Wordless Wednesday 9/8 -- Toad Hunting

Wordless Wednesday 9/1 -- Take Time To Stop And Smell The Crepe Myrtles

Late Night Chat With Lilac

Well, to top things off this week with our run of bad luck, Lilac decided that this week would be a good one to start having our late night chats again.  I love a lot of things about her, like how she came over to me yesterday evening when I got home from work and let me know she'd missed me by leaning against me and burying her head against my chest, but her barking out her demands is not one of her most endearing traits.  This is especially true at oh dark thirty in the morning.  Even roosters can't take her schedule.  Lately, she's decided to skip her less demanding pleas for attention, like whining and the cold nose poke in the back and gone straight to demanding barks.

Lilac:  Get up, dammit!

Me:  Wha...? 

Lilac:  I said now!

Me:  Do you know what time it is?

Lilac:  I'm a dog.  I don't concern myself with human conventions like time.

Me:  Apparently not.

Lilac:  I'm waiting!

Me:  I have NO idea what you want at this hour!

Lilac:  (pant, pant)  How can you not know?

Me:  Um, because I'm not a dog?

Lilac:  That is obvious!

Me:  Can you not just tell me what you want?

Lilac:  You're supposed to know!

Me:  Well, I don't.  So, just tell me what it is!

Lilac:  I forgot.

Me:  You forgot?!  Then it couldn't have been that important!

Lilac:  I am sure that it was very important, and it's your job to remember it!  I'm old, dammit!

Me:  Actually, I need to get some sleep so I can go to my job and earn money to buy you stuff.  So, I'll talk to you about this later.

Lilac:  Hmph!

So, the next night we decided to try an experiment.  We brought her bed in, fluffed the pillows in the artful way she seems to prefer, and then brought her fan into the bedroom.  The fan was plugged in and aimed right at her highness.  We all had a much better night's sleep.  It's amazing the things we'll do for love, a few hours sleep, or both!

We're particiapting in the Pet Blog Hop again.  If you don't know what it is, it's a good way to gain new readers and find some new blogs that may be of interest to you.  You simply add your name to the blog roll and then copy the code into your html editor and you're on the list!  We'd like to thank Life With Dogs, Confessions of the Plume and Two Little Cavaliers for hosting the blog hop every week.  Feel free to add your own pet-related blog to the list.

Wordless Wednesday 7/21 -- Under The Crepe Myrtle

Wordless Wednesday 4/7 -- Spring Peepers

It's All About Me!

Bunny here, taking over the keyboard yet again.

Saturday was such a fun day!  It started out all rainy and honestly, I would have been happy to have just crawled back in bed with Mom and have stayed there all day.  However, Mom got up and started getting all ready like she was going somewhere.  I kept one eye open and watched her carefully from the bedroom.

Soon enough, she came out of the bathroom dressed like she might be going somewhere.  I pricked up an ear to I could keep careful track of her activities.  She put some things in a bag, talked with Dad for a few minutes, then put on her rain boots and coat.  Then she helped Dad put my rain coat on and he got ready to go, too. 

We drove to the park and they took some pictures of me in my raincoat.  They're trying to decide which one is the best one of me to enter in a contest.  I was most happy to model for them.  Mom says Dad might take more pictures later this week with Grandpa's fancy camera. 

Anyroo, then they started talking about running some errands.  Dad said they might as well just go and I could go along, too!  Oh, I was a happy puppy!  It was just me in the back of the van.  The first part was boring.  Mom needed some shoes to wear for Easter, so I waited in the van while they looked in several places.  After that part was over, we headed to Petsmart and picked out a new family member.  His name is Finnster.  He's living in a vase with Mom's lucky bamboo.  He's a rather colorful fellow.  Of course, while they were looking at all the fish, lots of people came by and had to pet me. 

I thought it had been a pretty good day when we left there, but it got even better.  There's a new ice cream store that Dad found and he was craving ice cream called Emack and Bolid's Ice Cream Confectionary For The Connosieur.  So, he stopped to get some, and since he and Mom both got chocolate mousse ice cream, he got me my own scoop of vanilla. 

Then, later, after we got home, Dad decided that he liked Finnster so much that he went and got himself a fish to keep in his office.  He took Blueberry with him that time.  I had so much fun that I just couldn't get off the couch again. 

Stealth Powers -- Activate!

Bunny here, writing about a new issue that has come up on our afternoon walks.

I think it's great that Dad and Blueberry have decided to join us on our walks.  I happen to think they need it, but it's cramping my style a bit.  You may recall that I am a mighty huntress.  I don't have much to watch for when the weather is cold, but suddenly, I sense my nemisis is out there.  As we were walking this afternoon, I suddenly felt the call of my inner wolf and I knew that I had to hunt.

