We're still around

Dear Pupsters,
What a spell of winter weather we have had here in NJ!!!!!!! This weekend there was a blizzard along the east coast of NJ and we sat right in the middle of it. Good thing Rascal and I were able to get out for "business sake" as the wind blew so hard it cleared an area for us on the back porch. Grandson Chris got over and cleared the drive which enabled us to get out in the car with Mom for a Super Bowl party. Some of the foster dogs found forever homes and the last 2 are just about ready to be adopted. Mom hasn't taken on any new pupsters as she has been busy taking care of Aunt Joyce and Grammy. We help too by making them smile when they pet and feed us. Rascal had to go to the vets again for his cough but he is better now. All his blood work came back with great results. Me, I got a couple new toys but I still love my old fuzzy ball the best. Really really cold here so we have to wear our coats outside. I don't mind my coat now like I did before when Mom first put it on me. Hope all is well with you and yours. WOOF!WOOF! Tasha and Rascal

Hi, Pupsters!!!!!!

Life does move fast. Here it is 2010 already and Santa came and went We were busy with the holidays and all. All of us are well. Big snowstorm before Christmas was alot of fun for us dogs but Mom looked at it differently. She was able to place 5 dogs in foster homes before Christmas which made all of us happy. Theystayedwith us for a few days but Rascal wasn't too keen on them. I was kind of glad when they left.too. Got a new hair cut today, bath tomorrow. We're kinda in hibernation, as Mom calls it, right now, catching up on reading, sleeping, eating, sleeping, and then when there is nothing else to do, we sleep some more. YAWN!YAWN! Hope Santa Dog brought everything you all wanted and the New Year is the best ever for all my pupster pals. WOOF!WOOF! Tasha and Rascal and Mom

Happy Holidays, Pupsters

Wet snow today, the first snow we've seen this winter. Mom busy sweeping off the slush so we don't slip on the porch, especially her since she has only 2 paws and we have 4. Rascal had to go to the vets on an emergency basis as he was coughing so badly on Monday. Mom told me he has a condition called collapsing trachea and his throat gets sore or irritated when he coughs a lot and sounds hoarse when he barks. He's had it before, usually the same time of the year. Mom and the vet thinks its because of the dryness in the air when the heat comes on. He has medicine he has to take and it is helping him. I don't like it when he's coughing. He's just not himself then and he won't play with me. Mom finally found a way to control my itching. She took us both off the dog food we were eating and cooks for us using meat(YUM,YUM), vegetables, and rice/oatmeal along with our vitamins. She puts it in a noisy machine and grinds it all together. Mine is chunkier than Rascals cuz I have teeth and he doesn't. We also get a tablet that has a special bacteria in it like in yogurt(which we didn't like). The vet said that sometimes dogs are treated for itching skin with allergy meds when the condition is not allergies but something called intestional yeast infection that can cause all the chewing and biting and scratching like allergies. She found a dry dog food called Orijin which has no ground meal in it at all but that has larger hard chunks so out comes the grinder again. We don't like it unless she puts the homemade food with it. But I guess its ok. Anyway, it took about a week for the new food system to take effect. Now we don't have those nasty itches any more. Of course, we scratch sometimes(so does Mom) but nothing like before. Rascal and I are letting you know about this cuz some of our Pupster Pals also have itching issues which can be pretty miserable for us dogs and our humans. Looks like its time to take Mom out into the slush since we haven't been out for awhile. She'll put our stupid coats on us, though. Oh,well!!!! When you have to go, you have to go!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOF!WOOF! Rascal and Tasha

We're still here!!!!!!!!!!

Been a long time since we had an entry into our diary but everything is fine with Mom, Rascal, and me, Tasha. Mom has been busy with all sorts of things like trying to find homes for other pupsters who need homes and there really hasn't been much time to write. We've had lots of adventures and activities plus traveling here and there with her visiting foster homes, family and friends. Must get an updated picture of Rascal and me but Mom's camera doesn't work and we're awfully hard to get to sit still for the camera here on the computer. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and we wish all of you the very best of the turkey and all the trimmings. This will be my first Thanksgiving with Mom and Rascal and I know Mom will make us a special plate of goodies to celebrate. I'm one very lucky dog to have been adopted by my family who loves me very much.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving every one especially all those pupsters waiting to be adopted. Pray they find homes soon. WOOF!WOOF! Tasha, Rascal, and Mom

