Squalls

Hi G-Fans!

Well, the weather continue to fascinate us around here.  Today there were snow squalls and sun.  It was very pretty.  

Now, onto what we didn't get today.

Oh, by the way... the concierge wants to know if I ever get sick of complaining about her.  Without missing a beat I say a resounding "no", NEVER!

And on that note....

Despite the cold we did get a walk, after the concierge decided to drag her butt home and come down from the bird room.

Harry and both his concierges came as well.  There was a little crab fest going on with the concierge and the kids.  They were being a little hair-brained.  The concierge had stronger language and was getting very irritable for most of the walk.

That wind was WHIPPING and the snow was coming down again.

I would really like to know when our lives are getting back to "normal"... it is already past a year for this "new schedule" and it is enough already.  We need TLC and walks.  Lots of both.  Plus the fact I am not getting any younger and these midnight runs are a little too exciting and boring at the same time.  I agree with Harry's concierge.  I want to see what is in front of me!

Anyway,

May the squalls in your life imprint beauty and and wildness upon your soul.

TTFN!

-G

Keep your 'tude under wraps....

Hi G-Fans!

We had clouds, snow and sun today!

We also spent some more time outside during the day, but not so much on a walk.  We did go, but late, and only in the neighborhood.  Stinky and very cold walk.

I have to tell you that I am exhausted trying to be emotionally available for the concierge.  It is an exhausting activity.

We had the added excitement today with the water filter guy coming over and finally getting our drinking supply back up to snuff.

Stufflebeam is being stuffed with treats along with his medicine.

The concierge said it is 'supportive care'.

By the looks of her face, she is the one needing the support.

I guess that is where Riley and I come in.  Actually we have all taken up some of that task.  Bertie helped out this morning snuggling on the couch in the sweetest way possible.  Tess was listening really well in the afternoon too.  And Raph has been giving her all his bones and his "butt leans"....

So, I guess we will get her through this....

I just need to get Harry on the same page.

He was in trouble for getting into the garden.

Specifically the compost piles.

Raph was on it and Harry was giving everyone a 'tude.  He is a little old for the teen thing, but I guess living one rubs off.

So, may you keep your' tudes under wraps and enjoy the ride!!

TTFN!

-G

Here I sit.....

Hi G-Fans!

Here I sit... waiting.  Always waiting!

The concierge came home at lunch which was nice, but aside from cookies, that was about all we got from it.

Then she came home long enough to make some dinner, grab Stufflebeam and off she went.  Now, she and I did not have our usual heart-to-heart, so she did not share where she was off to, but Harry’s concierge came to check on us a couple of times and I heard her mention that Stufflebeam was being brought to the Vet again.  Even though the concierge made dinner, she left without eating it.  I recognize that.

I also was willing to help out with the spaghetti and meatballs, you know, for the cause.  I didn’t think she would want to have to deal with cleaning it up or putting it away at midnight when she gets back with Stuffles.

Oh well, Harry’s concierge put it all away, so it is no longer an option.

I wish I could open that refrigerator up!  What a coup that would be!

The concierge knew a beagle who was so good at opening up cabinets and refrigerators that his concierges had to put special locks on anything within and out of reach....!

Apparently this beagle also ate S.O.S. pads because the kitchen sink cabinet didn’t get thoroughly locked.  That was a mess!  But, I sympathize with the Beagle.  Sometimes you just have to do the naughty thing even when it doesn’t taste very good (i.e. sink sponges and plastic whatnot).

So, a walk seems to be out of the question for tonight.

Bugger.

Well, may you only gnaw on things that nourish you and your well-being.

TTFN!

-G

P.S. - When she got back with Stufflebeam she wasn't very happy, so now I have to not be aloof and meet her where she is... I hate it when that happens.... I have to be solicitous.... ugh!  The sacrifices I make!

Yelling is not nice.

Hi G-Fans!
Well, I know I complain that the concierge should be home earlier and more frequently.  I take that back.  She has been a snarling beast to rival that of something from Star Wars or Lord of the RIngs or Godzilla or King Kong.... I think I make my point.  BEASTLY!  Tonight we would have been best served by her staying out late!  No Lie!
But, she did walk us, after yelling at Bertie to settle down (he really has become unruly and a pain about all that stuff like leashing up for walks and cookie time.,,)
Then she was yelling at Raphael for pulling so hard on the leash she thought she was going down to meet the icy pavement.  But she didn't.
Then she was yelling at Riley for walking in the street because he hates the snow/ice surfaces to walk on.
Then Bertie got yelled at again for snffing Tessa inappropriately.
I was yelled at for something.  I can't remember what.  I was traumatized.
So, as I mentioned.  We might have been better served if she came home late.
So, May you let the yellers of the world slide off your back like you have a big glob of vaseline giving them a fast ride down.
TTFN!
-G

Papa  kitty and baby girl snuggling together....So sweet!

