Big Changes for Mama-- and Me!

Mama started her new job on Monday. It was very exciting! But it was also very tiring. Not only did Mama have a new job, she also had a Christmas concert to do on Tuesday, so it was a very busy week. On Monday, we got up and took our long walk, then Mama started doing things she hasn't done in a while, like putting on makeup and nice clothes and doing her hair. Then she LEFT. I was very confused! I am used to having Mama around.

On that first day, though, Mama came home in the afternoon! Yay! I can deal with that. She said the office didn't have Internet yet and she had to do a phone meeting, then she was done for the day. It was nice to have her around. Mama said it was good to have a slow first day and that she liked her office very much. On Tuesday, though, my mama was gone ALL DAY. She left from work to go straight downtown to do her concert. It was distressing. But Papa came home in the afternoon and took me out for a walk, and I liked being home with him. Mama got home late at night and I was so excited to see her! I miss my mama when she's not here.

On Thursday, Mama took me to daycare. I didn't like when she left me, but I had so much fun with all my daycare friends-- we ran and ran and ran and got so tired. Then on Friday, Mama got up extra early. We went on a shorter-than-usual walk-- turns out Mama had to take Papa to school early for his finals. He has been very busy. Finals are extremely important, so Papa works hard when he's at home. That's ok. I hang out with him and watch and make sure no one bothers him. But back to Friday-- after she came back home, Mama showered and had breakfast and got ready and then she got out a bag and put Rhinococerus and Bunny in it! She got my travel bowl! This was exciting!

We went to Mama's office! Mama works in a very nice office that is wide open with only three other people. When we got there, it was empty, so I explored. After I checked every nook and cranny for cats (no cats! Yay!), I settled on the nice rug in the sunny spot by the front with my toy.

It was so nice. Mama's co-workers started to come in and I liked them very much! Two of them have doggies and the third, Mama's boss, has human puppies but wants a doggy too. They rubbed my belly and said nice things to me. It was so fun!

Mama and I left at lunch and went to run an errand. Mama had to pick up the new bag Papa got her for Chanukah, and she took me into the store! I met a nice older doggy named Rae. We sniffed and said hey, then Mama and I chatted a bit with the nice ladies, then we left and went home. It was so fun! I came home and fell fast asleep. Papa came home later and took me for a walk, then we slept some more. Mama and Papa went to a dinner at the synagogue, but when they came home, they snuggled with me on the sofa.

This morning, Mama and I walked for a long time-- 6600 steps!-- and now I am very tired, but it was a very good week. Even though there are changes and there is a lot to get used to, it is a very exciting time for all of us.

I'm Thankful for My Family!

Last week was a very important holiday-- Thanksgiving. Mama and Papa told me it's a time for family to get together and eat a lot and say nice things to each other. Mama and Papa told me they are thankful for me. I am thankful for them, because they give me treats and blankies and they make sure I don't have to go back to the shelter.

On Thursday morning, we got all our stuff together. Mama put my food and treats in a bag, and she packed my favorite toy! Oh boy! I jumped in the car and Papa strapped me in and we drove off. We went to Greenville to see my grandpa and his wife.

The last time we went there, I had to patrol for cats, but this time, I only looked around for a little bit-- the people were very busy doing stuff and I figured they were ok. I met my Aunt Bonnie! She's papa's sister and she lives in Charleston and she's very nice. She wasn't feeling well, though. She gave me lots of rubs and called me "Budders", which I liked. I had fun with her.

Besides that, I slept a lot. It was very nice. There was a fireplace and it was so warm, and the rug was comfy, then I curled up in a fun chair.

I spent a lot of time on the sofa, too, getting rubbed by Papa and Grandpa. Papa said the men in the family should have special time, and I agree.

Then the family had dinner, then Mama and Papa and I got back in the car to go home. Mama had to sing in a concert on Friday, which is why we couldn't stay over with Grandpa. That's ok, though, because I don't think I would have had fun with those cats. Mama got up early on Friday and had rehearsal, then she sang at night, and Papa and I spent the day together.

Saturday was very relaxing. Mama had another concert but not until the afternoon, so we had a relaxing morning.

The weather was nice, so she let me sit on the porch for a while.

On Sunday, we had a visitor! Her name is Miss Angel and she is a doggy trainer! Her job is to tell mamas and papas how to fix problems with their doggies. Miss Angel liked me a lot-- she said I was a very calm, well-trained doggy. Mama is worried because I am too attached to her and when she leaves me places, I scream, and it makes me very distressed. Mama doesn't want me to be distressed. So we are working on building up my confidence. I am used to bothering Mama whenever I want attention, but since Miss Angel has been here, Mama won't let me bother her. I have decided it's more fun to play with my toys, so that's ok.

