Tito's Trauma

It was Christmas Eve. I swear I was a good boy. But something terrible happened anyway. As of right now, no one is talking, so I don't think I will spill the beans on my groomer just yet. If I know Cherry Pie, and I think I do, she will get to the bottom of the eye trauma. For right now, this is the story.

Everyone was a hustling and bustling, getting ready for the big day. Christmas. Head Poodle and Cherry Pie were doing the last minute shopping and we, Lula Mae and me, were off to get a bath and a trim so we could be sociable with the guests. We think we smell just fine, but our humans beg to differ. Especially Cherry Pie. I think I told you before how OCD she is. She hasn't changed.

All was going fine, right up to the last minute before my groomer.....

Head Poodle came in to get us, and things became very frantic....The groomer did not have us ready, so she told Head Poodle it would be another 15 minutes or so. They disappeared then reappeared. I was excited. I was very glad to get out of there. In the car Head Poodle tells Cherry the groomer did not charge for her services. Oh and she mentioned something about "If there is a vet bill, I will be happy to pay it." The Cherry and HP had some conversation about those comments when, Cherry Pie, ever the one to notice anything out of the ordinary-I swear she has ESP-noticed I was having trouble with my right eye.

"We have to get him to the vet IMMEDIATELY." We hurried home and deposited Lula Mae, who by the way was not very happy to be left at home, and then we zoomed to the vet. Thankfully, it was our regular vet, and she knew me.

"Oh, you don't look very comfortable," she croons.

No Shit Sherlock!!!!

"Let me take him back and take a look." She is always so calm and matter of fact.

I go in the back, they put some drops in my eyes, poke around a bit, then bring me back to Head Poodle and Cherry Pie. I can't see anything right now, but I am glad to smell them. I put my head in Cherry's lap and she strokes my head, and tells me I will be okay. I love that.

"I want to show you something." The vet takes out her flashlight and shines it in my eye. "Do you see that cloud over his pupil? He has an ulcerated lens. You will have to give him some ointment four times per day. Let's see how he does with that. The other eye seems okay, but put some in that one too. It is inflamed a bit. Oh, and see this?" She points to the size of my pupil. "Now compare the two sizes of pupils." She shows Cherry the right eye. "They need to be the same size. You will have to put a drop to dilate his eye. Check it in the morning. When they are traumatized like this, they can stay that way. We don't want that."

Gulp.

"I have to say, he was a good boy. He let the technician and I do the work, so he should be a good patient for you. It will be a two person job to get his medication in his eyes. One of you straddle him, the other pull down his eye lid and apply the medication."

"Okay," both Cherry and Head Poodle look at each other with fear in their eyes.

"What in the world happened to him? When we dropped him off his eyes were fine. The groomer said his eye was weeping a bit, but that is all. She swears she did not get anything in his eye. What do you think happened?" Cherry is all worked up.

"I do not know, but I do know his lens has been damaged some how. Now, let's see how he does in the next couple of days. Let's check in again on Monday." The vet looks concerned too. "Oh, and one more thing, do not let him outside in the light. It will be very painful for him. He needs to stay calm."

"Good Lord" is all I heard IN UNISON from both Cherry Pie and Head Poodle.

We get the bill paid, and I am hoisted into the back of the SUV for the ride home. Boy, she was right, it was very painful. I kept trying to rub my eye. Cherry Pie broke land and speed records getting us all back home.

When we got there, they dug out the head cone from the garage. Let me register my complaint right now. I HATE THE CONE.

After getting the beast on, I tried going on strike. Cherry was very gentle with me. She even got my big bed out, and she put it in the middle of the living room floor. Then she helped me lay down on it. I couldn't think straight. That cone is very disorienting. I was afraid to even move a muscle. So I didn't. Thankfully, Cherry Pie realized what was going on, and she helped me sit then lie down. That made me somewhat comfortable.

This went on all night long. Ointment in the eyes every four hours, and try to lay still. Even Lula Mae was right there with me. Well she wandered off a little bit, but she came right back to stay with me.

Christmas day wasn't so much fun. Lula and I spent the day in the bedroom. Just as well, there were too many people in the house. It was very noisy. I was happy to be all cuddled up with my gurly, Lula.

The next day I started feeling better. I could even see a little bit. I got to go outside and pee all by myself. What a relief.

Today, four days after the episode, I am almost back to normal. I still have some cloudiness on the eye according to Cherry, but HOORAY, the conehead is gone....Victory....

I heard Cherry on the phone this morning calling the groomer....let's see what she finds out from her, but we shall have to wait another day. The groomer is not in until tomorrow.

I have forgiven her, but I am not sure Cherry will...stay tuned.

Peanut misses her daddy

Hi, my name is Peanut. I come to visit the Poods frequently, and have gone on lots of walks with them when my daddy, Christian, takes us. Remember the trampoline fiasco? Thankfully, I was spared that trauma. I was at home snug in my kennel, and had no idea they had just had a near death experience on the trail. I am so glad my daddy is a smart guy and kept everyone from getting hurt.

For the past four days, I have been enjoying the hospitality of the Poods. Amy (Cherry Pie's daughter) had to go to the hospital for an operation, so Titus, aka Tidey Whitey, was sent to another foster day care home whilst I came to the Poods house.

Head Poodle and Cherry Pie have been very nice to me. I have enjoyed my food at the right time, and got to go potty outside in the backyard all by myself. That is a biggie. I usually have to be on a leash. Yes, there was snow in the backyard, but it was kinda icey so I did not have to get too wet. Did I mention I am a Southern California girl and have NEVER seen snow? Thank Gawd my daddy got me a sweater. I thought I would freeze my nips off before they figured out that one!!! Then they went and did something even more insane. They bought me snow booties....I can tell you I do not like the snow, but I do not like those darned booties even MORE!!! I feel like something is stuck to my pads and I can't get it off, like gum or other yuckyness . Daddy says I look like I am swimming in slow motion. They take pleasure in my pain. Something is wrong with them if you ask me.

In any event, I am about to go home sometime today. I can't wait to see my daddy. I can't quite help myself. Every now and then I wander aimlessly around the house looking for him. Cherry Pie tries to tell me he will be home soon, but I cry anyway. The Poods keep checking on me too. They are such a bother. Especially that Lula Mae. She won't quit licking my ears. I have told her in no uncertain terms to quit following me around and licking my ears and ESPECIALLY quit nibbling me, but she ignores my requests. I think she is a little dense. I mean, if your friend were in trauma, would you bug the shit out of them? Seriously, I am glad Head Poodle has taken those two out for a walk. It does make me jealous though. Cherry Pie just told me to go lie down, but I am ignoring her too....

