I can't believe he's gone..........

I've been out of my "old" home since September 2010, in December we had to have Maximus put to sleep due to old age & hip issues...Great Dane you know. In May my divorce was final, and I finally got to bring Skooter Elvis to my new home. I'd been without my boy for 8 months, and in that time I'd seen him go from being "Mr. Everything", to being a blind, deaf, senile, sad pup, even his mohawk drooped!
I held on, knowing that I should cherish every second with him, but it was tough. I'd started school, started dating...started my life again...and he hung on. He wasn't the cuddle bug he was just a scant year before, infact he couldn't stand to be touched and that tore my heart out. He couldn't hold his bladder or bowles, so I was constantly cleaning up messes, it was hard to being a date over, but he understood. Then it happened, he quit eating...so I knew. Even after everything htat had happened I wasn't going to deny Ex-hubby being with Skooter in his final moments, after all he was Skoot's father for 14 years; and he didn't deny me my time with Max.
I set it up with the vet, Ex, my family & boyfriend for Saturday December 2, 2011 at 9:45 A.M. I "got the vet" in the divorce, but they worried about Ex & BF meeting, they both understood this was for me and they were OK with anything I said. In the days leading up to Skooter's appointment I gave him "eggies" & chicken, which were his fave's but he barely touched. On the morning of, I gave him chocolate. The ONLY time my furkids get chocolate is on the morning of their "appointment". He liked it OK, Max was BEZERK for Reece Cups, Skoot seemed to preffer M & M's.
On the way to the vet, he started to poo (as usual), he got it in the car seat UNDER his towles, in the floorboard, and IN my purse! By the time I got the the vet Ex was there waiting on me, he took Skoot & gave him more "eggies" while I paid my part & cleaned up. They took him & sedted him, which he'd never had done b/c of his medical history so seeing him stoned was a little funny. He kept yipping like a parrot...and it was loud...and it was in my good ear. They brought him back to us, we were on the couch & had his favorite red fleecie in our laps, then I wrapped his favorite blue baby blanket around his chest & head, holding him like an infant in the crook of my right arm. The doctor entered, we chatted for a sec about Skoot & his life, I held him close & tight singing "our song", Ex patted Skoot's rump, she started the IV..... I couldn't believe it was happeneing. He was very peacful and quiet, he didn't fight...and with that, he was gone. The most wonderful, beautiful thing in my life was gone. He was at peace. He was with his sisters and brother again. He & Max werwe SO bonded, I think when Max died that's when the biggest part of Skooter died too, he gave up...but they were together again, running & playing & wrestling...and I had to smile.
Ex was crying harder than I'd ever seen him cry before, I didn't know what to do, and I knew when BF got there to pick me up, I could fall apart then, so I tried to stay strong for Ex.
The tech came & got Skoot when I was ready, Ex & I got as "put together" as we could, went into the office and waited for BF, he got there in about 3 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity. Ex left, BF & I got into my car, him driving, and he just let me lay in his lap & cry. I held on to Skoot's blankets, wore his collar and grasp the bag of fur the vet cut for me like it was the answer to all the world's problems. He drove and drove until I wasn't catatonic & could speak, but that took a while.
I was shocked, I was actually hungry. He took me home and I put on a touch of makeup and we drove to a favortie spot about 45 minutes away, I couldn't be in that house, in my room, with all of Skooter's things. I fell asleep on the way back, BF put me to bed & lay so close, holding me so tight so I wouldn't feel alone. But I would have to be alone when he left. And I was. He wouldn't allow me to be alone for more than an hour or so at a time those first few days. Everyone at school was great, friends amazed me. Work was a different story, I'd just started a new job, they didn't like me or want me there so most of them were b**ches to me. Oh well, whatever.

