Thursday, December 22, 2005

It's a Major Award!




Look what came home from the thing the thumb-havers call a "white elephant exchange." It doesn't look like an elephant at all to me. Notice, though, that it is more than double the height of foot-tall WillowTree(tm) Joseph in the now gloriously-lit nativity set to the right of the cone.

So yeah, ever since the item arrived home on Sunday night, The Boy and I have been enduring quotes from a certain movie they watch every year.

"It's a Major Award!"

"Is it fra-gee-lay?"

"See the warm glow of electric dairy in the window?"

Oh, and The Typist's favorite bit about this is that after 22 years, she now has a snack suitable for the Lips Canvas:

Thursday, December 08, 2005

And then the sparks flew.


Yes, that's the Alpha, wielding a mysterious power tool. He was restoring our doggy door flap to its former glory, with the addition of duct tape and some new screws.

The next evening, The Boy and I learned how wonderful duct tape can be for recreational chewing. And how much The Alpha yells at you for learning that very thing.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

I know, it's been ages!

Yes, yes, we've been busy. Doing doggy things, and such. For Thanksgiving, we stayed home with houseguests, Fairy DogParents Lidna and Jeff, who reported to The Alpha and The Typist that The Boy appears to be mellowing out a bit. I have my doubts.















Funny thing, The Alpha and The Typist came home smelling like their usual travel scents, but with something a bit different blended into the mix. I think it smelled pretty much like this:


Not really sure what this is, exactly, but I think we will probably find out at Christmas.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Picture Day

Friday the bandannas came out, so I knew something special was up.

Turned out that we got to go for a RIDE!!!! No buckled-up harnesses, either -- this was a stick-your-head-out-the-window, then cross-over-and-stick-your-head-out-the-other-window kind of ride. When we stopped, we got to see Friend Julie and her kiddoes, and there proceeded to be some picture-taking of me, The Boy, The Alpha, and The Typist. It's obvious that The Boy does not yet grasp the concept of posing for the camera. Then again, I wasn't doing such a good job of it myself -- too many distractions! A bunny in the alley, new smells to sniff, frolicking about with children, you know. Fun stuff. But I think The Alpha and The Typist got what they wanted. Plus, The Boy and I got to go for another ride all over again when we were finished!

Friday, November 04, 2005

Stupid laptop!!!!

Okay, I, The Typist, had this post almost completely built, and then Stupid Laptop decided to reboot with no warning whatsoever. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... Trying again now from the not-so-portable computer.

Several of you have been begging for Turn30ween Party Pics -- well, here they are:
First, the hors'.. hor'sd... SNACKS were obtained, prepared, and arranged with much valuable assistance from Yessica -- Thanks! Also, various birthday cards gleefully received decorate the area. Here's the spread:

Highlights included chips and dips in bowls carved out of actual pumpkins (too Martha, maybe?), little girly cucumber cream cheese sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and TWO birthday cakes lovingly baked by he who is known as The Alpha on this blog.

Next, the Dogses, dressed in Turn30ween bandanna finery, await the guests:

And soon, yes, the guests began to arrive.

Below you'll find He's a Lumberjack and He's Okay, with his mate A Space Druid Or Something; followed by our age group's requisite pregnant chick dressed to sell her belly/billboard space (available until 11/23), with her husband, who easily achieved Most Tasteless Costume for the evening thanks to the strategic placement of the front half of a rubber chicken, paired with a truly amazing amount of cock references.

More in a second...

Saturday, October 29, 2005

A model is born...


Here's The Boy showing off the first bandanna he wore that he didn't try to eat.

More catching up later...there was a major festivity here last night, and we're still recovering...

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Neglecting my duties!

Okay, so it's really my typist's fault that I haven't blogged in so long, but I'm not going to be a blamer. That's a catty thing to do, and I'm a dog.

