Dear Diary: Science Diet Recalls!

Along with very bad news there is also good news:

I am mere moments away from a life of
roasted duck with mango salsa!

Dear Diary: An Introduction

An idea for a new blog concept is born...

Credit for the nifty cartoon goes mostly to the folks that inscribed and tagged it...
but thanks also go to my pal who sent it to me in a gmail!

Dial M for Mailman, Mischief & Mama!

A little thing happened today.

It was an ordinary day, by all other counts... until that shady mailman planted his capitalist propoganda into my mailbox... and what can I say...

Today I snapped.

Hear me out! For four years, he's tiptoed onto my porch in his eerily passive, yet oppressingly official blue uniform and sneaky shoes. He plants all manner of documents... catalogs, circulars and bills, in the metal box by my front door. To his credit, he occasionally brings cards that I send Mom... but for the most part, he delivers pure evil.

And today... I snapped.

What did I learn about hitting the window and barking with wild abandon? Well...

1. The alarm really works. Thank you Brinks!


2. Policemen take home intrusions seriously. (Shout out to Officer Dave!... Smooches!).


3. Mom can get home really fast when she's scared.


4. Auntie S, next door, is even faster.


5. It's probably not a good thing to bark wrecklessly (as if she's a burglar), when Mom can't remember the alarm password.


6. All in all, though, not a bad deal. Mailman at bay... Mom home early... and tons of attention!

Hmmmm... I may try this again tomorrow!

Toby Saves His Mom!

I jump on MY mom all the time,
but Toby really knows what he's doing!

Photo by Adelma Gregory-Bunnell / Cecil Whig via AP. Thanks!

Toby, a brilliant 2-year-old golden retriever, witnessed his Mom choking on an apple. She tried to perform the Heimlich on herself but wasn't successful. After she began beating on her chest, Toby sensed an emergency at hand, and took matters into his own paws.

He stood up on his hind feet, put his front paws on her shoulders, pushed her to the ground, and began to jump up and down on her chest. The apple dislodged and Toby licked his Mom's face to keep her from passing out!

For the record, I would do anything to rescue MY Mom, and I would have reacted the exact same way... except I would have also scarfed down the apple bite.

No need in letting a tasty treat go to waste!

Happy Happy Happy...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Graphic by Angi Laframboise
who has an online gallery of really great work!
Of course, her golden retriever t-shirts, buttons, journals, coffee cups
and a ton of other neat things... are just awesome!
I just love 'em!
Click on the links and buy something!

Happy Valentine's Day, Mom!

You're not just my Mom...
You're my BFF!

Auntie D and yours truly have been sneaking around again!
She picked me up the other day and took me shopping!
Check out the swell card we picked out for Mom!
Girl-O-Girl was she surprsised!

My handwriting is improving... don't you think?

Merry Christmas to All...

And to All a Good Night!

As "legend" has it... this is pick-up night...
you know, the night that Santa comes back
and picks up toys from children who are not grateful...

So, let me begin by thanking everyone
who made my Christmas SPECIAL beyond my wildest dreams!

Thank you, Mom!

And thank you Aunties and God-Moms Kristi and Susan!
I'm truly sorry I've already killed the reindeer...
but at least he still rattles!

Thank you Auntie M and Shy-Knees!
Please know that Hippy lives well with me!
You MUST come for a playdate soon!

Thank you Auntie S, Uncle M and Sammy!
You know how I love couture...
and well, puppy baby has the most adorable squeaky!

And thank you Auntie D, Uncle B and cousin Lovey!
I adore the duck, mini effy and min-pin-gwin!
And while I'm not keen on Mom's visit to you on this specialist of days...
I also want to thank you for the mood she returns to me in,
and for the tasty foil wrapped foods she brings in tow!
It's a small price to pay for a solitary nap! :-)

All in all, it was a BLESSED Christmas Day!
Mom didn't get the Play Station 3 that I asked for...
but she told me, as we shmuggled tonight...

all she really wants is
continued good health and long days for us both!

