Blog Archives
The week in review
Posted by doggonedmysteries
This has been a long week. Very cold weather and now today, more snow. Dang, we were just getting to see some grass peek through the last dumping of snow we got. The furnace has been working overtime keeping the house warm. Eeks! We have frigid weather and another inch or two of snow predicted for this weekend. Take note people, with this surge in cold weather stocks in long underwear companies should rocket. Hurry up spring!
Meanwhile back at the pond, the waterfall is frozen but the fountains are running. We need a few days above freezing to thaw the filters and the waterfall. There’s no ice on the pond, due to the cattle trough heater, but leaves clogged the basket on top of the pump, thus the frozen filters. It took me two hours to get the fountains flowing. Ah, wet hands and frigid weather, what a lovely combination.
Gavin and Patty are as sick of snow as we are. Neither one wants to be outside long. Our normally quiet dog barked when she saw some people outside today. It seems that Patty has taken to complaining to the neighbors about the weather.
DH had a bad week. We’re hoping next week will be a better one for him. He’s going to skip his Avonex dose on Monday. We’ll see how that goes.
Here’s hoping for warmer days, melted snow, and DH feeling better.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Snow, weather, Writer, Writing
Cold weather dogs? No sirree.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
How fitting that I have dogs who don’t like the cold. Bull Terriers are not cold weather dogs. Believe me the days are very cold right now, colder than we’ve seen in many years. Neither Gavin nor Patty will tolerate a coat even on the coldest of days. They give that ‘she’s-crazy if she thinks I’m going to wear that’ look.
I’ve never seen either of the pups so quick to go out and come back in. Miss Patty, of the very thin coat, goes a few yards into the yard, does her business, and comes flying in the back door as if shot from cannon. Gavin walks only a few feet from the back steps, squats like a puppy and trots back in. He wants us to think that the cold is no big deal to him.
Miss Patty heads for DH’s lap or the settee, which is warmed by the radiator behind it. (Gavin hasn’t discovered that feature yet.) Gavin wants his chair or my lap, preferably the latter. I’ve resorted to turning the space heater on for a few hours at night in the kitchen since that’s the coldest room and is where Gavin’s crate is. Even though his crate is next to the radiator in there, he is noticeably quieter when the space heater is on. Therefore, I know he’s more comfortable.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog, Weather related
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, 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
It is ccccooold!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Grrr, It's freaking cold!
It’s cold weather like this that makes me wish for a home on a tropical island. The pups didn’t want to go out today unless they absolutely HAD to go. Yeah, it was THAT cold here. The next few days are supposed to be colder yet.
Oh, my dear Canadian friends please keep your arctic air to yourselves. I don’t want to share. The 9 degrees predicted for tomorrow is not my idea of nice weather. Hey, I’m no polar bear.
Spring cannot get here fast enough as far as I’m concerned. We’re supposed to get ten days of BRRRRRRRRRR. Please, Mother Nature, send that cold back to the frozen north, and let us have some nice 40 degree weather. I can live with 40 degrees for a few months.
Poor Miss Patty has a thin coat so she zips outside and back in as fast as her legs can carry her. Gavin’s coat is thicker, probably because he’s from Nova Scotia, and he’ll take his time. However, if I have him out, he will hurry because I tell him I’m freezing my buns off and there’s an extra cookie in it if he gets done faster. Yes, I sink to bribery.
Posted in My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
A quiet NYE
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We don’t often party we are homebodies. Occasionally we go out for a NYE celebration. I am very glad we stayed home last night all snug in the house with the dogs and nothing to do but enjoy watching old Thin Man movies together. It had snowed off and on all day and then by midnight the snow turned to sleet. Driving anywhere in that sort of weather, would’ve been no fun at all.
We shared popcorn with the pups. They love it, beg for it, and will chase down the tiniest piece. Neither one is very good at catching. It’s always good for a giggle or two. I think it’s a Bull Terrier thing since none of ours have ever been great catchers.
A little after midnight DH went to bed. I turned the volume down low on the TV but continued to listen to the Thin Man movies while I worked. The pups were sleeping. The house was quiet. It was a perfect night, an enjoyable night, and a productive night.
Posted in Dog related, Holidays
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Food, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Happy New Year!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A toast!
A toast to my dear readers…
May most of your wishes be granted.
I’d never say all, for a person needs to dream.
Good health.
Long life.
May the love of friends and family warm you.
Smell the roses.
Dance as if no one is looking.
Sing with joy.
Keep your feet on the ground and your head in the clouds.
And please keep on coming back here.
Posted in Holidays
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Fish, Food, Gardening, Gardens, gifts, Happy New Year, Healthcare, Holidays, Home, Humor, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Who stole the garlic?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I made spaghetti sauce today. I had help in the form of two four footed helpers. Their sort of help consists of stepping on my toes, standing between the counter and me, blocking access to pots and pans, and stealing three cloves of garlic. I turned my back for one minute and the garlic POOF disappeared.
“Alright you guys, who stole it? Who stole my garlic?”
Two Bull Terriers did their best to look innocent. Patty ran for her crate and hid in the back. Guilty or not she always does that. She doesn’t do confrontations. Gavin danced around the kitchen sassy barking at me. He always does that when it’s near dinner time. I wasn’t getting any answers.
I had a good idea who did it. Gavin doesn’t often put his paws on the counter edge and he’s not quite tall enough to snitch anything from there. However to be fair I smelled his breath. “Phew, stinky breath but no garlic on it.”
I went to Patty’s crate and leaned down. I didn’t have to smell her breath. Fumes of garlic panted from the back. I didn’t have the heart to scold her.
