New Year's Eve

So I know that we all agreed to make sure Stitch had a very happy holiday season, but this is going a little too far.  Let me tell you how this is so not working out for me.  Dan got a lovely new recliner for Christmas and when I hopped up on the chair, I was scooped up and swiftly deposited on the old chair.  So look at this:

Yes!  That's right!  That is Stitch all curled up and sleeping in Dan's new chair!  This is not fair at all. 

Another noisy day

Dan got all the rocks broken up and hauled gravel all day over by his workshop.  Allana told me that Dan is tired of his workshop flooding every time we get a heavy rain.  I'm not sure why digging this giant trench is going to prevent flooding, but I guess Dan knows what he is doing.  This is what he has done so far:

Personally I think Allana watches too many of those home improvement shows and she just thinks Dan is building a drainage ditch.  I think Dan is looking at expanding his workshop.  I'm sure he would like his workshop not to flood anymore though.  It should be quiet tomorrow as I think he is all done with the jackhammering.  I'm hoping for a nice quiet day!

Where did Christmas go?

I can't believe it!  The Christmas decorations came down already!  They never come down this early, and where there was once a Christmas Tree there is now a puppy pen.

 

 

These four puppies are way too small for such a giant pen.  All they do is eat and sleep all day.  They don't even play with the toys yet.  I don't see why they needed all that space!  Allana re-arranged all the furniture in the family room too so now my chair is on the opposite side of the room.  I enjoy the Christmas decorations and I was not ready for the season to end.  I think I want to be an only dog.

Another relaxing day

I love it when Dan and Allana are both home all day.  I enjoy having them around for company.  It was nice when grandma was here for over a month as I had company all the time except when she was in the hospital for two days, at her physical therapy appointments or out shopping.  The surgery was good to slow down her shopping hobby for over a week. The only problem that I have is that all the other dogs are in the house too and I have to share my dog beds with them.  Some of the dogs don't understand dog beds and they just lay in the middle of the floor.  Here is Star and Suri just chilling right in the middle of the floor:

See what I mean?  Right in the middle of the floor!  They could be seen as throw rugs and someone could step on them.  That is why Allana and Dan have dog beds for us.  These youngsters just don't get it.

Boxing Day

We had a nice relaxing day today.  Dan was outside making a lot of noise with a jack hammer as he was breaking up concrete.  As a result of all the noise outside, I stayed in most of the day. I was quite content to stay inside, but then Allana got the leashes out so I got all excited that I was going to go for a walk or a car ride.  But then it happened...Stitch went for a car ride and a walk!  Now he did have to go with Caiden and Caiden is pretty annoying, but still.  I think I'm been replaced!  I had to remind myself that we are being nice to Stitch.  I have to admit I had to remind myself several times that we are making sure Stitch is having a happy holiday season.  I hope I get to go for the walk tomorrow or at least a car ride.

Christmas at Grandma's

Grandma didn't stay for Christmas as she needed to spend Christmas with Auntie Janna and her family.  Auntie Janna sent some photos and it looks like the boys made a snowman!

I think we should have gone to Canada for Christmas!  We could have even taken Stitch with us.  We could have been lapping up hot chocolate under the Christmas Tree and looking out the window.  This is the view outside grandma's window...

I wonder when we can go to visit.

Stitch is home

Ch Bronwyn Suspicious, "Stitch" came home today.  Stitch had been living with Craig, but Craig decided to spend Christmas with his wife in Heaven, so Stitch is here.  I feel bad for "Stitch", so I'm being really nice.  I have played with him and have let him play with our toys and even lay in our dog beds.  I do hope he isn't too sad.  Caiden and Cooper have been playing with him and Halo has even been nice to him.  I don't know how long that will last as Halo isn't usually one to share her chew bones.  We are going to try to make Stitch's Christmas a good one.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve and can find peace and joy in this Holiday Season even if one of their family members is in Heaven.

The decorating has begun

I do love Christmas and the house does look great every year, but what I don't like is that my dog bed always gets moved around so I tried a new strategy this year.  I got Caiden, yes the bad puppy, to drag my new bed all over the place - he is so easy to manipulate.  Allana fell for it and squished my new bed under the one nesting table and only the top of the table got decorated so far!  Perfect!  I think my bed is safe for another Christmas season.

