Rainy days are tough with a pack of four dogs to care for. My dogs don’t like to get wet – that is, with the exception of Lily, who loves to get dripping wet. She even loves getting bathed. The wetter, the better. All wet, she looks like a black, shiny seal. James, Annabelle, and Violet have to be forced outside just to get their business done. Boy, they’re quick. Sometimes, they’re too quick. Not getting it all done! That’s a set-up for an accident in the house, which I try hard to avoid.
None of the dogs like to take their morning walk in the rain. I have to admit, neither do I. Yes, Lily, I know you do… and I know I should just cover up and take you for a walk you would love, so that you – and I – could get dripping wet. Sorry. 
James is so accommodating – always. He just goes with the flow. He’s perfectly content to rest comfortably all day on the couch. I have to coax him outside occasionally to do his business. The girls are really pretty good about settling in on rainy days, I must say. Well, one rainy day, perhaps is more accurate. They chew on marrow bones, wrestle with each other. 
Violet likes to watch nature shows on TV, so I try to find something with moving animals to catch her interest.
Unfortunately, we’ve had a series of rainy, bleak days. The lack of sunshine started to get to all of us – dogs and humans. I am a SUNSHINE person all the way and thrive on being active outside from dawn to dusk. The girls (not Annabelle, oh no), tired of the marrow bones, started chewing on the remote for the propane stove and on the pile of books I’m reading.
Well – Allelujah! Today we saw the SUN – and it actually stayed out for the better part of the day. 
Lily had her Reading Buddy day at Westhampton Elementary School, but, after her work was over, she was the first one to get a walk out in the glorious sunshine. She had been a trooper, just like the other dogs had been. But, I know through all the rain, she would have rather been outside. What a patient girl. Lily’s wonderful, sweet, patient personality comes out at home and in her therapy dog visiting. Thanks for your cooperation Lily, and that goes for the rest of the gang, too! Today, James got off the couch – and the entire gang spent many hours outside romping in the back field. Great to see!