A snowy New Years Eve

Well, the snow finally stopped. We have about a foot of snow in our part of the city. Those who live nearer the mountain, in the northeast heights, have about 16-24 inches of snow. Most all church services were cancelled today. Mom and dad dug and lurched their way out of our driveway late yesterday to go to the grocery store to get last minute food things. Mom had to cancel her massage which has made her somewhat cranky. We had to cancel our bark park outing today so I am cranky. She will have to call after Tuesday to get a temporary inbetween massage. So- it snowed from 9am Friday morning until 3pm Saturday. It has broken all of NM records. Mom is tired of winter, dad is tired of winter, the 3 kitty sibs are tired of winter and I AM THE MOST TIRED OF WINTER OF ALL. I don't mind cool temps but this is the pits. It's supposed to go down to 13 degrees F tonight. Another night indoors (sigh.....).

Anyhow- here's the pictures. This first one is my mom's car becoming one with the tree and snow.



The second one is my Gma's driveway after dad dug her out today. The snow in the street is mostly ice.



The next one is me having a good time supervising dad putting out food and suet cages for the birds. That way me and my kitty sibs will have hours of enjoyment watching them.



The good thing about this snow is there probably won't be a lot of fireworks tonight. Hopefully people won't shoot off their guns either. Since it is going to get down to 10 degrees F tonight, there probably won't be as many party revelers as usual.

Anyhow I wish everydog, pup and hooman a Happy New Year.I am so grateful for the changes that everyone at DWB has made in my life as well as my mom and dad. My life is so enriched by all the dogs I have met on-line. Lets make this the best dog year ever!

C-K-C (one hour away from 2007)

P.S. Studly Dudley can be my boyfriend if he wants (I know his true heart is to Sunshade). Also Chester mentioned in my Christmas Card that he would like to be my boyfriend if we lived closer.

Santa Paws, Mis-shipped snow and other things

Sorry I am so late in posting Christmas pictures. Dad just uploaded them. Santa Paws brought me a new dolly and a new rawhide bone. Mom and dad gave me Pupperoni. Below is me, telling mom to hurry up and give me my stuff.



This is my new dolly.



This is my new rawhide bone.



Next- I think maybe I'm not going to get to take Mr. Ring to the bark park any more. Last Sunday I had Mr. Ring with me. I put it down to sniff a very compelling peemail and this creepy little girl Boston Terrier (no offense meant to Joe Stains) tried to pee on it. My mom managed to snatch Mr. Ring out from under her just in time. Then my dad threw Mr. Ring and this little mutt Sammy (breed unknown) stole it right from under my nose and ran away with it. It took a lot for Sammy's dad to get the ring away from him and back to my dad. The only good thing was that Sassy and Mikey were both there. Mom had printed out some photos that dad had taken of Sassy and Mikey on some nice photo paper. She gave them to their parents. That way they would have them in case something happens to Mikey.

I was out on one of the Husky blogs the other day. I'm pretty sure it was the AO4 (Army of 4) site and they were wanting snow for Christmas. Well- I think the snow got mis-shipped to New Mexico instead of Kansas. We got some snow last week on Tuesday (see previous blog). This morning there was a dusting of snow (and the car encased in ice) on my mom's car when she left for work. There was a lot of fog also. She ended up leaving work at 10:30am and coming home. There was already 2 inches of snow on her car. It has been snowing since she got home. Where she works there is probably 6 inches of snow. At our house, there is probably 3 or 4 inches. More is due over-night. Albuquerque does not work when it snows. You can't get from our house to any where without major problems. People just don't know how to drive on snow. I'm freezing my butt off here (I don't have those furs like Huskies do- I'm not fluffy), my mom's pissed cause she might have to miss her massage tomorrow (she has one every other week cause of a side effect of radiation treatment) and worst of all, Simon (lard butt) and Worf are freaked cause of the snow. There's no good way for kitties to go potty with all that snow (not to mention my butt not liking to get cold & wet when I do my poops).

On a lighter note- I got Studly Dudley's Christmas card today. He has his Christmas pictures up on his site and my mom was laughing and laughing. He is a sweet guy. If he wasn't smitten with Sunshade, I might give it a go but I don't think girlfriends should poach.

That's about all for now. My mom wants the computer back. She has worky work to do cause she came home early. She was on the computer all afternoon too. How am I going to keep up with the blogs I ask you!?!

C-K-C (still freezing in NM)

Snow and other things

It snowed today in Albuquerque. We don't often get snow. When we do, it is usually an inch or so and overnight. Everything is delayed by 2-4 hours in the morning cause no one knows how to drive on snow. Today, however, it started mid morning and by 2pm they closed the schools. Since people don't now how to drive on the stuff, everything got jammed up. My mom was let off of work at 2:30pm and she didn't arrive home til after 4pm. Normally the drive takes 45 minutes. She knows how to drive on snow (she grew up in New York state, south of Buffalo, in the snow belt) and has also lived in North Dakota. By the time she got home, she was very tired. Most of the way she had to drive 15 miles per hour. These are pictures of my driveway and front yard after my mom got home

A couple of posts ago, FuFu asked for a picture of my boyfriend Jake. Below is a somewhat blurry picture of Jake running with someone else's ball (way to go Jake!)

So far, I've gotten all the Xmas cards but 2. My parents can't believe it. I even got a card from my mom's high school boy friend. I also got the cutest stocking to hang up. My mom's best friend Becky made it specially for me. Mom gave her one of the calendars with my picture. Feliz Navidad is the Spanish way of saying Merry Christmas. This one is Fleas Navidad. She said Santa Paws would put treats in it for me.




















