Please Don't Go

I usually stay at my girlfriend's place on the weekends but unfortunately Molly doesn't get to go with me. Molly doesn't get to go because of her unpleasant demeanor towards people she doesn't know or any of the women I date.

The weather has been bad the past couple of weeks so last night was the first chance I had to go over there in about three weeks. I started getting my stuff ready to go and Molly sprawled out in the middle of the living room floor and watched me the the whole time.

Molly has this look of such extreme sadness on her face when I looked at her and I said "Aww, Molly, I'm sorry but you can't go." She belly crawled over to me and laid her head and my feet and looked at me with those puppy dog eyes. Molly really knows how to throw on the guilt trip. I went anyway but I did feel guilty about it.

My girlfriend wants to take our relationship to the next level (cohabitating) so her and Molly are going to have to learn to coexist. That is the next step in our relationship is taking Molly on overnighters with me. Hopefully no one will suffer any blood loss during these excursions.

Sleeping Late

Molly likes it when I sleep in especially if I have to get up in the middle of the night and she can steal my nice warm spot in the bed. As soon as I get up, she pounces. She doesn't get up so I can't steal her spot. My roommate has recognized the signs of when she is about to get on his bed so he has learned to "pillow block" her. Molly always knows she can come get on my bed and claim whatever side she wants. The "side" she chooses is usually the middle.

This Snow Is Deep

We got our first significant snowfall of the year last night, about 8" worth. Molly was out at 4:30 this morning doing her thing except this time, her belly was dragging through the snow and she was not happy about it. She did her thing and we came back inside. We have been out a couple of more times and Molly is good with the snow now. She loves took her nose into the snow and smelling real deep. The snow must trap the smells and make them all seem new and fresh.

A Fitting Tribute To Sultan

I was sitting in the breakroom today and I happened to read a great dog story in the newspaper that was laying on the table. A K-9 dog in the Yarmouth, Maine named Sultan was being euthanized and he was given an honor procession to the clinic by the police officers in Yarmouth. Sultan was 13 years old and had been suffering from seizures and arthritis. He was Yarmouth's first K-9 dog and was well known throughout the Portland, Maine area for his service to the community. It was a great way to honor a service dog and Molly salutes him as well.

Snow Is Much Better Than Ice

Molly loves the snow. It her opinion, it beats ice any day. We have already taken a couple of walks this morning and even as old as she is, it brings out the puppy in her. She likes to run and jump and kick up little puffs of snow when she does. She will catch the strong scent of something and bury her noes in the snow and come up with a snow goatee. It brings out the kid in me too. It may kill me, but I would love to get a sled. I don't know if Molly would be brave enough to ride tandem with me or not.

By My Side

Molly has not left my side since I got home early this afternoon. I have always heard that dogs can have "premonitions" or sense when something is wrong and Molly is usually not this clingy. I am not going to complain. I like having her lay at my feet at least as long as I am not tripping over heer.

The Upper Crust

Molly dearly loves pizza crust and I finally got a hold of some pizza last night. As soon as I sat down and started eating it, Molly was firmly planted by my feet letting me know that she was ready to be hand fed some crust. She could care less about the pizza itself, she just wants the crust. Ehen I used to live in a place where I could get pizza delivered, she could smell the pizza delivery guy when he/she rounded the corner. Molly has a "super sniffer" (A Psych reference) like no other.

Hot Pockets

When I slipped and slid in the door this afternoon after a hard day of watching everyone else work, I found Molly had snagged my roommate's lunch. He had nuked himself some Hot Pockets and made the mistake of sitting them down to close to the edge of the coffee table. Molly snatched them up and took off for the border. That story made me think of all of the Hot Pockets commercials I have seen and I can imagine Molly tearing through the house with a Hot Pocket in her mouth. I definitely see Molly's potential as a movie star.