I'm not allowed to sit on the couch at home.....

"Don't look at me like that!"

"It is like watching reality t.v. around here.... always something!"

This is the best snuggling blankie around!

Sunday Evening check-in/check-out

Hi G-Fans!

The weather was a portent to spring today.  Sunny, blue and mild.  Everyone's noses twitched, even the limited concierges' picked up on it.  And we listened to the sounds of spring with the birds chirping and trilling.  We may still have mounds of snow on the ground.   But there is hope stirring.  Winter may have to give way to Spring yet.   

We'll see.

I overheard concierges talking and the word "frigid" came up a few times in reference for the week's temps.                                                         

Ugh.

Well, I did two walks today.  One short one that kept me out of the sponges, chocolate cake, and other paraphernalia.  The other was to the school.  It is funny, but even though the school isn't a huge walk it seems everyone found it to be enough since the concierge can only hear us snoring presently.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I have tried two food strikes this week.  The first one I caved after only a few minutes.  It is hard to stick to my guns in the face of garlic chicken pieces being added to my gruel.

Today I held out until lunch time cookies.  Although I made an effort to make it look challenging while I ate the cookie.  I still ate it though.  And then ate dinner.  So, I only made a slight impact to my cause.  I am basically trying to boycott for better treatment and better food.  Especially a sharing of food.  Except for the fruits.  Other than bananas and apples.  You can keep the citrus and berries.  I have no use for those.

I look forward to cookies shortly and bed.  And then we start all over again.

May you maintain your convictions in the face of the garlic chickens and the cookies in life.

TTFN!

-G

Who is this lone rider?
Raphael and Harry tried to get his/her attention to no avail.  Totally fixed on where he/she is going with the concierge who is driving.  The mystery for the weekend......

Orphans with a twist....

Hi G-Fans!

Well, I have to say I am convinced we are orphans for sure.  We were ditched again tonight. For many hours we were ditched. Left alone.  No one but us. Just us.  The concierge was off doing something without us.  And it is a weekend.  I am pretty sure that means family time, not do-your-own-thing time.  I am pretty sure...

So, that is not all of it.

Not only were we left to our own devices, but there were devastating things that occurred around the walk.

The good news is that we did do a forest walk in the daylight without being rushed.  The horrifying news.... another family member has ridden in the new chariot and it was not me.  Again, it was not me.  How can this be?  I have not stepped paw in the vehicle and now Bertie, Stufflebeam  and Raphael have been on the inside....

Not me.

Never.

Not once.

Unacceptable.

To make matters worse and to turn the knife in a little more... someone was allowed to walk off-leash in the woods.

No, not me.

Nope of all the devastation, this is the worse.

it wasn't Harry or Raphael or Berite who was  allowed off the leash while we are walking.  Nope, not them.

Tessa was allowed to frolic sans restrictive device or tether.

Not me.

I was held back for the entire walk.

The entire walk.

Well, may you always feel the forward pull of exciting possibilities in you life.  

TTFN!

-G

Harry and Raph on the way home from the walk.

Ditto.

What's Up??

Hi G-Fans!

I am sure you are thinking, "What's up with Grace?  Why didn't we get our morning read?".  Well, I can assure you, as usual, it is not on me.  I always have plenty to say, even when I don't have anything to talk about!

The concierge opted to soak in a cold bath instead of transcribed my pearls onto the electronic device.  So typical.  She wanted it to be hot, but it was not.  I guess it would be nice if I had sympathy for her, but I do not.  My needs were put to the side and that is, you guessed it, UNACCEPTABLE!

She said it was because she was trying to nip the beginnings of a cold in the bud.  I don't know. Regardless.  Blog second, any concierge business third.  Yes, third.  Meals, cookies, going out and walking are, of course, ALL FIRST!

So, we did walk last night, late, as usuale!  AFTER the concierge came home (at a decent hour I might add - surpirse!) and then LEFT AGAIN and then RETURNED smelling like fish.  So, apparently, she went somewhere to stuff her face and then came back to walk us.  Aren't we lucky?!  Hrmph.

She didn't share those smelly leftovers either, and I overheard her talking that she is making an omelette with them and making other delectables as well!  Will the insults ever end?  You know she won't share any of that either.

She thinks throwing brown kernels of dried stuff at us twice a day is adequate for our nutritional status.  What about our emotional well being?  Being treated less than.  Just horrible.

She has said that a forest walk is in the works.

It had better happen... or there will be random chewed items in the works instead.

Just sayin'.

So, may your concierge be kind, generous and lavish with treats and affection and time!

TTFN!

