8/19/15 Guest bloggers: Mason and Murphy, “The Camping Trip” Part I

Hello, I’m Mason (the handsome devil with his tongue out) and I’m Murphy, the smaller of the two.

We are West Highland Terriers that went on a camping adventure with our humans, Jim and Joyce, and the humans Jim (another Jim!), Liz, Jamie, and Anthony. Anthony is our humans’ grandson. He’s 9, and we are used to him, but we took to the new humans right away. We got along famously.

Now, before anyone gets rumpled up, let us say that we dogs plus Maggie had a nose to tail discussion about the camping trip, and it was decided by all of us that since Maggie has terrible motion sickness and does not do well in confined spaces, plus the fact that Erik moved back home and needed guarding, well, we all came to the conclusion that we wee ones would go and Maggie would stay home with Erik, and have snuggles and Laurel time. So no barking at us, please!

The humans put a lot of time and effort into this trip. Our set of humans researched the campers and site, and Uncle Jim, Aunt Liz, and Jamie collected cookware, camp recipes, flashlights, lanterns, and things of that nature. So did our parents. Everyone got their things together, and met at our house.

It was agreed upon the size of the RV and the price. Everything seemed well. We all trundled with our bundles to the RV location to rent the vehicle. First, the humans had to watch a movie about how to operate the different features. In the movie, everything worked smoothly. It was decided that Uncle Jim would be the Driver, and Aunt Liz would be the Co-pilot. We would stay in the back with our humans and the boys.

(Snicker, Woof!) Like we said, everything looked great in the movie but in real life, our humans were dismayed to find that the RV they were given looked like a rollling Rent-A-Wreck instead of Luxurious RV Heaven. It was tiny inside and still dirty from the last use. There wasn’t any water filled in the tanks, and the propane was half gone. The picnic table in the back was broken. Desperate, the humans took the vehicle since there were no others, and set out on the road.

(Rolls over, shows bellies) Right? With all deference to those old Car-X commercials, the RV went, “Rattle, rattle, thunder, clatter, boom boom boom!” The entire time. There was a bed in the back and two fold-away beds. One was supposedly operated by lifting the kitchen table and pulling out the bed. The other two spaces to sleep were over the front seats near the roof. Like we said, everything looked great and worked smoothly in the movie. Reality would prove vastly different!

Anyway, there we were, clattering down the interstate, when the Co-pilot suddenly said, “There’s a storm ahead and we’re driving right into it!” Uncle Jim white-knuckled it on the expressway (boom! boom! boom!) while the lighting flashed and the wind rocked the camper from side to side. Our dad didn’t seem to mind, though, and got up to get something to drink out of the fridge. He told Uncle Jim, “You’re doing a great job!” and Uncle Jim said, “Everyone needs to be buckled in their seats while I am driving!”

We took a peek out the window, couldn’t see a thing, and crawled back for snuggles with Jamie and Anthony. Here’s me, Murphy, on Jamie’s pillow:

Meanwhile, Aunt Liz texted the human Erik and said, “If we die out here, this is where the insurance policies are…” Somehow, we don’t think she was kidding!

After we’d made it through the storm (there had been no where to pull over on the expressway, since apparently every one is Under Construction), we headed off toward camp. It took 6 hours. It was a long time.

While I, Murphy, snoozed on Jamie’s pillow, tucked between Jamie and Anthony, I, Mason, jumped into Aunt Liz’ lap and took my usual seat as Co-co-pilot. Soon, I was sprawled out asleep and she was saying, “Mason, Mason, move, my arm is asleep!” But I didn’t listen one bit. We stopped at a Rest Area, and I gave Aunt Liz her arm back. The humans went for some food and we dogs ate in the RV. Time for a potty break, so far, so good.

Back on the road, Uncle Jim got another surprise as our Dad told him, “About the rental car we have to pick up. They didn’t have any rental cars. They had a transport bus, you know, like an Airport Shuttle. It seats about 15. You shouldn’t have any problems driving it.” Uncle Jim looked grave. Mom and Aunt Liz laughed and laughed.

However, we stopped, picked up “the bus”, and our Dad took Jamie and Anthony with him, and they all followed Uncle Jim and us to the campground.

Finally, a while later, we pulled into the campground. Here is a tiki bar hut Jamie found while exploring:

So, we’d finally made it. If you want to hear the rest of the story, you’ll have to tune in to Part II!

Woof! Woof! Mason and Murphy

Advertisement

5/14/13 The Liberry

I don’t know if today was a good day or not.  I saw a rabbit in the backyard early this morning and chased it, but it found a small hole under the fence and got away.  I think it would have made a nice present for my new people.  So I was a little upset about that.  Dad left early, it was still dark-time, for a “meeting”.  I know what happens when dogs meet, usually a lot of sniffing and growling, so I guess it was something like that.  That meant Mom had to take Jamie to school and I didn’t like that one bit. 

I have to admit, I was kind of proud of myself for being able to reach the bread, even though it was put away sort of high, and it WAS delicious, but I felt bad about it after, so I peed on the dining room floor.  I didn’t really mean it, and I could tell by Mom’s face when she came back that she was disappointed in me.  I felt awful.  But what’s worse is that today Mom has to work in the Liberry.  I don’t know what a “Liberry” is, but it sounds good, and I hope she brings me back some to eat.  I don’t want her to leave, though, and I’m kind of working myself up about it.

