My mom's gone

I haven't written anything in a long time, but I have some news, and it's not very happy. In fact, this has been a fairly difficult couple of months for me. My people-Mom doesn't live here anymore.

Over the past few years (almost ever since Mom and I moved to Texas), Mom would go away from time to time , but she always came home. I guess she was just going out to see what was on the other side of the fence. Sometimes, she would go out with some men in a big red truck. It was very noisy. They would tell her to lie down and then take her away for a ride. It was very strange. If any of the rest of us get close to the edge of the fence or try to go through an open door, somebody always yells "NO!", but I guess she was alpha, so she could do what she wanted. Plus, she had the truck men with her, and they seemed to watch out for her.

This last time, Mom went away, and while she was gone, another lady came to visit. She knew my Mom - she said she was Mom's sister. She was nice. She has her own dog at home, so we got along pretty well.

This time, Mom didn't come back. I don't know what happened to her, and I was getting worried, but Kevin and Virginia (the people Mom and I live with) took me to a place I hadn't seen before, and Mom was there and she was lying in a big box, sleeping. I wanted to go to play with her, but she wasn't listening to me. I had never known her not to listen when I called her, even if she was sleeping. It was scary.

Virginia held me close to her and Mom was very quiet. I put my paw on her hand, and when she didn't hold my paw, I realized she wasn't really Mom any more. I don't know what happened to her, but I think this is what people mean when they say "crossing the bridge."

I'm going to stay with Kevin and Virginia, and that's a good thing, since I know everybody here already, and they all know I'm in charge. I just miss my Mom. Kevin and Virginia are nice, but they don't give me anywhere near as many treats as Mom did, and they don't share their dinners with me every night. Plus, I can sleep with them, but Katie sleeps there, too, so it's crowded. It used to be just me and Mom, and Mom gave me plenty of room to stretch out.

After Mom left, some other people came to visit, but they all went away. There were some ladies that used to play with her every day, but they left, too. Kevin said they went to their own homes, but they may visit us again. I thought they were going to try to replace Mom, but nobody could.

I hope she's having fun on the other side of the bridge. I know she had other dogs before she found me, so maybe she can play with them until I get there. I hope she remembers me whenever I do meet her again.

Goodbye, Mom. Thanks for all the treats.

My Mom

New Friend

Katie gave me a toy this afternoon. Maybe she's not as bad as I thought.

Humph!

Katie, Katie, Katie. Can I remind everyone who the Diva in the household is?

Mom was sick this summer, so I don't get to sleep in her bed as much anymore. It's a weird bed that goes up and down! I was sleeping in the chair, but she's had a lot of ladies visiting her to help her get better, and sometimes they sleep there. Hey, who was here first?

She does still share her food, and that's most important. Divas shouldn't have to eat dog food.

Where's my mom?

My mom is in the hospital! She's been there all week, and I miss her a lot, even though now I get our bed to myself at night.

The problem is that her daughter is taking care of me (mom and I live with her), and she's nice and everything, but she doesn't believe in sharing as much food as my mom does, so I'm eating a lot more dog food. Ick! I want my people food back!

When's mom coming home?

Bubba is scary

Bubba is wearing a weird hat these days. It's scary! He bumps against all sorts of things, and I'm always afraid he's going to knock me over or scoop me up or something! I hope he takes it off soon. It's not like it matches his suit or anything.

I joined a group of Divas this week! Actually, I let them join me. It's nice to finally be recognized by my peers, because all I have around here are boys and Katie, and she's not really into the fashion scene. She means well and everything, but she's going to get busted by the Fashion Police one of these days.

Quiet Time

My Mom's not leaving her room, so I'm not either! We're just cuddled up in bed, relaxing. I heard from Bubba that it's raining, so I'm not going outside anyway.

When Mom is resting, she gives me some of her food, so I don't really want to eat my food. Sometimes, I get in trouble for not eating my food, but Ripley, Katie, Murphy and Bubba all said they'd rather have real food, too, so I don't understand the issue.

I think it's time for another nap. It must be the weekend, because my stories aren't on TV. I wonder when breakfast will arrive?

Two words

There are only two words to describe Katie, the new girl here: Finishing School. Oy, does she need some training! She rough-houses with the boys, she even talks like them! She no threat to my Princesssness, but she is a threat to my sanity. Won't someone get this girl some training?

The triple nerve!

There's a new girl in the house. Hmm. I saw her wandering around in the hallway just for a minute, and I'm still the only Princess here. She's going to need a new wardrobe, for one thing.

The double nerve!

The man and lady that live with Mom came back this week, and they didn't bring me gifts, either! What is happening in the world when Shih-Tzus don't get gifts? I have to figure out how to complain about this. They don't seem to understand barking, so I will have to find another way.

The nerve!

Mom's daughter from New Jersey is here. I've stayed at her house up north. She came all the way down here to visit and forgot to bring me a gift! Sheesh. What do they teach people up there?