tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12016768562270576782024-03-13T09:07:16.143-07:00Trixie And Lily And Sammy-JoeTwo dogs and one cat sharing a blog!Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-90044357330350104072014-05-06T20:31:00.001-07:002014-05-06T20:31:24.361-07:00Big News!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20g8fkQSfgI/U2mo3z5U71I/AAAAAAAABWY/v05-wnL82w8/s1600/Pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20g8fkQSfgI/U2mo3z5U71I/AAAAAAAABWY/v05-wnL82w8/s1600/Pic1.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Pixie. Doesn't she look a little like me???</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Hi everyone! It is me, Trixie, popping in again for a visit with some exciting news!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Lily and I are going to be FAMOUS DOGS!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Mama is telling us to settle down right now because we are not going to be <i>that</i> famous. But just a little famous is good enough for us!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">It all started when Mama had the idea to write a book for kids, about dogs. She wrote a book called <u>The Best Dog In The World</u>. It is about a little boy whose family fosters a dog from a rescue organization. Mama said she got the idea from <i>me!</i> In fact, the main dog in the story even looks a little like me, and her name is Pixie, which rhymes with Trixie!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I think the book should say "by Trixie" on the front, but Mama says she is the one who did all the hard work of writing and drawing the pictures, and all I had to do was exist. But she did say that Lily and me are her Official Spokesdogs!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">The best part of Mama's new book is that she is going to donate half of the profits to different rescue organizations. Most of the money will go to the rescue that I was adopted from. But she will also spread it around to other organizations. For instance, three times this summer she is going to be selling her book at different fundraisers for particular shelters, and whatever money she makes on those days, she will donate half of it to the shelter that hosted her. Also, if she hears of an animal who needs some special help, like a dog who needs a lot of medical care, she will donate some to that dog.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We are all excited about how many pets we may be able to help!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Oh yeah... and another thing? Mama says Trixie and I can have a blog again! We will probably start a new blog site, because Mama says this blog has a lot of personal information on it, which Mama felt safe sharing with<i> you guys</i>, our friends, but maybe not with the entire whole wide world. When it is all set up, we will come and give you a link. Will you follow us there?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">She's also looking for a few people who might want a copy of our book to review on their blog. Would that be you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Okay... if you want to go find out more about our book, our website is at <a href="http://nickimannbestdog.weebly.com/">http://nickimannbestdog.weebly.com</a>. Be sure you look at the link that says Spokesdogs! That is my favorite page!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Oh yeah... also Mama said, at the risk of making her sound crazy, we can tell you that she called the Pet Psychic Radio one day because she really wanted to hear about Sammy-Joe. She was worried that maybe he somehow gave himself cancer because he felt like she didn't love him anymore. I knew that was ridiculous, but you know Mama, once she gets an idea in her head there's no arguing with her! Anyways she called, and the Psychic on the radio told her that Sammy-Joe is happy, that he met Mama's grandmother, and that he is a great hunter. He also said he is with Mama all the time and that he is her angel now! (Actually he said he was a cat with wings, but we knew what he was trying to say.)</span><br />
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-64912764246051927912014-01-08T10:21:00.002-08:002014-01-08T10:21:36.550-08:00Snowy Day<span style="color: #38761d;">This is Trixie, everyone! Feels good to stretch my paws on the computer after being away for so long! Me and Lily just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the support for Mama's post about Sammy-Joe. She really is having a hard time getting over losing him. We tell her that he is still here with us... we see him all the time!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We thought we'd stop by and post a few pictures! Here in Chicago, it has been so cold for the past few days, we've barely been able to go outside! We'd go outside for a few minutes, and our paws would start to hurt. We've basically been going outside, doing our necessary business, and going back in. So today it is 15 whopping degrees out, and the sunshine felt lovely! We actually stayed outside and played for a while! You can see that the snow is so deep, Grampa shoveled out part of the yard so we'd be able to walk in it. Especially Lily...the snow is over her head!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We're going to bug Mama to let us come back here and post once in a while. Mama started her own blog where she posts about having ADHD and autism, and we do appear in there once in a while, but we think it is not fair that she should have all the bloggy fun. So, look for us!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">With love,</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">from Trixie</span>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-5452027089706856262014-01-06T13:12:00.004-08:002014-01-06T13:12:43.721-08:00It's Been Nearly A Year...<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! This is Trixie, Lily and Sammy-Joe's Mama writing. It's been nearly a year since I posted here. The last time I wrote was the day that Sammy-Joe died. I promised I'd come back and blog again when I started feeling better... but it never happened. It was too hard to come back and blog again, without my Sam. </span><div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">But I still read some of your blog posts on Facebook, and I've been missing all of our bloggy friends. So I thought I'd come back and check in... and who knows, maybe we'll start blogging here again with Trixie and Lily! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I wanted to write about the day that Sammy-Joe died. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">The night before, he'd been seeming to feel okay. But early the next morning, my dad came upstairs and told me, "You'd better come down and see Sammy. I think he's dying."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I ran downstairs to the basement and found Sammy-Joe lying on his side on the floor behind the water heater. I picked him up in my arms and held him. I wrapped him in a towel and sat down on a chair in the living room, snuggling him. I could tell he was in pain. For the first time in my life, I was actually praying that he would die... just die quietly in my arms... so he'd be out of pain. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">My dad was leaving for work, and since he felt like Sammy-Joe was going to die that day, he came to pet Sammy and say goodbye to him. Sammy growled and bit his finger so hard it started bleeding. That's when I knew Sammy was probably out of his mind with illness. He and my dad loved each other and had a very special friendship, so I knew Sammy would never hurt my dad if he was himself. It was a miracle he was letting me hold him!<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Although I had always said, my whole life, I would not be the one to put Sammy to sleep and make the decision to end his life, at this time I realized it was the <i>only</i> thing I could do. But the vet was not open yet, and I also couldn't fathom subjecting him to a car ride at this time... he hated cars and the vet so much. So I got online and Googled "euthanasia at home." I came up with Lap Of Love, a company that provides veterinarians who come to your home. Typing in my zip code connected me with <a href="http://www.lapoflove.com/Locations-Illinois-Chicago" target="_blank">Dr. Juliana Lyles</a>. It must have been some sort of miracle that I came up with her info so quickly... not only that, but it turned out she lives only a few blocks away from me! Although it was still early in the morning, when I called her and explained the situation, she was able to get up, get ready, and be at our house in less than an hour!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">It was almost surreal... she asked me if I needed time to say goodbye to Sammy, but all I wanted was for it to be over. He was crying and in so much pain. Dr. Lyle explained to me that the type of euthanasia she gave pets was different than usual, because it was really an overdose of anesthesia. Most vets give the pet something that causes their heart to stop. But the overdose of anesthesia enables them to feel really good and pain free right away, and they just fall asleep and don't wake up. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">While we waited for Dr. Lyle to arrive, I had been assuring Sammy-Joe that someone was coming to help him. I can never stop thinking how abnormal it felt to want him to die, but he was so scred and in pain, and I knew it was happening either way, and I just wanted it to happen as quickly as possible for him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Dr. Lyle gave him the shot. Then we both stood around him petting him, and I was telling her about how I got him, and all these memories about him. I was actually happy and laughing, just before we realized Sammy was gone. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Dr. Lyle had brought a special basket with blankets to tuck Sammy into. She put him in the basket, and Trixie and Lily came over to investigate. We all sat on the floor around the basket. The saddest part was that Trixie kept trying to play with him... she kept taking her nose and trying to get the blanket off of him, trying to nudge him to get him to move, and whimpering at him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Dr. Lyle also gave me two things to remember him by... she cut off a lock of his fur and tied it in a ribbon, and she made a pawprint in some Model Magic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">We spent a lot of time just sitting there with Trixie and Lily, petting Sammy-Joe in the basket and talking about pets. When it was finally time for her to go, I gave him a kiss goodbye just before hse carried him out of the house. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">It was the only good thing about the whole experience... instead of having to take Sammy-Joe to a cold, sterile vet's office, and drive home without him, we both got to be at home. It also helped that Dr. Lyle was not just a veterinarian doing her job, but she was really there for me, helping me get through it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">After she left, though, I cried and cried all day long. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">It has been almost a year, and I still haven't gotten "over" Sammy-Joe. When my dog Chopper died, about 5 years ago, it was so painful, but when we got Trixie I was able to focus on her and it helped me heal. But because I am still staying at my mom's, I am not allowed to get another cat... not that a new cat would ever replace Sammy-Joe, but I have always believed that when one pet dies, he or she helps choose the next pet for you. I really believe Chopper was chosen by our first dog, Zip, and I believe she helped bring both Trixie and Lily into my life.. especially since my mom had said we wouldn't be getting another dog at all. Loving Trixie and Lily feels like a natural extension of loving Zip and Chopper. And someday, Sammy-Joe will help bring a new cat into my life. But until then, I still cry about him all the time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Part of it is also that I feel I failed Sammy-Joe in so many ways. I was really young and dumb when I got him. I was living on my own and he was my first "own" pet. At the time I was living with some "friends," and I found out later that they had been very rough with Sammy-Joe when I wasn't around. