Snow walk 2012 And Happy New Year Of Course!

A beautiful golden lit day.

Hi G-Fans!
Well, 2012 is going out in a technical fizzle.
I have attached a lovely snow-walk picture several times and to no avail.  It is repelled by this page of the blog.
I actually loaded the pictures yesterday and they weren't there today.  Then I reloaded them and attached the way I do every night, and NOTHING!
Oh, wait, I was momentarily distracted and three pictures miraculously appeared.
Like I wrote.  Technically going out in a fizzle.
So, I have deleted the extra copies of the picture and left one that will hopefully be there when you read this.
So, I want you to know about the walk we had yesterday the day after a lovely snow storm.  I am soooo glad we didn't get drowned in yet another bucket of rain and it turned to snow.  Way preferable.  Rain makes my hair act crazy, snow is just plain fun.
When is the last time you stuck your face in the snow?
Or made a snow-angel?
Or had a light-hearted snowball fight?
Or just taken a walk in it for the sheer delight in hearing the soft scrunch, scrunch, scrunch of it underfoot?
As I write there is some snoring going on.  The concierge says it is me and I need to stay awake to finish the log.
Idon'tthinkso!
Well, Maybe just a little.
I just woke up and it is still 2012.
May 2013 be one filled with love, lots of treats, playtime, walks and good health!
Signing off until next year.
TTFN!
-G

A rare family protrait.

This was taken on the same trail several weeks ago.  This is a more typical look at us...

Cat and Mouse Games

Christmas mice are fun to play with..... :)

Hi G-Fans!

So here is the picture book version of last night's cat and mouse game.  Once I unwrapped all the lovely gifts I made sure that Snagglepus received his mouse toy.

WIthin moments Bertie (pictured below) absconded with the mouse leaving Snagglepus mouseless.  The concierge removed the mouse from Bertie's mouth and returned the toy to Snagglepus.

Within seconds Raphael was sticking his head into Snag's space and stole the white varmint.

The white tailed toy was again returned to Snagglepus.

Then Tess snuck onto the scene and with great stealth snatched the mouse from Snags.

The concierge then returned the wayward mouse to Snagglepus once again.

Tessa stole it again.

Then Raphael took it from Tessa.

Once he took to guarding the toy the concierge waved the white flag and took the white mouse and moved it to a no-dog zone.

This morning Snagglepus could be heard playing heartily with his new toy.

Personally, I think he was deliberately taunting Raphael and Tessa.  They watched from the gate longingly and at attention.

It is still there.

I will probably swipe it on my way up to the royal chambers tonight.  That should be soon enough.

So, I wish for you a fabulous last full night of 2012 and fun in the snow if you have any.

I will share tomorrow about our walk today.

Snow is so fun :)

TTFN!

-G

Look closely, you will see the white tailed mouse poking out from Bertie's mouth alongside two of the new toys which were admirably stuffed in his mouth.

To the right is the blurry ghostly image of Raphael swooping in to take liberties with the good nature of Snagglepus.

 Now what?

And, back to you Snags.  Is this a tennis match or something?  There seems to be some volleying and lobbing going on...

Tessa thinks the mouse is pretty excellent.

And back to Snagglepus.....

And Tessa now....

Game done.  Control taken by the concierge.  Ultimately.

More Holiday Gifts - From....?

Soft toys X 5, salmon treats, cookies, journal and mousey toy for Snagglepus.

Hi G-Fans!

Well, not only is it snowing after a day-long rain, but, more gifts from admirers came my way today.  It doesn't get much better than that.

Another lovely remembrance and lovely snow :)

As you can see in the picture above there were enough goodies so I could share with my minions.

We plowed into having fun, immediately!  Snagglepus even scored on this one!

Unfortunately, Bertie, Tess and Raphael are liking his mousey toy too!  They do so love the mouth-sized toys.  And Tess tends to hoard.  So, it is a tricky business in the toy department around here.

I have pictures of the transference process of the white mouse toy from Snagglepus, to Bertie, to Snagglepus, to Raphael, to Snagglepus, to Tessa, to Raphael.  They are action shots so they are pretty blurry.  Those picture aren't coming through on the computer yet so for tonight you will have to be satisfied with the snow and gift bag contents.

