The Birdwell Buzz: Our First Real Fight. . .

Last night was rainy and yucky like early this morning, remember? Well. . . me, severely OCD, with beautiful recently mopped and vacuumed hardwoods + rain + wet grass and mud + a dog that needs to go out and potty don't mix well. Last night I was faced with this nasty situation but quickly consoled myself by reminding myself that I had read online that Great White Pyrenees don't particularly like water. I told myself, "Oh, she'll just rush out, go potty, and prance right back." And, with her thick, weatherproof coat, she'll barely be wet. I'll just towel her off and things will be fine.

This is how it went down. . .

Bella Kate and I walked out to the screened porch and I led her to the door and let her out. She walked down the steps to the yard and proceeded to stand in one spot for about two minutes just leisurely looking around. Rain was, of course, pouring down on top of her. Guess she didn't need to go potty that bad afterall. Guess she really didn't care that water was getting on her. My only hope was that her fur was really weatherproof. Of course I was on the covered porch mustering up my best, fierce parental voice, loudly telling the dog she better go potty quick and come back inside. She must have not heard me. I can't imagine that she would disobey me so blatantly. She did. Very blatantly. As the minutes wore on she did finally move. She decided to chase her tail in the rain. She decided to run to the far corners of the one acre and then finally decided to go potty. Of course afterwards came the scratching of the wet ground with tail held high signaling that she was done. I, still seething on the porch and saying not so nice things to her, called and called and called. Still she did not come. I finally had to get her leash and go out in the weather to get her and lead her to the garage. She was not on my good list. I was soaking wet and furious while she was shaking every minute or two in pure bliss. I just looked at her and tried to see where I had gone wrong in my thinking. Clearly she LOVED being wet. I was somehow going to make her pay. But how? What came next made me even more mad. I had no choice but to go inside, get her brush and blowdryer and come back to the garage and give her a spa treatment. Oh yes, she stood there so angelic as I blew her dry, fluffed her up all nice and pretty and even washed her freakin' dirty paws and belly. She was not soaked, thank goodness. The only theory that had been correct is that her thick coat is somewhat weatherproof. Only the top layer was damp. Still, the time it took me to blow her dry because she is so big was not fun! And, what PUNISHMENT she received! A spa treatment! Uugh. When I was done I let her go inside and the first thing Paul said was, "Oh wow, she looks so nice and fluffy!" So, even after her devilish behavior she was met with compliments from Daddy.

Since I was seething I decided to give myself some space from her. I went back to the garage to clean up and retrieve my spa tools. While I was out there I heard the door open and here came my husband.

Now, let's change to a different story line for a minute. Let's back up to earlier in the evening. Last night was pizza night at the Birdwell home. It was a rainy, nasty night and Daddy was getting home late from work so he was kind enough to just pick up a pizza for us. Zach, Daddy and I had enjoyed our dinner while Chase Parker was snoozing. Bella Kate, who has always been SO wonderful during dinner time was sleeping soundly beside us as we ate. Even though when she stands her head easily clears the top of the table she has never begged for food, never caused a problem, etc. She usually is in the dining room with us sleeping beside one of our chairs as we enjoy dinner. This night was no different. . . except for the promptness of cleaning the dinner dishes afterwards. At the end of dinner Daddy and Zach went upstairs to see if they could fix Zach's crane and I took Bella Kate out into the pouring rain for potty time. She had been standing at the door to the porch for awhile and even put a paw up on the door so I was sure it was definitely potty time.

Now, let's get back to the first storyline. So, Paul comes out to the garage. He has a sly grin on his face. He says, "I need to tell you something about your girl." He goes on to tell me that he and Zach were relaxing on the couch and he saw her head into the dining room. Usually she goes in there to keep watch out the big window. However, this time, apparently, she saw an opportunity that she just couldn't resist. Leftover, uneaten pizza on MY plate, of course. In one swift move she swiped it and Paul said she took it to her pillow and quickly consumed it, licking up all the crumbs with a broad smile on her face. So, not only did she get to play in the rain and mud, get spa treatment afterwards, she enjoyed a nice after dinner pizza snack! I would say she enjoyed her evening, wouldn't you?

So, now I know that she is indeed really a dog with faults. Since I brought her home on December 19th she has been near perfect. The ONLY other thing she has done has been to lounge on our bed. But, she has not done it while we are home, only when we are away. I came home a couple weeks ago to walk in my bedroom and find the bed all ruffled. I thought to myself, "hmmm. . . maybe Zach was up here playing and I don't remember." Clearly, after a couple more times of finding it in that state, I realized that Bella Kate had found our master bed satisfactory to sprawl her large body out on and relax while the family was out. But, at least she has enough respect for us to not do it while we are at home, right?

People have always kidded with me that they would LOVE to be a Birdwell pet. I'm beginning to think that I would love to be a Birdwell pet.

Ok, enough Bella news. On to other Birdwells!

Recently the boys have enjoyed a trip to Zoinks among other fun things. They've also had fun with Grammy and Papa at the park and going to the airfield to watch their Daddy fly his remote controlled plane. It's been fun around here.

Here are some pictures to enjoy of course. . . .first some Bella Kate pics (I promise I will get back to taking human pictures soon!) and then the boys of course.

Thought this was so cute. . .

I'm assuming this is how she sprawls out on our bed?

the kids LOVE their doggie!

Bella Kate keeping a watchful eye out in case they have leftover pizza I guess

happy sweet man!!

what a view!

my sweet baby boy!

"Mother, I cannot possibly clean up this mess."

fun at the park!

Linda, is this a typical Pyrenees pose? She does this all the time!

awww. . .

the new death trap at our house. Chase Parker is quite sure he can be the first 1 year old to master the plasma car while riding on it like a skate board. He is KILLING me! I am sure to have emergency room visits with this kid.