Buster mentioned that inside was where the big bed was. I don't get on couches or beds. I don't like the feeling of not having something firm under my feet. I don't like it when I go to the vet and they put me up on a table either. I just don't sleep very good in the house. I feel that I should always be listening for intruders. Also, I'm a black dog in a dark bedroom and my mom usually manages to stumble over me in the middle of the night, no matter where I am in the bedroom. Even with those little flashlites in the wall sockets she can't see me.

Well- I'm off for a quick tour of the snowy yard before bedtime.

C-K-C

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Oscar Airdale

The Rules: The player of this game starts with "3 things he/ she would love to get for Christmas" and also has to list "3 things he/ she definitely does not want to get for Christmas". Then he/she tags 5 friends and list their names. The ones who get tagged need to write on their blogs about their Christmas wishes, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. And the one who tags need to leave a comment that says "you've been Christmas tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

3 Things I would love to get for Christmas:

1. All the Turkey Parme Biscotti I can consume without actually getting sick.
2. Lots of visits to the Bark Park.
3. That Mikey's parents feel better about Mikey's condition and that they cherish every day they have left with Mikey.

3 Things I don't want for Christmas:

1. My kitty sibs to steal my food
2. Have to go to the vet for anything
3. To have other animals abused

I tag:

Romeo- Ozzy's brother
Bella the Weimaraner
Lalbert the English Bull terrior
Finnegan the Irish Wolfhound
Last but never least, Studley Dudley, my favorite boodog

Went to the bark park today. Jake was a no show (sigh....) but Mikey was there and looking pretty good. He even did a little jogging. I was chased by Charlie, a chuhuahua wire-hair terrior cross. We had a good time doing zoomies around the park. I was able to shag mom and dad around the park only 4 times. Man, that woman has GOT to pick up the pace! She did give me water from my foldable bowl from Butchey & Snicker's mom. She is even nice enough to make sure it is tap water and not that tasteless bottled water stuff.

We are supposed to be getting some snow this week. Mom says she wishes it would hold off as she has a lot of appointments this week and hates to drive in the snow (even tho she grew up where it snows a lot). If it does snow it will probably be too cold for me to sleep out at night and I really don't like to sleep indoors. Oh well. If I don't get to post again before Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Kwanza and Happy Hannaka (not sure on spelling). If I've missed out on any of the celebrations, I'm sorry.

C-K-C

Well- I've done it

I've converted to beta blogger. Not because I wanted to but because every time I tried to leave a comment on the old blogger, beta blogger kept sticking it's nose in and saying I couldn't use it. What a pain in the butt!

I have gotten so many Xmas cards from so many places around the world! Mom said she was going to put them in individual sheet protectors and keep them in a notebook for me so I can look at them anytime I want.

I hope everyone doesn't mind but I'm keeping the basic look of my blog the same. Over the holidays mom said she will add more links, etc. but she likes the basic blue of it all.

FuFu asked for a picture of my boyfriend Jake. Dad still hasn't downloaded all of the pictures from the last few times at the bark park. He has been sick. He had to go to the tooth doctor. He broke a tooth under something called a crown and it infected his jaw. He is still on anti-botics and happy drugs. He was so out of it yesterday that when mom handed him the phone to call in sick to work, he whacked it on his forehead. Mom then dialed the number for him and when someone answered, told dad to "speak". Heck, I can do that! He spent most of the day in bed. He is feeling better today and went to work but is still eating soft foods. He should be OK to go to the bark park on Sunday. My mom is willing to go every Sunday and some days in between during the holidays. I am pretty happy about that.

some bad news tho. Mikey (of Sassy & Mikey) has cancer. The vet found several lumps on him and said there were too many to operate. Mikey's parents were very upset but my mom told them that Mikey looked really good, didn't look like he had lost weight and seemed in good spirits. Mikey's dad asked what they should do and my mom said that Mikey would let them know when it was time and what to do. Our cat Grover who passed to the Rainbow Bridge let mom and dad know when it was time. I was sad to see him leave but I know he is in a better place waiting for us all.

Well- mom wants the -puter back. She has some work work she has to do (you'd think she could get it all done at work).

C-K-C

Christmas cards, boyfriends and fashion don't Mom

First up- my dad mailed off the cards today. I thought they'd never get sent. I worked on them all weekend. I didn't lick the envelope though (I know better). I had mom moisten her finger on a wet sponge and run it along the envelope. That way her finger was sticky!

Boyfriends- I have a boyfriend at the bark park. We went Sunday, even though it was cold and he was there again. His name is Jake and he looks like Chester. Jake is very nice (blush, blush) and runs up and down with me when I chase my parents. He even had a drink of water from my bowl. His dad thinks it is funny in a good way that I am his girlfriend. My friends Sassy and Mikey were there also. I managed to shag mom and dad on 4 round trips of the park. Pawsonal trainer is my middle name!

Lastly- for those who were asking for a picture of the fashion faux paw, here is a picture of mom in her green sleepy pants (they have a dog eating grass and saying "go organic"), yellow shirt, blue fleece cap and fingers missing gloves. She also is wearing black fuzzy slippers. She wears these INSIDE. I pray she doesn't go outside wearing them or if she does, at least let me be no where near her!




I have gotten lots of Christmas cards. Dad got one but it turned out to be from a car dealer wanting to sell him a car. Mom has temporarily hung them from a string tacked up along the shelf in our hall but I don't think there is going to be room for all of them. Mom thinks it is so neat to get Christmas Cards from all over the world.