-G

If this were snow...

Hi G-Fans!

Well, a dreary wet day.  If all that rain were snow we would (the royal 'we') be shoveling again.  But, it isnt' and we aren't so here I sit...

The concierge ditched us again.  She got home late and between the rainy night and her needing to eat first (some such thing anyway). there was no walk and very little socializing in general....

This subpar treatment to be sure.

So, now it is time to garnish the rest of beauty queens.

I leave you with this thought,

may you pursue the rest, exercise and healthy endeavors for a good and well-lived life.

TTFN!

-G

Riley, me and Snagglepus catching a few zzzzs....

A girl has the right to a soft and cozy pillow, even if it is alive :)

If you only knew how nice it is to sleep to the sound of purring in your ear....

SNuggly!

Tessa was part of the couch snuggle-fest too!

Wet Wednesday

Hi G-Fans!

Weather weather everywhere!

It is a Wet and Wooly and Wild Wednesday!

Sloppy, icy, slushy and messy.

Yuck.

Another day of missed opportunities.

The concierge, again, could have taken us somewhere while the sun was shining today.  At least she did more than rifle papers today... we listened to confidential messages being left.  But, don't worry, we aren't like "Duke", the dog who is always at the ready to 'spill the beans' so to speak, for the Bush's Baked Bean recipe.  Our Spinone lips are  sealed!  Well, we might consider a deal if there were some fresh meats involved.  Chicken, salmon or liver are particular favorites.  Just sayin'.  Or not.

So, we did walk and it was another potentially treacherous one.  There was unexpected black ice that all four of the humans took turns nearly taking a dive on tonight, there were dangerously fast cars on back roads with black ice, there were very thick and high snow banks and we were getting rained on.... oh, and the concierge piped up about a skunk smell and was shushed by the group.  There is some kind of thing humans do that don't involve skunks while smelling skunk-like.  The concierge was confused and so were we.  I also would like to mention that the concierge, given that she wasn't racing around all day, was in a surprisingly un-good mood.  I hate when that happens.  It is so unnecessary.

But, she took it out on other humans and left us out of it, so I say they can deal with it!

I think Louie (see below) would agree, even if he does sport a dapper turquoise bow tie!

So, may you maintain positive vibes despite the environmental circumstances.

TTFN!

-G

Louie and his Mom giving a "thumbs-up"

Ka-Raze-Eee!

Hi G-Fans!

Well, another day of unsatisfying events.

First of all, why didn't the concierge walk us during the day?  She was here all morning, and as far as I could tell, just sat on her behind staring at the computer and rifled papers a lot.  Not much to compete with a walk in my estimation.  Then out from the heavens poured the white clingy fluffy snow.  It came down fast a furious and was in full swing when the concierge removed herself and drove in it for work.

Ka-raze-eee!

I guess part way through this unexpected snow storm it turned to rain and it was no longer pretty and mesmerizing.  It was just dreary rain.

We did take a walk, however, but it was at night, it was short and it was punctuated by uneducated dog walkers (what are THEY doing out at night taking a walk??) who practically chased us down and then there was little to no appealing potty access!  Not to mention the wet sloppy walking and bitter wind.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I got the last word in with that rogue dog and his concierge.  Just sayin'.

So, I am sure I had more on my mind, but that is going to have to do.

May you have effective galoshes to help you through the sloppiness in life.

TTFN!

-G

Fashion Police

Hi G-Fans!

I have so many things to write about tonight, it is hard to pick where to start.

I guess I will start with something that has been bugging me since last night.

I know I am a dog, albeit a royal regal dog, but nonetheless a dog, but even I know when it is enough already with the pink.

The funny thing is, the concierge isn't a pink person by nature.

But really.  Pink slippers, pink socks, pink pj bottoms, double pink tops and fluffy pink robe!  Now, I can imaging that you might be thinking that pink can be nice, and sometimes it can all be harmoniously blended together.  Not in this case.

Cactus pink slippers, pepto pink socks with milk chocolate accents, pale pink and white fleece bottoms with velour magenta pink hoodie and a long sleeved mauve pink cotton top covered by a cotton candy/bubble gum pink fluffy bathrobe.

Oh NO!

Even I can tell that is disastrous!

It just doesn't work.

But who does the concierge listen to on these matters?

Certainly not me!

It makes me shudder.

So, I can't dwell on the matter.  I've done my best to minimize the catastrophe.  It is out of my paws now.
On to the walk.
The walk that never was.
Blue skies and sun today.
BUt, did I get a walk?
Noooo, I did not get a walk!
Do yo ask why? I did.
While the concierge was warming her toes up in preparation for the walk it came to her attention that it was only 12 degrees out.  She says it is too cold for us.  I say she is just making up reasons not to walk us.
She should have come home while the sun was still shining.
Just sayin'.
I could go on, but then it would interfere with my beauty rest.
So, may you have shoes and socks and scarves and gloves that make you warm AND fashionable.
TTFN!
-G

This is an upside down picture of us snuggling...

