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Leaf leapers—another year gone by
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The yard is a sea of leaves and the trees still have more to drop. It wouldn’t be so bad except now they are wet leaves. As soon as they dry, it’s time for me to put on the work gloves and get raking.
Patty and Gavin love the leaves. I think the silly dogs are both dying for me to rake them into piles into which they can leap. They’re worse than kids are about leaf piles.
Each dog has its own style of leaf pile diving. Patty loves to race up to the pile, leap high, and land in the center. Gavin prefers the tank style of plowing through them.
They both love it when I join in on the fun. They hop about begging me to kick leaves up into the air for them to pounce on. You’d never guess that Gavin had his tenth birthday on November 1 with all his energy.
I find it hard to believe it was ten years ago that I picked up that little eight-week-old white puppy at the airport customs office. He was a ball of energy then and hasn’t slowed since.
Posted in Dog related, Weather related
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
They can has gummies
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Occasionally my sweet tooth gets out of hand and demands I scarf down something sweet. Today was one of those occasions. Fortunately, I have a ton of Halloween candy on hand. I could pick and choose, but thought I’d best stick with something less calorie laden than some of those oh so rich chocolate caramel bars.
I spotted a large bag of snack-sized bags of gummy spiders, mummies, and monster shapes. Ah, not only could I curb my sugar craves, but I could also set up the ice cubes I wanted to make for our party.
Once I had the spooky gummies in the ice cube trays and had them back in the freezer I was ready to indulge myself on what was left in one little bag.
I curled up in my lounge chair, sat back, and began to chew on one. The next thing I knew I had a dog’s head on each knee. Two pair of triangular black eyes stared into mine. I tried to ignore them as I popped a second gummy into my mouth.
Gavin and Patty know all about gummies they love them and will drool like crazy as soon as they smell them. By the third gummy, they had my knees soaked. I looked in the bag and there were two little gummy spiders left. Gavin and Patty will gulp things down without tasting them. However, when it comes to gummies they chew and chew and chew them.
“Can we has the last two gummies?” Those eyes and all that drool….
I am weak. I am a big softie.
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Food, Gummy candies, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Miscellaneous things
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’ve had my blucigs for almost two weeks now, and in that time, I’ve only smoked four regular cigarettes. That’s quite a big accomplishment for me.
I replaced my dead fog machine yesterday. I have far too many enablers. 😉
G has Little D’s Halloween birthday cake all figured out. She’s making a sheet cake cemetery. I finally caught Little D’s mother R today to ask how many candles we should put on the cake—a detail we’d forgotten. DUH.
While driving yesterday G and I noticed that many of the trees around here have donned their brightly colored fall fashions.
The pups are enjoying the chilly weather and are so full of energy they’ve been chasing each other around the house like maniacs. It’s a wonder there’s a stick left standing here. Everything in the curio cabinet has wandered to one side from the thundering herd’s floor rattling romps.
You all have a good day. If you live where you actually have a pretty fall, do try to get out and enjoy the colors.
Posted in Misc
Tags: A special Halloween birthday cake, Author, Birthday cake, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Cake, Cake decorating, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Food, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
It’s not a breeze when it hits fifty mph
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We had lots of wind yesterday and more today. Gavin doesn’t like wind. Wind makes his ears tickle. He doesn’t want to stay out in it long. Poor pup. He doesn’t like it when it rattles the windows and lets the wind know with grumbling woofs.
Patty loves the wind. She dashes to the center of the yard, stops, stands still, her nose high sifting through the scents. You can see the wheels turn as she catalogues each smell. She wants to stay out and explore the many aromas the wind is bringing to her.
Any dead branches left in the trees by the last few storms that passed though certainly came down yesterday and today. I see another yard clean up in my future. Now, if only I could remember where I put my garden gloves…
DH wanted to mow the grass. However, yesterday he tripped over one of the dogs and took a bit of a tumble. He decided the mowing could wait another day or two. He’s not saying anything but I’m betting he’s a bit stiff and sore.
Posted in Dog related, Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Can a dog lick a hole into his stainless steel food dish?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I dunno but Gavin is certainly making a daily effort to succeed in doing just that. I can always tell when he’s bored because he goes to his empty food dish and licks it.
It’s as if he goes into a trance licking, licking, and licking some more. When I can no longer stand the sound of his tags rattling against the bowl, I tell him, “Dinner isn’t for several hours. Go lie down.” You can almost see him shrug and grin a gotcha.
