The Snow Begins to Melt.

The morning sun rose and began to shine through the bedroom window. Midge felt the warmth of the sun's rays across her face. She jumped up and looked at her owner who was still in the bed. Her eyes were closed so she quietly went to the stairs and rushed downstairs and jumped into the chair beside the window and peaked outside to see how things looked this morning. The sun glistened on the white snow that still covered the yard. But the sidewalks and the street were clear of the snow. People had shoveled the sidewalks the day before and the street was plowed and there was no more snow falling in the night. “Maybe my owner will go to work today,” thought Midge, “And I can go play with Jake today. We need to go check on Snappy and make sure he is okay in this cold snow.” She turned toward the fireplace and saw a few glowing pieces of wood still in there. She went to the little rug and curled up near the last of the fire that burned low. It felt so good but it was almost out now. As she lay staring into the fireplace, she heard her owners footsteps coming down the stairs. She raised her head and looked toward the stairs to see her owner dressed and ready for work. “I think she is working today,” thought Midge. “Good, I can go see Jake and we can go to the park to see how Snappy is today.”

The Big Snowfall

 Midge woke early and headed down the stairs to the kitchen for a drink of water and to go outside for her morning walk in the yard and to take care of her duty for the morning. She pushed against the door and could not budge it. She pushed again and still the door would not open. She ran to the window in the living room and jumped into the big chair that was beside the window and pushed the curtain aside and put her nose near the window. The yard was all white now and she heard the snowplow as it turned the corner and started up the street.

“Oh my,” thought Midge. “It snowed in the night. Wow, too much snow.”

Jake and Midge Talk About the Cold

Jake and Midge sat on the front porch watching the kids walking by to go to the bus stop to catch the bus. The air was cool now but the sun felt good and wasn't too hot anymore. Summer was gone and the fall days were starting.

"Do you like winter?" asked Midge.

"No," said Jake. "It is always too cold and I don't like the snow when it comes," said Jake.

"I don't like it either," said Midge. "I don't like walking in the snow. It is really cold on my feet."

"Mine too," said Jake.

"Last week my owner bought me some little booties to wear in the snow," said Midge. "I never saw a dog wearing booties before."

"I don't have any," said Jake. "I know this little chihuahua who wears them. He lives on the other side of the park. I saw him down by the pond one day with them on."

"Who is that?" asked Midge. "Do I know him?"

What kind of food do you eat?

 "Good morning Jake," said Midge as she walked up the steps to the porch where she found Jake napping in the swing. "You are taking a nap already Jake?"

"My owner was awake early this morning getting things ready to go to work and so I have been awake for long time now," said Jake.

"She don't have that much to get ready usually," said Midge. "Why did she have to get up early today?"

"I heard her talking on the phone to someone from work last night and they are having a retirement party for someone and she has to bring some cookies for it," said Jake. "So she was up at 4am this morning to bake them."

Susie moves in with Booker-T

 Susie's owner carried all of her things to Booker-T's house and Susie followed behind her. They climbed the steps to the house and her owner knocked on the front door. When Booker-T's owner opened the door, Booker-T was standing beside her.

"Hi Susie," said Booker-T. "Come on in. I am so happy that my owner agreed to take you into our house. You will like it here with us. See over there by the fireplace, you have a new bed beside mine."

"That is nice," smiled Susie. "I always slept on the end of the bed at night."

"I do too at night," said Booker-T. "When it is cold during the day, I like to lay in the bed near the warm fire. It is nice."

Booker-T Has News for Susie

"Susie," said Booker-T. "I want to talk to you about something, okay?"

"Sure," said Susie. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm good" said Booker-T. "I heard my owner talking to your owner the day she came back from her trip."

"Did she thank your owner for letting me stay with you?" asked Susie.

"Yes she did," said Booker-T. "She was very glad that you could stay with us and I was happy you were there with us too Susie."

"I really missed my owner when she was gone," said Susie.

"I know you did," said Booker-T. "I have a question."

Susie's New Collar

The three friends told Snappy good-bye and headed to Booker-T's house. They felt good after their swim in the pond. The small breeze was cool as it blew through their wet fur. When they turned the corner on Booker-T and Midge's street, they spotted Susie sitting on her front porch. They hurried to her house to get the news about her owner.

“Hi Susie,” shouted Booker-T as they entered the yard through the front gate.
“Hi Booker-T,” said Susie. “Hi Midge and Jake.”

