tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53828907266708958412024-03-13T12:55:56.667-04:00The Carson PackHolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515521205573117771noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-843568328198040342012-02-13T23:52:00.000-05:002012-02-13T23:52:43.743-05:00ATTACHEDGoose aka Lucy is spending a few weeks up at Holly's B and B..........a romantic rendezvous so to speak. I don't know yet who she will be paired with....but I am sure he will be handsome and well mannered....if not, Goose will take care of it...........she is not a shrinking violet. Can't tell you how much I miss her.<br />
The first night she was gone I fixed her supper along with the boys and didn't realize what I had done until I had one bowl left and no little girl running to her spot.........did the same thing the next morning.<br />
I miss her most at bedtime.......just before we go to sleep .....Goose always lets out a long sigh followed by a short one.....and then she is asleep quickly.<br />
I was out walking with the boys yesterday when we spotted some folks walking way ahead of us.....Gummie started pulling and off we went.....it's a game with him. He always wants to catch up and greet whoever is in front. But you know I'm not nearly as quick as I used to be and I could see it was going to take a long time to catch up. Luckily they turned around and headed toward us..........and Gummie was so excited that he really started pulling. I think we both realized at the same time that their little dog was a blenheim cavalier. When we met it was all lovey dovey and wagging tails. These folks were visiting from Ohio and we had the best time talking cavalier. Gummie and their dog, Sunshine, were immediately smitten.....so was I. She even looked a little bit like Goose. We all walked down the path, talking ......with Gummie and Sunshine in the lead. When we split off the boys and I headed home and all I could think was I can't wait to go get the Goose.<br />
How do I get so attached!!!!<br />
eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-26815198110657193932012-01-07T11:52:00.000-05:002012-01-07T11:52:55.050-05:00CHRISTMAS GOOSEI have always heard that as soon as you think you know what's going to happen and how it's going to happen....you will surely be wrong. The older I get, the more true it seems to be. I am a realist but still an optimist....sort of....and this Christmas season was shaping up in my mind to be ....difficult ....maybe even depressing......but there was that little bit of hope in there.<br />
As it turned out we had one of the best holidays in recent memory. Since I analyze everything........I had to question..........WHY?<br />
I came to the conclusion that it was a combination of things totally out of my control mixed in with a little bit of effort and topped off with what I will name...CAVALIER COMEDY.<br />
This was Lucy's first Christmas with us and she has mixed things up............first, it was the scented tissue paper episode and then the curling ribbon entanglement and did I mention the missing ornaments?<br />
I had a bunch of ornaments laid out on the table complete with the hangers attached and ready to be hung....got interrupted and had to go out for awhile. When I got home I noticed that the only ornaments on the table were the glass balls and a few of those were on the floor. I assumed someone had put them on the tree. So I put the balls on and got another batch ready to hang. Nancy came by and invited us to go out for a late lunch. We enjoyed our meal and a few adult beverages and the tree remained mostly undecorated.........when we got home the only thing left on the table was two glass balls!<br />
I'm no brainiac but there were no humans in the house while we were gone and there were no little Christmas elves decorating my tree............my only helpers have floppy ears and huge brown eyes!!!<br />
Brogie, Gummie, and Zeke have never ever shown any interest in Christmas ornaments.<br />
I searched all over the house and got downright worried when I couldn't find anything...........had visions of rushing Lucy to the Vet to have X rays of her stomach and then surgery etc..........my mind was going crazy.<br />
I found 42 ornaments resting under my bed......all intact.....nestled among some of the biggest dust bunnies I have ever seen. I could have taken a picture but it's one thing to tell people you're a not so good house keeper.....but there's no way I'd take a picture to prove it.<br />
Lucy, who I have nicknamed GOOSE, enjoyed everything about Christmas.<br />
So did I.<br />
