The Secret Life of Jackie and Friends

I Want to Go Too

2008-07-09T08:37:00.001-07:00

Zoe: "I want to go! I want to go!"

Zoe: "Please take me! I will be good. You can put me in the bear bag in the tree at night. The bears get me there."

Maxie: "It'll be all right, Zoe. You and are will be here together. It'll be all right."Zoe: "But I will miss them!"

Zoe: "I will be waiting right here."

Two Weeks

2008-07-08T20:13:00.001-07:00

Zoe: "Two weeks. Jackie you'll be gone for two weeks."

Jackie: "Yep, as soon as the family finishes loading the car, we're going. You need to make sure you take good care of Master Man while we're gone."Zoe: "Oh, I am going to miss you so much."

Jackie: "We'll be home before you know it. Oh, they're calling me now."
Jackie: "Bye Zoe! Play nice with Maxie and I'll see you soon!"

Zoe: "I don't know how to play nice with Maxie......oh no, two weeks."

Packing Up

2008-07-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Uh oh. I have seen this before......and I don't like it." Jackie: "Yeah, this is backpacking stuff. It looks like James and Mama are going backpacking in the woods."

Zoe: "Do dogs go packpacking with people?"

Jackie: "Not weener dogs.....there are bears in the woods and bears eat weener dogs."Zoe: "Oh. I wouldn't like that."Zoe: "Maybe there's food in here...."

Maxie: "No, I already checked Zoe. They haven't put the food in yet."

Abby: "Well, I just heard from Valerie that she's going to Grandma's, and Jackie and I are going with her! Maxie and Zoe are going to stay home and guard Master Man."

Jackie: "I like to go to Grandma's! She slips bits of chicken to me. She knows a weener should be plump."

Zoe: "Who will I play with while you are at Grandma's, Abby? What will I do?"

Abby: "Well, Maxie is staying home. You can play with Maxie."

Maxie: "Oh great."
Zoe: "This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. My kids are going and my best friend is going."

Zoe: "I am lonely already."

Good Morning Friend

2008-07-05T23:52:00.001-07:00

Zoe: "Everyone has their special place to sleep. Jackie and I snug next to Mama at night. But my best friend Abby sleeps in her crate in Valerie's room." Jackie: "Shhhh Zoe. It isn't time to get up yet."

Jackie: "There she goes....The first thing Zoe does in the morning is to go and get Abby up."

Zoe: Abby! Abby! Good Morning Abby! Are you awake?"

Abby: "I am now, Zoe."

Zoe: "Great! Because it's time to get up and start our day....let me see, did Valerie remember not to latch this crate door....."

Zoe: "Yep! She remembered. Hi Abby! Let's play! Do you want to come out or shall it come in?"

Zoe: "I'm coming in!"

Abby: "Thanks Zoe. It's going to be a good day."

Zoe: "And a fun one!"

A Chew with a Friend

2008-07-02T21:16:00.001-07:00

Jackie: "Zoe, I'm right here."Zoe: "Are you working on a chew too?" Jackie: "Yep."

Zoe: "There's nothing like a good chew....are you getting yours worked in so it's gooey?"Jackie: "Yep."

Zoe: "Sure is nice to be here on the carpet chewing with you, Jackie."
Jackie: "Yep."

Zoe: "A good chew is a really good thing."Jackie: "Yes, Zoe, it is.....now don't talk, CHEW!"

A Good Chew

2008-07-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "I LOVE a good chew."Zoe: "When I find one, I like to settle down in a quiet place and work on it." Zoe: "It takes a lot of chewing to get it worked in."

Zoe: "But with a little time and patience, you can get it just right."

Zoe: "The only thing better than a good chew is a good chew with a friend!"

Zoe: "Hey Jackie! Where are you Jackie!"

Wrestling Match

2008-07-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "Jackie, will you play with me?"

Jackie: "Of course I will Zoe! I always like to play with you!" Zoe: "Growwwwwwl!"

Jackie: "That was fun! Are we done, Zoe."

Zoe: "Yeah, I feel better now."

Zoe: "Thanks Jackie."

Trash Dive

2008-06-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Hmmmmm......I smell something delicious in that trash."Maxie: "Ha! I knew it! Here's a little leftover egg.....yum......" Maxie: "Oh, even better, here's the paper towel Mama used to wipe the bacon grease out of the skillet!"

Maxie: "Huh?"
Maxie: "Nuts. Busted!"
Maxie: "Busted, but not sorry!"

Long Way Down

2008-06-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "I got a little problem here."Zoe: "It's been comfortable napping on this bed....."Zoe: "But while I was asleep, someone moved my stairs...."Zoe: "How in the world am I going to get down??" Zoe: "It's a really long way down. I could be hurt or even killed if I jumped."Zoe: "And that would be terrible!"Zoe: "I could try to make a jump from here to the stairs....."Zoe: "But just look how far down the floor is......If I missed they would find me and never know what happened. It would be so sad."Zoe: "Ah here comes help! Can you please put my stairs next to be bed for me so I can get down, please."

Zoe: "Thanks!"

Birthday Visit from an Old Friend

2008-06-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Cosmo: "Zoe?"

Zoe: "Cosmo!"

Cosmo: "Happy birthday, Zoe! I wanted to look in on you....are you being a good girl?"Maxie: "N-O. No, she is not being a good girl, and who are you?"Zoe: "That's Cosmo! Cosmo was my very best friend in the world before I came to live with here."

Cosmo: "I remembered that this was your birthday and I wanted to see you. You were such a cute little puppy."

Zoe: "And you took such good care of me, Cosmo."

Cosmo: "You were a good girl but you wore me out sometimes."

Maxie: "Well she still wears me out, so nothing has changed that way." Zoe: "Maxie! Cosmo is my friend....shouldn't you be out in the yard checking for buffalos?"

Maxie: "Nope. I already did the buffalo check this morning and we're all clear."

Cosmo: "Is this a good place Zoe?"

Zoe: "Yes, it's a very good place. I love my family and my friends....but Cosmo, you will always be my very good friend too. I learned so much from you."

Cosmo: "I tried to teach you good manners."

Maxie: "Well, you missed the mark a little there."

Zoe: "Well, Jackie didn't do such a great job with you either."

Maxie: "Grrrrrr."

Cosmo: "We had a lot of fun playing together, didn't we Zoe?"

Zoe: "......and napping when we were tired."

Maxie: "If you were such good friends, how come Zoe is here with us."

Cosmo: "Well, I taught her everything I knew and I wanted her to learn and be fluent in a foreign lanugage."

Maxie: "Foreign language?"

Cosmo: Yes, I wanted her to learn to speak Chihuahua."

Maxie: "CHIHUAHUA?????"

Zoe: "I am doing pretty well, Cosmo. Chihuahua is mostly growling and yapping. I have a little trouble with that tongue roll that Maxie just demonstrated, but I'm getting it down."

Cosmo: "I'm glad to hear that, Zoe."

Zoe: "I love you Cosmo. You will always be my friend. I hope you come back and see me again soon."

Cosmo: "Be a good girl, practice your Chihuahua, and I'll see you soon. You will be my friend forever too, Zoe."

Happy Birthday Zoe!

2008-06-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "Today's my birthday! I'm one year old today." Jackie: "Zoe, you're still just a pup."

Home!

2008-06-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

Abby: "It is GOOD to be home! I wonder what my friends will think of my new haircut. They might not even know it's me. I sure look different and I know I smell different." Maxie: "Abby!"

Jackie: "You smell like dog shampoo."

Zoe: "I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!"
Abby: "When I got left behind, I was really worried too."

Jackie: "Well you should have known that this family would never leave you someplace and not come back."

Zoe: "You are my best friend! I am so glad you are home and safe."

Valerie: "Abby, I just wanted you to be clean and comfortable. You should have known me better than to be afraid. I love you Abby."

Abby: "I love you too my very own girl."

Abby: "I like to get pets from Master Man."

Zoe: "Well I am not going to let you out of my sign Abby, even if you are getting pets from Master Man."

Zoe: "I'll just stick right here with you."

Schnauzer Cut

2008-06-22T22:33:00.001-07:00

Abby: "Oooooo this is terrible. I've lost my home, family and friends. And now I am getting my hair all cut off." Abby: "I thought Valerie loved me. How could she get rid of me and have me tortured....."

Abby: "Wait a minute! There's Valerie.....did she come to take me back?"

Abby: "She probably doesn't even recognize me all bald and everything."

Valerie: "Abby! Did you have a nice bath? Do you feel better now that your hair's cut short for the hot summer?"

Abby: "You mean I am going home?"

Valerie: "Let's go get in the car and go home."

Abby: "I should have known my girl would never send me away."

Abby: "I am so glad to have my girl back and it's good to be home.......but will my friends recognize me? Valerie says this is a 'schnauzer cut.'"

The Destination

2008-06-21T07:19:00.001-07:00

Zoe: "Oh nuts-oh nuts-oh nuts. Who is this person and what does she think she is doing to me!?"

Zoe: "A nail salon! This is a nail salon for dogs. Hey I don't need my nails trimmed. They are just fine they way they are! Only cats and chihuahas need their nails trimmed! Oh she'd better not paint them like a poodle."

Maxie: "I HATE having my nails trimmed."

Maxie: "....and what do you mean only cats and chihuahas need their nails trimmed Zoe?!"

Maxie: "Aw not the back ones tooooooo."

Jackie: "I've been through this lots of times you guys. We'll be home soon. I don't know why the family doesn't trim our nails at home....I am so GOOD.....yeah, just get your nose a little closer to my teeth, Nail-Trimmer-Lady, and I will trim it off your face for you."

Shortly thereafter.......