I do know that dogs can bite holes into stainless steel dishes. This was something I learned at my mentor’s BT kennel. All of her stainless steel dog dishes had teeth marks and holes in them.
Fortunately, my two don’t chew on their dishes. That could be because their dishes fit into stands and they can’t get hold of the edges. I’m sure that both of them would make a game out of throwing the dishes about if they could.
I cringe at the thought of dodging flung dishes or having them crash into the glass of the curio cabinet.
(Normally I mix the posts up a bit, but with more rain all day and night again, the dogs and I were bored.)
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Wet weather wet dogs
Posted by doggonedmysteries
After having a dry summer, it seems that fall is making up for it. We’ve certainly had a lot of rain. It rained all day, all night, and all day again. At least this time it isn’t coming from the same direction as the last storm and the roof isn’t leaking. However, it did get chilly enough to turn the heat on.
It must be the cooler weather. Just when I think I have them figured out, Gavin and Patty change things. The crazy dogs have altered their schedules over the last couple of weeks. Instead of sleeping from seven to two a.m., when they go out for a last call, and then sleeping for the rest of the night, they are now waking at ten and staying up until midnight. From ten to midnight they race around the house playing doggie tag until they drop. Then they want to go out. After that, they zonk and sleep the rest of the night.
Gavin enjoys going out in the rain some days and others he doesn’t want to go unless he must. Today was one of those ‘let me out every five minutes’ days. Even with his short wash and wear coat, I don’t think he dried out until almost three in the morning. Patty on the other hand hates rain and is content to stay indoors until she’s desperate.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rain, weather, Writer, Writing
Update on that MP3 player and other things
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I went shopping today and ran across a 4GB SanDisk Sansa Clip+ on clearance. After comparing it to several other MP3s and the IPods, I went with it, not only for the price, but also for the ease of downloading my music to it. I am once again enjoying my favorite music while cooking, cleaning, and doing other menial tasks around here.
Due to some severe weather heading our way I might not be able to post tomorrow. Since I normally write my posts in the wee hours of the morning, the weather might put a damper on that. Do check back though just in case the front moves more easterly instead of north.
DH is still showing improvement in his walking so I have nothing but good things to say about Ampyra.
Patty has decided she wants ice cookies every night after their last out. She’s begun to sit at the freezer door and beg. Gavin waits to one side. He knows she has the right moves to get some for them.
Take care everyone and have a good day!
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Digital audio player, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, IPod, Life, Love, MP3, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, SanDisk, SanDisk Sansa, SanDisk Sansa Clip, Sansa Fuze, Writer, Writing
Ice cookies, a doggie treat
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I used to complain about our dogs trying to crawl into the old refrigerator when I opened the door. It was a constant contest to see if I could get things out without the dogs getting in.
Our present refrigerator has the freezer on the bottom. It’s actually a great idea when you have dogs, except if you’ve introduced them to the joys of crunching ice cubes. Now I can’t open my freezer without paying a fee.
They know there are ice cubes in there and they want them. They will ignore dog cookies in favor of ice cubes. Well, at least they will until they finish crunching the ice.
Gavin will pick his up, take it over to the rug in front of the sink, and work on it there. Patty, little miss dainty, will chew hers where you drop it. Gavin crunches his quicker, and always checks to see if Patty has dropped any chips, he can help himself to, she’s getting faster at eating hers and not leaving anything for him.
It would be easier if we had a working icemaker instead of ice cube trays but DH never installed it. It’s still in the box. When we bought the refrigerator, it didn’t have an icemaker and they were going to charge us sixty bucks to install it later. I should’ve paid them the sixty bucks and not listened to DH when he said he could do it. This reminds me, I’d better go fill the ice cube trays.
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
It’s one a.m.; do you know what your fur babies are doing?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I know what mine are doing only because I am downstairs with them right now.
Gavin bows in front of her crate. “Come out and play with me.”
Patty turns her back to him and covers her head with a paw. “You are nuts. It’s after one in the morning. Let me sleep.”
“Please, please, please come out of there.”
“Zzzzzzzzzz.”
“You’re no fun.” Gavin goes and rings the go out bells. “C’mon Mom take me out. It’s chilly and I love it.”
“Hold your horses, I’m writing my post for tonight.”