Christmas Couture and My Gift from Sammy!

Christmas is full of surprises...
And so is Sammy!

Poised on sofa pillows, I am adorning Christmas couture from Sammy, and accessorized with reindeer antlers, strung with mock Christmas lights.

I love my festive new collar... but not as much as the soft, squeaking puppy baby that Sammy also gave me! If I seem a bit impatient here... it's because the baby lurks in the bedroom, calling me hither!

Merry Krinkle Christmas, Mom!

Reindeer Dog... Comet!

Mom has been scurrying around here, decorating my tree... and arriving home each day with exciting bags of goodies that I know are all for me! I'm allowed to root my nose through a few of them, but most are put away... far, far out of my reach.

Still... I decided to surprise her with another card!

My Mom loves and collects Krinkle ornaments, and it all started with Reindeer Dog.
You see, she and Auntie D have this tradition.
They spend one whole Saturday... away from me.
Ok, I'm not so keen on that part, but they go to some place called eeeevints...
and the great thing is that Mom comes back really happy...
loaded with bags and bags of neat things she hangs on my special tree.

I don't know what all they do on their expedition...
but this year Mom came home smelling like Cheddar! (more on that later!).

What Mom doesn't know... is that Auntie D and I have OUR traditions too...
We sneak off and buy really great things for Mom... like this card!

Merry Christmas, Mom!

Is this what you meant when you said I could have my own tree?

This is actually the first Christmas card I sent my Mom this year!
She loved it! And it was a terrific surprise!

The selection was quite easy as it both appropriately expresses my enthusiasm for the season and is reminiscent of the cards Mom sent out in celebration of my first Christmas!

And with a secretive trip down to the post office in Friendswood, I mailed this one off!
Thanks for the ride, Auntie D!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been a very good girl this year.
And please remember that you can't believe everything the mailman says...
nor take the lawn guy's word as gospel!
I believe it would behoove you to listen more carefully
to my more impartial references...
like Mom!

Christmas is a time of holy celebration and gratitude and, well... for asking for things you want.

And in the spirit of self reflection, I am providing you with a short list of my desires. If you can't deliver everything, please begin at the top of the list!

1. More one-on-one love, cuddle, play, story, laugh, talk, dance time with Mom.
2. More time with everyone I love... family and friends.
3. More songs about me, sung to me... by Mom.
4. More time in my yard!
5. More adventurous walks through the park and neighborhood.
6. Another adventurous vacation.
7. Soft and cute toys that squeak, rattle, talk and play hide-n-seek under the covers!
8. Cute collars, coats and outfits that I can don with pride.
9. Tasty treats I can gulp down... and long-lasting ones that I can hide under the sofa pillows.
10. And Santa, in the spirit of the season,
    please bring a PlayStation 3 for Mom.

Wet kisses, huge tail wags... and lots of love!

CoMeT

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

How pretty I look in front of ye!

Don't let my glum look fool you.
I love posing in my new collar with holiday candy accents!
Mom bought us new hers and mine antlers... but I prefer hers to mine!

Mother's Day, About the Bike

Happy Mother's Day, Mom... sorta.

For the record... I didn't give her the bike.
I gave her the time to ride it.

And for the record, I'm not crazy about it.
I resign myself to it for now, but I think I can take it.
Eventually, she will leave for work.
If I can't chase it away, perhaps
I can clean my teeth with the tires.

Perhaps.

Working The Room at the Vet's Office: Bob Hope Would Be Proud!

I might have mentioned here before... I love to go. And today we went to the vet's office for my 6 month checkup and shots.

We left home during a break in this morning's storm. To show my appreciation to Mom, from the constraints of my backseat belt, I alternately rested my head on her shoulder and gently licked her cheek. Of course, I had to take the occasional break to shnooof the air conditioning!