Have I ever mentioned that I like presents?

I like them a lot.

I especially like it when they have a recognizable smell.  I am excited to try the salmon treats tomorrow.  The concierge will be writing in the communication book in a few days when the old one is full.

You don't know what a communication book is?

It is a book that the concierge writes whether there are any special instructions, concerns or questions for whomever is helping to take care of us that day.  And that person writes back any observations or questions or concerns.  Makes sense?

I try to sneak the journal from time to time to make my own observations, but the book sits next to the cookie and food jars and it distracts me from my original goal every time.  One day I will remember to not be distracted and spend some time composing something solo.

Until then...

I rely on the concierge to park the brain into neutral and allow me to get my unadulterated thoughts down in the blog.  She is usually pretty good at encouraging me and not editing me.

But I still think there is something wrong with her brain for not getting us Christmas presents and not even taking advantage of after Christmas Sales and pick something up for us.  She keeps telling me every day is Christmas at our house.  I am not convinced!

Well, the time creeped up on me so I should end so the concierge can get some sleep.

May every day be Christmas at YOUR house!!

TTFN!

-G

Raphael and Tessa having some snowtime fun :)

Bertie working on becoming the abominable snowdog.  He has a ways to go,   But he has a vision.  I just want the concierge to stop taking the darn pictures and LET ME IN!

Santa's Workshop

Hi G-Fans!

 Well, another human work-week with a holiday thrown into it reaching an end.  Another week of mediocre walks and frenetic activity followed by comatosity.  Today wasn't bad, we had a lot of visitors we consider part of the tribe so it was all good.  The walk was not a bog walk, need I say more?

So I have included pictures from the Santa's workshop that is my castle the rest of the year.  It just gives you a "flavor" of the melee I have been forced to live with for the last several weeks.   It is rather outrageous, don't you think?  Lat year there were way more dog-related treats.  What's up with this year?

I know, you are wondering why I am not focusing on a New Year theme and resorting to Christmas that is already gone,  

I say to that, 

"because I can!"

Ok, it is time to sign off, I can't keep my droopy lids open anymore.

Til, tomorrow...

TTFN!

-G

Oils and flavorings....

The coveted carob chip cookies.

Caramel popcorn and dark chocolate M&M.

Brownie Bites...

Peppermint bark.

Gâteaux

Hi G-Fans!

Gâteaux you ask?  Yes, gâteaux.  I didn't know the word for "cookie" so cake will have to do.  

Close enough.

The box is what remains from my Christmas cookies as sent by Gabriella's concierge.  A Christmas gift.

Today I received another gift.

For Christmas.

It will provide me with hours of delight as it is a gift card, compliments of one of my blog fans, for Pet Smart.

I will ponder and peruse and puzzle over my choices.

Toys?  Fashion-wear?  Treats?

It will be a delightful dilemma.

Of course, I will make sure my minions get some crumb leftovers so they can feel included.

So, another gift, for Christmas. From an admirer.  Another gift NOT from MY concierge.

Hrmph.

What is up with THAT?

She says that it isn't about gifts.

That it IS about loving each other and appreciating each other and being thoughtful of one another.

REALLY?

I think it is about the presents.

Otherwise Santa would be out of a gig.

And the malls would be closed down I would imagine.

I gave HER a gift.

I didn't eat or otherwise maim a sponge, can or other unauthorized paraphernalia.

Wrap THAT up in a bow!!

And if it isn't about the gifts then what was all that crinkling and taping going on around here?

I think the concierge will find herself short on appropriate and acceptable answers.

So, to those who appropriately appreciate me at holiday time... Thank you.

To my concierge.....

PHTTTTT!

TTFN!

-G

(Gotta run before the concierge clues in to what I am up to .....

 I want my bedtime cookie because I should have SOMETHING special!)

Rainy Night Ruminations on Boxing Day

The inhumanity of it all!

Hi G-Fans!

Can you believe the concierge is allowing on this picture on the blog?  My hair was more wild than the picture reflects.  But, I think you get the idea!

Awful.

And on Boxing Day!

Trauma.

Anyway,

Enough about my hair, let's get to my day.

What a day!

