"Silence is golden"

... as the old American proverb says... but as we all know, a golden is rarely silent! She has to have a good reason!

My reason? Squirrel (pecan) season!

I've given them a run for their nuts, and much to Mom's dismay, I've got a few more notches on my collar. Some of them are pretty smart, though... and as much as my little oak tree has grown, they're now able to jump from it into larger trees, goshdarnit.

Sorry for the silence, but in my down time, I've been squeakin' on squeakers, nappin', waitin' or lovin' on Mom.

That's not to say that I haven't had various and sundry enlightenin' thoughts worthy of sharin'... just that I've been thinkin' an hordin' em.

Holidays are 'proachin' now, though... squirrels are a might lackadaisical these days, and who knows... I might just take a break from network tv and blog a while (thanks or blame goes to the writers strike).

A Golden Retriever's Next Best Friend

It goes without saying that my very best friend is my Mom.

And now I'd like to introduce my next best friend: the Hawaiian Breeze oscillating fan that has come this day to reside on my side of the bed.

This 40" gal works in a variety of modes, moods, behaviors and speeds, is quiet as a mouth... and has a clicker that will allow Mom to operate it from HER side of the bed.

'She' was presented to me as a gift, intended to balance the disparity of temperatures between Mom's side of the bed and mine. I took a fabulous nap in her company, but the jury is still out as to whether I continue to prefer Mom's side of the bed.

A Golden Retriever's Thoughts: My Weekend

1. Excellent Friday afternoon photos... don't you think? (I think I might have heard the words... 'pretty' and 'precious' to describe them!).
2. Gave Auntie Dav a card and some pritty pitchers for her birfday.
3. Mom came home yesterday afternoon with chinese food and cookies... but she smelled like 'Cheddar'!
4. Mom told me that 'Cheddar' is large, and I am small.
5. Mom stayed a little too busy for my likin'. And she came home last night complainin' about those other peoples she calls 'Comets'. I think from the sound of it, they should be called the "No No Bad Girls".
6. Entirely too much rain for good quality time outdoors.
7. Over and out! I heard Mom ordered a pizza and there's a "ding" at the door!

A Great Day To Be A Golden Retriever!

Close up photo and clean toofies!

Lush garden!
Sunshine!
A festive gift from Hawaii!
Auntie Dav's love!
And Mom's attention!

LIFE IS GOOD!

Golden Retriever Thoughts for Today

1. Shoving pillows around on the sofa is fun indoor activity.
2. Why does it rain every weekend, while week days are gloriously sunny?
3. That squirt-in-da-mouf stuff is starting to taste pretty good!
4. Mom works too hard for too long. I don't like it when she doesn't have enough brain left for me!

Dear Diary: The Day After

The best part about the day after is that my eating and drinking privileges have been restored.

The worst part about the day after is that I will now be getting a squirt of this awful stuff in my mouth after every meal. It smells pretty good, though. If you don't believe me, sniff Mom. She's wearing it!

Dear Diary: Still Mopey

... and Mom thinks Im mad at her.

How could I be mad at Mom???

I wasn't crazy about yesterday.
I missed breakfast, was put in a jail cell,
had my blood drained and an EKG,
was made to take a nap... and I woke up with a sore mouf.
To add insult to injury, when I got home,
I was only given a sip of water every thirty minutes
and two small snacks of about one quarter each of my regular dinner.

It's just kinda hard to be lovey dovey after a day like that...
but I'm not mad at Mom!

Dear Diary: 2 Groggy 2 Bloggy

'S what I am.

Not 2 groggy 2 beg for food or drink
or 2 ask 2 go outside.
But 2 groggy 2 have meaningful dialogue.
I sure have pretty toofies, though.

OLD Photo with the dirty toofies.
I'm not in the mood, and Mom's too tired
to take a picture of the clean toofies... but stay tuned.

Dear Diary: Phone Message, Fear and...

Phone Message:

Ah oh. Miss Leslie left a message on the answering machine this morning, after Mom had left for work. I heard it. Tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow I will have my teeth cleaned. Tomorrow.

Fear:

I have none. Ok, I have a little. Not much, I said, just a little. Frankly, I'm more afraid of a morning without breakfast... but I will handle it like a trooper.

Mom's a little iffy. One minute she's fine. The next minute she's a little "teary".

And:

Could we please stop playing "Hug the puppy"????

A Golden Retiever's Thoughts on Impending Dental Care

I started taking mystery pills today,
anti-bionics or some such thing,
and the last time this happened,
I found myself having my toofies cleaned.

