LABOR Day Weekend

I now see why they call it LABOR day weekend. Boy I've been working hard!

First Dad's niece who he calls Baby Bubba (though she is already 7) came over. She is very sweet for a small human, but she required careful supervision and I was put in charge, especially during dinner!
I made sure I sat right next to her and kept my eyes peeled on her plate...ahem, I mean on HER. Dad was transfixed by some silly show called Spongebob Square Pants which Baby Bubba insisted on blaring all evening. The show is not for erudite young Wires like me. Drivel!

The whole evening was very tiring indeed...

And my reward for my hard labor? A fry or two. The child was not very generous!

Then this morning, Auntie Lynne arrived at the ungodly hour of 6.45am to take me hiking. Despite the early hour, I was thrilled to see her and to go and experience the great outdoors. We had a fabulous time as always with the whole hiking crew. As usual, my behaviour was impeccable! Afterwards, Auntie dropped me at home, and she went out with Mom and Dad for breakfast at the diner up the road. I was a bit peeved to be excluded...but I was rather exhausted and enjoyed a snooze.

When they came back, Auntie was having issues with her computer - so generous wire that I am, I gave her a lesson in computer maintenance and operation -- and didn't even charge her for my time or expertize. I figured I don't pay her for our hiking exploits, so I let it slide.

I am very pleased that Mom and Dad are off work tomorrow -- I just hope they won't put me to work! A dip in the fountain would be more like it....I've been three times this week...with Summer drawing to a close, I need to get in as many swims as I can...

AGC

PS Prayers to all my canine and feline buddies in Gustav's path...and humans too.

Hurrah for Gus

I would like to honor my dear friend Gus with a very special award. Yesterday he had surgery to remove a big lump called Rodney from his neck. We were very worried what the lump might be made of...maybe horrible evil cells...but boy were we delighted to hear from Gussie's Muzzer that Rodney was made of 100% FAT!!!

And that is what we expect from Gus, member of the Substantial Wires Club! In tribute to Gus having EXTRA substantiality in his neck, I hope he will accept this award and put it on his blog:

Well done Gus! And feel better soon! You look gruesome dude...

AGC

All I got was a cow tail!

So wait until you hear this! Talk about injustice! Every so often Mom meets up with Aunty Lynne and her friend Sheila and they get together and bake, often experimenting with new recipes. So this week, they decided to do pies again, rich and decadent ones!

Mom opted for a Chocolate Marshmellow Pie made from Hershey's almond chocolate, heavy cream, marshmellows and graham cracker pie crust. It's only about a zillion calories. Here are photos of the ingredients in the pot and Aunty Lynne making funny faces. Mom could kick herself, she didn't take a photo of the finished product, she just managed to take a photo of the last slice, that was saved for Dad. Me, I got NOTHING. Not even a lick of a spoon.

Aunty Lynne made a chocolate banana pie and Sheila made and peach/cream cheese pie. Don't they look delish? Do I need to point out again that I got NOTHING, again?
Not even a taste...I mean peach and cream cheese isn't chocolate, I don't get it!

Is this an injustice or what? Dad was even complaining when he saw his slice. He had the temerity to wonder aloud why he didn't get the whole pie! Dad is not given to exaggeration, most of the time when asked if he likes something, he responds, "its ok." So for him to say the chocolate pie was AWESOME, means I really missed out. Mom took 3/4 of the pie to work and her co-workers gobbled it all up and asked if Mom was taking orders! Mom smiled and gave them the recipe - "knock yourself out," she said. Mom confessed to me she didn't even dig the pie - she hates Hershey's chocolate and would frankly rather have toast and Marmite than a slice of chocolate pie....yeah, she's PSYCHO.

And psycho moms need wiry straight-jackets...

When I sit on my little Mom, she can't move. LOL I weigh almost as much as she does. She should eat more chocolate marshmellow pies.

To make up for this scandal - leaving me out of Pie Night - Mom came home with a new chewy for me. A delish stinky cow tail! I really enjoyed it, look how I was savoring it...

It ain't chocolate marshmellow pie, but it was a tasty treat!