The Sled Dog Olympics

Yesterday afternoon, as I was looking at Molly from my position seated on the frozen ground, I decided that I needed to enter her in the sled dog Olympics, maybe the Senior Citizen version, if there is such a thing.

We were out walking across the frozen tundra and she picked up on the scent of something. I should have known I was in trouble but when she finally saw what belonged to the scent, she took off after it and I did not have time to set my feet. I was on solid ice anyway and on a small incline so when she took off, I knew I was going to fall. The sliding started, it took about three seconds, all of it in slow motion, but I crashed to the ground and my head bounced off the ice. I laid there for about 15 seconds to make sure all of my body parts still worked, while Molly was still in Four Paw Drive. She didn't even bother to help me up.

Snuggling In A Warm Bed

Molly and I went outside this morning and our driveway is a solid sheet of ice. You couldn't even tell where we had walked. That was about the time that Molly decided she was much better off snuggled up in my warm bed. Molly loves the snow and the cold weather but she is not much for the ice. She doesn't like the slipping and sliding that goes on when you are on ice. Her sled dog days are a little bit behind her.

The Difference Between Ice And Snow

My hometown had a major ice event this afternoon and Molly always loves playing in the snow. This afternoon Molly learned the difference between ice and snow. Molly went charging across the field and she tried slamming on the brakes and she did a 360 degree spin that a figure skater would have been proud of. Molly thought I had something to do with it. After she figured out the traction thing, she became my sled dog and enjoyed her romp across the frozen tundra. Me, I was just along for the ride.

A Cold Winter's Morning

The temperature was 9 degrees when I took Molly our for her walk this morning with a wind chill of -11 degrees. It reminded me of when I went to college at Appalachian State. I am just glad that Molly let me sleep until 8 AM which is really late for me and for her. After our five minute excursion outside, Molly decided she was much better off curled up beside our electric heater. Heaven forbid if the power goes out. I am sure Molly will have to go out a couple of more times before the day is over but I am hoping for about a 15 degree temperature difference.

Valentine's Day With Molly

Anytime you date a dog owner, you have to expect the dog to be included in some of your weekend plans. Today, Valentine's Day, is one of those days for my girlfriend. I am supposed to be staying at my girlfriend's house tonight after she cooks dinner but I am going to have to bring Molly along. The wind chill is supposed to be in the negative numbers tonight and my house has no heat. I am not going to leave Molly here to fend for herself so she gets to be the third wheel by default. Luckily Molly sleeps a lot so I guess we will all have to snuggle together. Happy Valentine's Day!

Invited To The Party

It is supposed to be mind numbing cold on Saturday night which also happens to be Valentine's Day. My house I am living in basically has no heat. I was planning on staying at my girlfriend's house on Saturday night after a romantic dinner. Since it is supposed to be so cold, I asked my girlfriend if it was OK if Molly tagged along. She said she didn't mind. Hello Molly, good bye romance!

The Blind Leading The Blind

Molly's eyesight is starting to go pretty fast. She has got cataracts and she is having to rely more on her sense of smell as her main guiding force. This morning when we went on our morning walk and on our way back in, she missed one of the front steps and face planted into the side of the remaining step.

A lot of the time when we are out, she will stay in my hip pocket I think to make sure I am there with her. I per her and scratch her ears to provide the assurance that yes, I am indeed there for her and always will be. She has been there for me during all of my hard times and I will be for hers as well.

A 2 AM Wake Up Call

Molly woke me up at 2 AM this morning because she needed to go outside. Of course she picked the coldest night of the year to wake me up at this time of night. I really can't complain. It is a beautiful night with a full moon. As we were walking in the moonlight, Molly and I could see our "moon shadows."

Molly couldn't go anywhere close to the house. She had to pick the farthest point from the house to go. Everywhere crunch of the leaves as we walked through the woods sounded loud and like a rifle shot. We weren't going to be sneaking up on anyone. Of course, I am still awake and Molly is sleeping like a baby.