Enter Spring

I realized today that I should spend a little more money to get myself a decent umbrella. I don't want to be that person whose umbrella ends up inside-out as they are walking through a crowd of people. I saw it happen to someone this morning and I felt bad. This random person's misfortune has caused me to realize that I'm done with $5 drug store umbrellas. Those are no good! I also realized that when I use an umbrella, it seriously affects my line of sight and I have a difficult time seeing traffic lights and the "Walk Now" signal (I don't see them at all, actually). Because of this, though, I think people stay out of my way because as they walk towards me, they're thinking to themselves That girl's umbrella is so low. Where are her eyes?  Oh.  She can't see. She's going to walk right into me. I better move. And they do!  See, I use my umbrella as kind of like a shield.  I can tilt it forward into oncoming crowds and it's as if they part to let me through.  Pretty, cool, huh?  :)


Tourist season has started down here. I realized it on Sunday when the weather was beautiful and I headed out to Arlington Cemetery - very impressive. Tourist season means that DC Metro "outsiders" will stand on the left side of the escalator and not move, blocking those walking up the escalators. These people are called "escalefters," as noted in Urban Dictionary. The definition of an escalefter is as follows:

• A person who stands on the left side of the escalator instead of the right. This prevents people from descending or ascending the escalator if they don't want to stand on their way up/down.

Yes, there is metro "etiquette" people should be aware of. I quickly learned when I came to visit Katie during my job interview.

And now, I too, am a DC Metro Snob. For more information on the "DC Escalefter," visit this blog: http://dcist.com/2006/05/02/add_one_more_wo.php  

Training News:

I am doing an 11 mile training walk on Sunday (sans Leo). Will be joining some other AVON walkers in a trek around Arlington. I'm pretty excited for this. I bought some new (kids) sneakers from a running store in the area a few weeks ago in addition to some "wicking socks." Fancy, I know.

Leo & I have been doing our morning walks, except today because of the rain. I realize I'll have to walk rain or shine in May (and on Sunday), but I gave my buddy a Friday morning rest. We do at least 1 mile each morning (depending on how much time we have) and then a few more in the evenings. Leo has been a real trooper, but unfortunately has been leaving some "less than desirable" gifts in and around his crate. I'm not too sure about the digestive system in bassets, but his isn't very good. Remember those snacks in the grass? Well, I'm pretty sure one of them is tearing him up. Because of this, he continues to enjoy rice and chicken for dinner. He may be a little too spoiled, but we all know I'm not the greatest cook!

Leo reluctantly wore a leprechaun hat for St. Patrick's Day and I'll post pictures soon. He also reluctantly said goodbye to a few more of his animals - Monkey Man and Gorilla. Both had limbs torn off (Monkey's face was non-existent, poor guy) and stuffing was sticking out... and we all know what happens when there is stuffing...

Fundraising News:

I'm pretty excited that my fundraising total is up to $1640! Can you believe it?  Thank you so much to my cousins; Jeff, Nikki, Maggie, Annie & William - also to my Aunt Yo, Mrs. Currie, Carl & Steve, Lauren, Laura and my neighbor friend, Liz.  You are all amazing.  I actually also mailed in a $50 offline donation and am waiting for that to show up online (Thanks, Aunt Susie!) I'll also be making my own donation, so really... just $60 to go! My new goal is to raise $60 by Monday... can you help?!

Thank you cards have been slow to come, I realize. I'm hoping to send you all some written correspondence over the next few weeks and then again when the walk is over to let you know how it went, because at this point it really looks like I'm going to be walking! Yay!!

To make an online donation, please visit:

www.avonwalk.org/goto/scummins

Nope! I'm not Irish. Neither is Leo...

... but we will be.  Just for this weekend.  Leo will be sporting a very fashionable Leprechaun outfit and hopefully getting some donations for the AVON Walk (time is running out!)