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">At that time I was around 20 years old and had been on my own, sometimes homeless, since I was 17. When I lost my place to live, my parents offered for me and Sammy to move in with them. For years I had refused to live with them again. I was adnament about being on my own. But because my only other option would have been to become homeless again and leave Sammy-Joe with someone else, at the last minute I decided to take them up on their offer. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">For a lot of Sammy-Joe's life, I wasn't around. He became partly my parents' cat. When I joined AmeriCorps and moved to Colorado for a year, I opted to leave him with them, because I was afraid he wouldn't be safe with me in Colorado. I was going to be living with a roommate who had a young son, and also a cat who was an "outdoor" cat, and I just felt worried about bringing Sammy there. So for a year, he was without me. Then, after a year, I lived at home for a few months, but ended up getting in a fight with my parents and moving out again... to be homeless. I left Sammy behind again then too. It was like that for years... I would move in and out, but always left Sammy behind with them, because I just couldn't give him a secure home and I felt like he was safe with them. I know I saved his life by letting him stay with them. But my regret is that I left him in the first place, letting my anger and depression get in the way of making good decisions. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">By the time I started this blog, my life was a lot more secure. I had moved back in with my parents for good, this time bringing with me the small dog I rescued from the place I lived before... a dog you would come to know in this blog as Lily! But even that makes me feel a lot of guilt. Sammy-Joe never felt comfortable with Lily in the house, and he spent the rest of his life tiptoeing around her, never quite being the cat he had been before. He was already old by the time Lily moved in, and I guess he didn't have the energy left to put up with her shenanigans, although he had been best friends with Chopper and medium friends with Trixie. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I think about him all the time. Right next to my bed is a picture of me holding him in my arms, when he was only a few years old, still huge and bright-eyed and energetic. I still cry for him a lot at night... not only for losing him, but for not being there for him when I had the chance. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Maybe writing this will help me finally heal my heart? But I just wish I could talk to him, and tell him I'm sorry, and have him understand how much I loved him. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CR6d1GH70QQ/TR1o6Xi9JDI/AAAAAAAAAlg/zrWREoWwQrE/s1600/asammyjoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CR6d1GH70QQ/TR1o6Xi9JDI/AAAAAAAAAlg/zrWREoWwQrE/s1600/asammyjoe.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sammy-Joe's picture from <a href="http://trixielilysammyjoe.blogspot.com/2010/12/welcome-to-our-blog_30.html" target="_blank">our first blog entry, on December 30, 2010</a>. </td></tr>
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Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-31323697166071319422013-01-28T07:57:00.001-08:002013-01-28T07:57:38.907-08:00A Sad DayWe are so sad to let you know that our Sammy-Joe went to the Rainbow Bridge today.<br />
He died at home, with the help of a wonderful Laps Of Love vet. Mama says she will write more about it but now she is so sad and has to lay down. We are all going to snuggle on the couch for a while.Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-55882725684697928282013-01-08T20:27:00.002-08:002013-01-08T20:27:28.570-08:00Mama Consults A PsychicIt's me, Sammy-Joe again! Thanks everyone for your kind words and thoughts on our posts! I wanted to give you another update on how I'm doing.<br />
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Mama did something kinda funny! I don't know if she ever told you this, but a long time ago when our big sister Chopper was still here with us, Mama talked to a pet psychic. She said it was eerie because the pet psychic (who was over the phone and had never met Mama or Chopper) was able to tell her a bunch of small little details Mama would have never thought to tell her about... like the fact that Mama had just recently bought Chopper a new bed. Chopper had never had her own bed before, because she usually slept with the humans, but as she got older Mama wanted to get her a bed to make her comfy when she was lying around on the floor. The psychic said that Chopper showed her a red, rectangle shaped dog bed, and said that she really liked it and that it was very comfortable! (We still have that bed... Trixie and Lily sleep on it sometimes now!) The psychic also said that Chopper showed herself being fed some skinny orange little sticks and that she really liked him... that day Mama had been eating carrots and ranch and had shared several of her baby carrots with Chopper! Much later, when Mama got Trixie, she talked to the same psychic, who was able to describe Trixie's weird habit of jumping around in circles, chasing her tail and shaking her head.<br />
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So. I think it is a little silly because, as you can see, Mama talks to us all the time, such as when she helps us write this blog. But when it comes to really important things, Mama wants to make sure she really gets it right. So she called a pet psychic (a different one before... this one has <a href="http://thepetpsychic.com/radio/" target="_blank">her own online radio show</a> and Mama actually got to be in ths show so the call was free!)<br />
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Mama wanted to know if I was in any pain and how I was feeling lately, and if there was anything she could do for me to make me happier. The psychic told Mama that I wasn't feeling like I was in pain, but that I had kind of a tight feeling in my stomach. She told Mama that I enjoy eating cut-up people food. (That is definitely true... Mama cuts up a little bit of her meat for me every time she has it, and I wolf it down. Isn't it funny how both me and Chopper wanted to talk about our favorite people food?) She said that I feel like I don't want to go to the Rainbow Bridge yet because I want to stay here and take care of my Mama. (That is very true. I don't want Mama to be sad. I know how sad she got when Chopper went to the bridge, and I know she will be just as sad if I go, because I am her very special kitty boy.)<br />
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The psychic also told Mama to look for a better quality of food for me. I've been eating Meow Mix all my life, because when Mama was younger she liked the Meow Mix commercial and I liked the food and whenever she tried to change it on me I got mad. But as of late I got to switch to Meow Mix wet food, which was even better than the dry food! And the psychic said to look for a food that does not have as much wheat in it. Mama says the wet Meow Mix doesn't have as much wheat as the dry food, but she still decided to look for something new. Last week she started giving me Nutro wet food, and today she brought home some wet food called... you'll never believe this... <a href="http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/" target="_blank">Chicken Soup For The Kitten Lover's Soul!</a> (She gets me kitten food because she thinks it will have more protein and be gentler on my stomach.)<br />
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Last night I didn't feel much like eating. Even when Mama gave me some cut-up porkchop, I didn't really want to eat it. (Don't tell Mama, but the real reason I didn't want to eat it was because it was <i>really, really</i> dry!) But Mama was a little worried about me, and she came in and had a long talk with me. She told me that she loves me so much, but if I want to go to the Bridge I should go whenever I want to. She said she'll be really sad, but that she'll kind of feel not as sad because she knows that Chopper is there waiting for me. (Chopper and me were <i>best friends</i>... not like these newer dogs who get on my nerves!) Then she hugged me and petted me and kissed my ears. I felt bad because I knew she was trying hard not to cry. So I stood up and gobbled down the dry porkchop pieces, just to make her feel better!<br />
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Mama wants me to let you know I am definitely not miserable or anything like that. I am happy and walking around, and I stand on top of Grampa's work bench and wait for her every morning when she gets out of bed, and I still love catnip and Mama just bought me a new mouse with catnip inside! So I am a happy kitty. And all your kind thoughts make me even happier!<br />
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Love,<br />
Sammy-JoeTrixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-66068453620905375912013-01-02T14:15:00.000-08:002013-01-02T14:15:29.055-08:00Sammy-Joe's Vet Visit<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! Sammy-Joe here! I read all of your comments, and thanks, everyone, for caring about me! I don't even feel like I am sick, but I know Mama has been very worried. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Mama has been telling me that she was going to take me to a special doctor just for kitties. I was a little nervous about that! And it turns out, there was a good reason to be nervous!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">First we had to stay there for <strike>ninety million years</strike> two hours because even though Mama asked the other vet to fax over my records, their fax machine was broken or something and the faxes weren't coming. We kept waiting and waiting. I heard other cats meowing all around me, and it was freaking me out! I used to live with other kitties when I was a kitten, but I haven't seen another cat in person for about 12 years! I know that's a little weird, but I just don't <i>do </i>kitty playdates. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Then the nurse came in to take my temperature. At my usual vet, they use an ear thermometer, which isn't too bad. I usually just hide my head in Mama's armpit while they do it. But at this vet, they use a different kind of thermometer. </span><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">THEY STUCK IT IN MY BUTT!!!!!!!!!</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I got really angry then! It took two nurses to hold me down while they finished taking my temperature. I was trying to bite them. Mama got really nervous then, because they said, if I bit someone, I'd have to stay at the vet for rabies observation! Luckily I didn't manage to bite anyone. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Then the <strike>evil meanies </strike>nurses went away for a while, and I had some time to explore the room. I walked around growling, the whole time. Mama really tried to help me calm down. She even put her coat on the floor for me to lay on! But I would have none of it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The real horror started when the veterinarian came in. My Mama picked me up so the doctor could look at me, but I just kept hissing and flapping my paws around, and when the doctor tried to hold me I jumped away. Then the mean nurses came back in. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">One of the nurses opened a cabinet to get something. I saw my chance! I jumped into the cabinet and tried to hide! The nurses were reaching in and trying to get me, and I was yowling and spitting and hissing and trying to bite them! When they managed to pick me up by trapping me under my carrier (I have a carrier that is more like a gym bag with screens for me to see and breathe out of) I was acting even crazier! I was so scared. I would have done anything just to get out of there. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Then the worst thing happened. <b>THEY PUT A MUZZLE ON ME! </b>It went over my eyes and mouth and I couldn't even see. The two nurses were holding me down while the doctor looked at me. I was screaming through the muzzle, "Let me go! Let me go!" </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Mama was embarassed because I had never acted like that before at the other vet's office. Also she was upset that I was so afraid. Mama wanted to call it quits and take me home. But something even worster had happened. Somehow in all my freaking out, I cut my paw! The doctor couldn't get it to stop bleeding right away. It was only a little blood, but the doctor said he didn't want it to get infected. So he put medicine on it, and then he put a bandage on it! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Finally they put me back in my carrier and took the muzzle off. I was so happy, I calmed down right away. But I didn't like the bandage. I kept shaking my paw and trying to flick it off. