Mommy's Thoughts

I usually let the dawgs write about their lives, but I thought I would write a little bit about our morning. I spent the time cleaning and the dawgs spent most of that time outside enjoying the fresh air and barking up a storm. At one point I glanced out to see Jenna and Dixie sitting side by side scoping out the world. They looked exactly like the sisters they are! I tried to snag a couple of pictures of them through the sliding door and through the kitchen blinds before they saw me and moved. They had so much fun chasing each other around the yard today while trying to avoid the vacuum.

 

At one point while I was cleaning, Jenna decided to make herself comfy.  Her favorite place to relax when I am moving around the house is quickly becoming the bear skin rug in the man room!  Daddy does NOT like it when Jenna even walks on the rug much less curls up on it.  I think if she was allowed to roam freely in the house when we're away, she would make herself right at home on the rug.  He fears it would only be a matter of time before she took a bite out of it!  I think Jenna has better sense (except for toilet paper which is STILL an issue).

 

 

 

Shhh!  Don't tell Daddy!  That includes his co-workers who tend to tell him what his dawgs are writing since Daddy doesn't always read the blog.  (You know who you are!)  I couldn't resist taking these pictures.  Jenna is just beautiful sitting on the rug and blends in perfectly!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 



 

 

Armed and Dangerous!

It's been a while since you've heard from us.  That's because we've been on a mini-vacation.  Well, truthfully, Mommy and Daddy went on the actual vacation while we went to the kennel.  They went on a weekend mountain trip, and we spent time in our new "home away from home."  We did have a lot of fun making new friends.  We were able to stay up late and bark our heads off if we wanted without having Daddy tell us to be quiet.  Can you say PARTY?!?!?!

Mommy and Daddy had fun too.  They went trap shooting and horseback riding.  This was Mommy's first real experience with a shotgun and she had a blast (pun intended)!  Daddy was so impressed that she actually HIT the targets.  She didn't hit all of them of course, or even half of them, but she did HIT them!  That shotgun hit her shoulder quite a bit too and caused a lovely bruise.  Despite the bruise, she had fun and is ready to go again!  Daddy says he's a little worried because now Mommy is armed and dangerous!

They also had fun last weekend riding horses.  Mommy's horse was named Dixie!  Mommy says stubbornness must be attached to my name; I'm not sure what she meant by that . . . do you??  They tell me that riding can also cause bruises for those not used to it.  Mommy tried to listen to Daddy's directions at both events in order to avoid as much lingering pain as possible, but she has still taken quite a few pain killers this week.  I'm sure that allowing us to sleep with them a couple nights this week since their return has helped her feel better.  Jenna especially likes to settle between Mommy's feet. 

I hope you have a great Turkey Day!  Start making your list of all you're thankful for . . . I'm starting with my parents, brother, and sister!

Wags and Kisses,
Dixie

A First for Jenna . . . Depending on How You Look at It!

This morning Jenna had a first  . . . or last, depending on how you look at it!  I choose to see it as a miracle for me and Hunter and believe Jenna actually came in last place!

This past summer while Mommy was in the pet store, a lady was giving out free samples of a new dog food.  These samples were dehydrated and required water to be added before the actual eating could take place.  This whole process sounded a bit weird to all of us, but Mommy took the samples to be friendly.  Those samples have been sitting with our dog treats in the laundry room for months.  Mommy has no intention of switching, but she can't waste anything. You have to understand she follows Poppa Hall's lead and squeezes out every last drop of toothpaste from the tube. She stops just short of cutting the tube open (Poppa doesn't stop; he digs right in). Daddy usually begins a new tube while Mommy is still trying to finish off the old one.  But I digress.  Enough bark about Mommy's frugalness.

Mommy decided today was the day to try the samples out.  The directions said to mix 1/3 cup warm water with the food and then wait five minutes.  Right there is the first problem!  Who has a dog that doesn't recognize the food bowl and know food is coming soon . . . not in FIVE minutes?!?!  We were hanging all over Mommy's feet as she proceeded to unload the dishwasher and do a few other chores as we anxiously awaited our food (i.e. Jenna drooled all over the floor). 