It's now my first Christmas without Skoot, the first I can think of in a long time. I got his askes back about 3 days before Christmas and wasn't sure what to do with them. I'd been collecting things to make an urn, but it just wasn't "him", it didn't fit. Thanks to my youngest neice I had a flash of genius. Skoot's askes are now in one of those "make it yourself" stuffed animals you can do at the mall. They didn't ahve a "westie", but they did have a white & grey fuzzy dog tht rezembled Skoot, and it was perfect for me! The vet LOVED the idea & the girls at the shop weren't creeped out by it. I've slept with it tucked under my arm the last couple of nights, but I HAVE to stop, I'm going to a trophy shop Monday to see about a display case so "Little Skooter" doesn't get ruined.
I WILL have another dog...or 2...or 3 someday, but once I'm out of school & into my own place. Until then I can spoil friends dogs & go to the animal shelter and play with them.

I wuv you widduw mans, and we'll be together again.

FALL is here!

Fall, fall, fall, fall!!!!! I just LOVE fall 'cause this means that Mom actually *gasp* cooks! And there's that great suff she calls.....pum....kin? OH!!!! That stuff is AMAZING! Look at this! I'm drooling just like Max now!
OOohhhhh, pum kin!
If you've not had any, then ASK YOU PARENTS, YOU NEED SOME!!!!!

MY Sydnee was here the other day and she gave me a fee-fie! We all love fee-fies and have decided that place with the HUGE yellow M over them has the best fee-fies! Mom went to a place called....win dees? Well, she gave each of us a fee-fie from there....oh we ate them, but they weren't as good as the big yello M! Daddy made some last night and they were pretty good. OK, so he dipped mine in gravy, but hey, I'm not complaining!

Things have been very quiet lately, and I'm happy with that. I mean, I'm not a young boy anymore and I like quiet, normal, not wild times. Oh yes, we all have to have them.....but we don't have to like them. I do kinda' miss Ri 'cause it was about 3 or 4 years that I didn't get to see him, then *POOF* he was here and *POOF* he was gone again! His new Father says that Ri has become the laziest dog in the world.....but he's having a good time and I'm happy for him!

Yesterday Mom and Dad were outside in the pouring rain and had this LOUD thing going, when we got to go outside later I realized that things were MUCH different.....there were trees missing! SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE! Someone took our trees!!!! And what WAS that loud thing? And why were they so dirty and tired when they came in? I'm confused!

But hey, who cares, I got a fee-fie with gravy last night!!!!!

Grooming Day!

There has been SO much going on here, I just don't know where to start! I eman Mommy and Daddy have been taking Bo and leaving, then when they come back everye is REALLY sweaty and smelly and tired.....and they drink LOTS of water. I don't wanna' konw what they're doing, 'cause Max has told me that it's really hard work. It has something to do with a lot of walking and waving and he has to be good for a few hours at a time. WOW, that MUST be hard work! I don't envy him!

Well, I got to see my baby brother, Riley for a little while Saturday. He even spent the night! I liked that! Mommy and Daddy left with him on Sunday afternoon and came home with our baby cousin, Cookie. She's this TINY little Dachshund that has my same coloring.......and to tell a secret......I kinda' like her. Now the first few tiems she came over she didn't like me much, but now I think she realizes that I'm much more her size and speed. She and I have a lot of things in common. No, she's not from the streets, but she did have a really bad start to her life. Because her coloring is so rare and pretty she was bred and bred and bred until she almost died. She lived in a TINY wire cage for the first 7 years of her life and she wasn't fed much and was never let out. Mommy called it a "puppy mill", it sounds horrible! She has a really good life now with our Uncle Mike, but there are some things she does that Mommy and Daddy are trying to change.

We found out that our cousin Bella was in a bad accident and she's now over the Rainbow Bridge. Mommy's been REALLY sad and I've had to comfort her a lot. I think that she's also been really sad about our cousin Bonnie 'cause she got really sick really fast, then she went to sleep. Bonnie is.......was, only 2 weeks older than Alex, so it's scared Daddy really bad too. That's OK, we're all in really good shape and plan to be here for a long time! Mommy makes me sad sometimes though; like a few nights ago she was thinking about Bonnie and Bella and Dolly and was listening to some really sad songs and her face was all wet and leaking. I sat in her lap for a long time trying to make it stop. She kept begging me "Promise me Skooter you won't ever leave me.......promise me." Mommy, I can't make you that promise, but I will promise you that I'll do everything I can to be right by your side as much as I can for as long as I can!