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Food, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
A soggy trip
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It is still raining and our yard is soggy. After my last trip out there with Gavin so am I. I do mean trip. Gavin was wandering along the fence line and I walked back toward the shed. The wind we had last night knocked a small branch or two off the magnolia, I didn’t see the one that sent me flying until after I’d landed splat in the deepest puddle out there.
Gavin is always ready to play and when he saw me hit the ground, he thought PLAY TIME! Sixty five pounds of wet dog landed on me. I started laughing, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t get up. Well, let’s say that the laughing and the extra sixty five pounds didn’t help my efforts. Never laugh at or with a Bull Terrier, it makes them sillier.
By the time we made it back inside, I was soaked, muddy, and cold. Gavin was muddy, wet, and full of himself. Furthermore, he had the nerve to beg for a cookie.
I was about to remove my muddy coat when Patty rang the bells—she wanted her turn out. She had a quick trip.
My coat and jeans went into the washer. After a hot shower and a cup of Bengal Spice tea, I was feeling warmer.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, 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
Santa’s little helpers
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Sometime around 11:00 tonight I’ll take the pups for a walk. First I’ll walk one around the block to the east of us and then I’ll walk the other to the west.
What makes these walks special? The dogs will wear sleigh bells. Any children still awake will have the thrill of hearing Santa pass by. I do this every year. In fact, I’ve done this for 36 years.
It’s a hoot because I’ve heard about ‘Santa’s Bells’ for years from parents and kids. They’ve yet to figure out where they come from. 😉
Have a Merry and a Happy everyone!
The two pups enjoyed their reindeer walk. However, of the two I think Patty was the one who enjoyed it the most. I’ve never seen her trot so happy or proud–she loves the bells. She extended the walk by a couple of blocks. Gavin had fun since he ran into a young woman who thought he was very clever to be wearing bells but he didn’t want to walk as far or as fast as his sister did.
Posted in Holidays
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Holidays, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Santa, Santa's Bells, Writer, Writing
Welcome to electric massager addicts anonymous
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Our dog Gavin has a problem. He’s addicted to the Homedics back massager. We can’t turn the thing on without him leaping to attention and begging us to use it on him. I think he needs a support group. Poor boy, I think I’ll send him to one tonight…
“My name is Gavin and I’m an addict.”
“Hello, Gavin.”
“I’m addicted to the back massager. It’s my humans’ fault. They got me started. I can’t hear that thing turn on without turning into a drooling, rolling on the floor, whore for it. I must have it. I insist my humans use it on me first. Turn it on. NOW. I need it. It is MINE.”
“Whoa, whoa there boy.”
“Sorry, I can’t help it.”
“We understand.”
“It started when my Dad human brought the thing home from the pharmacy. He bought the wonderful thing for his back but then thought it would be funny to try it out on me. Oh, it felt soooooooo good! Later that night, I tried to turn it on myself, but couldn’t, and even if I could I have no thumbs and can’t hold it.”
“You poor boy.”
“Now they hide it behind the sofa where I can’t get at it. It’s no fair. I need it. I WANT IT.”
(Patty: Geez, he’s such an idiot.)
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, 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
Old friends finally meet
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Years ago, I met Jackie online. We’ve instant messaged and talked in chat rooms for ages and ages. We even talked on the phone once or twice. Today, we finally met in person. We had a great time visiting over many cups of coffee.
Gavin and Patty were ecstatic over meeting someone who knew all the right places to scratch them and didn’t mind a few puppy kisses. Although there were a couple of times that I had to send the pups to their crates to calm down because each wanted the pets the other was getting from Jackie they were well behaved for the most part.
I’m not sure if we were what Jackie expected but then I have no idea what she expected. 😉
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, friends, friendships, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, old friends, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Puppies and kittens for Christmas—not a good idea
Posted by doggonedmysteries
There’s nothing more stressful to a young animal than to arrive in a new home smack dab in the middle of the holiday confusion and excitement. For quite a few years, I managed a small pet store. We specialized in purebred kittens. Around Christmas, the owner would push the sale of them and offered to stay late on Christmas Eve so they could be picked up then. I protested his zeal the first year I worked there and managed to get him to change his policy a bit. We still sold the kittens but the new policy saved the babies from the stress of the holidays.
I talked my boss into holding the Christmas gift kittens until after Christmas. So what if they stayed with us a couple days longer? Instead of taking the new pet home for the holidays, our customers would present their gifts to the intended people in a different way. Some would buy all the needed supplies, wrap them, and put them under the tree with a note that the kitten would be theirs after the holidays. Others would give the intended giftee a picture of their new pet to be along with a collar, or toy, or bag of food. Most of our customers thought this a great idea when I explained how stressful arriving in a new home is on a normal day and was so much more so during the holidays. In fact, they took great pleasure in buying twice as many things for the new pet to put under the tree for the giftee than they would normally buy.
I managed to schedule pick up dates so we weren’t jammed with people on the same day too. All of this saved the kittens the stress of being in a new home when stress and activity levels are off the scale. They would enter their new homes when things were calm and they had time to acclimate to their new families.
I know several dog breeders who have done this for many years. Many of them refuse to allow a pet to leave their premises until after Christmas. Reputable breeders will gladly hold the pups (or kittens) until after the holidays.
If you plan to give someone a pet for the holidays, spare the animal the stress, present the person with the pet’s supplies or a picture, and a note that their new companion is waiting for them.
Posted in Dog related, Holidays, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, gifts, Holidays, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Have A Happy Holiday!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year we hope it brings you joy, warmth, wishes granted, and love.
With all our love,
MW, DH, Gavin, and Patty
Posted in Holidays
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Fish, Food, Gardening, Gardens, gifts, Holidays, Home, Humor, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
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