June 2, 2022

 

The White Dog Army has decided that Steve is not getting enough fresh air and vitamin D. "You spend too much time cooped up in the office staring at the computer," Lilly told him this morning. "We have decided that we will all take you outside for twenty minutes every day. You can sit in a chair in the sunlight, take a nap, walk around the yard, toss the ball for us. The point is to be outside," Zsofia continued. "You will see it will make a big difference in your mental health to just change your routine," Roman finished. "It does for me."

The Army gathered in the office to nudge Steve toward the door about 5:30 this evening. "Treats when we return," Bailey called over her shoulder. I saw the group march out into the yard. Diva ran past and through the dog door to catch up with the others. 

I am pretty sure he was heading for the chair on the paved area but Opal called him to the back of the yard. "Dad, come see these pretty little purple flowers!" 

Steve heard her and hustled over to where she stood. "Horse nettles," he said darkly. "These must go right away. Let me get my gloves and the weed burner. Every pup stay away from these and any others you find." Opal looked at Zso sadly. "What did I do wrong?" she asked her sister. "This is not what we had planned."

"Horse nettle sting and are poisonous. Years ago dad tried to rid the yard of it because Ferguson almost died from eating it. It is nearly impossible to erase since it grows all over the neighborhood and spreads through its roots." Zso turned to all of the others who had gathered. "This is serious stuff, if you find any, let Dad know ASAP. I am pretty sure he will be out here early Saturday on the hunt. Opal, you are a hero for finding this."