On a much different note, I *finally* got groomed today! I usually get groomed near my birthday because we used to ahve a huge party with all my family here. we didn't ahve the party whis eyar, but I still needed a haircut! Aunt Gina did her usual BEST job and I look fabulous, if I do say so myself! Grandma didn't even know me, and Aunt Stella actually HELD me! Daddy said I look handsome, and Mommy hasn't stopped smiling or taken her eyes off me! I can't wait for My Sydnee to see me tomorrow! OH! And Grandpoppy too! I'll see if I can get Daddy to take a picture of me so Mommy can post it for me. I want to show off! With my hair so short it's a bit cool here in the AC, but that's Ok, that's what Mommy and my blanket are for, right? OOHHH!!! speaking of which, I see Mommy going toward the bedroom! I need to go.....I might miss something!

My Tail of Devotion for Skooter Elvis (Skooter)

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion

New Food.....bath threats........HOTTT Weather!!!!!

Hi guys! I know it's been a while, but Mommy's been out of town a lot with work and when she's gone we're not allwoed on the computer, and Daddy's been busy with making web sites for people, so we've not had ANY time to add new diary entries.
As Max told you, it's been hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement! Mommy and Daddy went to one of the pet places on Sunday and they said you wouldn't believe the number if idiots who left ther dogs in the car with the windows rolled up!!!!! Mommy was about to call the police then break all the car windows and TAKE the dogs!
A long time ago, she was at work one day watching a car that the people had left the dog inside and the windows were rolled up! She said you could see the little thing (it was a Chiuhua-sp?) jump up, trying to see out. He'd do that a few times, then he'd almost flop and you wouldn't see him for a few minutes. She thought he'd died a couple of times because he'd stopped jumping up to look out the car window. She finally called the police (against what her manager said) and when he got there the officer told her that if she had broken the window out of the car and taken the dog he wouldn't have said or done anything to her! He also said that if there was ever any other dog situations when she called 911, to request him. I like officers like that!!!!! Oh, the people finally showed up (after the dog ahd been taken into protective custody) and were......well, let's just say they didn't need a dog. They got ugly with the officers and even threatened Mommy, but she wasn't afraid 'cause she knew she'd done the right thing by calling the police! They were taken away in the police car, and that's when Mommy left too.

You remember when Grandpoppy was here? Well, that was the last time I had a bath!!!!! I think it's GREAT 'cause I like the way I smell and eventhough it's hot and I know a bath would feel better......I DON'T WANNA' TAKE ONE!!!!! Mommy keeps threatning me with it, then runs out of time or energy. I'm glad 'cause I HATE BATHS!!!!! She's threatened Bo too, and AL....but we know she's bluffing, so we're not worried a bit! LOL @ Mommy!!!
Hey, Mommy and Daddy have spent most of this weekend outside, and eventhough they've had several baths, THEY need one right now too 'cause they were working on my camper when it was hot outside, and THEY STINK REALLY BAD right now!!!!! SSHHHEEEEWWWWWWW Mommy!!!!!! And don't get smart and try to take me with you like you did that one time.....it didn't work then and it's not going to work now!

Bo's been pretty upset 'cause AL killed his Bun-Bun. Oh, he's still carried ehr around, but she'ssomehow not the same. He and I have talked about it, but we can't seem to put our paw on it. If someone figures out how she's different now, then please tell us!

OH! They changed food on us.....AGAIN! This time we're eating this stuff that is for "seniors". It's small bites and it's pretty good stuff......but WHAT'S A SENIOR????? We've talked about this one too, and we just don't know! Is anyone else out there a senior? What's that mean? Oh, my achin' feet, I gotta' lay down for a while, I've not napped in about......oh.......20 minutes, so I'm due one right about now.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

*gag* BATH time!

