Friday, January 8, 2010

I Want Global Warming

Fatherhood Friday at Dad Blogs
We are at the beginning of a three day stretch of bitter cold here in Arkansas. Everyone north of the Mason-Dixon line go ahead and laugh now, and get it out of the way.

Last night the forecast low temperature was 11 degrees. I don't know what the actual low was, but it was 12 when I went to work this morning.  The forecast lows for the next two nights are 7 and 8.

Before we move on I would like to list a few things that you are more likely to see in Arkansas than a temperature of 7 degrees.
  • Haley's comet
  • Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny playing Marco Polo in the YMCA pool
  • A Razorback fan wearing an I love Texas t-shirt
  • A hillbilly with a full set of teeth, wearing shoes, and buying soap
  • Bigfoot driving a John Deere lawnmower through the Wal Mart parking lot
  • A redneck that thinks Hank Williams Jr. is the antichrist
  • A ban on guns
Now on with the story. These temperatures were cold enough for us to do the unthinkable last night. The forgotten furry children slept inside for the first time in Braden's life.  They were actually banished before Braden's arrival although I can't remember exactly when. Now they have returned.

Much like Cousin Eddie the dogs are not normally fit for indoor living. In other words they needed a bath.  Since Braden now uses the tub, we decided not to introduce a years worth of dog filth into his little bastion of cleanliness.

Of course I wasn't going to bathe them outside only to watch the water freeze to their coats and worse yet my hands. So I took a shower with my dogs yesterday.  Don't worry, I wore my swimming suit. I am not about to leave certain things exposed while in a 3 ft by 3 ft tile and glass cage with either of those turkey killers.

The night went really well. At first Braden kept his distance. When the dogs got in his personal space he would push them away or throw the occasional jab. By his bed time we were all in the floor together playing happily.

The dogs were well behaved. Obviously they were basking in the warmth of indoor living. After Braden went to bed and things slowed down they slept. I guess it has been a long time since they had a nice warm night of sleep.

Now if we could only get Braden to follow their lead.

19 comments:

BellaDaddy said...

Sweet! I wish we could get our dogs to stay OUTSIDE...although, the three of them...Bella and the 2, adore each other...Cheers!

Stay Warm!

Jen said...

What a great idea. I wonder how my cat would feel about a shower? Mmmm, sounds like a plan for the weekend. ;)

Anonymous said...

Swim trunks or no, you are still brave given their history.

WeaselMomma said...

Your list of likelyhoods is hysterical!
I too am done with the cold and feel for you, as you most likely don't have all the heavy layers to deal with it.
Today's high here is expected to be 21, not bad for January, but not great either. Only 4 more months of this until we can see the light at the end.

Dad Unmasked said...

Great story. Reminds me that I have to clean the family pooch. But I'm not getting in the tub with him..:)

Brandy@YDK said...

thats so nice that you let the furry kids in. we got rid of our furry children around g's 1-2 month mark. sometimes they are missed though.

rxBambi said...

thanks for letting the furry ones in. It is way way too cold for them outside. Remember they are your kids too! Maybe obedience school or something would make them more fit for indoor living...

Jenni said...

My New England dogs are total sissies. Too cold in the winter, and too hot in the summer for them to sleep outside!

:::Has a pooch wrapped around her legs as she types:::

Mike said...

You really do crack me up! I love your list that you made. I live in eastern North Carolina. My dad lives in Atlanta and my Mom lives in Tupelo!

Brian Miller said...

lol. his time will come...my cat sleeps wih my boys and watches over them as if they were her kids. hope you hav a great weekend! stay warm!

Chris | Dads Advice said...

You need to come up to Canada, 7 degrees is a warm winter day here!

For the past few weeks we've been battling -40 degree temperatures.

Unknown said...

I actually saw bigfoot driving a John Deere through the WalMart parking lot... at least the guy driving it was quite hairy. :)

John C

seashore subjects said...

I feel your cold pain. But what a nice chance for Braden to play with the dogs inside.

Rob said...

Melinda I bursted out laughing when I was reading your post and got to the part where you took a shower with your dogs. Bathing suit or not that is funny. Wish you would have took pictures of that. That would have been really good.

Captain Dumbass said...

I'm closer to the Arctic Circle than the Mason-Dixon Line and I don't even have snow. I won't laugh though, that would be wrong.

Daddy Files said...

One of the big reasons I like reading your blog is it's a reminder of how different life is in other places. In short, it temporarily makes me poke my head out of my bubble.

Up here you'd have the cops called on you if you left your dogs outside all the time, even in the nicer weather. My dog has never spent a night outside and, in fact, sleeps in our bed every single night.

But I'm sure she'd be a squirrel killer if we could let her off leash in the woods!

Juliana said...

Our dogs are inside too...it is freezing everywhere. The the heck? We start this year off with ONCE IN A BLUE MOON and now the whole world is freezing over? I hope it warms up SOON!

I am a new follower, just found your blog tonight. It is nice to "meet" you. Pop on my to my bloggy blog and follow back if you would like. Look forward to following. ~Juliana with A Blonde Walks Into a Blog...

ericdbolton said...

Texas had their freezing moments as well. We brought our dog inside and he would let out a single bark whether he needed water, food, or to go outside and poop.

Sometimes it meant something else. Maybe it was some hot chocolate, I dunno. I never gave it to him.

SurprisedMom said...

I do feel for you because I know you are not used to the frigid temperatures. That said, I was smiling when I read your intro and then laughed through your list of things you are more likely to see. Cute stories about the dog, glad everyone got along, but, really, showering with the dogs? You are a brave man!