10/14/16 My friends, the deer

The cloudy skies have (temporarily) disappeared, and the sun is blazing forth in a blue sky with plenty of sunshine but cooler temperatures. The house is about 65F, but Mom refuses to turn on the heat. She’s walking around in a sweater and boots! She says she’s delaying the inevitable, and hoping it warms up just a tad so she can reopen the windows.

Jamie, Mom and I went for a brisk walk in the woods. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be out in the crisp air, the bright sunshine, with the smell of fallen leaves, and the the crunch of acorns underfoot.

Besides getting some exercise and a snootful of sniffs, we saw a whole line of horses smartly marching single-file on a trail ride. (The woods we walk in are across the street from a stable). There must’ve been ten to fifteen horses; all differently-patterned, with proud tails waving. I stopped a couple of times, ears up, to look at them, which prompted Jamie to remark that, “she likes horses”. Mom laughed and said, “She’d better! If she got wise with one of those, she’d get a swift kick to the head!”

Upon our return walk, as we were heading for the car, Mom suggested we cut across a grassy field. It was filled with ducks, seagulls, and geese. As we were traversing this grassy plain, Jamie looked to his left and saw a beautiful herd of deer. About six total, parents and babies included. They are a little hard to see in this picture, but if you squint, you can make a few of them out:

One thing I really love, and have never gotten jaded about, is seeing the deer. Before we put up a fence, (which we had to, for dog reasons), we would find a whole herd of deer grazing in our back yard. To some, this would be considered a nuisance. We considered it a gift. Now, we sometimes see deer in the front, but not in the back. I realize with wildlife and deer there comes its own set of issues. But I prefer to think of the deer as my friends.

As I mentioned, it was a bit nippy outside, and when we came home, I found two blankets on the couch and promptly settled in for a snuggle.

I do hope that for all of you enjoying the season of Fall, you really get to experience some outdoors-time.

Woof! Love, Maggie

 

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10/14/15 I Meet Ms. Nancy!

Today I met Ms. Nancy, who is an “agent” to Mom (and me). The road to Ms. Nancy’s house started two days ago, with another bath, and the next day a nail clip. The Vet also prescribed medication for my touchy motion-sickness prone tummy. That brings us to today.

Mom gave me my anti-stress half tablet at 6 as per usual, but when it was 10:15 on the dot (Human Time) she gave me a bigger tablet with just enough peanut butter on it to swallow down in a gulp. She said something about this helping me later, but I didn’t know what she meant at the time. Now I know it was the motion-sickness tablet! All I knew then was, “Heck, extra peanut butter!” so life was good!

I saw Mom getting ready and Dad came home early. (Jamie was in school, Erik was out). I just knew I was going in the crate and I cowered with my belly to the floor, giving Mom my most beseeching look ever. Mom looked at me with a funny smile and said, “Stop cringing. You’re the Shining Star today!” I didn’t know what she meant, but I noticed she didn’t turn on the TV (a sure sign that she is going out). Dad came in and said, “The van’s all ready, let’s get her loaded up.”

I was wild with joy when Mom got my (new) leash, picked up her bags and some blankets, and walked me out to the van. Oh, hooray! I was going with!

Ms. Nancy’s house is far away, so while we were traveling, we stopped at a place called an “oasis” for everyone to get a drink and do necessary business. There was a green, grassy place on top of the hill where I could sniff to my heart’s content and keep an eye on my humans. However, several large trucks came zooming past and they frightened me a bit. Mom reassured me, though, and soon we were back on the road.

I must say, the magical pill from the Vet worked like a charm. I relaxed and enjoyed the ride. I wasn’t stressed or nauseated in the least. It was a good driving experience, and I had the back seat all to myself!

When we arrived at Ms. Nancy’s house, we were a few minutes early, so Mom suggested to Dad that we walk around the park that was nearby. We did so, and I uncovered a downed bird’s nest and a bird that had flown to heaven. I sniffed at these things quite eagerly, but Mom hustled me away, fearing I was going to roll in this. I probably would have. (I’ve heard of dogs rolling in dead antelope, but that’s another story, from another blogger. Wink wink.)

We went back to Ms. Nancy’s house and we all exchanged hellos, and walked to her lovely garden. I could tell I was going to make a new human friend right away, because Ms. Nancy is a great animal lover and we got along very well.

Ms. Nancy has two fine cats, Mozart and Rene, who kept an eye on me while I was in their territory. They did not meow or fuss a bit, and for that welcome, I am most appreciative.