I just can NOT believe the nerve of these people! I found out that Grandpoppy was coming, and all of the sudden everything that I'd taken the time to scent was whisked away and WASHED! THEN, *gasp* IT happened....Mommy washed me too! She said that I "gagged her". WHADDA' YA MEAN, I "GAG" YOU?!?!?!?!?!? HEY LADY, YOU KNOW THAT I TRY VERY HARD TO SMELL THIS WAY! IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT, THANKYOUVERYMUCH!!!!! I just don't get her!

Max has warend me about our so called "aunt" Katie, and the bad thing is I've heard Mommy talking about "and HE'S next", pointing to ME! HELP! What's gonna' happen to me? Mommy keeps talking about my sight and how bad it's gotten. I don't think so, she doesn't see what I see, or the WAY I see, how can she say that I can't.............did I just see Elvis walk thru here?

Anyhow, it was ice having Grandpoppy here for the weekend. We got LOTS of attention, but I didn't like having to sleep with Mommy out on the futon with Max. I was out of my spot, out of MY bed, and away from Daddy and sissy. Ok, so that might not be ALL bad seeing as how she still gripes at me sometimes....but still, I was displaced and displeased! Things ahve returned bakc to normal, but I hear that we're getting MORE company this weekend. They arent' going to stay, thankfully, but it means having to be on my best behavior and maybe even having *gag* my face washed again! I HATE it when Mommy washes my face and trys to get all my "eye-boogers" off! It's VERY unpleasent!

They left me and sissy ehre by ourselves a few weekends ago to go on a hike. Grandma and uncle Robby came over and fed us and took us out and everything......but it wasn't the same. Now that I hear Max telling how bad things were, I'm glad they left us here! I wouldn't do that hike for ANYTHING!!!!! And to be honest, I don't think that Mommy will do that one ever again either! I don't want Alex to know this.....but I don't think that she could've done it. Yes, she DID hike it about 4 years ago, but she's aged and gained weight since then....and she's become soft. I don't want to see her hurt. Daddy says that she won't be going hiking much anymore and she's really sad about that. I can go, but Mommy gets SO mad at me 'cause I don't mind the way Al does. She just walks right there, infront of, or next to Daddy. Not me! I ahve to check out EACH and EVERY scent and I keep tripping Mommy and...well, that's when she whacks me with her hiking pole. Oh, it's not hard, but that's when I remember that I have to stay NEXT to ehr, or BEHIND her......not running all wild in front of her 'cause my leash gets caught on everything and we get tangled, then she gts mad..........and it's not a pretty scene all the way around. BUT I CAN'T HELP MYSELF!!!!! Ther are SOOOOOOO many things to smell and investigate when you're out in the woods! Yes, yes, I know that there is trouble also..........but THE SMELLS, the smells call to me:
"SSssskkooooooooottttttttttttteeeeeeerrrrrrrrr.........ccc coooommmmmeeee ssssmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeellllllllll uuuuuuussssssss!!!!!!!!!" And I don't know what comes over me, but I just HAVE to obey them! Oh well, maybe someday I'll learn how to ignore the smells.....kinda' like I ingnore Mommy when she calls me for a bath!

I'm off to search, I think we've a mouse in Mommy's closet! I've taken up the carpet and dug and dug at the pretty wood floor, but I still haven't found anything............oh, and did I mention that I was in A LOT of trouble for the carpet and floor thing? OOPS!

DEATH TO THE MOUSE!!!!!

Stuck In The Middle With.............mice?

I've had a sniffing HEAVEN lately!!!!! It's starting to warm up around here so we've had a few mice move into the basement. Mommy never lets me go down there 'cause it's a dug-out dirt space and she says that I won't come back to her if she does let me go, and that I'll get hurt, and something about spiders, and.....well, she gave me a list that's about as long as Max's leg of reasons why I can't go down there........but I was too busy sniffing to listen to her. I was sniffing in the bathroom floor for the mice 'cause that's the closest spot to the basement where I can REALLY smell them! It's driving me WILD!!!!!