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Now I am at home. I am llayiing in my kitty bed and hiding my bandaged paw from everyone. Mama wanted to take a picture of it, but I said no. (Maybe later, unless I figure out a way to get it off!) </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Next time Mama says she wants to take me to the vet, I am going to bite her nose!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in bed, hiding my paw from the camera</td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Note from Mama: Yep, all this is true. Sammy-Joe was acting like Satan's Spawn at the vet. He was even spitting at them! I really expected his head to spin around at any minute. I kept telling the vet and nurses, "He has never acted like this before!" I don't think they believed me. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">As for the outcome... because they never managed to get his medical records from the usual vet, they couldn't decipher his blood test results for me. But they did do a physical exam, and they found a mass in his belly. The vet thought it might be in his spleen. The good news is, if it is only in his spleen, he could get an operation and get the tumor (and possibly his spleen, which is rather useless anyways) removed. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I really have to think about it, because besides it being expensive (I would pay every drop of money I have for him to get better, but I can't spend more than I actually earn, and I don't have a credit card) I'm worried about him being put under anesthesia for an operation. They also said he might have a heart murmur. I would be afraid that the anesthesia itself could kill him. Plus, the way he acted today for just a thermometer in his butt, I would hate to have to torture him with a full operation! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">If anyone has any input, I would really love to hear it. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Thanks, as always, for all your comments! I have a job now that really isn't going so well, and sometimes when I come home I just can't force myself to do anything but sleep. (I'm on winter break now, so that's why I've been a little more energetic.) But I will definitely keep everyone posted on Sammy-Joe and the others. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Love, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Nicki</span></i>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-31568610489774109092012-12-30T20:21:00.000-08:002012-12-30T20:21:03.162-08:00We hope you read this!<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! This is Trixie at the wheel. We are so sorry we've been gone for so long. And Mama is </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">sorry too. She just hasn't been able to get herself to blog lately. Her new job is kind of wearing her out. Mama gets home from work every day and just collapses on the couch. Me and Lily lay with her. We all squash together on one little couch. Maybe someone will take a picture of us one day. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">We've got some sort of sad news. Mama thought maybe we shouldn't come on here to write about it, since we haven't blogged for so long. She said it would be like just showing up when we have problems, after ignoring our bloggy for so long. But me and Lily thought it would be sadder if we didn't tell our old friends about this, after all you've been through with us. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">For a long time, Sammy-Joe has been losing weight. For a while, way back in February, he kind of stopped eating for a while. He got really skinny and bony. It was weird to see, because Sammy-Joe has always been kind of... um... volumtous. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Mama took him to the vet, and they tested his thyroid and tested him for some other stuff. They ended up telling Mama that nothing was wrong with him, and that he was probably just bored with dry food. So Mama started feeding him wet food instead. Which he loved! And from then on he gobbled down as much food as anyone would give him. He also loved gobbling down kitty treats, and any meat leftover from Mama's meals. He even ate a potato chip once! But he didn't really gain much weight. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">So a few weeks ago, Mama and her family went on vacation in Hawaii. We all went to our various boarding places... Lily at doggy daycare, me at my friend's house, and Sammy-Joe at the vet. Mama asked them to do another blood test on Sammy-Joe, because she thought he might be diabetic.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">When Mama came back from Hawaii, she went with Grampa to the vet. I, Trixie, was going to meet them there, and they were also going to pick up Sammy-Joe. While they were there, the vet asked Mama and Grampa to come into a little room. Then, he told them that he <i>thinks </i>Sammy-Joe has cancer, and that he only has four or five months to live!!!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Mama got really upset. She cried and cried. Then Mama started trying to think positively. She did some research and found out that a mixture of cottage cheese and flax oil, fed in a small amount each day to a pet, has been known to help dogs and cats beat cancer. It strengthens their immune system, which is a really important part of fighting cancer. Mama also decided she wanted a second opinion about Sammy-Joe. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">See, when Mama talked to the vet, he said Sammy-Joe's bones were making a high amount of white blood cells, and that it was probably cancer. But Mama thought that cancer makes you have a l<i>ow </i>amount of white blood cells! So she was confused. Then she emailed a special vet just for cats, and the people there told her that there can be many reasons for a cat to have a high white blood cell count. They asked Mama to bring Sammy-Joe in for an exam with them. So on Wednesday, Mama is going to bring Sammy-Joe to the kitty vet and see if they can help him. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Mama says, if it turns out that Sammy-Joe does have cancer, she doesn't think she'll put him through chemotherapy. Mama knows a little human girl who is going through chemo, and the chemo is tearing the little girl apart almost worst than her tumors were! Mama is afraid that would be a lot of pain to put Sammy-Joe through, and that he might not even understand why, and that the treatments could even end up being what kills him. So she is worried about that. Plus, cat chemo is really expensive and Mama probably couldn't pay for most of it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Our biggest hope is that the kitty clinic is going to say there is something else wrong with Sammy... something that is easily treatable. If it really is cancer, then our biggest hope is that the kitty vet will help Mama find ways to keep Sammy as healthy and happy as possible, for as long as possible. She'll keep on giving him the flax and cottage cheese, and she'll do whatever else the vet says she should do, and maybe we'd even try pet reiki and things like that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">So that is what is going on with us. Mama hasn't even mentioned this to very many people in real life, because she thinks if she says "cancer" out loud, it is going to make the cancer real and give it too much power. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">It was two years ago today, almost to the minute, that we <a href="http://trixielilysammyjoe.blogspot.com/2010/12/welcome-to-our-blog_30.html" target="_blank">started our blog</a>. And even though we didn't get to post in it as much as we should of, during 2012, we never forgot about all of our friends. So we thought you should know about Sammy-Joe... and if you can, send pawsitive thoughts our way!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Love, </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Trixie and Lily</span><br />
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-42722730771290359372012-07-16T14:12:00.000-07:002012-07-16T14:12:28.024-07:00A Flower Dog Is Better Than A Flower Girl!<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! Mama was telling us about this cool thing one of her friends invented. This isn't a sponsored review or a commercial break or anything... we just thought it was so cool, when we heard about it, that we wanted to tell our friends about it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Mama is in a Meetup group so she can make new friends because apparently hanging out with two dogs and a cat isn't enough! (LOL, just kidding, Mama... we know you have to hang out with humans every so often!) One person at the group, a lady named Sheryl, started telling Mama about a thing she and her husband invented. It is called a <a href="http://www.petpetalpullcart.com/" target="_blank">Pet Petal Pullcart!</a> It was invented because, when Ms. Sheryl was planning her wedding, she wanted to have something even cooler than a flower girl... she wanted a flower dog! She already had her very own cute little dog that would be perfect for the part. But she wanted to figure out a way for her dog to toss flower petals along the aisle as she walked! This is a very hard trick for a dog to learn, especially since our fingers are tiny and round! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">So Sheryl and her husband made a little cart that can be attached to a dog's harness. When the dog walks, and pulls the cart, flower petals drop out of the cart!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.petpetalpullcart.com/index_htm_files/31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://www.petpetalpullcart.com/index_htm_files/31.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">There is one thing humans will have to do on their own. You have to teach your dog to walk down the aisle, instead of running around like a crazed raccoon with the cart! Ms. Sheryl's website says that this is a pretty easy trick to teach a dog. You start out by standing a little far away from your dog, showing them a treat, and having them walk towards you. (We two dogs already know how to do this, because Mama teaches us "sit-stay" with cheese or hotdog pieces all the time!) We think maybe the dog will </span><i style="background-color: white;">run</i><span style="background-color: white;"> towards you down the aisle. If you want him to walk slowly, that might take more training! LOL! Or maybe the dog could just be trained to walk behind someone in front of him, and the human in front of him can be secretly holding a treat in their hand! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">We don't know if any of our friends' humans are getting married... but if they are, and they want you to be in the wedding, maybe they can order you one of these! They have to put in an order a long time before the wedding, because it needs to be custom built according to your weight. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Isn't that so cool? When Ms. Sheryl told Mama about it, Mama used her cellphone to find the website right away, because she thought it was so cute! It almost makes Mama want to get married, just so we can all be in her wedding! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Lily and Sammy-Joe have an idea! We think Mama should order a cart anyway, for Trixie's size. Then, she can attach Trixie to it, and Trixie can take us for rides!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading, friends! Be sure to tell your humans that you want to be in their next wedding!</span>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-80506961856806001632012-07-12T17:03:00.002-07:002012-07-12T17:03:41.489-07:00Lily's Weird Day<span style="color: magenta;">Hi everyone! Lily here! You'll never guess what a weird day I had yesterday!<br />Mama dropped me off at my doggie daycare in the morning. I don't usually go to daycare, but Mama is going out of town pretty soon and I will be staying there for a week for boarding, so she wants me to get used to being there. </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">So I was hanging out with some of the dogs, having fun, relaxing, etc. Then a lady came and picked me up. She took me to a different room.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">AND SHE CUT OFF ALL MY FUR!</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Well, not<i> all</i> of it, exactly, But a lot of it. She also shaved my butt area. Suddenly I felt so <i>naked! </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">I was so happy when Mama came to pick me up. I was sure she'd have a fit when she found out what the weird lady did to my fur! But instead, Mama was laughing and smiling and petting me! She kept saying how cute I was, and how I'd be so much cooler on the hot days. She also said something about how it would be way easier for her to wash the squirrel poop off of me when I roll around in it outside. She said maybe I wouldn't have to take so many baths! Which is kind of good, because the day before that Mama gave me <i>two</i> baths in a row, and she still called me stinky. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Still, though. This is not something I ever imagined would happen to me!</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">I'll show you what I look like, if you promise not to laugh. (That means you, Sammy-Joe!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Ready?<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">TA-DA!</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Do you see the tiny ribbons in my hair? I think I look like I have no ears. But Mama keeps on saying how cute I look. What do you think? </span></div>