Hmmm...a highlight reel, perhaps:

  • Another house guest! Charlotte, they call her. She's the one The Boy startled by sticking his head up her skirt. He was smart enough to not try that one again.
  • Sick guy on one of the people couches -- the same one who smelled like construction materials and bunnies, but this time he smelled ill. He only stayed long enough for the other person with him to do some laundry. There was a little guy with them, too, which thrilled The Boy and totally wore out The Alpha.
  • A walk to the pharmacy window. Big ol' treats for both of us. Who knows why DM and Alpha even bother going; all they do is say my name and get a little paper sack.
  • Saturday-night backyard event, with J & L and those people who smell like where-there-is-a-cat, too. Good stuff, especially with everybody dropping peanut shells on the ground for us.
  • Also Saturday, The Boy learned that when you wear a bandanna, your goal should not be to try eating it off your own neck. Or off of mine, either. He looked rather dashing in plaid, and I was all perky in smiley faces. I'll try to get someone to post a picture, but she's been busy messing with some sort of box with strings on it. The strings make noise and startle The Boy quite a bit, which is always entertaining.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Lovely weekend

Had a great time with Aunt Jessica staying with us this weekend. The Boy is still learning situational rules, and so he hopped up on the bed after The Alpha and DM returned, earning emphatic "offs" and such. I know, and have known for ages, that two thumb-havers in bed = no dogs on bed. I'm smart that way. He eventually re-learned that equation, as I'm sure he will have to re-learn again at some point, and once again reclaimed his post as UnderBed Boy. Then we both got showers. Actually, the whole family got showers when The Alpha and DM got home, but it's a bigger deal for me and The Boy. I think this one was only his second shower ever. Anyhow, we're both silky-smooth now, and I remain the fluffier, shinier hound.

I'm enjoying the weather. Very nice out these days. Makes me not want to come back inside sometimes. The cool bricks on my belly, the wind lifting the fur at the edges of my ears... ah, autumn...

Thursday, October 06, 2005

A new visitor

So this guy came over last night who smelled really good -- like bunnies and raccoons and construction materials. He was really cool! He played with us almost the whole time his laundry was going, and he even got The Boy to stop using his teeth so much. Very much a Dog Appreciator. Always nice to meet folks like him.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Visitors, two- and four-footed

Aunt Jessica came over last night, and she brought Winston, who hadn't met The Boy yet, so that was entertaining. WinnieBoy thinks he's all tough, with his spikey collar and his beyond-chihuahua girth. After all the posturing, tooth-baring, and growling, The Boy still wanted to get in a good butt-sniffing. He chased Winston across the yard for it, too, but he really didn't get his fix until they were ready to leave. Aunt J was standing up, holding her rat-dog, and The Boy stood on his hind legs to have a good, long sniff. Pretty amusing. I wish DM had gotten a picture, but she was laughing too hard to have done much, anyway.

Friday, September 30, 2005

week in review

Hmmm, let's see, what's been keeping me so busy? A walk here and there; nearly laughing my fluffy fan tail off when The Boy scrambled out from under a kitchen chair and knocked it over; cooler weather; hearing the words "coming over" dropped, but no clear evidence of any coming over yet; high-alert patrol duty since the windows have been open (more stuff to hear and sniff); playing tug-of-war in the backyard; trying to remember what "that's an outside toy" means...

I'm afraid I'm due to have my ears washed out soon, but I'm hoping The Alpha and DogMommy forget.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

I've been painted!


Yes, the lovely and talented Aunt Pinky has graced a mere rock with my likeness. I don't really understand the big deal, but DogMommy is enthralled -- about as bad as she was with the new dining room.

The Boy keeps trying to get a good smell of it, not understanding that the point is to gaze upon it in wonder.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Walk shortage

I am certain The Boy and I are getting cheated on our walk length lately. They've been taking us out front later than usual, and not staying out as long. We don't go past the tree where The Boy saw a squirrel and can now never forget that he once saw a squirrel there. We go the other direction instead. Last night on the short walk, I almost made a discovery in some tall grass. I could hear a toad croaking, I could smell a toad smelling all toady, but I never did see it. DogMommy and The Alpha figured out what I was up to and told me to come on along. Oh, well, it was still a lovely walk!

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Big deal! Really!


Okay, DogMommy is now inexplicably enthralled with the room she and The Alpha have spent so much time in lately, rubbing sticks against the wall. She goes in there, smiles, sighs happily, then comes back out.