Well, if Mom had any Liberries for me, I am definitely not getting any, because of the pile of poop I left her in the dining room.  Mom was not happy.  She says I have to go with her in the car to pick up Jamie from school because she can’t trust me at home by myself.  I did hear her telling Dad on the phone she was really proud of me because she could tell that I loved the family and was very loyal already.  So all is not lost.  Last night when Mom and Jamie were in bed, and it was dark-time, I heard something creaking on the stairs and I growled and barked (my first time) to protect them.  But it turned out to be Dad, so then I wagged my tail and was very happy again.  Mom is extremely pleased with me for this, and says that I am “watching over them” and she is willing to “cut me some slack” and be patient with me while I try to get over my nervousness and fear.  I love my new family very much.  I wish I could tell them, instead of pooping on the floor.

10/5/13 Friday Night Fright

Friday night was very eventful.  Jamie had a school trip to the State Capitol; which, remarkably, most things were open regardless of the Government Shutdown.  The day started at 4:45 a.m. Human Standard Time.  Jamie had to be at school by 5:45.  He wasn’t scheduled to come home until 9:00 p.m. (HST). 

When I saw Jamie, I was overcome with joy to see him.  I had missed him so much all day, and had been wondering where he’d got to!  I knew the day had started early, but it hadn’t registered with me how early.  Now he was back, and I showered him with tail-wags and affection.

Jamie told us all about the trip, and how he was touched and moved by the displays and interactive features regarding President Lincoln.  We all visited for a bit, then Mom said it was time for bed because “tomorrow was the 5Kibble”.  We all trooped upstairs to get ready for bed.  Jamie had taken out his contacts and was wearing his glasses.  As he was getting in bed, he suddenly screamed and grabbed his face below his right eye, knocking his glasses askew.  Mom did not know what was happening.  At first she thought he had somehow inadvertently scratched his eye.  But Jamie said it was his face that was hurting and he began to scream and hop around.  Mom grabbed a warm towel and started to bathe his face while she administered Tylenol and assessed whether or not Jamie was being stricken with paralysis or some sort of stroke.  Thankfully, he was not.  He was in terrible pain though.

During this time I thought it would be a good idea to grab some dirty socks and start running around.  Mom screamed at me in a tone of voice I hadn’t heard before.  I dropped the socks and slunk back into the room.  Mom turned back to Jamie and said she was going to call 911, but Jamie said the pain had started to subside.  Mom called the Triage Nurse at the Hospital anyway.  When the pain went away, Jamie fell asleep immediately.  Mom stayed on the floor by his bedside, crying.  I sorrowfully walked over and licked the streaming tears off her face.  I was ashamed of myself for thinking it had been playtime.  Then I jumped on his bed to be close to him.

Jamie is fine this morning.  Mom monitored him all night and so she slept in.  We didn’t go to Obedience School or the 5Kibble because of the sudden attack of pain that happened last night.  Jamie has to be watched right now.  But it seems that he was so exhausted, all the muscles in the right side of his face began to spasm at once.  The nurse said to make sure he stays hydrated.

He gave us both quite the scare.  Woof!  Love, Maggie

9/7/13 Shocking Shenanigans!

You would not believe the shocking shenanigans that took place in this house last night.

Personally, I’m appalled.  But I’m getting ahead of myself!  Mom invited a friend over to discuss “some business”.  Right before the friend came over, she tossed me in the crate.  “OK,” I thought.  “I won’t be in here too long.”  Soon Mom’s friend arrived and I wanted to get out of the crate really bad and give my usual enthusiastic greeting.  The friend’s name was Matt, and Matt was dressed very nicely and smelled like a good human and had a nice voice.  But Mom didn’t let me out.

Matt had some strange boxes with him and a bag.  I watched from my crate as he put the bag down on the little table and began unpacking the boxes.  My enthusiastic happiness turned to cold-blooded horror when I realized Matt was assembling a vacuum cleaner!

Dear God, a vacuum cleaner salesperson in my house!  And I am trapped in the crate!

(the instrument of torture!)

Soon the demonstration was underway.  The vacuum, called “Kirby”, was turned on and off and on and off as Matt whipped little filter screens in and out of the machine.  Soon I began to pant.  Mom kept telling me, “easy” and “good girl”, until Matt piled some scented foam on the area rug directly in front of me.  THEN I began to gnaw at the sides of my crate until Mom thought I was going to hurt my teeth. 

So, Mom got the chain leash out, and put on my training collar, and made me “sit” while Matt cleaned.  The floor.  The rug.  The ceiling.  Upstairs to Dad’s pillow.  The mattress.  Then the doorbell rang and Adam came in.  Adam is Matt’s boss.  He gave me lots of petting and told Mom his girlfriend has a Bulldog.  I was very, very nervous.  The whole time, the vacuum kept running and running.  I was starting to sweat out my paws.  I could not believe these shenanigans!  I barked at Kirby a couple of times, but I didn’t charge him like I have charged Vacuum Cleaner.  Mom said I was a good girl.  Kirby was so shiny!  And he was everywhere.

Needless to say, Mom LOVED Kirby.  She thought Matt did a really fantastic job with the demonstration.  Mom wanted to buy Kirby, but Dad stepped in and said, “NO.”  Thank goodness for Dad.  I guess guys don’t want a really clean house.  Maybe it smells better to humans to sleep on a dirty pillow, but I don’t know, since I don’t use one. 

All I know is that Kirby is gone and peace is restored to the house. 

Shenanigans!  Woof!  Love, Maggie