Here's some non-Irish Basset Hound History, though, as an FYI:

The recorded history of the Basset Hound dates all the way back to a 16th century French text about badger hunting. The Basset Hound was developed by the friars of the French Abbey of St. Hubert, who wanted to breed a dog that was similar to the Bloodhound but smaller and slower moving, allowing humans to follow it on foot. The term "Basset" is derivative from the French bas, meaning "low" or "dwarf." At the beginning of the 18th century, these dogs were extremely popular in France. Legend has it that Lafayette gave a pair of Basset Hounds to George Washington, making him the first man to introduce the breed to North America.


The Basset Hound was recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1882, and the English Basset Hound Club was formed in 1884. The American Kennel Club followed suit in 1885, accepting the Basset Hound as a breed. The Basset Hound Club of America was founded in 1935, and breed standard was created in 1964. In the US today, these dogs are primarily used for rabbit hunting, but will hunt and track just about anything. The breed’s ubiquitous appearances in books, magazines, movies and even as the mascot for Hush Puppies footwear is a tribute to their continued popularity and admiration.

http://www.breederretriever.com/dog-breed-history/100/basset-hound.php

~*~*~

So it looks like Leo may somehow be a descendant of our first president's pet bassets.  Hey, you never know... :)

My walking buddy and I have been hitting the pavement in the mornings again, as the weather has gotten much better.  We've enjoyed visiting Pentagon Row and Leo has enjoyed being able to sniff out snacks in the grass.  I completed the 5 mile walk last Sunday and was surprised at how fast it went.  Then I realized that 5 miles is only about 1/8th of how far I'll have to walk on May 1st and 2nd.  Yikes! 

That's the GOOD news I have to report for this week.  The BAD news is that Leo has realized that the stuffing inside his animals is a tasty little indulgence (cotton candy-ish, perhaps?) and our most recent evening fiasco included the exiting of excrement that included the stuffing from both Mr. Raccoon and Mr. Cow.  So, on Tuesday night we said a solemn good-bye to the dismembered animals as I dumped them in the garbage, unaware that we would be soon seeing them again as last night I had to, very unfortunately, pull their remains from Leo's bum. 

I know.  That was a disgusting story and I'm sorry you had to read it.  At least you weren't there!

Cheers to digesting things that we were meant to!

Have a great weekend!

To make an online donation, please visit:

www.avonwalk.org/goto/scummins

Operation Slobber City

I knew it was going to happen eventually.  I understood that one day my dog would rest his snout on the furniture and gobs of saliva would leave their mark on my new JC Penney couch.  I knew that one day Leo would shake his head in revolt, rattle his face in excitement, and eye my food hungrily as drool escaped his little doggy lips.  And that day, my friends, has come.

Am I sad about this?  A little.  But not because it's pretty disgusting or because I'm embarrassed when we go to the vet and he leaves his saliva trail all over the Veterinary Technician.  But because this means he's growing up.  His puppy eyes have begun to droop.  His belly will soon touch the floor.  His wrinkles will need to be cleaned out and his mouth will fill with massive amounts of spit that will slowly cover every inch of my apartment...

That paints a nice picture of my life, now doesn't it? 

In all honesty, I have to say Leo is still just as beautiful as he was when I first adopted him.  Once you get past the drool, he really is a handsome dog.  He's clumsy and continues to pee on the floor for no good reason, but he sucks you in with his eyes and the don't you want to love me? expression on his face. 

We've been walking more now that the snow has melted and the salt is gone.  In fact, we walked all the way to the vet yesterday due to an incident that I will not elaborate on due to its graphic and stinky nature (I'm sure you know what I'm talking about!)  Leo has enjoyed chicken and rice meals for the past few days and I think he's really loving watching me cook just for him.  He's a very gracious canine to cook for!

I'm planning on doing a 5 mile training with fellow walkers on Sunday morning.  Unfortunately Leo won't be able to make it since he's not allowed on the Metro.  Yes, I've seriously considered disguising him as a "Guiding Eyes Dog," but I feel like he won't necessarily be able to take on the role in a very convincing manner. 

I received a donation from a former college-mate (thanks, Laura!) who I miss.  Her family also had basset hounds so she shares my love for the breed :) 

Until next time!  Have a wonderful weekend!

To make an online donation, please visit

www.avonwalk.org/goto/scummins