A couple of weekends ago Daddy got outside and worked in the old building in our back yard. I'd tried to get into it before, but there was too much stuff in it. He'd cleared all that out so I got to go in for a few minutes , and I smelled the most WONDERFUL things........mice, moles, rabbits, squirrels, CATS, and even some smells I can't identify. It was HEAVENLY I tell you!!!!! THEN, Daddy did the strangest thing, he made us all go inside and he and Mommy were gone for a really long time. We heard all kinds of noises, then they came and got us and guess what? NO BUILDING! They'd done something to it, and it was ALL over the back yard! I don't know what they did, or how they did it, but I was truly grateful because the smells that came from the walls were EVEN BETTER! I found old mouse homes and bedding and.......AH, the rapture of it all! They aren't done yet so I can't wait to see what's next!

Sadly, I think I'm being left behind this weekend. They're going hiking, and I KNOW that Max is going and that Alex is saying at Mawzie's.....I think I have to go to Granny's. I don't like it there 'cause it smells bad and they have a dog that's REALLY old and she snaps at me. Mommy fusses at Granny whenever we go over there, it's something about the smelly grey air that's coming from the stick in Granny's mouth. Mommy can't breathe and she gets a BAD, sick headache when we go over, and then me and everything Mommy is wearing smells bad when we get back into our car. Funny, I've played with ALL kinds of sticks before, but I've never played with one that's as small as the ones Granny plays with, and mine have never been white......and for the life of me I can't get grey smelly air you can see to come out of one! What am I doing wrong?

I think she and Daddy are still talking about taking me instead of leaving me at Granny's...................PLEASE MOMMY, PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!

My family is so strange........

Well, last week Mommy and Daddy to Al to see Uncle Dave then on to the 2 pet places that give you treats.....and as usual guess hwo was left behind. I had to stay here with Mo, who has already been to that new and special treat store and so has AL now and they've rubbed it in but have I gotten to go? NNNOOOOOO!!!!!

Oops!

Where was I? Oh yes, staying with Max last Saturday. Well it wasn't ALL bad....but there's only so much wrestling I can do before I'm sleepy. He doesn't seem to get this. I mean I'm 8 years old, almost 9, and I've gained quite a bit of weight lately and I'm just not in the same lythe Skooter that I was a year ago. I do kind of blame Mommy 'cause she she had her surgery I stayed right by her side, hardly ever moving....and we ate.....a lot....now look at us! I have a fat wrinkle over my tail for crying out loud!!!!! HEY MOM, GUESS WHAT? YOU'RE A LARD BUTT TOO! Get off that big 'ol butt and TAKE ME FOR A WALK.....but not now becauase it SO horribly cold and windy and I don't want to go out until it's at least high 60-something with no wind chill, thankyouverymuch!

There I go again, ranting. I think there's something wrong with me....maybe it's my diet? My lack of exercise? NO! I'VE GOT IT!!!!! I used to be "the golden child" THEY would take me any and everywhere...but now I get left behind, or told that is' not a puppy trip. HELLO! When is it NOT a puppy trip, EVERYWHERE should be a puppy trip! But I guess not. I miss being the center of Mommy's life. I know she still loves me, but I want to be THE ONLY ONE. I love Max and Al....but I want it to be ALL about me again! Is that bad? Is it selfish? Maybe this is what Dolly felt like after I came? I know it's what AL felt like....and she has now for 8 years.......*GASP* I've stolen AL's spotlight! She was the only child, the golden child for 2 years, then Dolly came along and was so ill that Mommy and Daddy spent all their time on her. I mean AL wasn't neglected, but she wasnt "the star" anymore......then I came along a year later............. Oh! I'm a bad boy! I'm going to have to do something to make it up to her!!!
WAIT!

Valentine's Day is coming!

PERFECT!

I HAVE A PLAN!!!

I'll write more AFTER my plan because I KNOW Al can read and I don't want to spoil her surprise!!!!!

What About Me?

