STRICTLY POSITIVE

Since we're heading into a long weekend, I'm sure you're all in stellar moods already. But just in case, here are a few things that caught my eye this week, or were sent my way by helpful elves, that might kick the happy up a notch or two on our way out of the week.

Exhibit A:  As a lover of both dogs and rats, I rate this item 100% awesome. If you turned up your nose or your skin crawled at "rat," you're missing out. Rats are just dogs that happen to fall into the rodent family. This pair seems to know they have similar attitudes. Riff the rat was rescued at the age of four weeks and has since become best buds with Osiris, a Dutch Shepherd, even cleaning Osiris' mouth and teeth. This makes me miss having a rat. We had them growing up and they're fantastic pets (see below re my first golden, Nicki, with Waldo the rat, circa 1978):

Exhibit B: Next time you're feeling stressed, play this video (h/t Twisted Sifter). The visual of these underwater scenes taken during a swim at Jellyfish Lake is relaxing enough, but when set to piano music one might fall asleep at one's desk. So I've heard. What a great experience this must have been.



Exhibit C: Other than my family, one of my favorite things Australian is Edgar's Mission, a farm sanctuary in southern Victoria. Edgar's Mission takes in all kinds of hard cases, including this little lamb, who arrived almost at death's door at 3:00 in the morning. She was just a few hours old, and based on her terrible condition the sanctuary figured she was either born on a livestock transport or stockyard. She appeared to have been trampled by other sheep and she was covered in urine and excrement. With her umbilical cord still fresh, she was obviously a newborn and had missed out on her mother's life-saving colostrum, received through nursing. She was not expected to survive, but the little lamb, named Grace, surprised everyone and is now living out her days at Edgar's Mission. These stories are harsh, but I do like to share some with happy endings now and again to highlight the great work being done around the world by various rescue organizations. (Thanks to Erin for this story).

Exhibit D: Confession time. I am a rock nerd. Have been since I was a tadpole. We had a rock tumbler constantly turning in the garage. My wonderful father took me to rock shows. I still pick up rocks wherever I go if I find one that suits my fancy. One year, my sister gave me a bag of rocks for my birthday and it was the greatest (don't ever say I'm not low maintenance when it comes to gifts). All of this is to explain that this next post is a little bit like porn to my inner rock nerd.  This couple, based in British Columbia, build projects for clients using rocks. Walls, fireplaces, seating areas, doorways, murals, you name it. Some of it gets a little far out, but you can't deny the craftsmanship at work here. Pretty amazing stuff.

Exhibit E: Second confession. I can be pretty simple, and this video made my simple side laugh. Dude sees a news broadcast taking place right near his house, takes off, videobombs the scene. Once you see him run out the door you can FF to the one minute mark. His pure joy at this stupidity simply tickles me.



Exhibit F: This is going to be my new go-to feel-good video. If the jellyfish didn't do it for you, this will. And if it doesn't, I just don't know what else to throw at you. This is further proof that everyone needs their own golden retriever. Here is a time-lapse video of a kitten growing up with the family dog. (h/t HuffPo Good News)



Exhibit G: As the Beloved Stepson will tell you, I have a soft spot for a good kid prank (can you believe no one had ever taught the kid about short-sheeting beds before I came along? Total parenting fail). Even though she goes a little hard on him, the prankster side of me enjoyed this video of a mom putting one over on her son for his birthday. Particularly her sneaky grin at the camera as he starts to open the package that has him in such (fake) hot water (and when she can't handle him taking so long to get it open). She might be more excited about this than he is.



Obligatories: It has been a week for numerous annoying Bird news, and now you get them all wrapped up in one big post! We had a busy week, starting with another long morning at gigantor dog park. We had much better luck with the tide this week and B got her first good swimming in. She's still partial to the grass, however, and kept deserting me to go back to her high ground perch where she could oversee the joint.

Wednesday, I got a wild hair and decided to bring her to the office with me on Thursday. Dogs are not allowed in the building. We scoffed. I brought a portable cushion bed, toys, peanut butter kongs, the whole nine yards. When we arrived, I let her reconnoiter, and she went from space to space, office to office, stuffed moose in tow like she owned the joint.

Once I had my coffee and we went to get settled in, I put the cushion in a nice little spot behind my desk. She was NOT HAVING IT. After about an hour I just let her do what she wanted to do; so much easier. She took her toys and set them both outside my office door, right in the middle of the main hall, and settled in to watch the comings and goings. She never got up to greet anyone, mind you (or get out of their way). The minions visit the queen.

She did not understand how I could think this place was so boring.

Eventually Jerry showed up and since Michael was gone for the day, we had a little fun at his desk. Then texted him and told him the new associate needed his password. Yup, high humor.

Overall it was a very fun day, but also quite distracting. One of the other attorneys in the office brought his daughter in and she happens to be a fast-pitch softball pitcher, so they had some fun in the hallway with the ball.  We played hide-and-seek with the ball. Lots of good spots in a busy office. Unfortunately, not busy enough, I now have a lot of time to make up. But it was worth it. All in all, she's a fantastic office mascot, particularly when left alone to nap.

We're still working on tricks class. Here's a little video from last week's practice to close out the day:



I think I've tortured you all enough. Until next week, have a great long weekend and a safe Fourth of July celebration (those of you who celebrate - sorry UK friends).