Summer Sun in Winter

                                                                                  Summer sun out of sync

                                                                                      with Mother Nature’s calendar.

                                                                                         Palms sway in the breeze

                                                                                             as sunshine warms the traveler.  

We have experienced some harsh winters the last few years, thus our exodus to the Keys for February and March.  February was chilly down here, but now in March, the weather has coalesced into warmth and sunshine.  Not that I’m complaining, you understand.  We and our spoiled greys feel lucky to be here.

On our daily walk

Kiowa thinking?

This was Emma’s first  experience in the Keys.  Possibly because of her youth, everything she sees, smells, and feels makes itself considerably exciting.  The creatures slinking along the ground or on tree limbs, and the cooling palms she lays under are all worthy of her attention.  On walks, smells of the native grasses and trees stimulate her investigations.  

Emma has encountered many firsts on this vacation.  Her first iguana siting brought her to attention with her ears erect, nose sniffing, and eyes glued to the slithering creature as it dove into the aquamarine canal.  I was a bit concerned at her focus thinking that she might follow him.  She didn’t.  However, since we have arrived, she has shown great interest in the water, and I have been nervous that she might take an exploratory dive.  Luckily, she has not done it so far.  However, a few weeks ago, we attended a dog and pizza party.  (Dog meaning the four legged ones not hot dogs.)  

Emma and her coconut

This event was held at a friend’s home.  The dogs, which included two greyhounds, a lab, a shorthaired pointer, a golden, and a couple of designer dogs from the shelter, were very well behaved until one of our friends urged her dog to jump into the canal.  Watching the first dog jump was all it took.  It wasn’t long before another one took the plunge.  Emma’s eyes were like saucers as she observed these antics.  With her body language on point, she stretched those long legs and took the leap - and went down.  She eventually did come back up.  At which point, her helicopter parent (me) started yelling for my husband to get her out.  She swam over to him with no problem, and he helped her up the doggy ladder.  No easy climb for those long legs.  I, at least, found out that she knows how to swim.  

Fat Tuesdays, KW

Emma and Kiowa have been living the Keys dog life.  They have walked on Duval Street with the crowds in Key West, gone into shops, and stopped for cocktails with us (they usually get served first).  Inevitably,  people engage us in conversation about our dogs and want to show us pictures of their pets.  Emma and Ki have visited several beaches to Emma’s delight.  Kiowa remains a land dog, preferring only to wet his paws.  

Manatee

I had my own first this year.  As I was sitting on a low step of our dock with my feet dangling in the water, a manatee swam up within inches of me.  I have seen manatees in the canals before, but this was really up close and personal.  The sea creature looked like a huge rock as it continued to meander up our canal.

As March winds-down and our time here with it, we again will be on the road for home.  We cherish this time with our greys as much as they enjoy it with us.  It has been a lovely time in paradise.