Poopy buisness

 Today Novel and I stopped by Walmart to do some errands. As usual, we stopped by a patch of grass so Novel could "hurry" before we went inside. He kept getting distracted by all the trash, but finally he did pee for me and we headed in to get our shopping done. He was being very good, keeping perfect heel position and almost a continuous gaze into my face. (Of course, it helped that I had a few pieces of kibble in my hand) We had gotten through the front doors and had started walking down the isle behind all the cash registers, when Novel suddenly stopped in his tracks.

I glanced back at him.

His poor little stubby face was a mask of terror and embarrassment. Without a seconds hesitation, I spun on my heels and we started high tailing it out of that store. In that split second glance, in Novel's panicked face, I saw the unmistakable expression of:

"MOM I HAVE TO POO RIGHT NOW!!!!"

Novel was pulling hard now, but I didn't really care...I wanted to get out of that store as badly as he did! Soon we were jogging, then running toward the big sliding door. People stared at us like we were out of our minds...not only did I have a dog in Walmart, but we were running! I took no notice. My one goal was to simply get OUT before Novel couldn't hold it any longer and embarrassed us both.

The front doors came into view. They opened for us and we charged through. We turned left down the sidewalk. I just needed to get out of the direct vicinity of the doors. Fifty feet later I knew he couldn't hold it any longer so we just stopped.

"Novel 'hurry!" I said. and, oh, he did.

As I was removing the evidence from the sidewalk, a man came out to gather up leftover carts. He remarked calmly on the gentle leader and how it worked so well on his dog. If only he knew what a close call we just escaped.

Dog toy

I just walked by Novel's toy basket and realized out of the corner of my eye that there was a new toy in it. Thankfully my camera was close at hand. What a fitting place for Novel's favorite kitty to nap!

Christmas

Exhausted, sore and stiff all over from head to toe in every. muscle. of my body, I stagger through the front door to the strong and unmistakable smell of a barn. Newspapers, sawdust, an old cat carrier, and a plastic food and water dish are scattered all across the living room carpet. And atop it all snuggles a chicken. Kinda brings the whole Christmas nativity barnyard scene close to home.

But it wasn't Christmas. Christmas happened two days earlier 814 miles and 13 hours away in a magical land filled with snow. At least for me it did. Three of my siblings and I drove all those miles there and back again to spend Christmas with our Sister's family. Novel spent it here at home. At our house which was converted into a barn.

Because I tend to draw things that I miss...

 I haven't had time yet to hear the full account of the adventures Novel had with my parents over Christmas, but from the snippets I have heard, he knocked over and broke a lamp, chased the cat, and generally pulled on the leash. Looks like we've got some training sessions ahead of us. Oh, and the chicken? It apparently wasn't feeling too well. Poor thing wasn't eating or moving, even to get into the chicken shed at night, so my dad brought it in side to doctor it up. She's eating and drinking now, and seems pretty happy with her nest in front of the wood stove, but still isn't moving around. Dad is wondering about a broken leg. Oh, and the kicker? The bird is absolutely crawling with tiny bugs. In our living room. Hooray. I can only hope we don't get a bird mite infestation in here.

My sister Rosie and her newly adopted
Doberman, Ava

Although I don't have much to tell you much about Novel's Christmas, I can give you a brief synopsis of mine. Saturday I got off work early, so we were able to leave earlier than originally planned. Even so, we didn't arrive at our destination until after midnight. However, the next 4 days were spent merrily with friends and family, eating good food, taking long walks, playing games, doing Krav Maga, watching movies, and snowboarding. And, of course, opening presents on Christmas Eve. We had planned to leave for home on Wednesday in order to get home for work Thursday morning, and indeed, 4am Wednesday Morning found us speeding south down the interstate, but snow and bad weather turned us back and 10am found us ringing the bell at our sister's house once again. And so, in this way, we had an unexpected, but very welcome extra day to spend in whatever way we wished. (that was the evening I went to Krav Maga class, thus accounting for my extraordinary soreness)







The drive home was pleasant as I am fortunate enough to have 3 sisters, one of which enjoys reading aloud.

All four of us sisters...together! In one place! On Christmas day!

She finished reading "The Hobbit," which she had started on our way there, and we all enjoyed it immensely. Upon getting home again, and making it past the bug-infested chicken in our living room, I was greeted by two very happy black dogs and a purring white cat. Although nearly bursting at the seams with joy in discovering that I had not deserted him forever, Novel was actually capable of holding a sit for petting (albeit after a few tries) which made me very proud and happy. Ah, it's good to be home again!

The next morning, I'm pretty sure the only thing Novel remembered about the whole week was that I brought tennis balls.