On Monday, Papa took me to daycare, which was so weird! But he is ok without me, so I didn't scream when he dropped me off. I cried because I wanted to go in! I had such a fun day.

Yesterday, Mama took me to the vet for a shot. She let me ride in the front seat. I cried a little, but Mama said I was a very good boy. Then she had to go someplace called Trader Joe's, and she left me in the car. I didn't like that too much, but I had my rhinoceros to keep me company so I was ok.

It was a very tiring day! I went to my bed and curled up with my toys and slept a lot. Mama said it is good because we have a very busy weekend ahead. I wonder what we will do! I'm sure I will tell you all about it, whatever it is.

My Aunt Krissie: A Tribute

You may remember my Aunt Krissie who came to visit back in August with Bubbe and Zayde. That was the first time I met her and we spent a few afternoons together. She was very nice. After they got home, Bubbe and Zayde found out that Aunt Krissie was very sick. She had surgery and felt better, then she had to take a lot of very strong medicine that made her sicker. Her doggy doctor told Bubbe it would be best if they stopped the medicine, so they did. Last night, Aunt Krissie started to feel really bad, so Bubbe and Zayde took her to the doggy doctor this afternoon. She died today.

I was not born when Bubbe and Zayde adopted Aunt Krissie. She was about 3 or 4 when they got her. Bubbe and Zayde love her very, very much. Mama says Aunt Krissie was a very nice dog. Here's my mama:

We had a dog growing up, but that was a disaster-- the poor dog was unloaded on us by a family member. Krissie came along when my parents retired and were still going back and forth between Baltimore and Florida. They had wanted a dog for a while, and they found her in the local paper-- a woman was moving and giving away some of her pets. Her loss, my parents' gain.

Krissie was a funny little dog. My parents treated her like she was human, and she sure acted like it! Krissie didn't like treats or toys. She didn't play with other dogs. All she ever wanted to do was sleep and hang out with the humans. She got by on being super cute and small, and she was a big hit wherever she went. Krissie especially loved men-- the doormen at my parents' old building in Baltimore thought she was the greatest. One night, my mom and I were walking her near Johns Hopkins University, and we encountered a group of students, 4 guys and a girl. The girl was gushing over this adorable little creature, but Krissie wanted none of it-- she sidled right up to the boys for her rubs.

My parents adored her, particularly my stepfather. My stepbrother went to visit a few months after they adopted her, and he called me and said, "Who is this person???? He leans down and kisses this dog and rubs her and brushes her teeth every night. What did he do with my dad???" I used to love seeing her-- she was the doggy in my life. I cannot imagine the void she will leave.

Over the last couple of years, Krissie started to deteriorate. She was old, most of her teeth were gone, and she got ever lazier. As it turns out, she was pretty uncomfortable; she had an enlarged spleen and a tumor when my parents discovered the root of her problems. My mom is an oncologist and approached Krissie's treatment with that expertise, but unfortunately it didn't work well; her poor little body couldn't handle most of the chemo. She was happy but anemic and getting lethargic. It was time to let her go.

Krissie will always be remembered as the little pup who was the light of my stepfather's eye and a huge part of our family. As a dog mama myself now, I know my parents' pain will be very real and the grief hard to overcome. I cannot do much but comfort my parents and hug my own buddy very tightly. RIP, Krissie. You were a very good girl.

She used to lie on the floor of the guest room in Baltimore as I was packing up to go.

Shaggy days, Naples, FL

Hiding under the bed. One of her favorite spots.

Reading the paper on a lazy Sunday in Baltimore

With Grandpop (Avon's Great-Zayde), Rosh Hashanah 2010)

Naples, FL, 2013-- a happy, smiley girl

Time at Home

I have not written in a while and I am sorry! It's mostly because we have not had that much excitement since the Badass doggies left. That was so fun.

The biggest excitement we have had is Mama's new job! She hasn't started yet-- she says that will be in a few weeks-- but she is very happy. I am happy too, because Mama said I can go to work with her sometimes. She said there is a giant sunny spot in front of a window where I can lie down and watch people go by. That is very cool. But Mama won't be working from home anymore, and that makes me sad. I am enjoying these last few days with Mama at home. I am spending lots of time in the office. Mama says that after her job starts, I will have the office all to myself. That's ok, I guess. Here I am working on my toys while Mama works on her laptop.