Excellent Friday the 13th

O.K., last night's bath wasn't so bad as I got to go to school with Allana today!  It was a great day.  I met all the students as they got off the buses or out of their cars.  I even got to meet with one of my favorite students.  He told me he was going to move over Christmas.  I'm really going to miss him.  I think I need to learn how to use Skype or face-time.  I think that would be a good idea as then I could visit with him even though he lives far away. 

Another day with grandma

Today I had another great day with grandma!  She let me go outside and chase the outdoor kitties! Dan and Allana never let me out the door to do that, but I'm sure grandma must have let me out on purpose.  I'm still not sure why she chased me down into the woods and over to the neighbors place.  I'm sure she really did want me to go outside to chase those kitties.  Besides, she didn't go to her physical therapy appointment today, so I'm sure she just wanted to run with me.  Maybe it was like that Christmas song... you know the one...

Over the river and through the woods
to grandmother's house we go...

Oh, well, maybe not.  I thought maybe the words were something like this instead...

Over the river and through the woods
Oh grandmother runs with me...

Oh oh!  Dan is looking for a dog to bath.. No!  not me!

Another reason why I love Grandma

Grandma bought me a new dog bed!  It is so wonderful.  It is just the perfect size for me so I don't have to share.

Allana was gone for a day but came home with Auntie Laura.  It was a great surprise as I had just seen Auntie Laura last weekend so seeing her two weekends in a row was great.  It was a little weird though as I kept singing "Buddy, the Elf".  I guess they enjoyed the musical last night!

I love Grandma!

Now as you know, I really do love Daniel and Allana as they keep me healthy and give me lots of attention, but having grandma around all the time is sooooo awesome!  First of all, grandma is keeping me company as she is here all day and Dan has been staying home with her too, but he keeps doing chores and stuff like that.  Grandma likes to read the paper and read her book and magazines so she stays close to me. The second great thing about having grandma here is that there is so much food in the house.  My sweet brown eyes are earning me lots and lots of delicious treats.  We have things like fresh fruit and veggies in the house.  I am still holding out for some bacon though!

Abandoned Again!

O.K., so here's what happened.  Grandma decided that while she was here in Texas she would get her other hip replaced.  She had it done on Monday and tonight I noticed two things: 1. She made dinner so there was a wonderful supper on the table when Allana finally got home from work and 2. Grandma has already started to abandon the walker!  I'm pretty sure she is not to be walking without it already and she did this last time when she had her other hip replaced. The walker looked more like a piece of furniture instead of an assistive device for walking.  Here is the proof:

Do you see grandma anywhere in the photo?  hmmm?  That's correct, there is no grandma present, just an abandoned walker.

Grandma must be feeling better, but she still looks like she is feeling pretty rough and she went to bed really early.  I was hoping for some ice cream tonight while she watched T.V. but she must be feeling bad as she had dinner and went to bed.  I hope she feels better tomorrow.

Grandma came back

I thought Grandma had flown back to the snow and cold as she left yesterday morning at 5:00 a.m. but she came back home tonight.  She looked really tired and was using a walker.  This reminds me of her hip surgery she had 2 years ago.  I guess she will be here for a few weeks.  Allana is being really, really nice to her and even made her a turkey sandwich for supper.  Usually grandma makes the meals around here.  Allana has mastered the freezer to the microwave meals but that is usually about it.   I hope grandma gets better soon as I don't want to loose weight.  I don't beg for food as much when Allana "cooks".

December 1, 2013

Well, Daniel and Allana did not do a re-shoot for the Christmas photo and here is the photo they picked for the Christmas card:

Now in this photo you will notice that 5 out of the 7 of us look fabulous.  You will notice the two puppies, Cooper has his leg dangling off the bench and Caiden is about to spring off the bench yet again.  You can tell that this is one of the later photos as the blue blanket that Allana had set on the bench has been pulled down on Caiden's side as he had already jumped down at least a dozen times by the time this photo was snapped.  Working with amateurs is hard work.

It is very quiet at the house tonight.  Auntie Laura, Uncle Ward, Anna and the baby all left to head back to Houston.  Grandma is still her but she went to bed early.  I wonder if I can sneak some of that lasagna she made today....yum.