1. My breaf couldn't be THAT bad, cause Mom and I often sleep nose to nose. The only complaints I've heard from her was about "murder" on my breaf!
2. My toofies are clean enough for a pretty smile. And if you don't think so, turn your head.
3. My toofies are strong enough to crunch through dry kibbles, Buddies biscuits and Dingo bones.
4. This may be the true test of our monarchy, as the formal edict from the queen reads... "Down with Dental Care."
5. I believe this violates number 10 of 'The Ten Commandments', which reads in part, "Thou shalt never leave me behind." Ok, I know this falls within the exceptions, but you can bet I'll look over my shoulder and make Mom feel bad about this one!

Golden Retriever Rescue

Early this morning, Mom and I watched a thing on the news about Golden Retrievers who have been rescued, and a fundraiser to support their care... and more rescues.

Whoa! This idea of "rescue" is completely foreign to me... but as Mom and I laid in bed together, she told me bits and snippets of how peoples fail God's most special creatures.

And I began to reflect on 'The Ten Commandments'...

A Golden Retriever Who Dunnit (& Fundraiser)

Mom and I saw it on the news this morning...

Mystery author David Rosenfelt has written a a new book, featuring a Golden Retriever. And he'll be available for a book signing and fund raising event (for two Golden Retriever Rescue groups) at French Alliance ( 427 Lovett Blvd, Houston, Tx 77006, 713 526 1121) on June 9, from 3 to 5pm.

Ten bills will get Mom in and she can enjoy appetizers, drinks, a silent auction and a live one... for naming rights of a character to be featured in his next book! An while I'm pretty secure in goldenhood, I would be lying if I didn't admit to being a little awestruck at the possibility of having his next heroine named after li'l ole me! .

In the meantime, you can find me clearing Mom's schedule for the 9th. Go Mom go! And take your doggy bank!

A Golden Retriever's Thoughts on Veterinary Care & Routine Maintenance

Took me a trip today... to one of my favorite places!
Doctor B's Office!

Yep, you read that right! I know, I know... I just might be the only dog in the world that loves to go to the vet's office, but I do! I really do!

I should, however, qualify that statement by saying... I've never been hurt, and I've only been sick once (though there have been a couple of times that Mom flipped out over something that was nothing). Here's how it went today:

1. Great car ride with tons of cold air blowing on my face, and songs sung about me!
2. Got there twenty minutes early... hopped out of the car and tried to p in a big bunch of blooming flowers. I guess from Mom's reaction... that's a no-no.
3. Took a walk down the street where I grew up! Kinda fun... kinda fulla memories... and a major 'Thank The Good Lord' moment that I now have my own backyard!
4. Met a really nice lady who mistook my "eeeeeeeeeeeeee" as an 'I don't want to be here' shriek, rather than my anthem of shear joy. Got some good lovin' from her!
5. Loved all the 'girls' behind the big counter... them that had two legs and them that had four. Miss L gave me a handful of liver treats, and talked to me about many meaningful subjects, including how pretty I am (if a golden retriever could blush... I would have. Instead, awww shucks, I squinted and smiled.)
6. Doctor B checked me over thoroughly... twice (gee thanks, Mom), gave me a quick shot to the back of the neck (didn't feel a thing) and some nose spray. Ok, that's the one thing I don't like...
7. Got a pedicure, and I liked that best when I got home... better traction on the hardwoods, less on the comforter!
8. Gal who operates the computer at checkout might be occasionally dyslexic... She typed my weight as 66 pounds (instead of 69!)... and you gotta love her for that! Unfortunately, Mom noted that she was dead on with the invoice amount. Yikes. Mom said I might have to get a job.
9. Mom made an appointment for me to go back to see them next Wednesday! That seems a bit odd, so soon... but it's ok. I've got many other 'bits' in my repertoire!
10. The trip home was great, too... lots of cold air and resting my head on Mom's shoulder. And awaiting me at home, was a cool bowl of water, a yard full of squirrels... and a nice afternoon nap. Life's good!

Like A Frisbee!

Ever have one of these, launch out of the top of a tree,
sailing, sailing, sailing toward the ground...
until you catch it in your mouth like a frisbee?

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Search for squirrel!

Until today, neither had I.

Long Story Made Short:
Flushed four squirrels, a mama and her adolescents.
Mama S ran up a small tree. And I tried to climb up after her.
MY Mom got the rake to get my attention.
I think Mama S thought MY Mom was scolding her, rather than me.
Mama S sailed... and I caught her in mid-air.
Picture all three (me and the two mamas) of us shocked!
I was so shocked that I let her go, but chased her to the fence...
where she ran to safety.
There is no murder on my breath today!

A Golden Retriever's Thoughts on Rain, Rain, Every Day Rain!

Behold: Upper Lake Comet!