This morning was mild out and now it is raining with an expectation of one foot of snow by morning.  Bu,t then the meteorologist said we are going to get just flurries and then more rain.  So, we will see.   I like snow way better than rain.  As you can see, rain is no good for my 'do.

So, the day after Christmas and I finally see the manicurist, earologist, pestologist, parasitetologist, but not the cosmotologist, proctologist or the dental hygienist.  All in an hour!  In fact, all of us received the same treatments in the span of an hour.  Wow.

Now, through the grapevine I have heard disturbing news.

I have been informed that the cover picture of my new book, "Notes from Grace", that I resembled a Bedlington Terrier.

A BEDLINGTON TERRIER?!?!

Seriously?

I can see an Irsih Wolfhound, perhaps.

Or, maybe a poodle who has had her hair straightened.

But a Bedlinton??  Really??

Too much to consider.

I suppose if one was delirious with a fever it would be excusable.  But I don't think much else will a forgivable faux pas!

That's like asking a female human when the baby is due and she isn't pregnant.

It is just not done.

And it is just not OK.

Not!!  O!! K!!!

Capisce?

Comprende?

I will pretend from here on in that I never heard about the statement.  But if it is brought up again.... there will be serious trouble.  Serious!!

So, enough said.

May your mouth never know what your foot tastes like.... and if it does, may you be wearing clean socks!

TTFN!

-G

Merry Christmas and cookies.

Well, G-Fans...

Merry Christmas!

The concierge wasn't kidding.  She really didn't get any presents this year.  She said every day is Christmas around here.  At least Gabriella had her concierge send bakery cookies down to us.  Man, they are so good I had to skulk away to eat mine... I didn't want any prying eyes.  And drooling mouths.  Etc..!

I thought today, for sure., we were getting a long leisurely bog walk.

Not.

We got a late night school walk.

Ok, not great.

No excitement.

In fact, I am quite well rested.  I could use a good long walk and a good manicurist.

So could the concierge.

Maybe tomorrow.

Well, the concierge is falling asleep on me (I guess my snoring doesn't help), so I am letting her off the hook.(I cant get anything written anyway with her nodding off.)

I am hoping she will be better tomorrow so I can get a decent coherent entry.  As it stands now I can't get her to write a complete sentence

 So that's it, tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow....

Au Revoir G-Fans!

And, "out goes the lights"...

TTFN!

_G

Christmas Kitty

Hi G-Fans!

Merry Christmas!

We are all awaiting Santa, I hope he didn't see me try and take the cookie off the counter the other day when Harry's Concierge was watching us.  If she had gone a few minutes more, I wouldn't even be bringing it up.  Usually she cavorts with the birds a little longer, it would be a non-issue had she stuck with the usual program.  And I don't care if I did get a bog walk that was only shared with Harry.  And I don't care if I had already had my cookie treats.  I wanted another.  And I needed another, I was feeling piqued.  And I should be getting special treatments.  I should be getting special attention.  Enough said.

IF....

Santa is going to put me on the naughty list I am bringing the whole gang down with me.  I know ALL the dirt that is going on around here.  Believe me, I will use it to my advantage if necessary!

So, Christmas doings continue around here so the concierge wants the computer back.

She is trying to send our friends salutations for Christmas and it isn't working out the way she planned.  It is taking too much memory to send the attachment via e-mail and she doesn't know how manipulate the attachment so it will work otherwise.  

Blah, blah,blah!

I want to open my presents even though the concierge keeps telling me she didn't get me any this year.  She said that we are gifts to one another and we don't need material things to be grateful.  YADA YADA YADA!

Bring on the presents!  Lots of them!

If I don't get any there is going to be some issues here!!

I hope your stocking is full, your belly is full and your spirit is full.

May the Christmas light shine on in you so that you may help light the way for others!

TTFN G-Fans!

-G

Christmas Kitty!

Close-up of Christmas Kitty!

What's in a title?

Yikes, will I ever live these pictures down?

 Hi G-Fans!

Another late one!

Even though the concierge was gone for most of the day, I made out pretty well.  I got a bog walk AND a block walk.

I got special attention from Harry's concierge.  (She is sooooo much nicer than mine!  No harsh words... not even when I try to sneak a cookie when she went upstairs to help the birds and I had already been on a walk to the bog with Harry....)

Anyway...

