I THINK IT IS GOING TO SNOW AT MY HOUSE!!!!

It has gotten very cold here lately so I have my favorite fuzzy blanket in my snuggly bed...now I am very comfortable.

The Weatherman said we may have a bit of snow this week.  Don't tell mom but I hope there is enough for me to play in this time.  I am sure mom will post pictures is when it does snow!!  Stay Tuned!!!

Mom said she is sorry about the picture she posted. She does not believe it is a video.

I LOVE TO RUN LIKE THE WIND!

I was able to do some running today on the beach!!!  I didn't even mind that I had to wear a collar and my sweater cause I still had a lot of fun.

Life is still filled with a lot of joy and I have several doggie friends here where we live. Some of us even get to go on walks together!

But I am looking forward to Spring coming our way. We live where it rains a lot so I want a warm Spring to arrive real soon.

I GOT SOMETHING NEW!

MY NEW BED!!

I have to be honest here....I had to get a new bed because I had beat up my other bed.  But it sure was a lot of fun throwing it around a lot and chewing like I was trying to kill it too!  Oh I had so much fun!

But Mom said she was tired of cleaning up all the crazy stuffing that kept appearing all over her pretty rug.

 

So here is mom's proof that I did try to eat my bed!

And the stuffing did end up on Mom's rug!

Sorry mom.

And thanks for the wonderful new bed!!

RETHINKING MY LIFE

 After reading this I think I need to readdress my refusal to bring another pup into my life after letting my babies go to forever homes when we moved. I miss them with all my heart but know they have awesome homes and there is a sad lonely pup out there that needs a wonderful home. Hmmmm

 

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE IN BLOG LAND!!

We tried to dress the girls up for Halloween again this year but had no cooperation from either of them!

Maggie's look told us that she really didn't want to play this game again so please remove this thing!!! I am sooo embarrased!!"

Mistaya said..."Get this junk off my head or I will never speak to either of you again!!!  "And don't forget to take this hangman's noose off my neck either!!"

So we decided that this year the girls would go as 2 happy, well loved puppies.

But I am not sure they are that any more...

They are now out in the backyard...apparently mad...and not even speaking to each other!!

Maybe we should have mentioned that there were treats involved!

Hi We are back!!!

We have been away for awhile spending time with the pups.

We have spent some time at the beach...

 We have spent some time camping by the beach with the pups....

Taking a lot of walks in the park with the pups...

more playing at the beach..

and  a lot of time laying around napping and cuddling with the pups.

Maggie has not yet found her forever home and as you can see, Mistaya is always looking out the window to see if her new family is coming back down the road. She truly loves them already.

We and the pups drove to Mistaya's future house in the forest to visit her new mom.  Mistaya and Maggie ran like the wind through the trees, thru the meadows and down to the river.  I believe Mistaya thought she was back in her home in Montana with all the forest around her again.

It is such a beautiful place with room to run, a 14 year old girl to love on and she has acres and acres of forest to call her own.

Mistaya will probably be going to her new home in the next month or two. The young girl has asked if Mistaya can come for a sleep over some time soon and I said yes!

I hope to be able to spend some alone time with Maggie after Mistaya is gone. Maggie has never been on her own and I would like to help her make that transition easier for her before she moves on.

Please let me know if any of you have any ideas of someone who would love to share their life with a loving, joyful pup in need of her forever home.  I have a full history workup on Maggie and would gladly email it to anyone who may be interested.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET MISTAYA!

Today is Mistaya's Birthday!

The above photo was taken of Mistaya when she first arrived at our home when she was 3 months old....what a cutie.

This pretty photo was taken when Mistaya turned 2 in Montana.

And now our Mistaya is 4 years old. And what a wonderful pup she is.
I have never lived with a dog that was smarter than Miss Mistaya. She is quick, polite, gentle, kind and the best mannered dog I have ever lived with .

We love you with all our hearts Mistaya and we know your future is bright.

Hello Friends..we are back

We have been spending some time lately camping at the ocean.  And even the pups have been enjoying themselves.

We have had great weather with beautiful sunsets.