OH!BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, pupsters, didn't see this coming!!!!!!!!!!!Mom calls me over to the grooming bench and before I can wag my tail 3x, I'm on the bench with this machine that makes a lot of noise. Yes, the dreaded grooming clippers!!!!!!!!!!!! And there I am getting a hair cut before I could even protest. Not fair!!!!!!! Usually we know by Mom's actions that something is up- brushing, combing, bath, toenails, trim, whisker washing. Nothing. She totally took us by surprise She has groomed me with scissors before but this is the first time since I arrived that she has given me a full-blown, real mc coy hair cut and I didn't have a clue it was coming. Rascal neither. I was first. I have to admit I was a little concerned cuz the last time I had my hair clipped, I was with my foster buddy, Harriet, and we were soon going to leave foster Mom. Was my real Mom going to send me away???? I sat very still for her and didn't fuss at all. It was really not bad cuz Mom didn't put that awful leash around my neck and make me stand the whole time. She would clip awhile and then comb and clip and comb and I was done before I knew it. We even took a break and went outside so I could run around. When we came back in, Mom laid me on my sides as she trimmed around my feet and BINGO!!! I was done. I looked at her and she said I was Beautiful just like she did when she adopted me. I was so glad and happy when she said, " You're a keeper" and gave me hugs and kisses. That's my Mom!!!!!!! Rascal kept hanging around knowing that soon it would be his turn and it was. I stayed close by in case he caused any trouble but you know Rascal, Mr. Perfect!!!! He was very good too. I must say we looked pretty "sphiffy" and even better after we had our BATHS. Oh, yes, they go hand in hand after a clipping but I was the only one that got a real bath. Rascal has been coughing somewhat so Mom just wiped him down with soon kind of stuff that made him look brighter and whiter. Mom said he really didn't need a bath cuz he doesn't roll around on the ground outside like I do. Mr. Perfect!!!! Humph!!!!!!!!! But we do smell good!!!!!!!! And I have to say I feel much better. Rascal agrees. Still can't figure out how Mom was able to pull a fast one on us!!!!!!!! You, MOMS, you know ALLLL the tricks!!!!!!!! WOOF!WOOF! Tasha and Rascal

Been a long time!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, pupsters! We're back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much to tell you that I forgot most of it. These past few weeks we were on vacation somewhere called Lake Champagne or Lake campaign or something like that. Any way, it was BIG and I mean BIG. Aunt Marianne was with us for awhile and then we were on our own with family visitors on the weekends. Kinda missed home and our yard, even that darn old horse, my place on the back of the sofa, Mom's big soft bed and lots of other things. Rascal and I had a good time, no, a great time, even made friends with the caretaker's dog called Jingles. We couldn't run loose too much cuz there are these snakes in the area that could bite us so Mom walked with us on a leash. Jingles was free to run but I guess he knew where not to go. Our house was on the lake with a boat house and a boat. We went for rides across the water to get groceries and stuff but we didn't like the rides so much. Rascal always sat on Mom's lap and I sat beside her. The boat made a lot of noise and scared us. George, the caretaker, after while, would shop for us or stay with us when Mom went out. We took rides in the car and saw many different areas around the lake. We'd always jump up and bark when the big huge boats would sound their horns as they went by our house. Our house was on property that some governor owned previously. Nice place with a big fireplace in the living room. I helped Mom build the fire every night by picking up the best sticks outside which she used to start the fire. Of course, I sometimes chewed on them first which Mom didn't exactly like. You see, they were in the wood box on the screened in porch and when Mom went anywhere and left us on the porch I would pick out some sticks and chew on them! She didn't like that too much. She was afraid I would swallow the bark but I was careful. Well, one day the box wasn't there any more. George had moved it to the back porch which we didn't use. Oh, well!!! Still had fun barking at the chipmunks and squirrels that tried to get onto our porch. Oh, and there was something bigger, much bigger on several occasions that even had Mom barking so to speak. Bears!!!!!!!!!!! Bears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On morning, early, Mom awoke to the sound of something outside our bedroom window which was on the lakeside. She looked out and there were 2 bears walking around on the patio standing up looking in the kitchen window, turning over the chairs, scaring the daylights out of her. We couldn't see them but we knew someting was wrong. Mom went to the phone that we used to call George and told him what was outside. We thought it was time to get up and go out but Mom told us to go back to sleep. As we did, we both caught the bears' scent and starting barking our heads off. Mom tried to keep us quiet but we knew something was outside that shouldn't be there. Soon we heard George calling from outside, Jingles jingling on the patio. Mom opened the door and went out and talked with George. Rascal and I stayed inside on the screen porch. Jingles came over and said hello. Soon Mom came back in and took us out to do our business. Everything was okay. Apparently our barking scared those bad bears away. Mom told us that Bears are common in the area but that they are more afraid of us then we are of them. But you can't convince Mom of that. So, our next few days' walks were very close to the house and the bears, actually only one bear, was seen again crossing the road a few days later. We were on the porch and barked when we saw it. I think I'd rather go after that darn horse at home. We watched it saunter off and we never saw them again but somehow knew they were still around so we were very careful when outside. Never did see a snake, though. ( Mom here, that was fine by me. Bears were bad enough) Last Sunday we were on our way home and, after a very long drive , soon we jumped out of the car and there was our yard and horses, and house, and our own porch, and door and we were inside . Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!! We've been sleeping for 3 days now. And as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said, "There's no place like home!!!!!!!!!!" WOOF! WOOF! Tasha and Rascal

