Saturday, October 30, 2010

Happy Hallowe’en

 

 

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Between pumpkin carving and travelling 1,200 miles we are exhausted.   So this week…just a few jack o’lantern photos to enjoy.

I usually stay away from sharp objects.

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I think I know this guy!

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My friend Eloise says to eat your veggies.

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Good Lord this is taking forever

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Jack loves me too – look at his grin!

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  I hear a bunch of people are coming over tomorrow to make fools of themselves so I should have some good material for you next week.  AND, a few dogs are likely dropping by too.  How lucky am I.  I LOVE Hallowe’en…..maybe not as much as Owner’s Dad  (81) who spent two hours in the  costume department sorting out his costume for this Hallowe’en.  Now there’s a guy who really gets the importance of letting loose and being a kid forever!   Stay safe.  See ya later.

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Sunday, October 17, 2010

THE FROST IS MELTING

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OUCH.  I would not want to be a human for anything.  Everybody tries to please everybody else and sometimes it just goes terribly wrong.

Settle in and put on a warm sweater  because it is going to get a little chilly around here.  Owner knows she’s not as “up” as Curly. If you read my posts regularly you know he’s the type of guy up for anything, any time, anywhere. Owner….not so much.  When she’s up for something she’s 100% in but if she’s not, she ain’t even showing up.  One raised eyelid over her bulging eyeball and Curly knows that his great idea has been shot down AGAIN.

So owner sat and thought about her generally less than boisterous attitude all week and decided she needed to get her act together.  I stood behind her loyally because that’s just what dogs do even though I knew it meant me being left at home alone for hours.  She came up with two great ideas.  1.  Go to a presentation at the Houston Zoo by a world acclaimed naturalist/photographer.  Unfortunately Curly couldn’t go as he had Australians he had to meet with.  OK no go, on with the backup plan. 2.  Go to some musical repertory theatre downtown.  Curly was on that like glue but  came up with his own play he wanted to go and see.  It was a one-woman comedy written and acted by a young Canadian.  NOW Owner knew she had to agree to this because a) she never wants to do anything that involves driving downtown and b) she is always telling  Curly to PLEASE pick something you would like to do.  She was between a rock and a hard place if you get my drift; she had to agree that his play was at least as good as the one she had picked out.

They looked great as they headed out the door for dinner downtown at Benjy’s. Owner remembered to put on her “I’m so excited to head out and do something FUN face.”  As a bonus  the restaurant’s waiter was very “hot” in a Brazilian kind of way so Owner enjoyed her meal very much.  However, he did take some fun out of ordering by commenting constantly on which meals would be healthy enough to eat.  Curly ended up with some tofu thing (read paw down throat!) and Owner had a hot salad…which I hear was not her favourite meal of all time. But be that as it may they were out, they were doing something FUN, and Owner wouldn’t have to come up with some great new activity for at least six months.  Things were looking up.

Dark was descending as they began their drive to the theatre.  Owner suddenly remembered Curly had made a strange statement about the theatre when she had asked where it was located.  He didn’t say where it was exactly but he did throw in the comment…”don’t worry it’s near a police station.” Owner was busy putting her makeup on at the time so the comment slid off her shoulders like water off a duck’s back.   His questionable remark hung like an echo as they drove down a dark street; the darkness seemed impenetrable.   Curly decided to follow orders and conversate, so forged ahead with a risky statement. She has been pestering him to talk so she is to blame for his incessant chatter; the old be careful what you wish for. What he said was, “well, we aren’t in the best neighbourhood but it isn’t the worst.”  Owner may need to shave her neck today because she suddenly realised how many hairs were standing up back there as he  continued his  monologue.  The next words flew at lightning speed  out of Owner’s mouth. “Oh My God, I’m pretty sure those are Crack houses!”   She did a quick estimation of the value of the BMW and how angry people would be if they asked her to hand over her purse since it had two lipstsicks and a lipliner.  Curly reverted to typical Curly…”fine, we’ll turn around and go home then.” Owner gets tired of the perpetually upbeat, everything is great attitude he always tucks into an easily accesible pocket, sort of a ‘don’t leave home without it’ accessory.   “Oh, we aren’t going to go  home,” she grumbled.  “Where the hell is the damn theatre, anyway?”   “Here,” as he drove into the gravelled lot in front of a building made out of wall panelling in a definite drive by neighbourhood. As she related the events thus far I could tell that the plans for a fun night out  were definitely on a downturn

