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

My Worst Fear Realized

Remember friends when I wrote and told you that Mom was now a senior writer for The Swanky Pup Web site? Remember I told you I was excited that we'd be getting samples of doggie products to test? And how it occured to me suddenly, that we might get clothing to try out and how this made me feel sick with angst? You see, I hate wearing any clothing - from booties to sweaters in winter to raincoats. It can be zero degrees and a blizzard outside but I will NOT agree to wear a coat! I feign paralysis and refuse to move. If I get dragged out the door, I will walk very reluctantly but weild ultimate power in refusing to pee or poop while clothed - which infuriates the parents.

So it was all going well, enjoyed a few toys, books etc. Until today, when a large package arrived! Mom was her usual excited self explaining to me how I would LOVE this new product as it was connected with swimming!

Out came a doggie LIFE JACKET made by Paws Aboard! Now I love to swim as you all know, but I'm a darn good swimmer, I don't need any help thank you very much! But Mom said she wanted me to model it for her and she relentlessly pursued me until she had me cornered in the kitchen! Here dear friends, is the sorry result:

I stood dead still and would not move until she took the floatation device off! I have to admit, it fit very snug and has a very pretty pattern, and very secure velcro and buckle closings - no doubt an excellent product for poor doggie swimmers...but I prefer to swim in my birthday suit!

AGC

Oh, Life is Swell!

Been battling to get to the computer...sorry...just been really busy! Take yesterday for example. In the morning, I went to Doggy Day Care - how I love going there and playing for hours with my friends. The place is called The Urban Dog:

Yesterday when Dad came to pick me up, I was running about with my pals:


Can you spot me?
Then later in the day, we went to Dad's parent's house for dinner. I got to hang out with the newest addition to our family, baby Devon. I let her pull my beard and grab my fur 'cos she is just a mini-human, and anyway, she is a messy eater. I was on hand to catch anything that she dropped on the floor.
We all hung out and had a delish dinner - corn and London Broil on the barbaque. Yummy. That's Dad with his sisters and nieces:
And here I am, on Dad's lap sniffing the table, which was sadly, devoid of food at the time:
Then this morning, at 7:30am, there was a knock at the door, and WOOHOO, it was Aunty Lynne to come and get me for our weekly 6 mile hike/swim/run! I jumped into her car and off we went. Three hours later, Mom and Dad picked me up from her house, and now I'm heading for a big snooze.

But before I do, I want to thank Jackson from the UK for sending me a most delicious package in the mail. When Mom was in London, she mailed him a SNAX, so he reciprocated with SNACKS. Beautiful baked goods - some even had my name on it! Thank you Jackson, I am still enjoying these a week later as Mother is rationing them....




Speaking of Jackson, we also have to thank him for introducing the Dog Brick toy to us. Mom reviewed it on Swanky Pup this past week. Happy to report that some doggy product samples are on their way to us for review including a doggy life jacket and some toys! Woohoo, no silly clothes! Well, does a life jacket qualify? I mean where the heck is mom going to test that out? The pond? Stay tuned people...

AGC

Hurrah!

I am thrilled to announce that Mom now has her own blog - finally (hopefully) she will leave me alone and stop trying to hijack my blog!

Mom will be a senior writer on the very hip dog blog called The Swanky Pup. She will be testing and reviewing various dog products along with a team of other writers. Of course, I am psyched because I get to be the beneficiary of the products she gets to review.

Oh wait a minute...what if I have to try on silly designer dog clothes? Or silly bow-ties? Oh geez, remind me to tell Mom to only solicit treats and toys to review!!!

Please support Mom's new gig - it is a very cool site even if I say so myself. I like the design and the founders are cool women who do a lot for dog rescue and adoption. And as an extra incentive - of course I will be featured frequently!

Oh, Mom says to tell you...if you have any products you love that you think should be featured, please email her!

AGC

Summer Loving

Hello All,

Sorry I've been rather lazy about updating my blog. Unlike wintertime, I have better things to do than to sit at my computer when the weather is balmy outside. I've been having a glorious time!

Aunty Lynne has been taking me on many combo hikes and swims in the woods. Sorry no photos, but they are coming soon, as Aunty did take photos this weekend on her new digital camera and she promised to let me have some for the blog. We do six miles at a time, and I love every minute of it!