Jackie: "Home again, and not a moment too soon. What a rough ride! The crate tipped over."

Jackie: "Okay, we're all home and all in one piece."

Maxie: "Well not QUITE in one piece, what about all of those nails trimmed off?"

Jackie: "Okay, but we're all home........wait! Where's Abby."

Zoe: "ABBY! Oh no, where's Abby?!"

Meanwhile........

Abby: "Where did they go? They just left me here.....my girl doesn't even know I'm gone. I knew having a home with my own girl was too much to ask for. I guess I was bad and they don't want me anymore. What will happen to me now?"

Going for a Ride......

2008-06-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

Abby: "I forgot! I don't go in a crate, I go on a leash. I love to ride in the car. It is fun to look out the window." Abby: "I like to make myself comfortable....usually I ride with my girl Valerie....I wonder why she isn't with me."

Abby: "How are you guys doing back there?

Jackie: "I'm not sure where we're going, but I have a bad feeling about this...."

Maxie: "Me too, Jackie. Me too."

Confounded Crate Confusion

2008-06-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Zoe! Would you please find a crate and get in it. If we are ever going to go for a ride you have to be in your crate."Zoe: "I'll go in this one...wait, this isn't mine....mine is the blue."

Jackie: "I thought you were going to go in the white and I was going into the blue."

Zoe: "But mine is the blue crate."

Maxie: "Oh for barking out loud! Would you GET in a crate."

Zoe: "I changed my mind....I would rather ride with Jackie."
Maxie: "Well, don't even think of coming back into my purse."

Jackie: "I don't know Zoe. It is going to be tight, but we can try it."

Jackie: "Yeah, just like I thought.....it's pretty tight with two in this crate....and your tail is in my face."

Jackie: "You know, Zoe, I think I will just ride in your blue crate for a change. I'll just step over there now."

Jackie: "I think this will work out better."

Maxie: "Okay, we are all zipped and crated up.....I wonder where we're going?"

Abby: "What about me? Don't I get to go?"

Purse Problem

2008-06-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Something's up! I can tell that something's up! I think we're going to go for a ride!"Maxie: "Here come the crates and my purse....wait a minute Zoe! That's the chihuahua purse. I go in that purse!"

Maxie: "Zoe! get out Zoe! The purse is for me. You go in a crate."

Zoe: "Why can't I go in the purse? I fit just fine in the purse."Maxie: "The purse is for chihuahuas, not great big weener dogs."

Zoe: "Who are you calling a great big weener dog?!"

Maxie: "I'm calling YOU a great big stinky weener dog, now get out of my purse!"Zoe: "Well YOU are a snitty snotty stinky little chihuahua and I'm going back in the purse. Mama loves me and will let me ride in the purse, just you wait and see!"Maxie: "You are making me so mad Zoe. I am telling you that weener dogs don't ride in purses....and neither do schnauzers so you get away too Abby."

Abby: "I would rather go without my dinner than ride in a ridiculous chihuahua purse like a CAT." Zoe: "Me too Abby. It is a dumb chihuahua-cat purse anyway and I am just going to stomp it flat."

Maxie: "Whatever Zoe. I can still get in my purse. You are making me so mad."

Zoe: "Well you called me a big stinky weener dog."

Maxie: "I am going to do worse to you if you don't get away from my purse!"

Mirror Image

2008-06-17T23:05:00.001-07:00

Buffalo on the Loose

2008-06-15T22:17:00.000-07:00

Abby: "What do you two smell?"

Maxie: "Zoe says there was a BIG animal that came through here in the night."

Zoe: "That's right. Weener dogs have an excellent sense of smell. It was a really big animal....maybe a bear or a buffalo."

Abby: "I don't smell anything big."

Zoe: "That's because schnauzers don't smell very good."

Abby: "But Valerie just gave me a bath a few days ago."Zoe: "Sorry Abby. I meant schnauzers don't have as good a sense of smell as weeners do."

Abby: "Glad to hear that."

Zoe: "Excuse me Abby. I have to track the big animal. It might still be here."Abby: "But Zoe....don't you think you would see it if it were still here in the yard?"
Zoe: "Don't be silly Abby! Dogs track with their sense of smell, not their eyesight. I'm on the trail now." Maxie: "Well, I am on the trail too. Everyone knows that chihuahuas are tracking dogs."Zoe: "Well it came through here......and I'm pretty sure it was a buffalo......what do you say Maxie?"

Maxie: "Yes, definitely a buffalo and it did come this way."
Maxie: "Zoe! I think it's in here! I can smell it in here."
Zoe: "Maxie....that's an open-fire barbeque.....Master Man doesn't like dogs on the barbeque."

Maxie: "Nonsense. He doesn't like dogs chewing meat off the grill, everyone knows that. He doesn't mind dogs on the barbeque at all. Besides, won't he be proud when we find the buffalo in here!?"

Zoe: "Hoo boy....the only thing I smell now is trouble......"

Maxie: "Yeah! It's here! I smell the buffalo in here!"

Zoe: "Uh Maxie..........Here comes Master Man; I'm out of here!"
Maxie: "Uh oh.......I guess Master Man doesn't like dogs on the barbeque."

Back in the Good Graces

2008-06-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "I am so glad to be back in the good graces of the Master Man." Zoe: "He can be pretty nice sometimes....."

Zoe: "If I stare at him hard enough, I think I can get him to get up and get me a chew stick."

Great Crate Friends

2008-06-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "I am so ashamed of myself. I thought Master Man had left the grill there for me."Abby: "Well, it's an understandable mistake. If you don't want dogs to chew meat off grills, then you shouldn't leave grills on the ground. That's what I always say."Zoe: "Then he locked me in my crate. I hate being locked in a crate."Abby: "Zoe, we're in a crate now......."

Zoe: "Well, this is different of course. The door isn't shut."

Abby: "Yeah. That makes all the difference in the world."

Smug Dog

2008-06-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Ahhhh. This is pretty nice. I am definitely the queen of this bed and I am enjoying the peace: no Zoe." Maxie: "Too bad for Zoe. Master Man caught her chewing beef off the barbeque grill. Master Man doesn't like dogs chewing on the grill."Maxie: "Yep. I feel pretty good about it! Zoe is locked in her crate right now."

Maxie: "Too bad, so sad!"

Grill Lickin' Good

2008-06-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "Hey, what's this?......I smell something good......."

Zoe: "The family is in the house eating........they must have left this here for me."

Zoe: "Oh charred beef is the best!

Queen of the Bed

2008-06-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

Maxie: "I am Queen of the Bed!"

Maxie: "Hey! Don't even think about it Zoe! I am Queen of this bed. I don't want to share."

Zoe: "Aw come on, Maxie. Abby lets me share the bed with her. There's plenty of room in the bed for two."

Maxie: "I'm warning you, Zoe! Don't make me get ugly."

Maxie: "That's it! Get out of my bed."

Zoe: "Grrrrrr."

Zoe: "Okay! Okay Maxie. You can be queen of this bed. I'll go find Abby. She shares with me; you aren't very nice sometimes, Maxie."

Maxie: "........Queen of the Bed."

Conversation about Personal Doghood

2008-03-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "Jackie, Abby likes being a personal dog, doesn't she?"

Jackie: "Yeah, being a personal dog is really nice."

Zoe: "Are you a personal dog too?"

Jackie: "James is my personal boy and I am his personal dog."

Zoe: "Am I a personal dog?"

Jackie: "Not yet. You are just a puppy still and you haven't been in our family long enough."

Zoe: "Whose personal dog will I be?"

Jackie: "That depends. Sometimes one family member has two personal dogs. You have to establish a special rapaport with one of the family members. You usually choose each other, but sometimes you make your own choice."

Zoe: "Oh."

Jackie: "When Cookie died, Maxie made it her business to be Mama's personal dog."

Zoe: "So, Abby is Valerie's personal dog, you are James' personal dog, and Maxie is Mama's, but Master Man doesn't have a personal dog."

Jackie: "That's right.....I had better go check on James; personal dogs have duties, you know."

Zoe: "Hmmmmmmm."

Personal Dog

2008-03-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

Abby: "Well, Valerie's busy doing homework, so I'll just take a little break."Abby: "I sure do love my girl......she has given me a good home. I had another family and was a family dog before, but they moved away and couldn't take me.....I used to miss my other kids, but now that I have my own girl, I don't miss them so much. In those days my name was Scruffy. Valerie said I wasn't 'scruffy' and game me my new name."Abby: "It's a lot of work to be a personal dog. It's my job to greet Valerie at the door when she comes home, keep her company, take her for walks, go for rides in the car with her, and sleep on her bed at night." Abby: "I'm still pretty new to the job, but I like it." Abby: "Ooooo! She's calling me! Break's over and back on duty."Abby: "Yep....it's good to be a personal dog."

A Crate Rest

2008-03-10T21:27:00.000-07:00

Zoe: "Sometimes I like to hide out in Maxie's crate......"Zoe: "I can see what is going on but people and dogs can't see me."

Zoe: "Sometimes I even take a little nap in here."Zoe: "Problem is.......there isn't much room to turn around......"Zoe: "Everyone knows you can't have a good nap unless you have turned around at least once." Zoe: "See.......zzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

Wiggles

2008-03-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

Abby: "Hi Zoe."

Zoe: "Hi Abby! Can I get in that bed with you?"

Abby: "Sure! There's plenty of room for both of us in this bed."Z0e: "Thanks Abby! I like to snuggle up with you."Abby: "What are you doing?"Zoe: "Just trying to get comfortable, that's all."Abby: "Oh."Abby: "Maybe I will let you have the bed and you can get it worked in like you like it."