It happens every year

Every year, Allana wants a beautiful Christmas photo to send out to everyone and today was the day she tried to get the photo taken.  I am very experienced at this, so I just sit and look pretty even in a bright red bow or some other silly thing around my neck, but the other dogs just don't always understand.    Halo is getting it as she is four years old, so she usually just stays put and looks pretty too, but these young puppies are so silly.  Caiden kept jumping off the bench and Cooper kept flopping down.  Auntie Laura kept trying to help and then Grandma came out to help, but it was pretty bad.  At one point this is what the group looked like.

 

 

 I know.  It is pretty bad.  I have to admit that Star was pretty good for only her 2nd Christmas photo and Suri and Sita were at least well behaved.   I have a feeling there will be a re-take session tomorrow....sigh.

Merry Christmas?

So, I heard Allana say "Merry Christmas" to Dan and Dan said to Allana "Merry Christmas".  This really didn't make sense to me as I know yesterday was Thanksgiving, so there should be a few weeks until Christmas.  The only thing I can think of is a very large box came home with Dan and handy man Dan installed a new metal thing in the laundry room.  I guess it is a present to both of them.  Anyways, the leak frog has a new home and the new metal thing is very shiny and pretty.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We had a house full of guests here and grandma cooked a giant turkey.  I really tried to get into the dining room to get some thanksgiving dinner, but the baby gate was up so I was stuck in the family room.  I really tried to jump the gate, but I wasn't successful at all.  I really want some pumpkin pie.

beep, beep, beep...

What is this you ask?  This is a "leak frog".  Now this little creature is apparently a very handy little item to have in every home.  Let me tell you what this little green guy does. He is a water detector and when he senses water, he starts beeping. 

Now, I am a little hard of hearing now that I am 12 years old, but not hard of hearing enough to ignore this beeping little guy.  While Dan, Allana and Grandma slept soundly, this super annoying little frog starting beeping. We have several of these scattered around the place, but this particular one is sitting in the hot water tank pan in the back hallway.  Let's just say that I'm really glad I wasn't in a crate in the back room last night.  Poor Caiden got to listen to the beeping all night.

The little leak frog had detected a leak in the hot water tank.  I know the timing isn't great as it is a holiday so Dan can't go out to buy a new hot water tank until tomorrow.  He needed a new project to work on.  :)

Grandma's Here!

I know many of you can tell that Grandma is here as yes, the weather has become very Canadian!  The good side for me is that there is food in this house!  We are having 3 meals a day which only happens when Grandma is here.  The best part is that little bits of people food "accidently" fall of Grandma's plate and just happen to land right in front of me.  I wish Grandma could just live with us all the time.

Bath on a Tuesday Night

I had a bath tonight, so I'm hoping that means I get to go to school with Allana tomorrow.  I really love going to school with her.  The kids are so fun to hang out with and I really do help them get their work done too.  I hope the kids do great work tomorrow so that I can visit with them.  I really hope the little boy that likes me gets to visit me for getting his work done too as I have missed seeing him.  I wonder if he has missed me too?

Lots and lots of Rain

We were up really late last night as the storms just kept roaring in all night.  Allana left the house at 5:30 a.m. for work, but she was back in less than 10 minutes as the water was over the road.  While she was all stressed out about not getting into work, I totally enjoyed Dan and her at home all day!  It was like a Saturday except they didn't go anywhere or run any errands!

Allana made 4 different attempts to go to work today but she came back each time.  Dan only tried once and came back.  I think he is the smart one.  Tonight they both headed out in the truck to see if the water had dropped enough as Allana is determined to get to work tomorrow and they found the High Water barricaded up yet all the vehicles were going around.  I'm pretty sure drivers are not allowed to do that.

I hope Allana stays home tomorrow, but she has her clothes set out for tomorrow already.

New Champion here at Atwater

Star finished her championship today!  I thought that was pretty impressive as she is still pretty young and doesn't have as much fur as I do.  Allana was at work so Dan had to take her to the show today and he must have done well as he got that last point!  I'm still way better than her though as I have my Canadian Championship, a herding title and several agility titles so she has a long way to catch up to me.  With that being said, I'm still pretty proud of her.  She's pretty good to have around.  :)

School!

I love going to school with Allana.  Today was awesome!  I got to go to her school and visit with kids.  There is one boy that really, really likes me.  When he gets his work done, he gets to come and see me and today he even took me out for a little walk.  It was great.  He is the best kid ever and I wish I could go to school and work with him every day.

