2014 is off to a great start. We spent the morning of the first watching "A Dolphin Tale" ad followed that up with a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Rescue Center to introduce Mario to Hope and Winter, the resident baby dolphins that will permanently reside there at the center. We watched a training session, a rehabilitation session and a play sessions with Hope and Winter and enjoyed every minute. Even though the place was packed it was fun and we got to see so much. I played with the stingrays and one little light colored one was really enjoying me scratching her wing so much that when Billy finally convinced me to go she splashed a huge splash right where I had been standing. I would have been soaked!!!! I guess she was mad I had to go!

We watched lots of sea turtles, dolphins, otters, and the two birds they used for the filming of the movies , Lucy and Ricky (named Rufus in the movie). I could watch the animals all day. They added a new "bone room" to their facility with movies laying and lots of touch items and posters and charts. They even have a whole skeleton of a small whale, it is very cool and I had a great time examining the bones.

We finished up the night with a trip to the beach to go to a couple surf shops and to eat dinner at Hooters on the Beach. Mario got to have his photo taken with the girls and the server we had remembered him from his birthday dinner there. All in all it was a fun night and a perfect way to both ring in the new year and say goodbye to a wonderful woofer, friend and new family member, Mario. We will miss you so much and do hope you come back soon. Good luck to you in your future education, travels and life!!!! We love you!

Sp today we invited two new woofers to join the ranks here at Dragonfly Ranch. Welcome to Viviane and Autumn. They arrive this week and we are excited to meet them.

Today is a work day and I am headed outside to clean up around the run and empty it so it can be moved. (As soon as I can get myself to stop typing!) Mario almost finished his new table which is complete with TWO sinks!!!! It is an awesome creation and I am sure I am going to enjoy using it. We will move it into the garden tonight and it will be finished there. I also finished the floor for the outdoor shower. I am so excited to try it but I think I will wait for balmier weather.

We will move the firewood pile and get a nice pile of wood ready for anyone who wants some great physical labor. We need to split a whole bunch of the larger rounds into usable pieces that fit in the fireplace. Come on over if you can swing a maul!!!!! I'll bring you water and lunch!!!

That's i for now. I will try and blog at least once a week from now on, now that I have a nice shiny new computer, thanks to Alissa and Bill from New Jersey. I was the proud and blessed recipient of their old baby laptop and I am loving it. Now I can try and keep in touch better and to keep everyone up on the adventures here at Dragonfly Ranch!!!! I feel a bonfire coming on!!!!!!

TL