November 22, 1996

Hey! Nine years ago this evening Joe and I were married. Yes, to each other!
There is no one in the world like him. Ask anyone:-)! Thank you

Joe for being my best friend and the most wonderful husband and doggie dad. I love you so much.

Which face would you trust?

Can you pick out the REAL bully among us??? I'll give you one guess...

Are you my mother?

Exhausted, confused and extremely frightened, Owen immediately ran to the safety of a giant tortoise when we released him in Haller Park. Mzee, our 130 year old tortoise, just happened to be nearby and he was very surprised by Owen's odd behavior cowering behind him as a baby hippo does to its mother. Mzee quickly came to terms with his new friend and even returned signs of affection. The unusual relationship between this baby hippo and the ancient tortoise amazed people the world over.

I'm often accused of anthrpomorphizing which tends to annoy me when I feel I am being completely rational. It is one thing when I feel sorry for a rock that accidentally got itself stuck between a crack in the sidewalk, but it is another to feel sorry for a hippo who has lost its family in a tsunami. Is it wrong to attribute human characteristics to animals, when animals exhibit those same characteristics or emotions? Are they just a bundle of neurons and synaptic gaps that react to their environment without thought or feeling?

Although animals are not able to comprehend things in the same manner as humans, they clearly express many of the same emotions: joy, sadness, elation, curiousity, boredom, fear and insecurity. When I come home and I have my yorkies standing up and dancing their ecstatic jig, with tail and tongues wagging - no one can tell me that that is not joy.

I remember a day a couple of years ago when I recieved news of a very close friend's untimely death. I was beside myself with tears and could barely speak to Joe about what had happened. Skye, my 7 lb boy, jumped up on my lap and I have no doubt his tilted head and soft licks were his way of showing concern and caring. He would not leave my side all night.
He didn't understand that I had lost someone I had loved, but he knew that I was not happy and was genuinely concerned in the same way I am concerned when he crawls into the closet and whimpers.

I've often made comments about the treatment of animals to which I get the reply "yeah, but they are really stupid animals" or "they were bred for this purpose". My frog that I had to pith and dissect in college biology was relieved to learn that he was bred to be cut up and pinned to a board. We are all here for a reason and that was his. Whew! I could see the relief on his face.

Obviously, many creatures were not blessed with our intellect or understanding. We have elected some of those same creatures to our country's top offices without discrimination....but I digress.

There are also many animals that may be "stupid" because

they have never seen the outside of a metal pole barn. No stimulation, no affection, no play is a recipe for a dumb, scared and depressed animal. See this about poor Hovis http://www.scallywagsdogs.com/hovis.html. Luckily, someone recognized him as a animal with feelings and worth loving. Now, he has his own couch although his experience with "learned helplessness" has left him in a semi-autistic state.













This post could be an endless rant on my part so I will leave it here. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving - and give special thanks for your pets and the animals that surround us - including the one stuffed and sitting on your dining room table:-).

The Last of Fall

This past weekend we took a trip to Afton State Park for what I believe was the last of the perfect fall weather. It was Weesa's first trip to a park and she seemed to love all the sites and smells. Her favorite part was our stop at Selma's Ice Cream Parlor on the way home. She ordered some vanilla ice cream which she dutifully shared with Skye and Sophia.

We are now getting ready for the first winter storm of the season. I'm not sure I'm ready for the hibernation period but decorating for Christmas will be fun. I'll have to see if I can make "Three Wise Men" costumes for my schmoos.

A Tight Squeeze

Joe and I finally splurged and bought a king size bed to accomodate our furry family. That was working well until Skye decided for his birthday (as the second man of the house) that he too would like a king size bed. He forgot to stipulate that "no girls are allowed" but he does his best to be patient and accepting.

Horoscopes

Sophia Louies 8/11/2003
THE LEO YORKIE (July 22 - Aug 21): Leo's can wrap you around their Finger and you'll never know it. They want to be the Ruler of the house and will be! They enjoy being treated as King of the House, and therefore many Leo's are spoiled, and they prefer it this way. They are very loyal Pets, but you must do your part to keep them this way. They must be reminded of your love and gratitude, after all they know their #1. The courageous Leo can also shine through, for extra attention!