Zoe: "Abby wait!"Zoe: "The bed was worked in better with my pal."Zoe: "I don't know what comes over me. I just get the wiggles sometimes."

A Full Day

2008-03-02T22:42:00.000-08:00

Jackie: "Did you have a busy day today Zoe?" Zoe: "Yes I did! I sunned myself on the patio, played with Abby, and we all went for a walk."Jackie: "Don't forget, we got a little bit of clam sauce on our dinner tonight. I love clam sauce!"Zoe: "How could I forget! That was a special treat."Jackie: "And don't forget that we also played ball with James. You make it a fun game when we play ball."Zoe: "Thanks Jackie. I am glad you are my friend."Jackie: "It is good to be pals, isn't it?"

Jackie: "We had a full day. It's nice to just sit on this lap together......I'm sleepy."Zoe: "Hey Jackie! We could go play with the tug of war rope.....Jackie?"

Jackie: "How about tomorrow."

Sunning on Sunday Morning

2008-03-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

Zoe: "Even I like to take a minute to be still and sit in the sun." Zoe: "Okay, that's enough. I'm off."

Boingo Bounce with Abby

2008-02-28T22:49:00.000-08:00

Zoe: "That Maxie is no fun. Where'd she go?"Abby: "What's the matter, Zoe?"

Zoe: "We didn't even get going with boingo bounce and Maxie disappeared......say! You are fun too."

Abby: "That's right, I am! Grrrrrrr!"Abby: "I am going to bite your ear off, Zoe!"Zoe: "You can just try to catch me!"Zoe: "BOINGO BOUNCE!!!!!!"Zoe: "I LOVE boingo bounce!"

Boingo Bounce

2008-02-26T16:20:00.000-08:00

Zoe: "Hey Maxie! Let's play boingo bounce on the bedcovers!"Maxie: "How about no on boingo bounce. Let's play snug-down-and-be-warm-and-quiet-and-still under the bedcovers."
Zoe: "I don't see how that would be fun. Let's boingo bounce! Come on Maxie!"Zoe: "Hi ya Jackie! Maxie and I are playing boingo bounce on the bedcovers! Come on and join us!"Zoe: "Maxie is right here and......Maxie? Maxie?"Zoe: "Where'd ya go, Maxie?"Zoe: "Ha! I smell you Maxie! You're right here!"
Maxie: "Nobody's here except us pillows and blankets."

Zoe: "Yes you are! I smell you....I'm coming to get you."Zoe: "Found you Maxie! You are a good hider. Can we play again or do you want to boingo bounce?"Maxie: "Give me a minute and I will hide again, only a better place this time......maybe in the box springs."Zoe: "Ha ha! You are so funny....hey! Where did you go? Maxie? Maxie? She sure moves fast. I didn't see her go.....Maxie?

The Worst Nap Spot Ever....or Gee My Head's Stuck

2008-02-25T22:09:00.001-08:00

Zoe: "Jackie.....rrraaawwwwwrrrrrr.....Jackie........"

Jackie: Zoe? Zoe? Where are you Zoe?"

Zoe: "Jackie.....I'm in here.....awwwwwrrrrrwwww......"

Jackie: "Um....Zoe, what exactly am I seeing here?
Zoe: "Well, I was looking for Maxie's secret hiding place here under Valerie's bed and I....well I.....I guess I'm stuck."
Jackie: "Stuck? What do you mean stuck?"

Zoe: "Well, I thought maybe Maxie liked to take a nap here in the box springs and now my head is stuck in here."Jackie: "Oh brother. I'll go get Valerie. She'll have you out in a jiffy."

Zoe: "That'd be good because I'm not really comfortable....."

Maxie: "Zoe, I have never napped in the box springs......wow look at you!"

Zoe: "Well now you tell me. Seemed like a good place to nap...well maybe not."

Later......

Zoe: "Boy that was terrible. I was so scared, but Valerie and James came and got me right out."

Zoe: "I am sure I deserve some type of treat to comfort me after that trauma!"

Good Morning Coffee

2008-02-25T17:23:00.001-08:00

Maxie: "Ahhhhhh! I love a good cup of coffee in the morning!"

A Little Peace and Quiet

2008-02-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

Zoe: "Where's Maxie? I would like to chase Maxie."Maxie: "Uh Oh.....I hope Zoe won't find me here on Valerie's bed.....I would like a little peace and quiet this afternoon."Maxie: "If I'm really quiet maybe that pup won't find me here in the back bedroom.....she still hasn't learned all of the places to look."Zoe: "Hey Jackie, have you seen Maxie? I would like to chase Maxie and jump on her."

Jackie: "Zoe, I think Maxie might be tired of you jumping on her. She might not want you to find her." Zoe: "I don't see how that could be! It is fun for me to chase her."

Jackie: "Well, I'm just saying....."

Maxie: "Jackie is sure a good friend. She knows where I am but didn't rat me out!"Zoe: "Hey Abby! Do you know where Maxie is? I would like to chase her and jump on her."

Abby: "I think Maxie might be napping somewhere. Sometimes she hides when she doesn't want to play."

Zoe: "Oh."

Abby: "I would like to play with you, Zoe."

Zoe: "Then come on, Abby!"

Abby: "Zoe, I would like to JUMP on YOU!"
Maxie: "That Abby is a good pal!"

Maxie: "Now I'm safe.......ZZzzzzzzz....."

Yard Chase

2008-02-21T21:34:00.001-08:00

Jackie: "Hey Zoe! Let's see if we can get a kid to throw this for us."Zoe: "Does Valerie know how to throw?"Jackie: "Of course she does! Throw it HARD Valerie!"Jackie: "Come on, Zoe! Chase the ball with me!"Zoe: "Let's go!"

Jackie: "No, Zoe, you aren't supposed to bite me, you're supposed to get the BALL."

Zoe: "I would rather tackle YOU, Jackie!"

Jackie: "If you can CATCH ME!"Zoe: "I can catch you easy!"

Jackie: "THAT was fun."

Jackie: "Zoe, it's getting kind of dark....maybe it's dinner time!"

Zoe: "Let's go see! I'll lead the way."
Jackie: "Good night Ball."

Introductions

2008-02-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

Jackie: "Let me introduce you to my friends! Of course you know me.....I'm Jackie!" Maxie: "I'm Maxie, all grown up now! I'm a big dog."
Jackie: "Yes, you are a huge dog, Maxie."

Abby: "I'm Abby. I'm Valerie's dog."
Zoe: "I'm Zoe! I'm a big grown up dog too!"
Maxie: "No you're not, Zoe! You are the pup." Zoe: "Well, then I'm a grown up pup!" Maxie: "Okay then, Zoe. You are the eight month old grown up pup." Zoe: "Glad we got that straight!"

Another Friend Lost

2008-02-18T17:36:00.001-08:00

Jackie: "It has been a very long time since our last post. I guess we just haven't felt like it....Cookie started to feel very tired last January. She didn't want to play anymore." Jackie: "When I asked her, she said she would rather rest."Jackie: "By the end of last summer, we knew she was going to be joining Annie at The Hunting Ground soon. I was so sad, but she told me not to worry. She reminded me that The Hunting Ground is a good place. It's where dogs wait for their friends and their people to join them."Jackie: "Cookie said it would be nice to sit in the warm sun and wait for Annie to find her."

Jackie: "Cookie said that when she saw Annie she would run to her and they would play in the green grass and the sun."

Jackie: "On the morning of December 31, 2007, after a long struggle with liver cancer, Cookie left to join Annie. Mama said it was hard to enter a new year without Cookie; Cookie was the best friend she ever had......Cookie was the best friend we ever had too, and she left large pawprints to fill."

"Run free, Cookie! Run free!"

Another Walk Please

2007-01-29T17:02:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "I sure would like to go out and have another walk. I wonder how I can get someone to take me out."Maxie: "Wait a minute! What is that over there by the window!?" Maxie: "You know, it is time for me to take matters into my own paws."Maxie: "If I can get this on myself, I am sure someone in this house will get the hint!"

My First Walk

2007-01-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "Harness and leash? Harness and leash!!!!! It is cold and scary out here in this grass!"Maxie: "But wait a minute....what do I smell.....?"Maxie: "What a minute Mama! I don't know how to do this. Don't tug! Don't pull."Maxie: "I guess this means you want me to come along." Maxie: "Hey! This isn't so bad! I like it out here!"Maxie: "Ooooo....another smell."Maxie: "Wow, there's lots to see out here too."
Maxie: "Hey! There's a dog over there!"
Maxie: "And I like the bright sunshine."Maxie: "Cookie is so smart and she was was right! I can still breathe and I didn't burst into flames....a harness is not such a bad thing after all. I think I am going to like taking walks."

The Harness

2007-01-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "I don't like the look of whatever that red thing is in Mama's hands."
Cookie: "It's a harness."

Maxie: "What's a harness???!!! What's a harness got to do with ME?!"Cookie: "You'll see. You should cooperate."

Maxie: "I don't want to cooperate. I don't like a harness."
Cookie: "You don't even know what a harness is."

Maxie: "I don't want it. Oh she's putting it on me! I don't want this! I am sure it will squeeze me!"Cookie: "Don't be silly and let Mama put in on you."Maxie: "I'll bet this has something to do with a bath or some other form of dog torture, I just know it.Cookie: "It's on now; is it squeezing you?"
Maxie: "Yes, it is squeezing me hard.....well, I guess it isn't squeezing too hard, but it IS burning my fur.....well, I guess it isn't really burning either, but I don't want a harness....Cookie exactly what is a harness anyway?"Cookie: "You'll see. You are not going to mind it so much when you learn what it is for."

Maxie: "Is it really going to be okay, Cookie?"Cookie: "Of course it is. Go over and see what Mama has in her hand now."
To be continued..............

