I need something to take the edge off of the seriousness of life and this just might be the thing. Wish me luck. I'm wishing you a blessed day.
Showing posts with label pets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pets. Show all posts
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Circus Circus
It's the perfect fall day today and I'm off to walk in the country with my sister. Then it's all about watching the grand-puppy and our niece's baby. Ang and Riley are off trail-mapping and camping somewhere in the depths of southeast Oklahoma (leaving grandpuppy with us) and the niece is headed to Stillwater to hang out with Tessa (leaving Rylin with us). Might be a circus in our household today! Two senior citizens, two middle-agers, two dogs and a baby. Throw in some trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell and it's a recipe for total chaos. Fun chaos of course.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
This might be worse than talking to yourself
Printer Installation: It never hurts to ask...
"If there is something to gain and nothing to lose by asking, by all means ask!"
"If there is something to gain and nothing to lose by asking, by all means ask!"
W. Clement Stone
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Old news
In case you were hiding under a rock last week, you might have missed the big ta do about Twitter. Ashton Kutcher beat out CNN for 1 million followers, and Oprah made her first tweet. Hello! Where has she been? Now people are whining that Twitter is slow due to the Oprah effect - 350,000 new people jumping in the system. Twitter denies there's a problem.
Knock knock
Who's there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad you're cool enough to already be on Twitter?
Ok then. Sorry. Annnyyywayy, here's a fun article on the subject. Just between you and me and Twitter
The other big news, of course, is the new dog in the White House. Old news now that it has been talked to death on every talk show. But I couldn't resist sharing these photos, in case you haven't seen them - from the official White House website. And just FYI, I'm fascinated by two people in the White House: Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer, and Reggie Love, Obama's body man.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Maybe we need a nannie cam for the dogs
We are pretty sure Winnie, our golden retriever/lab mix, has thumbs. She keeps them well hidden, but she's somehow able to open the back door. I came home from work yesterday to find her wandering around inside the house, looking a little dazed, probably because I had interrupted her napping on my pillow. I always look a little dazed too when a perfectly good nap is interrupted. The little dog, Sadie, was pouty all evening, having been left out in the cold while Winnie spent the day in luxury. I'm thinking we should try to train Winnie to grab a diet coke out of the fridge and make good use of her door opening skills. I hear dogs can be trained to do such things. That could come in handy.
Is it a sign of middle age that I'm talking about my dogs like they are people? Or like anyone cares what my dogs are doing? Frightening.
I gotta go. I forgot to take my meds. The weather must be changing again. My knees are stiff and achy. Have I told you about my new recipe for Tuna Casserole?
Just kidding - I was practicing for next year...after all, it's all downhill from here. This slippery slope leads right into "the home".
Is it a sign of middle age that I'm talking about my dogs like they are people? Or like anyone cares what my dogs are doing? Frightening.
I gotta go. I forgot to take my meds. The weather must be changing again. My knees are stiff and achy. Have I told you about my new recipe for Tuna Casserole?
Just kidding - I was practicing for next year...after all, it's all downhill from here. This slippery slope leads right into "the home".
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I wanna be a golden retriever
One of the Executive Directors in my building brought her chihuahua to work one day last week. He's a cute little thing, but true to the nature of male chihuahuas, he thinks he's ruler of the universe. He marked his territory repeatedly throughout the day. He peed in front of every office door and left a little chihuahua poo in front of mine. Not sure how I got that honor. I actually thought it was funny since I wasn't the one on my knees trying to clean up after him.
It reminded me of the chihuahua we had in Phoenix named Peanut. He was definitely a territory marker. He also challenged the biggest dogs in the neighborhood like he was going to tear them to pieces, until one day a huge German shepherd just calmly picked Peanut up in his mouth and shook him. Peanut was a little more judicious about his challenges after that.
Dogs have been a big part of our family, but it's not like we started out with that in mind. Neither Mark nor I grew up in big dog or animal-loving families. Not having grown up with dogs as a central part of the family, I'm always fascinated by their personalities. Oh they do have personalities. And you can kind of follow our family's history by our dogs.
Olathe - Sandy, a blond cocker spaniel that could climb any fence invented by man. High maintenance, narcissistic female with boundary issues. She would put herself between 4 year old Angela and the back door and not let her in the house. Sandy went to live on a farm. (Really!)
New York - Shilo came from the local shelter. Free thinking female averse to following rules. When we walked in the door of the shelter another family with little girls about my girls ages was dropping Shilo off. Their landlord no longer allowed pets so Shilo went right back out the door with us. Many hours were spent chasing her down in the little burg in the Catskills where we lived. Shilo went to live with Aunt Shari when we moved to Bulgaria and eventually chose a life on the road.
Bulgaria - No family pet, just lots of stray dogs that liked to bite. Tough, mafia types that talked big but responded well to big sticks or a swift kick with a boot.
Phoenix - Mark worked at PetsMart's headquarters and one day took the girls to a local PetsMart while I was at work. Peanut was there waiting to be adopted. We weren't really supposed to have pets in our rented townhouse, but how can you say no to two little girls snuggling with a tiny animal with his toenails painted blue? As far as personalities go, Peanut had a Napoleon complex. Small male, really big ego. When he wasn't giving directives to the neighborhood dogs, he spent most of his days shivering under a blanket, even though we lived in Phoenix! He was also terrified of thunderstorms. Tessa convinced Mr. Mooberry, her 3rd grade teacher, to let her call me at work. She was crying and very concerned that it was storming and Peanut would be upset. I assured her I could NOT leave work to go comfort the dog. Seriously, Mr. Mooberry! Some little blond chick had you wrapped around her little finger!