Two ladies  parked beside them and tentatively opened the door of their van and in quavering voices, asked “have you ever been here before; we were wondering if we should even go in?”   They were obviously petrified to get out of their car and/or  leave it in this highly suspect lot.  (Hey, we watch a lot of The Closer and Brenda Lee Johnson has probably warned people about leaving their cars here.) Curly had no patience for these two  wimpy,  whiney women; in fact he had no patience for his own!  Owner told me later she slunk into the darkened  room and took her seat in one of the fifty “in need of cleaning” seats, crossed her legs, double crossed her arms,  her toes,  and made the sign of the cross with her fingers as she prayed she’d make it home in one piece.  When Curly tried to engage her in conversation she crossed her eyes.  She whispered loudly that if this had been their first date she would NEVER have gone out with him again.  Why? he asked all big eyed.  Curly has a sense of humour because he did say, “I guess you don’t want to take out a theatre membership?”   At that point there could have been a murder in the theatre and we all know who would have been doing what to whom!

She had thought she was being so sweet offering to go to the THEATRE and here she was in a building made of wall panelling.  What better target audience to rob than stupid white people going into a neighbourhood they have no business in after dark.   She prayed the theatre owner  still had a good relationship with everyone on the street, after all this building had been the store his parents ran when he was a young boy.

To be fair owner has to admit ninety percent of the people who came in the door looked quite comfortable being there.  The woman next to Owner admitted she was terrified the first time she came to see a play here also but that this was her third time returning and she hadn’t lost a car yet.  Owner snorted as warmly as she could.

Owner blames her inability to move comfortably  through neighbourhoods different from her own on her very sheltered growing up where everyone lived in  pretty much the same neighbourhood.  Nowhere was dangerous unless you count the bears that wandered the streets in the Fall and the Spring.  One night Dave Grignon’s  escaped pet skunk scared her as she came home on a date but that was about as nerve wracking as it got in Northern Ontario.  Let’s not forget that her milieu in Texas is pretty sheltered and no Canadian arrives in the States without knowing that this is a country with neighbourhoods that are different than we are used to. American TV doesn’t make us yearn for everything made in the U.S.A.

Now, let me see if I can tell you about the play. I only have a dog brain and this just doesn’t make sense to me.  We have ONE young cute Canadian actress, Gemma Wilcox,  who has come in for the debut of her show Shadows in Bloom.  Now this woman must suffer from personality disorder because in the course of an hour she was….Sandra, Pete, Kate, Louise, Flora, a torch singer in a bar, a saxaphonist, bass player, drummer, a Calla LILY, Louis the French sunflower, AND a child’s blankey. Every character had a different voice, mannerisms, needs, desires, and wants and this Gemma was up to the task.  Owner’s head was spinning as they left wondering how this young woman had been able to convince the audience moment after moment that she was who she was pretending to be …and she was each character for one, two, twenty,  forty seconds and then switched into the other character, and back and forth and back and forth.  Whirlwind effect.   You had to be there I guess because it just doesn’t make sense to me. 

Gemma worked her magic.  The car was still there. Everyone who entered the theatre left safely.  Two  women were out chatting at their fence line as Owner and Curley drove away….making the neighbourhood look, well gee…kind of like a neighbourhood.    Owner gave her head a shake, (as her brother-in-law Jim would tell her to do), and admitted the play was well done.   The car heater came on for a second  to melt some of the ice that had accumulated on those crossed legs and arms.  Divorce avoided for another day.  See ya later.   

