Wading in the water

I wonder if Lytton, my big, brown dog, could ever be happier than he was today. It was a glorious spring day – the first time in months that I was outside in a turtleneck and jeans and felt too warm!

Around lunchtime, Lytton donned his clean red and pink bandanna and off we set off for the park. Amid the quickly-shrinking snowbanks and the growing water puddles, L. took off across the field toward the river. On his return, he was wearing his biggest, goofiest smile as was I. How could I not smile as I closed my eyes and let the sun beat down on my face? The sensation was incredible.

As Lytton trotted along puddle-filled paths, I began to wonder if he does this on purpose: just as I walk around a puddle, he comes flying by spraying water everywhere. A short while later, he stops and sniffs some grass and casually glances back at me. It makes me laugh even if I’m soaked.

By the time we arrived back home, both of us were completely wet and muddy. I needed to pour water from my running shoes before leaving them in the sun to dry. L. lay on the front porch contentedly while I did my best to clean and dry him off.

Here’s a strange thing about melting snowbanks. Even if they are still one or two feet deep, as soon as your foot lands on the underlying grass, it sinks into about 6 inches of water. Cold water … not a pleasant sensation at all.

I have a sneaking feeling that my days of walking in the park are numbered until the grass has dried out. That’s okay because I have my work cut out for me … bailing water from the garage.

These surprisingly warm spring days are worth the odd bit of flooding, I figure. I wouldn’t have traded this day for anything … well, I can think of a few things, but I doubt they are, at this time, in the realm of the possible.