Mom and Dad try their best but they are lazy! On Friday Mom took me to Fairmount Park near our house where there is a small pond. I met a new Rottie Mix friend who's name I forget, and we had a swell time running and jumping in the pond. Actually Rottie pal doesn't like to swim, go figure! Here are some pictures of the good times spent...don't I look like a skinny guy? I think the hiking with Aunty has caused me to lose a few pounds!

Summer in our house also means great snacks! The ice cream man drives around every evening and Mom and Dad usually share a soft serve ice cream with me. And every night more or less, we braai - that is the South African word for barbeque (its pronounced BR-eye) - hotdogs, burgers, steak, fish and of course, buttery corn. I love corn but I'll be damned, the stuff goes out in my poo in the same form it went in...have any of you noticed that?

Not much else to report, it's lovely outside today - around 80F and due to rain soon. I have been thinking of my pals Butchy and Snickers in Iowa a lot, I hope everyone affected by the horrid floods are doing okay. I'm going to say good bye for now and go back to sitting on our front steps with Dad as I was doing before I came in to blog...

You may notice I have black stripes on my head - after my walk with aunty yesterday I was so tired and hot, I crawled under her car and result? Greasy head! Heh heh. You will also notice that Dad shaved off his goatee and mustache (and chimes in Mom from the passage, needs a haircut, "he looks like Crusty the Clown!"). Mom didn't notice at first, and then when she did, she decried its removal and demanded its return. Dad is contemplating...he, poor deluded soul, thinks no beard means he looks younger! That theory doesn't fly with me, I have a beard and I still look like a young, dapper Wire! I kinda like that we looked like father and son...I too hope he grows it back!

AGC

The Return of Mr. Handsome

Mom came back from London on Sunday. I ignored her for a while eventhough I was thrilled to see her. Humans need to understand that they can't just up and leave us for vacation and not expect us to be miffed!

On Wednesday, Mom dropped me off at Pooches Choice for my haircut. Seven hours later, Mom picked me up and she went into raptures about how magnificent I looked! That's me on the couch taken a few days later. Don't I look handsome? I should for $96!

This morning auntie Lynne picked me up and took me on a 6 mile hike. We had a blast though it is a heatwave here (95F) and I had many swims and dips in water. Auntie was very impressed with my swimming. Afterwards, Mom came to pick me up from Auntie's apartment where I hung out with Auntie's kitty Lucas. Here is a picture of me and Mom taken at Auntie Lynne's place...

Mom, you need a tan woman!

Tomorrow is the annual bike race in Philadelphia and my pal Finn is coming up from Maryland with his parents. I can't wait to see him again!

AGC

Appeal From Mother

I, Axel G Chocholoza, 3 years, 33lbs - am generously and without malice turning my blog over to my Mom tonight as she has a special appeal. Never mind that she is abandoning me for a week....grrrrrrrrrr.

Hi Everyone!
Dani here. Thank you Axel for allowing me a few lines on your precious blog. Now go away and stop breathing down my toes...

So, today I spontaneously decided to fly to London on Sunday as my Mom, aunt, uncle and cousins are there for a week and after seeing photos of all of them together, decided to join them! I am very excited.
My appeal tonight goes out to any wire reader living in London! Whenever I travel, I always like to visit a wire - so if any of you are out there and don't live too far from Stanmore - please email me at editordan2002 at yahoo. I always get wire withdrawl when I travel, so I would love to meet a British wire!

Thanks, and now back to Axel.

I am too pissed off that you are leaving me for a week. I have nothing to say.

AGC

Dragon Slayer Extraordinaire

Not 24 hours after my birthday, did I, Axel G Chocholoza, slay my parental birthday gift, the mighty purple dragon with scaly back and scary unfurling tail and tongue! I was very pleased with myself as you can see! Note the huge hole in the dragon's side! And also notice, that even though a toy is NOT a bone, nor messy, I know to eat/kill anything ON A TOWEL! Mom is very impressed that I figured that out myself!

The party continued today folks, with a box arriving from Switzerland! It came from one of my favorite Airedales Faya, who is very clever indeed as she blogs in both English and French! We love reading her blog because not only is it fascinating to learn about life in a neutral country, but we also learn some French! Faya sent me a wonderful postcard with her face on it, a bag of beef rawhide bones, a cute bandana with cows on it, a bouncy purple ball and this wonderful, colourful toy that has a ball on a rope that you can hide in an attached pouch! It's all terribly exciting!
[By the way, Mom insisted I photoshop her out of these photos, she was muttering something about "God I have a hideous nose!" - not wanting to hear her drone on, I just did as I was told!]