I WANT MY DADDY....can't anyone hear me?????

Run Poodles, Run!!!!

It was the fourth day Christian came to take us for a walk. We like Christian. He lets us lick him, and he doesn't even complain. He just laughs. Lula Mae likes him just fine, and we all remember she doesn't like men much. Could be she is shaking off her former traumas in life.

Head poodle calls Christian the "Poodle Whisperer."

Head Poodle was away for a whole week playing a tennis tournament in Florida. Cherry Pie recruited Christian to come take us for walks because she would be gone too long during the day. We were very grateful for that. The kennels are comfy, but not for hours and hours on end. Christian came by everyday and we all went for walks. We even enjoyed playing with Peanut and Titus several days. All was good until the last walk.

Christian showed up just when we thought he had forgotten all about us. It was a beautifully sunny day. We got our leashes on then headed outside. Bam, we were hit with a blast of wind that almost knocked us over. Christian keep saying we would be alright, and we needed to get out and take a walk. It was spooky man. The gusts would hit so hard it flattened our dos and made us hunker down closing our eyes as we trudged ahead. Sometimes we tried to hide behind Christian's legs, but that didn't even work. The wind was coming from every direction ALL AT ONCE. We kept walking figuring if Christian said we could do it, well who could argue with The Poodle Whisperer????

We made it through the wetlands when we heard Christian say something about a weird noise. We looked left. We looked right. It came from behind.....

WHOA, HOLY COW!!!! Christian shouted. He grabbed our leashes so tight I got scared. When he said RUN we RAN...right up the side of a bank of rocks. When I was finally able to turn around and look, there it came. The behemoth was rocking and rolling like a metal tumbleweed down the middle of the marsh. It made a kinda sloop, bam, sloop, bash kinda sound.

It was a HUGE trampoline with the sides still on it, well they were bent pretty badly because of the wild tumbling it was doing.

We waited up on a rocky berm as it rocked and rolled on by. Christian was fumbling around in his pocket trying to find his phone. He took a picture of the trampoline after it quit rolling because he knew no one would believe us if he didn't. Here is the picture he took.



Once that sucker quit rolling around, we got the heck outta there man. It was good to get out of those kennels, but we were taking our lives into our own hands I tell you.

When Cherry Pie came home that night, Christian called to give her the report.

"Good lord Christian!!! the weather reporter said we had winds in excess of 60 miles per hour today. I did not expect you to take them out." She sounded very breathless. I was watching her. Cherry Pie's eyes were as big as a scared cartoon character. You have seen them, Wonk-Wonk goes the music suddenly the eyes pop out of the character's head. That was Cherry Pie. If she thought it was scary hearing about the event, she should have been there. We were lucky we did not end up in the sequel to the Wizard of Oz....

Thanks, Christian, we love you for taking us out of those kennels everyday, but let's forget about it the next time the Washoe Zephyr's act up, Okay?

The Gig's Up

I, Lula Mae, do solemnly swear NEVER to eat another sock. I do, really, I do.

It all started with Cherry Pie, it is HER fault. You see it went down, ahem, like this:

Veteran's Day, Wednesday, Cherry Pie goes to pick up the grandkids for the day. After she arrives with them in tow, we get out of the kennels, Yay, Hooray....course we were only there a few minutes, but it seemed like hours. Tito and I were ready to play, big time.

The little bitty humans let us out. Tito licked Ms. Rachel, his favorite little human. She always complains. I guess I can see her point, Tito had dog food breath.

Anyway, we got to get a good romp on in the backyard while Cherry Pie, B, and Rach had a snack.

At first it seemed like a treat to get out of those kennels and exercise a bit. Turns out it was a ruse to get us out of the house. Let me blame this one on Tito AGAIN. He cannot keep his long, hairy nose off the table when the kids are eating. Causes all kinds of ruckus. Cherry Pie always ends up with the veins in her neck sticking out like she is about to stroke out. I feel sorry for her.

Me, I am a little angel. I just sit on the floor and WAIT for a crumb to come my way. Not Tito, he is actively recruiting a snack from one or both of the grandkids.

So, out we went. We had a great romp. Who needs snacks when there is a hurried need to stretch out the legs and feel the speed?

That is until the speed runs out, and we sit longingly looking in through the sliding glass door. Cherry Pie give us a nod every now and then, but hey, we want in. Can ANYBODY hear us???? Let us in. We promise to be good.

Doesn't happen. The house gets quiet, we hear the alarm lady saying the garage door is open, the SUV starts up, and all is quiet. After making as much racket as we can, we finally settle down for a nap in the sunshine. Still a bit cold outside, but not bad in the sunshine.

We awake from our nap, and still no humans. Tito and I decide to go exploring. Cherry Pie has made a short makeshift fence to keep us out of the side yard. Wrong O MaryLou....we bust that sucka down in no time flat. It is kinda boring on that side of the house, all except for the spigot....a couple of months ago Tito and I figured out how to get some water out of it. Not much mind you, but with a little tweak we can get the flow going. It is always nice to have some fresh water. After playing keep away with a plastic bowl, which accidentally got torn to shreds, honest, it was an accident, we enjoyed another little nap in the sun.

Finally, the humans return with lots of bags....Cherry Pie took pity on us and let us in the house. The little humans began playing with their new toys, and Cherry Pie started taking the tags off the new clothes.

We were totally ignored. What? We have been in this backyard for 2 hours all alone. What is Cherry Pie thinking? You know she always gets a bit scattered with the little bitty humans are here. They get all her attention. To tell you the truth, I get more than a little bit jealous....

Cherry finally came outside and decided to clean up the backyard. That's when she discovered the water running on the side of the house. OOPS, sorry Cherry. Next she sees the broken plastic bowl, double OOPS....by now Cherry is grumbling big time.

B and Rach wanted to ride their tricycles on the patio. She goes in the house to help them get their bikes outside.

Now this is where the story gets really juicy...pay close attention.

The little humans are busy playing on the patio, riding their bikes. Cherry Pie is complaining something about Poodle poop as she cleans up after us, when I find the mother lode....

