Spring in Kentucky

With warm weather in Kentucky, the threat of severe storms and tornadoes arise.  Only here can you wear shorts one day then have to grab the ratty old parka the next.  As the years have gone by, Lucy my beagle, has become an expert at predicting the weather.  I have watched her and learned all the signs.  I only have to look at her to know what the weather has in store.

If the wind is blowing more than a gentle breeze, she will stand in the middle of the floor with her ears perked up listening.  If she decides it is not getting in the house to get her she will relax and most likely take a nap.  If, however, she thinks it is too strong and may just sneak in through a window or under the door to do her bodily harm, then she goes on patrol.  From room to room she will go, head lowered ready for the attack.  She will continue this until the wind dies down.  No rest for the weary here!

She always knows if it is raining if only just a drizzle. She knows even when I do not.  Lucy does not like rain and will not go out in it even if it rains for a week solid.  I go to the door and call her to go out but I only get ignored.  Normally you have to stand out of the way or get trampled as she goes out.  I am still trying to get rid of the last hoof print she left when I did not move fast enough.  After 5 minutes or so of fruitless whistles and jiggling the bell on the doorknob, I go in search of her.  Most likely she will be curled up on her bed, her tail wagging slightly with a chagrined look on her face.  Up until this point I had not looked outside so did not know about the rain.  As I am trying to coax her up I glance out the window, and sure enough I saw two drops of rain go by.  So much for that.

We get a lot of spring thundershowers in these parts.  It always gets interesting then.  You have the wind, with the patrol dog constantly under foot.  You have the rain, so you keep the Mean Green Machine handy in case of accidents.  Lock and load!  THEN you have the thunder.   If you just happen to be sitting when it rumbles, hope you have nothing in your lap.  Even though Lucy knows she is not allowed on the furniture, she assumes your lap does not count and will immediately long jump from her position and firmly ensconce herself on you.  I didn't really want that cup of coffee anyway.  If you are unlucky enough to be standing, a miracle happens.  My 40 lb beagle shape-shifts into the largest house cat I have ever seen and proceeds to CLIMB your body until she reaches such a height as she deems sufficient for safety.  Generally that is around the head area.  I really hate thunderstorms.

The only weather event I do not recognize from Lucy would be a tornado.  Luckily there have been none in her short, psychotic life.  I imagine, judging from her behavior otherwise, that if I am near her should a tornado arise, than my life as a blogger would end as I know it.  It is supposed to storm tomorrow, I have to go get my riot gear ready...

                               "LUCY"

                                                The Wonder Dog

Six years ago this month, I saved a little dog from a fate worse than death.  She was slated to be bred with a (GASP) Jack Russell. I should have known there would be issues with  her when it took me three weeks to get her to come to me.  All shy and shivering from fright, she finally made that final leap into my arms.  From there it was total love.  Lucy I called her, as her original name "Peachy" brought back ugly memories of a certain Lieutenant I used to work for.  He had Little Man Syndrome and it is best just forgotten.  Kind of like the dog poo you stepped in earlier in the day.

Lucy was/is frightened of everything.  She will lay under your feet, but if you try to rise she bolts like the demons of hell are after her.  One very peculiar quirk of hers is her dining habits.  She lowers her head as she starts the trek across the floor to her food bowl.  Every few steps she halts and peers around sniffing the air for any perceived danger.  When she finally makes the five minute trip (five feet) she grabs a mouthful of dog chow and hightails it into the other room to eat it.  Repeat this entire process and she has successfully finished her meal in about an hour.

Since my first post is about Lucy, you can guess she will make frequent postings here.  I hope you enjoy her like I do.