Quietness & Solitude

Quiet beauty. Fragrance. Flutter.

Of Course You Love Me: Sudo

According to dog experts, the Italian Greyhound has a gentle personality, loving and affectionate with family members. We've found this to be true with our house guest, Sudo. Essentially, she believes that she is the center of the universe with an endearing attitude of "of course you love me". The world revolves around Sudo these days, and everyone is happy with that occurrence. She sleeps burrowed deep under a quilt or blanket during her naps. At night she burrows beneath the covers of a human bed, cuddling close. But she is particular about who she'll sleep with. She has a mind of her own. She likes to sleep in, but once she wakes up she acts as delighted as can be to see you! It's like she cannot wiggle fast enough. Such joy! Her favorite place to sit and be is perched on the chest of a human. It goes with her "of course you love me" attitude. But, if you put her down or tell her to move along, she cheerfully goes without a second thought. Ms. Schnauzer is slowly adjusting and is coming out of hiding more and more. They had several fun "romp and play" sessions today with Sudo essentially dancing around Ms. Schnauzer who thought she was being active, but compared to Sudo was quite dignified and proper. Sudo's been a pleasure to have around. She's even learning to like it outside and has learned how to walk on green grass without stepping quite so high. But more about that another time. . .

Good morning, Sudo!

Good morning, good morning! Sudo is a sleepy-head today. She is not an early riser! Her sleepy eyes mask the intense energy that she usually exhibits! As I mentioned before, she's staying here for awhile while her master and mistress travel. She's settled in very well. She's still bugging Ms. Schnauzer with much attention, but the two are finding balance in their friendship (or lack thereof). Sudo would enjoy more play while Ms. Schnauzer spends her time hiding out most of the day by my pillow on the bed. Silly dogs!

Sudo is an Italian Greyhound, but the breed is called Iggy or I.G. by those who are affectionados of this type of dog. The Iggy is the smallest of the sighthounds. And Sudo, being the runt of her litter, is on the small side of the smallest. She's a tiny, slight little thing. Iggy's are the "toy" version of the full grown greyhounds, but remain a true genetic greyhound. Their bloodline is documented over 2,000 years. Iggy's, like other greyhounds, have a distinctive gait that reminds me a bit of a horses gallop. Sudo also exhibits the distinctive trait of walking on three legs with one held high and out of the way. And she can run like the wind! Her favorite game of all is "chase" and she wears the humans out in the family in short order. She, on the other hand, never seems to tire.

Sudo seems to think that anyone and everyone will love her. And they do. She loves people, although has a genetic trait of aloofness. These traits exhibit themselves in both ways --- on a whim! Sudo could aptly be described as athletic, agile, companionable, mischievous, intelligent, and affectionate. She really is a dear.

Little Miss Sudo

The granddoggy, Sudo, has come to visit for awhile. Her master and mistress will be traveling to places she cannot go, so she's staying at our house. Ms. Schnauzer is not too pleased and chooses to stay out of Sudo's way and to ignore her the best she can. But Sudo is delighted to have a doggy companion for awhile. As far as Sudo is concerned, Ms. Schnauzer is the "cat's meow". Sudo is still a puppy, and her energy levels verify that! Last night she was romping and playing with delight in the dark house. This morning revealed the last of a toilet paper roll shredded all over the living room floor and the cardboard tube that was inside all chewed up. But she's so sweet, you just have to love her anyway! I chalk it all up to "being excited to be here" and hope it is not an indication of nights to come! She is a constant companion and a bundle of energy. I took more than a dozen pictures of her today, and all of them are a blurry blob except for the one above. There will be lots of excitement around here for awhile! 

March is Here!

The month of March is here. A snow storm is predicted for tonight. Gray skies and zero sunshine. It's hard for me to find things to blog about. Hurry up and get here, SPRING!

Tidbits of cheer still abound on these dreary days, though. Sudo, the adorable grand-puppy has learned to sit. Here she is, sitting on a stool, and posing for the camera.

Can you see her tongue? She's saying "those frozen chicken-bits were delicious!

