A Human May Work From Sun To Sun....

 

...but a doggies work is never done!  For the last couple of weeks, there has been a lot of commotion around here. The town hired people to dig up some of the sidewalks and gutters, and to replace them.  Obviously, the workers had their own foreman to supervise them.  But someone from the street needed to step up and make sure the work was done to my, err, our-everyone who lives in the neighborhood's specifications. 

 

So, everyday I would watch from my usual perches in the living room and inspect their work when Daddy or Aunt Pat would take me for walkies.  I had to stop and watch them work, so the workers would know that the residents were concerned and we'd keep our eyes on them.  I figured if they knew they were under extra watchful eyes, they'd do a better job.  

 

The sidewalk looks great.  I was so tempted to immortalize my paw prints in cement, like the famous humans do, but Daddy and Aunt Pat said no.  But, they left these gaps in the pavement around the new gutters.  I can jump over them, but Daddy and Aunt Pat were afraid that the tires on their cars would be damaged.  One of our neighbors but some wood pieces in the gap in front of her driveway.   Daddy did the same thing, although he put more wood in ours.  It's much nicer to walk across the wood instead of jumping like I have to when we're walking and trying to cross the street.  Daddy's like Sir Walter Raleigh-the guy who put his coat over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth!  He's my hero!

So, after all the time I spend on my usual chores plus the extra time supervising the workers, wouldn't you know it, I have to become a flying instructor of all things! 

Aunt Pat took me out to do my potties after dinner one evening and she noticed I was paying close attention to something by the back door.  It was a baby mourning dove that was a little tuckered out.  Aunt Pat said that it was learning to fly and just needed a moment to rest.  Right.  Everyone knows when you fall off a horse, you get right back on so you're not afraid to try it again.  Aunt Pat didn't appreciate my enthusiastic attempts to get the bird flying.  But, the bird did, because he flew right up onto the top step.  He was just getting started, so I kept encouraging him. I got real close to him.  Aunt Pat thought I was going to bite it or eat it or something horrible, so she grabbed me by my collar and took me inside the house.  A little later, Aunt Pat saw the bird in the garden, sunning itself.  By the time I went out to do my pre-bedtime potties, it had gotten into the grass.  So Daddy went outside, picked it up in some gloves and put the bird in the front yard. 
They should've let me out. I whined and barked, but they wouldn't listen.  I was right.  I'm sure if they had listened to me,  and let me out there to coach it, the bird would've gotten over its fear and flown away.

 

I met him again in the back yard a few days later.   He had me chase him around so I could see how well his flying lessons were progressing.  Aunt Pat picked me up and put me in the house again.  She didn't believe we were just playing with each other.  After a bit, he flew away.  

The bird must have put in a good word about me to his friends.  Last week I found a mouse that was in trouble.  It had gotten stuck in the trench Aunt Pat dug for the edging she put in.  I heard it squealing so I tried to dig it out.  I knew it would run away if it could.  But, Aunt Pat picked me up and brought me inside.  Thankfully, Daddy was home, so he went out and freed the mouse because I wouldn't let Aunt Pat out the door without me.  Plus, two nights ago, I woke up and ran all over the house barking.  Daddy went outside with the flashlight and saw a skunk in the front yard!  I don't know what he or she needed.  Daddy took one look at it and came back inside.  He didn't let me out until he was sure it wasn't going to waddle under the fence into our back yard.  I was eager to go outside and get the scoop, but it was pretty stinky out there...even for me. 

Beating The Heat...

...with a haircut!  Well, it's more than just a haircut.  Daddy dropped me off at the Groomer the other day and I had a lovely bath and pampering. As you can see from my "before" photo, I needed it!  Here's my "after" photo.

As you can see, I was very happy afterwards.  I've been able to enjoy a little time outside a lot more with all that extra hair off.  But not much, though.  Daddy and Aunt Pat won't let me stay outside for too long since it's been so hot.  And, we haven't been able to go for as many walkies as usual.  I make sure I get into the shade...once I've had some time sunning myself.  But, Aunt Pat will shoo me into the house, or else sprinkle me with water from the hose if she thinks I need to cool off.  Killjoy. 

Blessed!

I hope everyone is staying cool on this hot, hot day!  This heat is supposed to last all week.  So,  since we can't go walkies as much, I forced, err, I persuaded Aunt Pat to catch everyone up on some of the happenings around here.  You'll be seeing more frequent posts this week.  Anyway, as you can see from the above photo, I have some new jewelry.  No, I'm not talking about the yellow ID tag.  I've had that for years.  I'm talking about the cross!  About three weeks ago, Daddy took me to a church and I was blessed!  Aunt Pat was going to go with us, but she didn't feel well.  After a nice car ride, Daddy and I went into a large field at the back of a church.  I got to meet other dogs, cats, falcons, and turtles!  I had a good sniff of a small turtle, but I was a little leery of the bigger one.  I wasn't sure how friendly it really was.

Anyway, it was a really nice service.  There were hymns, readings from the Bible, and then the Pastor gave each of us a blessing, and the cross.  Once we got home, Aunt  Pat gave me a nice treat for being such a good girl.    