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-77154910992168517092012-07-09T18:19:00.002-07:002012-07-09T18:21:53.889-07:00We Are Blessed!<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! This is Lily! The other day Trixie told you that I was going to come here and tell you about something really cool that I did. Well, the church that our Mama sometimes goes to (when she can manage to get up early on a Sunday) has a Blessing Of The Animals service every summer. Everyone is allowed to bring their pets, and the service is all about animals!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">So, Mama and I went to it. Mama wanted to bring everyone, but Sammy-Joe probably wouldn't like it, and Trixie gets kind of hyper around other dogs and its hard for Mama to handle us both by herself. I am lucky because I am the calmest and the most portable dog, so I went with Mama to represent all of the animals in our family.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">The service was really cool! All of the songs were about animals, and all of the readings were about animals, and then we all said a special prayer together about blessing all of the animals in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Also, during the service, dogs and cats didn't have to sit quietly or anything. We were all on leashes, but we could move around and sniff each other's butts, and try to get petted and everything. We were sitting next to a giant Alaskan Malamute who really loved sniffing me!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Here's me, right after the service. The reason Mama's hand is on me is because she only had her phone camera, which is really slow, and every time she'd try to take a picture of me I'd move at the last minute and make it blurry. So she was holding me still. You can see I was kind of annoyed.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: large;">Then, after the service, we got to walk around and talk to people and pets. I sniffed so many butts! Some people had dog treats that they passed out to us! I met a really nice lady who kept giving me lots of treats! I am usually shy around new people, but after she gave me a treat or two, I just jumped up on her and wagged my tail like we were best friends! She had two dogs. One was a chihuahua. The other was a mixed breed dog who didn't really like other dogs, but he liked me! </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">One of the nicest parts was that there was a table where people could put photos of their pets who went to the Rainbow Bridge. Mama made this really nice picture of our family members at the Rainbow Bridge... Woody, Zip and Chopper.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Isn't it sweet? We think its funny that in one picture, the bird is eating the dog's bone, and in another picture, the dog is eating the bird's ball! Zip and Woody, who were Mama's pets when she was a little kid, were the best of friends. Unfortunately, both of them passed away very young, which broke my Mama's heart. Fortunately, she got Chopper right after that, which healed her heart a little! </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">AND NOW FOR A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY!</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Did you know that the Catholic religion actually has an official Blessing Of the Animals day? well, technically it's one of the Saint days, or Feast Days I think they're called. It's in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis loved all animals. In fact, he referred to all animals as his brothers and sisters. He would even preach to them about God, and they would sit and listen! There are many stories about things St. Francis did for animals. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/saint_images/francis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/saint_images/francis2.jpg" width="315" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">In one story, he was sleeping in a cave (St. Francis lived much of his life in poverty, on purpose) and he gave up his bed to a donkey. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">In one story, someone asked St. Francis to free a rabbit from a trap. St. Francis freed the rabbit, and told him he should be more careful in the future. But instead of hopping away, the rabbit jumped up on St. Francis's lap and refused to leave!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Another story says that, whenever St. Francis was near by and saw fish being caught, he would free the fish and warn them to be more careful. When he went out in a boat, fish would gather around his boat and listen to his sermons, and not leave until he was done! </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">A famous story tells about a wolf that was very hungry, and had been attacking and eating people in a village! Some people tried to kill the wolf, but he attacked them and ate them. Finally, St. Francis went out to talk with the wolf. He saw that the wolf was hungry, and asked him to make a pact. The people of the village would feed the wolf, and in exchange, he would not attack any people or animals in the village. He held out his hand to the wolf, and the wolf gave him his paw. From then on, the wolf and the people lived in harmony, and when the wolf finally died of old age, the people were sad because he'd become a member of the community. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">One more story talks about how St. Francis saw a little boy who had caught some doves in a cage, and was planning to sell them. St. Francis worried that the doves would be killed and eaten, or otherwise harmed. He spoke to the little boy about how sweet and gentle doves were, and how they were a symbol of peace. The little boy agreed to let the doves go. Then St. Francis began building nests around the monastery for doves to live in, so that they would be safe. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">St. Francis usually rode on his loyal donkey. At the end of St. Francis's life, when he was in his death bed, St. Francis thanked his donkey for carrying him and helping him. And his donkey wept. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">You see why St. Francis is Mama's favorite saint, even though she is not Catholic?</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">St. Francis's Feast Day is on October 4. He is the Patron Saint of Animals. Some Catholic churches, especially Franciscan churches, celebrate this day with a Blessing Of the Animals. At a traditional Catholic animal blessing, a friar says a special prayer for each pet, and then sprinkles the pet with holy water.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Since Mama is Unitarian Universalist, and the UU's march to the beat of our own drummer, our blessing was in July and St. Francis was not mentioned. Also nobody put water on me. Thank goodness! But Mama does say she wants to take us to a traditional blessing at a Catholic church this October. If you want to find one, you could Google Franciscan churches in your area, or just Google "blessing of the animals" and your state. <a href="http://americancatholic.org/">AmericanCatholic.org</a> has a <a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/viewpetblessing.aspx" target="_blank">website where you can search for a blessing</a>, by town or state. But not all churches submit their info to the site, so if you don't see one in your area on that site, keep looking on your own! Maybe you could even arrange one at your own church, or at an animal rescue organization!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Well, I really wasn't planning on telling you all about St. Francis, but Mama thinks he's such a cool dude, and she thought we should share him with you. Even if you're not Catholic or even Christian, St. Francis is a great role model for people who love animals! </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">That's it for now. By, friends! We love you! </span><br />
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-83506372631028532082012-07-07T16:14:00.001-07:002012-07-07T16:14:34.200-07:00Some Updates, and Raise Your Hand if Your Humans Like To Read!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QQAsvDTbXE/T_jCwJQAxMI/AAAAAAAABQg/0LCeb9BsZGw/s1600/Trixiesleeping1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QQAsvDTbXE/T_jCwJQAxMI/AAAAAAAABQg/0LCeb9BsZGw/s400/Trixiesleeping1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! It's me, Trixie, updating the old bloggy-blog today. How is everyone?</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Here in Illinois it is soooooooooo hot! We don't even like to be outside! Mama put a small blow-up swimming pool outside in the yard, in hopes that Lily and me would get in it to cool off. Lily went in it only if Mama was sitting in it, and then she just walked around. Me... I wasn't sure what to think of it! Gramma picked me up and put me in it, and it felt really weird and cold on my feet. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to get out, so I just stood there. I'm such an obedient dog! Maybe we will try the pool again next week. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Sammy-Joe seems to have started eating a little more again. And his poops, we all noticed, are looking better. He's been a little ornery though, and has been hiding a lot. Personally, I think he's mad that Mama won't take him outside on his leash, because she thinks it is too hot for him!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">OMG, did anyone hear those fireworks the other night? Lily and I <i>hated</i> it! They went on for days! Mama and Grampa took us for a walk that first night, and people in our neighborhood were shooting of fireworks. We were so scared! We kept trying to head back to the house, and Lily got Mama to pick her up and carry her most of the way. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">By the third day, the fireworks had stopped, and I was feeling brave again. But not Lily! Even though we couldn't hear fireworks any more, she was still scared to take a walk for a few nights! Mama had to carry her down the street, set her down to pee and poo, and then carry her back! Or else she would just plop her little fuzzy butt down and refuse to move! She's such a little baby. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">In other news, I wanted to ask you all if any of your humans like to read. You may know that our Mama likes to write. She found out that you can publish ebooks directly to Kindle, and they can be read by anyone who owns a Kindle! So Mama did that. She has one book called <u>Skye Blue</u>, and one book called<u> What Some Call Heaven</u>. A few people have already bought her books. Mama says more people would buy them if there were some reviews on their Amazon pages. So we had this idea!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">If any of your humans like to read, tell them that we will send them a free copy of one of Mama's ebooks! We could send it as a Word, or PDF, and you could read it on your e-reader or your regular computer. Then, you could write a review on Amazon for the book! It doesn't have to be a long review. Just a few sentences. And you could use a fake name or something if you don't want Mama to know it was you who wrote it. But that way, more people would notice Mama's books and buy them for themselves on their Kindles!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">If you would like to do this, please <a href="mailto:dupagekids@gmail.com" target="_blank">email u</a>s. Let us know which book you want to read. Here are your choices.