Skye Pilot 11-7-2002
THE SCORPIO YORKIE(Oct 23 - Nov 21): Scorpio's can be very interesting to say the least. Being extremely stubborn and self reliant at times. What a complex being, completely loyal to their Master, and at the same time as independent as can be. They are the searchers of the signs, and for what they only know. One Man's Junk is anothers Treasures fits the Scorpio's, so you'll never know what they'll dig up next and bring home to you. Even though they have the desire to roam, they also can tune into their owners feelings. If your having an off day, that Scorpio will stay close at hand just in case you need them.

Elizabeth Blue (7/18/2004) (Weesa)
THE CANCER YORKIE (June 21 - July 21): Home and Family is embedded deep in the Hearts of the Cancers. The words "There's No Place Like Home" would come out of the Cancer Pets very freely with the deepest meaning if they could speak. Family is also very important to them, so this isn't a Pet that wants to be home alone, and does get upset if left for long periods. The Cancer Pets are also very sensitive, knowing the moods within the family. Harmony is important to them, so if your having an off day, don't be surprised when your Pet reacts to you in a sympathetic way. They can also have their bad days, but they will work it out themselves. They need a little extra space during these days and be left alone. But before you know it they'll be back on track. Stress and Diet change can cause Digestive problems in our Cancer Sign Friends.

An Ode to the Teenie Greenie

Whose Greenie this is I think I know,
Beth doesn't know I took it though.
Won't my sisters think it queer
To find their treats did disappear.

To take it back would cause a stir,
You will not like my possessive purr.
So leave me be to fill my tummy
And scold yourself for not being the Alpha
Dummy.

-By Stewart Little (aka green poopin monster)

Addendum: This was a cute poem until Skye came down with severe HGE (colitis) from a greenie blockage. Do not feed your dogs greenies! They are dangerous. Sorry Stew, no more for you:-)

Anxiety

Skye's Scream (Skrik, 1893) is a seminal expressionist painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Regarded by many as his most important work, it is said by some to symbolize the modern yorkie taken by an attack of existential angst.

Today's Birthday

Skye (Stewart Little) is 3 years old today. He is the most loving and eager to please puppy in the world. Our lives were forever changed the day we brought him home.

Waiting for da Noreaster

We don't know exactly what that is, but Grampa David says the waves on Lake Superior get so big that they pick up deer and squirrels and throws them against this window. So, we ain't leaving till it shows up!

Life's Challenges

When did life's fun challenges become frustrations? When I was little, I remember being the kind of kid who wanted to do everything myself. I insisted on it. Even if I couldn't do it exactly perfect, I wanted to try. That is how kids learn, isn't it? Exploring and playing in a safe atmosphere where we are applauded for our creativity and resilience.

At what age does that get sucked out of people and replaced by fear? Many adults, including myself, fear challenges, fear making mistakes and definitely fear playing. When our peers don't laugh with us and think we are cute when we put our clothes on inside out or backwards, it is disconcerting. It seems blending in and conformity is the norm. There is only one way to do things correctly and anything that diverges from that is "failure".

Where I work a square peg always has to go into the square hole. There is nothing cute about trying to put a triangle (or a piece of bologna) into a round hole. The pressure is great to stifle that sort of creativity.

Today, I am trying to view everyone at work as they were when they were three years old. I know that three year old is still there in all of us (I can smell the wet diapers.)- just waiting for a safe nurturing environment to express themselves.

I think today, I will suggest that next Friday be "Wear your clothes backwards day." I wonder how many people would be brave enough to play.

Take Me Away

There are days when all three pups come running to me and I know exactly what they want. They want to be taken AWAY from there hum drum life at home t0 anywhere with squirrels. I'm feeling that way today too! Somebody come and give me a ride in the car please!!!! Work is dreadful.

Sophia and Weesa Basking in the sun

Morning bedhead is the worst!

Halloween

Happy Belated Halloween! We had a big turnout at our house. Oddly, it appears more pooches came to visit than kids.

Sherlock (above right) wanted to check out our treat cabinet.

Sophia, my cowgirl, preferred to be a guard cow and stood at the door protecting us from ghosts and goblins all night.

Ozzy, the cool guy in denim, stopped by to meet our new yorkie Elizabeth - who refused to wear a costume:-). Fun was had by all.