“How are you doing now?” asked Midge. “I think you are a lot happy now that your owner is home.”

The Friends Discuss having an Owner

 “Susie!” screamed Jake and Midge. “Susie! Look out for that car!”

Susie's owner turned to see Susie running toward the street and screamed for Susie to stop. She heard the dogs barking. Susie stopped just in time as the car went speeding by her. Her owner came running and picked Susie up into her arms. She patted Susie on the head and hugged her tight. Susie purred and nuzzled her in the neck.

“Boy, that was close,” signed Midge. “She wasn't looking for the cars.”

“I know, she had one thing on her mind and that was running to welcome her owner back from the long trip.”

“Do you want to go to the park?” asked Booker-T. “I don't think Susie will come to the park today. She will be busy following her owner around the house.”

Susie is Excited

 “Good morning Susie,” said Booker-T. “You are awake early this morning and sitting out here on the porch all by yourself. Are you okay?”

“I am fine Booker-T,” said Susie. “I think today is the day my owner is coming home.”

“I thought it was tomorrow,” said Booker-T. “Are you sure it is today?”

“I have been watching your owner mark off the calendar every day and I think she will be home today, but I don't know what time she will be here.”

“I know you will be happy to see her,” said Booker-T. “It has been a long time she was gone.”

Snappy Tries to Cheer up Susie

“Hey there Snappy!” called Jake as they ran to the pond. “Where are you buddy?”

“Hello Snappy,” said Midge. “Where are you hiding?”

“Hey you guys,” said Snappy as he poked his head out of the water near the small log in the center of the pond. “What are you doing this morning?”

“We came to play,” said Booker-T.

“Oh, that is great,” said Snappy. “I am always happy to see you.”

“We like to play in the pond too and it is always good to see you too,” said Midge.

Susie is Feeling Sad

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she came running through the gate and up the steps to where Jake was napping on the porch swing.

“Hi Midge,” said Jake. “What is the hurry this morning? Slow down”

“Oh, Jake,” gasped Midge.

“Slow down and catch your breath,” said Jake. “What is going on?”

“I just saw Booker-T sitting on his porch,” said Midge.

Midge Talks About the Old Times

“Hey Jake!” sang Midge as she strolled up the sidewalk to the porch. “Oh Jake! Where are you?”

“I'm here Midge,” answered Jake sitting up.

“What are you doing?” sang Midge.

“I was napping,” answered Jake. “Why are we singing?”

“I don't know,” said Midge. “We sound little silly don't we?”

“You sure do,” said Booker-T and he hurried up the steps.

Booker-T's Happy Day

“Diddly dee, diddly dee,” sang Booker-T as he hurried along the sidewalk to Jake's house. “I'm so happy, diddly dee, diddly dee.”

Booker-T bounced up the porch steps to where Jake sat on the swing. “You are in a really good mood this morning, Booker-T,” said Jake.

“I know,” said Booker-T. “It is a wonderful day today, don't you think?”

“Yes,” said Jake. “The sun is out and the air is warm. I love the quiet mornings.”

“Me too Jake,” said Booker-T. “Today is especially a happy one.”

Midge Remembers

“Fiddle Dee Dee,” sang Midge as she skipped up the walkway to the porch where Jake was sitting in the swing. “Fiddle Dee Dee, the fly has married the bumblebee.”

“What are you singing?” laughed Jake.

“I heard my owner's sister singing that to her little boy,” said Midge. “Isn't it cute?”

“It is different,” smiled Jake. “The fly married a bumblebee. Now that is different.”

“Yes,” said Midge. “I think a lot of the little kids songs and fairy tales are different. But they are cute.”

Hello Friends

  "Hi,  I'm Midge.   Hello  to all my friends around the world.  I am hoping you are enjoying my little stories with me and all my friends.   We enjoy sharing our little adventures with you all.  Sometimes we make new friends along the way.  New friends are so much fun, don't you think so?  Jake is my best friend and we always like to go to the park to play with our friends.  Sometimes I get excited about things I have never seen before.  Remember my adventure where I thought the aliens had landed in the park?  Jake thought I was funny.  And how about Booker-T? 

Gabby Has Sad News

“Hello Jake!” called Midge as she strolled up the walkway to the front porch where Jake was laying on the porch swing. Midge noticed his eyes were closed as she hurried up the steps. “Hey Jake! Jake! Wake up Jake!”