Just When Aunt Pat Thought It Was Safe...

...to have a garden, I prove that yes, dogs can remember things.  Every summer, Aunt Pat plants vegetables in the back yard.  In the past, she showed us what she grew, and gave us samples.  Well, Heidi and I were hooked after that.  Heidi showed me how to pick the beans off the plants...and pull the plants out of the ground if they weren't producing, as well as dig up carrots.  This season, Aunt Pat hoped that without Heidi around to instigate...as she called it, (like our sampling/pulling up the beans and plants was a bad thing?)she finally would have some beans and carrots for her and Daddy to enjoy.

Aunt Pat and Daddy will have some beans, but I didn't forget a thing!  It's my job to inspect everything around here to make sure it's nothing but the best for my family.  That includes sniffing out any problem plants in the garden...  

 And then pulling them out and eating them.  Heck, everyone needs a little more fiber in their diet, right?  Aunt Pat isn't too happy when I have bean leaves stuck on the side of my face. 

 Don't worry, I've left Aunt Pat with a few plants...for now.  Aunt Pat put tomato cages around a couple of her plants.  She said it was to protect them.  But, I know it wasn't from me.  For now, I keep checking the strawberries.  The ones we had earlier in the spring were much better. Probably because of all the rain we had.  The ones we have now are a little small, but I'll keep checking. The carrots are starting to come up, and our lettuce and tomatoes are growing nicely.  I don't sample the lettuce or the tomatoes or the basil.  There are some things even I don't particularly care for.     
   

Another Lovely Gift

We hope you're all having a lovely holiday weekend celebrating our hard fought independence.  I've been quite busy helping Aunt Pat in the garden, taking Daddy for walkies, and meeting so many new dogs and people in the neighborhood. 

 

Daddy came home from getting his and Aunt Pat's dinner recently with a package for Aunt Pat.  His artist friend that did the drawing of all of us from the Christmas photo did a drawing from one of Aunt Pat's favorite photos of Heidi. Heidi and Aunt Pat were very close, and Daddy knew how much she misses her.  We all miss Heidi, it's just been a little harder for Aunt Pat.  Plus, Aunt Pat hasn't been feeling that great lately, and not spending much time at the computer because of the migraines.  Anyway, when this photo was taken, they had just gotten a new dog bed and she was playing with the toy that came with it. 

You can see that the artist made some adjustments in the drawing.  He added the rainbow in the background for the Rainbow Bridge, along with the sun and the clouds she's resting on.  We all got rather emotional about it.  It's now hanging in the front bedroom/home office where Aunt Pat has her computer. 

A Lovely Gift

Tuesday, Aunt Pat and I were in the back yard.  I was eating...er, checking the bean plants to see how they were doing, when we heard a "thunk" from the front of the house.  It sounded like what happens when the Mailman delivers a package. Of course I ran to the gate and started to bark, and we both went inside.  I took up my usual position on the table in front of the window while Aunt Pat went outside.  She came back in with a package!  She was a little perplexed when she read the return address was the Rehab Vet Heidi used to go to. Aunt Pat clawed at the package like I claw at her to give me some of her carrot strips at dinner.  Finally, she got a pair of scissors and got the box opened.  She found this:

 

It's a photo of Heidi in the tank where she used to do her water walking exercise, along with a lovely note from the doctor.  Aunt Pat knew the staff took photos of all their clients, but she hadn't seen this one before.  She and Daddy were very touched.  Tuesday was a month to the day when Heidi passed, so Aunt Pat had been pretty sad all day.  She cheered up a bit when she saw this, but I could tell she had tears in her eyes. I made sure I spent some quality time with both Daddy and Aunt Pat to cheer them up.     

On a Diet

Last Wednesday, Daddy dropped me off at the Groomer!  We were a little late, but it wasn't my fault.  Daddy had written the wrong time in his calendar, so it was straight from walkies to the car!  It was so nice to have a day of pampering after everything that's happened, but I felt a little bad about leaving Daddy and Aunt Pat.  They're still pretty sad, but they're starting to feel better.  I've been keeping them company and giving them extra snuggles, and asking them for tummy rubs.  I know they've appreciated it. They said I should go, so I went.

Anyway, the Groomer did a lovely job as usual.  I feel about 10 pounds lighter, even though the Groomer told Aunt Pat that I needed to lose about 5 pounds.  What can I say, Aunt Pat's a great cook!  When she was cooking the special bland diet for Heidi, I had to sample some, too.  Well, more than just some.  Oh well.  No more pretzels and potato chips, either.  No matter how much I beg.

So now, I'm on reduced portions, and plenty of exercise.  We've been going for 3 walks a day, weather permitting.  It's been nice to get outside in the fresh air and sunshine.  I've enjoyed sunning myself in the back yard as well.  With the weather being so nice, the neighbors have been outside more.  So I've been able to play with Lucy from down the street, and Tony, who stayed with us that time.  His people were out of town and he locked  Daddy and Aunt Pat out of their house when they went over to take care of him.