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">SKYE BLUE is about 305 pages long. It is about a girl named Skye who is being raised by her older brother, who rescued her from their abusive parents when she was little. Her older brother also has a drinking and drug problem, and doesn't take great care of Skye. The book is about Skye's adventures in trying to keep up with and deal with her brother, whom she loves fiercely and never wants to be separated from, even though he has so many problems. This book has a lot of swearing in it, just to warn you. Mama was younger when she first wrote it, and in the settings where this book takes place, people do swear a lot. So if you hate foul language, you might not want this one!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">WHAT SOME CALL HEAVEN is only about 75 pages and is an easier read. Like the other book, it also involves homeless people. In this book, a young girl shows up at a city homeless shelter, and introduces herself to everyone as an angel. The girl, and the things she talks about, don't match most of the people's ideas of angels and Heaven. Many people think the girl is crazy, or at least confused. They try to decide how they can help her, because they're pretty sure a girl like her won't last long on the streets! This book may not correspond entirely with your religious beliefs, no matter what religion you are... so if you do not like to read books that have ideas that are sort of different from your religion, you might not like this book. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">We hope you will read one of these books and review it for Mama on Amazon! If you don't, though, we understand... not everyone has an e-reader, and it can be kind of time-consuming to try to read it on a computer. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">That's it for today! But tomorrow or the next day, I think Lily is going to tell you about another one of her adventures!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Love, Trixie</span><br />
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-30010805660783307782012-07-02T14:33:00.002-07:002012-07-02T14:33:35.188-07:00Pawsitive Thoughts For Sammy-Joe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BiSrhZ7BEY/T_IR11xDIWI/AAAAAAAABQU/KB6ydf3fUqc/s1600/IMG_0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BiSrhZ7BEY/T_IR11xDIWI/AAAAAAAABQU/KB6ydf3fUqc/s400/IMG_0455.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! It's me, Sammy-Joe, taking over the blog for a moment here. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">How are you? I am okay. Except my poops are really mushy. That doesn't bother me, but it bothers Mama and Gramma and Grampa for some reason! They also didn't like it when I puked all over the place. Plus, they noticed that I was losing a lot of weight. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">This is the part that doesn't make sense! All my life, they kept calling me a fat kitty, and even the vet said I needed to cut down on the treats! And now that I've dropped a few pounds, they say I am too skinny. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">So guess what Mama did? She took me to the V-E-T! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The vet was really mean because he took some of my blood away. Now, how is that supposed to help me? </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Mama says the vet told her I have great blood and nothing is wrong with it. That was the good news. Then the vet told her she needed to switch my food, to a prescription brand that is gentle on my stomach. That is the bad news! I have been eating Meow Mix since I was a kitten! Mama bought it for me because she liked the cats in the commercials who sang, "Meow, meow, meow, meow!" Maybe she thought I would sing like that? Either way, I like my Meow Mix!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Mama started out by mixing a little of the new food in with my Meow Mix. That was okay. Then she started sneakily adding more and more of the new food. When it turned into almost all new food and barely any Meow Mix, I decided to boycott my food!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Then, this morning, I puked all over the place. Grampa saw it and he says I "projectile vomited!" </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Mama started saying I <i>had</i> to eat! She was getting really worried about me! Then she did something that was kind of nice. She took one of these cube thingies. It looks like a little tiny cube, but when you put it in hot water, it turns into chicken soup! Mama made some of that soup stuff. And then she poured some in my food! It smelled great and tasted great! So I started chowing down my food. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The question is, AM I SICK? I don't know! I've been kind of tired lately. I <i>have</i> been losing lots of weight. Mama says my poops are looking better. (Why is she even <i>looking</i> at my poop?) But she doesn't like that I keep puking. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">So, I thought, just in case, I better ask all my friends out there for some pawsitive thoughts. I need to stay healthy so I can help take care of Mama!<br /></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Thanks, friends! Meanwhile, I hope you like the picture of me at the top of this post! Mama added on to my house. Now I have this little tunnel thing here. Grampa says he's going to throw it away, and he calls it a box. I say, if he does that, I will bite him! </span>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-52853095261755130522012-06-26T12:21:00.000-07:002012-06-26T12:21:15.176-07:00Dog Sitting<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! This is tiny little Lily! Way back when we were still on our bloggy break, do you know our Mama left us? She left us for some <i>other dogs!</i> Can you believe that? </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I was so mad. Mama said she was just trying to help those other doggies, because their parents went on vacation. She came back to visit us every day for a little while, but she said she had to sleep at the house with the other doggies. They even slept in the bed with her. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT???</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Mama showed us some pictures of the other doggies. Their names were Reggie and Dannyboy. They were both rescued dogs like Trixie was. Reggie came from the same animal rescue place that saved Trixie. And Dannyboy was a stray from Texas! (Dannyboy is only a puppy, even though he's waaaaaaaay bigger than me. !</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Reggie and Dannyboy like to play Bitey Face, just like me and Trixie do!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Dannyboy is looking for the Kong toy. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY5PEyougIo/T-oH4-5qCOI/AAAAAAAABNM/f6ZonG9od88/s1600/Danny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY5PEyougIo/T-oH4-5qCOI/AAAAAAAABNM/f6ZonG9od88/s400/Danny.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">These two dogs love to play with the Kong! They fight over it all the time!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eAdI3Uv0q4/T-oH5dmB-qI/AAAAAAAABNU/TG1IgZBibL0/s1600/DannyReggieKong2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eAdI3Uv0q4/T-oH5dmB-qI/AAAAAAAABNU/TG1IgZBibL0/s400/DannyReggieKong2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Dannyboy says, "I've got the Kong! Nana-nana-boo-boo!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uyhR59lIKc/T-oH67f7WCI/AAAAAAAABNc/K8m9ek92v_Y/s1600/Dannyboy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uyhR59lIKc/T-oH67f7WCI/AAAAAAAABNc/K8m9ek92v_Y/s400/Dannyboy1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">He has such long legs, doesn't he?</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl8WPv2qRfc/T-oH8dXDw1I/AAAAAAAABNk/tVzMPRl3kAo/s1600/DannyboyReggieKong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl8WPv2qRfc/T-oH8dXDw1I/AAAAAAAABNk/tVzMPRl3kAo/s400/DannyboyReggieKong.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Dannyboy is posing for a portrait. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAC44OtW5qs/T-oH81fl-VI/AAAAAAAABNs/_dMZpPrb3Pc/s1600/Dannyboyprofile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAC44OtW5qs/T-oH81fl-VI/AAAAAAAABNs/_dMZpPrb3Pc/s400/Dannyboyprofile.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Dannyboy almost swallows the Kong, as reggie watches.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bbC_OVW6Ls/T-oH-ghphGI/AAAAAAAABN0/Od109NOIUNg/s1600/DannyhasKong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bbC_OVW6Ls/T-oH-ghphGI/AAAAAAAABN0/Od109NOIUNg/s400/DannyhasKong.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Do you know that Reggie is part poodle, just like me? He's also part Bichon, not like me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> Reggie needs a rest. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwRxkvAUMWo/T-oIEPje05I/AAAAAAAABOM/7hF5BeMz4ao/s1600/ReggieStanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwRxkvAUMWo/T-oIEPje05I/AAAAAAAABOM/7hF5BeMz4ao/s400/ReggieStanding.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Sitting pretty!<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkFLywhtvpU/T-oIHCKDsPI/AAAAAAAABOU/3Ypmuc3OgBQ/s1600/Reggiesitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkFLywhtvpU/T-oIHCKDsPI/AAAAAAAABOU/3Ypmuc3OgBQ/s400/Reggiesitting.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Now<i> Reggie </i>has the Kong!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTuRHDa8YoM/T-oIH2y21tI/AAAAAAAABOg/IkZmQZ4ISsA/s1600/ReggiewithKong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTuRHDa8YoM/T-oIH2y21tI/AAAAAAAABOg/IkZmQZ4ISsA/s400/ReggiewithKong.jpg" width="387" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">"Hello? Hello? Is there anyone out there?" </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2DihZhnQoA/T-oIIiLzp3I/AAAAAAAABOo/sxhLglNUq4I/s1600/SweetDannyboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2DihZhnQoA/T-oIIiLzp3I/AAAAAAAABOo/sxhLglNUq4I/s400/SweetDannyboy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">On the third day Mama said it was okay for me to come to the other house and have a sleepover. I was a little nervous because I know sometimes other dogs don't like a strange dog showing up. But Reggie and Dannyboy were so nice to me!</span>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">"Um, Dannyboy? Do you eat little dogs?"</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-105ISQy5wS4/T-oJoIX6RTI/AAAAAAAABOw/ia1EWCqD2Ww/s1600/BiteyFace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-105ISQy5wS4/T-oJoIX6RTI/AAAAAAAABOw/ia1EWCqD2Ww/s400/BiteyFace2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">"Should I tell him that's not even a real bone?"<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DaSCiMlTx_4/T-oJqeX-mpI/AAAAAAAABO4/6Dyzb5Zoq3M/s1600/DannyLilyBone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DaSCiMlTx_4/T-oJqeX-mpI/AAAAAAAABO4/6Dyzb5Zoq3M/s400/DannyLilyBone.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I don't know what we were looking at here.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXWmuYVgCyc/T-oJsceQhEI/AAAAAAAABPA/MmaNsX0cxnM/s1600/DannyLilyLooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXWmuYVgCyc/T-oJsceQhEI/AAAAAAAABPA/MmaNsX0cxnM/s400/DannyLilyLooking.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I wish we had an actual rawhide!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pc9go_Ul-jo/T-oJtfUA3TI/AAAAAAAABPI/eRAwjpJDpHM/s1600/DannyandLily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pc9go_Ul-jo/T-oJtfUA3TI/AAAAAAAABPI/eRAwjpJDpHM/s400/DannyandLily.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I'm a little jealous of my mama playing with the other dogs!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hpxIzWXpO4/T-oJvQ5x_uI/AAAAAAAABPQ/CpdhtcIwl3s/s1600/Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hpxIzWXpO4/T-oJvQ5x_uI/AAAAAAAABPQ/CpdhtcIwl3s/s400/Lily.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">"Bleeeeeeeh!"<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16FKDy0LnnQ/T-oJxrhRw3I/AAAAAAAABPY/H0ZbKB-oDLA/s1600/LilyYuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16FKDy0LnnQ/T-oJxrhRw3I/AAAAAAAABPY/H0ZbKB-oDLA/s400/LilyYuck.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">"Is it almost time for bed?"</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YvjgaiK4kY/T-oJyUoi9CI/AAAAAAAABPg/kZ5GTRv-4wA/s1600/Lilyisamop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YvjgaiK4kY/T-oJyUoi9CI/AAAAAAAABPg/kZ5GTRv-4wA/s400/Lilyisamop.