Missy Goes Swimming

A kind reader asked about Missy and wanted me to give an update.  Missy is doing well these days.  She is now 6 1/2 years old, and she is slowing down a bit these days.  During the spring, Missy sheds an enormous amount of dog hair.  It is everywhere.  I brush, vacuum, and brush again.  This is a daily adventure in our house, and we are still afraid to wear dark colors.  This is the very reason that Missy will be our first and last English Mastiff.  I can handle everything about her except the mounds of dog hair in the spring and fall.  What is a frustrated pet owner to do?  This frustrated pet owner took her to the pond and encouraged her to swim.  I was thinking that maybe some of the hair would wash away.

We have avoided introducing Missy to the pond.  What is worse than dog hair?  The answer...a 220 pound wet dog with wet dog hair!  I overcame my fear of a large wet beast frolicking in my house and took her for a swim.  She was unsure at first.  She wanted to make sure we were watching her.  After all, if she needed to be rescued she wanted to know that we were available.

She eventually worked up the courage to actually swim.  She also realized that she could have a good time without over exerting herself, which was a positive from her perspective.  Now all I have to do is figure out a way to have her use a bar of soap!  By the way, the battle of the dog hair is still being fought on a daily basis in our home.  My advice to you...if you come to visit me don't wear black!

grace and peace,
julie

Back Again

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind for the York household.  Between baseball games and basketball practice, I haven't figured out if I am coming or going.  Our computer also got damaged by lightening so that was another reason that I have been so quiet. 

What have you missed?  Well, Spring Break has come and gone.  We enjoyed a week of being at home without all the responsibilities of school.  However, Jacob still played baseball throughout the week.  Easter has also come and gone.  I served Easter dinner on our front porch this year.  The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed the company of our neighbors for the day.  I have also discovered several new recipes that I want to share when time is more abundant.  Oh, we have added our first "critters" to the farm.  (If you have read my blog for any length of time, these are the same critters that I really don't like.  However, I do enjoy what they produce so we have given them a home).  We have also planted part of our garden, but we have a lot left to do! 

I hope to post more often.  Until then...

grace and peace,
julie