Morning Conversation Overheard

This past weekend we overheard Mommy and Daddy talking.  It went something like this . . .


Mommy: I am going to the antique store to see if they still have that piece of furniture.  It's been there for four months, so I think they might be ready to move it. 

Daddy:  Where are you going to put it?

Mommy:  The perfect place would be where the girls' crates are.

Daddy:  Where would you put their crates?

Mommy:  Well . . . they are turning three this week.  They're old enough to stay out all day.  Hunter left his crate behind when he was eight months old.  We could store the crates in the basement.

Daddy:  Seriously?  Have you met our dawgs??? 

Mommy: (laughing) Of course, but I think they'll be fine.

Daddy: But what about the house?  Have you seen them chase each other?  The house might not survive. 

Mommy: So that's a no on the furniture??

Daddy: Where would Dixie go to hide when she's stressed?  Where would Jenna rest?  Where would Jenna eat?

Mommy:  That is definitely a NO!

Am I a Senior Citizen???

Recently Mommy bought me a new toy.  I have had similar toys in the past, but this was different.  I am sure most of you dawg lovin' people out there have heard of Kong toys.  They are designed to hold special treats inside and give us four-legged creatures something to chew on at the same time.  Our family is now the proud owner of three of these toys. 

When I was a puppy I had a similar toy that was open on both ends.  Mommy used to fill the center with peanut butter and I would take great pleasure in licking it clean.  I loved that toy so much I would bring it to my parents and drop it at their feet.  They say I used to be pretty annoying.  I was happy to follow this daily routine until my parents noticed I was losing the hair from the base of my tail . . . it turns out I was allergic to peanut butter!  Once that toy disappeared and I got over my serious disappointment of not having peanut butter, I returned to my usual handsome self.  I lived for many years without the feeling of stickiness on the roof of my mouth!  [sigh]

When Dixie came to be with us, Grandma bought her a cute pink and white Kong that was designed for puppies and she bought me a much larger red one.  Dixie really enjoyed her new toy.  Mine was okay, but it wasn't the same as the one I had when I was a puppy.  I allow Dixie (and now Jenna ) to use mine when the pink Kong is empty.  Am I nice big brother or what?

So that brings me back to my new toy.  I have a lovely new Kong that is lavender and white.  I know Mommy likes it because it is one of her favorite colors, but it's not very manly.  She tells me this particular Kong didn't come in any other color combo (she looked).  She bought it for me because it's for OLD DAWGS!!!  It's softer and easier on old dawgs' teeth and gums.  WHAT???  Does that mean I'm OLD????  Seriously?  No one told me.  I still have all my teeth. I'm not that gray haired (I mean, have you seen my Daddy?).  I do have trouble on the steps, but I'm not down for the count!

I hate to admit I've been enjoying my new Senior Kong.  Mommy has been gradually introducing peanut butter back into my life over the last couple of years to see if I am still allergic.  So far, so good.  Cross your paws my allergy doesn't rear its ugly head again.  Mommy's been giving me my very own filled Kong lately as she heads off to work.  Now I don't have to just sit and smell peanut butter in the air from the girls' toys.  Yummmmm!  Life is good.

But seriously, am I that OLD??
Hunter

Poppers

Our neighborhood teen came to cut our grass this past weekend.  It was a jungle out there.  It was the first cutting of the season.  It probably needed it the previous weekend, but Mommy and Daddy aren't picky as long as they don't have to cut it themselves!  I wonder if I could get a job like that?  If I had a job, I could buy as much food as I wanted.  I'll have to think about this possibility and see if I can formulate a plan . . .

Whenever we hear the lawn boy starting to mow, one of our parents runs out in the backyard to round up all of our toys.  They do their best, but sometimes they miss one.  The poor guy has killed a stuffed tiger and many tennis balls.  He always feels guilty, but Mommy tells him not to worry.  There's plenty more where those came from.  It was Daddy's turn to fetch the toys this weekend.  He went out and found a rubber tire that we like to play with from time to time.  It's a strong, durable toy, but can do some damage if you're not careful (just ask Grandaddy about the time it landed on his head).  As soon as Daddy bent over to pick up the tire, he saw a tennis ball nearby.  He went to grab the ball and saw another one!  He picked it up, turned around, and there was another!  Every time he thought he had all the tennis balls, another popped up! 