Trouble

2007-01-23T17:24:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "She was mad. I mean she was really MAD!"
Cookie: "Listen to me, Maxie. Just because it looks fun doesn't mean you should do it."

Maxie: "I am so ashamed of myself; Mama has never yelled at me before."Cookie: "Jackie has gotten me into trouble before too. You need to use your head and not get drawn into the moment of the thing. Stick with me Little Girl and remember to mind your manners."

Maxie: "I will Cookie and thanks. I feel better talking to you about this."
Cookie: "It is my pleasure Maxie. I don't like it when Mama catches me doing the wrong thing either."
Maxie: "Boy, I have to admit, that turning over the bathroom trash cans and ripping up the kleenex IS so much fun and Jackie said that--"

Mama: "JACKIE!!!!!!!!"

Cookie and Maxie: "Uh oh...."

My Birthday Present

2007-01-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

Valerie: "Here is your present to open, Jackie. Happy Birthday!"Jackie: "Ooooo what could it be!? I like ripping up the paper; it makes a nice noise.......Oh! It is a stuffed weener dog!"Jackie: "I have been wanting one of these!"Maxie: "Let me see, Jackie. Wow, it's very nice--can I play too?"Jackie: "Of course, Maxie! It wouldn't be any fun to have a new toy without someone to play with!"

Maxie: "Well, let me get a closer look then."Jackie: "Ready, set...GET HIM!"Maxie: "Bite him on the head, Jackie!"Jackie: "Pull Maxie!"Maxie: "Grrrrrrrrrrr!"Maxie: "Whip him around Jackie!"Jackie: "Whew. That was fun. Let's go rest Maxie. Are you tired? Maxie?"

Maxie: "That was......hmmmmzzzzzzzz."

Birthday Dinner

2007-01-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

Jackie: "I did have special birthday dinner yesterday, but it wasn't chicken......"

Yesterday.......

Jackie: "It is dinnertime! I am supposed to have something special James!"

James: "I do have a special treat for you, Jackie. Something that is good for dogs."

Cookie: "Do we get to share in the treat, or does just the Birthday Dog get a treat?"James: "The fun of a birthday is that your friends get to celebrate with you. Everyone gets the treat with their dinner....well, you dogs get the treat on your dinner....I am going to give you my share."

Maxie: "Wow James, that is really nice of you now hurry up with the dinner!......please." Jackie: "Oooooo here it comes....what could it be?"

Jackie: "Yum!!!!! Canned dog food! That is a special treat. Thanks James!

James: "Happy Birthday, Jackie. You're a good girl."

Jackie: Tomorrow I will tell you about my present!!

It's My Birthday!

2007-01-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

Jackie: "When I got up this morning the family sang Happy Birthday to me! It's my birthday!"Valerie: "That's right, Jackie. You are five years old today! We love you and we want you to have a special day. Tonight there will be something special on your dinner."

Jackie: "Oooooooooh! I hope it is CHICKEN!"

Puzzling over People

2007-01-07T22:39:00.000-08:00

Jackie: "You know, our friend Squirrely Jedi has a point, there. Maxie, have you noticed all of the bathing that gets done by the people around here?"Maxie: "I have noticed! I would hate to have a bath every day."

Jackie: "I think that is why people don't have as much fur as dogs do. They wash it off with all of that scrubbing and soaping." Maxie: "I have noticed that Master Man doesn't have too much hair on his head--do you think he scrubs it too hard?"

Jackie: "That could be--he just scrubbed it right off." Maxie: "Wow. I hope it didn't hurt too much."

Jackie: "Another thing I have noticed about the family is that they don't shake when they get out of the shower. If I have to have a bath, I love to have a good wet shake."Maxie: "I have to admit, I didn't enjoy the bath, but I DID enjoy the shake. I wonder why people don't shake. People get to do whatever they want to."

Jackie: "I know! And even another thing I have noticed about people is that they don't run out of the bathroom and roll and rub all over the living room carpet." Maxie: "Rubbing on the living room carpet was really nice. I wonder why people don't do that; maybe they have scrubbed so much of their fur off already, they are afraid to rub more off on the rug....as a matter of fact, people don't even seem to be too frisky after their baths, do they?"

Jackie: "No they don't. With all of that washing, you would think they would leap and jump all over the house, or at least run out of the bathroom and chew something."

Maxie: "Well if you don't know why, I sure don't. I am still learning about people, Jackie."Jackie: "There are some things about people that I will never figure out!"

She who Laughs Last....

2007-01-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

Cookie: "HaaaaHaaaaHaaaaa! You two crack me up! Of course you need baths, but not me. I go to the dog groomer salon for my bath. Then she trims my nails and--"

James: "Cookie, come here." Cookie: "Oh pooh."

Yes, Weener Dogs do too Need Baths

2007-01-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

Jackie: "That was too bad, Maxie. I am sorry that you aren't a weener dog. If you were a weener dog, you would NEVER need a bath EVER."

James: "Jackie, where are you?"

Jackie: "Oh nuts."Jackie: "What are you doing, James! I don't need a bath."

James: "Everyone needs a bath once and awhile, even you."

Jackie: "No I don't. No I don't. Oh here comes the water. I hate water."Jackie: "And here comes the soap. I hate the soap....hey, you don't need to soap me all over!"Jackie: "Okay that's enough! Can I go now?"

James: "No, Jackie, you have to be rinsed."Jackie: "More water. Weener dogs don't like water, James."Jackie: "Finally! Jackie: "I have to admit.....I like the towel rubbing part. Weener dogs do like towel rubbing."

First Bath....or Improper Use of Water

2007-01-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "Oh my golly! The people in this house have lost their minds!"Maxie: "I was just minding my own business and then all of a sudden this wetting and soaping started."Maxie: "Why would anyone do this to a dog?"Maxie: "What in the world! They are squiring more water on me!" Maxie: "This is the most horrible thing that has ever happened to me!"Maxie: "I have to try to escape!" Maxie: "I need help! Jackie! JACKIE!"

Jackie: "Here I am Maxie; right here. It's okay."Maxie: "Why did they do it, Jackie? Why did they do this horrible thing to me?!"Jackie: "It's okay Little Girl. The family just gave you a bath, that's all. You aren't hurt and you'll see, it feels pretty good to be clean."

Maxie: "I guess I will just take your word for it, Jackie."

Time to Get Up!

2007-01-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "Jackie! Jackie! It is time to wake the kids up! I see the sun through the curtains."

Jackie: "Maxie, I think it is time for you to solo on this job." Maxie: "No problem, Jackie! I am on it! First I'll get Valerie up. She always wakes up easy!"Maxie: "Valerie! Valerie! Time to get up Valerie!"

Valerie: "Thanks Maxie....where's Jackie this morning." Maxie: "Jackie said I could do the job myself this morning. If you are awake, I need to move on to James."

Valerie: "I'm awake." Maxie: "Now James; he's the tricky one......James! James! James! Time to get up!"

James: "Hrrrmm....snxxxxnmmm......hmmmm....."

Maxie: "James! Time to get up......maybe an ear licking will do the trick."

James: "Hmmmmm......snnnnmmm......."

Maxie: "Well, the ear licking doesn't seem to be working, I guess I need to go directly for the FACE!"

James: "Okay, okay, Maxie! I am up. Get off my head!" Jackie: "How did it go, Maxie? Are they up?

Maxie: "They're up! That was fun! I can't wait until tomorrow!"

Gone Wild

2006-12-19T06:15:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "Play with me Jackie! I feel frisky!" Jackie: "Maxie, you always feel frisky."Maxie: "Grrrrrr....Jackie you are my prey and I have you down!" Jackie: "I am not the prey for long!"Jackie: "Come here! I am going to eat you up!"

Maxie: "Let's see if you can even catch me!"Jackie: "Now I have you pinned!"Maxie: "Well, just watch this move then!"

Cookie: "What a ruckus you to make." Maxie: "Come play with us Cookie!"

Cookie: "No way! I think I smell dinner!"

Sunday in a Sunbeam

2006-11-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

It's GREAT to be HOME!!!!

2006-11-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

Cookie: "It's great to be home; I sure hate being at the kennel."

Maxie: "I was SO SCARED that the family would never come back for us!"

Cookie: "I kept telling you, Little Girl, that the family always comes back for us.....boy I sure could use a bath!"
Jackie: "Not me; I could never use a bath. As for Maxie, it was her first time in the kennel, you know. The first time is always the most scary. I like being able to bark loudly all day long."

Cookie: "I noticed."

Maxie: "So did I."

Jackie: "Well, some of us have a great talent for barking. I think I am going to celebrate being home by having a good chew."Maxie: "Ooooo me too! I think I am going to have my chew in the laundry pile. It is soft and smelly."

Jackie: "I am teaching you well!"

Maxie: "Yep; it is you who first introduced me to the lovely smell of dirty socks, Jackie."Later........

Maxie: "It is so good to be home. I just want to snooze in warm arms...."Cookie: "Good family--warm couch--good friends.....good home."

Another Vet Visit

2006-11-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

Cookie: "Did they take you to the groomer, Jackie?"
Jackie: "No, they took me to the vet. I had bad breath so the vet checked my mouth and teeth. I don't know if a bath would have been worse or not...."
Jackie: "I had to have my teeth cleaned."

Cookie: "Was it that bad?"

Jackie: "I guess not....I kind of fell asleep....when I woke up my mouth hurt. The vet said I have two infected teeth.....you know.....I guess I am a little sleepy still......"Jackie: "I have to......to......to take pills for a....couple of weeks.....and...."Jackie: ".....and.....I'm comfy here........"Cookie: "Jackie?"