Saturday, October 9, 2010

So this big fat Martian……

 

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As long as I live I will never understand humans.  All of this crazy stuff is going on with the Nobel Peace Prize and China and what do Owner, Curly and their friends talk about last night…..a big fat Martian landing in New Jersey and eating  Italians.  Now I did hear this through thick plate glass so I can’t be sure of all the details, but I’m pretty sure I have the gist of that movie plot.    Next they would all laugh and slap each other’s backs, make some asinine comments, laugh some more and then look at another card in a box and try to define the word “liripoop.” I think they were half in the bag because a big bottle of champagne went down.  Just in case you are wondering…..Benj’s graduating class at Bates forgot to adjust their liripoops at the end of the ceremony…and I hope so too because he was brought up better than that!   Oops, I stand corrected.  Now I recall that a liripooimagep is the tassley bit on the graduating cap…who knew?  I will say this though everybody had a fall on the floor time as various participants physically demonstrated how they thought a liripoop needed to be adjusted.  They are all nice humans but sophisticated?…they must have their own definitions for THAT word.  Oh by the way, if you are ever wandering through New York with your donkey, it  is either forbidden to bray between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. or sleep in the bathtub. I got a bit confused on that question.   However, one smart ass answer was they aren’t allowed to bray towards Mecca which caused great chuckling since who doesn’t love a well done play on words.  It’s all just a load of Balderdash if you ask me.

My pal Louis, the African breed without a barker and an insatiable need to play tricks on their owners, and I just played with abandon as we ran around the property out back. Louis The temperature was cool, the night was young, and the humans had no idea what we were up to.  We chased skunk smell around the yard for a while, rolled in leaves,  drank out of the pool,  and  climbed on the furniture. What dog doesn’t get a kick out of rubbing their snotty nose all over clean windows.  Wonderful evening.   I love it when WE get invited out for the night;  it is a real break from apartment living.  And just in case you are wondering, Louis doesn’t wear his cowboy costume all the time, just when he damn well feels like it.  Don’t you wish you looked as good in YOUR chaps and lasso?

Had a little trip to the dog spa yesterday and had the usual doggie necessities taken care of.  Who wants toenails that click every time they meet a tile floor. My teeth were brushed…YUCK.   My going away present (scarf)  is DSCN1328fabulously covered with silvery sparkly bits that shine in the evening. No one has ever thought to decorate me with some bling before and it just feels so right.  It must be noted that scarves scare me.   Last time   my foot caught in it when I scratched my head and poof I lost my balance and fell off the bed.  My leg could have broken! 

Think I’ll go shake some tail.  See ya later.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Let the mind just wander…I’m good at that.

 

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The dreaded words -- Leash ‘em up ‘cause here comes a Chow. The hair on the back of my neck stands up; am I in danger? Where is that dreaded Chow? Oh wait, it’s me.

(OK..this isn’t me but have you ever seen a cuter Chow Chow in your life….is this Panda Chow?  And I thought I was cute!  Do you smell hair dye?)

People need to learn that it is not the breed that is scary; it is irresponsible, clueless, couldn’t train a dog if they tried owners.   To be honest the smaller the dog the less likely it is to have manners. Sorry to be so prejudiced but humans seem to think that  if it is a teensy tiny pouffy pup then it doesn’t need to know to sit, stay, wait, and SHUT THE HELL UP.  What is it with little dogs barking at me as if they are going to eat my head off. Being barked at by a puff ball is definitely one of my pet peeves.  Mind you we did have a great friend with a gorgeous Bouvier, Shadow,  (good friend of Boris) who jumped on to the chesterfield from the backside of the couch, and who ran through a plate glass window so maybe my size prejudice isn’t fair.

 

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A lot of my time is spent dreaming about the white stuff.  Howling winds and blizzards turn my crank! Happy skiers make my day. Ice balls stuck in my paws….not so much.   Hopefully by the time I get home snow will be a weekly teaser.  Owner was on the phone with her friend, Shannon,  talking about Chloe and I getting in lots of cross country skiing this winter.  Can’t wait.  I eat my special oil-laced dog food, take my glucosamine, my thyroid pill and my arthritis drug every single day.  This keeps my joints oiled and my body willing. The spirit? never a problem.

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Owner’s foot seems to be getting a bit better every day. I think this means that soon we will be heading back to the land of the happily roaming sniffing dog.  Oh Lordy it has been a while.  Luckily for me I’ve been spending lots of time with Aldo and he’s a blast to hang out with.  Aldo may be looking for a home if Tina returns to her home country. There is no freedom at all for dogs in Singapore so she’s trying to figure out what to do.  We have a lead on a fun place for Aldo to call home but it is early days yet.  The words Tina and Aldo, Aldo and Tina fit so well together that I can’t imagine one without the other.