It started out just fine, we were all walking along and enjoying the sights and sounds of the weather warming up.  Mom and Dad were talking about things from work and Blueberry and I were checking posts and rocks for pee mail.  That was all well and good, but then we entered the park.  The park is a big open space with sidewalks and places for humans to have fun.  It's my favorite part of our walk.  I've found toads there by the bridge before, but my leash kept my from catching one. 

Today, as we entered the park, I went into stealth mode.  My feet moved deliberately with no toenail clicks.  My ears were up.  My body was poised for flight.  Even my tags stopped jingling.  I was ready for a rabbit or squirrel to take his chances.  My odds for catching one today would have been great except for one thing.  Mom and Dad just kept talking.  Blueberry's tags kept jingling.  They went on and on about how intent I was on the prize. 

Mom:  Oh, Bunny looks so cute!  I see she's on the hunt!

Dad:  Did you see something, little one?

Me:  Be very, very quiet!  I'm hunting rabbits!

Mom:  It's too early for rabbits!

Dad:  Bunny, that's a guy on a bike!

Me:  Shush!  I can take it down!

Mom:  Bunny, those are leaves!

Dad:  I guess she thinks she'll get a cat!

Me:  You are completely ruining the moment!

To my dismay, the only things we did see today were a guy on a bike, some kids playing, a dog on a walk, a lot of blowing leaves and a cat.  Well, that's all my people saw!  I am a sighthound.  They have no idea all the rabbits they missed out there!  Just you wait, rabbits!  I'm watching!

When Dad's Away, At Petsmart I Play!

Bunny here, writing about my trip Saturday night to Petsmart with Mom.  Usually, Dad goes to pick up our food, since it comes in a heavy bag, but he left on his trip and forgot to make sure that we hounds wouldn't starve.  Saturday night, Mom realized that we'd need more to eat and it was supposed to snow again Sunday and Monday.  So, she decided that we'd better make a run to get food, just in case.  Normally on a Saturday when Dad goes to get our food he doesn't take any of us with him.  However, some hound here, we won't mention any names, has been fascinated with this stack of dog magazines that a friend of ours gave Dad and everytime Mom and Dad have been gone, some of these magazines have gotten shredded all over the floor.  I don't know exactly what that means about why Mom would decide that I should go with her, but I do know that Blueberry's tail had a major kink in it that I got to go and she didn't!  Not that I secretly rejoiced over that or anything! 

Anyroo, we arrived at Petsmart and got our cart and headed for the dog food.  There was so much stuff to sniff in there!  It was olfactory overload.  Mom said we had time and didn't have to hurry, so I was allowed to just roam the aisles in sniffing nirvana.  We got to the aisle that holds my food and Mom hefted the bag into the cart. 

Of course, while we shopped, random strangers could not help themselves.  They all had to stop and pet me, even bending down and letting me lean against them.  Everyone commented on how beautiful I was, how soft I was and how well-behaved I was.  I know Mom was happy with me.  One man was so smitten with me, we think he might try to get his own greyhound.  I told Mom we needed documentation of this, but she said that taking photographs of random strangers in the store with me and posting them on the internet was pushing it.  That's okay, I was too busy enjoying the attention to be too worried over it!

Finally, near the end, I spotted something that I felt we could not leave the store without!

Mom wouldn't let me get one, though.  I assured her that I would take good care of a cat, but she said Dad would not let us have a cat.  It figures!  I love Dad, but really, he's been denying me these shopping trips to Petsmart and now I find out that he's keeping me from getting the best stuffie ever!  He and I are going to have to have a talk!

A Big Thank You

Bunny here, typing a few thank yous for some nice things that came in the mail.

First, thank you to the Kissa Bulls for the valentine they sent us!  It was addressed to all three of us, but I did the opening since Blueberry and Lilac were busy with their after dinner naps.  They're all quite photogenic, I think, and that Guero is very swoon worthy!  There were even little sparkly confetti hearts in the envelope.  It's my first valentine and Mom promised to put it on the refrigerator for me.

Second, a very big thank you to Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie for sending me a prize for winning the Hound Group in Mango Minster.  Opening that box was like lifting the lid on a treasure chest!  There was so much stuff in there, I didn't know where to start.

Of course, as soon as I started getting goodies out, Lilac and Blueberry had to get in on the action.  That's okay, there's too much in there for me to play with all at one time -- or is there?  

Rest assured, I shared with them!

I think my favorite toy from the box is the wool bone.  I played with it all night, until Mom got the rawhides out.  Then I took a break from playing and got to work.  I will be working on all of the things from the box for a long time! 

Thank you again to all who participated in Mango Minster!  It was a lot of fun, I found lots of run new blogs to read and I learned a lot.  I can't wait to see what happens with it next year!

A Perfectly Good Saturday Morning Goes South

The dogs were all happy on Saturday morning as our relaxed pace instantly signalled that we would be home with them and that it would be a no work day.  Things started off nicely for all of us.  Lilac let us sleep in until 5:00 and then they all came back in and went back to bed, much to the delight of Bunny and Blueberry.  Even Lilac laid down and went back to sleep.