Jackie: "Uh huh........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

New Bowl

2006-11-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

Maxie: "Dinnertime!.....wait....where's my little bowl?"Maxie: "I don't know about this....this is definitely not my bowl. Maybe this isn't my dinner....I wouldn't want to have one of the big dogs catching me eating out of the wrong bowl. Especially Cookie; she takes a very dim view of eating from other dogs' bowls."Maxie: "Sure is a shiny bowl. Well, it looks like my food....and it sure smells like my food."Cookie: "Oh, Maxie! EAT ALREADY! Mama got you a new bowl; you are growing and you needed a bigger bowl."Maxie: "Thanks for clearing that up for me Cookie. I'm hungry!"

Cookie's Day Out

2006-10-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Hey! Are we going to go for a ride in the car today? Why are the leashes coming out?"
Cookie: "Only me today, Jackie. Mama made an appointment for me to go to the beauty parlor and have a bath and a hair-do"

Jackie: "Seems like you got plenty of "hair-do" already."

Cookie: "Open the door, James...."

Cookie: "See you later, Jackie!

Later.....

Cookie: "Okay already. I am clean and have my hair-do. I wish they would hurry up and come to get me.....Oh finally!"

Cookie: "See how nice I look, James? They put perfume on me too."

James: "Yeah, I can sure smell you, Cookie."

Cookie: "I can't wait to get home and see Jackie and Maxie."

Cookie: "I wonder what they did all day"

Quiet Time

2006-10-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Maxie is finally asleep in her crate. What a little handful she is."Cookie: "I love Maxie, but it is nice to enjoy a little quiet time with just you and me."

Jackie: "I wasn't such a handful, was I Cookie? I didn't run around and bite this much."
Cookie: "Yep, you did. You played and bit and chewed EVERY bit as much as she does....and I loved every minute of it. But I am too old to deal with it; now it's your turn."

Jackie: "She is a lot of fun....but like I said, I like to have a little quiet time with you, Cookie."

Cookie: "Me too, Pup. Me too."

Come On, Jackie, Let's Play!

2006-10-23T15:56:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Jackie! Jackie! Play with me Jackie!"Jackie: "Not right now, Little Girl. I am busy chewing."Maxie: "Come on Jackie! Let's play!"Jackie: "In a little while. I want to chew this toy."Maxie: "Okay then, I will have to bite you on your tail."Jackie: "That's it. I am moving away from you. I want to chew."Maxie: "Aw, come on, Jackie. Play with me!"Jackie: "Okay, Maxie. I will chew later. Try to get this toy from me."

Maxie: "GET READY BECAUSE HERE I COME!!!!"

Chewing

2006-10-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "I love chewing! There are so many things in this house to chew."Maxie: "The rug is a good thing to chew."Maxie: "There are plenty of nice things to chew in the linen closet." Maxie: "My toy is very nice."Maxie: ".....the pillow from the couch."Maxie: "....and I can't forget James' feet; very delicious!"
Maxie: "I love to sink my teeth into my monkey."Jackie: "Yeah, chewing really is a pleasure. I like to do it too. Do you ever run out of things to chew, Maxie?"Maxie: "No, because if I don't have anything else, I can always chew my feet!"

Keeping Tabs

2006-10-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "I think I need to explore the house a little. I still don't know every place there is to go in my home." Maxie: "I need to go and check out Valerie's room. It is on the other side of the house, but there might be some stinky socks on the floor in there. She would like it if I chewed holes in them for her."Later........

Jackie: "Cookie, have you seen Maxie? It sure is hard to keep tabs on such a little pup. I keep losing her."Cookie: "Boy, don't I know it! You were a tiny puppy too; I had a terrible time keeping track of you."Jackie: "Well, I had better find her. She might be scared, or worse yet, she might be in trouble."Meanwhile......

Maxie: "Wow, that was a long way to go; I am so tired. Too bad Valerie had all her socks picked up. There were a few other nice things to chew, though, but they weren't very smelly, like socks."Jackie: "Where could that pup be??????"Jackie: "Oh, there she is. Not in any trouble at all."

The Luxury of a Grassy Yard

2006-10-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Warm sun is so nice.....and warm grass smells so good.....
ahhhhhhh....."

Stinky Socks

2006-10-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Hey Maxie! It is about time I taught you the stinky socks lesson."

Maxie: "What's the stinky socks lesson, Jackie?"Jackie: "Well, its that stinky socks are really STINKY and nice! Look, Valerie left her socks on the living room floor; they are just waiting to be chewed." Maxie: "Well, let me see......mmmmmm they smell stinky!"Jackie: "See? I told you, stinky socks are nice! Valerie has been walking around and sweating in them all day."

Maxie: "Jackie you are so smart!"

Jackie: "I have lots of things to show you---or smell you."

Maxie: "Will Valerie mind if I chew a hole in her socks?"

Jackie: "Of course not! I have been chewing holes her socks for years. That is the way Valerie likes them."

Maxie: "I would like to do something nice for Valerie."Jackie: "Me too! I chew them up whenever I can......I can't wait to show you the kitchen trash!"

Yard Camping

2006-10-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "Jackie, I hate to say it, but I don't really like yard camping." Jackie: "Really? Why is that? I love to yard camp! We had a great night in the tent last night."

Cookie: "I don't know why the family wants to sleep on the ground in the yard when they have PERFECTLY good beds in the house. Besides, I get cold at night."
Jackie: "The kids like to yard camp if they can't get away to do a real camp. It is your own fault if you got cold. Mama made a nice spot for you in the tent, but you wanted to sleep by the door. I slept next to Mama in her sleeping bag and I stayed nice and warm."

Cookie: "Well yard camping isn't safe. Didn't you hear the coyotes last night?!"

Jackie: "I did hear them! It is a good thing that the tent was zipped up tight or I would have had to go and and let that pack of coyotes have it!

Cookie: "Good thing the tent was zipped then."

Jackie: "Cookie! Do you think the coyotes could still be around? Maybe they are out there waiting to eat us!"
Cookie: "I think I hear breathing.....maybe we had better peek out and see."

Jackie: "Be careful Cookie.....What do you see Cookie?"
Cookie: "I don't see anything, but I am not getting a good enough look. Maybe you had better go out and check since you were planning to let the coyotes 'have it' anyway."

Jackie: ".........Okay Cookie......I will go out and check because I am a very brave big dog....."

Jackie: "Okay here I go now....."

Jackie: "Whew! I don't see anything.....good thing for the coyotes that they aren't around."

Jackie: "I saved you Cookie! The coast is clear! I protected you from the coyotes and they are gone."Cookie: "Wow, thanks Jackie. Did you have to fight them?Jackie: "No, but I almost had to! The coyotes must have run away when they saw me coming out of the tent."

Cookie: "Well, then what is that noise?"

Jackie: "Huh! What is it!? Are they back????"

Cookie: "Jackie, let's just peek out together this time."

Jackie: "Oh it is just Valerie......Wow that was a REALLY close call."
Cookie: "Yep, it will be nice to sleep in the house tonight."

Jackie: "Maybe so since we had such a close call."

Resting Together

2006-10-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Jackie: I like to lay here and look out the window. Sometimes the morning sun shines here and you can soak in the warmth."Jackie: "You can see the whole yard from right here. We can guard and rest at the same time."
Maxie: "When will you teach me to guard the yard, Jackie."

Jackie: "When you get a little bigger, Maxie; you have to be just a little bit bigger."

Just Right

2006-10-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "How is the new bowl working out, little girl?"Maxie: "This is so nice, Cookie! This bowl is just the right size for me."Maxie: "Cookie, how come Jackie doesn't eat in the kitchen with us?"

Cookie: "Jackie eats in her crate."

Maxie: "Why is that? It would be nice for all of us to eat together."
Cookie: "Because Jackie pushes me out of the way and eats my food; Mama thinks she might eat yours before you get any, and then you won't grow. Jackie has to wait in her crate until everyone is done eating."

Maxie: "I do want to grow and be a big dog like you, Cookie. Where do you think this little bowl came from? Do you think it was Jackie's when she was a puppy?"
Cookie: "No, it's the bowl James and Valerie used to keep their hermit crabs' water sponge in."
Maxie: "Oh; I don't really know what a hermit crab is."Cookie: "Well anyway, I am glad they found a better bowl for you to use until you are bigger."

Maxie: "Me too!"

Big Bowl, Small Puppy

2006-10-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "This bowl is too big for me. I can't reach the food in it very well."
Maxie: "Look, Jackie. I have to stand on the side to reach."Jackie: "Don't worry, Maxie, you'll grow and then you will be able to reach."

Maxie: "I don't know how I will grow if I can't reach my food."
Jackie: "You seem to be reaching it fine. After you are done eating, we can play!"

Maxie: "I would like that."

Jackie: "I will just go and get a toy and get ready......."
Jackie: "Maxie?.....Maxie?....Oh, there you are."Jackie: "I guess we will play later."

What do Puppies Do?

2006-10-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

Maxie: "Jackie.....Jackie I would like to play with you."Jackie: "Come on Little One! I love to play! Let's play together with your monkey."Jackie: "First you dig your teeth into it like this."Jackie: "Then you bite down hard on the monkey and make it squeak."Maxie: "Wow, Jackie. You know just what to do with a monkey." Jackie: "I sure do, now take hold of the monkey Maxie and shake it, like this."
Maxie: "Jackie this is fun and everything....."
Maxie: "But I think I would like to JUMP ON YOU!"Jackie: "Hey!!!!!!
Jackie: "I didn't know puppies played like this! This is going to be GREAT!"