Every day I take a little visual check of Owner’s aforementioned appendage.   For a while it looked like a lot like my tongue, black and blue.   She seems to have more of a shuffle in her step.   Getting in and out of the tub is not quite the production it was a couple weeks ago.  Curly doesn’t seem to have to fetch and carry quite as much as he did  at the beginning of the recuperation period.  Slowly but surely we are getting back to normal. I have to say we have watched so much of The Closer that it feels like Brenda Lee Johnson  is a close and personal friend, even if she is rather cranky and selfish.

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  Now it all depends on what the doctor and the physiotherapist say….how did it end up that my life depends on two people I have never met?  Somehow it doesn’t seem to bother this doctor guy that I’m missing golden hills, falling leaves, and cold temperatures. It took a lot of work to grow my fur this year and I’d really like to show it off.

 

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It would be really nice to be back for jack o’ lantern season. See ya later.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Hello, You! Now skedaddle!!

 

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Somebody dropped by to visit owner the other day. She was quite startled and unprepared.  To be fair she was entitled to be shocked.  She really hadn’t seen the guy since Benj was born and that was 22 years ago.  She didn’t like him then and she doesn’t  like him now.  Her worry is that now he knows where she lives in Texas and he’ll be dropping by every once in a while so  they can reacquaint themselves.   Curly haired doesn’t like the guy  hanging around but he can’t just grab the guy and toss him on his ear now, can he?  If you think that is Curly’s style then you don’t know Curly haired.  You don’t just throw people out of your apartment because they dropped by unannounced.  I must have been asleep on the patio because I missed his arrival.  I’d like to see him up close so  I’m watchin’, waitin’, an hopin’  but  it feels like   

It is terrible knowing that a stalker has his eye on Owner.  Stalker seems to be the most appropriate word.   He’s only dropped by that one time but I just know he wants to come back to see her again.  Whenever  we step outside and do a tiny tour around the building, or head to our car,  I hear that intake of breath, watch her stop, stare straight ahead and I know she sees him.  I look as hard as I can but my vision just isn’t as keen.  This guy doesn’t have the usual “human” smell…..he’s that creepy. A sad complication of his visit  is that owner deals with fear by avoidance so I’m getting outside even less than last week. 

Luckily owner took a course and then volunteered at the hospital  with sexual assault victims.  She understands this whole stalking thing so I have faith that she will get a handle on this guy. I can’t wait to see her tell him to back off, when she is angry she gets LOUD.  At Stock Photography: Box Cartoon Character Screaming Into a Megaphonethe moment though she is living in fear of another surprise ambush; the first one wore her out so badly she slept for twelve hours afterwards.

I admit that I don’t like seeing Owner under so much stress. My television viewing has changed to “dog training videos”  but those attack dogs scare ME and I AM A DOG.  I’d rather just show my teeth and make some good “Chow Chow” noises.   As you all know I’m a lover not a fighter but I’ll keep her safe if she needs it. Heading off now to work on my growl.

 

I have my work cut out for me.  I’m on a mission to find, attack and eliminate Owner’s visitor.  When I find you, Monsieur, Monsieur Nerve Pain, you are going to wish you never ran into Casey, Attack Dog Extraordinaire. 

See ya later.

Not sure this will be as effective for me as I don’t have all my teeth!

Loyal American readers will understand this cartoon much more than you readers from around the world. (and so you know…her foot continues to heal, slowly, painfully sometimes, but heal).

Saturday, September 18, 2010

It would be rough to go it alone!

 

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Two weeks can feel interminable.   Owner is worse than useless.  Curley isn’t into taking me for long walks on his own…oh, he gets the job done but he’d much rather have company plus his job demands he be away from the apartment a lot.  I don’t need much but I’m bored out of my dog-like little mind!

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If I sit here long enough she’ll take pity 052on me and get me outside.  It has been two weeks and I’ve heard enough about the boot and the crutches.  Scarlett….Frankly, I don’t give a damn.  