You should see the Lower Lake beyond the Hot Tub Dam(n),
as well as the swollen banks of No No Bad Girl bayou
and the various Comet Stay Out of the Mud tributaries!

My Favorite Things to Do on this Rainy Saturday

1. Take a nap with Mom, in the bed.
2. Hustle 'Munchos'.
3. Look out the window... and wait.
4. Chase squirrels in the rain.
5. Splash Splash Splash!
6. Get dried off with a "good" plush towel.
7. Take another nap, belly up, in my chair!

A Golden Retriever's Thoughts on This Rainy Saturday

Glub Glub Glub
Where are my water wings?

And this photo was taken after the water receded!

Me and Mom had tons of plans for this glorious three day weekend. And then we woke up this morning to a weather report of increasing chances of rain each day, through next Tuesday.

I have mixed emotions:

Sad: Squirrels don't seem to work in a storm.
Happy: Mom doesn't either!

Sad: I'll be chastised for each mud puddle I adorn.
Happy: A bath was scheduled for this weekend!

Sad: I'm not going to get that walk in the park I was promised.
Happy: Mom is less likely to go out visiting, piddling, errand running or shopping!

I think I would be much happier if our weather were better.
But I've got to tell you, I'm grateful for any three days I've got Mom to myself!
So, all's good with me!

A Golden Retriever's Intuition

Mom came home and put this shirt on.

Call it an inkling, or call it a hunch,

but I sense that she didn't have a great day at work!

Front:

Back:

But don't you worry!
I can melt her worries with a single sweep of my tail!
Comet to the Rescue!!!

A Golden Retriever's Thoughts On "The Three P's"

Today's Pressing Household Issues:
Peeing, Pooping and Plumbing

According to Mom, one of the "perks" (my word, not hers) to living in an old house... is the opportunity (my word, not hers) to mop up water and shut down the bathrooms, kitchen and washing machine for sixteen or eighteen hours at a time... every 9 months or a year.

And that led me to paws and ponder upon "the three p's":

1. I was taught that the only place I should go... is outside.
2. And today, I'm more thankful than ever!
3. My favorite thing about the indoor toilet is the opportunity to corner Mom and enjoy a good head scratch.
4. The only thing I like about the shower is licking Mom's legs when she comes out of it... otherwise, it's pure evil.
5. Really, am I not fully capable of cleaning the dishes after dinner?
6. It's not so bad that last night's dinner dishes, pots and pans weren't cleaned... I rather admire the aromas.
7. Two of my best friends came over and fixed our problem. I tried to help them, but Mom said if I knew how to fix it, why didn't I fix it last night? I answered the best way I knew how... "woo woo woo".
8. My friends were really cute and gave me good attention. I can't wait to see them again in a few months. But a question... why did Mom pay them to leave???
9. Coming in from the rain, knee deep in mud... and just when I thought we were completely out of towels, Mom whips out four more: three wet to give me a rub-down, and one to dry!
10. ANY P that keeps Mom home is all right by me!

How I Enjoyed My Sunday

Sunday is a good day to paws and enjoy your garden...

Or to wreak havoc... whichever suits you!

Here's how I enjoyed MY Sunday:

1. Slept in... shmuggled with Mom...
   and had a good long stretch.
2. Made a circle through the house and went outside for general security and personal comfort purposes.
3. Played with Hank, my honking duck.
4. Ate my tasty breakfast.
5. Ate a couple of bites of Mom's tasty breakfast.
6. Went outside for personal comfort purposes...
   and to wake up the other dogs in the neighborhood.
7. Got tons of leaves plucked from my tail and chest.
   Was asked how they got there...
   didn't know the answer.
8. Took a nap, upside down on the bed.
9. Found birthday bunny and wrestled him on the floor,
   hurdled him onto the bed and honked him senseless.
10. Saw a squirrel out the back window
    and had to go back outside...
    chased, but did not catch him.
11. Laid in the sun and enjoyed the cool breeze.
12. Came inside to bark at something out the front window...
    can't remember what it was, but I assure you
    that I thwarted a major security threat.
13. Watched Mom work.
14. Took a nap, upside down in my chair.
15. Reminded Mom of the time. Tick tock tick tock.
16. Ate my tasty dinner, which oddly enough,
    tasted a lot like my breakfast.
17. Dug a hole by the fence, under the huge azalea.
18. Got scolded.
19. Looked adorable wtih dirt on my nose.
20. Barked at a little girl on the other side of the fence.
21. Got scolded.
22. Looked sheepish... and adorable.
23. Laid in the shade, listened to the many and varied sounds,
    and sniffed the aromas...
    including the neighbor's barbecue pit!

Now I'm wondering... what Mom's having for dinner!
And hoping that tomorrow is another Sunday!