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

Mother's Day Pillow Dance

Today is Mother's Day.

So in honor of my dear, wee Mom, I did a special extended Pillow Dance this morning while she was waking up. I am not quite sure she realized the dance was in honor of her being a super Mom or not - actually, she got a tad irritated. I'm not sure why, I can't think of a nicer way to wake up than with a vibrating bed and a wire fox terrier panting in your ear.

Go figure.

Hope all the Mom's are having a swell day!

AGC

PS Mom says I need to act my age now that I am almost 3. I will be three on May 17. Hint hint. All gifts in the form of edible snacks are welcome :-)

IT IS OFFICIAL: NO DOGS FOR LAPORTE!

I dedicate this blog post to the Honorable Judge Sirois who today rendered final judgement against Marc-Andre Laporte, convicted animal abuser of 97 dogs, mostly wire fox terriers.

I had wanted our friend and Laporte survivor Bingo to give us his report - but he is out celebrating and I was too impatient to share the good news!

Judge Sirois sentenced Laporte to 200 hours of community service (the maximum by law is 240), plus a fine of $2000. He will serve THREE years of probation during which he is NOT ALLOWED to own a dog. The best news is that the so-called Red Collar Dogs (the 18 wires Laporte still owned and wanted returned so he could breed them again) are safe. The Judge severed Laporte's ownership rights and said he would send him to jail if he contacted any of the foster families. To see the video in English that reports on the case's outcome - click to:
http://montreal.ctv.ca/cfcf/video_popup?news_id=21840

There you will see my friend Bingo (I'm almost sure that is him in the black coat - also pictured top left) and I think there is a glimpse of Honeybee too. And our dear friend and savior, Elizabeth Pierce is interviewed too.

Oh Happy Happy Days my friends! Though we would have liked to see Laporte banned from dog ownership for life or sentenced to hard jail time or the electric chair - the Judge handed down the most severe sentence he was able according to the Montreal law. It is indeed more than we could have ever hoped for.

Thank you to everyone for signing the petition and supporting out cause against Laporte. It's been a 3-year struggle, but we were victorious in the end, for the just always triumph my friends, and evil gets what it deserves.

AGC

Substantial Wires Club

I am proud to announce that I have been accepted as a member of the Substantial Wires Club started by founding member Jackson from the UK. To be a member of this coveted club, you have to be over 26.5lbs. I am 32lbs and 19" tall at the shoulder. I do not believe I am overweight, I am just, well, substantial! I am proud to be a big guy, and have a heart to equal my stature!

Good news to report. My itchies have vanished! POOF! One day I was red, hot to the touch, and itching like crazy, and the next day, one shot of cortisone later, I am cured. Please God we hope it lasts as cortisone is not very good for me! I am so much happier you wouldn't believe. The weather is warm again after a few cooler days - and our street is littered with pink blossoms all over the pavement and street - it is messier than snow, but thankfully it isn't slippery. Can you see the pink carpet in the photo at right? It looks really pretty at a distance, but up close it is kind of smelly and the petals get into everything - car, house and oh yeah, paws!

The best thing about spring is the arrival of Mr. Softie The Ice Cream Man. Everytime I hear the musical van, I rush to the door and start to bark to alert dad to his arrival. Dad loves ice-cream almost as much as I do! If he is putering in his basement, he can't hear Mr Softie, so I go crazy to tell him to hurry up, grab his $1.25 and get the hell outside to buy an ice cream. Then from the moment Dad steps in the door holding his cone, I pester him until I get some. Dad, unlike Mom, is not a sucker for my cute behaviour, he ignores me and always leaves me the very last bite of his cone. I tell you, waiting for him to eat the whole thing is pure torture!! Below you can see me pestering Dad in stages - first I sit next to him and tap him with my paw. Then I jump up behind him and breathe in his ear, and finally I jump in front of him and bounce up and down until I get my way!!

A reminder that Tuesday is the final hearing in the Laporte case - let's hope the judge has done all his work and will deliver justice for the wirey survivors of Blainville House of Horrors. Another report will be in from Bingo as soon as the verdict is delivered...so watch this space...

