The Cheering Squad

Our house is one of those that has two front doors. I'm not sure why. It just confuses people-- where do I go??
The dogs love it though. When it's nice, and I'm working outside, they have several viewing posts. Maggie, Max and Scooter are watching me.

They are my cheering squad-- keep up the good work, Mom!! Keep it up while we just sit here and watch you. While you slave away to clean up the yard, we'll just watch, and do nothing.

Cranberry comes over to see what is going on. Max and Scooter are still encouraging me.

You can tell how enthusiastic Cranberry is-- look at the excitement on her face! NOT.

She doesn't want to share the space, so she just ambles over to the other front door. It's not so crowded there!

And she has her own cheering spot to encourage me. This will go on for months as we enter the warm weather season where I will be outside a lot. I'm excited-- enough of the cold weather!!

Scooter and the Icebox

Can you see this? Just a simple bowl of nuts. It is sitting on the wooden icebox next to my couch.
Who would think this could be a problem? Not me. But, Scooter jumped on the couch, and then tried to investigate the bowl of nuts. Maybe they would be tasty? Maybe they could help tartar control on his teeth if he just chewed on a few of them. So, I moved the bowl.

And he wondered where they went, so he got up to investigate!

And he got stuck!

Mom, could you help the boy?! I got up here, but I have no idea how to get down!

No, it's not a good idea to jump Scooter.

Scooter is my exceptionally sweet Pekingese, but he's not always the brightest-- I'd rather have sweet than smart-- but this is not hard. Just jump back to the couch Scooter.

He couldn't figure it out, so I helped him. And then I MOVED the wooden icebox to another location!

DiDi, Friends and Playtime

DiDi has many friends in her new home. This is George. He is a very sweet dog. Jill, Hanna and DiDi drive him crazy but he is so gentle with them. George joined their family when his mom went into the hospital for surgery, but she died the next day. No one in her family asked about George or volunteered to have him join their family. So, he stayed with his new family-- what a sweet addition.
DiDi was one of our rescue/foster dogs. She was fostered by Jeanne and Bill in Richmond. Jeanne and her husband fell in love with DiDi! So they adopted her. If you foster with our group, you have first choice on adopting-- and they took us up on it!
Here are Hanna and Jill Lee playing-- they are two of DiDi's best friends!

Now DiDi gets into the play group. "Let's see, how can I fit in there??" They had a blast. It's so good to see the three of them becoming such buddies.

Jeanne said, "Now, tell me have you ever seen anything as cute and pretty as this little girl is????? I know must be a little prejudiced :)" I know we've all said the same things-- and YES, it's okay to be partial!

Playing is hard work-- so sometimes, you just have to take a break. Look at that happy face!

Jeanne, give her a hug for me!

Linda

Suzy's New Pink Bed Part 2

After yesterday blog, I received this note, so I had to share it!

Suzy Wonton wrote me this email: "Hi, my mom tells me that you're the nice lady with all the Pekes who writes the blog! Willy and I love to be included. Maybe you can give some advice... Not only is Willy in my new pink bed but check out the photo below!!!"
"Now Oona's in my bed?! What the heck is going on here? How am I supposed to get my beauty sleep? Help!! Love, Suzy Q Wonton"

I'm so sorry Suzy! It's tough being the only girl and having to share your pink things. At least you know how GOOD your bed is! Now, if Willie and Oona will just get out and let you have it back!! Love, Linda

And here's Oona again-- in case you're wondering about her tail. It got caught in a mean door!! So, she has a cast on her tail. This is a first for me-- I haven't heard of a cat with a cast.

Oona and Suzy's human grandmom had a birthday, so they spent the day with her in New Jersey. Here she's holding Suzy and Oona below. There were flowers and carrot cake and Peke kisses from Suzy!

I wonder if they got any cake?!

Willie and the Pink Bed

Here's Suzy in her pink bed. Her mom calls it her "outrageously pink "Sweet Dreams" doggie bed." Willie knew it was for Suzy! She loves it! Willy is curious but I suspect he finds it too "girlie" - haha!

Or maybe he doesn't! Here's Willie, our New York Pekingese. He saw his sister, Suzy's new PINK bed. He figured it must be better than his! This is bed-hopping Peke style! Willy Wonton squeezes himself into the new bed! "Hey, don't you know that's a girl's bed with all the pink bows??" says Suzy. But, he seems very cozy and settles in for a snooze!!

IF I DIDN'T HAVE DOGS...

IF I DIDN'T HAVE DOGS....