Heaven, I’m in heaven.  Aldo and Tina dropped by take me for a walk.  You have no idea how many meals I’ve saved071 up for a long walk…if you know what I mean.  Tina is in for a surprise.  Hope she has lots and lots and lots of those bags humans like to carry.  You’re going to need them baby! This dog is heading out to let loose and lighten the load.

Well it isn’t Telluride but it sure is pretty. My coat is heavy but I can’t take it off because I’ll freeze to death when I get back home. Evolution has to work on this only sweating through the paws and tongue thing.  I’m a Texas dog no longer.

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If you have to live in a neighbourhood in a suburb, this ain’t bad.

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You’ll see below I quickly put Tina to work…..that’s why we dogs hire humans to look after us.  We can’t do it ourselves and actually we don’t want to! Besides, she’s so good natured and cheerful I just can’t get too worked up about it.   She works out and does tons of squats just for the heck of it so might as well give her a reason to work those quads and hamstrings that actually does something for the environment.  How “green” of me, eh?

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We hooked up with some other guy and Aldo just had to show off his Olympic time trial results.  I mean the guy is young and fit so of course he can go from zero to sixty in less than a second.  I gave it my best shot but I’m just not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was…..gee, where are all these quotes coming from.  Obviously been listening to the country station just a tad too much….however it is what it is.

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This is an eye test.  How many dogs are in this photo?  Hope you said three.

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If you are into Ayervedic Medicine or perhaps want to do a little Transcendental Meditation, we have the temple for you.  This incredibly gorgeous architectural marvel is right smack dab in our neighbourhood.  It may not be your thing but it does add a sense of peace and beauty to the area.  It’s pretty quiet over there; they must meditate really well and often.  Some locals were really terrified and concerned about cults taking over The Woodlands when these guys came to town, but  you’d never know they were here.  Owner thought it took courage on the part of the group to even move to this neck of the woods given the general religious nature of south Texas, however, so far so good for all concerned.  They probably just pretend the other isn’t here.

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So on we go with our walk.  I enjoy every second I’m outside.  One thing about heat and humidity is that everything smells richer and more exotic.  The swampy water….sublime.  Rotting vegetation…..energy infusing. It must be such a drag to be a human and not have a tremendous nose.  You think you have everything but guys you miss a lot.  

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Now it is time to get back in the car and head home.  I had a great day….in fact owner’s friend took me out several days in a row.  Thanks Tina.  Thanks Aldo.(and a big shout out to Becca too!)  You made my weeks of confinement with Scarlett a lot less painful.  Her stitches come out next week and hopefully we can get back to some semblance of normal.  Oh Lord, I sure hope so.

Just checking that this is really Aldo and that  I’m in the right car. Aldo speaks English, Dutch and some Tamil…so a sniff is my best way of identifying him.  He gets confused sometimes and speaks in the wrong language which truly messes me up.  Yes, you heard it from me  - there are multilingual dogs.

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Yup, right car.  Right dog.  See ya later.

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Don’t forget to tell your friends to find me on Facebook. Just type in Telluride Dog Blog when you are checking your own Facebook page and sign on to become a Fan.  You’ll be hanging with a great crowd.  Never hesitate to drop me a line.  I LOVE correspondence.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Michael and Shannon Sitting in a Tree!

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Well folks, I’m back.  Owner had an operation and I got to go on a vacation for a few days to get away from the stress and strain of her hobbling around with crutches.  Ah, bliss.  I went for a swim every day down at Dog’s Day Inn, perfect antidote to the September heat of Houston. Nothing better than someone bringing your food directly to your kennel every morning, giving  you a “wakey wakey” pat and just generally spoiling you rotten for a few days. Where would we dogs be without our all-inclusive vacations every once in a while.  Sure it can cost a pretty penny but I’m worth it.  However, I was worried that owner would be languishing in the apartment without me to keep her company so dutifully I returned home. 

Yesterday  I got one of the  best hairdos of my life.  It’s been a long haul with my thyroid issues and patchy fur, bristly regrowth.  My ego had been run over with a transport truck!  Luckily,  those girls down at the spa really took some time to give me the perfect blow out…and the scent of the shampoo – let us simply say I have been sniffing my own fur ever since I got home.  Maybe there really is something to this “not rolling in dead things” idea. 

