Snuggling

Pepper Power In.

Morning snuggles are the best. Right as most of us are waking up (I'm thinking of you Scooter) and stretching. Snuggling right up there next to Mom's face for chin skritches, we'll I'll wake up for that every morning.

Pepper Power Out.

Nurse Pepperingale.

Pepper Power Activated.

Nurse Pepperingale at your service. Today was bathing the household day. This to me means I must make sure all dogs have their cloak of invisibility working to the best of their abilities. Sadly this never turns out to be the best defense.

Even as every dog in the house goes to the torture chamber of the wetness, I make sure the towel needed when they have finally proven they are not in fact warlocks or witches is nice and fluffed up in a nice ball. Even though Mom says this is counter productive in drying the victim off, I still feel it is a homey touch I can give them.

What if she has to spread the towel back out, I consider it this added value as a preheated towel.

I also make sure to check in on the soapy ones in the bathtub to make sure there is no need for me to jump in and rescue them. Thankfully this has never had to happen. I do keep vigilant if the splashing and water sounds quiet down.

This has not however saved me from my so called "refresher course" that seems to go along with the others I have been keeping a diligent eye on. Even though I have proven my knowledge and awareness in all the days pre trial runs, it seems I too must endure the BATH ritual.

Still Nurse Pepperingale still says all things can be cured with a simple dog kiss. Why go to all the trouble of the BATH stuff?

Pepper Power Out.

All Right Already!!

Pepper Power Activated.

Dang - that BATH today lasted a whole dogs lifetime. I finally just gave up and sat down.

Pepper Power Deactivated!

Ms. Busybody.

Pepper Power Activated!

Shape of: a Busy.
Form of: a Body. (ok - how many Dogster pals know the cartoon that is based off of?)

I am known as a busybody. I was all flatted thinking my body was always busy and that is a good thing - right?

Then. Then I find out it means I am nosy. Now I know what that means and now I'm not so flattered. I'm always being told to get my nose out of things; dishwasher, somebody other pups SNACK, Moms hand looking for more skritches, under the door sniffing stuff, well you all get the picture.

Sure, I may be a busybody, but at any given time I can tell you where, well you are Mom, where all dogs are, what the neighbors are doing, who has arrived home so far on the street and many more things. I excel at knowing the happenings of the 'hood.

So from now on it's Ms. Busybody to you Mom.

Pepper Power Deactivated!

New Rain Forest Discovered.

Pepper Power Activated.

We hear that planet earth is still circling the sun, however we've only seen grey and non stop rain for days. Overnight an entire lake developed w/ a rhododendron tree stranded in the middle and looking out of place.

There is a new stream of water hugging the retaining wall, crossing over the grass pathway and downhill into other neighbors yards.

You never know when you put a paw down if it will be up to your kneecap in a marshy muck of what days ago was a green yard to roll around and rub your back on.

The tree lines are all drippy and there is no good place to do anything in the yard. We look like cattle running across a shallow stream. I'm fairly certain I saw a salmon spawning up the gutter earlier, BOL. Cutter looks like Bambi on ice trying to make it across the soggy ground.

Scooter has been waiting all night for the dingy to carry him across the yard to the higher ground, but I guess he has certain standards or something. He refused to step a foot on the blow up pillow Mom offered him. In fact he didn't even look out the window beyond noticing it was still raining.

I'm waiting for the ducks to move in. I think those will be much easier to chase than Squirrels. At least ducks don't sleep in trees.

Pepper Power Out!

Potty Time.

Pepper Power Activated.

I'm not sure how it is anywhere else with girls and boys, but it's always the same with us.

Girls go out first because we are brave and just really want to get the potty time done. It's not like the door isn't opened for all of us. The option is wide open. Just the boys. If they hear rain. I think things shrivel up or something because they always have to sit down and think about it.

Misty and I brave the elements and head back to the cover.

Then the boys go out, ears all hanging down like they are headed out to walk the plank. Don't even lift their legs, girly boys, just stand there and pee. Not even a squat. I'll bet if they cold scratch their bellah at the same time they'd never come in. BOL.

Then they mope back to the house, in slug pace, and think Mom will want to pet them. Soaking wet mud skippers. Oh, did I type that? I'd cross it out, but look, no thumbs. BOL.

Pepper Power Deactivated.

The Tale of a Broken Tail.

Pepper Power Activated.

I have a broken tail. I can't tell you why because I came to Mom that way. In fact you wouldn't even know I had a broken tail unless you actually felt at the very end where it is broken at the very tip.

Mom has her thoughts on why, but won't share with me on things like that.

So that made me think of Pennie and her tale of her tail. I want her to be comfy with the idea of a little adjustment to her hindside.

I offer up some of my perk me up thoughts for my broken tail woes.

*I can swagger into any dog park and know I have something to bark about.

*It still wags and seems to wag better than before.

*The Awww factor - don't ever not use that for a benefit.

*Hair weaves are an option, although I have plenty to "wag" over, so this should be consulted with by professionals.

*You always have a pupversation topic to start at any dog gathering.

*Believe it or not, the wag of your butt actually does have to do with the length of your tail. You may circle a bit more now, but your tail will still keep wagging.

Pepper Power De-Activated.

Snow Doo Rules.

Pepper Power On.

Well now, I feel that if it snows, the backdrop is now clear and fresh. How am I to know if the deck isn't supposed to be peed or doo'd on? The green grass isn't showing, the flower bed boundaries aren't anything but snowy white. Why can't I doo on that area of the yard/garden/deck?

Why else would snow fall unless it wanted me to mark it as I felt necessary?

I would like to enact a new rule. Snow Doo Rule - you can pee or doo as close to the house as you want if it in covered in white.

Even if it is up against the sliding glass door window. Hey, my feet were on the snowy part. Snow rules and all....

Pepper Power Out.

Snow Clearing Service.

Pepper Power In.

All that snow piled up on the deck. I have to go out there and EAT it. So tasty. Loves the ice cream rock salt Mom threw out there and is now mixed in the snow.

I had always thought of myself as a sweet gal, but now understand life is all about salt. No wonder me and Mom get along so well. She may have a good idea about temple for salt lick in the corner.

She's never thrown that stuff out before, but it was slick and icy. Usually the snow is more wet and melty. This was like sprinkles of loveliness you have to snoot around for under the snow that fell on top of it last night.

I might bloat up for a while. I might not pee for 2 days. I suppose it is up to Mother Nature on when she wants to send weather warmer than below freezing. Until then I must eat deck snow!!!

Pepper Power Out.

Ice. Apparently not to be Brought to Bed.

Pepper Power In.

Ice pack of snow melt. Oh, tasty goodness.

I think I will go get another.

I guess they don't last very long when you bring them inside and hide them in bed.

Pepper Power Out.