e<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-19299378856889631562011-12-21T22:32:00.004-05:002011-12-21T22:53:21.175-05:00WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING, MOM<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4R6FcKYk3k/TvKoqIku7FI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Qc0kY1y3p90/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688794721131883602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4R6FcKYk3k/TvKoqIku7FI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Qc0kY1y3p90/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I missed the good shot....when I walked into the room they were all bound up with curling ribbon but by the time I got my camera from downstairs Zeke and Gummie had pretty much gotten it off. I have no idea what happened....... but Lucy was definitely the instigator ........her legs were totally wrapped. I had to cut some of it off.....never know what's going to happen next.</div><div>MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Carson Pack!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div>e</div>ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-36398604264769524632011-12-13T19:12:00.004-05:002011-12-14T09:14:54.967-05:00SCENTS<div><div>How busy is everyone right now!!! As usual, I am running late with so many things but somehow it will get done.....right?</div><div>Last night I was wrapping some presents and I had help for the majority of the time.There are very few things that I do alone. Zeke smelled everything and Brogie snoozed right beside me the whole time. But it was Gummie and Lucy who helped the most.</div><div>A few weeks ago I bought three packages of really pretty, scented tissue paper....lemon, cinnamon, and peppermint. I know, goofy, goofy, goofy......but in the boutique it was so pretty and the scent was sutle.......and I was sure that it would be perfect for some super soft scarfs I had for some of my friends.</div><div>When I opened the lemon package it wreaked of rotting citrus ....so I tossed it. The cinnamon package was shall we say full bodied.....overpowering. Gummie and I started sneezing and Lucy barked and Zeke jumped off the bed and went downstairs. So I tossed it. I was almost afraid to open the peppermint package.....but it turned out to be really, really pleasing. I guess Gummie thought it was candy because he was all over it and Lucy started pawing at it. It was a hit and even after I was done Lucy and Gummie were still "interested"............too interested. I put the wrapped packages in a shopping bag .....ready to be delivered this weekend.</div><div>It was late, I was tired and we called it a night.</div><div>I woke up to sounds of Christmas morning when paper is ripped off packages with gusto and there's little concern for where it lands. Brogie was still asleep but the other three were deep into the excitement of Christmas. I saved the scarves but the shopping bag and the boxes and wrapping paper and especially the tissue paper were in shreds.</div><div>I was REALLY mad at them, at first...........but when I yelled they all did that cavalier thing........laid down and looked up at me with those huge brown eyes. I am such a sucker but scented tissue paper SUCKS.</div><div>e</div><div> </div></div>ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-77535704263814043822011-12-09T09:11:00.002-05:002011-12-09T10:31:20.887-05:00EDIT<div>Thanksgiving is usually my favorite holiday....not so much this year. Too much going on and trouble for some friends and relatives and bad news and on and on. I was happy to say goodbye to November........and hello to "the most wonderful time of the year".</div><div>I was determined to have the Christmas spirit .....no matter how hard I had to work at it. So with the help of four little cavaliers I got all the Christmas decorations spread out on the garage floor and somehow kept Zeke from peeing on them. Brogie made a bed on a pile of artificial holly and poinsettas and slept while Gummie and Lucy helped me test some of the zillion strings of lights. It was obvious that I needed to edit. We filled four big boxes to donate ...........have no idea how I accumulated so much stuff.</div><div>I loaded the car with boxes and dogs and off we went to the thrift store that is run by the local humane society. I'm not sure what the ladies there liked the most .....the Christmas stuff or the dogs......it was a toss up. They got the boxes AND the dogs out of the car.............and took ALL inside. I kept one eye on Zeke but he didn't get much of a chance to lift a leg as he was petted constantly. </div><div>The dogs got treats and attention, the ladies got wet kisses and wagging tails, the store got plenty of Christmas merchandise (all sold in less than a week) ..............but I was the big winner........I got a taste of that Christmas spirit that can be so elusive. HO HO HO</div><div>e</div><div> </div>ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-58494458172828252692011-11-11T19:55:00.003-05:002011-11-12T16:00:30.941-05:00JELLY BELLY<div><div><div>A friend asked me to go Christmas shopping with her and for some reason I said yes. I thought we would meander about for awhile...........get some lunch......check out a few stores and maybe have a glass of wine or something and head on home. No No No! She was a lady on a mission and I was along to help schlep the packages. Turns out her family is having their Christmas at Thanksgiving this year and she will be the hostess.........and the amount of work ahead of her in the next two weeks is scary. All of her children and grandchildren will be gathering together for the first time in many years........they live all over the country so this will be a special holiday for all of them.