Ms. Nancy also has a lovely Koi pond with some of the biggest fish I’ve ever seen. They make Spazz look like an ordinary goldfish!

The humans had work to do, and they got busy. Ms. Nancy is extremely smart. For me, there was a lot to look at, and pictures to take, and scents to sniff. For Mom, there was paperwork to go over and questions to ask and answer.

But most of all, there were kisses to give, because this project boils down to love.

The time seemed to fly by. I lay down on the blanket Mom had brought, next to Dad’s feet. Before I knew it, it was time to leave. Mom was elated at having met Ms. Nancy in person. She said that one thing that really impressed her was Ms. Nancy’s steely determination to get the book published and her wonderful, positive attitude. Mom said she’s “A Special Agent” and I have to agree!

Woof! Love, Maggie

PS – A HUGE thank you to Cindy S. for providing transportation home from school for Jamie. Without your help, we couldn’t have made the meeting. Woof!

9/20/15 Tornadoes and Tiki Bars

Friday night was Jamie’s Homecoming Game. His school won, but we in the ‘burbs were hunkered down in the basement, riding out a tornado that had briefly touched down nearby. (Get it? “touched down” woof woof woof!)

(This is me, cowering in the basement like a chicken.)

Today, the sun is shining and the sky is so clear it’s practically sparkling.

The humans are busy, cleaning up and storing the pool, and building a Tiki Bar out of pallets! Here is Jamie, sanding down the pallets in the garage:

Here is the general shape of the Tiki Bar. We are not using the pallet on the left as it is slightly taller and would throw the top of the bar off. So, Mom is looking up instructions on how to make shelving from the leftover pallet.

Let the construction begin!

Woof! Love, Maggie

9/10/15 The Jesters Festers, and the New Collar

We have a lawn service to keep the front, side, and back yard, trim and clean. They just cut the grass, and do not do weeding or bush trimming or any other thing of that nature. This frosts Mom’s cookies (we have a pretty good-sized lot, all told), because she thinks it is unreasonable to employ someone to just to cut the grass.  Mom calls these lawn people the Festers, but lately, she’s been calling them, “The Jesters”.

Dad thinks the Jesters are funny. Dad has a strange sense of humor. The Jesters have flooded our basement by cutting our hose with their powerful lawn mower, and this flooded our window well and hence the basement. They’ve cut open a couple of our seasonal “pop up” pools. They’ve destroyed dozens of solar lights, and at least two of my tie-down tethers for when I’m out back. Dad says to Mom, “Don’t say anything. I want to see what they will do next.” Mom thinks Dad is nuts.

When Mom put up the latest casualty, she mentioned to one of the Jesters that the tie-down was right here (indicates in the grass) and said, “I wouldn’t want you to mess up your nice lawn mower.” Said Jester then ran right over it. Again and again. The tie-down, which should support dogs up to 150 pounds, began to lean over at a crazy angle. After a couple of weeks, Mom began to worry, and upon further inspection, noticed that the rubber-coated, wire cable had been tied in knots in a couple of places to hide where it had been sliced in two. Mom mentioned to Dad we might need yet another tie-down. “Ha-ha-ha-ha!” Dad laughed. The Jesters were doing their job.

Jamie built a nice bonfire the other night when it was a little bit cool. We all went out to enjoy it, and Dad put me on the tether. Mom raised an eyebrow. The humans took their seats and all admired Jamie’s nice, bright, fire. Everyone relaxed.

Suddenly, out of the bushes of the side yard, one of those feral kitties came bounding out! Quick as a flash, I jumped up to give chase. Snap! Went the plastic fastener on my collar. Snap! Went the wire cable. Snap! I bolted through the fence, making a large hole, only to realize a split second later that I was a) out of the yard, and b) my collar was gone. By this time, the humans were on their feet, hollering and chasing and waving their arms. I slunk back to the fence, feeling naked without my collar.

The humans used a lantern to find my broken collar. There was just enough of the plastic fastener to hold me if I didn’t pull. I was feeling sheepish, so I didn’t pull.

Jamie ran around to the side yard and clicked the collar on. Then he gently put on the leash and put me in the house to cool my paws while the humans went back to the bonfire.

The next morning, Mom surveyed the tie-down. It was completely out of the ground. She grit her teeth, and went out to the big box store to buy another.