Jake slowly opened his eyes and smiled a litttle. “Hi Midge. What time is it?”

“How long have you been sleeping?” asked Midge.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “Depends on what time it is now.”

“I think it was about 7am when I left my house to come here,” said Midge. “But I don't know for sure.”

“It only takes you about 10 minutes to get here from your house,” said Jake. “Did you walk straight here without stopping off to talk to anyone?”

Randy Joins the friends

“Hello Randy,” said Midge as she approached the tree beside the pond. “How are you?”

“I am good,” said Randy.

“We haven't seen you around here lately,” said Jake. “What happened to you?”

“I was a few blocks away with my brothers,” said Randy. “This is first time I have been to the park in long time.”

“I know,” said Booker-T. “We missed you.”

“Have you seen Snappy this morning?” asked Jake.

Good Friends

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she hurried up the sidewalk to the porch. “Where are you?”

She leaped up the steps and Jake wasn't laying on the swing as he usually does in the morning while he waits on Midge to arrive. She looked around and called again.

“Jake!” said Midge. “Where are you? I don't see you here!”

“Hi Midge,” said Jake as he came rrunning around the corner of the house from the back yard. “I'm here.”

“What are you doing?” asked Midge.

Crystal Solves her Problem

The friends all ran to the back yard where Crystal lives. In the back yard they found the small tree with low branches.

“This is the little tree,” said Crystal. “Do you think this will work?”

“It should,” said Midge. “But it isn't a tree. This is a bush.”

“Oh,” said Crystal. “But the bush will work won't it?”

“Sure,” said Gabby. “Now try to walk through the bush there in the middle and see if you can get the sweater caught on a branch.”

“Okay,” said Crystal as she started to walk into the bush. “Ouch”

“Are you okay?” said Midge.

Midge Meets Jake's New Neighbor

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she came through the gate into the front yard. She strolled up the sidewalk to the porch.

“Hi Midge,” greeted Jake. “You are early this morning.”

“I know,” said Midge. “My owner left for work an hour earlier this morning. I think she has meeting at work this morning. I heard her talking to someone from her office on the phone last night.”

“It's always good to see you,” said Jake. “I think Booker-T and Misty are coming soon so we can go to the park to play.”

“Okay,” said Midge.

“Did you see Booker-T and Misty this morning?” asked Jake.

“No,” said Midge. “It was early so they might have been sleeping.”

“Do you want some of my breakfast?” asked Jake. “I will share some with you.”

Missing Misty

“Hi Midge!” called Booker-T as he hurried up the sidewalk to the front porch where Midge was sitting in the porch swing.

“Hey Booker-T,” said Midge. “What are you doing this morning?”

“Aren't you going to Jake's house today?” asked Booker-T.

“Yes,” said Midge. “I am waiting for Misty.”

“I was just at Misty's house,” said Booker-T. “I didn't see her there.”

“Oh,” said Midge. “She told me last night she wanted to walk to Jake's with me.”

Midge sees Aliens Again

Midge came running along the sidewalk and started through the gate into the front yard at Jakes and slid on some dirt on the sidewalk. She hurried to her feet and ran for the porch. “Jake, Jake!” called Midge as she ran up the steps.

“Whoa!” said Jake. “Slow down Midge. What are you running for?”

“Jake!” said Midge trying to catch her breath.

“Breathe deep Midge,” said Jake. “And take your time. You are out of breath.”

“I know Jake,” said Midge trying to slow her breathing down so Jake could understand what she was saying.

Misty talks about Jobs

“Good morning Misty,” called Booker-T as he hurried up the sidewalk and through the gate where he found Misty sitting on the swing.
“Hi Booker-T,” greeted Misty. “You are up early today.”

“My owner had to go to town early today so we got up an hour earlier than usual,” said Booker-T.

“That is good,” said Misty. “I am always awake early except on Sundays.”

“You sleep late on Sundays?” asked Booker-T.

The Unrolled Ball of Yarn

Misty sat under the tall tree near the pond playing with her new ball of yard her new friends gave her for her birthday. She was very proud of her new gift.

“Do you like it, Misty?” asked Booker-T.

“It is so nice Booker-T,” smiled Misty. “I was really surprised. I like it very much. I will take it home with me when we go.”

“We are all glad to have you as our friend,” said Midge.

A Surprise for Misty

“Hey Midge!” called Misty as she came strolling up the sidewalk to the front porch at Midge's house. “Are you here?”