AGC

Not-so-dreaded Vet Visit

I know this is difficult to believe, but I was actually happy when Mom told me she was taking me to the vet this morning. I was that uncomfortable. My itchies were driving me bonkers.

So off we went on the 15 mile drive to Boulevard Animal Hospital in the Far NorthEast of Philadelphia. I was quite calm when I walked in, greeted the two German Shephards, beautiful Akita, Puggle and trio of kitties. I patiently waited my turn and then I saw Dr. Brett. He announced the obvious, that my skin was very inflamed and infected, and Mom and Dr. Brett decided I needed a cortisone shot and anti-biotics. I agreed!

The only part of the visit I did not enjoy was the thermometer up my behind! Oh, and when blood was drawn for a worm test. But at least I left the practice knowing that in a few hours, I would feel much better. And it is now almost 12 hours later, and indeed, I am itching less. I happily went on my evening walk and even played with my friends. For the past few days I wasn't up to that.

Thank you for all the well wishes left in the comments. Mom did look into homeopathic solutions but the homeopathic vet told Mom itchies was one of the most difficult afflictions to treat and it would be a very slow process. Seeing how miserable I was, Mom knew we could not afford to be patient. Maybe in the fall, when typically my itchies desist, we will explore that again.

Oh and Jackson, Gus and Mackie - you had better sign me up for the Big Wires Club -- Mom nearly passed out when she saw that I now weigh....32lbs (14.5kg)! Dr Brett, bless him, didn't seem very concerned. He said I should maybe lose about 2lbs as I am a big guy by design. He did remind mom though that the cortisone would make me ravenous...not the best time to put me on a diet Mom!

AGC

PS Mom has meant to tell you all the good news that her eye is almost back to normal - the retinal bleed has cleared up pretty well. We are all very relieved indeed!

Itchy and Miserable

It is only April, yet my seasonal allergies have struck with a horrible vengeance. I am uncomfortable in my own skin, I itch all over and my skin is hot to the touch. I just have to scratch and bite myself all the time. I'm driving Mom and Dad crazy because I am hurting myself and they don't know how to stop me. They keep giving me pills hidden (not very subtley) in cheese - but Benedryl and fish oil don't really help me.

Mom put one of her tshirts on me in the hope it would stop me hurting myself when I scratch - I look pregnant - honestly, I am not THAT fat!

As you can see (right), I am doing harm to myself - this wound is one of a handful -- Mom rubs Resicort lotion into the wounds or hot spot spray, and it makes me yelp as it stings. But it does help soothe eventually.

I haven't felt like doing much except chomp on myself...I didn't even want to go for a walk this morning...I am miserable. What can I do to stop this itch...I can't exactly stay inside all Summer!

Mom is taking me to the vet on Tuesday and I guess I'll get more powerful pills (Temaril P?) or a cortisone shot and probably antibiotics cos I've probably caused infection on myself. I never thought I'd say this...but I can't wait to go to the vet to get some relief.

In the meantime, Mom and Dad are doing their best to distract me from eating myself alive - I had a kong with peanut butter this morning, and tonight Mom gave me little pieces of london broil - when she sees me attaching myself, out come the snacks. I guess you could say that is the only silver-lining in this abyssmal situation.

Itch itch,

AGC

Bringing Cheer to Wiry Couple Stuck in Philly

A month ago, Mom heard via the wire fox terrier Yahoo email list, that a couple from a small town called Center in Texas were literally "trapped" in Philadelphia. Larry and Lisa had come all the way from Texas to visit their son at Fort Dix army base in nearby New Jersey - actually to meet their new grandson. During what was supposed to be a 5-day visit, Larry got very ill and had to be transferred to Jefferson Hospital in Philly. There he underwent serious back/neck surgery. That was weeks ago - Larry is now slowly recovering at a first class rehab hospital also in Philadelphia. (As mom reminds Lisa, if you had to get stuck anywhere - Philly is a first class city for medical care!)