C-K-C

Old news and questions

Mom and dad took me to the bark park twice over Thanksgiving. Once on the day after Thanksgiving and then our regular run on Sunday. I managed to chase their butts up and down that park for 4 round trips on Sunday. I was so tired at one point that I was almost foaming. Mom realized I needed some water and got out my new red folding bowl she got from Butchy & Snickers' mom's web site. It was perfect. I drank quite a bit so I was able to leave even more peemail. It was a little chilly last Sunday. Tonight it is supposed to get down to 20 degrees and tomorrow it will get up to about 37 degrees. It's a good thing mom has a new winter jacket and gloves. She has arfritis in her hands and they hurt badly when they get cold. Mom said that despite the cold tomorrow, we are planning on going to the bark park. She was at one of her doctor's last week and droped another 2 pounds. Man am I good or what! Maybe I should bill myself as a personal trainer? Even dad thinks he has lost some weight.

Now for the question. This is probably better answered by Meeshka but maybe someone else knows. Does your mom wear funny hats and gloves? Mom and Dad went to REI which specializes in outdoor clothings, camping gear, etc. She got 4 fleece hats with a Mountain Hardgear logo on the front. She started wearing that brand hat when her hair fell out during chemotherapy and has worn them ever since (she now has hair but keeps it short). She got them in slate, black, lite blue and orange. She is sitting with the blue one on her head right now and is wearing her green sleepy pants and yellow t-shirt (no fashion sense found in this house!). Dad is wearing an orange fleecy cap too (2nd fashion loser). Mom also got regular woolen gloves with funny grippers on the palms for wearing out doors. Is she planning on flinging herself to a tree to keep from falling down? She got a pair of woolen gloves with the fingertips cut off. The gloves weren't bloody so I have to assume that someone wasn't actually wearing the gloves when the tips were removed. She said she will take those to work as it sometimes get very cold in the building where she works, even with the little heater under her desk. She has one of the bigger offices where she works althou the building has no windows and is made of concrete blocks. The reason she has one of the bigger offices is a series of pipes runs thru her office. Everytime anyone flushes a toilet, uses the kitchen sink or waters the yard outside, a great sighing of the pipes in her office occurs. She keeps a radio on so she won't notice the flushing part.

Good Dog- I just hope no one actually SEES my parents with these things on! That would be sooo embarrasing.

C-K-C

Extra Bark Park...

I was surprised this morning. We went to the bark park. My mom only did 2 round trips of the park cause she was kinda tired from yesterday. Since my Gma's health isn't really great, she did the cooking at home and carted it over to Gma's house. My uncle Dave (dad's baby bro) was there too. Mom cooked Turkey, cornbread stuffing with extra corn, cranberry sauce, Yukon potatoes baked in olive oil with rosemary, sugar snap peas w/garlic & almonds, gravy, pickles, olives, rolls, pumpkin pie and French Vanilla CoolWhip. Whew! The smells from the oven were yummy. Me and the kitty sibs had some cut up turkey breast with our regular food.

Dad must have been a little tired this morning cause he got dressed, got his camera, walked me to the back door and let me out. As he was locking the back door, mom pointed out to him that if we were going to the bark park, we really should have a DOG with us? (snort, snort). Well- we finally got everything ready and off we went. It was a little cold this morning but we soon warmed up. I saw the huskies with their esky sib again and paid the proper respect. I met a weimy named Dakota. Her dad had just gotten out of the Air Force and she was less than a year old. She was very well mannered if a little shy. I saw Cookie again today. She looks like a less spotted bigger boned lady but an awful lot like Tin Tin. Cookie has a sister German Shephard cross named Sammy who has such a beautiful soul (that's what mom said). She was just soo sweet. I also met a border collie cross named Max who was in a big lets get down and dirty playing mood. Barking and jumping on everyone. I jumped and barked back. I also saw two little Westies with matching sweaters. Very cute. I am really enjoying having mom and dad home for a long weekend. Mom said we will probably go to the bark park again Sunday. She said that she felt a little guilty yesterday not going too. She is really getting into this walking thing. Maybe she will start dragging me around the neighborhood (she said). Have to go and take a nap now. I'm exhausted from all this running around. Usually my days are spent guarding and resting! Taking care of parents at home is hard work!

Before I forget.... I got a rather forceful hint that I should be switching over to Beta Blogger. Does anyone have any opinions/tips/gripes on the process of switching over? Let me know. Thanks.


C-K-C

And the winner is.....

First Xmas card of the season: Comet and Blu

Dad said he wasn't sure what the world was coming to when I got mail and he didn't, hee hee.
We hope to get our cards out by this weekend.

On a proud note: my mom went to see her doctor last week and she has lost 16 lbs since September. All due to taking me to the bark park! She and dad trundled 4 laps this past Sunday (each lap is 1.5 American football fields long). Of course I did more than that cause I kept circling around and around them. I met 4 huskies and their eskimo sib. I didn't get their names but I was impressed by their fluffiness. I made sure that I was respectful. I didn't want Meeshka hearing about any disrespect.

There's not much more to tell. If I gon't get to blog again before Thursday, everydog and their families have a Happy Thanksgiving (mom said she was going to make me some more of Sunshade's Turkey Parme Biscotti).

C-K-C

Froggy dead

Froggy is dead! I killed my froggy (not on purpose!). Mom gave him a funeral but wouldn't let me attend. She said she wasn't going to get me any more froggies or monkies- just dollies. Anything else is dead the minute I get my mouth on it.

This is Froggy lying dead.



I had a good day at the bark park on Sunday. I met a dog named Cookie that looks a lot like Tin Tin but not so many spots. My usual pals Sassy and Mikey also showed up. My mom and dad did something different this time. We arrived nice and early and dad played Mr. Ring with me. We had several good runs with that. When the other dogs started arriving, mom put Mr. Ring away and just let me run with my pals. That seemed to make for less tension as I don't like to share my toys.

This is me running for all I'm worth. The bark park is about the same length as a football (American football) field. Mom and dad did 3 round trips of the field.