But back to my headline.  One of my favourite guys is tying the old knot, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Michael is the person who found me when I was thrown out like an old piece of junk mail. To look at me now it is hard to believe I was once a reject isn’t it?  Those people were  stupid because apparently I’m the smartest and most gorgeous dog who ever lived.   I heard Owner and Curly haired  tried to figure out how to make it to the nuptials but she is barely maneuvering with the crutches. Throw in  painkillers and you don’t end up with a pretty picture as Owner tries to waddle down the aisle to her seat.

None of us have  met Shannon but we’ve heard as many wonderful things about her as I’ve heard about myself so you know she has to be pretty darn special. Let me simply state she was willing to put on fire fighting equipment and head into a  “training” burning building with Michael, a volunteer fireman….he’s not going to find a lot of other women anxious to do that to show their commitment!  Michael is an honourable, responsible, loving guy and so we are delighted he found someone to share the rest of his life. It is worth waiting when you know what you want; the perfect woman doesn’t just pop along every day, eh?

He’s so responsible that he made me spend a day and a half or so locked in a tiny bathroom a few years ago.  He kept me company and so did his dogs.  He reinforced the bathroom walls with old tires and things to make everything stronger and safer and then we  locked ourselves in there with some water and some food and passed the time.  Weird eh?  Weird until you know Hurricane Rita was passing by, through, and around us.  The power got knocked out for two weeks or so and Texas without electricity is almost unbearable.  He was with us every step of the way even when he was offered accommodations with air conditioning.  He’s nothing if not loyal! Owner and Curly were up in  Maine checking out that girl, College,  Benj was so into for four years – still don’t like that chick. She’s no Shannon let me tell you that! Benj dropped her last May.  His new girlfriend is called Work and apparently she lives in Boston – not crazy about her either to be honest.  Why can’t he be satisfied with me?….smart, gorgeous and my fur looks fab when blown out properly.

Owner has always had a thing for Michael. Oh don’t be ridiculous…not that kind of thing.  She just knew he was a special guy.  It was something ephemeral; something she could never quite put her finger on.  Now she knows what it is…..owner has a softspot for men who love and marry women with children.  Obviously this is a cause near and dear to owner’s heart since she was one of those women when Curly found her and swept her off her feet.  Jon and David thought Abe had lost his mind….think of all the money you could have if you didn’t have us…but he was not to be deterred.  Oh, owner will give a big song and dance about marriage, schmarriage, it’s not the deal of the century…..but she wouldn’t trade one minute of her life with Curly-haired for a life without him in it.  Let me just say she blows a lot of smoke that he has trouble seeing through.

She hopes Shannon has the same  disposition and appreciates the special qualities that led Michael to her and her beloved daughters.  Men like Michael and Curly haired, and to be fair, women who marry men with children and love them as their own, are not a dime a dozen.  It is like finding the perfect Shamrock.  Are shamrocks and the perfect four leaf clover related?

So Michael…thanks for rescuing me.  Thanks for teaching me right from wrong. A word of advice – the girls will respond to love and kindness the same way I did but you can probably replace the dog biscuits with something a bit more to their liking…say ice cream?  I couldn’t have had a better first home and I wish you years of love, laughter and family memories. See ya later (big guy).

Saturday, August 28, 2010

When you say nothing at all

 

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Very much in the moment, as you can see!

Bluegrass is a big Festival in Telluride.  Famous people come to perform for anyone who has had the good fortune to get a ticket. They even  play for those who don’t have the correct coloured wristband  but want to sit near the river and listen to the music without partying along ringside.  That would be me!  Being a dog  there is no way I can buy a ticket. I guess it is to keep me away from all the great food inside the gates, not really clear on why I’m not allowed to attend.

During the last couple years Alison Krauss has come to town; she’s a favourite of a lot of people.  Who doesn’t want to go Down to the River to Pray?  She prettinear makes me want to go get saved and I’m of the canine persuasion, in case you forgot.  She has another song that I love called When You Say Nothing at All.  It’s beautiful.  Since I have never said anything (out loud) I feel it was written especially for me.