I'll give you one guess where those tennis balls were coming from . . . the only hint you need is TENNIS BALLS.  You guessed it . . .  DIXIE!  They just seemed to keep popping out of her mouth.  She is such a tennis ball NUT! 

The Battle of the Balls is the only fight I lose around here.  That is really saying something, and I'm almost embarrassed to admit it.   We all know I'm TOP DAWG and I win everything.  Everything, that is, but tennis balls!  [sigh]  I guess you can't win 'em all.  At least that's what Mommy tells me. 

Better luck next time,
Jenna

A Visit from Jack Frost !

We just thought spring had arrived.  Check out what the yard looked like this morning:

I don't think I've ever seen the grass look quite like this.  Of course, it is dark when Mommy leaves in the winter, so it could look like this every day during that time of year.  Who knows?

Don't you think the frost kind of looks like a sea creature up close ?

Maybe tomorrow will be a warmer day?  It only reached 56 degrees today.  So much for my thoughts of summer . . .

Hunter

Oops!

I did it again!  I messed up!  Why do these things keep happening to me???  Daddy jokingly blamed Mommy.  He said she shouldn't have turned her back on me.  She said it was definitely not her fault.  And it really wasn't.  I just couldn't help myself.

The dishwasher was just sitting there with its door wide open.  The bottom rack was pulled out, and Mommy was loading it with dirty dishes.  I both love and hate watching her load the dishwasher.  All of those plates with food remnants on them . . .  (no need to rinse them with this super duper machine) . . . such a waste of food.  If Mommy would just let me lick the plates, I would be so much happier and more fulfilled (at least my tummy would be).  I'm sure the dishwasher would be happier too.  I could do the pre-rinse cycle, and then it wouldn't have to work as hard to clean the dishes.  Better yet, just remove the dishwasher and use ME!  Daddy said he's sure I can get the dishes "as clean as cold water can get 'em!"  (Do you know that joke?  It's one of Grandaddy's favorites.)

When Mommy walked away for a split second, I couldn't resist.  I just had to see what was being put in the dishwasher.  Hunter and Dixie warned me last year shortly after my adoption, but did I listen?  Nope!  I had a similar situation happen to me about a year ago, but did I learn my lesson?  Nope! 

 

Yes, I made that big mess!  Dishes and utensils everywhere.  The rug went sliding.  The racket it made was awful (no pun intended).  Mommy was NOT happy.  She just looked at me and said, "CRATE!"  I tucked my tail and went!  Daddy looked at my mess and said, "Nice rack, Jenna!"  I told him I would remember that for the blog.  He said I could use it only if I kept it in good taste.  Taste?  Of course it's in good taste!  It was spaghetti!  How much more tasteful can it be??

 



So, once again I am writing to you from the slammer!  Oh well.  It's a good thing I like it in here.   The curly haired warden is pretty nice to me.

 

Wags and Advice . . . If you're going dishwasher diving, don't wear your collar!!

Jenna

 



 

Spring Has Sprung!

Finally!  After months of cold weather and meteorologists threatening snow (and not receiving anything to brag about), we finally have warm weather!  We even had a record high of 89 degrees one day last week!  We seem to have skipped the 50s and moved straight into the 70s and up!  Mommy hasn't started counting the days until school is out, but I have a pretty good idea.  I think there are just under FORTY!!!  That's not that many.  Noah puttered around in the ark, Moses hung out on the mount, and Jesus fasted (that's a seriously LONG time to go without food or treats!) for forty days.  If they can do it, Mommy can surely survive that long at school.  At Easter, we only had a few daffodils blooming.  But with our warm weather came a few blooms on the trees (and allergy season).

 

Our weeping cherry is beautiful right now, and the forsythia is starting to take off. 

The brown mess on the fence is our Sweet Autumn Clematis that will be stunning in a few months.

Our peach tree is starting to bloom.  Time will tell if we can actually eat any peaches this year!

The cherry trees are budding out . . .

Here is our view now.  Still no green trees, but it's a start! 

The azaleas along the fence are not even budding. 

It rained all day last Friday which helped our grass finally begin to turn green.  Mommy even had a recent visit from our teenage neighbor.  He is set to mow the grass again this year.  Can you hear her yelping with glee since she will be saved from nagging Daddy about that nasty task?  (Can you hear Daddy yelping with glee since he will be saved from Mommy's nagging???) 

We are officially on our way to summer!  Can't wait!
Hunter

All My Children . . .