In the house a sock....I don't even think twice. I grab that sucker and out the door I ran with it in my mouth. I trotted by Tito, he ignored me too. What??? I just threw down the gauntlet, he didn't bite. I decided to romp on by Cherry as she was muttering under her breath. Suddenly, she dropped the pooper scooper and decided she would chase me.

VICTORY.....Now we're talkin'. I dodged right, she went right. I dodged left, she went left. She had me cornered....I had to think quick. I tried to back away, she still came at me. Boy she looked real mad. I couldn't think. I couldn't get away. What else could I do? You guessed it.

I ate the sock.

A gulp was all that could be heard.

You should have seen Cherry Pie's face. It was priceless. Her mouth fell open, she stood stock still. The whole world stopped.

Then she just turned away from me, and walked into the house. The little bitties were trailing not far behind.

"What's wrong, grandma?" B and Rach both pleaded with their grandma to tell them what was wrong with her.

She walked into the house like a zombie, and sat down on the couch. I followed her into the house too. The two kids wanted to read a book, so that is what she did.

Every now and then she would look up from the book and ask me, "What are we going to do with you?"

Finally, she called her daughter.

"You have to call the vet. They will probably want her to come in. You can bring the kids to me at work."

Cherry called the vet, and sure enough that is what the plan would be.

Everyone rushed around and got ready, B with only one sock. He complained mightily about that.

HA!!! is all I could say, but I don't think he heard me.

It was a short ride to where we needed to drop off the children. I waited in the car. I did try to escape, but Cherry was too fast for me.

The veterinarian was only across the street from where the kids were dropped off.

"Is this the sock eating poodle?" the receptionist asked.

"Yep," is all Cherry said.

We were put immediately into the room to await the vet. As soon as I got in there, let me tell you I remembered the last time I was there. They took out my insides. That did not make me very happy. I decided to sit in Cherry Pie's lap...well, I tried anyway. There wasn't much room on that little bench. I cozied up to her as best as I could when the vet suddenly appeared.

"Miss Lula Mae, what have you been up to?" She is a nice lady, but I wasn't in the mood to tell her ANYTHING....

The two of them had a short conversation about what they were going to do to me and how much it would cost. The next thing I know a big guy comes and drags me out of the room.

"Hey, wait a minute!!!" I screamed and put on the doggie brakes. All to no avail.

They gave me a shot, and pretty soon I started to feel real SICK man....My stomach started churning, and churning, and I started puking, and puking, and finally really puking. It took me a bit to get that sock out. Man did that give me a sore throat.

There were three people hanging around me just waiting for that sock to make its appearance again. The one guy with a glove on grabbed it quickly.

"The doc says to watch you real close. The last time she had to do this to a dog, as soon as he yakked it up, he ATE it AGAIN!!!! That isn't going to happen this time." Frankly, I had no desire to eat that thing again.

I don't know what they gave me, but my world was rockin' and a rollin' for the rest of that night. Tito was very worried about me. He kept licking me, and smelling my breath. I think he thought I was drunk or something.

Thank gawd Cherry Pie took pity on me and helped me go outside to pee before I finally crashed in my bed. Nighty-nite time never was so sweet.

The very next morning, before Cherry was even out of bed, I grabbed Head Poodle's sock and tried to run away with it. She really freaked out. Cherry jumped straight out of bed and boy was there a ruckus.

I don't know what all the fuss was about, I was only playin'.......

Conversations overheard

LULA MAE here. Today I overheard a great conversation Cherry Pie told Head Poodle. I am dying to share it with all of you.

On Fridays Cherry Pie picks up the grandkids. They get to go to the MickeyD's of their choice. The ritual is set. Everyone gets a treat, they eat a bite or two then off they go to play in the play structure.
Rachel and B play, and all is as usual.
Back in the car, halfway home comes a question from B.

"Grandma, what's a spirit?"

Hmmmmm...... Great question B. Let me think about that for a minute. (Great save eh????)

Grandma scrambles quickly in the archives of her brain for an age appropriate answer to the pithy question of the 5 year old.

"Well," Grandma begins with a bit of hesitation in her voice, "SOME people believe that there is this thing inside of a person that we can't see that helps us. It isn't physical, like our bodies are, and you can't SEE it."

A little voice from the backseat says, "Yep."

"And SOME people believe that this thing called spirit can live outside your body, it will never die."

A resounding "YES."

"So, B, Why do you ask that question?"

"One of the little girls I was playing with told me, 'Your spirit will live forever with God' when we were in the play structure."

"Really?" Grandma looks into the rearview mirror to observe the young man in his car seat. B is sitting with his right forefinger in his mouth, and fingering his ear, just as he has always done since babyhood. He is staring out the window, appearing to be in deep contempation.

"Yep, it was in the room with the little square windows." B pulls his finger out of his mouth with a slurp. The finger goes back into his mouth immediately after the pronouncement.

Maybe it's the highway to heaven? Grandma thinks silently in her head.

"Well, B, what do YOU think?" Grandma tries to sound noncommittal. "You have a brain,"

"Yep, and it is bigger than an insect!" B sounds authoritative.

Grandma continues without missing a heartbeat, "You have a brain, so that means you can think for yourself. So tell me, do you believe her?"

"YES!!!!" B is emphatic.

"WHY do you believe her?" Grandma asks incredulously.

"Because she has blond hair. She is very cute," B replies with a dreamy quality in his voice.

Grandma responds very quickly, "If you believe every pretty girl, you are in for a LOT of trouble son."

"How much further till we get home?" Rachel pipes in. "I'm hungry."

Conversation over.

There you have it.

Summer's End

The last weekend of summer, we were taken for a long ride in the car. Our very first.

The Mominator was placed in her very own carrier, and we were crowded into the back of the SUV with other assorted luggage. Cherry Pie carefully packed everything so as to keep the Mistress Lula Mae and myself from peeking through and seeing where we were going. WHAT???

It didn't take long for us to break down the barricade. Heck, this was our first road trip and do you think we are so easily dissuaded??? Not on your life mister....or misses as the case may be.

Anyway, after about 30 minutes in the car, much of it spent looking out all of the windows and pacing around the area we were supposed to sleep(who thought that was what was going to happen, eh?) we made our first stop...

I kinda recognized the area, but it was a fuzzy memory for me. Head Poodle went up to this front door and knocked. Cherry Pie tried to hold onto our leashes, but we busted out the back door the second we saw an opening. Head Poodle screamed like a little girl. Cherry Pie and her got into a bit of an argument...

