The dogs' bowls were empty. Max had wandered around the corner of the house, probably on down to the doghouse, calling it a night. Belle lay near me, gnawing on a bone. 

I had a few hours left in the day after seven hours (on my feet) at the winery and a long walk with the puppies. Potential to-do's flipped through my mind like cards in a rolodex…

And yet there I sat, butt frozen to my rocking chair, mesmerized by the rhythmic chirp-chirps of the crickets, the bass croaking of the frogs, the steady singing of the little waterfall below me.

I rocked and watched the blue of a cloudless eastern sky deepen… watched a blink of a crescent moon appear in the west… tried to think of a way to describe the color of the sunset…

No clouds. Nothing dramatic. Just a golden, pinkish, blue…

…and that's when I heard it, the buzzing in my ear. Mosquito. Time to go in.

But despite the mosquitos and other bugs, Earth is a great place to live, isn't it? 

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Happy Earth Day!

Now, the apology… 

In yesterday's post, I mentioned a dead armadillo we discovered on the property, and that we suspected our puppies, trying to protect us from great danger, had something to do with its demise.

Well, I think everyone knows armadillos are pretty harmless. 

But coral snakes aren't, and we're pretty sure the dogs also had something to do with the demise of this one pictured below…

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Red and yella kill a fella. Yep, coral snake. 

We found it dead and decaying on the side of our driveway back in March, and yet I never once posted about it. Oh, I intended to, but there's that time thing…

But that's no excuse. I should have bragged about my ferocious, courageous, heroic puppies at the time, so that's why I'm officially apologizing to them now.

Will you forgive me, Belle and Max?

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Pretty please?

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Pretty, pretty please? We'll take an extra walk tomorrow…

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Whew. I think I'm forgiven.

Sweet dogs.

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Sweet Earth. 

 

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24 responses to “Earth Day and an Apology to my Puppies”

  1. Juana Avatar

    Barbara, such a sweet post! I loved it! And I believe Max and Belle deserve a medal for courage… Wow, scary snake.
    Love
    Juana

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  2. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Juana, I intended to check on you today! What a sweet surprise to find your comment. I'm still planning to check on you! Love you!
     

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  3. Lady Fi Avatar

    What sweet and brave dogs!

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  4. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    They are, and I feel so bad that most of the time I only mention their goofiness!

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  5. Suldog Avatar

    It’s awfully nice to know somebody has your back!

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  6. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Yes it is! And it's nice that those particular somebodies also double as constant entertainment!

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  7. Hilary Avatar

    I think WordPress ate my comment…
    I was saying that I agree with Suldog. They were just protecting their people like pack is supposed to do. And maybe Mr. Red and Yellow killed the Armadillo (that almost rhymes). 😉

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  8. beth Avatar

    ewwww….a stink bug and a snake all in one post……yikes !
    but yes, i love it here on earth 🙂

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  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You're not the first one who has had a comment gobbled up. I'm not sure where they go! Sigh. Thanks for trying again. Yes, they really are great guard dogs. They can be goofy and cuddly, too, but I should praise them for their bravery a bit more, I think!

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  10. Rae Sinor Avatar
    Rae Sinor

    OMG! I love those puppies almost as much as my own! They are good dogs and so faithful and wonderful and sweet! I could just cry I miss them so!!! Way to go MAX and BELLE! Ms. Rae will bring you both a good treat really soon!!! XOXOXO

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I think they love you as much as they love me!! lol They really are good dogs. I'm so grateful God led them to me! And you know we're all happy to see you whenever you come, without treats!! You are the treat!
     

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    The good thing is that's only the second coral snake I've seen out here in 15 years! Isn't that stink bug pretty, though? 

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  13. lisleman Avatar

    In our solar system neighbor there is not really any other choice but earth for us. Good reason to take care of it. One of my brother’s dogs got a nasty bite from what I think was a cotton-mouth. Your dogs are quick and smart to handle that snake.

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh, cottonmouths are mean. I don't think we have any here, knock on wood. It does worry me knowing there are poisonous snakes out here – I'm glad my dogs got the best of this one, this time.

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  15. Agnes Avatar

    Your dogs rule! Happy Earth Day Barbara 🙂

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh, they do indeed. I need to brag on them more! Thanks, Agnes!
     

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  17. JillsyGirl Studio Avatar

    thank goodness you’ve got the pups to take care of nature for you!

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Yeah…. sometimes they're a little overeager, but I'll try not to complain about those times anymore!
     

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  19. Pauline Avatar

    Yep, Earth’s a pretty nice place, despite mosquitoes and snakes. It feels good to know that. Great photos of the dogs 🙂

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  20. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks… of course, I think they're pretty dang cute.
     

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  21. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    That coral snake reminds me of Woody Allen’s comment: I am two with nature.

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  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Love it! My sentiments exactly in this case!

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  23. Otto von Münchow Avatar

    Lovely hymn of praises of your dogs. I am sure they will forgive. They look so nice. But great that they keep guard around the house. Coral snakes and armadillos, that is quite a variety of animals just on your door steps. And yes, earth is not a bad place to live, although we try as best as we can to destroy its beauty.

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  24. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I think I have more variety of animals than I see! Unless they get killed, I rarely see them, I'm afraid. I'm grateful for those who try to protect earth's beauty for all of us to enjoy. I'm afraid too many don't care.

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