I want to ask all my readers and blogging paw pals to cross your paws for Dusty Doodles Da Dad. He is having a quadruple by-pass (info from Doodles mom) soon. It is a serious operation so he will need all our prayers, wishes, hugs, licks and warm thoughts. Doodles Da Momma needs the warm thoughts also. Doodles Da Sister and Sadie Mae are going to be with Doodles to help out. I think we can make this a prayer ring heard round the world. If we do this together, we can provide our strength to Doodles and his family to help them get through this.

I have a general question- Are other moms and dads going beserk over this Xmas card thing? I thought my approach of a Xmas postcard (simple picture on one side, and on the reverse side a simple Happy Holidays note and the person/dog's name and address. Well- my dad has been ambushing me, the kitty sibs, my mom, himself and taking yet more pics. Mom gave him a deadline so lets hope he sticks to it. Frankly I am feeling so blessed that I have short hair and don't have to get all duded up for this holiday picture! We tried to get Worf fluffed up but he just kept doing his Klingon growl.

Well- there's not much more going on here.

C-K-C

questions answered

Copper asked me if I was a rescue dog. Isabella asked if I came from a kill-shelter. The answer to both those questions is yes.

A little background:

Shortly before I was rescued, mom and dad had their house broken into. Actually mom was the one home- dad was off in North Carolina. She came home from work and the sliding glass door was cracked, the special lock bent. The thieves (school age kids?) got in thru the bedroom window by lifting the window itself out. They made off with the TV and VCR (but left the clickers) and left an expensive computer in the office where the door was closed. Dad left North Carolina and returned home. Mom told him that we had to get a guard dog. Mom had contacted a weimy breeder in Northern New Mexico. They had a male, about a year old. Mom and dad took him on speculation. Dad and the weimy didn't get on well and so the weimy was returned. Mom then suggested that they try the "pound" (the local city animal shelter- two in ABQ, one on east side, one on west side). They went up on a Saturday to look at the dogs available. The went up and down all of the rows, occasionally stopping and checking out a dog more seriously. I was sitting in the back of the cage the first time. By the time dad came thru a second time I had moved to the front of the cage. He knelt down and pressed the back of his hand on the cage and I washed it. Dad then had the shelter people let me out of the pen so they could look me over better. Dad decided that yep- she is the one! I didn't have a name, not even a shelter name.

Each cage had a large 5 x 8 inch card with the dog's information (how he was picked up). Some cards had a red sticker (they are being held for police actions. Some cards had a blue sticker (that's what I had). Mom and dad filled out the paperwork and were told that they could have me late Monday (after my Spay) or Tuesday. Mom said we will pick her up on Monday. Mom then asked what the blue dot on my card meant. The clerk said that if someone hadn't picked me on the Saturday, I would be going with the other blue dotters for the long sleep (Rainbow bridge). I was that close to not making it! Mom and dad picked me up Monday night and I wasn't feeling that great so they took me home. I had water and a little food. Later that night I barfed and pooped in my crate. I was so embarrased. Mom gave me a bath (I didn't like it) and cleaned out my crate. Within a few days I was doing OK and meeting my kitty sibs.

Albuquerque shelters are kill shelters due to the large amounts of animals collected. It used to be you could be there only 7 days. Now it is 10. It is getting better- they have recently instituted a law that says your animal must be registered, must have its appropriate shots and must be microchipped. If you want to leave your dog "intact", it will cost you a $135.00 + $100/litter (Max of 4 litters per year). I suspect those people who bitch about the law are people raising dogs for puppy mills or worse- as bait for fighting dogs. Rooster fighting is still legal here in NM and right along with it is dog fighting (even though it is illegal).

This next bit is about Worf, the orange and white long haired Persion male (fixed). See picture in previous post. He was in our yard for just a few minutes when Mom thought he should come in for the night. She went out all thru the neighborhood but couldn't find him. She expected him to come back in the morning after a hard night of partying. Such was not the case. A couple of weeks later, mom's favorite kitty, George, went out to the yard and he disappeared. His collar was found on the porch. We found out that both cats as well as numerous small dogs in the neighborhood were being stolen and taken to Northern New Mexico as bait for training dogs to fight. George Kitty had heart problems so mom doesn't think he lasted very long. Worf was Klingon tough. He apparently waited for a chance to get free and managed to do the great escape. He was making his way back to Albuquerque. He was befriended by a man in Santa Fe who worked as a volunteer for a wild animal center about 100 miles north of Albuquerque. That wonderful man took Worf to the vet there. Worf was covered with knots so bad he could hardly move. After choping a lot of hair off, they found his Albuquerque tags and called the vets here in town who gave them our telephone number. This call came in 8 months after Worf had been stolen. Mom and dad had given him up for dead. The next day they went and got Worf and brought him home again. He is a little ground growly and he has arthritis in his back end but he is still hanging in there and picking fights with cats who dare cross his territory.

Part of my duties as official guard dog is to guard my three kitty siblings from anyone who tries to take them. I am also tasked with letting no one in the yard unless my mom or dad is with them. I have scared away many fine runners (hehehe).

Now you know the story and know why I am so very greatful to have my family (even kitty sibs) around me.

C-K-C

Mom doing her happy dance!!

Mom got her checkbook cover from Snitchy Bug Designs today. It is so beautiful and matches my bandana. She got it because her regular plastic checkbook that the bank issues is too dark and would become lost in the infinite pockets of her purse that could substitute for a container boat. Mom says her life is in that bag. Phone, PDA, mini computer drives, medications, diabetes testing equipment, wallet, etc. Now all she has to do is glance into the purse and the checkbook shouts at her. The first picture is the checkbook open (back). The second one is with the checkbook inside , still in its plastic cover but now the doggy cover hides the ugly plastic one. And best of all, if it gets dirty, it can be washed.