"They are going to get run over," Head Poodle was screaming.
"Calm down, they are just getting out of the car. They are headed straight for you and that ISN'T into the street," Cherry Pie tried to sound calm, but we knew she was a bit worried too....

Truth is, Mistress Lula Mae and me cannot be contained when we are excited. This was our first big foray into an unknown world and we were EXCITED man.... Then the front door opened. I arrived just in time to see someone I really do remember, Cindy.She was the first human I saw when I was a little pup. I remember being in her lap with her petting me and talking to me real sweet. This place was where I was born. I ran into the house, Lula hot on my heels. My first owner was so excited to see me. I am all grown up now, but she just wanted me to be in her lap again....well, I did get the front half of myself on her lap, the rest of me wouldn't fit!!!! It was a happy reunion.

Then another fabulous thing happened. Lula Mae was taken out to the SUV, and another human I remember came in with my MOTHER and BROTHER....Let me tell you that was some family reunion....My brother is quite the ladies man. He is as tall as me, and apricot. He even had a moustache like me!!! We started running around that living room, and banking off the furniture. Head Poodle and Cherry Pie were not in favor of it at all. Roger, the male human, was very happy to see his "boys" play...I was happy to see him too. I tried to sit on his lap but ended up sitting on the couch next to him. He and I had long talks in the garage...He was very good to me.

My brother, Rusty, and I were so noisy, my mother tried to break us up. She barked a "quiet boys" to us. We ignored her. After about 10 minutes of complete dog mayhem (according to Cherry Pie) I was escorted back out to the SUV and we were headed out of town. Destination unknown.

After about an hour, we finally settled down for a nap. I don't know how long I was napping, but I felt the SUV come to a stop. It was almost dark. Turns out we were at our destination, West Walker Motel.

Head Poodle immediately took us out for a walk. We were very interested in the new smells. The terrain looked very much like home, and some of the walks we would go on up in the hills. Turns out we were supposed to go potty on our walk...Well, I don't know what the big deal is, I go pee when I need to, I don't go pee on demand!!!! Head Poodle was not happy with me or Lula... HA.....

Cherry Pie was taking out all the luggage and our beds. The little room was all made up for us by the time we got back. Then we sat outside the room, tied to their chairs while they ate BARBECUE....torture....we like BBQ pig too...what were they thinking? We would sit all nice and still with that heavenly aroma all around us? Wrong O Mary Lu..... Lula actually pulled Cherry Pie over in her chair once. Sorry Cherry.

After the ribs had been consumed, and tucked away in the garbage can (why can't we have at least a bone?) we were taken for another walk.... There were some other humans cooking on their barbecue. AGAIN....talk about heavenly smells. Head Poodle and Cherry Pie talked to the people. They were the owners of the motel where we were staying. They said something about not letting us run around without our leashes on because there was a MOUNTAIN LION around. DARN we were looking forward to a good romp after being cooped up in that SUV for hours....It was kinda fun though because we got to get up on the swing with them....only Mommy did not like to share the seat with us....too bad Mominator...we are bigger than you.

Next thing we knew, it was bedtime....What??? we just got here....After lots of messing around with the human bed...perpetrated by Cherry Pie...it was lights out. Well, I settled down on the bed I always sleep on, yep they brought it along, but Lula Mae had other plans. Turns out she likes to sleep on the bed with the humans....a bad habit from a previous lifetime. There was lots of ruckus about all that. I don't remember much about it because I was too tired to pay attention to all the fussing going on.

Lights were on, lights were off, toilets flushed, people were up and down, Lula Mae kept sneaking onto the bed...it was a true "circus night" as Head Poodle and Cherry Pie calls it.

Then the sneezing began...Both of them...sneeze, sneeze, sneeze. They they said they started itching, more lights on, lots of noise coming from the bathroom.

"Where's the rescue cream? Where's the antihistamines? Where's the Flonase?" On and on it went...

I don't know how much sleep we got, but it wasn't much.

The next thing I remember is the Mominator scratching in her little cage. Cherry Pie was up like a flash. She stumbled around, put on a fleece jacket, and the leash on Mominator. Out they went.....Hey, what about us??? I have to pee too!!!! Thankfully it was a short trip.

Cherry Pie came in grumbling something about "You poodles better figure out how to pee while on the leash. I'm sleepy!!!" Out we went too.... There was this little area where Cherry let us go, we immediately went pee, no problem...To tell you the truth it is very confusing. Most of the time we are not ALLOWED to pee while on the leash. It is all business, walk, walk, walk....Now, they want us to go pee while they stand there and look at us??? What's up with that???? Let us just say this, the whole weekend proceeded this way.

Cherry Pie brought us back into the room and announced, "I'm ready to go home."

Lickety split we were packed. Head Poodle lead the charge, Cherry Pie had the SUV packed in record time. We were out the door, but not quite on our way home. The humans wanted to eat a "country" breakfast. Lula Mae and I sat in the front seat of the SUV and observed all the coming and goings of the business. One of the waitresses at the cafe wanted to meet us. She said she had never seen standard poodles before. Now she has. Mominator was relegated to her little prison.

After breakfast, there was one more treat in store for us. We got to go swimming in a river.....It was a beautiful day. We stopped a couple of times for Cherry Pie to go and take pictures. Head Poodle read her paper in the car. We watched all the action. We got to get out and pee a couple of times when there were no cars around.

Finally, we arrived at the river. Boy was it fun...it was hot and the water was so cool. After that little trek, the humans got an ice cream. What about us???? We got a drink of water....bummer.

We were back in the SUV and on our way home. There were lots of noisy motorcycles on the highway. It was the Street Vibrations weekend. Head Poodle and Cherry Pie were very excited to be "away from all that darned noise" if only for a couple of days.

To tell you the truth, we were glad to be back home. We are used to running like crazy in our own backyard. No mountain lions, no ticks, just lovely green grass. Home. Heaven.

Summer Party

It's been way too long since we last posted. This has been one rockin' summer!!!!

Right after the last post, Head Poodle and Cherry Pie went on vacation. They were gone for an entire week, and we went to the greatest doggy camp. At first, we were very scared. There were lots of four legged, soon-to-be friends there. We were immediately taken outside to join in the fun. Cherry Pie gave strict instructions that we were to be playing with the pack just a little at a time. She wanted us to be socialized. She was so worried Lula Mae would go off the deep end and start a ruckus. She never did. The only thing she did do was run like the dickens and bare a few teeth. The humans who were there to watch over our play time were fabulous. They are truly very special people. There are both boy and girl humans there to play with us, and make sure we don't get too excited and start a fight. Who would start a fight with sprinklers to play in, pools to lay down in, and lots, and lots of buddies who like to run too!!!! Not us, that's for sure. We loved meeting everyone. At first we had to learn the correct etiquette, sniff bootie, hold still and let other friends sniff our booties too.