Miracles do happen

Some of you may remember my friend "Stitch".  Today was a scary day for Stitch's owner, Craig, as Stitch went missing this morning.  Craig's house is on the market and someone left one of the gates open so Stitch took himself for a walk.  Many of the sheltie club people went to help Craig look for Stitch and Dan and Allana printed up flyers and went to help as well.  Allana told me that when she went to go into the store to put a flyer up, a priest was on the way out and noticed the flyer and told Allana he would say a prayer to St. Francis.  Allana got back in Margaret's van and they started to drive back through the neighborhood when they saw Dan and Sita out walking looking for Stitch. At that very second, Allana's phone rang and it was Craig calling and Stitch was back home. 

Thank you St. Francis for answering our prayers to get Stitch back home safe and sound.

Rain Rain Go Away

O.K., I know that Texas is in a drought so I should be thankful for the rain, but my life changes with rain.  I don't like getting wet, but Dan still insisted on me going out in the rain this morning to do my business.  Everything was underwater!  It just kept raining all day.  The pool is now overflowing and the covered dog run looks like it is a swimming pool too.   I was worried when Dan and Allana went out for lunch as they said the barriers were up by the side of the road because if it rains anymore the road to our house will be closed.  Now, I think responsible parents would not have even gone out if it was raining if there was a chance of the road closing.  They did come back from lunch, but then Allana went to go to a conference and Dan went to get groceries.  What if Dan doesn't come back?  I could starve.  He can keep eating canned soup for a week if he needed too....

I'm glad Dan made it back home and we can just watch some football together tonight.

Feeling pretty jealous

I'm feeling a little jealous tonight.  Dan and Allana went to Houston this weekend to take Star to a show and took the puppies and Suri.  I just found out that Suri got to stay with Auntie Laura!  I always get to stay with Auntie Laura as I'm her favorite!  I can't believe she got to go and I got left at home.  I do like spending the weekend with our dog nanny, Nathalie, but I really like going to Auntie Laura's!

I'm also getting a little jealous of not going to the shows anymore.  Star is just not taking this show thing seriously.  While she did win today and picked up another 3 points she is still short 2 points for her championship.  She needs to take it more seriously.  I have proof too as she was sleeping on the grooming table instead of getting herself prepared for the ring!

These young dog just don't know how good they have it!

Sheltie Picnic

Just because there was a chance of rain, I didn't get to go to the sheltie club picnic yesterday.  It was a nice cool day and it didn't rain after-all so I'm not happy that I had to stay at home.  The puppies got left behind too so I guess I shouldn't take it too personal.  Maybe I can go to the next party.

It just takes a little rain

Dan's puppy will likely not be going to the sheltie club picnic tomorrow.  Let me tell you why...

The day started out partially cloudy and quite warm but this afternoon a small rain storm came over the neighborhood and we all had to stay inside as the rain came pouring down.  After the rain Dan let the dogs play in the yard.  I stayed in the house as I don't like to get my feet wet and this is what I saw looking out the window...

Yes, there is nothing more great than fresh rain to make the dirt all nice and soft and Cooper took full advantage.  He does look like he is having fun!

Silly puppy, now he will just get yet another bath.

Home Alone

So, while I'm very happy that Daniel is home, I was a little upset this morning as I was home alone all morning and then again this afternoon.  I got to go to work with Allana last week and that is way more fun!  Daniel didn't even leave the T.V. on for me.  I'm just not that into the radio all that much.  I like watching my daytime TV with all the talk shows and the soap operas.  I wonder if I can figure out the remote control.  Hmmm

Sunday is the best!

Daniel is finally home!  I'm so glad he is here.  It is quite amazing that all the bugs left the house when they saw him walk in the door.  Allana should settle down now. 

Something else followed Daniel & Allana home today.  Something called Dyson and I noticed it had the word animal on it too.  Allana was quick to set it up and started hunting for the dog hair in the house (it wasn't that hard to find).  I thought the broom worked just fine, but this noisy thing sure picks up a lot of hair quickly.  I think Allana might have a new best friend.