\My concierge says she is only working part of the day tomorrow so I am expecting a good walk.

We'll see.

At this time of the year it is hard to gauge how things will pan out.

I included some more Christmas puppies.   This year they'll be lucky to get a game of chase in... I still haven't smelled any presents for us.  Only the gifts that are being given to everyone else are tickling my scent receptors.  I can't imagine there are no gifts for us.

Well, the concierge isn't typing what I am dictating so I am going to call it a night.

I am storing up a lot of stuff for when I get more than ten minutes to get everything recorded.

May you rejoice in the reason for the sesasonl

TTFN!

-G

Harry and Jack showing some Christmas spirit.

Jack and the girls....

Jack, Bertie and Raphael, and the girls.....

Good night,  Santa will have to wait another night for his elves to help....

It should be a Christmas Theme....

Hi G-Fans!

I know I should write about Christmas, it is almost here.

But......

It is another late one and I have so much to write I don't know where to begin....

And Harry asked to write too.  From the sounds of it he has a lot to say about his day today.  His day was traumatic.  But, it pales in comparison to mine.  It was bitter cold wind, but not much in the way of precipitation.  I expected a luxurious, long, lovely walk.  I got so much less than that.  As I longingly looked out the window as the sun moved westward, it dipped lower and lower, and no walk was in the works.  Nothing.  I waited.  I watched.  Nothing.

What's up with that?

There cannot be anything more tantalizing or teasingly tremendous than walking in the wind.  Especially as the cloud edges glisten with gold sunlight and streaks of pinkish orange and blues and yellows paint the sky.  Phenomenal.

Alas, I got none of that.

Stuck sleeping in the house, with an occasional miscreant shuffling past our domain.  Of whom we needed to shout at very loudly so they knew we meant business.

So, to recap, my walk was pathetic and it should have been fabulous.  Mine was in the dark, later in the afternoon.  And to the school.  Nothing remotely thrilling.

Well, my paws are starting to twitch because I am falling asleep.   I will have to let Harry do something tomorrow.

I wish all of you good health to go along with the good cheer.

Merry Christmas - Almost.

TTFN!

-G

Ahhh, the dog days of summer.... what does that mean?  Really?

I look like I may have had a bath recently in this picture.

Awww Riley snuggling on my back.  He's come a long way!!!

Friday night thoughts...

Hi G- Fans!

Well, The Mayans Calendar is over.

I am still writing.

So, I guess we are going for the 22nd on the last month of 2012.

Just sayin'.

It was another overly gloomy and rainy day that had sun later on.  The morning was tumultuous with rain and wind.

The concierge was going to ditch us for the sixth day in a row tomorrow, but because of her destination's expected weather, it has been postponed.  I expect an excellent walk, even if I have to wear lots of orange (not a good look for me  - it clashes with my coloring).

We have been sniffing all the packages entering and exiting the kingdom, so far I have not sniffed out anything for me.  It is awfully close to Christmas and no present for me any where to be found.  Hrmph.  See what I give the concierge.  She won't even have to unwrap it.  She will want to wrap it up immediately when she sees it - and spray for the odor as well.  That will teach her to mess with my Christmas!!

I hope we are seeing the manicurist tomorrow so we can be beautiful for  Christmas parties.  My nails are so long Fu Man Chu (sp?) would be jealous!

Maybe they can be painted green and red and silver.  Maybe little bells can be attached.  Wouldn't that be festive?  Although if I had little bells jingling, Snagglepus would be jealous!

Anyhoo, I digress.

I am going to retire so I can be fresh for my spa treatment tomorrow.  I heard something about my ears and teeth being assaulted as well, but I don't she will spend the time.  It is that time of the year.

Ok, G-Fans, I will excuse my self for the night.

Au Revoir mes amis :)

Nighty Night!

-G

It does not look very Christmassy out here!

Little Christmas Angels!

How adorable am I?

The dang Candy Cane Antlers!!  Yikes!  Can these pictures be "lost" once and for all?  They are hideous!

Awwww!

Where's the Santa outfit?  The reindeer antlers?  The hat?  SOMETHING!?!?

Holiday Bones &....

Holiday Booty!

Hi G-Fans!

Another dreary day at the castle.