What a Day!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, pupsters! Glad to announce that they didn't sell Rascal at the Antique Show after all but everybody wanted to take us home with them. Our heads became too big for our little bodies. They kept saying how cute we are, what good dogs we are and how much we look alike. Don't know whats wrong with their eyes. I'm a girl and Rascal's a boy. He has long fur and mine is shorter. He has no teeth and I have a busy mouth with a full set of teeth. We don't look anything alike except our white color!!!!!What the heck were they talking about?????????? Mom was very proud of us cuz we were on our best behavior. I sat quietly next to the picnic table while Rascal sat quietly on the bench the whole time watching everyone go by us. That is until some big grey hunting dog came around where we were. Boy, did Rascal show him!!!!!! You don't mess with his family unless you are asked to join us which that dog wasn't. Mom wasn't watching us then, thank goodness. Aunt Joyce was and she is just as tough with poor manners and that dog certainly had poor manners as did his owners who thought it was cute that their dog peed on our table. Rascal jumped down and chased that darn dog away with his tail between his legs. As far as we know that dog is still running with his owners chasing after him. You may ask what I was doing this whole time. Well, you see I was on a leash. I just barked my head off. Rascal,cuz he is very good, wasn't on a leash but he came right back as soon as Aunt J called him. He's soooo good. Mom came over from one of the antique tents cuz she recognized my barking and took over. She asked Aunt J what happened and Aunt J said, "Oh, nothing. Some dog came by and caused trouble but our little critters were good." Then she winked and smiled at us but I know Mom really knew what happened. How come Moms always know everything???????????? Anyway, to the important stuff. FOOD!!!! Had a sample of just about everything, my favorite being a piece of Mom's ham sandwich. Not too much but just about enough. Mom didn't want us to get the "oops cies'', if you get my drift. Rascal really liked the little cupcake Mom made special for us. Good dessert. We slept in the back seat on the way home and I wasn't nervous!!!! WHAT A DAY!!!!!!!!!! WOOF!WOOF! Tasha and Rascal

Another weekend

Not much going on here in NJ these past few days. Heavy storms. Knocked out our computer yesterday. Mom not happy about that. Leaves and branches down all over our yard. Rascal and I aren' too happy cuz we have to go out in the rain and wind to go potty and we get all wet. Mom does too. She put on our jackets but I'm not liking that very much. Rascal's jacket has a hood. Mine doesn't. Mom has been very busy with something called a clothing sale at our church most of this past week. But she said it is over now and we are glad she is home safe with us. Besides, guarding the house is exhausting !!! We did get a little scared when the storm was really howling. Wished Mom had taken us with her like she does sometimes but she said there was too much to do at church this time. Tomorrow we are going to something called an antique show way far away. Mom said thats where they sell old things. Hope they don't want to sell Rascal cuz he's OLD!!!!!!!!!HEH!!!HEH!!!. (Sorry, Rascal) Anyway, its not suppose to rain and after the show which is outside, Mom said we are going to have a picnic with Aunt Marianne, Uncle Jack, Aunt Joyce and whoever else is there. I've never been on a picnic but Rascal said they are fun cuz you get to eat!Yeah!!!! Hope I don't get nervous in the car. WOOF!WOOF! Tasha and Rascal

Tasha and Rascal's Mom

Last entry on Labor Day didn't have a signature cuz my little buddies thought they would get in trouble for calling for a Pupsters Labor Day but I told them it would be alright. As I said to them every day is a Pupsters Labor Day and rightfully so. All pupsters are there for us in every way and what they do for us is appreciated more then they will ever know!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!
WOOF! WOOF! Tasha and Rascal's Mom

Happy Labor Day!!

Hey, pupsters!!!!! Special day for humans. Guess they have to do work cuz its Labor Day!!!HEH!HEH! Seriously, its nice that those humans who work have an extra day off. But what about us "laboring" dogs who work 24/7 taking care of our houses, toys, food bowls, yards, cars, each other, our pupster pals, newspapers, magazines, mail, food droppings, clothes, sleeping blankets, our doggie pillows, bug invaders, floor dust bunnies etc? We are constantly guarding everything our humans own including them. We are their caregivers making sure they exercise by taking us for walks, playing ball, getting them up on time , protecting against those pesty squirrels , birds, and sneaky horses. We keep them company when they are alone. We always remind them not to eat so much and share their food with us.. We can lower their blood pressure by letting them pet and cuddle us. But most important, we let them Love us each and every day. Lets hear it for all the dogs in the world who work 24/7. Every day should be Pupsters Labor Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uh!!!!!!!!!! Mom just reminded me IT IS!!