</div><div>I had two small bags in the middle of her many, many, many bags and boxes of Christmas goodies and when I got home I put them on a chair with my pocketbook and jacket and headed upstairs....I was exhausted. The dogs talked me into going back down for one last potty break and I'm thinking that's when they noticed the bags........I was totally unconcerned about them as there was nothing edible in either bag plus I was soooo tired.....besides, I couldn't wait to get a warm bath and wash off the zillions of germs I had picked up pushing shopping carts through every store in the area. Thinking back on it I should have known something was amiss...........Zeke is my baking buddy but he is also my bath buddy and he always visits me as soon as I turn the water off. He prances in, puts his head on the side of the tub, I tell him what a good boy he is, he stretches and goes back in the bedroom........same thing every time......but not this time. </div><div>I got all snug in my bed and was so happy to finally be still.</div><div>Gummie is my little snitch............he whined a time or two and I tried to ignore it............good luck with that. I heard a little crinkling sound and a little something that sounded like bells. Of course I gave up and the search began........Gummie led the way. </div><div>I am the first to admit that I am not very good with discipline...OK, I suck at it but this time I was tired and mad and somebody was going to be in BIG trouble.</div><div>There he was....under the breakfast table with a bag full of Jelly Belly Christmas jelly beans....red, white and green. All wrapped up and tied off with curling ribbon and cute little silver bells. </div><div>I was poised to give him a tongue lashing........ ZEKE......but then he put his head down and rested it on the bag so that all you could see was the curling ribbon and little silver bells and big brown eyes staring up at me.........and I did what I always do.....melted. </div><div>Obviously, I had grabbed the wrong bag when I got out of the car but as far as I could tell there had been no real damage and that should have been the end of it............I reached down and picked up the little bag ........ beans scattered all over the floor. It was chaos as each little cavalier hoovered up as many jelly beans as possible before I could sweep them up. </div><div>They were all so happy ..... somehow that makes me happy too.</div><div>e</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-85890330112453420342011-10-05T10:46:00.009-04:002011-10-10T20:07:04.916-04:00BRAVADO<div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyTWazkLU6w/Tozw61MNYTI/AAAAAAAAADw/D_wcwt8puXE/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660163725199237426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyTWazkLU6w/Tozw61MNYTI/AAAAAAAAADw/D_wcwt8puXE/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div>I have once again fallen in love with a cavalier.......LUCY. Officially, she still belongs to Holly and will go back to Lula early next year to have one more litter.....so I tried, I really tried to just be fond of her and enjoy our time together.....but you know how it is! </div><div>She loves to cuddle and she loves to get all up in your grille and she looks at you with those fantastic eyes and boy oh boy does she pull at your heart.</div><div>She was mostly afraid of the world when she arrived here. Our first walk in the neighborhood terrified her.......and when someone rang the doorbell, oh no. </div><div>Now when I pick up the leashes she runs over and begs to be the first .......but then she likes to be first in everything. Did I mention that Lucy is now a DIVA? She has gone from tail between the legs to "queen of the manor". The boys are sooooo laid back that they allow her to be first in almost everything. She is doing really well meeting new people............still very uneasy with children....but we are working on it.</div><div>Late yesterday afternoon Zeke and I were busy in the kitchen baking a birthday cake for an old friend and Gummie and Lucy started barking at the front door........Lucy has the biggest bark of the bunch........and the biggest bravado to boot....all of that from a little girl that three months ago kept her tail between her legs. I looked out the window ...nothing...went back to the kitchen and Lucy followed me and stood in my way and BARKED and BARKED some more so we went back to the front door...........and it was on.</div><div>I cracked the door open and didn't see anything....but Lucy sure did. She let out a shrill bark/howl that shocked all of us...to the point we all took a step back.......but not Lucy. As soon as I got the door opened she bolted out and charged a fox squirrel who was munching away in the middle of the driveway. Gummie and Brogie were right behind her but Zeke opted to wait for me to lead the way.