Welcome Maxie

2006-10-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Awww, look. She is so tired. She just fell asleep right where we were playing."Cookie: "Puppies play hard and then sleep a lot."
Jackie: "Did the family give her a name yet?"
Cookie: "Yep. Remember I told you about Max, the Jack Russell that lived here a long time ago? Well, they think that this little girl looks like Max, so they named her Maxie in his honor. He was a very good and loyal dog; he taught me everything I know about guarding a yard and house."Jackie: "Maxie. Sounds good to me; she will be glad to have a name when she wakes up.....I wish Maxie would wake up because I want to play with her!" Cookie: "Let her sleep now. I promise that when she wakes up she will be ready to play."

No Name....and So Much to Learn

2006-09-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "What in the Sam Hill....! Cookie! You had better get out here quick! There is a cat out here!"Cookie: "Jackie, this is not a cat. It is a little puppy. Hello little girl, what is your name? Why are you here?"Puppy: "I don't know. I don't know. I was just in a pen with my two sisters and then this boy and girl came and took me home. I don't have a name."Jackie: "Sniff...sniff....I guess you are right, Cookie. It isn't a cat. Why do you suppose it is here?"Cookie: "Well, I am guessing here, but we have all been so sad since Annie went to the Hunting Ground. You have not been yourself Jackie. You have been spending a lot of time curled up in the rocking chair looking out the window. This family loves us and has a lot of love to give. Maybe they wanted to give us a new friend."

Jackie: "Well, no one can take Annie's place EVER!"Cookie: "Of course not, Jackie. I told you before, we will never stop missing Annie. But we have to enjoy our days while we are here. So you don't have a name yet, little fella?"

Puppy: "No name; I am just me....who are the two of you?" Cookie: "I am Cookie, the chief dog here, and this is my assistant, Jackie. Welcome to our yard, you are going to like living here with us. You have a lot to learn, my little friend and we will teach you."

Puppy: "Will I ever have a name? I don't what to be called "It"! Where are my sisters!? I am scared!"Jackie: "Don't worry, Puppy. I won't call you "It" anymore. The family will give you a name when they get to know you a little. Cookie is right; you are going to like it here, and Cookie and I and this family are yours now. We are going to take care of you and teach you what you need to know." Cookie: "You know, Jackie. You were just saying that you wanted a baby in the house....a puppy is a baby, only better.

Jackie: "You know, you are right! And I remember Annie told me that one day I would not be the pup in the house anymore. That day has come! Does this mean you won't call me "Pup" anymore, Cookie?"

Cookie: "I probably always will call you "Pup" Jackie since you are special to me and I have known you since you were just a pup like this little one, but we'll see. We need to get to know each other."

Jackie: "Hello Little Girl. I can't wait to know what your name is. I can't wait to play with you."

A Little Fun

2006-09-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "What ya doin' Cookie?"

Cookie: "I don't know. We haven't had any fun this afternoon."
Jackie: "I know! Let's get James to throw the ball! We haven't done that in a long time, and I have a new green ball.......Throw It James!!!!!"
Cookie: "Yeah! Throw it James!"
Jackie: "Okay! Okay! Okay! Here you go!"Jackie: "Throw it again James! Cookie! Pay attention and get ready to chase it! This is a critial situation! We can't let it get away!"Cookie: "Get that one, okay Jackie. I think I am going to run by Mama for a petting."Jackie: "Cookie, I sometimes wonder whether you take playing ball very seriously."Cookie: "I am very serious about ball....I just get a little tired, that's all."Jackie: "Well, maybe it is time to move along to chewing on the ball then." Cookie: "Okay, you chew and I will pant.....but that was sure fun!"

I Wish We Had a Baby

2006-09-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "You know, I sure wish we had a baby in this house. Our friend Jasey just got one and it sounds so nice." Cookie: "Valerie was a baby when I first came here. It IS very nice, especially when they start eating food. All I had to do was camp under Valerie's high chair and she rained food down on me."

Jackie: "Jasey says that babies smell nice too."
Cookie: "They sure do."

Jackie: "And Jasey says that babies have really nice toys to chew on."Cookie: "She is so right. Very nice rubbery, chewey, slobbery toys!"

Jackie: "Well Jasey sounds like she is enjoying her life--the only problem is there isn't quite room for the whole family on the couch! Jackie: "I don't think Jasey's couch is as big as ours."
Cookie: "Either the couch or something else, Pup."

Missing Annie

2006-09-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "I am so lonesome without Annie here. I can smell her on her bed and blanket." Cookie: "I know you can, Jackie. You will smell her for a long time, and that's a good thing. When I smell Annie on the blanket, I think about her."

Jackie: "But Cookie, what are we going to do without Annie?!"

Cookie: "Well, Pup, I'll tell you what we are going to do. We are going to get up out of bed every morning, go outside and patrol the yard perimeter, just like we always do. Then we will enjoy our breakfast and then go lick the kids on the face. We will sun ourselves in the yard and roll around in the good-smelling warm grass. We will chase birds every chance we get and maybe sometime we will catch one. We raid the kitchen trash when the opportunity presents itself and tear up kleenex from the bathroom trash too. In the evening we will have our dinner and sit on laps and enjoy scratches and pets. That is what we are going to do."

Jackie: "Those are all good things, and it doesn't seem right anymore with Annie not here."

Cookie: "There is not an hour that will go by for the rest of our lives that we won't miss Annie. But all of these things are good things. A dog is only here for a sort while before it is time to go to the Hunting Ground. I have known several dogs that have gone on. Even I am going to be going before too many more years have passed--remember, I am twelve years old."

Jackie: "Cookie! I couldn't bear it if you left me too!"

Cookie: "That is why we have to enjoy every day while we are together. When I go to the Hunting Ground, you will get up every morning, just like always and go on with your day. We have time together here yet, and someday there will be other dogs for you to play with. They will be puppies and you will be the old girl. This family believes that there should be at least two dogs in the house so they can keep each other company.

Jackie: "You are good company, Cookie. I am glad you are here with me now."

Cookie: "We will always miss Annie. Always. But I am glad to have you here too, little pal."

Gone

2006-09-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

Annie

Beloved family member.

Cherished friend.

Mother to many many puppies and foster mother to several more.

Humble little dog.

Grateful girl.
You leave behind broken hearts; your family wanted to give you a long, healthy, and happy life.

Born in the spring of 1999.....Gone to the Hunting Ground on September 18, 2006.

Run Annie, run and run!

Just You and Me

2006-09-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Annie.....Annie are you awake?"

Annie: "Yes Jackie. I am just resting here."Jackie: "Are you comfortable?"

Annie: "Yes. I have this soft blanket under me. I am comfortable."
Jackie: "Annie? Would you like me to come up and keep you company for awhile?"

Annie: "That would be nice....just you and me resting together."

Jackie: "I would like it to. I want to be with you for awhile."Annie: "Sigh.....just you and me." Jackie: "My mother."

Annie: "My puppy."

My Time is Near

2006-09-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Are you hurting, Annie?"

Annie: "It hurts a little, Jackie, but more than that, I just don't feel well anymore. I won't be here with you much longer.....my kidneys aren't working anymore."

Jackie: "What! Where are you going?"

Annie: "Mama is going to take care of me since since I am beginning to suffer."

Jackie: "What is she going to do?"

Annie: "She is going to send me to the Hunting Ground to wait for you and Cookie."

Jackie: "What is the Hunting Ground?"

Annie: "It is a place where dogs go. It is a nice place where dogs can run free over grassy hills and chase rabbits and squirrels. I hope Squirrely Jedi won't mind if I chase squirrels at the hunting ground. I will be respectful."

Jackie: "Oh, I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO! I will be so lonesome for you!"

Annie: "You still have Cookie, and James and Valerie. You are going to be okay. You know, this is a good home. When I lived at the breeder's I dreamed of going to a home and having a family, but I didn't think it would ever happen. It used to make me so sad to see my pups go away to homes and I had to stay in my pen at the breeder's. I remember the first time I saw James, Valerie, Mama and Master Man. They came to look at you....but Mama held me for a long time and said what a nice girl I was. She even said that she wanted to take me instead of you, but the breeder said I had to stay. I was glad you had a good home."

Jackie: "This is a good home."

Annie: "I remember, it was a long time later that Mama came back for me. I couldn't believe that she was coming for me and not another one of my puppies. I didn't think that I was special enough to have a family and people to love, but she took me home."

Jackie: "I remember that day! I was so glad to see you! But you were so scared."

Annie: "I was scared for two reasons. I didn't know how a dog was supposed to behave in the house and I was so afraid that they would get impatient with me and take me back to the breeder's again. I didn't know so many things. I was afraid of the dog door, I didn't know how to walk on a leash, I didn't know where I was supposed to sleep. I just didn't know. But the family was always so kind to me. They took care of me when I was sick, and you know, I have been sick a lot since I came here."

Jackie: "You are part of this family. When you are in a family, that's what they do, they take care of you."

Annie: "It sure has been a good home. I wish I didn't have to go, but I am so looking forward to the Hunting Ground. How good it will be to run and run and run!"

Jackie: "And when my time comes, you will be waiting there for me?"

Annie: "I will meet you right at the gate!"

Tests at the Vet

2006-09-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

Annie: "I hate going to the vet."

Jackie: "You do seem to go a lot these days. What did the vet do?" Annie: "They took about half my blood out with a needle. The vet is testing to see if my kidneys are shutting down or if maybe I have diabetes."

Jackie: "Maybe that means you will get to eat currywurst!"

Annie: "I don't really care about eating anything. I don't feel hungry, just cold and tired. The vet said he would call tomorrow morning to tell Mama what is wrong with me."
Jackie: "I am sure it is just that you need more currywurst in your diet."

