Distressing house guests....

Hi G-Fans!

The mice are freaking the concierge OUT!

They are very distressing house guests to be sure!

She is finding more indicators of an infestation and Snagglepus DOESN'T CARE!  He may have opened the door to let them in!  We didn't capture any last night - we will see if there is success tonight.  Riley or Tessa would take care of business, but given the diarrhea situation here, the concierge won't entertain the thought.  No risks, if possible, will be taken.  Our human and invited overnight guests departed this morning and the activity level around here has been quite brisk before, during and after!

On our forest walk on this glorious summer day and eve, we stared down two deer.  Or maybe they stared us down!

They were nonplussed with the concierge whistling, waving and generally making a fool of herself.  They finally moved on when we pushed forward instead of waiting at a respectful distance.  Oh, the smells were tantalizing when we got upon the spot they had been hanging out.... Raphael, me and Bertie were particularly intrigued and interested.  Maybe Tessa too, I wasn't paying attention and the concierge can't remember seeing her excited.

Our first shots of B-12 were administered today.  We are all off the medication.  Our poops are on the line.  Raphael is still on a bland diet, everyone else is getting some amount of kibble and we are teeter tottering on our levels of health.  It is making the concierge very distressed.

The backyard is starting to change with weeds being yanked out by the fistful, pretty plants being put into the ground, branches being lifted up and supported and brought off the ground....It is a whole new world back there!  And don't even get me started on the front... new trees, seeds and plants in the front....

So, may you adjust with your changing surroundings with dignity and good humor, and may the pests be quickly dealt with....

TTFN!

-G

I was sooo relaxed that day!

Sunset on tonight's walk...

Looking down the road.... why ARE the rest of the gang always walking so far ahead of us????!

They're BaaaCk....!

Hi G-Fans!

Now before I launch into the newest situation let me tell you that we are hostessing Gabriella's concierges WITHOUT Gabriella!  Now this pleases Tess for sure, but the rest of us are missing her attendance!  But, given all the medical issues going on around here, it is a very good decision for her to stay put!

Raphael poop was an "8" today - hurray!  Riley, on the other hand was a "3".  Now he has diarrhea and he has avoided all the symptoms we have been dealing with....  The concierge is trying to figure out the next solution since it seems every time she tries to get Raphael onto the kibble he relapses.  So, food options are being explored.  I opted to have a personal chef on staff who will cook for us a balanced meal every day twice a day.  I think that is the only way we can go at this point.  I will continue to extol the virtues of that solution until it is what happens.

Now, onto our uninvited guests.

The concierge discovered the evidence tonight when going downstairs to get a can from the shelves and the tell tale calling cards were abundant around a tube of polenta.  Almost half was gone.  So either there are several mice and only one or two who have come back more than once and i didn't catch him or her.

SO, the trap is set!

The have-a-heart has polenta in it and it is set to be sprung.  We will see tomorrow morning who is moving from the domicile.....!

May you only nibble on what is in your own pantry and keep your business in order and on "your own side of the street".

TTFN!

-G

Arrows

Hi G-Fans!

This will be brief.  The concierge has passed out on me once already, I am quickly grabbing her to get my two cents down before she goes down a second time.

Today was another FABULOUS day with the weather.  Comfortable, crisp and clear.  No humidity or stuffiness.  The concierge got home a decent hour and came back smelling like our old babysitter.  I don't know why he wasn't with her, but sometimes the concierge just keeps things to herself.

Regardless.  By the time we had our evening meal, meds, change of water and waiting for Harry's concierge, it was the usual time we get our act together to get to a walk.

We did a forest walk and mixed up the directions and how we did it.  The concierge had to stop at every turn to make arrows for Harry's concierges so they could find us.  I don't understand why she was compelled to do so, they had Harry with them after all!  Humans!  They just don't trust their noses, so then they don't trust anyone else's either!  (Harry's concierges were a few minutes behind us in the walk process).

The concierge was getting pretty worried about Harry and his clan finding their wa back to the car (they never caught up to us) as it was getting pretty dark out and we didn't know if they had adequate lighting for the humans' eyes to see the arrows and uneven terrain and path cues.