Larry and Lisa breed wires and are members of the Lone Star Fox Terrier Club - their kennel is called Aerostar and they have had a few champion wires like their little gal Wyrelee Miss Money Penny. I cannot imagine how hard it must be for them to be stuck in Philly, so far away from home, their family and all their animals (wires, cats, horses, goats, chickens etc). When Mom heard their plight she was very moved and made contact and visited them 10 days ago. Mom thinks about them a lot and is full of admiration for Lisa having to cope with living in a big city for the first time, for being on hand to support her husband 24/7, having to stay in hotels alone etc etc. So whatever little thing Mom can do for them, she so wants to do!

So last week, she faxed all my vet records to the hospital, and today Mom, Dad and me, went to visit Larry and Lisa in the hospital. I felt it my wiry duty and honor to bring some cheer to them. I hope I did - as you know, I'm a bit of an aloof fellow...but I did my best and I think, accomplished my mission. The photo on the top left is of Mom, Me, Lisa and Larry. Notice that Lisa is holding the Fox Terrier Network newsletter - Mom gave it to her cos that edition was full of funny foxie photos she know they would enjoy!

I'm thinking I might become a therapy dog because I see how rewarding it can be...I just have to learn to be a bit more friendly I guess. Yesterday I did a good deed too visiting Dad's 95 year old Grandad in his Old Age Home. So I am becoming quite a pro.

It looks like Larry will need treatment for another month or so. Please join me in wishing Larry a complete and fast recovery so that he and Lisa can finally return home to Center, Texas and resume their happy, healthy lives.

AGC

Matzah anyone?

Mom and I are still quite tired from doing our happy dances at the news that little Precious, the Bolting Wire, was found safe and stinky after her 3 day absence. Sounds like her Mom Michelle was drained too, as it took her over a day to report on how Mizz Precious came to be found. Michelle finally explained that a man saw Precious's photo in the local paper and called in his sighting. Then, Precious's Dad rounded up some friends and they went to search that area: "About an hour into the search with the help of binoculars he spotted her in a field behind a factory. He said she ran to him as he ran to her. He then called me at work and said MICHELLE I HAVE OUR LITTLE GIRL IN MY ARMS. At that point I think everyone in the factory could hear me hoot and holler that WE FOUND OUR DOG." That is Precious, top left, relaxing after a trip to the vet to make sure she was A-OK. PHEW!!! Don't scare us again Precious, please!

As some of you may know, Saturday is the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Mom tried to explain what it was about...something about the Jews being slaves in Egypt and escaping into the dessert for quite a time. They didn't have time to prepare meals, so they left with unleaven bread and due to these poor time management skills, Jews forever after are forced to eat a cardboard-like substance called Matzah. Mom says it has interesting effects on poopies.

Before the festival begins (it lasts 8 days), you have to clear your house of all "chametz" - these are foods that contain yeast, but lately, again says Mom, rabbis have taken this to ridiculous lengths by banning everything and anything that does not get their seal of Kosher for Passover approval. In some super religious homes, even the dog food has to be Kosher for Passover because humans can't be anywhere near Chametz. Mom grew up in a Kosher home, and grandma there still cleans and changes all her cutlery and crockery to passover wares. Mom sort of ignores all this craziness - her token act to ready for Passover has been to buy a single box of matzah. She is still debating whether or not she will desist from eating bread for 8 days...I enjoy toast and pizza...so I know which way I'm leaning!!

I leave you today with a recent photo of me and my dear pal Elvis. Here we are, hanging out on my couch.

AGC

Where is Precious?

THIS HAPPY NEWS JUST IN (4/15 - 8:20pm):
PRECIOUS WAS FOUND (STINKY AND DIRTY, A MILE FROM HOME) AND IS HAPPILY HOME IN THE ARMS OF HER ADORING PARENTS MICHELLE AND TOM. ALL OUR PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED.

Please help us find Precious, a beloved wire foxie bitch who bolted from her Daddy in the town of Lincoln, Illinois.

Precious is a 9 year old wire fox terrier. She was rescued 5 years ago from a puppymill, and is still very timid and fearful. She is very loved by her family who are heartbroken and worried sick about her. She bolted before her Dad could put her collar or leash on. She was last seen about a fourth of mile from the intersection of Rt. 10 and interstate 55. Precious weighs 21-22 lbs.