“Hi Misty,” called Booker-T from across the fence. “What are you doing this morning?”

“Is Midge awake?” asked Misty.

“I think she has already gone to Jake's house,” said Booker-T. “You want to walk there with me? I am going now.”

The New Cat in Town

The sun was hot in the afternoon and Midge, Jake and their friends were sitting under the big tree near the pond. Snappy was splashing around in the water near the edge of the pond. “Come on in you guys,” called Snappy.

“You have fun Snappy,” said Midge. “I'm tired and going to rest a little here in this nice shade.”

“But the water is cool and you can cool off faster here in the water,” said Snappy.

Misty meets Snappy

“Hey Snappy!” called Midge and Jake as they got to the edge of the pond in the park. “Where are you?”

“Hi everyone,” greeted Snappy as he poked his little head out of the water. “What are you all doing?”

“We came to play in the water with you,” said Booker-T.

“Who is your little friend?” asked Snappy.

“Oh, sorry Snappy,” said Midge. “This is Misty. She moved in near me the other day. Misty, this is our friend Snappy.”

Booker-T and Misty's Shots

“Hey Misty!” called Midge as she and Jake entered the front yard through the gate.

“Hi Midge,” said Misty. “Hi Jake”

“How are you feeling Misty?” asked Jake.

“I feel good,” laughed Misty. “But think Booker-T is not too good.”

“Why?” asked Midge. “What happened to Booker-T?”

“Where is Booker-T?” asked Jake.

“He just ran to his house for few minutes,” said Misty. “He said he will be back.”

“What happened?” asked Jake looking toward Booker-T's house.

Misty's First Trip to the Vet

“Hi Misty,” said Midge as she climbed the steps of the front porch at her house. “What are you doing?”

“I was napping,” said Misty.

“Do you want to go to the park with Booker-T, Jake and me?” asked Midge.

“I have to stay here today,” said Misty. “My owner is getting ready now to take me to the vet. I heard her tell the vet on the phone that she wanted me to get some kind of shots today.”

Misty Needs Help

“Jake! Jake!” called Midge as she came running through the gate and leaped onto the porch.

“Slow down Midge,” said Jake. “What is the big hurry this morning?”

“Come quick Jake!” said Midge. “Misty needs help.”

“What happened?” asked Jake as he leaped down from the porch swing.

Midge and the New Friend

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she strolled through the front gate into the yard. “What are you doing?”

“Hi Midge,” said Jake as he sat up and walked to the porch edge. “I was napping.”

“Jake, you are always napping,” laughed Midge.

“I know and in the hot weather I nap even more,” said Jake. “It is too hot to do anything else and the hot air makes me sleepy.”

Booker-T Enters the House

“Hey Jake!” called Booker-T as he strolled up the sidwalk to the front porch. “What are you doing?”

Booker-T leaped up the stairs and Jake wasn't there. “Hmmm,” thought Booker-T. “Wonder where he is this morning.” He ran down the steps and around to the back of the house. No Jake there either. He remembered that Jake said they never locked the doggie door so he poked his head through the door and looked around. He didn't see anyone, so he slowly stepped into the house through the door. He quietly walked to the next room looking around for Jake. The rooms were dark and no where did he see Jake. Suddenly he heard a noise upstairs and he ran for the doggie door and pushed his way back out into the yard. He sat there to catch his breath and thought, “Wow, that was close.” He rested there about a minute and then ran around to the front of the house and saw Jake coming out the front door. His mistress closed the door behind him.

Midge Wants to Ride in the Balloon

“Jake, when will they fly the balloons?” asked Midge.

“I don't think they will fly them tonight,” said Jake. “They will fly them I think in the morning early before the day gets too hot.”

“Can we ride in one of them?” asked Midge.

“No,” said Jake. “How would we ride in one? The man would see us get into the little basket and put us back out.”

“I really want to go up into the air in one of them, Jake,” said Midge. “How do we do it?”

The Balloon Fest

“Hey Midge!” called Booker-T as he ran across the yard to her front porch. “Where are you?”

“I'm here,” said Midge as she came walking from the back yard. “What are you doing this morning?”

“I thought we were going to Jake's together this morning,” said Booker-T. “Since we live right next door to each other, I thought it would be nice if we walk together every morning.”

