I am Stella, Queen of the Olde English Bulldogges. Tiny lakes are blocking our path back into the house.
Me: They are just puddles. Let’s get back in. Rain is starting again in…2 minutes. Maybe. Sometimes they’re pinpoint accurate on these predictions. Sometimes, not so much.
Doodlebug: Me first. One…two…three…jump! Woo-hoo!
Me: Well done, Doodle!
Tiger: Me next! Lope…lope…leap! They said I’d never do that again!
Me: And look at you now. Well done!
Wiggles: I can do it! Watch me! Run! Run! Run! Run through the brush and around the other side and… Yay!
Me: That’s one way to do it. Go on in and get your snack. We’re up against a deadline here. Well done.
Miss Sweetie: I can do it, Lady Human. Watch me! Watch me! Run…skip…jump…and there!
Stella: You made quite a splash, Sweetie.
Miss Sweetie: What happened? My feet are all muddy. I am standing in water. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Me: It’s all right, Sweetie. Not all of us are hurdlers. Go on in and get your treat. Times a’wastin. Who’s next?
Stella: Snoopey! Snoopey’s next!
Me: Okay, girl.
Snoopey: If I hadn’t come out here to pee, this would not have happened.
Me: Snoopey, I know how much you hate coming out when it’s wet. You can run on in. You don’t have to jump.
Snoopey: I can do this. I can do this. I can run and jump…
Me: You see! You did it! Your hind feet barely touched the water! Well done! Go on in and get your treat.
Snoopey: And dry my feet.
Me: That too. And now, Stella, let’s go. No time left. The new rain is upon us.
Stella: Carry me so that my pretty little feet don’t get any wetter.
Me: Honey, I’m sorry. I can’t pick up 50 pounds. I could edge you forward, but you are going to have to do some of the work.
Stella: Work? You can’t be serious.
Me: Did you feel that?
Stella: Sky water?
Me: Yep. Decision time.
Stella: Oh. All right. Here I go. Run…run…splash…splash…Aww….
Me: Good girl! Well done! You got across!
Stella: Not so well done. My feet are wet and cold. I didn’t make a good landing.
Me: That’s what a warm house and a soft dry bed and treats are for. Forget this. Let’s go on in.
Stella: Will it be dry tomorrow?
Me: According to the weather people, no.
Stella: What good is it to live in a hot, dry country when it is cold and wet all the time?
Me: I’ll ask you a similar question during the summer when you complain about being hot and dry.
Copyright 2018 H.J. Hill All Rights Reserved.
Bulldoggy 