</div><div>A fox squirrel is not your run of the mill backyard squirrel.....it's about twice as big and has a huge fluffy tail......similar to a fox. Lucy almost got it but it scurried up a big oak tree.......and although Lucy was the instigator she was quickly joined by all the boys. They barked, they jumped up and they circled and I think they had a blast. </div><div>Lucy looks like a sweet, shy little girl and in a way she is...........but you know what, she is the BRAVEST of the bunch. Brogie is a close second with Gummie a distant third....and our little comedian, Zeke, is happy to take the last slot.</div><div>GIRLS RULE!!!!!!</div><div>e </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-64360188164005277942011-09-05T09:24:00.004-04:002011-09-05T12:01:40.957-04:00HEATLucy is in heat(she is not scheduled for breeding until next cycle) and we have never had this experience before. Gummie is oblivious to it but Zeke and Brogie...oh my...happy days are here again!!! Both were neutered two years ago but neither got the memo.<br />Zeke was a stud for only 2 or 3 years .....he was prolific ....guess the ladies couldn't resist his handsomeness(is that a word?) ....whatever, he was eager to PERFORM. Lucy had some thoughts on the subject, however, and they did not include Zeke. He was rebuffed quickly. Zeke is very sensitive and an abrubt rejection like that was evidently more than he could handle....he went upstairs and put his head under the pillows.<br />Lucy could care less.....she only has eyes for Brogie.....12 year old Brogie...stiff, arthritic lovable ole Brogie. He perked up quickly, muscle memory triumphed briefly but only briefly. Lucy presented herself to him repeatedly with no real results. She was all decked out in a state of the art PINK chastity diaper, guaranteed to thwart any unwanted or WANTED intrusions to her litttle self.<br />Brogie sniffed it... and her.... and made the right movements but he's an OLD guy....need I say more.<br />Lucy decided to show him the way to glory.........on his rear at first and when that didn't work .... she mounted on his face. I intervened just to prevent Brogie from suffering any more humiliation.<br />As I understand it, the heat cycle lasts for 3 weeks and we're half way.....Gummie, Zeke, and Lucy will be fine. Jury's still out about Brogie.... and me.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-19245358763825875422011-08-20T09:40:00.006-04:002011-08-20T20:29:26.193-04:00PALS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIcg0EZ5Kr0/TlBQmtdhpsI/AAAAAAAAADY/jM9CqrCC68M/s1600/Gummie%2Band%2BLucy%2B002.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIcg0EZ5Kr0/TlBQmtdhpsI/AAAAAAAAADY/jM9CqrCC68M/s320/Gummie%2Band%2BLucy%2B002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643098959063918274" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNM-eEPTNas/TlBQmYKqx4I/AAAAAAAAADQ/HmJ-V6x7LvM/s1600/Gummie%2Band%2BLucy%2B001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNM-eEPTNas/TlBQmYKqx4I/AAAAAAAAADQ/HmJ-V6x7LvM/s320/Gummie%2Band%2BLucy%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643098953347680130" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1rG6pqtGaw/TlBQmS8YRyI/AAAAAAAAADI/yFadYqjnmV4/s1600/001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 177px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1rG6pqtGaw/TlBQmS8YRyI/AAAAAAAAADI/yFadYqjnmV4/s320/001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643098951945570082" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly_0lmr5PZA/TlBQm0O6uhI/AAAAAAAAADg/UsmzUxRQs7o/s1600/Gummie%2Band%2BLucy%2B004.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly_0lmr5PZA/TlBQm0O6uhI/AAAAAAAAADg/UsmzUxRQs7o/s320/Gummie%2Band%2BLucy%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643098960881695250" border="0" /></a>
<br />Gummie and Lucy are best buddies and are almost always together.....so much so that I can hardly get a picture of one of them alone. If I take all of them out for a walk I have to put the two of them together or Lucy pitches a fit. Their personalities are very different but Lucy adores him and Gummie, well he loves everybody, especially Lucy.
<br />Lucy is wary of new people and dogs and I'm hoping Gummie will help her get over it. Her hair is starting to grow and she is looking more beautiful every day. We all love her....EXCEPT....Kissie. The boys all learned early on to pay homage to the queen of the manor but Lucy, not so much. Kissie will eventually win..........she always wins.
<br />One day last week, she smacked Lucy and chased her up the stairs(Lucy barks right in her face)..... Gummie came running to her the second he heard her yelp....and then today Gummie got his paw stuck in some netting and started whining when he couldn't get it out .........Lucy ran over to him and licked his face.
<br />I'm thinking they are BFF's..... we should all be so lucky!