Please email Michelle or Tom at wagner4929@insightbb.com or call 217-732-6734 or 217-638-6734 if you've seen her.

Precious, PLEASE go home!

AGC

LIVE Laporte Hearing Update

Two days ago, on April 8, Marc Andre Laporte, convicted abuser of over 100 wire fox terriers, had his day in court. I turn my blog over to Bingo, survivor of Laporte's House of Horrors, who attended the hearing, and renders this report:

Greetings from Quebec - my name is Bingo Mayer, and I am coming to you LIVE from the courthouse in Saint Jerome, where my former owner and abuser, Mr. Laporte, today faced Judge Sirois. Today the learned Judge, stated on several occasions, that he WILL NOT under any circumstances remit any of the remaining Fox Terriers that survived the kennel of M. A. Laporte. This INCLUDES any of the “red collar” dogs that were picked out from the bunch by Mr. Laporte back in November 2005 at the time of his arrest to be returned to him for breeding purposes. The judge expressed his disappointment that Mr. Laporte has not recanted his claim to those dogs.

The prosecution today requested a fine, 4 or 5 years probation during which time he would not be allowed to keep ANY animals, community service, and a substantial donation. At least that is what I understood. [Of course, if a Wire like me was sitting in judgement, we would sentence him to life in prison, to a cell with no toilet and little food and water. We believe he deserves to be treated as we were treated by him!]

However, friends, remember the judge MUST sentence according to CANADIAN LAW…(not moral law). Canadian law states that animals are considered PROPERTY - therefore, the defense requested that Mr. Laporte have his “property” returned to him AFTER he has served his time. The prosecution, in turn stated that, since the “property” that was confiscated by police was used in the commission of a crime (animal cruelty, of which Mr. Laporte has been found guilty), then he is not entitled to that property, any more than a convicted felon would not be entitled to reclaim his or her cocaine or gun confiscated from a crime scene.

The final outcome was that the judge wishes to investigate the jurisprudence on this point of law before making his final decision on May 6 so that it CANNOT BE OVERTURNED on appeal. All things considered, the outcome was positive, given Canada ’s antiquated laws (dating back to 1892).

This is Bingo Mayer, signing off and reminding you all to be good to yourselves, and to be good to your animals. I was unlucky to endure time with Mr. Laporte, but I now live very happily in a loving and wonderful family. I am truly blessed. Goodbye.

Thank you Bingo for that illuminating report. We will check in with you again on May 6, when we hope Judge Sirois will have found some legal precedent for making sure Laporte cannot reclaim the red collar dogs EVER.

AGC

What the heck is that?

Mom asked me to thank you all for your warm wishes of sympathy on the sad occasion of Aunty Jo's death. Mom is still sad, but the whole thing is still so unreal as she couldn't go to the funeral or be with her family in South Africa during the shiva. She told me that maybe it will hit her when she goes home in October and Aunty Jo is not at the airport to welcome her. Aunty Jo was ALWAYS at the airport to meet every family member whether in transit or visiting for a while.

If Jo's sudden loss wasn't traumatic enough for Mom, 4 days later, her vision went haywire (heh heh, good word...hay + wire) in her left eye! She saw colors and flashes, and she said I looked I was ringed in silver lights when she looked at me. After seeing many doctors, they told her she had had a retina bleed but as yet, they cannot find the cause. Since the bleed, Mom's vision in her left eye is somewhat blurred.

When all this happened, I got scared too, as I thought I might be forcibly enrolled in "Seeing Eye Dog School" so that I could help Mom navigate the world. I have the utmost respect for those seeing eye dogs - but let's be honest, Wires are not very well suited to this work. I would likely lead Mom, accidently of course, into a tree!

Anyway, thank God Mom can see well enough to drive and work and walk me about - the doctors hope it will heal in time, but they aren't sure what the future holds. Mom could use your prayers please.

Last week we visited Dad's parents. I have to admit, I never noticed a big glass box in their living room before. I was just minding my own business, sitting on top of the couch, when I heard a shuffling sound to my left!! I immediately jumped up and looked into the glass box....and there my friends, was the oddest looking creature I've ever seen. So odd in fact, that I let loose a high pitched barking fit so as to warn everyone in the neighborhood, that we'd been invaded by a scaly looking 4-legged creature with something akin to a hard pigs ear on his back which he kept on ducking into!