Dad, meanwhile, wasn’t laughing so hard anymore. He bought me a new collar with a pretty bow on it, and he made sure the fastener was metal. You can see the bow better in the second picture.

Woof! Love, Maggie

8/5/15 Say What??!!!

What do you MEAN, it’s time for a BATH????!!

Noooooooo…..

Woof! Love, Maggie

7/28/15 Of Dragonflies, Peanut Butter, and Riding in Cars (not in that order)

Today has been a very busy day. My young human Jamie is in that thing called, “Driver’s Ed” and Mom has been driving him to this school and back every day. There’s irony in that, somewhere.

Lately, she’s been plopping a little medicine into the peanut butter and dragging me along.

I don’t really mind, because I’d rather be riding than in the crate. As long as I have my tummy medicine, that is!

Oh, I smell the peanut butter opening…

It’s so good, I can’t resist!

After taking my motion-sickness medicine, Mom waits for an hour or two and then we go out to the car. I know I am going, and do a little happy dance. “COMEHERECOMEHERECOMEHERE!” Mom says sternly, trying to put on my collar. Then we go out and load up in Zeus the Fiat.

At last we are on the way:

When do I get to ride in front????

Anyway, back and forth we went. To the school. Home. Back to the school. Back home. It was 91F out today, and the grass felt sticky. It was hot, we were all hot, and the humans decided to go into the pool.

Maybe if I conceal myself under this chair, Mom won’t take me back out.

But, she did take me back out. While we were in the yard (yes, I played with the squirt gun again), we saw this huge dragon fly. He danced back and forth over the pool. Mom and Jamie worried about taking the cover off the pool, fearing he would drown. Eventually, he met up with his damsel fly, and they flew away together. It was time to splash!

Yep! He’s a big ‘un.

Finally, after a thorough soaking with the squirt gun, I flopped onto the kitchen floor to rest. When I’d dried off and thought no one was looking, I sneaked over to my chair.

Mom says she loves it when I “pouch” my cheeks out when I’m sleeping. Ha! You should see the faces she makes when she’s snoozing.

Woof! Love, Maggie

7/21/15 Miscellaneous Stuff

Today started out with a car ride! I was so excited, I kept passing gas the entire time! Really, I was very happy to be out and about. Jamie started this thing called, “Driver’s Ed” and Mom and I had to take him to school. Mom kept the windows down the whole time, (I wonder why) and I happily sniffed all the air from Oak Forest to Orland Park.

*     *     *     *

This afternoon, Mom got a bucket and a couple of bottles of spray stuff and sponges. I wondered what she was doing. She backed Zeus out of the garage and told Jamie, “Car wash time! Go get the ShopVac, please.” I watched the humans through the front window. They looked quite sweaty. Today was a glorious, sunny, beautiful day and I wanted to go out and help. So I “kamikaze-d” the door to the garage, making it shake on its hinges. Mom popped her head in the house and told me not to be a silly girl, that she had no where to secure me in the front, and they would be done in a bit.

When they were finished, Zeus looked like a sparkling new car. He was washed, waxed, vacuumed, and tire-shined. Mom said she could imagine him wriggling with pleasure at all the attention. Better him than me. I hate taking a bath.

I do, however, like chasing water. After the humans cleaned and shined Zeus, they went into the pool for a dip. Jamie (who is easy on his toys) has an ancient squirt gun from the dollar store that is shaped like a giant crayon.  Mom swears he’s had it since he was like, 5. While my people splashed around, Jamie took the squirt gun and shot the water in an arc towards me. I chased that water and jumped like a dolphin at the zoo and barked at the droplets. I had so much fun. I got a little wet, and I Houdini-d myself off the tether. Mom put me back on and I lay in the sun to dry off. A nice day is a blessing around here, with all the rain we’ve had.

*     *     *     *

Today is the 21st, and this is the day Mom gives me my heartworm treat and my liquid flea & tick repellent. I love the treat, it’s so beefy tasting, but I dislike the feeling of the cold medicine between my shoulders. Granted, I can’t complain on how the product works, but…brrrr! That feeling! So Mom is trying to act all nonchalant about opening up the vial, and she has the treat in one hand. When I hear the vial go, “snap” I make a beeline into the living room. She coaxed me with the treat, though, and while I was eating it, she administered the repellent. Oh well. Safe from fleas & ticks for another month.

Hope you all had a glorious, wonderful, sunny, beautiful, day!

Woof! Love, Maggie