Spring for a day

The previous high for today was 72 degrees. Today I know it hit 79 degrees - maybe even 80. It is very strange to see weather that warm, with birds flapping around and everyone smiling, but there are no leaves on the trees yet. It seems slightly surreal.

The beagles and I took three walks. I couldn't get out the front door without one neighbor or another joining me for a walk of a mile or two. The beagles were in hog heaven. Their hog status is one reason they need to walk on a daily basis for several miles.

As usual, every time Baby saw someone she knows, a dog she knows or just wants to meet, or a human she thinks might be fun, she howled. She has great voice projection. Oddly enough, people don't look annoyed. They preen at the idea of being heralded by a happy beagle. It makes them Very Important People who are  Recognized. It relieves me. I am happy they aren't angry about the loud heralds. She can go around the block several times and see the same people over and over - each time, she is as happy to see them as she would be if she hadn't seen them for months. Molly just wags her rear end and smiles for food. She is still known as the Neighborhood Suck Up.

On the first walk, I noticed something on my right lens of my sunglasses. First, I thought maybe a twig. Then maybe a caterpillar. I pulled them off to see - and found a crabby bee looking back at me. Without hesitation, those sunglasses hit the cement. The bee took off with a smirk, and I retrieved my glasses. My co-walker listened to my quick explanation, and understood why I suddenly took off my sunglasses, threw them to the ground, then put them back on.

Dog people become poop experts. We also become poop clean up experts. Poor Waldo's mom really got hit with it tonight. She cleaned up one pile. Then he left her another. She had only one bag. I handed her another. She was going to open the first bag and reuse it - ewwww. Waldo was having a great time - he dropped a third bomb. I smiled, and handed her another bag. This time she got it on her hands and the outside of the bag. Waldo was not having firm poopies. I opened another bag and held it open for her to drop all 3 bags in it. I told her she could not wipe her hands on my pants.

We ran into a few new dogs today. Baby howled at all of them. Two were cockers, like Waldo. The last one has irritable bowel syndrome. The mom and I had a nice talk about firm poopies and how they are a sign of good health. I had never met her before. Dog people know how to bond over poop. Molly then peed on Snuggle's lawn. Everyone was happy.

Tomorrow, it won't be as warm, but who cares? Today was beautiful, and spring is on the way. Maybe we will eventually get leaves, too!