<br />e
<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-39160941231496601062011-08-15T20:07:00.004-04:002011-08-15T22:12:29.665-04:00DAY OFF<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9W6vTNzks3E/TknOc_FksyI/AAAAAAAAADA/WkRltD1XxdY/s1600/004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9W6vTNzks3E/TknOc_FksyI/AAAAAAAAADA/WkRltD1XxdY/s320/004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641267005624726306" border="0" /></a>
<br />This morning Brogie didn't come down for his breakfast, but he has done that before ...nothing to worry about. I pretty much let him determine his own schedule...I think he's earned that. I had a meeting to go to and didn't get back until the middle of the afternoon.
<br />My good friend drove up right behind me .........she had a calico kitten she had just adopted. We went inside and we all ooohed and ahhhed at how cute the kitten was. Gummie was in love with it. They left and I realized Brogie was not there......went upstairs and found him on his pad next to the bed......I couldn't wake him up...... but I was sure he was still breathing though it was very slow. I tried not to get upset but I guess I was thinking maybe it was his time.....and aIl of a sudden I started to cry.......I am not a crier.......never have been, but looking at that sweet boy and thinking maybe this was the end broke my heart. I sat down on the floor next to him and was immediately surrounded by Zeke, Gummie and Lucy......they were soooo sweet and I thought maybe I'd take him over to the vet so I got up and Lucy let out a big bark. It startled me................AND Brogie. He opened his eyes, stood up and started wagging. He was happy and alert...and wanting some attention. Maybe he just decided to take the day off.
<br />We all went downstairs and he went outside to take care of business.......then back in for some rubbing and some lunch. I don't know why I was so emotional.....but I was, and I felt a little silly about it.
<br /> They just get into your heart......... and that's that.
<br />e
<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-78654724210444602032011-08-12T10:16:00.005-04:002011-08-12T11:45:43.729-04:00RATS- PART TWOMy friend "d" sent this update on THE RAT PACK.
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<br />So, after the last rat story, the numbers have increased substantially. We had to go to extremes to remedy the problem. The rat poison is working. We placed the pellets in the front yard far away from inquisitive canines. They are dropping like flies (the rats of course) which is a good thing for health and safety reasons, but why they have to die in our backyard is beyond me. I am not talking about cute little pet rat types. Theses are Tree Rats the size of a small cat with verrrrry long tails and small beady eyes. I am thinking it must be some sort of karmic punishment for taking a life. Consistent with the lack of bravery Cooper, Savannah, and Jackson have shown, little Ollie is the first one in the bushes hunting the fresh kill. At least he has refrained from prancing around with them in his mouth and just sounds the barking alert. Well, last week, I was getting ready for work. I was just finishing up my shower when I heard Ollie frenetically barking in the bedroom. That is not so unusual as he is typically very playful at that time of day and egging Savannah on with some sort of game. So I poked my head out to see why he was escalating. Then I saw Ollie on his haunches with his butt high in the air, nose to the ground. Jackson, Savannah, and Cooper, who never climbs the stairs with his bad hips, were there too just starring under the bed. I took a closer look....mind you it is dark under the bed at 6:30 AM. I saw one of their toys and went to pick it up to stop all the commotion. It was wet and slimy. I drew my hand back quickly and took a closer look. IT WAS NOT A TOY!!!!! It was a very dead rat. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And, I touched it, ewwwe.</span> I let out a blood curdling scream, cause I hate rats. Bruce came running up the stairs thinking the worst. Of course he disposed of the thing immediately chuckling quietly as he excited the room. I failed to see any humor in it all. It has been a week now, and I have not let Ollie lick me on the face even once. I now associate his sloppy puppy kisses with rodent slime. I have been truly traumatized. Hmmm, I wonder if that equates to a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Early retirement perhaps, or better yet a few weeks' vacation in an all inclusive Cancun resort I'm sure would do the trick. I might even consider a wet kiss on the face from our rogue Cavalier.
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-34617564090900360152011-08-10T09:39:00.004-04:002011-08-11T23:31:05.800-04:00NEEDYWhen I was a little girl I was in love with a real "dreamboat" .......Ricky Nelson. He was on a TV show and had a band. Later on he had a song that was semi popular ........GARDEN PARTY. I always liked that song and recently I lived it.
<br />A friend invited me to be her escort to a party she was attending. I was hesitant .......come on it's summer....a garden party? The heat and humidity here are unbearable during the afternoon and there I was at 4pm walking into a garden full of people. It was a sea of pastel linen draped over sweating bodies....... ambling around gorgeous foliage that was besieged with butterflies and bumble bees. It was magnificent .....but the sweat was running down my face and pooling in my bra.....miserable!!