Soon we did not feel scared at all, even with dogs bigger than we are running around too. Well, all except that big boy rotweiller, but he doesn't count. I got a bit snippy with him, and who could blame me? Sniffing around Lula Mae like that, just didn't sit right with me. I gave him a few barks and a nip. That wound me up in doggie prison for about an hour. It was worth it. He was gone by the time I got out. Lula's my girl, no big bad boy is gonna take her away from me without a fight. Turns out she is a bit of a flirt. She loves to run fast with the big boys. Now I know this about her, no worries. I can run faster than she can any day. I have been taking it easy on her all this time, but NO MORE....the speed is ON....

Anyway, we had such a rockin' time at the Doggies Dream, we frequently ask to go back. Head Poodle and Cherry Pie even called them a couple of days after they got home and asked them what they did with Lula and I because we were so calm for a couple of days after we came home. The camp counselors told them we just ran with the rest of the pack, for five hours daily....then a nap...and back out for another five or six hours. HEAVEN. Some of the pack don't like to run as much as we do, so they just hang out in the shade, sucking up to the counselors who give them pats. Lula and I love to run through the sprinklers, and play tug of war with some of the chew toys. There is such a big area for us to run in we can really get the speed on. Makes for great naps, and even better sleep at night. After seven days though, we were ready to come home.

A week later we got to go back for five hours and play with the rest of the pack again. Cherry called it day care for poods....that did not wear us out like the entire week did, but it is great exercise. Cherry Pie said she is taking us every time we get a little too nutty hanging around the back yard. She doesn't have as much time to take us out because of the little bitty humans.

Cherry Pie has been playing with the grandkids for a lot of days now. She calls it Camp Crazy Grandma. We sometimes get to go on hikes with them, or for a short walk, but it is not enough to keep us from getting bored. We keep getting caught munching on fruits and veggies in the back yard. Don't get too worried, we are not intending on becoming vegans or anything like that, but we discovered how tasty an unripe pear is. We weren't too crazy about the green tomatoes though. They were a bit bitter and gave me a tummy ache. I think we will wait until they get ripe. Cherry says she won't let us close to them, but we will see. Stay tuned for that update. If I were you, I'd bet on Lula and me. We are very stealthy.

On Monday, Titus joined us for the day. Titus is a boxer who lives with the little bitty humans. He is an okay guy. He likes to run with Lula, I have to keep an eye on him. I give him a good bark or a nip every now and then when they get to rough housin' too much. Like I said earlier, Lula is my girl and I won't give her up easily. Titus takes it all in stride. I know it is Lula that is the bad girl. Titus is just goin' with the flow. He is that kinda guy. The little bitty humans like to have Titus here. So does his owner, the daughter of Cherry Pie. Titie Whitey is what Cherry and Head Poodle have taken to calling him. We don't know why, but every time Cherry calls him, she adds a giggle to the Titie Whitey...must be an inside joke or something. The little bitty humans ask her why she calls him that, but all she says is "It suits him." That is no answer we can understand. Humans.

Yesterday, Cherry Pie gave the little bitty humans some new toys. Masks she called them. The little boy likes to be a dog, and the itty bitty girl likes to be a kitty. They like to play with us. It is a bit confusing because they still smell like the little bitty humans or grandkids as Cherry calls them. They like to act like dogs and kitties. Cherry even took pictures of them with their masks on. I decided to post a pic of them along with Titie Whitey....they are our new play friends.

There are always things going on in this house. It is hard to get bored. The best thing is when we get to go play with all the other big dogs down at Doggies Dream....they are the best. We love taking the car ride because we know how much fun we are going to have when we get there. Hurray for doggie day camp!!!!!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Snackin' on a Flower

Hidey Ho,

It was a great day, sun was shining, we had a three mile walk around the block, and some great kibble mix for breakfast. We were holding out for the extra canned food treat, don't quite understand why we didn't get it, the hunger strike worked yesterday, but not today. Eventually we gave in to our hunger pangs and ate the dry crunchy stuff anyway.

We must perfect our 'give me canned food or give me death' look before tomorrow.

I kept telling Tito it was important how we projected from our eyes. It will get us what we want every time. Maybe we should switch to the 'pitiful puppy' look. At any rate, we will get it; we will have to pay closer attention to when to use it. Our humans are very predictable. We will have to nail the look then we will get that tasty canned food every time..... Trust me we WILL have these humans eating our of our paws any day now. Just you watch.

Back to the story.

After our leisurely breakfast, I sauntered out to the back yard and grabbed my favorite chew toy. I came back into the house, and gave Tito 'The Look'. You know, a sideways glance as I slithered by him ever so slowly, brushing against his side. We stopped. Our eyes were locked on each other. No, don't, don't dare to move even a tiny muscle. Slowly, we began to circle around each other. We stopped again. I felt like I was breathing in expectation. Suddenly, Tito launched for my toy.

"Nope SUCKER I am OUTTA HERE!!!!" I bolted for the open sliding glass door. Tito was right beside me. The rug went flying, "Hey you two!!" we heard Cherry Pie's admonition trailing behind us. No time to say SORRY, we were ON!!!

I banked a hard left, dodged the kennels, and the patio table and chairs. I felt my toenails grind against the cement. Great traction, but not as good as the grass. I glanced left, Tito was hot on my little pom-pom tail.

My strategy was to make like I was heading for the Gazebo. Once I got within a foot if it, I banked hard right and kicked up the speed as I made a dash for the side yard. Darn it. Tito was able to read my body language. I couldn't shake him. He was right beside me, trying to grab my toy!!!

I dug even harder into the grass and with a little more push I was able to shift into high gear. I might be a little shorter than Tito, but I have stronger leg muscles. I gained a foot distance from him. Next thing I knew we were at the loop.

The side yard has what we call the roundabout. It is perfectly shaped for us to make a graceful turn and not loose any momentum. I negotiated the turn and poured it on!!!!

"Wooo Hoooo, catch me now sucka!!!!!" I wove between two trees, and ended up slightly banking off the concrete curbing right in front of the yellow snapdragons.... "Oh No....Cherry Pie will kill us for sure if we smash up the flowers."