We got up slowly, taking our time, eating a slow, leisurely breakfast in our pajamas and curling up with the dogs in our various favorite places.  Each dog got a bit of bagel with cream cheese and the world was very good.

Then, the day took a turn, at least for Blueberry.  Mr. Taleteller emerged from the bathroom with the dreaded apparatus.  All the girls were napping and blissfully unaware of its presence. 

Bunny doesn't mind having her nails cut too much, and she was the first one to get her pedicure.  She didn't put up much of a fuss and so Blueberry slept on, content with her dream of chasing rabbits in a sunny meadow.  Lilac has a problem with her nails, so we usually pay the vet to cut hers and skip the saga of her nails at home.  That left Blueberry.

Blueberry and Mr. Taleteller have had an ongoing battle regarding her nail trims since we got her.  That would be a six year battle that has waged on.  I don't think he's ever even quicked her, but she hates having her feet touched with those clippers.  Today was no different.  Watching them face off is like watching a show down at the O K Corral.  Blue squints her flinty eye at him.  Mr. Taleteller's nose flattens and he grips the nail clippers.  A silence falls over the living room.  Lilac sleeps on, but Bunny ducks behind the dog bed.  I curl up in my corner on the couch.  Blueberry rolls over on the foot he's trying to grab.  Mr. Taleteller mutters to her to cooperate and tries to grab another foot.  At this point, Blueberry is on her back and reminds me of a turtle that's been flipped over.  She tries to roll to the side to get up, but Mr. Taleteller sits beside her and keeps his grip.  Blue sticks her nose to his hand.  One of them growls, but I'm not sure which one.  What I do know is that today, Mr. Taleteller emerged victorious and Blueberry got all her nails trimmed.  Some days she outsmarts him by running into a dog crate and curling up in the back until he gets tired of waiting her out.

To top it off, we went out to run some errands and the girls didn't get to go.  Blueberry retreated to the couch to sulk.  It's funny how some things can really ruin a girl's day!             

Wordless Wednesday 2/03 -- Bedtime For Bunny

We're Looking For Ideas -- And A Little Sleep

I have mentioned before that Lilac has a lot to say at times.  Her favorite time to tell us something seems to be an hour before the alarm clock goes off.  I used to have the clock set for 6:30 in the morning and she always got up at 5:30.  Later, I changed the clock to 5:30 because I had to get going earlier.  Lilac now gets up at 4:30.  Last week, she decided to get up on Thursday morning at 2:30 and Friday at 3:30.  Thank heaven we were able to sleep in on Saturday and catch up since we're suffering severe sleep deprivation.  Although, I have to say, she really didn't like that!

This has not been an issue until the last year.  Now it is becoming less of an amusing occasional quirk and more of an annoying regular habit.  We have tried a lot of variations in the routine to see if it will help her sleep through the night, and fortunately Bunny and Blueberry have been very adaptable.  We've always done a last turn out right before bed.  We've also started feeding them three meals with the last one being a very small one right before they go to bed.  Nothing seems to help.

Part of it seems to be figuring out what she wants.  She doesn't seem to be needing to use the bathroom really bad.  She doesn't act like she's starving.  Mr. Taleteller used to get up with them, turn them out, feed them and then sleep on the floor under his quilt for a while in between several of the dogs.  Now he's coming back to bed.  She doesn't want to lay back down and go to sleep.  It seems that she wants to just get us all up to do nothing.

I suspect that some of it has to do with her age.  She's fourteen and a half; easily the oldest dog that either of us have lived with.  She is in excellent health, not just for her age, but for a dog of any age.  She plays with stuffies in the living room.  The old lady will even play with Bunny on rare occasion.  She seems to be very aware and alert during the day while we're all home and awake.  It's just this stretch of time at night when she seems dottier than crazy Aunt Martha! 

Has anybody out there ever experienced something like this?  If anybody has any suggestions, we would be happy to hear them.  More than anything, we would just like to get some sleep!  Unlike the Grande Dame, we are not able to take a nap all day -- we have to go to work.  She's lucky we love her!

Who Needs Snuggies?

Bunny here, writing about a little something that's on my mind.  You may remember at Christmas that I was really hoping for a pink Snuggie of my own since I enjoy sharing Mom's so much.  Much to my dismay, the neck on the Snuggie is ginormous and it ends up falling down and not staying where I want it.  Unbeknownst to me, Mom noticed the problem and decided that I needed some girly jammies to wear in the house during this brisk weather.  Imagine my surprise when this came out of the package Tuesday!

I have to bark that these jammies are way better than a Snuggie.  Miss Anne made them just to fit cute little me.  I am a much happier and warmer puppy now.  It almost makes me want to stay in bed all day.  Well, I can do that anyway! 

If you'd like some jammies of your own, Miss Anne at Downtown Houndz makes them for hounds of all sizes.  Now I see an opening on the couch, so I think I'll go take a nap!