 Mommy's Motto

 

Isn't this a great thought?  One of Mommy's students gave her this cup at the beginning of the year.  What a thoughtful student!  Mommy used the cup daily for drinking water because she was having trouble with her voice.  Daddy said she talked too much, but the doctor said she had nodules on her vocal cords.  Now she walks around in class daily with a microphone attached to her head (kind of like a rock star, but different). 

 

This cool cup helped Mommy daily until it cracked!  You have to know her nightly ritual to understand how this happened.  She fills two cups each night with ice water.  They go in the freezer until morning, and then they go in her tote and head to school.  As the day goes on, they defrost and she has perfect water throughout the day.  

 

We all know water expands as it freezes, and this basic science principle finally took a toll on the cup!  The cup cracked and water seeped between the layers.  Mommy tried everything she could think of to remove the water, but nothing worked.  Not even heating it up in the microwave!  In fact, that is when the cup died.  The plastic decorative lining shriveled up and the cup was no more. 

 

Mommy is sad she can no longer use the cup.  It truly was a great sentiment for her.  She recently asked her tax lady if she could claim the three of us as dependents.  Despite Mommy assuring her we would never be a drain on society (although perhaps a drain on her), the answer was no.  Hmpf!  Someone seriously needs to look into the tax laws over this atrocity.

 

Paws for Tax Day! (Yuck!)

Hunter

 

 

 



Hunter's Memories: The Convenience Store

My birthday is just over a month away, so I thought I should tell you about another of my greatest hits:  the day I went to the convenience store.  I wonder why many of my most interesting moments happen in public places . . .

It all started because Daddy had to run to the convenience store just a couple miles from the house.  We were living in Minnesota at the time.  I've told you we lived in a tiny town and knew many people; that meant many people knew us too!  Being the kind person he is, Daddy decided I could go along for the ride.  After all, it was going to be a quick trip.  (As I reflect, I am starting to see more similarities between this trip and the one to the grocery store.)  I loved taking r-i-d-e-s when I was a puppy.  The word had to be spelled out so I didn't become overexcited at the prospect of going somewhere. 

Mommy says Daddy and I had been gone longer than she thought we should have when she received a phone call.  It was Daddy calling from the convenience store.  When he went into the store, he left me in the truck (naturally).  When he came out of the store, he found the truck doors locked!  Whenever I am by myself in a car, I like to walk around and watch outside events carefully through the windows.  When Daddy left me alone, I placed my paws up on the door's arm rest and hit the door locks!   When Daddy left me alone, he left the truck running! 

Daddy didn't have his cell phone with him that night, so he was forced to go back in the store and call Mommy using the store phone.  One of Mommy's co-workers, Heidi, worked a couple nights a week at the store, and as luck would have it she was working that night.  She was kind enough to let Daddy use the phone to call home, and she was even kinder not to tell the whole world about my antics!  Mommy brought another set of truck keys to the rescue, but she wasn't as kind as Heidi.  Daddy didn't hear the end of it for a while!

Wags and Memories,
Hunter

PS:  Happy birthday, Aunt Carol!

It's SNOWING???

I thought I would give you an update on the wall repair.  Jenna has been sprung from the slammer just in time to discover something new.  Did you know it snows indoors?  No?  Well, it does at our house.  Here's proof:

Hunter tells me the white stuff is not snow.  This is simply the next step in the wall repair.  Once the spackle dries, it has to be sanded.  Jenna stood beneath the ladder and waited eagerly for the dusty remnants to fall into her open mouth.  Not only did she have a mouth full of dust, but she looked like a new dawg!  I did my best to help clean her up, but I wasn't totally successful. 

Despite my lack of cleaning abilities, I think I should be nominated for Sister of the Year, don't you?  How many sisters do you know would be willing to lick the face of the one who tortures them?  Not  many I bet!  Mommy finally had to help Jenna by wiping a wet towel over her face.  Somehow I have the feeling Jenna won't be crate-free during the final step: painting!

Licks and Kisses,
Dixie

Stuck on Me (or The Perils of Being Me!)