When you say nothing at all you can live inside your head for a moment or two.   Owner and I are living there right now.  We are eking out every single bit of pleasure we can from single solitary moments because we know that next week life is going to change.  Once the surgeon puts the big slice into her foot….the only moments we will have to enjoy will be flat…me on my stomach on the floor and she on her back on the couch.  So, you see even though it is hotter than hell  and miserably humid we are working hard at enjoying ourselves every sweaty moment.  This is especially difficult for me as I don’t sweat well; you think dogs are scratching when in reality we are wiping the sweat off our paws onto our fur. Learn something new every day, don’t you!

A few special moments this week

Lulu Abe and SilviaSeeing my old pal Silvia and having her love me up.  Swimming at Dog’s Day Inn in The Woodlands.  Air conditioning blowing into my face while I ride in the car.  Chewing a pillow and playing with the feathers in the back of the truck on our way to Texas. Watching the white heron fly in for a landing on the dock in froP1060905nt of the apartment. Meeting Curly haired when he comes  home after a long day’s work.  Playing in Sue’s garden.

Yes, life has been good  this week. Change is on the horizon so I’m going with  “enjoy the moment.” Owner has no idea how she will get me out to the “relief” yard when she’s got stitches, a giant boot and crutches.  Oh well this too shall pass, right.

And since it is best if i say nothing at all….how about you copy and paste the link below so you can see this great but short little video.  (or google “What is a Moment….video.” Have you ever thought about the “moments” in your life. This little video covers them all with hardly a word.  

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Quiet moment in the tall grass

Why this little clip makes me think of Tiny Tim I don’t know as it has nothing to do with Christmas.  Somehow I  think he would say, “enjoy your moments, every one!” See ya later. 

What is a moment - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

http://vodpod.com/watch/2781142-what-is-a-moment

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Seconds before sunset in Telluride – priceless!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Telluride I’m going to miss you

 

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Well it is time for us to pack up and head on back to Texas.  Owner’s foot surgery beckons.  Nervous? You betcha! What am I going to do while she recuperates?  There is little enough action  for a dog in The Woodlands on a good day,  and now I’ll be holed up with nothing to do and nowhere to go.  Oh well, once that foot heals, watch out world!  I know skate skiing is on her agenda and if she can learn to do that the world will be our oyster.  One thing about owner she never stops trying to learn new things.  Dancing? Yup, I heard her discuss beginner  ballet  class…surely to God she doesn’t mean LEOTARD!  Where’s my blindfold?

So as we pack up the condo, clean out  our refrigerator, hand over keys to Alice so she can keep an eye out for leaks from the upstairs apartment,  and unload old clothes at the Free Box for those less fortunate, I am reflecting on the things I’m going to miss over the next few weeks.

1. COLD AIR. Texas is too hot for me at this time of year. Humidity--I hate it.  No, I much prefer  searching for the warm spot inside the snuggly covers on the bed.  Chilly paws and nose make for great dreams.

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Benj come home…I miss you!

2.  EXERCISE.  Just being alive means you are exercised in Telluride. Even though we have a vehicle we rarely hop in.  The first year and a half we were here we didn’t even own a car which was fantastic.  You can easily get in four to six miles a day just walking around without having a serious hiking agenda.  Texas….drive to Starbucks, drive to the grocery store, drive to your friends…..did I mention it is freaking HOT.

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Dogs also stretch out after a good workout

3.  FRESH AIR. The air is so clear here that you just know it is good for you.  Of course we don’t have a lot of air pressure to get that good clean air into our lungs but eventually you adapt.  We will be sucking wind when we return and try to hike up the Judd Wiebe.  Every time we get  really and truly acclimated, we pack up and go back to Texas for some dumb reason, surgery say.   Fresh air, clean air, clear views is what it is all about here in town.

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clear, pristine, perfect

4.  FRIENDS.  There is nothing better than heading out for an amble and suddenly Zak or  Shipper is in front of me waiting for a friendly sniff.  In Texas a lot of people pull their dogs away from me as if I’m dangerous. Texans are not big fans of dog sniffing.  Seriously folks this is not smart behaviour on the part of a human.   Us dogs are easier to handle, nicer to own, and better socialised when you let us up close and personal with other dogs’ behinds.  Duh!

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If you read this blog at all you will know this is my good pal Shiprock!  Fellow rescued dog by fantastic owner woman he calls a Folly.