So, while we were waiting in the car, I got leashed up and the concierge was just about to take me through the paths backwards when the flashing light of one of Harry 's concierges started to be visible and we realized they were only minutes away from catching up to us the entire walk.  Because they weren't with us from the start they missed the White Tail Deer we saw.  Raphael and I smelled it for awhile.  It was driving us crazy.  Bertie and Tessa too I guess.  They got to see it first since they were in front with the helper.  Raphael wasn't very quiet, he needs to reign in his enthusiasm to an appropriate level if we are ever going to get good looks any any wildlife ever!

It was exciting to watch as it high tail out of the field.

Oh - and - we had just starting giving Raphael and Tessa solid food mixed with their bland diet and Raphael started up tonight with the bloody diarrhea again, and we are all still on medication!  The concierge is beside herself.  And Bertie keeps spitting out his pills.

So there you have it.

May you find the arrows along the path to point you into the right direction.

TTFN!

-G

Summer selfie.....

Hi G-Fans!

Another mixed bag sort of day.  Overall, a good summer collection of activities, some better than others!

We did get a walk, it was a short late night sort of walk, uneventful and much cooler and comfortable than last night.

The helper reported that there was a "selfie" that needed to be sent to the concierge electronically.  A "selfie" of Raphael and Tessa.  See below.

Silly helper.

So, may all opportunities be a good time for a "photo op"/"selfie",

Smile!

TTFN!

-G

700 and counting!

Hi G-Fans!

Well it was a sultry summer day today.

No a/c!

It sits in a box looking like it might do a nice job cooling us down.

Who would know?

We walked in the late evening tonight, another forest walk - I could get used to this level of interesting walking.

Makes my toes twinkle.

Harry stayed with us today for awhile while strangers descended upon his domicile.  We provided shelter to him from the  chaos!

He slept pretty soundly in the other room once he settled into his spot. Today he had his first lunch potato, I think he liked it, Riley spit his bedtime potato out.  He is getting quite wizened and crotchety as time marches on.... he spit his gummy probiotic pill out yesterday.  I don't know what his problem is, they are yummy - Tessa snapped up both the gummy pill yesterday and the potato treat today.  She is lightning fast!

So, when it is hot, get out of the kitchen!

TTFN!

-G

The roll of joy!

This is the 699th time I have blogged my thoughts!

Hi G-Fans!

We are on the verge of a momentous occasion.  This is the 699th time I have blogged!  Tomorrow (presumably) will be the 700th.... Now, I really don't care so much, but this seems to impress the humans and they seem to like those round numbers.  

So for my 699th entry I would like to say that it was ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY!!

This could be addictive.... I could get used to this as a regular thing...!

Tonight we walked in the forest and we were still out there until 9:15.   I didn't hear the whippoorwill tonight, but we all heard it last night.

I hear Harry is getting some excitement at his domicile.  People coming and going.  I seem to notice he is barking a lot.  He must really be enjoying all the activity.   NOT!  If you haven't been paying attention let me update you.  Harry would not, does not nor will not enjoy random people casually coming or going in or around his castle.  Just saying.  It sounds like it is bad enough that he is willing to risk our medical condition in order to get away from all the banging and people.....

I failed to mention that breakfast was really early today... but then the concierge came back before lunch and spent a little while with us before she left again.  She even (finally) filled our pool up... she said she didn't do it earlier so as not to make spreading diseases.  She put tea tree oil in it to kill off anything in it and to keep the mosquitoes from laying eggs in it and she hopes the tea tree oil helps our current condition.  That being solidly resolved would be great, the concierge finds it very stressful when we aren't 100%.  Very stressful.

Raph was on "lockdown" on much of the walk because of his toad snatching ways.  He only got two in tonight.  The concierge was already wound up like a top, that made her spin into the next universe!  But fortunately for us all, the walk tames us all and releases all the day's anxieties, frustrations and stresses.

So, may you have the luxury of taking long invigorating strolls on stressful, but beautiful, days.

TTFN!

-G

Glorious!

Hi G-Fans!

ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY!!!  

It is fabulous!!

AND we did another forest walk!  One we haven't done in quite some time.  It was longer than we should have gone, but the smells were tantalizing!  The concierge was less than jovial, however.  Just because Raphael was lunging and attacking toads on the dirt roads, and then it looked like it was so much fun, I joined in....  What a grumpy grump.  The last quarter of the walk was Raphael and myself in tight formation and no head room to speak of....

It is just some toads....

What is the BIG DEAL?

And Raphael did not have diarrhea tonight, so he's all good.

