my side. There are two flaws to this plan. 1. The 'heel' part. You all have been with me since the beginning and know that I have NOT been able to leash train this girl. 2. the "through a crowd" part. She's ridiculously friendly, and wants to say hello to EVERYONE.

The rest of the stuff is a no-brainer for her. She sits, lies down, stays, doesn't care if you handle her at all (look at her teeth, ears and paw? No problem... see: (forgive the sepia tones -- I have a budding professional photographer on my hands)



She doesn't have separation anxiety ... so that's all good. But the fact is, if she flunks one part, she flunks the test. There are no grades here -- it's Pass or Fail.

Ah, the joy.

Still... she's cute and even smiles for the camera:



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9 comments:

Ceri Hebert said...

Best of luck to Dd! Love the picture of her smiling. Such character.

I didn't realize the weather went downhill again. Luckily I checked to school closing list because the kid's school has a 2 hour delay. Of course they didn't delay anything yesterday. Don't get it.

Sarita Leone said...

I am seriously at the end of my snow rope. The. End.

Really.

Sweet smiling photo! :)

MomJane said...

I feel sort of badly now that I raved about the sunshine and warm weather here. Snow is the only thing I DON'T miss in New England.

Dakota is VERY cute.

Keri Mikulski said...

Too cute!! I've had it with winter too!!!! Urgh.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Awww...too cute. :)

Anonymous said...

Dakota is adorable and I think it stinks that you can only be a Good Citizen if you act like a stick in the mud. Hmph.

I so want to go back to the desert to live. I'm tired of all this wacky weather.

Brandy said...

I wish we had gotten some snow this year. I know the kids do too!
Good luck with the test today for Dakota! Her smiling photo is adorable!

Have a good day!

Dru said...

I hope Dakota does well. They should give out something for effort.

We're getting snow tomorrow.

Melissa McClone said...

Great pics. Hugs on the snow. I know you're done with it. It was sunny here, but cold. Hang in there spring isn't that far away!