Butchy and Snickers mom is going to be making more checkbook covers with the same colors as the bandanas so if everydog wants his mom to match them, they need to order them. Linda can be contacted by the e-mail address on Butchy & Snickers profile on their blog. Linda also says she has fleece booties that she uses on Butchy and Snickers when it snows so that they don't get iceballs between their toes.

Well- it's been a long day. Today was my dad's birthday. I helped mom make a spice bundt cake for him. Mom grilled steaks and I got the bones. Yummmm.

C-K-C

Birthday and snakes

Friday was my birthday. My mom and dad also celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary. They went out to dinner and when they got back home I got to have my birthday cake and get my present (besides the early present of the bandana). This first picture is of my birthday cake.

Mom said it is called a Twinkie. It is a yummy spongey cake with a whipped cream filling. It was very nummy. The next picture is of me wolfing the last of the cake down.

This is my new froggy and me enjoying froggy. If you bite him he goes ribbit ribbit.

Now on to the tale of the two large snakes. Lots larger than Isabella's snakes but not so deadly!

Here in Albuquerque there is a new subdivision going in called Mesa Del Sol. It is south of the airport and out on the Mesa (flat top of hills). Between the airport and Mesa Del Sol, there is a wide valley through which runs the Tijeras (Ti-her-as) arroyo (waterway), a natural waterway that is dry most of the time. The city ran an extension of one of the streets across the arroyo and valley and straight up into Mesa Del Sol. There is already a music concert venue that they have concerts from the end of May thru mid October. There is now a solar something plant and the beginnings of a movie production company. Mom and dad decided to check out the new road and came upon TWO gigundo snake sculptures, one on the airport side and the other on the Mesa Del Sol side. The first picture shows mom standing beside the head of this giant snake. Mom is 62" (a little over 15 meters) tall.

You can see the snake stretching away into the background. Dad says the snake is around 100 feet (300 meters) long. The rattles on the tail consist of large rocks. The body is made out of concrete made stones colored the appropriate colors for a diamond back rattle snake and grouted together.

This shows the side of the snake. It is approximately 4 feet (12 meters) high. Dad asked mom if she wanted to jump up on it and ride it. Mom was intelligent and said no.

Today we went to the bark park but it was kinda late and there were too many dogs for me to have a good time. Some of the dogs tried to steal Mr. Ring so I got upset. We did stop at a Sonic Drive Inn (like a McDonalds) on the way home. Mom and dad got breakfast burritos and juice for breakfast. Mom shared her burrito with me.

Well- I'm off to have a good snooze. I'm tired.

C-K-C

Sunday Outing

Mom and dad took me to the bark park again yesterday. We went early again to avoid Baxter the Sex Fiend. It was a little cool and cloudy but I enjoyed it. Mom and dad got a special fleece blanket for the back seat of the car so I don't get the car seat dirty and so I am nice and warm. The first pic is me dragging mom down the sidewalk to the park. Notice the Snoopy Bag. It's where she keeps treats, water, mutt mits and Mr. Ring.

The next photo is of me wearing my awesome bandana that mom got me from Butchy and Snickers mom at Snitchybug Dog Designs.















The next picture is Sassy. She and her brother Mikey (White dog in second pic) came to the park and we had a good time. Sassy's parents were very nice and I even let them pet me. Mom and dad said they were very proud of me! See- they were worried that I would freak out. I'm not used to strangers petting me. Sassy said they were OK so I figured it would be OK too.




















After the bark park we went home. Mom wasn't feeling too good. When she got home, she frowed up. She said her stomach flew but I didn't see it. She stayed in bed the rest of the day. Dad went up to his mom's house and took the laundry and tools with him. Gma (dad's mom) helped with the laundry while dad cleaned up the weeds in her yard and alley. Mom stayed home from work today also but slept most of the day. She is feeling better tonight so I guess her stomach flew back.

C-K-C

Bandanas!

Guess what came in the mail for me! I knew it was for me cause the label said Kathleen Kelley (my mom) and C.K.C (me, me, me). I barked at her to hurry and open it up!




This is me with my new bandana on. I just love it. Butchy & Snickers mom did an excellent job. I am a larger size lady (XXL) and there isn't much of anything in pet stores for me in my size.




That bandana is so well made and reversable. I can wear it to the bark part so mom and dad can find me in the crowds. I am such a lucky dog to have so many good doggy friends. It doesn't get any sweeter than this.

C-K-C

Balloons and no bark park

It is Balloon Fiesta time here in Albuquerque. Hundreds of balloons from all over the world and tens of hundreds of bad drivers descend on Albuquerque for two weeks. The balloons are pretty but I don't like them cause when they come in really low they make terrible hissing noise. No amount of barking will make them stop. Saturday was the first day but it was rainy and cold so pilots could decide whether to go or not go. Most of the regular balloons went but the special shapes stayed grounded. This picture was actually from this morning's launching.


Sunday, it was totally rained out and that is why I didn't get to go to the bark park. It was just plain nasty weather. Instead I helped dad in the garden. He was harvesting his french tarragon to make tarragon vinegar (smells bad to me) and digging up his potatoes. I offered to help him dig the potatoes but he declined my offer. This picture is of me doing yard duty.


Dad was also tasked with taking my picture for the DWB calendar. He took a whole bunch with me leaping for treats, etc.


After all that jumping around and getting "animated", I was tired. Dad & Mom sat looking at the pictures on the camera and dad took a couple of me just laying there. Wouldn't you know it- Mom chose a couple of those and sent them off to Opy's mum. The picture she chose is.... well- if you want to see it, you'll have to buy the calendar! (Am I doing the shill correctly Opy?)