One son has escaped the dreary weather for a climate that is hopefully a bit warmer and that teams with SUNSHINE! Flying anywhere in the USA right now, though, can be a bit tricky with delays and jet de-icings. Happily, he arrived safely and in a timely manner.

My baby was happy to go for a walk at the park. She found a squirrel and could stand there watching it for hours if we didn't coax her away. Once away, her attention span is short and she's on to new discoveries.

My mother's handmade and embroidered "heart" quilt was on display in the library 

for the month of February. It looks a bit small in that vast expanse, but it is a lovely quilt that exemplifies hours and hours of careful handwork. It looks more at home displayed over the back of an old oak chair in my house.

The large white maple tree in our front yard has been sick for a few years. We finally decided to cut it down. It was much larger in real life than this picture makes it look! It's being cut and split for firewood...and three trailer loads of branches are being hauled to the local landfill. Exercise!

What's happening in your neck of the woods? 

Any sunshine, warmth, and flowers yet?

My first snowdrops are blooming.

I'll take pictures and show you soon.

I hope you are having a blessed day!

Where is Spring?

We are nearly through the winter months. It's seemed like "The Long Winter" this year, with many storms everywhere and gray days. February has brought several major snowstorms to our state, removing concerns about drought and water rationing. The neighboring orchardist has crews out pruning their apple trees. And shoots of daffodils and popping up through the soil in my flower beds. Within a month spring should "burst forth" and I am looking forward to it! In the meantime, cute pictures of the grand-doggy sent to me by text message cheer my days! I even got to "chat" with Sudo via Skype this week. Isn't she cute wearing pearls? She's growing and is filled with energy! "Chase" is her favorite game. She'll wear anyone out! But, the game has to happen inside the house! As soon as she is out the front door she's too cold and insists on being carried. What a sweet baby.

Mark Twain has some interesting thoughts on spring. He says "In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours."

And here's another interesting quote as we anticipate spring. "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." Hal Borland

We wait. Anticipation. Spring will be here --- soon.

In the meantime, like Sudo, I appreciate the warm and cozy indoors!

Faithful Friend

Who is your most faithful friend?

I love my friends. They come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Each is unique and special. They are faithful and loved. But I think my most faithful friend is the little black dog you see in this picture. Generally quiet, she can wait patiently for hours, just watching for me to come home. Sometimes she waits in the driveway, and if I am really late and it's after dark, someone usually has to go outside to bring her in. Otherwise, she would still wait. She's always there, gentle and sincere. If you take note, you'll find that she is usually wherever I am...sleeping in a chair or on the bed...or on the floor under my feet...always in the room I am in. Such loyalty and dedication, and always without flair, expectation, or pushiness. I will admit to coaxing her to her spot at the bottom of the bed sometimes, but she doesn't seem to mind. She just willingly slinks to her designated spot and goes back to sleep. Without a faithful doggy friend, life would just not be the same. Who is your most faithful friend?

Honored Guests

In addition a visit from Dad and Alma, we've had two other honored guests at our house.  For two weeks, Lucy and Chalupa joined our household.  Our schnauzers weren't too sure about the competition at first, but it didn't take long to establish a routine.  Except for the cat, everyone was happy in a short time.  Lucy and Chalupa belong to Karleen, who was spending a wonderful vacation in England.  Lucy is one of those dogs who becomes your very best friend!  She's devoted, smart, and obedient.  I'd told Karleen that Lucy would be living outside, but it took just a few hours at our house before Lucy weaseled her way into our hearts and soon graduated to become a house dog!  She knew her boundaries and kept to them well (except when husband would call her into the TV room to watch a basketball game with him!).  Chalupa became my little buddy.  As the smallest dog in the pack, she became the queen of all.  She loved to tease me.  Whenever we were outside for her walk, she exhibited great ability to scamper away quickly and return back to me as slow as can be.  My favorite name for her was "you little turkey".  She loved it!  Calli the cat decided it wasn't safe to live at home any more.  He disappeared to the neighbors for the duration of Lucy's and Chalupa's visit, returning home three or four days after they left.  Calli was allowing for lots of time to make sure they didn't come back!  They haven't returned, but I sure miss them!