Here is a sideways picture a couple hours later on the couch.... Tessa, me and Snagglepus....

Another sideways picture with me and Snagglepus.  Maybe the concierge can work on her technical skills for tomorrow....

The snow a-came!!

Hi G-Fans!

Well, the snow, it came down, and down, and down, and down!

And brought with it lots of branches and trees.  One branch was the size of a tree and it took out part of an apple tree.  The concierge hopes to bandage it up and repair it.  We'll see.

She had everyone helping to get the branch off the apple tree.

Even with her stubborn-ness and yankee-ness she needed some help.

It was big.

So, I am off my high of yesterday as I was completely dissed today.

We were scheduled for a mid-afternoon walk, everyone is getting dressed in their warm clothing and out of nowhere there is a 180.

Out of nowhere.

Instead of walking us she went to the library for her class. 

Because of the storm she assumed the library would be closed, and as we are almost walking out of the door she finds out it isn't closed and her class is on.

So out she goes leaving us bewildered and choking on her dust.

When we did finally get our walk it was dusk, it was work and I was glad when we turned around so that Bertie and Tess could have a go at it.

Just between you and I, I played all day and yesterday I overdid it a bit.

So I am a little stiff.

Raphael could have kept going.  Riley was relieved to be going back.  He was pretty stiff today too.

So, short stinky walk. 

No freedom.

Stinky concierge.

Enough said.

May the stuff the storm leaves in its wake remind you to be thankful that the storm is over.

TTFN!

-G

Gleefully bounding in the concierge's general direction.

Raphael and I gleefully bounding away from the concierge's general direction.

Raphael coming back to see what is taking the concierge so long for the preparation for the walk.

An over-the-fence view of the front yard, mailbox and across the street.  The picture does not adequately relay the amount of the snow, the heaviness of the snow,  and the work the snow represents....!

Snow is a-here! And then some!!

Hi G-Fans!

The snow is a-coming down!

Even now it is coming down!

It started before the concierge got home this afternoon!

She passed 2 1/2 accidents on way back from playing with the elder folk.  The '1/2' was for two cars pulled over in an awkward location causing possible other accidents, but she was pretty sure nothing had happened except difficulty maintaining the road and loss of forward motion.  She said it was like people suddenly forgot how to drive in the snow or something.

Luckily it didn't seem like folks were injured, although one car was completely on its side and the ambulance and fire truck hadn't even arrived yet....

So, needless to say, all that made my walk late!

I told you it would be later than mid-afternoon, but it was in daylight.

Today we walked in the dense quiet of heavily falling snow and did a full bog walk.

It was lovely in more ways than one.

I can't even hold onto the slights of the day it was so lovely :)

I was given extensive freedom to frolic and play in the snow.  I didn't abuse my freedom and I didn't rub everyone else's nose in it (much).  I love frolicking in the snow on a walk.  It is grand.

Now for the bigger news.  

After I had my fill of freedom, Bertie had a go of it.  He was excellent and didn't embarrass me in any way!

Not only did Bertie have an opportunity, but Raphael did as well!  He pushed the envelope when he chased a wayward bird, but he returned happily.  Even Harry was given a smidgen of freedom, which he promptly bee-lined to Tessa's pile of you-know-what.  So, he was called back.  Two out of three isn't bad.

You might have noticed Tessa and Riley were not on the list of freedom riders.

Riley is deaf as a door post so it isn't safe for him to be let off the leash.

Tessa, in the past, has been the most reluctant to return from adventures afar, and although she is the most excellent at coming when called in from out back, her nose dictates to her when she is out and about.  The concierge wasn't feeling confident as to her reaction.

Poor Tessa.

She had diarrhea too.

Poor Tessa.

She had rice cereal for dinner, with carob and a few kernels of regular food.

She didn't seem to mind though.

So, that is it.

We have all been relaxed since the walk and snuggled before and after dinner without any restlessness.

Exercise is so amazing!

So, may you stretch your body out and feel good!

TTFN!

-G

Riley snuggling in the chair

Snagglepus thinking that a raging blizzard is a good time to venture out.

The concierge knows he doesn't like this weather so didn't call him back in....

She is still not worried knowing he isn't keen on the cold and the snow on his feet.

The wayward snow print.  He dashed under the vehicle parked in front of the house.  The concierge had to offer him treats to get him back in.  I say it was a ruse for attention and treats and not necessarily in that order.
Snagglepus!

Me, Tess and Raphael snuggled together on the couch.