We had another one of those days that we waited and waited and waited for our lunchtime cookies to no avail!  Luckily we were able to uncross our legs because Harry's "sister" came and let us out, but she didn't know to give us our cookies.

It is all about the cookies dontcha know?

Well, we survived, we bear the emotional scars, but we aren't planning to rat anyone out or anything.....

Christmas is fast upon us and I am including pictures from Christmas past, just in case you want to have any ideas of what you might want to get us....  Actually everyone but Tessa and Raphael can enjoy a community bone.  Those two are ridiculous!  So the concierge won't get those for us anymore.

And the stuffed toys that make noise are a disaster for debris.  RIley the surgeon removes any squeaky with lightning fast precision.  The rest of us destuff them once he has started the hole for us.

It is all about teamwork!

Anyway, I hope Santa has you on the good list and not the naughty list.  Maybe you can counteract it in the next few days if you are on the naughty list?

Well,

I will check in tomorrow!

TTFN!

-G

Oh NO Mr. Billlllll!

The Varmint Vanquisher

Hi G-Fans!

Long night of Christmas workshop stuff here at the palace.  Yawn, I am tired!

Well, the concierge asked me not to write about this morning, but she isn't the boss of me on the blog, so I am writing about it!

We went out like usual, and Riley came in first as usual.

But the rest of us were lagging.  Bertie and I decided we would come in next, it was fairly cold this morning.

The concierge went outside to encourage Tess and Raphael to come in.  She noticed that Tess went back into the yard before she came in and the concierge was pretty sure she had grabbed some contraband before dashing into the house.

She looked innocent enough (she learned that from me :)

But, the concierge has been around the block a few times.

She went over to Tess who had immediately snuggled into one of the beds and looked unimpeachable.

The concierge proceeded to lift her lips to see what contraband was hiding in her mouth.  The concierge muttered something about Tess being a naughty girl and how grossed out she was and that Tess needed to go onto the deck with the concierge to get rid of the vile object.

When they were on the deck the concierge shook Tessa's mouth to free the substance out so she wouldn't eat it and the concierge didn't have to touch it.  What came out was not what the concierge had thought was in there.

If you are squeamish, don't look at the picture.

Yes, it was a mouse.  A very recently dead one.

We, of course, all wanted to get a closer look and taste of a mouse, but the concierge had the door closed and we had only the leftover fumes to smell. 

I think Raphael was after another one under the grill, I don't think he got any.

Let me ask this question....

Which is worse.... a poopsicle or a mousicle?

TTFN!

-G

Tessa getting (giving?) pointers on mousing from Snagglepus.
I am not so sure he has ever caught a mouse.

The mouse.....

Holiday 'Tire and Other Thoughts

It is a Christmas Angel!

Hi G-Fans!

It is good to see that Google has its act together tonight and I don't have to waste my precious time waiting and hunting for pictures that aren't going to surface.  Or drafts that are empty.  The last two nights have been less than satisfying with my google blog experience.

So, Christmas is fast approaching.

I am starting to hear the Christmas songs on the radio.  The concierge usually starts playing them quite a bit before the holiday is upon us, not when it is a week or so away.  She has been off her kilter this year.  More than the last few years.  Which is significant.  I think it is due to that new thing that takes her away from the castle all week.  Or, something, anyway.  Just sayin'.  She just is scattered.  I mean, if she can't remember half the time whether she gave us our bedtime cookies or not.... she MUST be distracted.  

Oh, wait a minute,,

the concierge wants to interject.....

I would like to remind Grace and her fan base that I have been battling a cold for two weeks, the water heater blew last week and I started a new full time job 4+weeks ago.  So, my plate HAS been full and I HAVE been scattered and distracted, and Christmas preparations HAVE been off this year.  Just sayin'!

Okey dokey then.  She has had her air time.  Let's hope that is the end of that!

On to more pressing items. 

Today was gloomy, dark and at times very wet.

The walk tonight was short, balmy and damp.

We basically had a subpar day.

It is time for beauty sleep and hopefully a new outlook for tomorrow.

May your rest be rejuvenating and invigorating.

TTFN!

-G

This is just wrong.  Candy canes are not a good look for me!!

Elves looking for a handout.

A gaggle of goobers

Even with antlers I am pretty :)