A couple of days ago one of their friends came over - The Boy trotted up behind her and stuck his head up her skirt, an event none of us had witnessed before - and they did sit at the table in there for a few minutes, so that's something. I suppose things are a lot nicer in there than they used to be. All they ever used to do was put recycling and wet laundry in there.

Friday, September 09, 2005

Heel, schmeel

Here's a new picture for you. As you can see, The Boy is now completely clear about the fact that I outrank him.

On our evening walks this week, The Alpha and DogMommy have been making us "heel" from time to time. In other words, no extra leash, no pulling on leash, very boring. Frankly, I don't see the point, but it makes them happy.

The Boy is still having fits at the beginning of walks -- he seems unclear on the concept that to go for a walk, you don't just get excited about the leash, you have to let one of them put the leash ON you. He keeps dodging it. Also, when it's finally on, he does this big whining thing that makes it sound like he's getting beaten or something, which is definitely not the case. All the while, I'm sitting there, wearing my leash already, waiting. And waiting, and waiting.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

A Time to Holler

Okay, so this morning The Boy and I just feel like barking. Inside, outside, it doesn't matter. We keep getting shushed, but that doesn't matter, either. I'm sure it's just because we have someone asleep in the guest room, but hey, it's time she gets up anyway. The sun's up! The sun's up! Hey! Hey! Hey! The sun's up!

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

A Dinner Guest!

Well, The Boy and I had an early supper last night, because the thumb-havers had the pastor over. He smelled like church, so that was neat. But we got put outside while they ate so we wouldn't be tempted to nose around the table. Bummer. Because you know I would've. Anyway, he loved me; everyone does. I think he had fun watching The Boy in all his glorious oddity, too. He left with several of DogMommy's prized Muppet DVDs, so obviously he's cool.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Sticks and their uses

Okay, if you ask me, sticks are for chewing, or chasing, or tossing around to taunt The Boy when he doesn't have one. But for The Alpha and DogMommy, they are apparently for rubbing against the wall, because that's what they spent quite a bit of time doing last night. Sticks got dipped in a bucket, then the stuff they pulled out of the bucket got slathered on the walls of that room we never use. I can't really tell any difference, except now the whole room smells like bucket.

The good news is after they finished with their stick-playing, they took The Boy and me for our walk.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Lazy Sunday


Ahhh, the floor. The air conditioning. The box fan I'm lying down in front of. The silence, because The Boy has followed suit. Dog days of summer, indeed.

Here's a cute picture of The Boy and me, from not-long-ago, that I'm finally putting up. I do think the distinctive markings on his hind end are worth showing off in such a fashion.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Not enough walks!

After days of no leash sightings, The Boy took some protest action last night. DogMommy was at church - again, without me; what's that about? - and The Alpha was on the phone for a verrry lonnng time. So, The Boy decided he'd play with the padding in the dog bed. And by "play," I mean reach into the spot where the seam has come apart and tear out the foam in various sized chunks, gleefully carrying it throughout the house. Whoo, he's really good at subversive action. But, apparently the phone thingy was really important, because The Alpha only took one break for a scolding. DM came home while he was still talking and deposited a great many foam chunks in the trash can with the lid. Translation: no more playing with that, thankyouverymuch. And The Boy didn't get to sleep on what was left of the bed last night, either. No matter; he crawled underneath their bed and had a fine time playing CaveDog.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Visitors?

Okay, so I admit I'm so busy playing with The Boy and knocking the love seats out of their usual dents in the carpet that I haven't been paying attention lately, but I keep hearing "coming over," so hopefully that will be soon. They brought out that roaring monster they call the vacuum cleaner the other day, which usually means visitors.

Friday, July 29, 2005

Lovely morning...

So, yeah, I know it's going to get hot enough to require panting later, but this morning is just delightful! Had a nice play session with The Boy, then went outside and decided to stay there for a while, belly on the bricks, nice and cool, while he went back in.

Heard DogMommy talking on the phone last night. I think it was Steve. I like Steve... even though he has that mophead Emmitt (whose movements are much like The Boy's), he also has a POOL, which is great for a nice soak on the top step and the occasional swim-fetch. I also heard "come over," so maybe a pool visit lies in our future.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

The Boy goes vertical



His agility continues to amaze me. A minute before this photo, he was walking the length of the back of the couch, trying to get his nose into DogMommy's cookie dough ice cream sundae with Kix(tm) on top. I keep warning him that if he falls on me he's going to pay. I didn't come by two fully-functioning hips as easily as he did, you know.