Tito was egging me on, "I'm ON it, Gimme." (to human hears it sounds like some strange kind of guttural growls).

Through some miracle, probably at the hand of Quan Yin (she is a concrete statue of a Chinese goddess who stands inches behind the curbing amidst the flowers), I managed to keep from careening off course. I kicked a hard left and leapt right through the rusty iron door of the gazebo. "Whew....THAT was a close one." I planted my front paws and stopped. My chest heaved, trying to get air pumped into my body.

Tito wasn't able to match my pirouette. He ended up smashing his head into the iron bars of the gazebo. It made a sickening metal on head sound, kinda like a dull ringing of a bell.

"What in the HELL is goin' on out here?" Cherry Pie stuck her head out of the sliding glass door. Her eyes were ablaze, and she had what Head Poodle calls her work face look. Her eyebrows were now only one brow, with a few wrinkles thrown in for good measure.

YIKES!!!! We knew we were in trouble.

I looked over at Tito, who was still reeling from the knock to the noggin, but he still had presence enough to look straight at Cherry Pie.

"Good lord, you two CALM DOWN. It isn't even 8 o'clock in the morning and the two of you are already at it. Get in here!" Cherry commanded.

We stood stock still. I, with the chew toy still hanging tantalizingly out of the corner of my mouth. Tito, was still having trouble focusing. You know, he had that circle buzz goin' on just like the cartoon characters on TV get after they get a good bonk to the head.

It was a standoff.

Cherry Pie yelled, "Get in here." We looked puzzled. Then she did it. She turned her back on us and went into the house with the word barely audible "cookie." It was a ghost of a word, kinda hanging there right in the middle of the patio. Cookie.

Tito and I looked at each other. I dropped the toy and sprinted for the door. I got there just in time to see Cherry Pie with her hand in the cookie bag.....I was licking my lips.

"Who wants a cookie? Oh, Lula Mae wants a cookie. What a good girl. Here is your cookie."

Tito finally came to, and found his way into the house.

"Oh there you are. Bad boy, how's your head?" Tito still wasn't thinking too straight, but that magical word, Cookie, will bring you around every time.

They are the itty-bittiest cookies, but boy are they tasty. Of course we had to sit first before we could get our cookie. I sit before she even says it nowadays, but Tito was still a bit slow in the head, and it isn't from the knock to the noggin he just received.

He finally sat and got his reward along with a pat on the head, and a bit of an examination.

"No bumps, no lumps. What a goober. Now you two settle down. I suppose next I will have to find a doggie chiropractor," Cherry grabbed her cup of tea and headed for the kitchen table. "Let's see what the mail is this morning," she chirped as she turned on the laptop.

Cherry Pie sure knows how to put a cramp on our style!!! It didn't take long though before she was totally engrossed in opening her electronic mail. We can tell because she gets that very concentrated look on her face, and she quits scolding us.

We slowly headed back outside. Tito ambled off to find his favorite chew bone.

I headed toward the right side of the yard, right outside the kitchen window where Cherry Pie sat contentedly reading her morning mail. I looked at her, but something caught my eye. I quickly turned my attention away from Cherry.

It was a rustling in the bushes. I stopped. Was it the wind? What was going on in there? I looked up, the bird feeders were empty, and hung straight down. There was not a hint of a sway. No wind.

I thought I saw another rustling deep in the bushes. I heard something too. I stopped dead in my tracks. Then it happened. Slowly, ever so slowly, my right paw started coming off the ground. My nose elongated, my back got as rigid as a steel plank, my ears perked up. I froze. Suddenly, I feel like a stone statue. Stiff. Stuck in this weird position. It felt good. It felt right. I don't know how it happened, or even why. Something in me just felt so good standing there pointing with my nose, and my right paw off the ground slightly curled back.

Cherry Pie must have seen me from the window because she suddenly appeared at the door again. "What, what are you pointing at? Is there something in the bushes?" She charged out of the house, rubbed me all over, then started poking around in the bushes. I put my nose right in there too....the spell was broken.

We never found anything in the bushes, but Cherry Pie was very excited. She gave me lots of hugs and pets. "What a good girl. You were pointing. Good girl, good girl."

I still don't know why that feeling suddenly came over me, or how it happened, but it did feel superb.

When Head Poodle came home for lunch, Cherry Pie told her all about our adventures in the morning. She immediately went over and examined Tito's head. "You have such long legs, but you are still a little to wobbly yet, eh? I don't feel anything, are you okay?" Tito looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Yes."

She kissed his nose and whispered, "I love you Tito."

Oh brother, a little knock to the head and ......

Head Poodle then turned her attention to me. She said I was pointing because our ancestors were hunting dogs, and I was doing "What came naturally to me." Whatever that means.

All I knew is it was nap time just as soon as Head Poodle downed that sandwich Cherry Pie was fixing for her. Enough already, I was ready for a good snooze.

Down with Fru-Fru!!!

Lula Mae reporting from the very muddy backyard.

We finally did it!!!! It only took Tito and me less than a week (with the help of visiting grandchildren) to rid me of that horrible smell....Why must those doggy shampoos smell like gurly Zsa Zsa Gabor??? I may look like a gurly-gurl, but let me tell you I am happiest when I have a little mud on me. Cherry Pie says I look like a farm dog, but if you ask ME, I will tell you I am simply in touch with my animal magnetism. Tito will tell you the same. He and I have become fast buddies in the couple of months we have been together.

I came to be a member of this pack at the end of March, just a couple of weeks after Tito. I think Tito told you all that I am an older woman (only 6 months, what's the big deal?). I was born in Minden, Nevada, and in my short lifespan I have been homeless two times.

My first home was in Las Vegas. I had dreams of becoming a showgurl, but they were soon dashed when I began getting into trouble. Now, mind you, I was just a pup. I didn't know eating t-shirts was a bad thing. I think I was just born to play a little rough. After all, I am a Taurus, you know the one with the horns? Anyway, I can't really remember that long ago. All I know is my human turned out to be a really mean guy. He had no patience for me as I learned about the world. That made me a little aggressive. I know it is hard for you to see right now, but I must admit to getting into a bit of trouble. Kinda like the teenage humans my new owner, Cherry Pie, teaches at her school. Good thing Cherry Pie thinks I am a good gurl. She sees beyond my troubled childhood.

