A Mean Trick

This morning Morgan went to the clinic for surgery to remove the growth on her face. I had a sleepless night thinking about it and almost canceled, but the last time I spoke with Dr B, he said it should come off. When I mentioned her age, he told me that he would make it work. And he did.

We picked her up about an hour ago. She had a local and is now sporting a fashionable shaved spot on her muzzle and three stitches. She was ravenous when she got home and was disappointed when I gave her a small meal of macaroni and beef. I did promise she could have more a little later.

I continue to be amazed at how tough this little girl is and  how she has managed to survive some pretty awful health conditions.

Scare A Dog Day

Hi Everybody,
Today is what some peeps call Halloween but we call it scare a dog day. Let me tell you about some of the scary stuff going on around here. Last night when Dad took Syd and Mac out for last call, one of these was sitting on our front steps.

There's a loud scary noise in the trees behind our fence and we all run for the house when we hear it. Mom says it's an owl, but we don't think so. We think it's one of these.

The other night Dad was busy on the porch and made us stay in the house. Finally after about 87 hours he let us come out and look what was sitting there on the table. Yikes, he's lucky it didn't eat him.

Mom and Dad have this thing about garden spiders. They like them. Mom says they're good spiders that eat lots of bad bugs, but this spider thing is getting out of control. Look at all the spiders on our porch one night last week.

This is a scary time for us but there are a couple of good things about it. First, Mom isn't really into Halloween, so she doesn't make us wear silly costumes. And the very best thing is that Grace and Runtley's Mom made these wonderful pumpkin spice cookies and sent us two plates full. We had some after dinner tonight and boy, were they ever good. And guess what, Noah and I can eat them, too because she used things that are on our special diet.

I really really love those cookies, but I'm keeping my eyes covered so I don't have to see all those other scary things. Tell me when this day is over.

Your pal, Fudge

Happy Christmas To All

This morning we awoke to a beautiful autumn day. The sky was a clear bright blue and the temperatures were in the 60s. A perfect day to celebrate Christmas. My Christmas cactus said it was time, so we got everyone settled, put Morgan and Sebastian in the back seat, a bunch of wrapped gifts in the back of the car and off we went to celebrate with J, T, Gracie and Runtley.

We stopped for take out coffee and then we were off to the lake. On the way we saw lots of wildlife. We saw one of these crossing the road ahead of us. Where there is one, there are often more, so we crept along for a bit, but she was alone.

Next we saw a flock of turkeys wandering thru a field.

There are lots of little ponds on the drive and we actually saw two herons in different ponds.

The strangest sight was a flock of these. They certainly caught my eye but I'm not sure what they represented. Maybe someone just really likes plastic flamingos.

 When we arrived, the dogs all greeted each other and they got along great. I didn't hear a single growl all day. Sebastian was busy giving kisses and begging for lots of petting. He watched Grace use the doggie door and tried it himself. He thought it was great to run in and out whenever he wanted.

Morgan paced around the house for hours and is tired out from all the walking.

We always celebrate Christmas early because getting together in December just isn't convenient. This way we avoid the last minute rush because it's over before others have begun. There were presents for everyone. What fun!

Runtley needed a little help with her gift.

She tried on her new holiday collar immediately. Perfect fit.

Grace wanted to help open hers.

She got a sweet new collar, too.

J and T and Rob and I all opened gifts and laughed and hugged and had a fun time. Then we went out to a holiday lunch. The waitress seemed a little confused at first when we were wishing people Merry Christmas and chatting about Christmas lunch, but she got into the mood quickly and wished us all a happy holiday when we left.

It was a great start to the season and what's better than spending time laughing and celebrating with good friends, no matter the date.

Mackey the Mouser

Every year since we've lived here, as soon as fall arrives with cool nights, little field mice attempt to come in and find a warm place to winter. Some have been more successful than others. We've found the favorite entry places and try to catch them right away.

Last week Rob and I were talking about being on guard against mice now that the weather has changed. I think someone was listening too closely.

Friday evening, after the dogs were fed, we went out for dinner. When we returned, Rob sat down at his computer, but something was missing. His mouse was gone. Rob can be absent minded so we started a search in the usual places where he's been know to leave his keys or the remote. No mouse.

Then I glanced over at a dog bed in the corner of the living room and there it was. It had been killed.

Rob had to make an unplanned trip to buy a new mouse and he has learned to put it on the shelf when not in use.

But Mom, I thought you wanted me to kill any mouse that was in the house.

Peeps can be so confusing.

And The Party Rolls On

Yesterday afternoon I looked thru my doggy cookbooks, yes I have several, and found a recipe for carrot muffins. I was looking for something that was safe for Noah and Fudge to eat and this one seemed the safest.

They were made with carrots and oats and cinnamon, so they smelled wonderful.

This morning I made the frosting from cream cheese and yogurt. Fudge reminded me not to forget the sprinkles. It just isn't a party without sprinkles.

Then it was time for the festivities to start.

Look how nicely they're all sitting.

Rob handed the pupcakes out, one to a customer.

 Check out Sydney's tongue in anticipation.

Everyone seemed to approve of the new recipe.

Someone dribbled frosting all over Sebastian.

Rob tried one, he tries all the dog treats, and said they could bake a little longer next time. The dogs had no complaints.

Mackey took hers under the tree and licked off all the frosting before eating the pupcake.

Licking the frosting is always the best part. I used to think so when I was a kid and I still do.

Sydney and Bailey made sure that no crumbs were left behind. They're a pretty good cleanup crew.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all my babies....
Noah

Bailey

Lola

Tess

Norma Jean

And this morning we sent birthday wishes to Gracie. It seems like yesterday that we got to meet all of you for the first time.