C-K-C

I have a Birthday!

This is just a quick post. I'm still waiting for dad to get the pictures from Sunday's Bark Park out of the camera. I have good news and couldn't wait to share it. Mom and Dad gave me a birthday!!! They didn't know when my real birthday was and couldn't remember when I came to be with them so they decided to make my birthday the same day as their anniversary (At least they won't forget it). October 27th is now my birthday. Mom and dad have been together 19 years and married 17 years (as of the 27th). Since October 27th falls on a Friday this year, mom says we will celebrate the whole weekend (me doing a happy dance).

I did go to the bark park on Sunday and met a 10 month old black lady poodle named Scout. We had a great time. She was about my size so by the time she gets to be Isabella's age, she will be tall. She had a sibling that looked like Ivey. We went early enough that there was no Baxter (thank dog).

Mom has ordered me a bandana from Butchy & Snickers mom. She's sure it will be here by my birthday.

While at the bark park, dad decided our little digital camera doesn't cycle quick enough (not sure what that means). After reading what Cairo and Isabella said about cameras and going thru the reviews, he ordered a Cannon Powershot.

Well- mom & dad are off to Pizza and a Movie and I'm out to guard.

C-K-C

Bark Park again!

Mom and Dad took me to the bark park again. I couldn't believe it! Mom said that she and Dad would try to make it an every Sunday early morning event as long as the weather holds. She said it would be good for both her and Dad. Mom said exercise was good for her cause it helps keep her die-a-beet-is (not sure what that is exactly) under control.

Unfortunately, that Baxter dog was there wanting to jump my bones. I got tired of it and snapped back. Another female brindle dog also became Baxter's target and a fight broke out. Baxter's parents just thought that was so cute! (NOT). I also met a very nice Rottweiler named Nike. Nike's dad fetched my Mr. Ring as I had dropped it in my excitement to sniff up Nike. Nike had a brother/sister along (white terrior type dog) who had a red sweater with skulls on it. Unfortunately my Dad didn't think to take a picture of Nike. He took this one of me though.


Dad said that next Sunday we would be there earlier. The bark park opens at 6:30am. We were there this Sunday at 8:00am. Coming an hour earlier will, hopefully, keep us from running into Baxter and his family.

After the bark park, we came home and had breakfast. I got some of Mom's cheesy scrambled eggs. I just love them! I also supervised Dad putting in a new front door handle. Mom has been complaining for months that she couldn't get the door locky thing to turn because of her arthritis (Dusty Doodles has offered his services to woo it away). Well, sometime last week Dad had a hard time trying to get the locky thing to turn and so he went out and got a new one at Home Depot. The handle is even curved to make it easier for Mom.

We had some excitement last week. Mom and Dad got caught in a hail storm coming home from a movie. It hailed in my yard too. It looked like little pills but was cold. It was thundering and lightning too and Dad said Mom kept shreeking everytime it lightninged. He finally yelled at her that he was doing his best to get her home as quick as possible so stop shreeking! Mom said she then just whimpered. When they got home, I was throwing myself against the sliding glass door and Simon Lard Butt was standing on my crate and beating on the window with his paws to let him in NOW. I slept inside that night to keep an eye on Mom. Even Worf and Simon were inside.

Well- I guess that is about it for now. I read that Opy's family are without electricity and there are bush fires near there. Let's say a quick doggy prayer that everything works out OK for them. Oh- and congrats to Butchy and Snickers Mom for having her dog clothing site on the Doggie Wire e-newsletter!

C-K-C

I got to go to the Bark Park!!!!!

I didn't think it would happen, after all, mom has said we could go before and we didn't. This time, it was Labor Day and both mom and dad had off. Mom went out to the city web site and checked what time the park would be open. She found out that we needed to bring our own drinking water. She and dad went to Petsmart on Saturday and got some Mutt Mitts (to pick up poop) in case the park was out. She got a water bottle holder with cup at the bottom. I have my own bark park bag (an old Snoopy one mom had laying around). She put everything into the bag and added Mr. Ring and the Gooberlicious snacks for good measure.

This first picture is of me in the back seat on the way to the Bark Park.



The park was muddy in places because we have had so much rain and the sprinklers are set to water overnight also. We walked a little bit with my leash on as mom & dad didn't know how I would act. Finally dad took the leash off.




Dad was very nervous and made me be slightly defensive when doggies got too near me. It was still OK though. I met a brown dog (don't know kind) named Baxter that kept wanting to jump on me even though I told him that I'm NOT that kind of dog! I met a beautiful lady greyhound name Sylvia. She was very nice to me. I met another couple of little Westie dogs but didn't catch their names. Dad threw Mr. Ring for me several times. Mom tried to get me to drink some water but I didn't want to.






It was cool and cloudyish but we stayed about 45 minutes. On the way home, we stopped by a Sonic Drive In (burger type place) and mom and dad got limeades. I didn't want anything. When we got home, all of us were tired. Mom fixed breakfast and I had some egg and toast. Both mom and dad looked like they would be ready for a snooze any minute. I am tired too. Yesterday I supervised dad in the yard and my arthritis was bothering me last night. Mom gave me some aspirin in a hot dog piece. I think I am going to need one of those tonight also. Mom and dad agree that we are going to go again. Everyone had a good time!

C-K-C

More of Dear dogs and cats

After Ender and Hana said they both had seen it elsewhere, I went looking. I found these additional rules.

You do not have to wake me up a 3 a.m. just because you can.

When wet and muddy, it is not required that you get on the bed with me.

I can occupy the bathroom without an audience and since the bathroom lacks stadium seating, it might be best that I do.

