There Will Be Zoomies!!

I've noticed this week that there's more daylight when I leave work around 5 p.m.  I guess we're getting to that time of the year, and it helped that we didn't have the immense cloud-cover to which we've become accustomed this week.  During the summer months, my favorite way to unwind after work is to grab my camera the second I walk in the door, and take the pups to the yard for some fun!  It's a real bummer when the winter months arrive and it's pitch dark when I leave the office.  So, when 5 o'clock finally rolled around today, I had a couple of things on my mind:  1.  The sun is shining, and 2.  Mike, who is normally home with the hounds during the day, was out of town today.  The dogs had been cooped up, and alone most of the day with the exception of about 35 minutes I had with them on my lunch break.  I knew one thing was guaranteed when I arrived home, there would be ZOOMIES!!!!  

(Pardon our scary-looking, winter grass.)

I love those instances in which I consciously notice specific changes around me that indicate a new season will be along soon.  In addition to more daylight, I saw two birds chirping and frolicking as I got out of my car at lunchtime, and I think I saw the first blades of Crocus pushing their way through the ground.  I know we have a way to go, but as the temperatures approach 60 degrees this weekend, I'm sure I will feel a little spring in the air.

This Saturday will be Zoe's third obedience class at Field of Dreams.  As I've mentioned, the primary focus of our class enrollment is to expose her to new situations, people and dogs, in hopes of easing her nervousness in new situations.  I was impressed with Zoe's participation in last Saturday's class; she really did better than I expected.  However, our second class was not impressive at all.  The class was almost at capacity, and there were four or five boisterous dogs in attendance.  Zoe was nervous, had no interest in her treats, and didn't participate in the slightest.  I felt sorry for her.  We walked around and took a couple of trips outside for breaks.  Despite her nervousness and lack of participation, the instructor said they've seen much worse, and some dogs that have to leave all-together.  We're certainly not going to give up after just two classes.  I'm feeling anxious about the next class, but hopeful too.  We'll be armed with an array of tasty treats to tempt her, and if we have a repeat of Tuesday's class, we'll deal with it as best we can.  Wish us luck!

Happy Valentine's weekend!!

We're excited to participate in this week's Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!  Thanks, as always, to the Hop hosts, Life With Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume.  Happy hopping, and happy weekend too!