It’s raining!

Howdy blogaroos. Happy soggy Saturday. Yes – for a change we PONs are thrilled because it is RAINING. Who would ever believe we would be saying that?!

As we wrote the last time, Nova Scotia has been plagued by forest fires for almost a week. While we weren’t in any imminent danger ourselves, we knew people who were evacuated. AND we were rather panicked the other day when the Warden passed by a fire about 6km from our home. She thought she saw smoke and sure enough, as she got off the highway and turned the bend- she saw black smoke billowing into the sky from a wooded area. One fire truck had arrived , and some people had stopped to watch – but all she wanted to do was get home to us. Shortly after she passed the scene – the road was closed. That would have forced her to take a detour that would have taken more than an hour. Phew. She made it – and thankfully the flames were extinguished fairly quickly.

But everyone has been on edge because we have never experienced multiple simultaneous fires like these in Nova Scotia.

Yesterday, sadly, the people who lost their homes were allowed into the area to see what was left. In many cases, there was nothing there. It’s so so so sad.

Yet there has been an enormous outpouring of support for people – and pets. The videos of residents being reunited with their pets by volunteers who went into homes to retrieve them is unbelievably heartwarming. Lots of good news bits among the sadness.

But the BEST news – it is raining. And it’s supposed to rain for the next few days. It will hopefully help greatly in the firefighting efforts.

In other news – I started a new class this week. Still with our coach, Jane – but I’m with a new group of dogs. We have a miniature Schnauzer, some smooth collies, a Belgian Shepherd, and my Borzoi babes! A Weimaraner was missing- Mike. I know him from way back in my puppy days.

I did pretty well in my new class – except for one tiny little infraction. Which I have never done before. During part of the class, we went out onto the agility field to practice stays. Well hello- my head exploded. We were on this astroturf stuff which I think I’ve only seen once. But it’s green – like grass. The Warden had this fear I would pee out there – because let’s face it – grass is for watering. My “stays” were a challenge with all the new scents- but somehow I did it. We were heading back inside though, and what does one do before going in – why one pees! The warden was taking me in and I didn’t even lift my leg – I kinda squatted in motion on my way over the threshold. The Warden shouted “no.” But I made my mark. And of course, one of my new buddies then followed suit. The Warden cleaned up the mess while I was in a down stay – supervising her work. She did a good thorough job.

So that’s the main news here. I hope wherever you are, the weather is JUST the way you like it! The Warden said she’ll take wet dog smell over smoke smell any day!!

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe. JBJ