It is not required that large dogs step on my small barefoot toe on every single opportunity presented. It is also unneccesary for said dog to butt my head with that
very large knot in her forehead. Crippling me and knocking me unconscious does not truly further your goals.

When I am racing for the ringing phone, it is not necessary for all of you to collect en masse and block my path.

It is not necessary to remove every single item from every single flat surface in the house.

Storage cabinets do not need emptying just so you can take a nap on the shelves. Your one body does not require 2.5 shelves anyway.

Sitting in the roasting pan is not cute.

No, you are not on the wrong side of every door. You just think you are.

No, the neighbors have not missed you therefore when you escape from the yard, there is no need for you to go visit them. Nor must you return to your yard with every dog in the neighborhood.

No, the shoes are actually mine and not yours.So when I go to put them on there is no need to slap me , grab them or lay on top of them to keep me from actually putting my own shoes on.

And yes, I know what time it is and NO, I will not forget to feed you. So please stop reminding me. I can tell time.

While I appreciate the gift, I really must insist that you leave all dead rodents, birds, and rabbits outside where you killed them. And if by chance you MUST eat inside, at least do me the favor of bringing your meal to your plate, so I don't step on the "green organs".

Also, if you catch something at 4 am, it is NOT necessary to wake me up and let me know. You KNOW I'll find it later.

Please kill your meal BEFORE bringing it to me to "share" in the middle of the night.

You cannot get your way simply by asking over and over and staring at me. Staring will not make me obey you, you cannot control me...
you are so beautiful! Would you like this?

I do not consider panting in my face a form of air-conditioning, so it is not neccessary that you lay on top of me when its 90 degrees.

You are not gardening when you trench dens next to my bushes and trees.

Bonemeal is not a whole bone, quit killing the tomatoes looking for it.

Used tissues are not snot-snacks, quit digging them out of the trash and eating them.

I know when you've eaten something you shouldn't have, remember, I clean up the yard.


And here I thought my trenching was helping to keep the rain away from the foundation of the house! Just trying to help!

C-K-C

Animal thoughts

Well, not animal thoughts really... my mom received an e-mail with the following in it and asked me to put it in my blog:


Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, or try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Usually come when called
5. Never drive your car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and
11. If they get pregnant, you can legally sell their children.

I think I agree with some of it, but not the food dish one.

C-K-C

Tagged

I was tagged by Dashiesrule

The player of this game starts with "5 weird things/habits about yourself." Then you tag 5 friends and list their names. The furries who get tagged need to write on their blogs about their 5 weird things/habits, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. Don't forget to leave your victim a comment that says "you're tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

5 Weird Things About Me

1. I really get along with my kitty sibs, we have an agreement that we will act like we don't when parents are looking at us.

2. I like raw apples.

3. I don't like to be sprayed with the hose.

4. I don't get on furniture.

5. I like to watch the animal planet on TV.

I tag Tin Tin, Charlie the Big Dog,Isabella ,Pippin, and Daisy Bean & Diesel

Favorite toys

Well, after dinner tonight (I had some BBQ pork ribs from Mom), I asked mom & dad if they would take a picture of my favorite toys.

My dolly is getting a little nasty (at least that is what my mom says). Dolly is my favorite indoor toy. Mr Ring (the yellow ring) is really my back-up ring. Dad lost my main ring (looks the same) in the weeds (see previous post). My second favorite indoor toy is my saucer toy. Kind of a Kong thingy where the top and bottom screw together and mini peanut butter dog treats go in the middle. I am supposed to get the cookies out. My average time is 2 minutes. This next picture is of mom giving me the saucer filled with cookies.


Those peanut butter treats were really yummy. I love peanut butter and apples.

OMG- Mom just gave me dolly back but it is not the same dolly! It is totally new! I asked her where my old dolly went. She just said that he was "gone". Sigh... I hate breaking in new dollies!


C-K-C

Pictures from the weekend

Well, I finally got my mom & dad into the yard with the camera. Not an easy thing to get the both of them at the same time!

The first picture is a picture of the pig weed in my yard. Do you see any pigs? Of course not! Just a bunch of stinking green weeds hiding all my bone caches and making it difficult to find Mr. Ring when dad throws it!


The second picture is of me running guard duty along the fence line where the chows live. I can make the circuit of my side yard in under a minute.



The next picture is of my mom. She is looking over the fence at the dog that my dad had said was a pitbull. It turns out it is a boxer. She was trying to introduce herself and me to the boxer but he/she was too shy. It ran and hid. My mom said the boxer was about the size of Cairo.



The last picture is my favorite. It is me and my dad in the garden. I am trying to show him which stuff to work on next.




Someone on one the web sites about blue heeler dogs said that we live life in the fast lane. I think that describes me perfectly!

Blogging again!!

My mom went and had her nails done today so she let me blog instead of her working. The rains have come almost every day. Pig weed (some kind of green weed that doesn't look like a pig at all) started out in our yard about 1/4" high. It is now 3 feet high. I have to do my springbok imitation (launch yourself into the air, all four paws flying, as soon as you land, launch again). Maybe my dad will take a picture of the weeds and my springboking. Yesterday when dad got home from work and I was in the yard, he heard me barking but couldn't see me cause the weeds were so high. I was barking at the chows in the next yard (one orange, one black).

I want to thank all of the new dogs that have visited my blogs because of Opy and Charlie the Big Dog's Paw-it-forward site and Dogs with Blogs site. I have been visiting a lot of sites myself and have bookmarked them in a special blog folder.

My dad just laughs and says somebody has too much time on their hands. I say- one day dogs will rule the world and it will be better!

Mom's great scare

Well, the rain thing has been going and going. The dachsies certainly know how to give rain!