After waiting a LONG five minutes, Mommy decided the food didn't look like it was going to be enough to sustain us until dinner tonight.  After all, it was a sample!  She added a tiny bit of our food to the mix.  She noticed mine was a bit drier than Hunter's, so she added a few more drops of water and stirred it again.  Jenna's was still not that solid, but Mommy didn't think Jenna could stand it any longer.  I feel I must remind you that Jenna's bowl has dividers in it to slow her down when she eats.  Mommy bought the bowl for Hunter since he eats pretty quickly, but apparently you can't teach an old dog new tricks when it comes to his food bowl.  Mommy gave it to Jenna when we added her to the family and it's a good thing.  The girl is a canine vacuum!  Despite the dividers, Jenna always finishes first and then comes over to hang around Hunter and me in case we leave a morsel behind.  We don't, but
you have to give the girl credit for being an eternal optimist. 

Here is where the miracle occurred . . . Jenna took the longest to eat her breakfast!!!!!  Hunter finished first, I came in second place, and poor Jenna was still working her little heart out licking every last drop of food from her bowl.  Mommy was amazed.  For a split second, Mommy thought maybe she should consider buying this food just for Jenna.  But that really wouldn't be fair; that would be torture to Jenna.  And I would hate the thought of torturing Jenna.  NOT! 

I hope you have a great weekend.  Too bad we don't have more of those samples . . .

Wags and Kisses,
Dixie

Happy Halloweenie!!

We have survived Hurricane Sandy.  Although the storm was devastating to parts of our region, it turned out (thankfully) to be just a major wind and rain storm by the time it reached our house.  We appreciate all of the prayers you sent our way for our safety.  We lost our land line and internet for about twelve hours, but we never lost power.  Mommy was quite surprised that the power stayed on all night since we seem to lose power pretty easily at this house.  She has already placed the pumpkins and fall decorations back on the front porch, the election signs in the yard, and the pots on the deck.  She is leaving the deck furniture to Daddy.  The big question now is what to do with all of that stored up water???  Maybe Mommy will let us take a bubble bath?

It's almost here . . . Were you able to figure out what our costumes are going to be?  I am wearing the same costume I wore last year.  It was a good one and the best fitting, most comfortable one I've ever had.  I am going as a horse, of course!  Poppa Hall calls me a horse whenever he is around, so it is very fitting (literally).  It also doesn't detract from my naturally handsome good looks!

 

Mommy might be taking the "twin" idea a bit too far.  She decided the ghouls, I mean girls, should dress alike for the holiday.  Jenna and Dixie are going as Halloweenie Hotdogs!  They relish the thought of all that candy currently sitting on the dining room table waiting on the neighborhood trick-or-treaters.  I just hope Jenna doesn't decide to take a bite out of Dixie since Jenna is seriously into anything food related! 

 

 

May your Halloween be filled with more treats than tricks!

Hunter

Hurricane Update

What goes flying in the wind at 100 miles per hour?  One of us, that's what!  I weigh the most, so hopefully it won't be me!  My best guess would be Jenna since she weighs the least. 

Hurricane Sandy keeps bearing down on us.  Our little town is right in the path of the hurricane.  By the time some of you read this, it will be many hours later, but Hurricane Sandy just made land in Joisey! 

Mommy and Daddy were both able to stay home today, so we have been enjoying ourselves.  We haven't been able to play ball outside, but we have chased each other around the house pretty often.  It has been an effort to go outside to potty today.  None of us likes to be rained upon.  Dixie has required the most encouragement.  Mommy put on Daddy's hunting rain gear and accompanied us outside this afternoon to try to push Dixie in the right direction. 

So far, we have stored up well over 100 gallons of water just in case the worst happens (that's Daddy's doings).  We should be able to water the plants for some time to come (not that they'll need it after this storm!).  We haven't lost power yet, but Mommy fears it's only a matter of time . . .

I'm sure Mommy and Daddy will allow the girls to sleep upstairs again tonight.  That way we'll all be safe (or blown away) together!  The night time was the scariest part of Hurricane Irene last year.  I'm sure Sandy will be no different. 

Dripping Wet Wags and Kisses,
Hunter

Anticipation of a Different Kind . . .