The concierge is trying to correct me and I am ignoring her.  She can be so bossy and irritable.

She is reminding me that we are all on medication still and Raphael and Tessa are still on a strict bland diet.

I don't see how freshly cooked chicken breast and rice is bland.... wooweemamma.... it is a good thing we all share in at least a portion of the "bland diet" or there WOULD be ANARCHY!

We are also getting carob powder along with probiotics with all our pills and whatnots.

Oh, also, the vet didn't give me the proper medication and the concierge couldn't get it corrected until this morning because they take Sundays off at that joint.  Again, Miss grumpy grump.  So they gave us the wrong medication, so they didn't give enough of one of the medications on the last round, so they hung up on the concierge because she was being e-m-p-h-a-t-i-c.  FIrm and emphatic.  Why is that so difficult for people?  Dogs get that all the time.  People speak to us like we are either deaf idiots, dumb babies or defiant children.  Any which way it comes up being obnoxious.

So, the concierge needs to get over her crabbiness.  It is enough already.  We have rough days too....

So, may you honor your rough moments without passing them on to the next person, because they CAN be CONTAGIOUS!!

TTFN!

-G

Kissing or School yard taunting?

WE ARE ALMOST AT 700!

Hi G-Fans!

Another GLORIOUS FABULOUS BEAUTEOUS Day!!

Unimaginable!

Not to mention the forest walk.

So, with all the fresh air, new round of medication, exercise and whatever else is going on, I am going to sign off as quick as I can so we can all catch some shut eye.

So many things going on, from the concierge coming home smelling like horses and many other areas of interest.  To be revisited on another day or tomorrow!

So, enjoy the moments as they string together to create the fabric of your life.

TTFN!

-G

Saturday Pilgrimmage

Hi G-Fans!

Another Saturday pilgrimage to the vet today.  Tessa and Raphael were the volunteers to go.  I stayed home to watch over Bertie and Riley and listen to Harry's concierges bang, bang, banging in their domicile.   I tried to debrief with Harry tonight on the forest walk to see what the racket is all about, but he was so shell shocked he walked in a straight line and didn't do his usual prancing twirls.  The concierges thought is was because he is 'behaving' - the rest of us know that his brain is frozen at the moment due to overload.  But, I digress.

Back to the vet.

Tessa and Raphael had more concerning diarrhea yesterday and this morning.  SO back WE ALL GO on more medication!  Ugh!  Although, I suppose I don't mind the peanut butter that goes with that....  She also came home with a ginormous bag of food, I didn't know that they could come so big.  The concierge said that food bags used to always come that big but that the people who make the food keep shrinking the packages, she finds it very annoying.  She says, if she wanted a smaller quantity of food, she would buy the smaller sized bag!

Amen sistah!

Speaking of which, the concierge's sistah will be re-arriving next week.  I wasn't told who else would be coming.  I think it would be important that the queen gives her blessing on these things.  Just saying.  Anarchy could be next without proper decorum and/or etiquette.

So, may you have many days that the sun shines, the air is clear and the temperatures are perfect, like today!

TTFN!

-G

Tessa, being an "old paw" at finding her way home, is helping the concierge find the right door by which to exit to find the car.....

Raphael working himself into an exhausted state, prior to this picture he was in perpetual motion and he was very anxious.  So pictures can be deceiving!

Where do all the thoughts go?

Hi G-Fans!

I will make this brief even though I had a great subject half written in my head earlier tonight.  The concierge didn't put aside the time and now I can't remember my clever thoughts.  It really stinks.

So, summer is upon us and the weather was FINE!!!!  Better than fine.  Fabulous.  75, clear, sunny and beautiful!

And, best of all, we had a forest walk.

We saw the dwindling, shriveling remains of a hotbed for Lady Slippers..

Next year.

We also went through a camp.

Not too much of a big deal.  Of course we were glad to move through.

So, may your days be 75, crisp, sunny and dry :)

TTFN!

-G

We are ready and alert

Riley too!

Atypical...

Hi G-Fans!

Well, an atypical Thursday to be sure.

Usually we are lucky to see the concierge before 9 p.m.   REALLY REALLY lucky.

And, yet, it was 5:30-ish when her car pulled into the driveway.  WOW!  BEFORE 6!  The sun was still out and the promise of a forest walk hung in the air!  

And, yet, she came in, did the perfunctory outs, potty break, clothes changing and then put a snack together and went to sit in the front yard in the sun WITHOUT me!!   