Mama says the holidays are coming up too, and that means presents! And because Mama has a new job, she needed a very special present, so Papa bought her a special bag. When Mama and Papa came to visit Raleigh in May, she went to a shop called Stitch and met Miss Holly and liked her bags a lot. Mama wanted one of those very badly, and now that she has a new job, she can get one! She said Miss Holly is making it for her in special colors and it will be ready soon. I am not allowed to chew on it. Mama says it is very important to shop at local stores and buy things from your neighbors. I wonder if Miss Barnes the pointer puppy across the street has things for me to buy, but somehow I don't think that's what Mama means.

The weather has been very up-and-down. It was warm a couple of weeks ago, so I took advantage of it.

But then it got very cold! It has been too cold to sit outside. Mama and Papa turn on the electric fire and take out the blankies and it gets very cozy in here. Here I am chewing on my leg in front of the fire.

Yesterday it was very rainy, but it was warm. We snuggled on the sofa as a family. I like that. I stayed on my blankies and didn't move, then I decided to put my face on Mama's sweatpants. They are warm and soft, like my mama.

Today is warm again. I went to daycare today. I like daycare, but I don't like it when Mama leaves. I yell and yell for her! But Mr. Mike and Mr. Josh take me back to the play area and I see my buds and it's so much fun. Then Mama and Papa come to pick me up and I cry because I don't want to leave. Mama says I am conflicted and silly.

Thanksgiving is coming up! We are going to visit Grandpa. Mama says I will get to meet my Aunt Bonnie and that is very exciting! She is Papa's sister. She likes to make pie. Mama also says I will get to eat turkey. I am looking forward to it, but I am also resting up because I know I have to be on alert for all the cats. I cannot rest if cats are near my family!

Houseguests for a Good Cause

Last month, my friends at Badass won a very special van in a contest. I don't know the particulars, but I know they were on TV and it was very fun and special. The van meant that Badass could go down south and rescue more doggies like me! I was rescued like that too, except I didn't go to New York in a van. But anyway, Mama and Papa were very excited that the Badass van might be coming through our state, so they sent a message to Miss Candace and Miss Eva and offered them a place to pee or sleep or eat. Mama hadn't heard anything from them, but she followed their adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

Then on Wednesday night, Miss Eva called! Would Mama and Papa mind if she and Miss Candace and Miss Amanda came over the next night with the rescued doggies? Not at all, Mama said! They were welcome. She didn't tell me, though-- all Mama said was that we would have visitors and I should rest up, which I did.

Mama spent the day getting ready. She made the bed and cleaned the bathroom and washed the dishes. She made a giant loaf of bread. She and Papa were very excited. Then at 7:30, we saw the van pull up!

It was pouring rain and very muddy and cold. The Badass ladies pulled the van back towards the backyard gate and started letting dogs out a few at a time. Mama made me stay inside and it was very sad. I wanted to run around with the doggies! But Mama said they were too excited and some of them were scared because they had just been rescued from the shelter. I am a dog and therefore I do not remember a lot of things, but I remember the shelter and I didn't like it. I loved it when the nice volunteers came and took me outside, even when it rained. So these doggies were enjoying my backyard and that was ok.

Two of the doggies were allowed inside because they were nice, calm girls. Maxine and Missy were their names. Maxine was a little hyper so she hung out in my crate, but Missy was very calm. She found a spot in the office and decided to lie down. She stayed there all night, only moving a little. I asked her why she didn't want to play. She was very shy at first, but then she said that she had never slept on something soft and she liked it very much, so she didn't want to move. I understood.

After all the doggies had peed and went back to the van to sleep in their crates, Mama and Papa and the Badass ladies had dinner. Papa made delicious cocktails for them and everyone sat around and chatted. I chatted too! I especially chatted with Miss Candace, but I also went over to Miss Eva for belly rubs. Miss Eva took care of me at her farm in Pennsylvania. She gives very nice belly rubs!

Then Maxine and Missy had to go pee, so I went to the backyard with them. It was so fun! We ran around in the dark with Miss Eva! I loved it. Then everyone was tired, so it was time for bed. Miss Candace slept on the couch and I was allowed to stay with her.

I moved around a few times but had a very nice sleep. Then Mama came and got me for our walk, and I didn't want to go! Miss Candace laughed and pushed me off the bed, and Mama and I went for a stroll. When we got back, we heard all the doggies-- they were being let out to pee. After a while, most of the boy doggies went back in the van (some of them only just got their dangly bits cut off and they're still mean) and Mama let me out to play. I showed all the rescued doggies my backyard and where I pee and where it was ok to poop.

We had a very nice time. Then Mama and Papa had to leave and the Badass ladies were in charge of making me stay inside. I said goodbye to my friends and waited for Mama to get back. I will miss them! It was so exciting to have company!