In the kitchen, the bells ring again. Gavin runs to my chair and barks. “Didn’t you hear the bells?”
A moan comes from Patty’s crate. “Take him out so I can sleep will ya?”
“Geez, it never fails does it? I sit down to write and you guys start in.”
“I didn’t do anything. I’m trying to sleep here.” Patty says.
“I want to go out.” Gavin runs to ring the bells again.
“I get it, I get it. I’m coming.” I grab his leash and we go out.
Gavin sniffs over the entire yard, squats to pee a teensy bit, and drags me back to the door. “Ready to go in now.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake.”
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Sookie Stackhouse instead of shuffle dog please
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I spent most of this evening immersed in Charlaine Harris’s world of Sookie Stackhouse. I needed a break from reality and some well earned pleasure. I find all of her books a pleasure to read and her Sookie books top my list. (Gee, I hope someone says that of me one day.)
We had a busy day topped by taking both dogs to the vet’s office. We play shuffle dog. One in the van with DH while one is in the office and then we switch them. Or rather I do. It is a great deal of exercise moving the dogs around when one is not happy to be there. (Read the September 1 post.)
Gavin still needed his shots and blood test, and we had Patty scheduled for hers. After three vet visits this week alone the total bill came to $400.00. Can you say OUCH? Had Gavin not become ill the day before his appointment our bill would’ve been about $180.00 because he wouldn’t have needed to go a second time.
We were out of heartworm pills too, they take them the fifth of each month, and that ran us $85.00 for 12 doses or six months worth. That ran up the bill. At least the pups are now up to date on all their shots. Lucky Gavin got one more than Patty. He was due for his rabies shot.
Neither dog seems to mind the shots they go quickly. The drawing of blood…well, Gavin hates that and if not held tight will pull away from the needle. Patty is stoic and stands like a statue to have her blood drawn.
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Charlaine Harris, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog, Doggoned, Dogs, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Recreation, Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood, Writer, Writing
Death by Cuddles
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“Henry went to the garden to chop down that old grape vine. That was two hours ago.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Detective Hayes wrote in his notepad. “Then what happened?”
“I heard a commotion. I came outside. Cuddles had that bloody board in his mouth. He was knocking over the potted plants.”
“You mean that two-by-four the Bull Terrier is playing with? You say it has blood on it?”
“Yes. I couldn’t get Cuddles to drop it. He ran by and cracked me in the shins. I went down hard. He ran past again and hit my head.” Victoria showed him the purple bruises on her shins and the knot on her forehead.
“That must’ve been quite a shot.”
“Oh, it was.”
“Tell me about Henry.”
“I was getting to that. Once I could walk, I went to look for him. I’m sure he killed Henry.”
“The dog?”
“Yes, Cuddles killed Henry.”
“Where was the dog?”
“I found him with Henry. He was licking Henry’s face. I ran back to the house to call for the ambulance. When they got here they said Henry was dead and called you.”
“I’m placing you under arrest.”
“But Cuddles did it.”
“Sure, lady”
Posted in Dog related, My blog, Short Stories, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Breeds, Bull Terrier, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog, Dog humor, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Rescues and Shelters, Short stories, Terrier Group, Writer, Writing
Gavin doesn’t fit under a potted palm but you try to tell him that…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Yesterday Gavin entertained me by trying to hide under the potted palm in the waiting room. The receptionists and I were in the giggles. He crawled under a chair in the exam room, closed his eyes, and ducked his head in the old ‘if I can’t see you, you can’t see me’ routine. Didn’t work, the vet tech cracked up and took his temperature anyway.
When Dr O came in, Gavin tried to ooze under the door. That didn’t work either. Dr. O laughed at him and did a complete examination. He even snuck in a quick peek down Gavin’s mouth as far as Gavin would open it.
Gavin didn’t get his shots. No, he managed to come down with a case of the squirts. All night long and for most of the day before his scheduled 2:30 appointment, I took him out every two hours…or less. He came home with two bottles of medications and he is back on the old hamburger and rice diet.
I didn’t want to take both dogs in together. I tried that last time and Chicken Dog had Patty all apprehensive. She usually enjoys her vet visits. That’s why I made two separate appointments. However, now Gavin is tagging along to Patty’s appointment on the second to get his shots. DH can come along and enjoy Chicken Dog’s entertaining antics and then he can take him to the car while Patty gets her check up.
This should be interesting…
Posted in Dog related, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
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