I wouldn't have to check the carpets for accidents. This is Starlight-- most beautiful foster dog I've had-- okay, most of them are just beautiful!!!
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel. Scooter says, "Did I hear the door bell? Does that mean it's time to sing??"

My furniture would be for people-- Starlight has made a bed under a school desk that I have.

My house would look neat all the time-- not just after I straightened all the afghans and put the pillows where they belong. (Notice, there are still afghans/throws on the couch seat and back! You have to stay prepared-- a Peke stampede could happen at any moment.) I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside. (Do Cranberry and Maggie look like they care??!)

Yep, here's what the couch often looks like!

My book shelves would actually be just for books!

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much. I would not have to answer the question "Why do you have so many animals?" from people who do not have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree - dog bones, stuffed animals, toys, treats nor would I have to explain to people why I wrap them. And notice the boards around the tree to keep the dogs from thinking the tree is outside!

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

I wouldn't have covers on the ottomans for the dogs to lay on.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash. Do you think I have enough leashes?? And there are more in the car, along with collars, and a kennel JUST IN CASE I see a stray Pekingese along the road!

I wouldn't have crates around the house just in case one of the dogs needed a quiet moment. Sometimes, a Peke just wants to be by herself! (Can we say CRANBERRY, one of my Pekes who likes to be ALONE at times. I'll sometimes find her curled up in here with a toy.)

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated. This is Clarence, adopted this year-- beautiful boy!

I would have money .. and no guilt to go on a real vacation. I would not be on a first-name basis with 4 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grand kids through college. I think I'm paying for the new addition at my vet-- it's a beautiful addition. I wonder which part will be named for our Pekes!! But, who could NOT take care of this sweet one!! Max is such a great dog!

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety. (Okay, this is at the farm, my daughter's house, but the principal is the same!) I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading "muddy" season. Yes, I mop and vacumn a lot. If I feel like it, of course, and IF it needs it. :-)

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair. I even opened all the doors of my mini-van and took the yard blower and BLEW the car out! (Yes, that's a Christmas tree in the laundry room that you can see-- some of the dogs beds are in there, so they HAD to have a tree!)

Afghans wouldn't cover every surface.

I wouldn't wear aprons to keep the dog hair off me-- really, though, I rarely wear an apron. But, who could resist holding Maggie!! Talk about a mush-ball!

My bed would be for ME. This is Symba, Shanyn's Peke-- he is very comfortable on her bed!

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE. I would no longer have to Spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T or R-I-D-E.

If I didn't have dogs ............................................. How empty my life would be.

Gracie Has A New Toy

I received this email from Gracie's mom, Jane. I thought it was pretty cute!! Here are some pictures to remind you of Gracie Lu-- a beautiful, loving, OBEDIENT parti-color Peke.
"Recently in a catalogue, I saw this little laser light that was designed to entertain dogs for hours on end. So being the good Mom that I am, I ordered one for Gracie. I also ordered one for Wilson, since his Mom walks Gracie almost every day. They came today and I unwrapped one of them and put it together. They have different lenses that show a dog, a cricket, a bird and just a red solid circle. I got it all fixed while Gracie sat at my feet and watched every move that I made."

"Then I showed it to her and moved the little red light around on the floor. Gracie sat there and I moved it some more and Gracie just sat and looked at me as if to say, 'Mom are you having fun? What is that thing and why are you playing with it?' "

I put it away and when Fran brought Wilson over, he came charging in, ate Gracie's treat that was on the floor, and jumped in my lap. So Fran took the light and shined it on the floor and Wilson chased it and chased it. All the while Gracie sat prim and proper and looked totally dismayed that Wilson was chasing that silly little light. I do believe that my gorgeous Gracie is an OLD MAID like her Mom who is not inclined to participate in silly games.

Surely am glad I didn't pay much for the laser which will soon became another pet's toy.
Hugs
Gracie and Jane

Bambi Belle-- Honorary Peke

You all remember Nubby, the Boston Terrier and LuLu. They've been on the blog before. LuLu is a little 8 pound sweetheart. Her mom rescued a little Chihuahua named Taco a few months ago. He is so sweet and will even bring food to LuLu and Nubby from the kitchen.

Their mom just rescued another one from the same back yard breeder. Her name is Bambi Belle.

Bambi Belle is housetrained, but a little nervous in her new surroundings. She's never been safe and loved before and is adjusting.

She would like to find a home for Bambi Belle because they are moving to California and can't take all four dogs with them. If you know someone who would be interested in adopting Bambi Belle (or having more information), just email me. haveninhim@aol.com We want to find her a loving home where she can live the rest of her life.

Who could resist this sweet face?!