Finally, very delighted to report that my pal in England, Master Jackson Sullivan, is well on the road to recovery. He had 22 staples out today and didn't even flinch! What an inspiration he is!

Mom and Dad are watching the Olympics for a change...so that's my cue to go for a nap. Here I am snoozing on Dad's pillow on the couch...

Sweet dreams,

AGC

Mom Goes on a Tirade

As you can see, I have been very busy having heartfelt conversations with God asking him to please look after my pal Jackson who underwent very serious surgery on Tuesday. So far he is doing pretty good and with continued prayers, he will be home Friday in time for his 9th barkday. All of his pals have been pulling for him and his parents - and we like to think it has made a difference and that Jackson can somehow feel our love and support.

While Jackson was in surgery, I was at the Groomer having my coat stripped cos I was one shaggy puppy! As usual, they did a good job except for the two bald spots on my back. When questioned by Mom, the "stripper" (she had her clothes on) explained she'd "over-pulled" and apologized. So now Mom gives me a bit of a "comb-over" like I'm a bald little man. That is a picture of me (right) after my haircut.

Speaking of bald men, Mom asks Dad every night as they watch NBC coverage of the Olympics (personally I find the Pawlimpics far more exciting - eventhough Mom failed to enter me!!) whether host Bob Costas is wearing a wig. Dad says No. Mom says Yes! What do you think? I have it on good authority that Mom is right on this one!

I find the Olympics a bit of a snore. Besides, I'm boycotting. Call me unforgiving but I will never forgive host China for clubbing 50,000 innocent dogs to death in October 2006. Maybe some have forgotten, I will never forget or forgive no matter what bogus reason they gave at the time - rabies fears etc. They are also the worst environmental polluters and their human rights record is well, how should I put it. Abyssmal. Not to mention their trafficking in children. But hey, it's the Olympics...put on a smile, spend billions on opening ceremonies, and countries of the world unite, forget war and hatred, and let's compete in the all-important sports of pistol-shooting, beach volleyball, BMX racing and Badmington.

Speaking of Badminton - Mom is totally confused for a change. All her life, she's been calling that "sport" badmington and this week she discovers its called Badminton (pronouced Bad Mitten - as opposed to Good Glove?). Poor Mom.

Oh, and she went ballistic today when she heard two Olympic updates on NPR and NBC that said, and I quote here, "Michael Phelps is the WINNINGEST athlete in US History." Well you should have heard her..."America is massacring the English language again! Winningest...are you kidding me? What kind of stupid American concoction is that??!!" and on and on she went, until Dad shut her up by going to Dictionary.com and lo and behold, there was the word. It exists. Mom says she doesn't care if it is etched in gold on the Rosetta Stone. It is NOT a word. Ok Mom, take a chill pill...sit and stay.

Oh I do love my Mom - she cracks me up when she gets on her soapbox - she has a terrier spirit just like me. That's me and her before my haircut.

Got to go watch Project Runway now...I have a great sense for Fashion. Funny isn't it from a guy who hates wearing clothes... Then it's off to bed, I'm zonked as Aunty Lynne took me on a 6 mile hike this evening. What a treat!

AGC

PS Happy birthday to my darling Daddy for yesterday. He is about 6 years-old in dog years.
PPS Thanks to Asta in NY for giving me an award for being "a vewy cawing , kind doggie" I'd like to pass it on to Scruffy, Lacey and Stan.

Prayers for Jackson

God of the universe, be present with this your creature. Bless Jackson and Jackie/Jamie who care for him, now and always. Amen.

We were deeply upset, and frankly angry with the Lord above, to read of our dear, sweet friend Jackson's latest health affliction - a mass in his lung. Mom and I both looked at eachother with tears in our eyes, slowly shook our heads and didn't need to even say it - "Why? Why Jackson again? Hasn't he suffered enough for one little wiry guy?"

We have no answers. We will just continue to keep him and his parents in our thoughts and prayers. We are thinking of you Jackson - your indominatable strength and bravery are always an inspiration and your mischievious, toy-destroying ways are always such a joy to hear about. We love you buddy. Keep fighting!

AGC and family