How's the weather where you live?  Why do humans always ask this question?  Don't they have something better to talk about?  They could talk about their pets; that would be so much more exciting than the weather. 

We are bracing for our second hurricane in two years!  WOW!  Who would have thought that would ever happen where we live?  Not me!  Hurricane Sandy is going to pack a punch, yet it's only a Category 1 storm.   Mommy told us to cross our paws so that maybe she'll be able to miss a day of school and stay home with us.  She really doesn't expect a lot of damage, but the surrounding areas are prone to flooding even in a regular rain storm.  For now, the forecast is calling for the brunt of the storm to hit Monday night and into Tuesday.  It's still too early to tell how much we should expect from the storm, but we are busy preparing:

• gallons of water:  check
• bottled water:  check
• even more water in the bath tub for flushing:  check
• deck furniture tied down:  check
• baby pool finally put away:  check (that one makes me sad)
• gasoline in the vehicles:  check
• gasoline for the generator:  check
• food:  check (I wonder if Mommy has enough dog food too?)
• books and magazines for Mommy to read:  check
• new toys for me and my sisters:  check (Thanks, Daddy!)
• purchase of floaties for the three of us . . . maybe tomorrow!

While Mommy and Daddy were busy preparing this weekend (under my supervision), Dixie and Jenna were having a blast in the great outdoors.  They spent quite a bit of time chasing each other in the yard Saturday.  They also apparently found some sort of trick or treat outside.  I say apparently because you could smell them from a mile away.  I have no idea what they got into, but it was quite a nasty smell!  As a result, Mommy had to give them a bath.  They should be ashamed of themselves; Mommy just gave us all a bath last weekend.  I love baths, but the girls aren't too sure about them.  Maybe that will teach them to stay out of stinky stuff!


I hope you have had a great weekend.  We are only a few days from Halloween!  I'm sure no matter what happens with Hurricane Sandy, the doorbell will be ringing soon.  I've got my bark on (but not my costume yet) and I'm ready!
Woof!  Woof!
Hunter

PS: Isn't that a cool spider web Mommy captured on the deck recently?  Even the spiders are ready for Halloween!

ALVIN!!!!

Are you familiar with Alvin and the Chipmunks?  I'm sure you remember those cartoons (or more recently the movies).  Pretty soon you will begin to hear their Christmas song on the radio.  Alvin and the Chipmunks is EXACTLY what we have at our house.  Mommy was on the deck with all three of us yesterday when Daddy walked by.  He said he could hear Mommy fussing about something, and she sounded just like the father on the show except she was using other names (but not mine, of course).

I would be Simon, the smart one of the bunch.  He rarely gets into trouble (at least not by himself) and tries to lead his siblings along the right path.  That's definitely me!  I just sit back, relax, and watch Dixie and Jenna rush headfirst into all kinds of situations (sometimes literally).

Dixie and Jenna take turns being Theodore and Alvin.  Theodore is the chipmunk of less than average intelligence who blindly follows Alvin's lead.  He goes with the flow and sometimes finds himself in situations that cause him to ask, "How did I get here?"  On any given day, this could be either of my sisters.  On other days, Dixie and Jenna could be Alvin, the master mind of all diabolical plans who finds trouble wherever he turns. 

"DIXIE" is likely to be heard from Mommy's mouth when trying to play fetch, and Dixie refuses to drop the ball.  Dixie desperately wants to play fetch with the tennis balls, but it's a bit hard when you have two tennis balls crammed between your teeth and you won't let go of one long enough for the Chuckit to grab!  Very frustrating for all involved.  You might also hear "DIXIE" when Jenna looks at Dixie the wrong way; Dixie feels as if she has to guard any nearby toy with teeth bared and her little nose wrinkled up in a snarl. 

"JENNA" currently is heard most often when Mommy hears the pitter patter of paws on the bathroom floors.  You already know Jenna has an affinity for eating toilet paper.  This "addiction" isn't diminishing despite my parents' best efforts.  Mommy has tried everything she knows, but most recently has simply had to resort to placing the toilet paper on the back of the toilet.  She used to fuss at Daddy when he just placed the new roll on top of the toilet paper holder instead of actually threading it into place.  She doesn't fuss anymore.  Except at "JENNA!" 

