Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. Thomas Merton

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

100th Post !!!

My day has gotten off to a great start--rain, puddles of water 2 inches deep in the backyard, and I have to get the dog in because it wasn't raining when John put her on the tie-out after her morning walk. This is part of the morning ritual so she can play a little and bark at squirrels, weather permitting. In good weather, she gets to stay out all day. On days like this, I get the honor of bringing Miss Dixie back into the shelter of her kennel in the garage before the weather gets nasty. Remember, she's an inveterate chewer and cannot be left unrestrained. This is supposed to improve with age, but I'm thinking it must mean increase rather than decrease.

I'd had to leave the house earlier on an errand before it really started raining. By the time I'm back home, it's raining, so I head out back to retrieve the retriever. Trying to avoid the puddles, I manage to step in the muddy hole she's dug at the edge of the patio, slip, fall on my backside, and slide across the concrete, right into the Delighted Dixie.

I can't get up because I have 85 pounds of gloriously happy, wet, muddy Labrador all over me. The wet concrete patio is slick and she's not doing anything to make it easy for me to get up. Each time I almost get my footing, I either slip on the muddy concrete or get knocked back down by the dog. She's just so happy that I have come to play with her in the rain that you can forget any obedience training she's had. Forget "Sit!" Forget "Down!" Forget "No!" Even pushing her and yelling, "Get off me, dammit!" didn't help. Finally getting free of her, I manage to get up and get her into the garage.

Muddy clothes are now in the washer; I'm sore, scraped, have been pawed and licked from head to toe by a wet, muddy Dixie; and I'm not a happy camper. I'm getting in the shower, then taking about 800 mg of ibuprofen, and lying down to take a long winter's nap.

Do Not Disturb.

11 comments:

  1. Wow!

    Maybe you should have treated yourself to some hot chocolate when you are felling a bit better. At least you didn't bash you head and get a concussion into the bargain. Concrete is such an unforgiving surface.
    Are you going to make John bath the dog?

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  2. Lol! A good suggestion, but she was much cleaner than I. I usually get dog bath duty, but he does the early morning walks, so I don't mind so much--in the summer.

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  3. Hi Aunt Melissa! I love the blog! Your story about mud wrestling the dog was hilarious! But I am sorry you ended up sore and scratched up. :(

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  4. Hi there. Found your blog through Disapproving Rabbits! Congrats on the 100th post. Sorry about the little "incident" with your lab. :)
    Take Care,
    Bridget

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  5. Poor you Melissa. What an experience. That Dixie must certainly be some dog. Are you strong enough for a dog like that..haha. Seriously, I hope you are not too hurt and that eventually she will calm down and become obedient...some hope! Congrats on the 100th post. A great achievement.

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  6. Ooooh. I hope you had a really good nap to make up for that!!!! So frustrating.

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  7. Gee! Bad Doggy. Hope you have fully recovered.

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  8. I have one more post to get to my 100th. Contests are fun, maybe I'll do one!!Thank you for all your comments on my blog, and congrats on your 100th post!!

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  9. Rosanne, thanks for the comment via gmail. I don't know why blogger does that sometimes. A couple of other friends have the same problem.

    Re: Sadie, your niece-dog. I wonder if Dixie is ever going to mature beyond the silly goofus puppy stage. She's really a sweetie, but just ADHD.

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  10. Woo-hoo, 100 posts!! I really like your furry friend stories :)

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  11. Lol! Thanks, Alicia. Our fuzzballs make life interesting.

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