I played with the Hide-A-Ball for some time, and then insisted on a bone. I promptly ran upstairs and hid it behind Dad's pillow to retrieve later. My theory has always been that a bone that is hidden for a while always tastes far better post hiding! Sort of like a marinade! Thank you dear Faya - you are a very kind and generous friend!

Unfortunately, my wish for Mom's event did not come true. It poured and poured buckets of rain for 4 of the 5 hours of the event. Poor Mom came home looking like a very tired, irate, soggy fishfinger! She seemed to take out some of her angst on me and Dad. Geez Mom, you didn't really expect us to attend your event in the pouring rain, did you? We support you wholeheartedly but we aren't bonkers! We had a glorious day indoors, on the couch, watching TV!

AGC

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO ME

Today, May 17th, is my third birthday! Hurrah for me, and thank you to all of you who emailed or left me messages. Thanks Faya for mailing me a gift, I love late birthday gifts, it makes the celebration last longer!

Well, I've come a long way - I sure was cute at 3 months old, the day Mom and Dad took me home. Just look at me at left - even though I've changed a lot and become a substantial chap, I think you can still see its me. My coloring was slightly different and my tail was straight...hmm, never did figure out what happened to my tail....

Anyway, I've had a fantastic birthday - been spoilt rotten. I've had three long walks - 2 with Dad, one with Mom; 2 car rides - ok, it was only to the Toyota dealer to get Dad's car inspected...but I still hung my head out the window and barked at everyone to inform them it was my birthday! I have also been showered with snacks and love and many gifts!

First up, Mom and Dad gave me a squeaky, scary looking dragon whose tongue and tail unfurl when you squeeze it; a pack of fresh beef bones (unfortunately they won't give me one today cos I've exhausted my snack quota); a pack of "decadent" Dingoes (they are new and have cheese on one end!) and a pack of not-so-decadent 100 calorie peanut butter dog snacks. They are putrid. Sorry Mom. Good try.

Then the mailman arrived and TWO packages were for me!! One was from my beloved Miss Amelia in Washington State...she sent me two stuffy/squeak toys and a bag of six big dingoes! A girl after my own heart!

The other package was from Amelia's brother, Bigfoot Fletch and his sister Maxie who live in California. They sent me a hilarious Loofa surfer toy with red hair like Mom, and a bag of these little but very yummy treats. Mom loved them (no she didn't eat them!) because they are so little and being the snack fiend that I am...she is glad to have little snacks so I don't become too substantial, if you know what I mean...

I was napping when Mom produced Fletch's gift, so forgive me for looking so blase in the first photo....

So as you can tell...SPOILT!

Around midday, Mom took me on my birthday walk to what we like to call, The Enchanted Forest. Only readers in the UK will understand the reference to Mom's favorite author as a child, the now contravercial Enid Blyton. She wrote about enchanted forests, magic wishing chairs, faeries, wolves and all sorts of stuff. Mom read all her books...

But we digress...the forest is not really a forest, it's just a lovely area of our park that is covered in trees and stuff.

I love to sniff the grass and ground in these parts ...at some point I went tearing into the undergrowth after a scent...and ended up having a good old birthday roll in something stinky. Mom just sighed and said, "Ok Axie Pax, it's your birthday, you can roll in poop if you must!" So I did, and came out stinky with a black neck. What fun!

Upon exiting the forest, I ran into a sheltie...she was sweet, but frankly at my age, I'm pretty aloof and disinterested in most dogs...I mean there are just so many butts you can sniff before it all becomes dreadfully tedious!

So as you can see everyone, splendid birthday! Thanks Mom and Dad, thanks Grandma and Grandpa in South Africa for the lovely birthday email. Seems Dad's parents forgot. Ahem!!!

As its my birthday, can I ask you to pray for two wishes please?

1. No rain on Mom's parade and festival tomorrow please! (Besides, I also plan to attend with Dad)
2. Full recovery for Auntie Lynne's cat Lucas who has heart issues and diabetes. I wrote to my pal Joe the Cat for advice as to how to make a sick cat eat...and got a heartwarming and very informative response. Read it here. Besides Blanche the Bitchy Cat next door, I really do like cats (and proud to say it in public!)

Sorry, one more...

3. No more itchies. Two plus weeks post cortisone shot and I am still feeling great, no return of the itchies, and as you can see, I am in pollen areas with lots of grass! I am sooo happy. Hope it lasts and lasts!

Love you all. Thanks for making my day and life so special!

AGC