Who Needs A Groundhog?

When Rob and I were first married, we lived in Indiana, Pennsylvania, not far from Punxsutawney. We never got to meet their most famous resident but of course, we were aware of him, as are most people in this country. A couple things have always bothered me about Punxsutawney Phil. First, I'm not thrilled that Groundhog Day is the day after my birthday. It just seems silly.

Second, of course poor Phil is going to see his shadow. They drag him out of his den in the middle of the night when any smart groundhog is sound asleep and surround him with bright lights. How could he not see a shadow?

Third, February 2 is six weeks from March 21, the first day of Spring. Therefore, Phil must predict six more weeks of winter, because that's what the calendar tells us.

But we dog owners have a much better, absolutely sure way to predict the coming of Spring. DOG HAIR!

 Yes, as any owner of a heavy coated breed knows, think Husky or St Bernard, our dogs start heavy shedding as Spring approaches. Our St Bernard, Brandy, used to look as if she was coming apart at the seams, as huge chunks of fur came off. It was impossible to keep up with the brushing.

Tsar would leave an outline of himself in hair whenever he stood up from a nap. I was able to grab hunks of hair from his back legs and still more would pop out.

Porties, contrary to popular belief, do shed but because they don't have an undercoat, they are mild shedders. Sebastian, on the other hand, is our current predictor of the change of seasons.

You in the Northeast will be happy to hear that he has started his Spring shedding. The last few days he's been leaving mouse sized pieces of black hair all over the place.

Keep your silly groundhog, our dogs are better predictors of when Spring will be here.