OUR FIRST SUMMER GUEST

June is busting out all over in Maine!

I pick lush pink peonies to put in a Waterford vase for the dining room table. The sand chairs and beach umbrella are stacked in the Honda mini-van. The picnic cooler has been scrubbed clean of winter mung. The weather is positively glorious. Visitors are afoot.

Who wouldn’t want to be in the Pine Tree State at this lupin-blooming time of year? Check out Bailey Island where friend Sandy Janes and Ken went for lobster rolls recently (and snapped this fabulous shot).

So it’s no surprise that our first summer visitor arrived this week.

With an adorable suitcase.

She brought her own pillow, as a lot of our "older" friends do when they come for a few days.

Like a lot of other seniors, she takes pills every morning. Not to mention that older stomachs require special food.

Welcome, Rylee Loewenberg, a sweet pint-sized Jack Russell Terrier owned by pals John and Linda, who are cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage and beyond for 10 days. When their regular dog sitter was delayed for dog-sitting, we were asked to “fill in for a couple days.”

Our excitement and enthusiasm knew no ends. “This is great way to rent-a-dog dog for a few days!” Mr. Wonderful said. “She’s just a little thing too, so how much work can she be?” I asked. “You can take her on long walks,” I added. “And I’ll throw her the ball!,” W. said.

We’re doing all that.

And our conversation has gone to the dogs. We don’t discuss Special Prosecutors, Ricky Fowler’s chances at the Open, or what W. would like for a Father’s Day barbeque.

Our chatter concentrates on: “Did she poop when you took her outside?” “Do you think she ate enough kibble?” “Why is she shivering?” “Did you put peanut butter on her pill?” “Isn’t it YOUR turn to walk her?” "Are you positive she pooped?"

Before taking her out to play ball, I did a little research and read that Jack Russells require "full participation in the family and vigorous daily play sessions, especially ball chasing, which they tend to be passionate about – even obsessive.” My information fell on deaf ears.

“She won’t give me back the ball,” W. hollered from the front yard. "She's holding onto it with her teeth and growling at me. That's enough of that!"