Amazingly, spring appears to have arrived! One moment I'm shivering from the Pacific Northwest "endless" winter and the next, I'm warmly greeted and entertained by little nubile leaves, uncurling on tree branches in the soft wind. Even when I simply walk out to retrieve my mail, the sunlight feeds me and the bees dance round my head as if to taunt me to stay outside! "Why go back into that box?" they ask. And then I begin to wonder myself. Could it be time to plant flowers? And the resounding yes from the bee team, turns my day around.

With my dogs at my side, and the bees buzzing in unison around my ears,
I put off work for a few hours and plant four big pots of pansies, daisies and impatiens. My world suddenly goes from dove grey to yellow, pink, purple and coral and all is right with the world. Well, at least, in my world. The dogs seemed elated to sit in the sun, panting, curious as to why they no longer see their breath flowing out in front of them. "Spring is here!", I say!

They nod in delight.

Happy spring to you and yours!

Colleen Paige is an internationally renowned animal behaviorist and author of "The Good Behavior Book for Dogs" (Quarry Books - 2007) among other works, such as Dog Drool and Christmas Dogs. She is also a pet friendly interior designer, artist, photographer and the founder of the
Animal Miracle Foundation, the umbrella organization for her group of life saving animal rescue holidays which she founded, such as National Dog Day, National Puppy Day, National Cat Day and National Horse Protection Day.
 

For more information about Colleen Paige, please visit colleenpaige.com

Photo - Tom Sadowski