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> "What's so exciting about that Kong? It doesn't even squeak!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULKyq34vc_U/T-oJ1DPZruI/AAAAAAAABP0/lyqwvTScBNI/s1600/LilynReggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULKyq34vc_U/T-oJ1DPZruI/AAAAAAAABP0/lyqwvTScBNI/s400/LilynReggie.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> "I feel like someone is following me!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuvHwFvK2WE/T-oJ6DmWeBI/AAAAAAAABQE/LMT4sLLaWw0/s1600/gang.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuvHwFvK2WE/T-oJ6DmWeBI/AAAAAAAABQE/LMT4sLLaWw0/s400/gang.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> "I wish I had my squeaky ball!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxxzZPmIDqI/T-oIDRgyojI/AAAAAAAABOE/AXN_oIBuCCQ/s1600/ReggiePlaybow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxxzZPmIDqI/T-oIDRgyojI/AAAAAAAABOE/AXN_oIBuCCQ/s400/ReggiePlaybow.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">"Thanks for inviting me over, friends!"</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9aBXrGrkro/T-oJ11X3hkI/AAAAAAAABP8/HO7vcNITi5Q/s1600/Lilysitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9aBXrGrkro/T-oJ11X3hkI/AAAAAAAABP8/HO7vcNITi5Q/s400/Lilysitting.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">We were all supposed to sleep in the guest bedroom at the house. Dannyboy was supposed to sleep on the floor, and Reggie and I were supposed to sleep on the bed with Mama. But Dannyboy was so upset because he wasn't allowed on the bed (His parents say he sheds too much) and he kept crying. And I couldn't sleep, so I kept jumping on and off the bed. So finally, Mama brought the bedspread out into the living room, and we all lay down together! Actually Reggie and Dannyboy wrestled half the night, until they got too tired. Mama says, when she woke up in the morning, she saw three dog noses staring at her!<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Sleepovers are fun, but I am glad Mama is home now with Trixie, Sammy-Joe, and me, where she belongs. </span></div>
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-24611215586824832472012-06-23T18:00:00.003-07:002012-06-23T18:00:44.691-07:00Sammy-Joe Goes Out<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Hi friends! This is Sammy-Joe! Here in Chicago, the weather is nice and warm. My doggie sisters love to go outside and play every day. They get taken outside several times a day because they need to pee and poo out there. Since I pee and poo in my litter box, and since cats can escape a yard more easily than dogs, I have to stay in most of the time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">But when Mama bought a new harness for Lily, she thought it might actually fit on me, too! Lily and I are about the same size. Mama and Gramma put the harness on me. At first, I didn't want anything to do with it. I was like, "What is this contraption? Get me out of here!" I thought it would be just like all those times they stuffed me in a box and took me to the vet! Plus, the whole thing smelled like Lily. And you know me and Lily don't get along so well, right? Why would I want to put on something that makes me stink like my yucky sister?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Then Mama carried me outside to the yard. She put me down. And I got to walk around and explore the yard, just like my sisters! The doggies were very nice and gave me space. Mama took some pictures of me relaxing outside. Want to see them?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Here I am playing in the garden. What is on the other side of this fence?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQzPc05hYec/T-ZlS5FWHtI/AAAAAAAABMQ/sAf8Uq0skVA/s1600/Junglesam2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQzPc05hYec/T-ZlS5FWHtI/AAAAAAAABMQ/sAf8Uq0skVA/s400/Junglesam2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Yum yum, tasty plants!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKU0cscM5-Y/T-ZlUIXo9zI/AAAAAAAABMo/RB91GHKxdR4/s1600/junglesammy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKU0cscM5-Y/T-ZlUIXo9zI/AAAAAAAABMo/RB91GHKxdR4/s400/junglesammy.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> I am watching bugs crawl around on the ground. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48jeHAD04zU/T-ZlTc-gcyI/AAAAAAAABMY/Aohv9CWHCow/s1600/Sammylaying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48jeHAD04zU/T-ZlTc-gcyI/AAAAAAAABMY/Aohv9CWHCow/s400/Sammylaying.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">You can barely see me here, but I am trying to crawl under the grill! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9-Un4YmkC0/T-ZlTxlbAkI/AAAAAAAABMg/c04SFX9g5-0/s1600/Sammyundergrill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9-Un4YmkC0/T-ZlTxlbAkI/AAAAAAAABMg/c04SFX9g5-0/s400/Sammyundergrill.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> It is fun to get all full of dirt, isn't it? </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlzg6botgXo/T-ZlUtTmIUI/AAAAAAAABMw/L_QVQaOuY7A/s1600/sammydirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlzg6botgXo/T-ZlUtTmIUI/AAAAAAAABMw/L_QVQaOuY7A/s400/sammydirt.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Here is Lily giving me my space. I kinda wish she'd give me more space than that... but at least she isn't barking at me! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-Yu3C_jkvI/T-ZlVdnEzAI/AAAAAAAABM4/LPg3QeKhdv0/s1600/sammylily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-Yu3C_jkvI/T-ZlVdnEzAI/AAAAAAAABM4/LPg3QeKhdv0/s400/sammylily.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Mama says she'll take me outside for a while every day, if I'll let her put the harness on me! I think this is going to be a great summer! </span></div>
<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-82459769233784780582012-06-20T05:56:00.000-07:002012-06-20T05:56:00.903-07:00Wordless Wednesday... Did ya miss these faces?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7raUv3iuk9E/T-Ee9jaK9KI/AAAAAAAABL8/9ljkSNjKyhI/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7raUv3iuk9E/T-Ee9jaK9KI/AAAAAAAABL8/9ljkSNjKyhI/s400/IMG_0382.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flBwvyaANu4/T-EfkQEgjFI/AAAAAAAABME/rF4u8hd687Q/s1600/Lilyfunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flBwvyaANu4/T-EfkQEgjFI/AAAAAAAABME/rF4u8hd687Q/s400/Lilyfunny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6PskaL5Lpk/T-EexYz8Y2I/AAAAAAAABL0/wpgLLB3YVCw/s1600/Trixiesilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6PskaL5Lpk/T-EexYz8Y2I/AAAAAAAABL0/wpgLLB3YVCw/s400/Trixiesilly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-82475293785490981252012-06-18T19:00:00.002-07:002012-06-18T19:00:24.210-07:00Psssst! Over here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3PvgVeGdYw/T9_chv7n69I/AAAAAAAABLo/gx5FEmzmJkc/s1600/Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3PvgVeGdYw/T9_chv7n69I/AAAAAAAABLo/gx5FEmzmJkc/s320/Lily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Psst! Over here! Its me, Lily! </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Me and Trixie and Sammy-Joe have been gone for tifty years! Or an hour! (I have no concept of time.) But guess what... Mama says we can come back in just a few days! We've been working hard at putting a brand new header up and redecorating our blog. Mama says you're going to see us for Wordless Wednesday this week! </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I'm not supposed to be typing this... but I was so excited, I could hardly wait! I had to come and give you a sneak preview!</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Uh-oh... here comes Mama... I gotta go! See ya soon! </span>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-40886846015517233532012-03-11T20:24:00.000-07:002012-03-11T20:24:18.033-07:00Lily's Vacation Pictures<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! We weren't allowed to post it on the blog because Gramma and Grampa didn't want anyone to know the house was empty, but we have already been on our big <a href="http://trixielilysammyjoe.blogspot.com/2012/02/operation-send-lily-on-vacation.html" target="_blank">"vacation!"</a> We all survived! In fact, Mama even managed to relax a little, and she had fun swimming at the hotel. She says she had the pool all to herself, most of the time, so she got to practice her back float! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lily stayed at a doggy boarding place right near our house. Its called <a href="http://www.baxterandbeasley.com/" target="_blank">Baxter And Beasley</a>, and it is run by a family. They also have a doggy day care there. We posted before how Lily was going to visit the doggy day care a few times before she actually slept over! Mama's favorite thing about Baxter And Beasley is that they take pictures of the dogs in the day care all day long, and post them on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baxter-Beasley/259257464090175" target="_blank">Facebook</a> at the end of the day. So if you "like" them on Facebook, while you're away you can check out what your dog has been up to! Mama said that it made her feel a lot better, each day when she was at the hotel, to come home after student teaching and check out the Facebook page. She actually saved some of the pictures so we could show you. Wanna see? See if you can spot her in each of these pictures! (There is a whole bunch of them!)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yeM09idmDhw/T11qTj_4zwI/AAAAAAAABJ0/HbcINKn8Gs0/s1600/lilydaycare3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yeM09idmDhw/T11qTj_4zwI/AAAAAAAABJ0/HbcINKn8Gs0/s400/lilydaycare3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--YoxusC1CDk/T11qTr2bpqI/AAAAAAAABJ8/KnLLchiWoYU/s1600/lilydaycare4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--YoxusC1CDk/T11qTr2bpqI/AAAAAAAABJ8/KnLLchiWoYU/s400/lilydaycare4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">The blurry dog next to Lily in this picture is her good friend Vita. They really liked playing together! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0zMyzAX3nQ/T11qT1BCwqI/AAAAAAAABKE/ZlBZvgDP0w8/s1600/lilydaycare5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0zMyzAX3nQ/T11qT1BCwqI/AAAAAAAABKE/ZlBZvgDP0w8/s400/lilydaycare5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uN1hsrEi_mM/T11qUFyzjoI/AAAAAAAABKM/zcXSrQVKnYA/s1600/lilydaycare6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uN1hsrEi_mM/T11qUFyzjoI/AAAAAAAABKM/zcXSrQVKnYA/s400/lilydaycare6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gKfZQLAG2iM/T11qUaSijRI/AAAAAAAABKU/yMcpO87FLvo/s1600/lilydaycare7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gKfZQLAG2iM/T11qUaSijRI/AAAAAAAABKU/yMcpO87FLvo/s400/lilydaycare7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">We think this dog looks like the His Master's Voice dog! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ceijkow5XcA/T11qUgMv0DI/AAAAAAAABKc/8Cc7JW08lrA/s1600/lilydaycare8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ceijkow5XcA/T11qUgMv0DI/AAAAAAAABKc/8Cc7JW08lrA/s400/lilydaycare8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMWG44XmCEw/T11qU65F-BI/AAAAAAAABKk/j-YTrJXyyUM/s1600/lilydaycare9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMWG44XmCEw/T11qU65F-BI/AAAAAAAABKk/j-YTrJXyyUM/s400/lilydaycare9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Can you spot Lily in this picture?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnEMcej0zPU/T11qVMLfN1I/AAAAAAAABKs/xU7swU5wcGQ/s1600/lilydaycaremaybe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnEMcej0zPU/T11qVMLfN1I/AAAAAAAABKs/xU7swU5wcGQ/s400/lilydaycaremaybe.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lily hanging with the big dogs! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_cF8I442mo/T11qP8rIT6I/AAAAAAAABIM/rs9f1TZqBkg/s1600/Lilydaycare1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_cF8I442mo/T11qP8rIT6I/AAAAAAAABIM/rs9f1TZqBkg/s400/Lilydaycare1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Someone was about to give Lily a treat! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJkJIctgK9I/T11qQG3GuaI/AAAAAAAABIU/vsRAMv5s3-4/s1600/Lilydaycare18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJkJIctgK9I/T11qQG3GuaI/AAAAAAAABIU/vsRAMv5s3-4/s400/Lilydaycare18.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWE-khHnORI/T11qQenQU2I/AAAAAAAABIc/fsm8qvmc0Gc/s1600/lilydaycare10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWE-khHnORI/T11qQenQU2I/AAAAAAAABIc/fsm8qvmc0Gc/s400/lilydaycare10.