The cold artic air has finally dropped down to the Sunshine State. Here on the Suncoast, we are waking to temps in the 50’s. Now, where temps in the 50’s are considered balmy in the northern states, down here in Florida that’s down right frigid! Feeling cold in 50 degree temperatures is a definitive sign that you have become a Floridian.
Pearl Bailey is in her glory. She insists on being outside for hours at a time. Now, where I support her zest for life driven by a cooler breeze, I am not one to trust that she won’t get into trouble being left outside unattended for hours on end. So, it is a back and forth to the lanai door all day and evening, checking and re-checking on her activities. For the most part, she has stayed out of trouble and remains clean.
At 6:30 am this morning, while the sky was still in a shadowy awakening, I let Pearl Bailey out to tend to her toiletries. Now, mind you, I was barefoot and in my ‘jammies and the outside temperature was closer to having a four in the number that it was to having a six in the number. Brrrr….. I temporarily lost PB from my thoughts as I sought out a warm cup of coffee. Sitting in front of the TV with the morning shows on screen, I hear the distinctive sound of a creaking gate. I jump up from my reverie to see a streak of blonde fur tearing across the front yard in hot pursuit of a wily varmint! It sure enough was Pearl Bailey chasing after Merle the Squirrel and she was intent on his capture this time. Before I could even think twice, I flew out the front door in my morning state of undress shrieking like a fishmonger imploring her to halt! My poor bare feet took some abuse as I caught up to her on my neighbor’s wooded lot across the street. Merle the Squirrel was nowhere in sight, but Pearl Bailey was wearing the most beatific smile and wagging her tail in exuberant pride at having treed her conquest.
Having no leash, I hitched her up by the collar and slowly started the trek back over the sticks and leaves of the wooded lot, my tender feet suffering badly. When I finally brought her back inside, don’t you know she was at the lanai door wanting out again! I loudly told her, “No way Sister! First, let me get some shoes so I can go out and secure that gate. Then we’ll talk about it!”