The next time you hear chipmunks mentioned or hear that annoying Christmas song, just think of us and know you won't be hearing . . .

"HUNTER!!!!"
(It's been YEARS since that happened!)

Anticipation . . .

We are giddy with excitement!  Halloween is only eleven days away!!!  We love Halloween!  This will be Jenna's first Halloween at our house, so we're sure her presence will just add to the fun!  Do you know how many times our door bell rings?  LOTS!!!  We have about twenty to thirty trick-or-treaters each year.  It makes for a very exciting evening at our house.  The bell rings; we run to the door.  The bell rings; we run to the door.  The rugs go flying, Daddy grabs us, and Mommy grabs the candy.  (Mommy says she has to be responsible for the candy, or Daddy will give it all out to the first five children in large handfuls.)  It's too bad WE can't grab that candy!  Just thinking about it makes our tails wag!  Maybe we CAN nab the candy this year since Daddy only has two hands?  Hmmm . . .

As usual, we will be wearing our best looks for the evening.  (Daddy is rolling his eyes.)  This year's costumes are great.  Hunter found his fur-ever costume last year, so his won't be a surprise.  Dixie and Jenna have new costumes.  They won't exactly be watching their ghoulish figures in their costumes, but Jenna is pleased with the theme of hers!  Betcha can't wait to see us!  We relish the thought!

Wags and Kisses,
Hunter, Dixie, & Jenna

PS: Can you guess what we'll be wearing?  There's a hint above . . . and it has nothing to do with the ghoulish figure comment!

Picture Perfect?

Mommy said she tried for MONTHS to capture this picture before I ever joined the family.  Dixie and Hunter frequently take up this position on the deck in the afternoons.  Mommy believes it perfectly captures her canine babies' stages of life:

• Dixie, at the age of two, is scouting out the world and ready to grab hold of whatever catches her fancy. 
• Ten year old Hunter is relaxing and enjoying watching the world go by; he's happy to let Dixie "go get 'em" while he watches from the sidelines.

Naturally, the two of them posed long enough for the picture after I arrived on the scene and I'm no where to be found!  Oh well.  That's where these pictures come in . . . Can you guess which one I am? 

Wags,
Jenna

Sick as a Dawg

My poor sister, Dixie!  She was sick as a dawg this week.  Dixie urinated in her crate Tuesday (several times)!  In an attempt to escape the problem (or cover up the evidence), Dixie turned her entire crate bed over but it didn't really help.  Mommy thought at first that this problem was just because Dixie had not used the potty as many times as she normally does in the morning.  It was a busy morning here that day; Grandma and Poppa were packing up to leave for their home as Mommy was trying to head off to work.  Mommy just figured Dixie had not been able to hold it all day . . .

Mommy was wrong (that doesn't happen often, so don't tell Daddy!).  Dixie went outside to potty that afternoon with the rest of us.  And then she moved and pottied some more.  And then more.  And more.  And more . . . until she was just really going through the motions and nothing else was left!  Mommy knew then that something was wrong.  She called good 'ole Dr. Stoneback and he said he could see Dixie as soon as they arrived.  He was kind enough to stay open a little later just for Dixie. 



Dixie has nicely recovered and is back to hogging the toys!

You won't believe what Mommy let them do to Dixie!  First, Dixie had to go potty and the vet technician threw a bowl under her to try to catch it.  The indignity of that position!  Next, Dixie had to have her temperature taken.  Do you know where they take a dog's temperature?!?!?!?  Now that Dixie has told me, you can bet I will NEVER act sick even if I am on my death bed!  How humiliating!  Dixie said she whined and cried, but that did not stop Mommy and the technician from placing that thermometer in a place the sun doesn't shine!!!  No way!  That is NOT happening to me!

Dixie's pH was fairly out of whack and she had a good deal of blood in her urine, but thankfully the urinalysis showed nothing more than a typical bladder infection.   Dixie is already back to her usual self.  Wonder what causes that?  I hope I can't catch it.  The whole idea makes me a little worried.  My crate is right beside of hers . . . and there is NO WAY that thermometer is going to get close to me!

Jenna