ANd, yet, I could see her, I could hear her, I could smell her, but I was on the inside looking out...  And then she fell asleep instead of feeding us and preparing us for a walk.  Yup, she had the nerve to fall asleep!

Luckily the helper and Harry's concierge were on the ball and got things back on track.  So, there was a forest walk and it was glorious.  Everyone is passed out and content now.  All that is left to our evening is Tessa's medicine (her little adventure put her behind us in the medication) and cookies after last potty break.  Then we, who are privileged, will scoot upstairs to luxuriously stretch on the royal mattress and fall into a deep snore of a sleep!  I say it is Riley who snores, the concierge says it is me.  I say she is delusional and had best rethink her opinion.

So, may you luxuriate in your day and soak in the radiance that surrounds you.

TTFN!

-G

Harry is going through the stress of a renovation at his crib....

It is hard to relax when you don't know where your part of the floor begins and ends.....

But, eventually sleep wins...  Poor Harry!

Horrors!!!

Hi G-Fans!

I know according to the human calendar it is still a few days away - but today it WAS summer...!

Phew!

And the concierge did not make adequate allowance for the stuffy warm air.

Fans alone are not sufficient!

But that is small potatoes compared to the rest of the day.

We were attacked today.  Outflanked, outmaneuvered and outsmarted.  The concierge planned it with Harry's concierge and his human sisters.  Where was I?  I am going to need to step up my eavesdropping efforts, this was a blindside attack!

We had no inkling that those girls could be so sneaky and evil.

Not only were we humiliated by bathing activities, but our personal home scent creations were decimated.  There was rug powder, freshly laundered towels, bleach mopping, couch cleaning, etc., these were all employed at some point in this endeavor .... the complete list is just too traumatic to go over!

So not only was it hot and stuffy, we had to endure watching our work be eliminated without any type of ceremony or acknowledgement.  It is just devastating.

So, may your choices bring you closer to your ultimate goals of inner peace radiating out and better treats.

TTFN!

-G

Fog and whatnot

Hi G-Fans!

It has been a strange day of fog, sun, wet/damp and overall cool.

We had a REALLY Late walk to the school and met a woman who cleans at night who said she had been calling for Tessa and was happy to know everyone is back where they need to be.

Raphael greeted her warmly and showed her good gentleman manners which made Harry, me and Riley way more relaxed about the whole thing.

So, we walked in the fog and are now settled in for the night.

We have one more night of pills and then we should be getting some baths.  We will see.  It sounds like the concierge is trying to farm the task out so she doesn't have to do it....  Go figure.

So, may you have plenty of paws and hands to get the jobs done with good humor and good grace...

TTFN!

-G                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Japanese Iris

Iris

GQ Dewey!

Peonies

Interlopers and whatnot

Hi G-Fans!

What-a-day!

A perfect 10+!

Sunny, crisp, warm, comfortable.  

PERFECT.

Sunday was too, so we are getting spoiled!

Speaking of Sunday...  I failed to mention the unfamiliar odor wafting from the concierge upon her return from her errands.

Now there is a picture to go along with the smell.

He looks like trouble to me!

Good thing the concierge did not return home with HIM in tow!  That would just be the limit.

Tonight we did a forest walk and Tessa seems to be keeping up and a little less stiff than yesterday.

We are good with that for progress!

Thank you one and all for those who prayed, looked for and supported the rescue efforts.  I may have failed to mention that amidst all the confusion, high emotions, and other chaos....

So, may you be the calm center of any storm in your realm!

TTFN!

-G

Interloper!

Peony

The ending of a weekend...

Hi G-Fans!

The end to another weekend.

Tessa is on the mend.

The weather was glorious today. 

Yesterday's rain made the greenery explode into riots of growth.

And we have reports back from Jack and Izzy.

Izzy is reportedly a mini-me without the mini part.

Jack is the counterpart to Bertie.

Who know when they were little ruffians that Jack and Bertie would favor one another more than Raphael and Jack.

One never knows.....

So, we had a lovely evening forest walk to make up for the lack of walks this week in general due to preoccupations with Tessa's disappearance.

My auntie came and went.

And Gabriella was never here.

So, in a nutshell, a good weekend overall.

Oh - in case I was unclear - Tessa did join us for a forest walk, and kept up although the concierges are keeping a focused eye on her as she is moving oddly.