5. RIVERS AND WATERFALLS.  Yes, I appreciate beauty.  Perhaps  the colours I see are a little different than yours and perhaps I don’t see exactly the same view you do, but I get it.  Beauty is beauty.  Waterfalls and Rivers are more than beautiful, however.  Nothing beats being out on a long hike and suddenly a spray of water cools me down or a trilling spring offers up a fresh drink of water.  Oops, forgot, our Texas apartment has a fake waterfall complete with frogs.  I don’t drink out of it though.

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spontaneous ephemeral waterfalls are the best

6.  APPETITE.  I have often lamented in this blog that I eat the same damn thing day in and day out and have done so for ten years now.  The good news is that in Telluride, unlike Texas, I actually have an appetite (see the reasons why…1 and 2) and so am able to stomach that dry boring kibble.  In fact (owner avert your eyes) I look forward to 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. when I hear JD Science Diet tumbling into my delightful “I Love Telluride” bowl.

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My foster dog, Don…remember him.  Too young to know KIBBLE gets OLD after ten years!

7. KARAOKE PARTIES.  Call me weird but I like owner and Curly’s friends dropping by to sing.  I can’t sing a note but I can tap out a good beat with my hind leg.  I hear there is another choir event coming up some time in  November.  Yahoo Mountain Dew!

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Yes, they look silly but it’s really fun!

8. DOGS COME TO DINNER.  Not only do owner’s friends drop by for supper but their dogs do as well.  Chloe has been by for some soup with Shannon, Lily rested her weary head on the dining room table when Eric came over, Moose slept quietly under the table the night Jerry and owner skipped out on their swimming lesson.  Ship and Zak…well they practically have their own honourary dog beds when they drop over.

 

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Lily makes herself at home on the dining room table

9.  GARY AND YOGA INSTRUCTION.

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Every Sunday I get a good chuckle! Nuff said, eh?

10.  SMALL WEASLY THINGS TO CHASE.   I don’t care what you call them: I love them. Haven’t caught one yet but I’m still trying.  These are more fun than Texas squirrels. They love to run in and out of the rocks along The River Trail.  They don’t just disappear up a tree and end the chase.

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I want one of these so badly I can almost taste it.  These are “chips” right?

11. URINE AND OTHER STINKY SMELLS.  I know, you even find the word  “urine” disgusting.  I can’t help my fetishes; I’m a dog.  We love pee.  Bear pee, Elk pee, Chipmunk pee (yes, they do…how do you think I know which rocks they have been hiding in?), neighbourhood dog pee…You name it I love it.  I can sniff it, lick it, and best of all roll in it.  Add a dead and decaying animal nearby and I’m in absolute woofer heaven.  I have to be up and out really early in Texas to benefit from any messages left behind from other animals.  Sure, there are ducks and geese and other dogs in The Woodlands but there are also hundreds of men out keeping our sidewalks and pathways tidied, swept, hosed off.   Just like number 4 above,  involving dogs sniffing other dogs,  Texans don’t like any odours or rotting varmints lying around for dogs to roll in.  Oh woe is me.

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My philosophy exactly!

12. HOME.  Telluride is home.  Everybody misses home when they aren’t there.  Hey owner…this time the bed comes with me.

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 why on earth do I have all those towels all over the place?  what’s up with that?

When I get back to town the leaves will have turned and there will likely be some ice in a few of the waterfalls.   The first snowflakes will have fallen.  Snow won’t have arrived but that first  “take your breath away” childish moment of delight  for the initial flake will have passed. The first snowflake I catch on an eyelash or taste on my tongue won’t be one of the first to arrive in town this Autumn.  Why this makes me so sad I don’t know but it does.

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Hang on Telluride pals.  We’ll be back.  Here’s hoping that owner will be better than ever.  Maybe she’ll be able to put on a pair of high heels for the first time in years. Can’t wait to see her navigate the streets of town in some of those.  See ya later.

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Don’t Forget to tell your friends to find me on Facebook – all you have to do is type in Telluride Dog Blog and up I pop.  Thanks to a super nice guy in Wyoming and the help of an Animal Hospital from the same state I have a lot of followers now.  Join the crowd.