I ran to Dad and he explained that the creature was known as a turtle, her name is Mister Turtle (yeah, don't ask me to explain that...) and she was rescued from the side of a road when Dad was just a wee boy. So she is about 25 years old and lives in that box under a light and mostly eats worms and salad. Yuch!

Mr. Turtle was quite fascinating to watch creeping about, but after a while everyone tired of my barking and carrying on and they forcibly evicted me from the couch!

AGC

A Very Sad Day

Mom received very sad news this morning from South Africa. Her beloved Aunty Jo passed away suddenly after undergoing surgery on Wednesday. Aunty Jo is my Granny's younger sister, she was only 66. Granny is the oldest of three sisters and they are all very very close. Mom spent a lot of her day crying and thinking about the wonderful memories she has of her special Aunt. Mostly she missed being at home with her parents and family so she could share in the grieving process. It is very hard to be so far away on dreadful days like today.

I did what I could to comfort Mom. Whereever she sat, I sat next to her or on her lap. I knew something was wrong. I kept watch all day and barely barked 'cos I sensed it wasn't the right thing to do. Dad called me a sensitive fellow, Mom agreed and told me that she was grateful for my love. She also told me stories about Aunty Jo. I did have the honor of meeting this fine woman when she shlepped to Mom and Dad's wedding almost 2 years ago. That picture was taken after the wedding when the family went to NY for the day. That is granny (left), Jo (right), 3rd sister Flo is in the back behind the bald guy at right (Uncle Dave, Flo's hubby) and cousin Neil (Flo's son). Looking back, Mom sure is glad she got to do NY with her beloved family.

Mom told me that Aunty Jo was the most giving, kind person ever. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary, she was always there for her friends and family and just gave, gave, gave all the time. This made me remember that she gave me a gift when she met me, so I guess this is all true. Mom told me that Aunty Jo was so creative - she wrote poems and songs, and when she had family over for dinner, she spent hours making special nicknacks to decorate the tables - flowers out of special paper and pipe cleaners for example. [That picture at right is of one of her table settings last September. The photo is lousy, but you can get an idea of her talents - Mom got teary looking at the fried sole on the plates...nothing quite like Aunty Jo's fried fish.]

She was also full of fun - loved to tell jokes, and always joked about putting off the housework, especially defrosting the freezer. Mom and Aunty Jo kept in touch often via email and in their last email Monday, looked forward to being in touch when she got home from the hospital. But it wasn't to be...

Rest in peace darling Aunty Jo. You will forever be remembered and missed.


AGC and My Sad Mommy

Transformation

Hi Friends,
Sorry I've been away from my blog awhile - guess I've been hibernating in the cold weather.
This morning, I woke up and Mom took my picture. She said Ax, this is the "before" photo. I didn't know what she was talking about:

Then she invited me to go for a ride in the car - I love the car - so I jumped right in. It was pouring rain so I was hoping we were going to doggy day care. But alas, we pulled up at Pooches Choice - the place I go sometimes to get groomed! I was bummed out!

I spent almost 7 hours there, and at the end of it all - I was exhausted. I curled up on the couch and Mom took my photo again. Ax, she said, this is the "after" photo. Now I understood what she was talking about:

Boy, I look like a different species! $101 later...and I look slimmer and more like a wire fox than a sheep. Hee hee.

AGC

Fave Auntie

This morning at 7am the phone rang twice and stopped. I woke up and listened and knew immediately that it was the signal from my favorite auntie Lynne that she was leaving her house to come and get me and take me for a magical hike! That's Auntie Lynne pictured here - she is always so much fun. We went for a nice long walk with some other friends in what was left of the snow, and then came home to Mom and Dad for breakfast. Every Sunday after our walk, Mom makes us all breakfast. I got a fried egg - yummy. But it gave me the poos later. But it was worth it I suppose, all that yellow runny stuff...

After the hike I was tired and yawned

and had a lovely long nap.



AGC