Valentine Merlin

Happy hearts to all. Merlin wishes all his pals a heartful Valentine's Day. Say yes. Hug somebody. Hug everybody. Dispense biscuits.

In the spirit of the original St. Valentine, embrace all who love, whomever they love.
St. Valentine was martyred for performing secret marriages for Roman soldiers when it was forbidden for army men to wed. Imprisoned, he wrote a love note to his jailor's blind daughter, who's sight was restored so she could read, From your Valentine. Let love open your eyes.

Celebrate love. Live your passion. Smell roses, eat chocolate (if you're a human), wag more. Embrace love, embrace life. Say YES.

Dog kisses all around.

Groundhog Dog Day

Merlin sees his shadow!
Predicts no more winter anyway because he lives in Northern California’s sunny Marin County!

Every Groundhog Day Merlin trots expectantly to his local puppy park to observe rodent shadows. He's yet to meet a real groundhog, woodchuck, or marmot, the squirrel family mega members, but ears perked, nose to the ground, he hunts for local gophers. Creeping soundlessly across the sunny grass, Merlin’s shadow floats across potential gopher exits. Gentle, curious, patient, Merlin waits for little furry noses to pop up. Ears flicking, he herds his underground park pals around their tunnels. He could do this all day.

Punxsutawney Phil is the official Groundhog Day weather predicting groundhog. Every February 2nd for the last 125 years, Phil peeks out of his wintery hibernation in the Pennsylvania Wilds to see if spring is coming. According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow at sunrise, there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, early spring arrives. And, yes, of Punxsutawney Phil's 125 prognostications, he usually sees his shadow, predicting more winter. Sorry, Pennsylvania. The town of Punxsutawney celebrates all day either way, streaming live. Merlin joined in early by earning his Groundhog Day Foursquare Badge and you can too by shouting Groundhog anywhere in the world today. Details.

February 2nd is also Imbolc/ Candlemas/ Brigid's Day, half way between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. In the harsh heart of winter, we long for the steady strengthening sun. New life stirs in the thawing landscape. We wish you a frosty morning walk, free from shadows. Early spring sunshine. And badges!