The dogs have found many very large driftwood trees to climb and play on.  In the above photo Maggie seems to be saying to Mistaya..."How do I get up there too?" 

Of course it did not take Maggie long to figure out how to get up there and feel very tall. I didn't worry about Maggie jumping off in the wrong place but Mistaya made several moves as if she was going to simply jump down.  I had to tell her to 'stay' as she was planning to jump way down to the ground when Maggie approached.  I often think that Mistaya is really trying to lead Maggie astray several times a day.   She does try to encourage her to run out in the waves. And you may remember that Maggie was caught in a return tide waves last summer and she has never forgotten that and she does not like to get very far out in the waves. Smart pup.

Maggie did find it a lot of fun to run and play with beautiful Shirley many times during our stay at this beautiful beach on the northern Washington coast.

And yes, we are planning to return very soon.

I am sorry that we have been away so long but a lot of life has gotten in our way and a lot of things are changing in our lives in the near future.  I do have a lot of news to share with all of you but it will take me some time before I can put it into words for all of you.  I will keep sharing our adventures with the pups and share our future with you as soon as I feel comfortable talking about it.  Thank you all for continuing to check back on our blog....I will make a great effort to post pictures and comments immediately!

I am not trying to be mysterious..I just don't want to talk about it yet.

Thank you all. 

Mistaya and I are trying to be very quite puppies today because M.O.M. is so sad.

M.O.M.'s mommy died and M.O.M. says her heart is broken.

So we are being very good quiet girls and of course we are sharing lot's of hugs and kisses with her when ever she needs them.

Mistaya and I will make sure she is all right and give her lot's of comfort.

Love and hugs to every one of you, Maggie and Mistaya

A VERY BRAVE KITTY

Self Confidence can take you a long way!!

Of course you could say that this photo shows how well a dog can be trained!

THIS MADE M.O.M. LAUGH!

What a fun day we had.

On Mothers day M.O.M. and M.O.D. took us over to the harbor to see some really pretty ships.

This first ship is named the 'Hawaiian Chieftain'.

Then there is M.O.M.'s favorite...

This is the 'Lady Washington' and she is one of the Tall Ships seen in the great "Pirates Of The Caribbean" movie series.

She is a beautiful ship...especially up close with all the vintage details on her.

But actually, M.O.M. thinks it's pretty cool because Johnny Depp stars in all those movies.  Oops...I mean 'Captain Jack'....sorry M.O.M.!!

These beautiful Tall Ships call our harbor their home port. And every time they return to port there are several cannons that shoot off a salutes to the 2 ships....a very loud display indeed!

The ships attend many events along the coast and also in Pudget Sound near Seattle, through out the boating season.

And when they are moored in our harbor they give river tours to our visitors.

If you look closely you can see several guest passengers on the ships enjoying a beautiful ride up the river and back to the docks.

It seems we find new adventures weekly here in our new little town.  We thought the sea was the best but this little town is full of surprises!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY EVERYONE!!

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine..

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

We hope you all have a wonderful day.

BLOCK WATCH DOGS ON DUTY

We have the best watch dogs on the block!

I caught these photos today as the dogs were sitting on the hope chest that Mistaya has always been sure we put there for her to use as a window seat.

So that is just how we all use it.

In the photo below the 2 dogs are checking to make sure everything is okay down the street.

Then they both check to make sure everything is A Okay across the street.

 Then of course, they have to check up the street too, to make sure all is well in that direction too.

This behavior really doesn't surprise us much because Mistaya seems to know when the old, slow gray cat is walking by her front door on the sidewalk and always runs to the window seat and in her familiar dog talk, let's that old gray cat know that Mistaya does not appreciate him walking the sidewalk that belongs to Maggie and Mistaya.

Very serious business indeed but I am sad to report that Old Gray Cat always acts like there is not another animal on this street for blocks and blocks.  He never changes pace or varies off his daily course as he continues on his way to where ever he goes each day.

After the BLOCK WATCH DOGS have finished their shifts there is always a need for a great nap.