“That would be good Booker-T,” agreed Midge. “I like that idea. But you aren't always able to come out the door early. You have to wait for your mistress to open your cat door.”

“I know,” said Booker-T. “I heard her telling someone that she was going to be leaving for work an hour earlier now in the mornings and getting off work an hour earlier.”

The Neighborhood Bully

“Hey Jake!” called Midge and Booker-T as they came through the gate to the front yard.

“Hi you two,” greeted Jake. “What are you doing this morning? I didn't think you would be here til later.”

“We are ready to do something with this bully across the street from me,” said Midge. “The sooner the better.”

“What are we going to do?” asked Jake. “We don't know if what we did yesterday worked yet.”

Booker-T has an Idea

Booker-T sat on the swing for what seemed like a long time thinking. He kept staring at the sky trying to find a solution to the boy's bullying. Suddenly he jumped up and smiled. “I think I might have an idea.”

“I hope so Booker-T,” said Midge. “You sure sat there thinking a long time.”

“I know,” said Booker-T. “But this is tough problem to solve. We are only animals and this won't be too easy to solve since we can't talk to the bully.”

“We have to do something,” said Snappy. “I want my home at the pond to be safe.”

Snappy Comes to See Jake

“Hey Jake!” said Snappy as he approached the steps to the porch.

“Hey Snappy,” said Jake. “What are you doing all the way over here? You don't usually leave the park or go too far from your little pond. Is everything okay?”

“No, it is not good today,” said Snappy.

“What happened?” asked Jake.

Susie Worries About Booker-T

“Hi Jake,” said Susie as she pranced up the steps to the front porch at Jake's.

“Hi Susie,” answered Jake. “What are you doing this morning? You don't usually come here by yourself in the mornings.”

“I know,” said Susie. “I wanted to know if you have seen Booker-T today?”

“No, not today,” said Jake. “He was here yesterday afternoon for a little while, but he left here to go back home. You haven't seen him?”

“No,” said Susie. “I saw him yesterday morning before he came over here, but not since that time. I went to the house, but he wasn't outside.”

The Go-Carts

“Wow Jake,” said Midge. “Look at all the pretty go-carts. Don't you think they look nice?”

“For a go-cart, I guess they are nice,” said Jake.

“They are different,” said Booker-T. “What do they do with them?”

“They race them,” said Midge.

“Who races them?” asked Booker-T. “I've never seen a go-cart race before.”

“The kids race these,” said Midge. “The kids have to make them with the help of their dads and probably sometimes, their moms.”

Midge is in a Hurry

“Jake!” called Midge as she came running around the corner, through the gate and jumped up onto the porch where Jake was laying in the swing.

“Slow down Midge,” said Jake. “Why are you in such a hurry this morning? I would have thought something was chasing you.”

“Oh no,” said Midge. “No one is chasing me. I came fast as I could come.”

“But why?” asked Jake. “What are you running so fast for?”

“Something is going on in the park,” said Midge. “Lets go see what it is.”

“How do you know that there is something going on over in the park?” asked Jake. “Were you there this morning already?”

Midge and the Stranger

Jake and Midge strolled along the sidewalk on their way to Booker-T's house. It was early morning and not much traffic along the street. The morning was quiet as the birds began to sing in the trees and the sun was slowly rising in the east behind the trees in the park.

“Isn't the sky pretty Jake?” asked Midge

“I love the morning sunrise,” said Jake. “The pretty orange glow from the sun on the white clouds are nice.”

A big white car slowly pulled up along side of the two as they walked along the sidewalk. A gruff looking man opened the door and called to Midge. “Come on little one,” as he held out a piece of beef to her.

Jake and the ID Chip

“Dum di dum,” sang Jake as he pranced along the sidewalk to Midge's house.

“You are sure happy this morning,” said Midge as Jake scampered up the steps to the porch where Midge sat in the middle of the porch swing.

“This is a great morning Midge,” smiled Jake. “Do you notice anything this morning?”

“Is there something different?” asked Midge.

“There is,” replied Jake. “You don't see it?”

Watching the Circus Load The Wagons

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she hurried up the sidewalk to the front porch. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” answered Jake. “Just sitting here waiting for you to come.”

“Are we going to go watch them load up the animals and take down the tents?” asked Midge.

“Yes,” said Jake. “Booker-T should be here in a few minutes and we can all go watch them.”

“I'm here!” called Booker-T as he hurried up the steps. “I'm ready to go.”