By now everyone knows I like food.  I just can't help it.  I like everything!  I love to follow Mommy into the laundry room where our food is kept and watch her every move as she dishes it up.  Until recently I would take off running from the laundry room to my crate as soon as I saw her scoop out the third helping.  I would fly past the place where Mommy sits Dixie's and Hunter's food and await my dish eagerly.  For some reason, Hunter has decided to make a lunge at me lately as I go flying by.  He doesn't make the trek across the kitchen floor to the laundry room (scaredy dawg), so he stands waiting for his food near his designated dinner spot.  He  must have decided in his feeble mind that I am going to take all of the food (I would if I could).  Instead of racing back to my crate, I have decided it is safest to follow Mommy.  So I "walk" back across the floor behind her legs.  I am actually spinning my wheels in place behind her because she moves so slowly (compared to me). 

To get back at Hunter for his attacks, I decided to hop out of my crate as soon as I finished my food and see what yummy-ness might still be lurking in his bowl.  If there's any left (and of course there is because he eats so slowly), I show him how a lunge is done!  Mommy has not been pleased with my revenge tactics, so she has started closing the door to my crate when I'm eating.  Not fair!  No one else has to eat in their crate!  Hmmpf!

My food obsession has also gotten me into some other jams recently.  I love to hang out near the dishwasher in case something good falls onto the dishwasher door.  This can become a sticky situation when Mommy puts a glass on the top rack and remnants fall onto my head.  She noticed I had quite the hairdo going on the side of my head from where all kinds of good things had dripped down on top of me!  Yummmmm!  Mommy tried to clean it off, but I preferred to save it as a snack for later.

Mommy had to make some minor repairs to the walls this week.  She brought out the tub of spackle and made a racket trying to pull the lid off.  Good things always come in loud packages, don't they?  Potato chips, candy, cheese . . . the thoughts of all that good stuff makes me drool.  Mommy tells me drooling is very unbecoming on a lady.  Have no fear, my parents don't feed me all of those foods; I am forced to sit back and watch them eat the good stuff.  But I digress.  Back to the spackle.

The spackle Mommy was using is the kind that goes on pink and then turns white when it's dry.  Do you know how yummy that pink color is?  Let me tell you.  The pink color was so delicious-looking I just couldn't help myself.  Most of the spots that needed repairs were up pretty high on the walls, but there were two that were at just the right height.  As soon as Mommy turned her back, I licked it right off the wall!  Yep!  Mommy was not pleased for two reasons.  First, she isn't that great at spackling and was not happy I had ruined her hard work.  Second, she worried that I might spackle my insides together.  Surely something that goes on walls to help hold them together can't be good for me, right?  All I know is that I didn't care about my health, it tasted good enough for me to lick two different spots, and this is where I am now:

 

 

[Sigh]  I think I am doomed to be at the mercy of my taste buds forever.  Pray I don't decide to gobble up something life threatening!  And, that Mommy can keep her eyes on me!

 

 

Salutations from the slammer,

Jenna



PS: Happy birthday, Mimi!  Hope you're having a better day than I am!

What's Your Favorite?

Everyone has their favorite spot right?  Don't you have a special place you like to relax when you're at home?  We are enjoying lots of relaxation since Mommy is on spring break right now.  Our grandparents have favorite spots at their houses.  We know Grandaddy likes to sit on the left side of the leather sofa with his feet propped up on the coffee table.  Mimi likes the right end of that same sofa with her feet on the floor or curled up under her.  Poppa's favorite spot is in his recliner, and Grandma likes her rocking chair.  Mommy always sits on the left end of the loveseat or the right end of the leather sofa.  Daddy sits on the left end of the sofa . . . always!  He even tries to run Mommy off if she settles in his place when he isn't looking!

We have our favorite spots too!  The unfortunate thing is that each of us likes the SAME SPOT!  We LOVE the loveseat.  We each try to make ourselves at home there.  Sometimes we all try to fit up there at the same time.  Other times we only fit two of us. If Mommy is in her spot, we can usually only squeeze one of us up there (comfortably anyway), although we sometimes attempt more!

Hunter takes advantage of not having the girls around!

 

Dixie

 

Jenna and Dixie don't always see eye to eye about their places on the loveseat.

 

But sometimes they do!  Can you tell which is which?

 

Sometimes the girls see tail to tail!

We've heard some rumblings that a new sofa or at the very least a re-covering of this one might be in the near future.  That is not good news for us.  That might mean we would be banished from the furniture!  The horror!  We're keeping our paws crossed that Mommy won't find anything she likes anytime soon!

What's your favorite spot?  We hope you have a good one (and you don't have to fight anyone else for it).

Sweet Dreams,
Hunter, Dixie & Jenna