We will keep you posted.

There was a lot of digging and watering going on today, with lots of progress being made in the yard.  I don't know why she uses those silly utensils....

We could dig way faster and with more enthusiasm.

She declines our offer every time!  What's up with That???

So, may you be surrounded by the love of family and the love of friends like having a soft fuzzy blanket wrapped around  you at nap time!

TTFN!

-G

Only some of the weekend's efforts....

Tessa receiving "adjustments" to help with the healing - (let's be real, she is getting a belly rub)

Bumbershoots

Hi G-Fans!

Another busy Saturday.  Although unique in its own way.

The concierge was in and out today.

She had to do "errands".  When she returned she couldn't seem to articulate exactly what took her so long and when we would be having our "constitutional...

Tessa was out cold and has been out for the count a few times over since her return.  She has been draped on a variety of dog beds and has not climbed onto her  preferred bed to the couch - we KNOW there's a problem when Tess has no interest in her couch spot.
She did a little block walk on a leash today with Riley.  ON A LEASH!
Bertie, Raphael and I went on a full extended bog walk.
We went by people and other dogs without a hitch.
The weather held for our walk, but it was. at times, torrential.  And the thunder clouds sent Tessa into flat out fear mode.
I don't like thunder storms either.
So, may you have your bumbershoot at times of heavy rain and a really really good raincoat to get you to the other side.
TTFN!
-G

Izzy waiting for Harry's human sisters to get the butts up and ready ot go....

Jack is waiting for the girls to get up too.  

Finally Friday!

Hi G-Fans!

I could write about so many things!  

First of which, my aunt is visiting and without Gabriella!  What is up with THAT?

Some nonsense about us taking medicine for our 'sickness'

Well, that is fine with me.

And then, then the rain.

Not too bad, but bad enough.

And then no walks today or yesterday.

So, I am in protest-mode and I had better find myself on a fabulous walk tomorrow, not a wimpy one.

And THEN I find out Harry's concierge and human sisters are visiting Izzy (Mini-me) and Jack.... What is up with that?

So I ponder that and sleep the sleep of the innocent.

May you as well.

TTFN!

-G

Jack and Izzy today :)

What's all the fuss about?

Hi G-Fans!

To answer your question -

YES, SHE IS BACK!

She returned this evening without anyone 's  assistance that we know of....

Aside from several small ticks, some scrapes and scratches and sore tootsies she seems to be A-OK.

She is really, really tired and very eager to eat, but it is like she never left.

I just want the concierge to remember that Tessa is my daughter and I am not surprised that she returned home by herself.

Good Girl!

I am a little miffed, however, for all the fuss that is going on and I am being ignored for the most part.

That's ok, this is one time I can deal with it....

Next time however....

So, may you make your way homeward no matter where you've been...

TTFN!

-G

Typical photo op with Tessa

Glad the level of stress in the house has dropped dramatically!!

Me too!  Wanna play bug chase?

It just wasn't the same around here without you!

Ode to Joy - that 's me on the inside.....

Gabriella and Jackson are glad for your return....

We are glad you're safe and sound sister-dear! (Jack and Izzy)

"I am glad you are back Tessa......." (Jackson) 

Out of Commission

Hi G-Fans!

Sorry about the delay - the concierge was so tired last night I gave her the night off with the understanding that we would do the entry in the morning.  The 'kids' had other plans.

At 5:30 this morning the concierge let us all out for our morning constitutional and only two of us returned.

Tessa, Raphael and Bertie took a pilgrimage.

Raphael and Bertie were scooped up at the school at 6:15 or so this morning.

Tessa is still missing.

I don't know why the concierge is so morose and sad and crying, it is one less body for me to compete with for 1:1 attention.....

Isn't that a good thing?

Oh, I digress.

Of course I am concerned, but if Tessa had stayed put like Riley and myself there would be no issue.

The boys don't seem too bothered by the change in numbers, I would have thought at least Raphael would be anxiously looking.... or Bertie would sniff her out....

And what were they doing without her anyway?  Aren't they suppose to stick together?

This is serious stuff.

I hope she shows her mettle and comes home tonight none the worse for the adventure.

The concierge and the helper are going out to look in the quiet of the night and moonshine.

She asks for your prayers.  I suppose I do too.  I really do miss her, I just don't do well with transition.

May you remember your home and always return.

TTFN!

Prayers,

-G