We arrived at the vet's office to find a crowded waiting room. There were small dogs; there were large dogs. There were sick dogs; there were scared dogs. And they were all there to be entertained. So, for 53 minutes, much to Mom's dismay, entertain I did! I know my commands, and sit I shall... but there's not a command in the world to keep me from sweeping the floor with my tail and smiling, smiling, smiling! And if the occasional "woo woo woo" parts my lips, am I to blame?

I believe I brought a little sunshine into Betty's day, and she needed that since she was suffering from a mild case of sloopy poopy.

And the little PomPom, who had a fear of large dogs since one attacked her... I think my gentle kisses helped her overcome at least some of her fears. After all, she was willingly coming out of her little 'purse' to watch me!

And the two little chewawas couldn't keep their eyes off me!

Of course, there was the one brief intermission... when the Mom of the pit bull asked us to all move to one side of the room, because he was "cantankerous"... HER words, not MINE. MINE would be... scarey as hell! To everyone's relief, he passed right through the waiting room to a maximum security kennel.

My checkup was short, but pleasant. Dr. B was out of town, so I saw Dr. C. I like Dr. B a little better, only because she "gets" me and Mom. Dr. C is nice though, even though he seems a little suspicious of my good nature! So, I got a shot and a squirt up the nose. The good thing is that Dr. C won't get kennel cough either. No lumps, no bumps, good heart, clear lungs, a pokey in the rear and my nails clipped! I'm good for another 6 months!

The trip home was as the trip there. And the water bowl was a welcome sight at home!

The adventure, for whatever reason, seemed a little tiring for Mom. She went to lunch with Sammy's Mom and Dad (Sammy went to the vet this morning, too!). They must have left us home so they could commisserate or some such thing. And when she got home, we took a good long nap.

Ok, I'll admit it... I'm a little tired, too.

But the troops had to be entertained. It was the least I could do, given the opportunity and the circumstances. So long as there is need, the CSO (Comet Service Organization) show must go on!

But for now... I must rest and reflect on the day.

Ell Eee Tee Ess GO!

Perhaps you can tell from today's discussion topic... I've got GOING on my mind.

Me and Sammy and our moms went on a walk last night. And I think we should go on a walk tonight. I mean, we should, right?

I have tried all of the tricks. I have barked. I have bumped the leash hanging on the hook, repeatedly. I have stared Mom down. And I have sighed deeply.

And nothing. Absolutely NOTHING.

Mom seems real tired and has been on the phone non-stop... something about a meeting, question on a jobsite and my uncle in the hospital (he's ok, thank God!). She even talked to some man that must've done her wrong some time. That may have been the final straw.

I'm afraid the only place we're going tonight is... bed.

Sigh.

goldens rule no. 8

The more I go, the more I want... yea, the more I expect to go.

A Golden Girl's Thoughts On Going

I love going:

1. on vacations
2. camping
3. to the beach
4. to friends' houses
5. on walks
6. on playdates
7. to Petco / PetsMart
8. outside
9. to bed

There are exceptions. I don't like going:

1. On errands. I don't get it. You go and go and go and end up right back where you started. Makes no sense.
2. And being dropped off. Name the reason. It ain't good.

Pawsing With Skooochy

Skooochy

Sammy gave him to me for my birthday.

He's named that because that's the sound he makes.
He's an excellent wrestling partner, and I like to rest with him, too.
He fits into the window sill real good, and I like to rest my head on him.

(Check out my muddy paws. Mom almost had a heart attack when she caught me in this chair!)

Curling Up With Bob

My Birthday Present from ShineyBo!

Skweek Skweek Skweek Skweek!
Excellent vocal companion to the American Idol Contestants.
Text message VOTE to 530-BOB!

Love that Bob!

(Not so crazy about Mom's housekeeping! She's been making boxes again!)

My Birthday Gifts

The Lineup:

Skooochy, Big Frawgy, Chocklick Covered Do-nut (front), Bob, Ducky (aka Kenny), Flamingo in a Bikini, Funny Blue Bird, Jonah 5, Jonah 6, Jonah 7, Lil Frawgy

(You're probably wondering. Yes, Mom took this picture while I was outside).