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tv74H4OrmyQ/T11qQhaYjEI/AAAAAAAABIk/EqhlHJA0UR0/s1600/lilydaycare11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tv74H4OrmyQ/T11qQhaYjEI/AAAAAAAABIk/EqhlHJA0UR0/s400/lilydaycare11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk7IIbdAi0s/T11qQyBOiuI/AAAAAAAABIs/4hjd7h6_Rro/s1600/lilydaycare12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk7IIbdAi0s/T11qQyBOiuI/AAAAAAAABIs/4hjd7h6_Rro/s400/lilydaycare12.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cE27FnZ2akQ/T11qRX59YII/AAAAAAAABI0/cr5183Tp9mY/s1600/lilydaycare13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cE27FnZ2akQ/T11qRX59YII/AAAAAAAABI0/cr5183Tp9mY/s400/lilydaycare13.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmTQx0cFst4/T11qRtoQP-I/AAAAAAAABI8/YUQSRwDyMso/s1600/lilydaycare14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmTQx0cFst4/T11qRtoQP-I/AAAAAAAABI8/YUQSRwDyMso/s400/lilydaycare14.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Where's Lily? She's very tiny. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-AIT8gLUqw/T11qRxFGHFI/AAAAAAAABJE/fzb5Hqzr6rI/s1600/lilydaycare15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-AIT8gLUqw/T11qRxFGHFI/AAAAAAAABJE/fzb5Hqzr6rI/s400/lilydaycare15.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Do you see her way over by the wall, with her friend Vita?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71WSL1DlP_o/T11qSLHYIhI/AAAAAAAABJM/z4M0s_XUNbI/s1600/lilydaycare16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71WSL1DlP_o/T11qSLHYIhI/AAAAAAAABJM/z4M0s_XUNbI/s400/lilydaycare16.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Chilling with Vita again.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtkZWFrugD4/T11qScbjoUI/AAAAAAAABJU/qWz9w8_Rw6o/s1600/lilydaycare17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtkZWFrugD4/T11qScbjoUI/AAAAAAAABJU/qWz9w8_Rw6o/s400/lilydaycare17.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urrxsfV3udY/T11qSl-oEzI/AAAAAAAABJc/nkace6nzg1c/s1600/lilydaycare19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urrxsfV3udY/T11qSl-oEzI/AAAAAAAABJc/nkace6nzg1c/s400/lilydaycare19.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Hey, who does <i>this</i> dog remind you of???</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tatR47vfe4w/T11qS_t8q6I/AAAAAAAABJk/G0IEkbqfISs/s1600/lilydaycare2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tatR47vfe4w/T11qS_t8q6I/AAAAAAAABJk/G0IEkbqfISs/s400/lilydaycare2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">The rest of us didn't get any pictures taken, but we did have a pretty good time! Sammy-Joe got lots of sleep, and Trixie had a nice visit with her friend Susan from the vet's office. Mama sent us all with our overnight bags, full of the blankets she had slept with to get her smell on them, and a few toys! We all did fine. And now its over. Lily says she kind of misses her doggy day care, actually... but Mama has promised she can go back to visit!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Mama is student teaching, and she's busy every minute writing her lesson plans or making things for her lessons! She's exhausted! She did take us outside in the backyard for a few hours today to enjoy the nice weather. We will try to grab some time to come visit all of our friends' blogs in the next few days! </span>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-55574830888802675712012-02-23T17:13:00.002-08:002012-02-23T17:13:39.424-08:00Operation: Send Lily On Vacation!<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! This is Trixie! Long time, no blog! Mama has been so busy with her student teaching and her big project, she hasn't had time to help us. Usually when she comes home from student teaching, she just collapses and falls asleep... and on the weekend she just works on her project! :(</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I do have some weird news! Gramma and Grampa are getting the floors in the house fixed. While the people are in the house fixing it, nobody is allowed to be in it. So, Gramma, Grampa and Mama have to go stay in a hotel for a few days! And Lily, Sammy-Joe and I also have to find places to stay. (We can't go to the hotel because we'd have to be alone in the hotel room all day while the humans are at work, and Gramma is afraid we'd either destroy the place, or the housekeeper would let us out by accident, or some other nonsense!)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I am lucky because a nice lady who works at my vet's office wants me to come stay with her for a few days! I will get to sleep at her house, and hang out with her on her days off. On the days that she works, I will get to go to the vet's office with her. Sweet deal, right?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Sammy-Joe, on the other hand, has to stay at the kennel at the vet. Luckily, he doesn't mind being in a cage <i>too</i> much. It reminds him of the cardboard boxes he loves to sleep in all the time at home. Mama will send him with his special blanket. She's going to sleep with the blanket a few nights ahead of time, so it will smell like her and he will be able to think about her while he's at the kennel!<br />Lily, on the other hand... well, Lily has special issues. She's never stayed anywhere except with Mama, or with Gramma and Grampa, in her life! Mama is afraid that if Lily stays at the kennel, she'll get really upset, and when they go to take her for a walk outside she might squiggle out of her collar and run away. Well, she really might! So Mama is sending her to a doggie hotel!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The difference between the kennel and the doggie hotel is that, at the doggie hotel, Lily will be able to play with other dogs all day long. She'll only have to be in a cage at night, and she'll be so tired she'll sleep the whole time! Also, instead of walking her outside by a busy street where she could get away, Lily will be going to the bathroom (and playing) in a fenced-in play area that is impossible to escape from! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">So... Lily doesn't know she's going to the doggie hotel yet. We're trying to break the news to her slowly. The operation has multiple steps.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Step 1: Lily had to go to the vet and get all her vaccinations updated! She had her rabies shot already, but the doggie hotel requires dogs to get bordatella and distemper vaccinations as well. Lily also got a complete physical exam. The vet says she's a little chubby, but otherwise in great health!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Step 2: Mama went to take a tour of the doggie hotel. She told them how nervous she was about leaving tiny little Lily and that she needs to know Lily will be in really good hands. The people there suggested Lily come in for a few days of day care, so she could get used to the place before she has to actually stay overnight there!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Step 3: Lily went to doggie day care for three hours. Yes, three big whopping hours! After that Mama went into withdrawals and had to go pick Lily up! The people said Lily did really well and played with all the other dogs! They even snapped a few pictures of her! As you can see, Lily likes hanging out with the BIG dogs! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLUeujTFHls/T0bj0q_Ku9I/AAAAAAAABH8/EfrT7VV_xCE/s1600/Lilydaycare1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLUeujTFHls/T0bj0q_Ku9I/AAAAAAAABH8/EfrT7VV_xCE/s320/Lilydaycare1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I think that dog smiling in the background might be Lily's body guard!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9s7ivCBPl_I/T0bj1L2PaJI/AAAAAAAABIE/50zaiU_ZgYA/s1600/lilydaycare2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9s7ivCBPl_I/T0bj1L2PaJI/AAAAAAAABIE/50zaiU_ZgYA/s320/lilydaycare2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Step 4: Next week, Lily will spend a full day at doggie day care while Mama is at student teaching. Mama will pick her up at the end of the day and she won't have to sleep there.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Step 5: Mama will drop Lily off at the doggie hotel, and<i> not</i> pick her up at the end of the day! Thats when I'll be with my friend from the vet's office, Sammy-Joe will be at the kennel, and the humans will be at the human hotel.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Friends, Mama is freaking out about this! She can't stand having to be away from all of us! She says she's going to cry all night long, every day. However, she also said she is kind of looking forward to going swimming at the hotel. At least if she's in the swimming pool, all her tears will wash away! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I'll keep you updated on how it goes!</span>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-49441275122908554602012-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:002012-02-01T07:00:04.769-08:00Wordless Wednesday: No More Blog, Mama! Take Break, Now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kS5TaoYChKg/TyWeg4jUqkI/AAAAAAAABHw/CJ0oWW8FY98/s1600/IMG_0341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kS5TaoYChKg/TyWeg4jUqkI/AAAAAAAABHw/CJ0oWW8FY98/s400/IMG_0341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-28558811215222207092012-01-29T11:30:00.000-08:002012-01-29T11:30:05.139-08:00Not Quite Smarty Sunday!<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! Smarty Sunday is being postponed this week because Mama is busy working on a giant project for student teaching! She has to write a book! The book has to be all about activities that people can do with their little human kids to help them do better in preschool. She was typing typing typing all night long and didn't give Sammy-Joe any time to write his Smarty Sunday post!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Luckily, we do have something cool to show you. Mama took these pictures this morning. Want to see?</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDAuaERU7vw/TyWdCjsQOYI/AAAAAAAABHo/JrdnoSc9FAM/s1600/IMG_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDAuaERU7vw/TyWdCjsQOYI/AAAAAAAABHo/JrdnoSc9FAM/s400/IMG_0350.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Can you tell what it is? Here, look closer!<br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFhMDYXzeZ8/TyWc_X5jcDI/AAAAAAAABHQ/COOn7GrSXdI/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFhMDYXzeZ8/TyWc_X5jcDI/AAAAAAAABHQ/COOn7GrSXdI/s400/IMG_0347.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">They are little foot prints! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">They look kind of like Lily footprints. But they were made in the fresh snow, <i>before</i> us dogs got a chance to go outside in the morning. We had a secret visitor! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">It looks like the visitor walked in a big circle...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTQfAaodCck/TyWc_1n1IJI/AAAAAAAABHY/F4qtE7Zh-YU/s1600/IMG_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTQfAaodCck/TyWc_1n1IJI/AAAAAAAABHY/F4qtE7Zh-YU/s400/IMG_0348.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">And then he (or she) tiptoed along this ledge...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wNmclGhI10/TyWdBGXFw4I/AAAAAAAABHg/xchXtMSiGNA/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wNmclGhI10/TyWdBGXFw4I/AAAAAAAABHg/xchXtMSiGNA/s400/IMG_0349.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">And maybe the visitor slipped on the ice! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJiYByQzLGQ/TyWc91umsNI/AAAAAAAABHI/UL_OrUM-BEw/s1600/IMG_0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJiYByQzLGQ/TyWc91umsNI/AAAAAAAABHI/UL_OrUM-BEw/s400/IMG_0351.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">What kind of visitor do you think we had? A dog? A cat? A raccoon? Maybe we should set up a hidden video camera so we can see them! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">We just wanted to show you that because we thought it was kind of mysterious. And now, we have to give the computer back to Mama so she can work some more on her book. We hope all of our friends are doing good!</span></div>