After all, being a BLOCK WATCH DOG is very serious business and it can certainly wear a dog out fast!

IT IS A DARK AND STORMY DAY

We awoke a to very dark and stormy morning.

And our little Miss Maggie decided that it was her day to spend wrapped up in a soft warm blanket.

And I must say, it was very difficult not to join her in a warm cozy nap!

ARE YOU AMONG THE AVERAGE ..

Are you among the Average American Dog or Cat Owner who spends lot's of money on toys for their pets?

I imagine many of you are, so I know I am also a member of that elite club myself.

We enjoy purchasing play things for the dogs to keep them entertained in the house plus while they are in the backyard.  I must admit that often the purchases are intended to help ward off the desire to chew the rugs, furniture, walls, shoes, etc.

And we buy things for the same reason while they are out in the backyard.  My rose bushes seem to attract Maggie for some reason.  I often wondered if one particular vintage red rose bush scratched her as she ran by because the bush is now void of any leaves on the limb that hangs out over the walkway.

And she is so sure that when we dig a flower bed to plant something new in the flower garden, that all that soft dirt is there for her to practice digging that elusive Fox out of his foxhole.  Believe me, she seems to think that they all lived very deep in the ground!!

As  you can see in the above photo, there is a play ball for Maggie about 4 inches from her cute little nose.

But do you see this cute little dog playing with the toy that we spent money on???

No, she is not spending time playing with the toy we spent money on.

She is very happily playing and chewing on an old roofing shingle that was turned up in the dirt while we were preparing to turn some yard area for our veggie garden.

I waited until she discovered something else in the yard that required her immediate attention and then quietly removed the shingle from the premises.

Yes, of course we will continue to purchase toys for our pets.
They may not really care,

but you all know it makes us Humans feel better

HUMOR TIME

In the year 2005, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and overpopulated and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans.
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard ....but no Ark! "Noah", He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah. "But things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision."
Noah continued. "Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I argued that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. "

"Getting the wood was another problem," continued Noah. "There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls." But no go!

When I started gathering the animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. As well, they argued the accommodation was too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Also, the trades unions say I can't use my sons.

"To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."

"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark."
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean, You're not going to destroy the world?".

"No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it."

Lucky Dog....

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character.

Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease......in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.

She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her....what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through.

If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap..

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!

While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.

He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky. He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

MAGGIE IS BACK!

Maggie wants to thank everyone for all their kind words while she was away going through surgery.

She came home a very sleepy girl and slept very well that first night at home.  We are very happy to have her back at home with us.

Her stitches are looking nice and clean and she and Mistaya are back to playing their games again.

Mistaya seemed to know what she had been through and played very gently with her on Maggie's first day back home.

We are thankful that it is over and our little family is all back together again...just as it should be.

Again, thank you all.

MAGGIE IS 'AWAY' TODAY

Today is the day for our little Maggie to make that trip to the Vet for her 'girl surgery'.

And I think you can tell by the look on her face that she is not so sure she wants to go into the front door of the Vet's office.

And I am not to sure just which one of us this day is the hardest on...

Me...M.O.M. I love this little dog so much. Her nickname is "Spirit Joy" because she is so full of joy when she wakes up in the morning, when I walk back into the room when I have been gone for just a moment, when she crawls up on the couch to snuggled up beside me for one of her many naps.

M.O.D....He was very hesitant to let the Vet assistant take her from his arms this morning.  He did follow them most of the way down the hall to the holding room.  I did tell him that it didn't mean it was a room where he could hold her some more.  She spends most of her outside time watching for him to come out and play with her or just be nearby.  There is quite a bond between those two.  Even Mistaya seems to be recognising it too.

Then their is Mistaya.  She has been restless all morning, wandering in and out of rooms, in and out in the yard, then back inside again.  She comes up to me as I type at the computer and leans against me as if she just can't find her best friend.

We are hoping that we can pick Maggie up from the Vet near closing time this afternoon instead of in the morning.

Yes, we all miss our "Spirit Joy" so much.

Oh yes, Distance can make the heart grow fonder....in dogs too.