Under the Weather

2006-09-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "Annie and I both have been ill, and I am glad to be feeling better. I had a bad case of gersmootch eye again and my ears were really hurting me. James has been putting the drops in my eyes and the medicine in my ears and I am much better."
Annie: "I am glad you are feeling better, Cookie....."

Cookie: "Annie, you have been ill too.....you are not feeling better, are you?"

Annie: "I have a pain in stomach. It hurts so much I cry when Mama picks me up to cuddle me. I can't eat anything and I feel cold all of the time too, even though it isn't cold, that's why I am wrapped up in this blanket. Mama thinks something is wrong with my kidneys. She is going to call the vet tomorrow and talk to him and see if anything can be done."Jackie: "Annie, I want you to get better! I want you to play with me! We need to finish our Bookish Meme!"Cookie: "Jackie, Annie needs to rest." Jackie: "Annie, do you think you will get better if you rest?"
Annie: "Maybe......maybe......or maybe not."

Bookish Meme - Part II

2006-08-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "Okay, what is next on the list?"

Jackie: "It's: 'One book you have read more than once.'"

Cookie: "Oh, that would be the 'Hank the Cowdog' series by John R. Erickson.

Jackie: "I love Hank the Cowdog! He makes me laugh too. Hank is the head of ranch security on a real Texas ranch just like we take care of the security in the yard here!"

Annie: "Hank's cowboys don't understand that Hank has the best of intentions and he sure does get into trouble. I laughed and laughed when he went into the house and ate the frozen steaks off the table."

Jackie: "I like to get on the table and eat too!"

Cookie: "Yeah, and you sure get into trouble when you do that!"

Jackie: "Sometimes the people in this house don't understand that I have the best of intentions, just like Hank."

Cookie: "I am not sure how eating food off the table is the best of an intention."

Annie: "I don't get that either."

Jackie: "Well, I like to help out when I can and I am great a clearing a table."

Cookie: "And that, Pup, is why you have to go to your crate when the family is eating their dinner."

Jackie: "Just like I said, they don't understand me sometimes......Cookie, what is the next book?"

Cookie: "The next one is easy....'One book you would want on a desert island.'

Jackie: "That is a very easy one! James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small." I would want the whole series. He sure can tell a funny stories and he likes dogs. His dog Sam got to go in the car with him on all of his rounds--that is a lucky dog."

Cookie: "He tells sad stories in his books too. He is a veterinarian and some of the animals he tries to help die, even though he tries very hard."

Jackie: "I like people who admit that they aren't perfect....even we dogs are not perfect."

Annie: "What! Dogs are almost perfect!"

Jackie: "That's not what Mama said when you peed on the rug yesterday."

Annie: "Oh yeah, Mama was a little mad about that..."

Bookish Meme: One Book that has Changed Our Life

2006-08-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Squirrely Jedi we accept your bookish meme tag!"

Cookie: "The first one is so easy, 'One book that has changed your life.'"

Jackie: "That would be Dog Tales: How to Solve the Most Troublesome Behaviour Problems of Man's Best Friend."

Annie: "You know, the title is a little insulting. What do they mean by 'behaviour problems'? The three of us have always behaved perfectly."
Jackie: "Annie, you have forgotten, when you first came here James, Valerie, and Mama worked with you and for awhile you didn't even know what they were talking about. Dog Tales is a communication book. People do such ridiculous things sometimes, the book helped us understand them better."

Cookie: "That's right, people like dogs to know how to sit, down, heel, stay, and come. What they don't know is that we like for them to sit, down, heel, stay, and come too. Because of the book, the family does a pretty good job of following these commands and we don't have any behaviour problems with them anymore." Jackie: "James heels pretty well, but we need to give Mama and Valerie a refresher. They sometimes forget and pull on the leash. James could use a little work on sitting and staying. "

Cookie: "I guess we will have to read the book again."

Jackie: "Well, in any case the book has changed our life because all the people and dogs in this house understand each other better......I just wish the people would understand how much I like hamburger."
Cookie: "I am pretty sure that ALL of the people in this house know you like hamburger."

Sprung from Jail

2006-08-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "I have to say, it is SO nice to be home. I don't like the kennel."

Cookie: "I don't like the kennel either, but we had to go because the family went to Sea World for a vacation."

Jackie: "Well, I don't know why they couldn't take us to Sea World. I LOVE fish and it would have been better than the kennel."

Cookie: "Dogs aren't allowed at Sea World....I don't know if you have noticed, but dogs aren't allowed in lots of places."

Jackie: "Well I can't imagine why. Dogs are very nice....nicer than some people even."

Cookie: "That's true. It is good to be home, isn't it?

Jackie: "It makes me appreciate my very own yard and my very own ball." Cookie: "It makes me appreciate how good it feels to roll in the grass in my own yard."Jackie: "Yeah, hot grass smells good.....especially when you have a nice tennis ball to tear up."Cookie: "I don't usually tear up tennis balls."
Jackie: "Well, you should give it a try sometime, because it really is a pleasure."Cookie: "Not as much a pleasure as sunning in my own yard with you, my little pal."
Jackie: "It is so good to be home!"

The Jackie Trap

2006-08-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

James: "I think I will play a trick on Jackie."James: "A little bait for the trap."Later.....

Jackie: "Hey! What's this?" Jackie: "Wow! A trail of treats....I wonder where it leads."
Jackie: "This is very nice!"

Jackie: "I wonder how these things got here...."Jackie: "Hey! Wait a minute!"

Old and Tired

2006-08-10T22:31:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Cookie, what is the matter? You don't seem like yourself today."

Cookie: "My ears are really hurting me again and I feel tired. Mama made me sit still for a long time while she cleaned them and put medicine in them."

Jackie: "I know that wears you out, and it is hot too."

Cookie: "Yeah, it is hot too....but I feel old, Jackie.
Jackie: "Twelve is not so old, Cookie."

Cookie: "Some days it doesn't seem so old, but today it does."
Jackie: "I think you need to rest and you will feel better in the morning after you have your breakfast. You need to let Mama cuddle you."
Cookie: "My ears hurt too much to be cuddled. I just want to be here on this cool linoleum.....maybe I will feel better in the morning."

Jackie: "Just rest, Cookie. I am right here with you. We'll rest together."

Annie, You Stink Too

2006-08-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

James: "Sniff.....sniff....Annie! You stink too!"

Annie: "What!? I don't stink and I don't need to be wet."

James: "Annie, you need to be more than wet. You need a bath too."

Annie: "I don't like to get wet." Jackie: "It will be okay, Annie. I am right here."

Annie: "Well, why don't you stop him then?"

Jackie: "I can't. Besides, you do smell a little weener-dogish."

James: "Here comes the shampoo, Annie."

Annie: "Oh, no. Not the shampoo! I HATE the shampoo!"

James: "This is special 'Lassie' shampoo. You will smell like Lassie."

Annie: "I thought I smelled all right before."

James: "Now for the rinse."

Jackie: "I'm still right here with you, Annie!"

James: "My dog care book says that you rinse until you think the shampoo is out, and then you rinse some more."

Annie: "I would like to sink my teeth into the author of your dog care book."

James: "Be nice, Little Anne....Okay, all done."

Jackie: "Wow, Annie, you smell like Lassie."

Annie: "Am I ever glad that is over. I shouldn't need another bath for about three or four years. "

James: "I wouldn't count on that, Annie."

A Tragedy...I mean A Bath for Jackie

2006-08-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

James: "Sniff....sniff....what is that smell? It smells like.....Jackie! You stink!"

Jackie: "What are you talking about!? I smell fine!"

James: "You smell like a stinky dachshund. It has been a long time since you had a bath."

Jackie: "Weener Dogs don't ever need baths. We have nice short hair and we don't need baths."

James: "Everything needs a bath once and awhile. I am going to get Mama to help me."

Jackie: "James! you are making a mistake. Oooooh don't squirt that water on me."
Jackie: "I DON'T like to be wet!"
Jackie: "Oh no, water is enough, not soap too!"
James: "Jackie, I have to soap you up or you won't get clean. I have to get the stink off you."
Jackie: "Oh, this SOAP stinks! I liked the way I smelled before."

James: "Now for the rinse."

Jackie: "I want out of here. I would make a run for it if you weren't holding me so tight, James."
James: "That's why I am holding you so tight, Jackie. I know you."

Jackie: "Oh this is sooooo terrible. Getting clean is the worse thing that can EVER happen to a dog."

James: "Come on now Jackie. You know it feels good to be clean."

James: "Now for the rub and dry."

Jackie: "I have to admit I do like the rub and dry part."

Jackie: "Oh, that was terrible."

Cookie: "I was here with you the whole time, Pup. It is all over now."

Jackie: "Thanks for sticking with me, Cookie." James: "Sniff.....sniff......where's Annie?"

Master Man's Chair

2006-07-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

Annie: "You know, it sure is nice sitting here in the Master Man's chair." Jackie: "Yeah, I especially like these comfy pillows."
Jackie: "We work so hard taking care of this house."

Drying Off

2006-07-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "I guess this isn't so bad. I was so hot. It feels so nice to have this cool spray."Jackie: "I am glad I am not hot. I don't like baths, cool spray, or any water."

Cookie: "Mama wants to keep me cool. Oooooh drying off is nice. I like the rubbing."
Cookie: "I love to have my face rubbed."

Jackie: "I always feel frisky after a bath! Let's play Cookie!"
Cookie: "Wait a minute. I want to rub on the rug some more. It feels so good!"
Cookie: "Okay, one second more and then let's go!"

Cool Down

2006-07-21T22:59:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "So hot. It's so hot I can't stop panting."

Jackie: "Uh oh, Cookie. Here comes Valerie and Mama; I think you are going to get a cool down."