Sunny Saturday

Today was a beautiful cool sunny day and the day started off great again.  Margaret came over and  I thought she was coming to visit me, but she was bring back the puppies!  Yes, Suri, Caiden, and Cooper all arrived back home.  It had been so peaceful without them here the last few days.  It was really nice of Margaret to babysit them, but I have to admit it would have been nice if she would have decided that she loved them soooo much that she would have just kept them.  Now there are toys all over the place again and it is hard to sleep quietly in the family room as the youngsters are running around all the time.  It is nice and cool so they can be outside, but for some reason Allana thinks she missed them so she keeps bringing them in the house.  They are totally interfering with my nap time. 

There was just one bug incident today.  I felt sorry for the bug as it had to live under a cup in the kitchen for most of the day until we had a visitor that could deal with it.  Allana really needs Dan to get home soon as I don't think I can take all the fuss over a little bug again tomorrow.

Fabulous Friday

Maybe Dan gone isn’t good for Allana and I really do miss him, but I really like going to work with Allana every day!  Today a student came by two times to see me.  He told me how his teacher said if he did his work and did it well, he could come and visit.  He is a great kid and I can tell he really liked me and I really liked him too.  I even got to help out with the morning announcements.  It was great! 

Tonight has been great too as Sita and Halo got baths and not me.  That is great too.  I stay nice and clean all the time, so I really don’t think I need baths at all.  The evening would be perfect if I could get that chew bone away from Star…..

 

Terrific Thursday!

I'm feeling soooo much better today.  I'm so glad!  I had a great Thursday as I got to go to school.  The kids are so wonderful and they were so happy to see me.  I think I make Allana's day a little brighter when I go to work with her.

Tonight we are all curled up on the couch as it is raining so we are relaxing and watching some of Allana's hundreds of hours of recorded T.V. she keeps stored up for rainy evenings.

Not so wonderful Wednesday

Today started out great!  Well, not great for Allana but great for me.  I got to go with Allana to the Honda Dealership and everyone loved me there.  Allana didn't seem too happy to be there though, but she paid the bill and off we went.  I thought I was going to school, but we did have a stop on the way.  It was the vet's office!  Now, everyone at the vet's office are always really nice  and they were today, but with Dan not home yet they gave me fluids.  Now when I get fluids from Dan they slowly drip in as we spend some male bonding time watching some sports event. ( I'm starting to really like college football.)  Anyways, they did it really fast.  It seemed fine at first but by lunch time, I was not feeling very well at all.  Allana tried to take me for a walk and I really didn't want to go.  I felt miserable.  I usually love going to Allana's work as it is the best place to hang out at, but not today.  Allana was pretty worried as she took me back to the vet.  I really just wanted to go home and go to bed.  Allana finally got me home and gave me some pills but I just can't get comfortable.  I really want to go to bed.   This was not a good Wednesday at all.  I hope Daniel is home tomorrow and that I feel better tomorrow.

Back Home

I got to spend a few days with Auntie Laura in Houston!  I love staying with her as I can shed all over her house and she never complains.  I got to go for lots of walks and even got to go to Sonic for lunch yesterday.  I like the city life as the restaurants are so close.  We can't even order pizza in the country!

Anyway, Allana picked me up and we stopped for a few minutes at the Mauldin's for a quick, but hot romp in the grass and then we were on our way back home.  Dan isn't here tonight.  I thought he would be back when we got home.  He must be coming in on the late night flight.

Allana is managing well today as we have not experienced any bug assaults or stalkings.

Surviving Saturday

Today's been O.K., but I don't understand why Star and I both got a bath, but only Star got to go for a car ride.  Star came back all happy as she got to go to the hospital to visit patients.  I think she just likes to brag about going as she gets extra treats.

Allana survived being attacked by a giant toad this morning.  She hadn't recovered from the gecko in the house last night or the spider in Felix, the black cat, was walking around with.  She's really got to get over this bug thing. 

Allana said Auntie Laura might come by tomorrow.  I wonder if she will take us out for ice cream?

Mom would never make it as a single parent

Dan better get home tonight as Allana is just not very good at this single parenting thing.  While in her world she got home early from work, it was way past what time Dan gets home.  I need to eat my supper at 5:30 p.m. sharp.  Now, I know I really don't like this new "special" food the vet ordered for me, but still it is about all I get around here.

I'm not sure why she gave Cooper a bath when he just had one a few days ago.  Maybe she just wanted to bath the puppy. 

I did enjoy watching the cat with a spider in its mouth chase her around the kennel.  It was really pretty funny.  She really needs Dan to come home tonight.