But still, it's inspiring to see such a climber. Maybe I can talk him into getting things for me...

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Playing chase!

I love chasing The Boy around the living room. He's learned how to fake and switch direction behind the couch, which makes it more entertaining. And the whole process gives DM and DD a good laugh. Everyone has fun.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Paying attention pays off!

So, DogDaddy came over to the computer to show DogMommy the huge holes in the slices of bread, where there was an air bubble in the dough. First he held it up to his eye and looked through it, then he held it out for DM to see, and I spotted my chance. Lithe and swift, I made a small but graceful half-leap and claimed about half of the slice of bread being held at waist-height and arm's length. "Son of a bitch!" said DD, and DM quietly reminded him that I'm the daughter of a bitch, and a bitch myself, for that matter.

DogDaddy, recognizing defeat, gave the rest of that piece to me and the other one to The Boy. We certainly don't mind holes in the bread; it's not like we have those glorious thumbs to help us spread jelly on it, anyway.

Stuff I don't know what means.

DogMommy found out she can get a 13-foot piece of chair rail home in her coupe. (Whatever that means.)

She's also afraid that The Boy's "tormentors" coming to visit might "make him regress." (I later learned they're not coming, but I still don't know who they are.) As if he isn't already causing enough problems by digging up the flower(less) beds.

I haven't been to church in months, but they seem to go a lot. DM had that thing called rehearsal last night and came home smelling like there.

DM and DD have both been moving stuff around in the house the past couple of days. Something about Gavin coming to visit. All the fun stuff is getting hidden in plastic bins, amid talk of "baby-proofing." I hope he doesn't bring that stinkin' corgi with him, but if he does, I'm sure I'll be told, "Poppy can cope."

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Fluffy McShedster

Man, The Boy can make a fluff tumbleweed on the kitchen floor faster than I ever could! He doesn't even look like he has that much fur -- I guess because he's getting rid of it all the time.

Had a little surprise visitor yesterday, in Friend Julie. I jumped up on her because DogMommy said I wouldn't, and I couldn't resist the challenge. Besides, The Boy was all over the place until DM showed him the squirt bottle. Friend Julie thought that was pretty clever.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Down with the sickness...

Started puking Monday morning, and didn't stop until today. DogDaddy vainly thinks it's because he's away this week and I miss him, but I'm enjoying his spot on the bed far too much for that to be the case. Anyway, I had to spend all day at the vet and get a shot, but after DogMommy took me home I got this awesome soft food from a can that I've never had before. Smells like that time we had Thanksgiving dinner here at the house, only it's not warmed up (that having-no-thumbs thing again; I can't work the damn microwave, and I can't even say microwave). I hope I get to eat it forever...

The Rug-Pisser actually pissed on DogMommy's armpit the other day, I kid you not. He got a little too excitable, curled up on his back, and let loose with the pee stream. So, DogMommy was pissed off for getting pissed on. But he's still a cute kid -- he actually whined when I got carted off to the vet! Anyway, glad to be home. Now, it's past my climb-up-on-the-big-bed-time.

Friday, June 10, 2005

Simple joys...

Bone-chewing. Better yet, bone-chewing in front of Rug-Pisser when he doesn't have his own to chew on. He's an okay kid, really, but he's got some nasty habits. The snapping, for instance. He's like IceMan from Top Gun doing that stupid chomp thing in Maverick's face before he leaves the locker room. Wait, how do I know that? Jungian archetype, I suppose.

Licking. Groooooming. All while guarding my bone from the RP. Hey, the fur on my front leg tastes kinda like that bone I was just chewing...no, wait, that was just aftertaste. Gets me every time. Mmmm, what's this back by my butt? Ah, tastes butt-tastic. Oh, time to give kisses!

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Little Brothers Make You Fat.