Cookie: "Jackie, you called it." Jackie: "That's okay, Cookie, I will wait right here with you while you get your cool down."
Cookie: "Jackie you are always a little pal."Cookie: "Okay, I think that is enough. I think I will get out now."Jackie: "No. I don't think Mama and Valerie want you out yet. They don't think you are cool. Get down, Cookie."Cookie: "Okay! I am not panting anymore. I am cool. Let me be done!"

Party's Over

2006-07-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Oh, Cookie, that was a fun birthday party. I liked chewing up the rawhide shoes. We don't have a treat like that too often."Cookie: "It was a fun party, wasn't it? I guess if we got a rawhide shoe to chew up every day, it wouldn't be a treat, would it? Besides, I think Mama thinks too many rawhides is bad for our digestion."Jackie: "Well, maybe a little begging won't hurt."

Annie: "A little begging NEVER hurts! Sometimes it helps."
Cookie: "Beg away, Jackie. Let's see you do it."Jackie: "Oh please, oh please, oh please, James....pleeeeassse give us another rawhide."James: "No, Jackie....it's not good for your digestion to have too many rawhides."

Cookie: "Told ya so, Jackie."

Jackie: "Well the party's really over now!"

Happy Birthday, Cookie!

2006-07-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "It's my birthday! I am 12 years old. Look at the special birthday ruffle Mama got me at PetSmart."

Jackie: "Wow, Cookie, nice ruffle!"

Annie: "If it's your birthday, there must be a special birthday treat planned for you."

Jackie: "Cake, I hope!"

Cookie: "No, not cake; dogs don't get to eat cake. Mama has these leather rawhide shoes for us to celebrate."
Cookie: "I am ready for my treat now!"Jackie: "Well, that's not quite as good as a MEAT cake, but it will be a nice treat! I need to go find a good place to chew it up!"
Annie: "Me too!"Annie: "I think the couch will work nicely."Cookie: "I think I will chew mine in the dining room. It is nice and quite there."Cookie: "Yum!"Annie: "Happy Birthday, Cookie!"

Jackie: "I love you Cookie!"

Bigger, Chewier, and Jucier

2006-07-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "They are still there, aren't they, Jackie."

Jackie: "Yeah, I got tired of waiting for them to fall out of the nest."

Cookie: "Look at them.....they look so chewey and nice."Jackie: "Oh, how I WANT ONE!" Cookie: "Let's try to jump up there again. Maybe we can reach this time."Cookie: "Nope; couldn't reach."

Jackie: "Now me!"

Cookie: "Nuts. Nuts. Nuts."

Jackie: "Nuts is right. I can just taste them." Cookie: "Oh well."

Scents of Boy Scout Camp

2006-07-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "James! Mama! It is about time you got home! You have been gone for days and days!" Jackie: "James, did you bring me anything?"

James: "Jackie, I have been at Boy Scout Camp. All I have is dirty laundry."

Jackie: "Ooooh! Dirty laundry is fine! I love dirty laundry!"Jackie: "What do I smell? Hmmmm......"Jackie: "I think I need a closer smell."Jackie: "I smell dirty socks.....I like the way my people's feet smell."Jackie: "Snnniffff......Snnnniffffff.......I smell the forest......."
Jackie: "Hey Annie! Come here! I think I smell a racoon!"

Annie: "I think I smell it too! Yummmmm....."
Annie: "I think I smell a pond.....do you think there was a pond at Boy Scout Camp?"Jackie: "I think so......yes.....there was a pond up there."Jackie: "Wow! What an adventure James and Mama had. I know dogs aren't allowed to go to Boy Scout Camp, but at least we can smell it on the laundry."

There They Go Again

2006-07-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

Annie: "Coming and going. Coming and going. Coming and going. What is it with the people in this house. They are always coming and going. Can't they ever stay home?" Cookie: "That is always the way it is, Annie. People have things that they do. James and Mama are off to Boy Scout camp this morning. Valerie is going on a trip with a friend of hers. They will be gone until next Sunday."

Jackie: "Why can't we ever go, and who will FEED ME!?"
Cookie: "Master Man is going to stay home and make sure we get our food. Besides, Jackie, you go to go last time, remember? I wish I was going to scout camp. Mama is going to teach dog care like I did with her last March 22. This time she is taking a stuffed animal to teach it. I sure would like to go and help her, but no dogs are allowed at camp."

Jackie: "I am going to wait by the front door for them until they come back."

Cookie: "Well then, it will be a very long week.....it will be a long week without them anyway."

Consolation

2006-07-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "I sure do enjoy pulling my bedding out of my crate. If I can't eat a bird, I think I a good rub and roll in my crate bedding is just what I need."

Jackie: "Aaahhhhh. This is so nice."

They Would Have Been Delicious

2006-07-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Annie, they were right there. Right there. So close, but still out of reach."

Annie: "Well, Pup, that is the way it goes sometimes.....especially when your legs are only three inches long."

Jackie: "SIGHHHHHhhhhh! They would have been so delicious. Cookie says that birds are warm and chewey."

Annie: "Yummmm......that would have been really nice. I have never chewed a bird. "

Jackie: "Someday I will chew a bird."

Annie: "It is good to keep high goals......even if your legs are a little short."

Still Waiting Patiently

2006-06-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Cookie....how long do you think it will take for one of those baby birds to fall out of that nest?"

Cookie: "I suspect that baby birds don't usually fall out of their nest, especially when dogs are waiting to snap them up."

Jackie: "Well, I sure would like to eat one of those. They look delicious and they don't even have any feathers that need we need to chew off."

Cookie: "Well, you would be surprised, but it is kind of pleasant to chew the feathers off. It makes a nice mess to show for the effort. Plus Mama loves it when I do it in the house."

Jackie: "It isn't fair, Cookie. I have never eaten any birds at all, ever. Not a bird with feathers or even without."

Cookie: "Well, pup, it doesn't look like either of us are going to be eating anything but dog food today. Those birds don't look like they are coming down. The next time I catch a bird, I will share it with you."

Jackie: "Thanks Cookie. You are a real pal."

Crunchy or Chewy?

2006-06-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "JACKIE! JACKIE! COME QUICK!"Cookie: "Look, Jackie, do you see what I see?

Jackie: "Oh, WOW! Look at that!"Cookie: "TWO baby birds! One for you and one for me!"Jackie: "Yum, Cookie! I have never had a baby bird before!......and how do we get them?" Cookie: "Sometimes I catch birds by jumping real high."
Jackie: "Go for it Cookie! Get them both!"
Cookie: "Nuts. Can't quite make it."

Jackie: "Cookie, how do birds taste?"

Cookie: "They are very delicious."

Jackie: "Are they crunchy or are they chewey?"

Cookie: "Some birds kind of crunch when you chew them, but then they are chewey. I love to spend a nice warm afternoon on the living rug chewing a bird, but you can't catch one every day. They are kind of tricky."

Jackie: "I would sure like to chew one of those, but I don't see how we are going to get up there."

Cookie: "Those are baby birds. If we wait down here, they might fall out of that nest."

Jackie: "We might be waiting here a long time."

Cookie: "Well, I guess we can wait here and imagine how they taste."

Dog Days of Desert Summer

2006-06-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

Cookie: "It's hot. I am so hot."Jackie: "Cookie, what is the matter?"Cookie: "People call these days the dog days of summer. It's because it is too hot to go outside in the yard. It is too hot to do anything."

Jackie: "That is a dumb thing to name a day! I guess it would be okay if you gave a dog some chicken to eat on a 'dog day.'"

Cookie: "I didn't name the kind of day. I am just saying it is too HOT!"Cookie: "I would feel so much better if Mama would take me to get this coat shaved off."

Jackie: "I have some good news for you....."

Later.....

Cookie: "Ahhhh! That is much better!"

Good Night

2006-06-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

Annie: "Jackie. Jackie! Where are you? It is time for bed." Jackie: "I am in here with James in his bed."

Annie: "What do you mean? James sleeps in the top bunk of his bunk bed."

Jackie: "Well, tonight, James is going to camp on the living room floor."

Annie: "What?! Why would he do that? He has a perfectly good bed in his room."

Jackie: "I think he is practicing for Boy Scout camp next week. I don't care. I like being able to snuggle with him for once."
Annie: "What the people in this house do sometimes! I am going to sleep on Mama's nice soft bed."

Jackie: "That's okay Annie. I like to stick with my boy. I will see you in the morning."

Annie: "Good night, Jackie."

Jackie: "Good night."

THROW IT!

2006-06-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "It is SOOOOO good to be home! I missed my ball. I want someone to throw this ball for me!" Jackie: "Come on now! The ball won't throw itself!"
Jackie: "Come ON! Throw it!"Jackie: "THROW IT!!!!"Jackie: "I guess I have to take matters into my own paws!"

I Can't Take My Eyes Off Her

2006-06-19T22:29:00.000-07:00

Jackie: "Cookie, what are you doing? You have been following Mama around all day. Everywhere she goes, you go too."

Cookie: "I am so glad Mama and the kids are home again. I was SO lonesome and I missed them SO much. Especially Mama....I am her personal dog, you know."

Jackie: "Yes, I know."

Cookie: "I used to get to travel with Mama when she would go. I used to be a good car rider; I have traveled all over with Mama."

Jackie: "I know--until you got so sick two summers ago. Then Mama wouldn't let you go anymore."

Cookie: "Now that Mama is home I just can't take my eyes off her or let her out of my sight. You all were gone for about 100 years."

Jackie: "It was really only a week, Cookie."

Cookie: "Well it seemed like 100 years. Okay, I have to go in the next room now. It is time to keep Mama company while she sorts the laundry."
Jackie: "Have a good time......I guess."