Johannesburg - After our tearful departure from Peanut (went to a single woman who pampered him shamelessly), we promised Tessa we could get another dog. This time we decided to actually get a puppy rather than a full-grown dog from a shelter. Unlike most of Africa, South Africa is very developed with plenty of shopping available. So we just went down to the mall and picked out a little scotty dog. Tessa promptly named him Dooley after the boy in Jan Karon's Mitford series. Having never experienced the "joys" of puppyhood, Mark was back at the pet store within 48 hours determined to send Dooley back where he came from. Fortunately, the pet store wasn't open yet, and Dooley was trembling in terror at the thought of having to return to that place. He broke Mark's heart and home came Dooley. He was a delight, but full of mischief. He was also very...um...male. The neighbor girl who had a disability that made clear speech difficult could oh so clearly say the word "humping". We had to leave Africa unexpectedly, and Dooley happily went to live with our young pastor and his wife, Maranatha and Allison.
Oklahoma - Of course we promised Tessa a new dog. I can really relate to the Obama family! Raising one puppy was enough for a lifetime, so we drove to Tulsa to pick out a dog from a lab rescue organization. Winnie is half lab, half golden retriever. There was never a more loyal personality, eager to please and eternally patient. Her only dislikes are the mailman and men in hats. Otherwise she's content to spend her days in the backyard hunting squirrels, or sleeping at our feet. Oh to be so accepting of life. We had thought of getting her a buddy, but then Riley and Angela found a stray little Beagle mixed with something else. She has taken up residence at our house and Winnie has done most of the puppy training for us. She's curious, determined and emotional, not to mention cute.
Know anyone with these personalities? I often wonder what God had in mind when he created dogs. Did He intend them to be man's best friend?
Now cats. They're just the spawn of Satan.
It reminded me of the chihuahua we had in Phoenix named Peanut. He was definitely a territory marker. He also challenged the biggest dogs in the neighborhood like he was going to tear them to pieces, until one day a huge German shepherd just calmly picked Peanut up in his mouth and shook him. Peanut was a little more judicious about his challenges after that.
Dogs have been a big part of our family, but it's not like we started out with that in mind. Neither Mark nor I grew up in big dog or animal-loving families. Not having grown up with dogs as a central part of the family, I'm always fascinated by their personalities. Oh they do have personalities. And you can kind of follow our family's history by our dogs.
Olathe - Sandy, a blond cocker spaniel that could climb any fence invented by man. High maintenance, narcissistic female with boundary issues. She would put herself between 4 year old Angela and the back door and not let her in the house. Sandy went to live on a farm. (Really!)
New York - Shilo came from the local shelter. Free thinking female averse to following rules. When we walked in the door of the shelter another family with little girls about my girls ages was dropping Shilo off. Their landlord no longer allowed pets so Shilo went right back out the door with us. Many hours were spent chasing her down in the little burg in the Catskills where we lived. Shilo went to live with Aunt Shari when we moved to Bulgaria and eventually chose a life on the road.
Bulgaria - No family pet, just lots of stray dogs that liked to bite. Tough, mafia types that talked big but responded well to big sticks or a swift kick with a boot.
Phoenix - Mark worked at PetsMart's headquarters and one day took the girls to a local PetsMart while I was at work. Peanut was there waiting to be adopted. We weren't really supposed to have pets in our rented townhouse, but how can you say no to two little girls snuggling with a tiny animal with his toenails painted blue? As far as personalities go, Peanut had a Napoleon complex. Small male, really big ego. When he wasn't giving directives to the neighborhood dogs, he spent most of his days shivering under a blanket, even though we lived in Phoenix! He was also terrified of thunderstorms. Tessa convinced Mr. Mooberry, her 3rd grade teacher, to let her call me at work. She was crying and very concerned that it was storming and Peanut would be upset. I assured her I could NOT leave work to go comfort the dog. Seriously, Mr. Mooberry! Some little blond chick had you wrapped around her little finger!
Johannesburg - After our tearful departure from Peanut (went to a single woman who pampered him shamelessly), we promised Tessa we could get another dog. This time we decided to actually get a puppy rather than a full-grown dog from a shelter. Unlike most of Africa, South Africa is very developed with plenty of shopping available. So we just went down to the mall and picked out a little scotty dog. Tessa promptly named him Dooley after the boy in Jan Karon's Mitford series. Having never experienced the "joys" of puppyhood, Mark was back at the pet store within 48 hours determined to send Dooley back where he came from. Fortunately, the pet store wasn't open yet, and Dooley was trembling in terror at the thought of having to return to that place. He broke Mark's heart and home came Dooley. He was a delight, but full of mischief. He was also very...um...male. The neighbor girl who had a disability that made clear speech difficult could oh so clearly say the word "humping". We had to leave Africa unexpectedly, and Dooley happily went to live with our young pastor and his wife, Maranatha and Allison.
Oklahoma - Of course we promised Tessa a new dog. I can really relate to the Obama family! Raising one puppy was enough for a lifetime, so we drove to Tulsa to pick out a dog from a lab rescue organization. Winnie is half lab, half golden retriever. There was never a more loyal personality, eager to please and eternally patient. Her only dislikes are the mailman and men in hats. Otherwise she's content to spend her days in the backyard hunting squirrels, or sleeping at our feet. Oh to be so accepting of life. We had thought of getting her a buddy, but then Riley and Angela found a stray little Beagle mixed with something else. She has taken up residence at our house and Winnie has done most of the puppy training for us. She's curious, determined and emotional, not to mention cute.
Know anyone with these personalities? I often wonder what God had in mind when he created dogs. Did He intend them to be man's best friend?
Now cats. They're just the spawn of Satan.
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