Stealing all The Boy's treats is really getting to my midsection. The thumb-havers have already noticed, and I think they're skimping on my supper. This morning The Boy swallowed his meaty-treat whole to keep it away from me. Clever. But if he pukes it up, it'll be mine after all.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Where is she?

Okay, DogDaddy turned up again, but haven't seen much of DogMommy. The nights of being allowed on the bed are over, even though there's enough room. I suppose she'll turn up eventually and will want that spot back.

Aunt Linda said I'm getting Blog Blogged, whatever that means. Okay, can I lick you now?

Oh, peanut butter, my favorite!

Hey, Rug Pisser, congratulations for learning to make some noise at the back door to be let outside instead of pissing on the guest bathroom carpet! Mad props!

Saturday, June 04, 2005

So, here he is...

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Yeah, I finally got around to putting a picture up. Yes, I know I picked one where he looks kinda stupid and I look pretty relaxed and happy. It's just how I operate. I do out-rank him, after all.

DogCabulary

For some strange reason, DogMommy feels the need to brag about how many words I know:

My own name, and at least 10 variants thereof
Go, Go out, Go home
Out, Outside
Come, Come here
Sit
Stay
Off
Up/Hop up
Down
Roll over
Crawl
Go to bed
Kong (tm)
Rope
Bone
Dumbbell
Squirrel/squirrely
Breakfast
Supper
Chow
Water
Drink
Walk
Ride
Get dressed (relax, it's only a bandanna)
Bunny
Coming over
Do you love me?
Poppy kisses
Toothbrushin'

I know plenty more, but I'm not telling her. It's embarrassing.

Gravity is a harsh mistress.

Fell off the bed last night. It was my special treat to even be on the bed in the first place, then she let Rug-Pisser up there, too. So, I chose a corner to defend, on the opposite site of her leg from The Boy, which apparently was too close to the edge, because she turned out the light, and not five tail-wags later there I was, not on the bed anymore. Naturally, she turned the light back on, because that's just the kind of DogMommy she is, checked to make sure I wasn't having a seizure, decided all was well, and out went the light again. I didn't exactly feel like reclaiming the mattress, even though it is my rightful space in the absence of DogDaddy. So, the floor it was. Oddly enough, The Boy took to the floor as well. Apparently he's not quite the numbskull I thought.

Then, this morning, WALK time!!!! Didn't think we'd get one, what with one of the walk-ers missing. But she handled both of us and our leashes quite admirably. And I got to pee on lots of yards.

Friday, June 03, 2005

Fun With Seizures

Ugh, I know it's been something embarrassing when I notice that the thumb-havers have been sitting on the floor cooing at me for quite some time, and that they are mopping up my drool with a towel. Did you know that 5% of all dogs are epileptic? I don't know what that means, but that's what they tell anyone who happens to be around during one of my seizures. Anyhow, I managed not to piss myself, which is more than I can say of my new little brother the Rug-Pisser. He really needs his tail washed, as it got in the way a few days ago when he curled it up on his belly while peeing excitedly.

PoppyDaddy did a lot of packing last night and this morning, and he never once asked me if I wanted to go for a ride. Something fishy is up.

Friday, May 27, 2005

Yeah, it's been a while...

...but dogs are notorious for not keeping track of time. So there.

The Boy, as he has come to be known, is interesting. I could tell he was a country bumpkin on day one, when he made a point of staring at the full trajectory of every airplane and helicopter that crossed overhead. Now and then he still does it.

And after a few weeks, he made his first big screw-up inside the house, which has resulted in another nickame, The Rug-Pisser. I think they heard it from some movie on the box in the corner. But, by and large, he's a good kid. I do wish he'd quit with the snapping at my front legs, though. Someday, when he least expects it, I'll give him the turnabout.

Still haven't gotten either of the thumb-havers to post a picture of him, as they're too busy loving both of us to do much else.

Friday, April 29, 2005

What the...?!?!?

Okay, I'm not their one and only Cubbins any longer. After a brief absence, from which he returned missing two crucial items down below, the bouncy, chew-crazy thing my other favorite people brought in the front door a couple of weeks ago appears to be staying. Pictures later.

Saturday, April 09, 2005

I'm freakishly cute!!!!

I'll post a picture eventually. For now, I'm just glad to have a blog.