My mom was driving home from work today (she works at Kirtland Air Force Base). She usually drives in what she calls the South Gate. The rain started coming down really hard just before she got thru the South Gate. There was water a good half-inch deep rolling down the road toward the main arroyo (like a huge dirt ditch) that carries water to the river. She crossed the arroyo but the water wasn't deep yet. She turned west to drive out to the Interstate road. She got only a little past the turn and had to come to a stop. A wall of mud, water and other garbage type stuff was roaring down into the road in front of her. She had to back up and make a U turn and go back thru all the water which was then nearly a foot deep. She made it back into the Air Base and told the guard what was happening. After that, she had to go out another gate and make it thru the city with it thundering and lightning and raining. She was scared and upset by the time she got home. I cheered her up right away by asking for a butt rub.

Looks like I will either be in my crate or in the house if it keeps raining all night like the weather people are predicting.


Say- I found a story on a black lab from Boston. She is an ambassador. Her story is found here:

http://www.fairmont.com/cop/catiecopley/

I don't know much more about her than that. Her job sounds like a good thing!

Be careful what you wish for...

The other day, I asked the Dachsies to send me some rain. Not only did rain come my way but thunder and lightening. It started raining and I could hear the thunder way off. The wind was blowing and dad wanted to make sure that the kitties were safe. He opened the door to the porch and both he and I went out. Worf wanted in immediately (even if he is a Klingon, he's not stupid).
Simon wanted in but was taking his time. I was dancing around trying to get dad to go back in the house where it was safe. All the time he was out there, the thunder and lightening kept getting brighter and louder. Well, finally dad picked up lardbutt Simon and was just ready to step in side when the lightening turned purple and at the same time the thunder cracked like a large gun. Simon used dad as a launching point into the house. dad leapt into the house and I was practically under him. Inside my mom was sitting in her chair with white knuckles. Nerise was flattened as much as she was able and had huge eyes. We all decided that it wasn't safe to go out (tho later Simon did go out- that cat obviously has some mental issues). Next time I ask for rain, I'll include the no thunder and lightening rule.

C-K-C

Oops!

I just noticed that the text doesn't quite match up with the pictures. Worf is the orange and white kitty. Simon is black and white and Nerise is the grey kitty. Hopefully I'll get better at this!

Meat and kitty sibs

This is my evil-eye look. Don't I look like a ferocious guard dog?

This is Worf. He is kitty by birth, Klingon by choice. He will take on anyone and anything. In a later post, I'll tell the tale of Worf. He is one tough kitty!


This is Simon. During the summer, he is pretty much an outdoor kitty. He loves to lay on the porch 24/7. When he's not laying around, he eats. He weights at least 20 lbs and is supposed to be on a diet.












This is Nerise. She and I like to chase each other but we never catch each other. She loves head butting our mom and playing with catnip mice.


By the way- I got lucky tonight (no- not that way!). I got some chicken skin. Mom doesn't like chicken skin so when mom & dad have chicken for dinner, I get to eat the skin from Mom's piece. She also gave me a couple bites of her chicken. Dad and I worked in the garden this afternoon for just a little bit. It has cooled off to the low 90's here and today was one of our alloted watering days so I supervised him. Worf was also in the garden as we have catnip growing to 3 feet high between the garden boxes. Worf is a total niphead!

Happy 4th of July

It is the 4th of July and things are pretty quiet (so far). Last night we had quite a few fireworks going off in the neighborhood so I stayed inside til quite late. We also had a bit of rain yesterday which was much needed. It is so dry here that we are restricted to watering on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. No one is supposed to water on Friday. Since the rain fell on Monday, it was free water!

I won't get to do much running around with my dad today as he has a sore leg. He had to go to the doctor's (human vet?) yesterday. The doctor gave him some medicine that makes him sleep a lot. Mom will take me out but she is not much fun with Mr. Ring (she throws like a girl). I love Mr. Ring. It is a yellow rubber ring that used to have a ball in the center. Dad took the rubber ball out and just throws the ring. It is my favorite outside toy. Mom won't let Mr. Ring in the house. If she finds it in the house, she usually puts it in the dishwasher.

My favorite indoor toy is Mr. Dolly. He squeeks when you bite him in the stomach. I have more than one actually. You know, the real deal and a backup. I also have a squeeky tennis ball and a flying saucer thing that you can stuff cookies inside of. I like to play with that and get the cookies out and crunch them. I used to have a Kong but it is missing (no doubt hid by those pesky cats!)

First Blog

My name is Charlie Kelley-Church. I am a spayed female Blue Heeler/border collie cross. This means I can run fast, herd people and other animals, and dig deep holes in the yard.


I am new at this blog thing. Mostly my mom and dad do these kinds of things. I am 7 years old (human years). I was spayed before I was released to my parents from the local pound. My parents got me for a guard dog as well as pet. I can seem ferocious when I am in guard mode. I live with 3 cats (house siblings). They are: (1) Nerise, a small Russian Blue cross, (2) Worf, a yellow and white longhaired kitty [kitty by birth, Klingon by choice] and (3) Simon, a black & white tuxedo kitty who has got to weigh at 20 lbs!

My parents both work during the day so I guard then. My dad works for the Albuquerque Public Schools as a network manager (whatever that is!). My mom is a computer programmer. My mom and dad also have other businesses. My mom makes beaded jewelry. My dad designs web pages (not sure what that means exactly, but it helps to keep me in dog cookies. I usually sleep outside in my crate (it's on a covered porch and has all my food and water near by. The crate also has a roof in addition to the regular porch roof. My parents let me stay in the house at night if I want to but usually I prefer my crate.

I have read Isabellas blog, Zacks blog, Cairos blog. I hope I can be half as interesting at they are!