Anyway, I got a few bad breaks before coming to live here. I had another short stint with a family. I didn't like the man human either, nor the poodle boy they wanted me to be buddies with. Their loss. I almost went to live with another girl human, but she did not want to pay for me. All the better.

Now, I am most delighted to report I am a very happy poodle!!!!

When I first came to live here, Head Poodle noticed I was depressed. She said I did not know how to smile. Now, just look at me. I have two mommies, don't have to deal with mean or scary men, Tito is a blast, and I get lots of walks and my favorite... COOKIES!!!! I love to get treats, and I simply adore a good petting session. Sometimes I even demand it when Cherry Pie forgets to love me up. I simply jump and put my head in her lap. I refuse to leave until I have had my fill of lovin'. I can be a bit needy, I admit it, but hey I have a lot to catch up on.

When I first got here, I was on my best behavior because I thought I might be shuttled off AGAIN....I was very afraid to get into the car because every time I did in the past, I got taken to a new home...I soon learned that good things can come from getting in the car with Cherry Pie.

We go for walks, I even like to go with her to Home Depot. Now, to tell the truth, I do have a few bad habits I have developed, but I am undergoing some very extensive treatment. I am even beginning to tolerate other dogs when I am out on a walk. Cherry Pie makes us stop and sit still. Sometimes we get to sniff other humans. That helps me feel less scared. I haven't met too many people, kinda lived in my own little world. No more...My new pack likes to go out a lot!!!! I love the exercise.

I also like my afternoon nap with Head Poodle. Every afternoon, right after lunch, Head Poodle gets on the couch, turns the TV on to someone called Wolf Blitzer (no it isn't one of our cousins, it is a MAN) and soon she starts making music. When we first started this ritual, we were a little worried about her. Tito and I both would go up and sniff her, but pretty soon we learned we did not need to be scared when we heard that strange noise coming out of her mouth. Cherry Pie says she is snoring....we just think it is music to sleep by!!!!

I only have one problem. Cherry Pie has transferred some of her obsessive compulsive behavior disorder onto me...she thinks because I am a cream color, I should always be that way!!!! Wrong O Mary Lu.....Tito helps me get rid of that nasty smell. Every chance we get....we are out in the backyard running and rolling around in the grass. It seems to make Cherry Pie a little cranky.

Good thing we had the cover of the visiting grandkids. When Cherry Pie had her hands full with the little bitty humans, she got so frustrated with Tito and I playing kissey face on the living room floor (I think the boy complained he could not see his favorite cartoon because we were in the way) she shooed us outside. Little did she know the rain the night before had left little puddles all over the yard...Oh HEAVEN....First we didn't notice it either, we were too busy running from one end to the other. We particularly love playing tag. We got out of sight, round the side of the house, and voila!!!! We were able to roll around and play kissey face without anyone complaining. That is until we heard the call, "Poodles!!!".

Tito and I looked at each other, trying to ignore Cherry. Then we could not ignore her anymore. "Who wants some cookies?" Oh NO, there is that word...it makes my mouth water just hearing it. Tito and I looked at each other and ran as fast as we could to the back door.

"Oh My Gawd! Oh NO. Lula Mae, you are a very naughty girl. Tito you too!!!!" Seems Cherry noticed my condition. No worries after that. She did give us the tiniest cookie, but she let us play after that. We had been longing to run, romp, play in our fabulous backyard....it had been several days. Cherry Pie thought she could divert our nature by keeping such a close eye on our play.

All I can say is, "Thanks Rach and B. We will even play with you and your toys too!!!"

Tito got caught trying to kidnap a stuffed monkey. That Cherry Pie has a pretty sharp eye. He was slinking around and almost got to the back door before getting busted. I tried to run cover for him, distracting Cherry as she pet me. She caught him anyway.

Even better, we got booted outside for another romp in the mud. HEAVEN.

Tito here,

Ummm.....well, we started the day being very, very good. It was a lazy morning, slept until 7:30...We love the summer, we have decided. We get to stay up late and sleep in even later!!!!

Head Poodle fed us, then she went a bit crazy. She mowed the front lawn, two different ways so there was this checkerboard pattern to the grass (shhhh....she is secretly in competition with the guy across the street).

Meanwhile, Lula and I wait. It is a beautiful day, and we haven't been on a walk in two whole days....an eternity in dog years...We play around while Head Poodle mows the backyard. We haven't made as much contact with Head Poodle, she can't hear us saying, "Hey, thanks for picking up the poop!!!" She just yells at us when we race around her and that noisy lawn mower. I wonder what the neighbors think with that going on at 8 in the morning on a Sunday....Let me tell you this, when that Ritalin kicks in, everyone better watch out!!!! I swear she had both front and back lawns mowed in record time. What a girl.

When Cherry Pie finally got up, Head Poodle couldn't wait to get her out front. HP was so excited, "Let's go look at the estate!" She drags Cherry Pie out to look at the nice patterns and asks, "How does it look? I was watching, but Louie wasn't around. Do you think he will be impressed?"

"It does look wonderful," Cherry mumbles as she stumbles back into the house.

Both Lula Mae and I fight to look out the tiny window by the front door.

"I'm going to take the poods for a walk." Now you must know, WE know the word walk. Oh, Yeah....We immediately start shouting, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!! Even little Mommy, or as she is more affectionately known around this household as "The Mominator" starts her little dance and begins to make that awful groaning, whining sound. Kinda grates on the nerves. We are so excited, everyone starts turning circles....

"Wait, wait, I want to go to." Cherry Pie chimes in.

Oh no, we don't want to wait. Neither does HP...."but you aren't ready!!!! We are ready to go NOW." The chorus on four feet agree....

"I am too ready, just watch." Sure to her word, she comes out very quickly in her walking clothes.

The party is on man....everyone lines up at the door to get the collars on. First is Lula Mae, then me (Cherry Pie had a bit of a time getting the thing latched. I had to be extra special patient with her. Okay, I thought, she hasn't even had a cup of tea this morning).

HP just stands and watches.

There is a big difference when HP gets the collars on us. She is Q U I C K..... Poor Cherry Pie isn't as strong, but we are patient with her because we know we are almost out the door...

Finally, we hit the street. HP is ready to hit it pretty hard, and Cherry Pie and The Mominator realized pretty quick they would not be able to keep the pace HP wanted to hit. We went one way, they went another.

It was a great walk, we were very excited to be MOVING....