Hello.............I'm still here............have you forgotten about me? You take Mo everywhere, and then you pick Al up to get her up and down the stairs, and into and out of bed....and then when it comes to me and I grab your hand for some attention then you tell me "no", or "go to sleep Skoot".
Ok, so it's 3 AM and I've just walked (totally) across you......which I've never done before, but doesn't that tell you that I'm crying out for help? Love? Attention?
Wait, what's Mommy saying? She's "off" on Tuesday..........what's that mean? She says that I'm going to ge "pampered"? Um, hello, could you please put that in MY language? I wanna' know if I should be scared here!
Earlier today Mommy was talking to out Uncle Don who lives next door. He has this......thing, it's not a dog but it's grey and fuzzy and speaks to us with a strange accent. He says things like "meow", or purrrr" to Mommy and Daddy and the other humans, but when he sees us his face gets all tight and his ears go back and he says nasty things like "RROOWWWWRRRR". I don't know what it means, but Mommy says that it's not nice and we're scaring him. Ummm, he's the one using the bad language here Mommmy, not us.......
Anyhow, Mommy and Uncle Don got sad today when they were talking. When we came in Mommy gave us all a great big hug and sat us down to tell us that we wouldn't be seeing Nudge anymore. Something about staying away from cars and he's with Dolly now, and something about the Rainbow Bridge. I don't like that place, Mommy and Daddy get sad when they talk about it, and I figured out that's the place that TOOK Dolly! I WANT MY SISTER BACK! I might just go get her, how would that be you mean old stupid Rainbow Bridge....whatever you are?!?!?!?!?

Mommy's ready to curl up and ready for bed-lovies. I like this time 'cause eventhough "Gitch" (my word for sister) and Daddy are in bed, Mommy turns to just me and she talks to me, or sings me a lullaby and she kisses on me and makes sure that my blankets are just right and that I'm comfortable. I like bed-lovie time!
Night-Night!!!!!

These Last Few Days That Have Passed......

Mommy's been REALLY stressed about that "work" thing that she does. I don't get it, I got to go to work with her a few times and it was GREAT! Everyone petted on me, and loved on me and told me how wonderful I was....and she complains about this? What, she doesn't like being petted and loved on? She's nuts! Aunt Heather is the best though....yes, Aunt Stella feeds me (constantly), but Aunt Heather picks me up, carries me around, then takes me to the back and feeds me, then she carries me around some more.....I feel like a king!
Well, I've been a bit jealous lately.....see, Mommy's been taking Max everywhere lately, I don't understand why and I've been very pouty. She's been working in a different store and it's FAR away, so she's been driving a lot. She leaves home before the sun comes up and gets home WAY after it's dark....none of us like this! Today, she was gone for a long time again, then all of the sudden the front door burst open (IT WAS MOMMY!!!!) and she came running in dropping everything and telling us she had to get something done, then leave again! We were all a bit mad at her, but at least she took us out and we had a decent walkie. We came back in and we all got treaties, then she got in the tub. What's this with this whole "clean" thing? I mean I get a bath every 2-ish weeks....isn't that enough for humans too? UGH, I'd DIE if I had to have a bath EVERY DAY!
I digress......Mommy got out of the tub. This was a quick bath for her and the put on what she called her "grungies" and tole ME, that WE were leaving! YES, US, ME, I......*I* was leaving with Mommy!!!! She got my p-i-g-s-e-a-r (she thinks I can't spell, well ha-ha, the joke's on her!) and then my leash (yuck) and we left. She called Uncle Trampas, then Aunt Heather. Next thing I know we're going somewhere I'd never been....we went to Aunt Heather's new house! She and uncle Trampas and mommy sat in the kitchen, with a towel around Mommy's neck and put this MEGA stinky stuff on Mommy's hair.

After I'd checked the house out I sat down with my p-i-g-e-a-r....WAY far away from them, and enjoyed my night. A little while later we all went upstairs and Mommy leaned into the tub.....*sigh* again! This time she just had her head in thouth, and Aunt Heather was helping her get her head wet.....and that stinky stuff was all over the place! Uncle Trampas was making these "ooohhh" and "aaahhh" and "LOOK AT THAT" noises. I didn't get it. After listening to them for a few minutes I figured out that they'd done something to Mommy's hair and it was somehow different now. It looked the same to me! But hey, I can't see well anyhow, so who am I to judge?
I want all you humans to know that whatever that stinky stuff is.......it's NASTY!