Mama said I was a very good host. I hope we can do that again soon, and I hope all of my new doggy friends get adopted very, very soon so they can have comfy homes like mine where they can host new Badasses!

In Which I Protect My Grandpa

Last Saturday, we had a very exciting day! Mama and Papa put together a bag for me and we all got in the car and we drove and drove. Sometimes I like the car, and I especially like it when we take long trips and I can relax or look out the window or listen to Mama and Papa talking. We were on the road for about 90 minutes, and then we got to a nice house in a town called Greenville. Mama and Papa took me to the front door and rang the bell and there was my grandpa!

I met Grandpa once before-- I wrote about how he came to our house when it was new. I liked him a lot. He likes me too. It was nice to see his house. He has lots of rooms to explore! Grandpa rubbed my ears and my butt and said nice things to me and gave me treats. It was fun. But I could smell something terrible and I was very distressed! My grandpa has CATS.

OH MY GOODNESS! It is so bad! They are everywhere in the house. I ran around and around looking for them. Their smell and hair was in every corner, but luckily I didn't see them. Whew. I was very ready to jump up and protect my family from the mean cats, so while Mama and Papa and Grandpa had coffee and relaxed, I had to be on the alert. When I visit Bubbe and Zayde, I get to lie down and enjoy the sofa and watch TV, but I had work to do at Grandpa's.

I got to take a break when they went out to lunch. Mama set up my crate and I took a nap. That was ok. I fell asleep and didn't worry too much about the cats. Then they came home and I was back to work. It was very tiring! We got in the car to go home, and I guess Papa was busy looking for cats too, because he snoozed on the way home. Looking for cats is exhausting.

We are going back for Thanksgiving, so I am working on my cat-deterrent skills. Yesterday, Mama let me sit on the front porch and I saw a cat across the street! I yelled at it. Then it tried to go into Miss Barnes's house. No no no no no! I barked and barked. I told it to go away, but it just stood there. I knew it was waiting for me to go inside, but I am a determined doggy. Eventually it left, and I stayed outside to make sure it didn't come back. Cats have no business around me or my friends or my family!!!

So Many Fun Things to Do!

It has been quite a week for me and my family. Mama and Papa went to the North Carolina State Fair on Wednesday and had so much fun! I don't know how much fun they could have had since doggies weren't allowed, but whatever. They had a good time. They ate yummy things and played games and rode a big wheel with seats on it! They said they could see the whole fair from way up high and it was so fun. They also saw giant pumpkins and big cows and goats! The fair sounds really cool. I am sorry I missed it.

But today I got to go to my own fair! The SPCA hosted a fundraiser at a place called Seaboard Station, which is one of Mama and Papa's favorite spots, because the nice wine store is there. I like it too-- my favorite doggy store, Phydeaux, is there! So we went over to give the SPCA some money and see all the doggies, and we had such a fun time! There were FREE TREATS. Mama got some yummy coffee, and she entered something called a raffle. We went into Phydeaux and Mama and Papa bought me lots of treats and chews and got me a new toy. It was amazing! I had the best time. And everyone was so nice to me.

While we were walking outside, I met this man, who is an SPCA volunteer.

He had two doggies with him, and one was very pretty and brindle, just like me. Her name is Lola. (Mama asked me to say here, "She is not a showgirl." I don't know why. Mama is silly.) Here we are saying hey.

Then Mama asked what breed Lola is, and the man said she's a Mountain Cur-- just like me!!! I haven't seen another Mountain Cur since I left West Virginia! It was so cool! She is probably my cousin or something, Mama said. It was very nice to hang out with her. Here she is getting cuddled by my papa.

It was a very fun day. We also ran into Miss Barnes, my neighbor across the street. She was getting ready for a costume contest and she was dressed up like a pumpkin.

Miss Barnes said she didn't like the costume, but I don't believe her-- she was getting a lot of attention, and she likes attention! I think she kinda liked it. She is a silly puppy, but I like to watch out for her. We keep watch for the cat together.

After we spent time at the fundraiser, we went into the wine store. I met Mr. Corbett, and he rubbed my butt. I liked him.

We went to the back of the store so Mama could drink wine. There were lots of other doggies there too.

Mama and Papa chatted a lot with the people there, and they were very nice, but I wanted to leave because I was so tired.

We left a little while later and dropped Papa off at campus. Then Mama and I were close to home when she got a phone call-- she won the raffle! We went all the way back to Phydeaux, where Mama got to choose a basket of stuff, all for me! She got to pick a bag too. She said I have bully sticks and a new toy and a bag of new treats and a new leash and a new harness! It was so exciting! And on the way back, she let me sit in the front seat. It was a very good day.