When we got home, the humans immediately jumped in the shower. They had decided to go to a movie, Hangover. Uh Oh, it's the kennels for us. No worries though, we are ready for a siesta.

June 12-Tito's Confessions

Tito here.

A fairly uneventful day in the neighborhood. Saw a couple of humans on my walk with Cherry Pie-Lula Mae's human. We take shorter walks than when my human, Head Poodle, takes us. She is the sporty mama. Head Poodle got her name because her hair is as curly as mine!!!! Lula Mae and I voted to make her pack leader.

It kinda pisses off Cherry Pie when we say Head Poodle is pack leader, but hey, she will get over it. Head Poodle has been taking us out for our daily walk for months now. Cherry Pie is an upstart. Since school got out, she has taken over the leashes. We have a different pace when Cherry Pie takes us out, and we get to stop and sniff more humans. She says Lula Mae needs more socializing.

I kinda like what Head Poodle calls Lula Mae. Shaka Screw Loose. Lula tends to go off the deep end from time to time, usually on men. Good thing we have a two mommy household. To tell you the truth, I go off from time to time too. I particularly don't like humans in hats, on bicycles, or wearing billowy skirts....its kinda like scary man....It is also a bit embarrassing when I find myself dancing around the legs of Cherry when those particular soft spots of mine get pushed.

So Lula Mae has a screw loose, and I am a fraidy cat (only a couple of things though). Remember, I am just a baby. Today I am 8 months old. I am a big ass baby, but a baby nonetheless. Give me some time, and a little more walks around the block, and I will have it all down. Besides, what's life without a few wrinkles? BORING....that's what I call it.

Oh, another thing, Lula Mae got a ride in the car today. I knew something funny was going on when I heard Cherry Pie telling someone on the phone, "She looks like a farm dog." I had just come in from the backyard, so I didn't quite get who she was talking to, but the minute Cherry picked up the leash and put it on Lula Mae, I knew something was UP....next thing I know I get one of those cookie bribes to get in my kennel, and I hear the sliding glass door lock. I have to tell you it got me ROARING....

I settled down for a couple of chomps on my tasty, big honking bone. A little later I dozed off. Seems like I dreamed something about chasing Lula around. I heard the garage door open, so I sounded the alarm....Next thing I see, Head Poodle. I am liberated!!!....not much longer after that, I hear the garage door again. In comes Lula Mae...all WHITE again....man, it took us a couple of weeks to get her that nice dirt/grass smell permeating her fur. Now, they have gone and done it again.

I do have to say, she looked pretty good. Just like the first day I saw her. I followed her outside, away from the prying eyes of those humans of ours, and we no sooner got a good race going when, "LULA!!!!! Get IN here..." What a way to spoil a great romp. We tried to ignore Cherry Pie, but she is a sly one. We call her, Cookie Mommy, because she is ALWAYS using those little bitty cookies to ply us into doing whatever she wants us to do. This time it was to come in the house and quit running through the backyard.

Lula Mae got her back, she rolled all over the carpet, and tried to get the fru-fru smell off by rubbing all over the furniture. She still smells pretty human if you ask me. Frankly, I, like the great Emperor Napoleon, like my women a little musty.

There is always tomorrow. Just you wait and see, we WILL get in a few romps, rolls, and that nasty smell will be gone SOON.....

Besides, Lula Mae has a bit of an attitude when she comes home from the beauty shop. Give me a little more time with her, she will soon be getting in touch with her doggy side again.

Why a Blog???

June 11, 2009

Finally the channel has opened.....after 3 months of extensive multi-dimensional work, primarily consisting of deep iris eye contact, all systems are a go!!!! I have learned a bit of human, and my human has learned POODLESPEAK....Let us first start with introductions.

I, Tito, joined the family in early March of this year. I had started to feel like outcast, something like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, because family after family had visited my home, and no one had chosen me. At first, I was happy to be left with my mom and sibs. I would hide. Once, during a particularly satisfying nap, I had a vision. I saw my human. I knew her when she appeared, Oh ya, I knew I was destined to be her pretty boy. When she came through the front door, it was love at first sight. I even did a back flip for her, just so she would pick me over my sister. I was four and a half months old, when I took the ride, sitting on my human's lap, all the way home. I remember licking her in all my excitement.

When we got home, I met the old lady of the house, a 7 pound Yorkie. Boy was she a crank pot!!!! Even though I was four times her size, she scared me, until we went for a walk together. I had never been on a leash before, let alone out in the big world. That day was a very exciting one for me. Lots to see, sniff, and I was so overwhelmed with joy, I just had to jump up and bite my human on the ear. Boing, boing, boing...all the way around the block.

Then night struck. I was alone in a huge cage, all by myself, howling all night long. The next day, my human took me for another ride in the car. This time we came home with collars, and one that sprayed some stinky stuff when I got too excited, or cried at night.
This went on for two weeks. Daily walks, crying at night despite the stinky spray, then it happened.

Lula Mae entered my life. She is an older woman, five months to be exact, with the curliest cream colored hair, and beautiful apricot ears...when I saw her for the first time, I lost my mind....I turned back flips, raced around the yard, in a feeble attempt to attract attention to myself. Lula Mae was much more interested in sniffing out the smells of the new backyard. When I did get her attention, I learned the reason for her diffidence...this was her third human. She was understandably scared. Lula Mae was the Little Orphan Annie of the poodle world. I tried to tell her this is a good home, good humans, and she could trust them. It took her a little while to warm up to the new family she found herself in.

Today, three months later, we are inseperable....We love walks, chew bones, play kissey face daily, eat a few flowers when no one is watching, but most of all we LOVE to race...Sometimes I let Lula Mae win, she still needs a little reassurance. Tisk, tisk not, I am no push over, when the cream colored angel gets too pushy, I put her in her place. I still have a lot of growing to do, but at 50 pounds, and 27" at the shoulder, I am slowing down. Good thing, my owner says...."I hadn't counted on a giant." Miss Lula Mae is a couple of inches shorter than I am, but she outweighs me by five pounds. I will chatch up with her soon, no worries.

We try to bring the Old Lady Yorkie into the Poodle Club, but she shuns our attempts. She gets to sit with our humans up on the chair all the time. Lula Mae and I horn in on the action every chance we get....

We have lots of things we are still very puzzled about. Now we have a voice-so stay tuned....

Our human says she has lots of things she wonders about too. We have long talks. Shhhh don't tell her, but we will keep you posted!!!!