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-80546404854720089232012-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:002012-01-25T07:00:11.076-08:00Wordless Wednesday: Super Size Milkbone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-84894323124772773722012-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:002012-01-24T07:00:05.367-08:00Rescue Pepe!<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! Do you remember way back during Mayzie's Rescue Me Week when we wrote about the hoarder lady who used to work at a pet store and who had 50 dogs in her house? Almost Home Foundation found homes for most of those dogs, but there are still a few left. One of them is Pepe, an eleven pound chihuahua/terrier mix who is very sweet but can be very nervous around new people.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.petango.com/sms/photos/1841/f88222d1-ebd5-45b7-a327-6fc1ae88eb94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.petango.com/sms/photos/1841/f88222d1-ebd5-45b7-a327-6fc1ae88eb94.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Pepe is another one of those chihuahuas who just doesn't trust people. This has been aggravated by the fact that he was raised by a hoarder, and did not get a lot of human contact. When he sees a hand coming towards him, he doesn't know what that hand is going to do to him, so he <i>sometimes</i> growls or tries to bite! But never after he's gotten to know and love a person. For instance, he knows and loves his foster parents, He will cuddle on their laps, play with them, and be a wild little guy around them! He loves to play fetch, and peek-a-boo. He is great at learning new tricks, and is very interested in getting some agility training if his new family would be willing to work with him! He is also usually fine with dogs who are his size and smaller, although he is afraid of larger dogs. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">One thing our Mama said she noticed, when volunteering at Almost Home Foundation's adoption days, is that many people who want to meet a small dog will walk up, and lean over the dog. This makes many smaller dogs, including Pepe, frightened! It can be frightening or intimidating to larger dogs as well. We thought we'd share a few tips for people who might be interested in meeting Pepe, or any other new dogs. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Remember to always ask whoever is handling or walking the dog if it is okay to pet him. If it is okay, curl your fingers into a fist, and offer your fist to the dog to sniff. Don't shove your fist in the dog's face, but hold it far enough away so the dog can be the one to move his face over to you for a sniff. If he keeps on sniffing and seems happy, or if he pushes his head under your hand to ask you to pet him, you can! </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br />When you meet smaller dogs, if possible, it is a great idea to sit on the floor instead of standing over them. If you cannot sit down on the floor, ask the handler if they could pick the dog up so that the dog is at your level. Sitting or crouching on the floor can be the best way, though! If the dog seems nervous, it can help to avoid eye contact. With Pepe, our Mama has noticed that whenever she is sitting on the floor and talking to a human or playing with another dog, Pepe will walk up and put his paws on her or even climb into her lap! This may be because a person who is sitting down low, and who is not looking at him, can be the least intimidating person to a nervous dog. Once the dog has gotten a good sniff of you, he'll probably be more willing to be petted! Pepe is not as nervous as, say, Bermuda, and he will almost always become friendly within a minute or two of being petted.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br />Here are some things not to do when meeting a dog, especially a nervous dog. Do NOT lean or bend over the dog. Do NOT put your face right up to the dog's face unless you don't mind getting bitten in the nose. (Of course once the dog is yours, it may feel natural to put your face close to his and give him kisses, and once he knows you well he probably won't mind! But don't do it to a strange dog!) Do NOT run up to a dog or approach him in a quick, startling way. Do NOT walk up to a dog you don't know and start petting him, without giving him a minute to get to know you! (This may have worked out fine for you with a few dogs in the past, but you don't ever know which dog is going to be the nervous one who will think you're trying to hurt him!) And NEVER pick up a smaller dog that you don't know. Ask first. Some dogs will let anyone pick them up. Other dogs will be frightened by this gesture. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Finally, the quickest short cut to a nervous dog's heart? Treats! Many nervous dogs will get over their stranger anxiety if you have something delicious to share with them!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">If you live in the Chicago area and feel like you'd enjoy having Pepe in your family, please email <span style="background-color: #eceff6; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">plutollf@aol.com</span><span style="background-color: #eceff6; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"> </span> for more info. We know you're going to love him! </span>Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-7323058143086192952012-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:002012-01-22T07:00:01.646-08:00Smarty Sunday: Winter Safety For Pets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Hi, everyone! Its me, Sammy-Joe, here with another super smart episode of Smarty Sunday! I can't believe its been a week already!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The other day it snowed here in Chicago, where we live. It may have snowed where you live to! Do you pets know how to keep yourselves safe during the winter? I thought I'd talk about this today, now that it is <i>officially</i> winter! Let me share them with you.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">1. Dogs and cats... You may love to play outside in the snow! But watch the weather, and trust your humans to use their best judgement about how long you should stay out. If it is so cold that your human doesn't want to stay out for very long, then you probably shouldn't stay out very long either. I know sometimes we don't notice the cold until it is too late! If it is below freezing, especially, just go outside long enough to do your potty business and then hurry back in. Some pets might like to wear coats to help keep them warm. But if you do wear a coat, ask your human to supervise you just in case you get caught on something! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">2. Your humans have probably heard that they should not leave you alone in a hot car in the summer. But do they know that the same goes for a cold car in winter? The car can act as a refrigerator, making it even colder inside there than it is outside. If you are left alone, you could get hypothermia. Please make sure your parents know this! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">3. If you do go outside on a snowy day, make sure you are wearing your collar with your ID tag at all times. If you go for a walk, ask your parents to keep you on your leash. Why? The snow can mess up the scents that we are used to. If we wander off and get lost, we might not be able to find our way back home using our trusty noses. If we are wearing our collars with ID tags, we have a better chance of getting a helpful human to take us home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">4. Cats... if you are allowed to roam free outdoors, do not climb into the hood of a car to stay warm. It is a bad idea! The human may not know you are there, and if he starts the car, you could be seriously injured or even killed. If you, or other cats in your neighborhood, do roam free, ask your humans to bang on the hood of their car before they start it up in the morning. This will scare away any cats that might be curled up underneath. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">5. When you come in from playing outside, do not lick your fur until your parents have dried you off! I know you probably have snow and ice on your fur and you want to clean yourself off. But the snow and ice could have salt, antifreeze, and other chemicals in it, and that could make you sick! So tell your humans to dry you off with a towel as soon as you come in. Don't try to do the job yourself with your tongue. Have them dry your feet off well, too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">6. What if you do get lost, or sneak out, and end up being outside in the cold longer than your parents wanted you to be? You should know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and share them with your parents. If you can't stop shivering even after you get in, if your fur looks all puffed up or is standing on end, and if you seem disoriented or lethargic, you could have hypothermia. If your skin turns bright red, pale, or black, you could have frostbite. If either of these things happen, your parents need to get you to the vet! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">7. Remember, antifreeze is poison! If you see something blue on your driveway, do not lick it! In fact, tell your humans to clean up any antifreeze spills right away, just in case you forget that its poison. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">8. Do your humans use a space heater in areas of the house that are cold? Remind them that you need to be supervised whenever the space heater is on. They shouldn't leave it running when they are not in the room. You might chew the cord, or knock it over while you are running around playing, or jump on top of it if you are a cat. I know none of you would do any of these things because you are perfect angels. But still. Also, even just rubbing against the space heater could be dangerous, if the heater is too hot. Be careful with those things!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">9. If you live near a body of water, be careful. You might notice that the water turns to ice, and you might feel like you can walk across it. But the ice could break, and you could fall into the cold, cold, cold water! This has happened to other dogs and cats before. So please stay away from bodies of water unless your parents are absolutely sure that the ice is thick enough for ice skating. To be sure, please remind your parents again to supervise you when you are outside, and keep you on a leash during walks. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Maybe I made it seem like winter is terribly dangerous for pets! But winter can still be a lot of fun. Just be careful, and make sure you stay warm enough and are supervised, and you'll have an awesome winter!<br /></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading Smarty Sunday, everyone! I hope you feel smarter! </span><br />
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-5540560891185753972012-01-21T14:25:00.000-08:002012-01-21T14:25:10.651-08:00Mama Keeps Leaving!<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! We've actually been doing pretty good at our promise to write at least two posts a week... but those posts are usually Smarty Sunday, Rescue Me day, and Wordless Wednesday! The reason for this is kinda good news and kinda bad news.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">The good news is... Mama started student teaching! She will be student teaching for five weeks at a preschool program for at-risk kids, and then for ten weeks at another school. She really loves it! She thinks the kids are so little and cute, and the days go by really fast for her. That is also why it is hard for us to keep up with posts... by the time she gets home, Mama is too exhausted to type!</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">The bad news is... Mama started student teaching! Yeah, we know we said that was <i>good</i> news. It is good news for Mama, but bad news for us! We miss when she used to stay home with us for most of the day! She used to snuggle in bed with us until almost lunch time, take us out several times a day to play, share breakfast and lunch with us, and talk to us all day. Sometimes she would go to school or work for a few hours, and then come home. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Now she has to be gone seven hours a day! She gets up early, takes a shower, takes us out to play, shares her breakfast with us, and then leaves. We are always so sad when she leaves. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Here is a picture of the doggies among us, missing Mama.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Mama says she misses us too when she's gone. She says she thinks about us all day. She <i>says!</i> But who does she share her lunch with now, we'd like to know?</span><br />
<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201676856227057678.post-55790928981156861942012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:002012-01-18T06:00:13.690-08:00Wordless Wednesday: Catnip Bubbles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480768918837568036noreply@blogger.com12