Spring changes in the air

It's been a little strange around the manor the past two weeks. Something weird is going on because Mom has been home a lot lately. Like, seriously a lot. I like it, but it hasn't been all the fun you'd think it would be. Mom and Dad keep talking about getting or not getting "COVID-19." I don't know what that is, but it better not be another skanky cat. Loki is enough!

Our pack is fine the size it is, even with Loki. I guess he's not really much trouble. I even allow him to sleep with me some nights as long as he doesn't get between me and Mom.

Mom does something called "telecommuting." I think all that means is she does stuff for her job from home. That's nothing new, though. She's always done that. She says she can do more and do it better from home since Dad and I keep quiet and let her work. That doesn't happen at her office in town. I give telecommuting my paw print of approval, especially if it will keep Mom and Dad from getting COVID-19. 

One thing I don't get is why Mom isn't bowling. Bowling is her thing. She even gave me one of her old bowling balls to play with! I love to bowl, too! It's a lot of fun. Maybe Mom will get the ball out for me today. That would be so cool! 

Yesterday, Mom sprinkled grass seed all over the front yard. The day before yesterday, Mom and Dad took the John Deere 1023 around the yard and cut off a bunch of low-hanging branches. They burned a little brush pile that was really on cousin Dave's property so Dad can mow that spot. I got to help them once the fire was going, but I wasn't allowed to help them prune branches. It seems I'm not real good at watching what's happening over my head. 

There's more to do. I heard Mom say she wants Dad to take the backhoe and scrape out a shallow trench along the back stone fence so she can separate daffodils and have more bloom next year. I don't get it. We have a lot of daffodils already. Why does Mom need more? 

It's worrisome. If Mom likes to have more of what she loves, does that mean she wants another puppy? Or another cat? 

Or worse, does she want a frog??? The peeper frogs were finally singing last night and Mom told me she loves to hear them because it means the cold weather is really over until next winter. I'm saying no to frogs. No, no, no. 

I'd better pay closer attention to what's really going on around here! I need to head Mom off at the pass! 


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Note from Mom: Deuce is only four and he doesn't need to know everything about the COVID-19 epidemic. We don't want to worry him. If the worst happens, we'll explain to him he might have to go live with cousin Dave, but until that becomes a possibility, we want him to be a happy four-year-old. 

Thirty Days of Deuce: Day 21 - I'm tired of having cold paws

Can I whine? 

I'm a pretty tough guy. I've been outside in hot sun, rain, snow, ice, wind - it's what guys do when they have to go...you know.  It's not a problem. But I gotta tell ya, I'm tired of my paws being cold. 

You won't see Mom going outside without her shoes or slippers unless it's the middle of summer. I'm Deuce. I'm a dog. I don't have shoes. My paws might be furry, but they still get cold. 

Take today, for instance. It was a sunny day, but it didn't get very warm. Dad and I went outside about three-thirty. We went in and out the lane, and there was still ice over the gravel. Ice is cold.  We'd only been back inside for a few minutes and then Mom came home and we went back out the lane again. Over the ice. 

I think I'm ready for spring, but Mom is shaking her head at me. She reminded me spring means rain and mud and tracking mud into the house is not a good thing. Maybe she's right. Wet paws stay cold longer. 

Then again, spring means jumping in the creek. Almost all of me will be wet.

You know what, Mom? Bring on spring!! 

Snow sucks

Do I look like a happy dog to you? I'm not. Mom and Dad told me it's now spring. Really? I've been waiting and waiting for this spring thing to get here and it was a bust, let me tell you. 

I thought spring would be a good thing. Mom promised me more walks in the woods. Dad said we could spend more time outside and I could help him do work in the shed. Mom talked about getting my tunnel set up and her and Cousin Dave have talked about getting me and Bella together for play dates. 

So spring arrived and it snowed ten inches. Just look at it piled up on my porch! Do you know how cold snow is on a guy's paws? (Not to mention a few other body parts.) I thought I'd like snow but it really limits a guy's options and opportunities. I can only sleep so much before I get bored and need to DO something.

It snowed all night and all day. The only good thing about it was Mom was home all day with me. We went out a few times so I could do my outside activities, but I got wet so we didn't linger long. Mom threw the Frisbee for me but it got snow covered and wouldn't fly. What a bust. 

I sure hope spring gets here soon. Being cooped up inside with Mom and Dad is okay, but I really need some serious play time. I want to get in the creek and splash around but the water is too cold. I need sunshine to really show off my black fur coat. 

I'll try to avoid being discouraged. Mom and Dad promised it wouldn't be much longer and they've never been wrong before. I'll just have to wait it out like everyone else. Have I mentioned waiting for anything is not my strong point?