Monday, September 2, 2013

Muddy Paws


Our temperatures may be saying summer, but the calendar and the lack of light in the morning say that fall is on the way. This morning as dawn was approaching, the dogs ran through the wet grass following the smells from overnight.  Behind the dogs were 2 bats in acrobatic flight eating the bugs they stirred up.  I've seen a few more bats this year, and hope that their numbers are again on the rise.  Afterwards all the dogs were happy to go back inside because they knew what was coming next, breakfast!

But outside, Sheba decided that she didn't want to come back in.  She wanted the adventure to continue and used her best rag-doll impression to let me know that as I tried to get her to her feet.  I even tried to pull her lifeless body down the driveway, but then I gave up and just left her laying there.
And I did the only thing I could do, take pictures of her dirty feet.
I used to try to keep the dogs from tracking their muddy paws into the house. I would get a bucket of warm water and clean their feet before allowing them back inside.  The look of joy they had after their walk would be quickly replaced with a look of "how can you do this to us?"  It didn't take long to realize that having dogs in the country usually means having dirty paw prints inside on a fairly regular basis. Paw prints in the mud and muddy paw prints in the house are all part of the joy of dog ownership, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Yes, there’s a hassle factor because you've got to clean them up, but the incredible happiness on the dogs' faces after they've dug a hole or had an adventure that took them through the mud and dirt is worth it. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

38 comments:

  1. Pretty butterfly! Luckily we have not had a lot of mud around. I did let our Goldie Girl in the house right after she had a swim in the lake. Hubby wanted to wash her off first. Oh well, we can always clean the floor. Have a happy Labor Day and week ahead!

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  2. I loved to hear how the dogs and the bats could work together to get rid of insects, our enemies in common.

    Dirty paws are part of my decor too. It took a while to accept that but now I wouldn't have it any other way.

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  3. you summed up my place/floor exactly. i sweep. i vacuum. if someone's coming over, i take a rag and hand wash the worst parts of it. but it's a constant part of my reality. and i thank God for it. :)

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  4. Oh you guys make me feel bad!!! I always wash/wipe Stella's feet before she comes in with mud. Of course, she doesn't like it but I always thought that was just the way things were in a doggy home!

    OK, I'll try to develop this gentle, generous attitude and if we get closed up, it'll be on your conscience, girls, and I mean all of you!

    Jo

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  5. I just let them in and when any mud dries on the floor, swiffer or roomba it up. (That is... unless they danced in somebody's doo - then it's feet in the water time)
    I haven't seen any bats this year at all. We do have a lot of swallows though and they stay busy.

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  6. Love the feet photo Kim. The temperatures are doing the same here; very chilly at night!

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  7. Hi Kim, I so understand what you mean about muddy paws. When Hunter comes in from his morning walk or being in the yard, he is dirty up to his elbows. I used to wash him in the sink but this week with having two extra dogs, I've given up on it-til this morning when he got up on my bed with dirty feet, I shooed him off right away. When the puppy goes home tomorrow, Hunter is getting a bath. As for bats, I know how beneficial they are but do to a close encounter years ago, I no longer like having them around.
    Hope you have a great night my friend.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  8. Sheba is obviously happy she won this round. ;-)
    Have a great day, Kim. ♥

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  9. Muddy paws make everything in life seem better!!!...:)JP

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  10. I scrolled down the photos before reading the words.. Gawd... I suddenly thought you had found a fatality on the road!

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  11. Yep. My floors are never pristine either. It's part of letting our pets live indoors as part of the family and I just have to sweep more often than I would without them... just can't imagine not having pets though.. xox

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  12. There are eight paws like that inside my house now!

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  13. You're not alone! Where there is dirt we find it!

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  14. That paw shot is so cute!

    We had Boo trained to pause at the door of the condo so we could wipe his feet, now that's all gone down the drain.

    Jen

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  15. You have the right attitude. Unless you cart your dogs around in those little carriers or buggies, muddy prints are part of the game.

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  16. Your post made me smile. Gotta love those muddy paws, they are a sign fun times have been had.
    Your butterfly/flower photo is lovely but I love the paws photo best.
    Love that you have more bats. We have a few, but not many...same with humming birds.
    Fall is defiantly in the air here, the first of the leaves are falling and you can smell the cranberries ripening.

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  17. Hi Y'all!

    My Human doesn't clean my feet either. Course at they are rarely muddy, but grass...that's a different story.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  18. here's to muddy wet happy paws with happy dogs on the other end!
    who needs a spic and span clean house anyway?
    NAY. NAY I SAY !!!!
    XOXO

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  19. I agree that there are some parts of dog ownership that you need to just live with. And those are the things you miss so much when they're gone!

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  20. You can't deny how happy she looks, that's for sure!

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  21. Lots of muddy paws make for a beautiful, loving home! :) Wonderful photos, btw.

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  22. My mom has paw prints on her floor and nose prints on her windows. I call them my master pieces.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  23. Even though we usually wipe the pups paws with a towel before they come in the house there are still muddy paw prints to contend with.

    Sheba's impression of a rag doll is too funny.

    Cindy

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  24. I love the story about the "happy feet". that means your heart is full of love.
    And we love the butterfly on the flower!
    love
    tweedles

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  25. We have a supposed-to-get-the-mud-off carpet at the back door and sometimes we have towels inside at the doors. However, we still bring in some mud.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  26. That proves it --- you are am ange!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  27. Sounds like Sheba was doing her best go-limp Hippie protester technique to avoid being moved.

    Muddy feet? We also must live with 'em. If they're really bad, a quick wipe with the dishcloth suffices.

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  28. Ahh, Kim, you are an Angel, so sweet.....We have little muddy feet around here, but love them anyway, Francine.

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  29. Oh that's so funny Sheba played "bag of sand" with you so she could get her way. Living in the NW, I can attest to the horror and delight of muddy paws decorating the floor. I wouldn't have it any other way.

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  30. Butterflies sure seem to love the color lavender, we have had so many this year on the phlox. Have a good week Kim.
    Sweet William The Scot

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  31. I'll bet the others are really happy you stopped washing their feet after good times. It is borderline dog abuse, ya know... ;-) Your friend, Gracie.

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  32. We've hit our rainy season so we understand

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

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  33. You are a dear! Don't dampen their spirit!

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  34. Life would not be complete without muddy pawprints!!!

    R does the same thing as Sheba sometimes. We jingle his treat jar and he comes running :)

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  35. Couldn't agree more Kim! It is just one of the joys of having dogs. It's only dirt.

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  36. Sebastian loves to lie in the sun. When I call him he flips over for a belly rub. I've tried dragging his limp body too. Doesn't work but sometimes a cookie does.

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  37. I worry less about the paw prints too. I never thought about it with the dogs, but when I see a dirty child, I always think, "Now there's a kid that's living and playing." (Not filthy like not being cared for mind you.) :-)

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!