<br />Mercifully, we were guided to a path that led to a huge tent on the other side of the house. It was air conditioned!!!! They had those portable air conditioners and the inside was beautifully decorated and as cool as my house. I was a happy camper.
<br />Our hostess greeted us warmly and my friend told her that I was a dog lover too.......and that I was the one who had four dogs. That was it.....I was in. We left her guests to go into her house to meet her dogs.
<br />They were tall, thin, angular creatures.....Russian something or others.......and she spent more time telling us about the breed than anything about her dogs. It was ......it was boring. The dogs were well behaved......they really didn't move............just stared at us....creepy. For twenty minutes she gave us the 411 about the breed......at the ten minute mark I was zoned out. I started looking back at Czar, Czar II, Alexandria, and Romanoff. They were undeniably beautiful dogs.............totally well behaved............and yet, oddly, I felt sorry for them.
<br />As we were walking back to the tent, she asked me what kind of dogs I had and when I told her she said..........they're nice dogs. I think if she had left it at that I would have kept my thoughts to myself.............but she immediately followed with.............but they're so needy!
<br />I was almost whispering so she leaned in to hear me say..........I think maybe I'M the needy one. Every day I need to look into those big brown eyes.........I need to scratch behind those long floppy ears.......I need to feel those wagging tails hitting my leg .......I need the feeling I get when they come running when I call them.
<br />We walked the rest of the way in silence but we all enjoyed the party.......and on the ride home I thought about handsome Ricky Nelson and his garden party song........you can't please everyone so you need to please yourself ........I think the " dreamboat" was right.
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-91271327644501565262011-08-06T19:19:00.003-04:002011-08-07T00:04:50.998-04:00PASSAGEThe first house that we built was on a dead end street that was not paved......it was on the intracoastal waterway and had not been discovered by tourists yet. It was a great little neighborhood and our neighbors had children just about the same ages. The children freely roamed from one house to the next.......somehow they more often than not ended up at our house. It was loud, frenzied, irritating, and .......wonderful.<br />Daughter Leslie was the youngest..........she will be 27 in a few weeks. Next door neighbor, Jay, celebrated his 30th birthday last month............and today, I went to his funeral...........and afterwards we all got on a boat and went out on the sound where his mama gently floated a wreath of magnolia leaves that cradled his ashes. We watched it float........and then it slowly sank and his ashes scattered across the surface just before the water engulfed them.....and it was done.<br />On the way back we were serenaded by a string quartet..........we laughed, we cried, we hugged and we cried some more. We sang some favorite songs and we celebrated while we mourned.<br />When I got home I was emotionally and physically whupped.....yep, I was whupped!!!!!!<br /> I opened the door and a flood of cavaliers swooshed by me. I wanted to nap and they wanted to play.......guess who won. They were soooo happy to see me...how lucky am I to be greeted like that EVERY TIME. I played ball with Gummie and Lucy and rubbed Zeke and Brogie and they were all very happy......<br />I wanted to be happy too.........but I think I'll have to save that for another day.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-3504069887629715472011-07-17T09:27:00.004-04:002011-07-17T12:33:42.037-04:00PERSONALITY PLUSIn one corner of our back yard we have a feeding station.............birds, squirrels, and who knows what else frequent the various feeders daily. I have been watching a cardinal family that has 4 juveniles. They are almost as big as the Mama n Papa but their color is not as bright and their little beaks have not turned orange yet.<br />Mama and Papa are fantastic parents.....they herd them over to one area and bring each one seed after seed.....then they herd them onto the feeders and show them how to pick out the right ones.<br />Lucy meandered over there and I was expecting one of the parents to swoop down on her at any moment......they didn't get a chance........as Lucy passed by some ferns, Kissie popped out and tapped her butt.<br />I was watching this from the kitchen and within 30 seconds I saw the unique personality of each pet.<br />Lucy jumped into the air, turning at the same time so as to come down facing Kissie.......and barking all the while. I know it scared her but she stood her ground and barked and barked some more.<br />Zeke was the first to react.....he dashed back into the house and hid under a chair. (He stayed under there for 30 minutes.)<br />Gummie ran as fast as he could and stood by Lucy's side. I know he was VERY nervous because his tail was in the familiar circular pattern.......but nervous or not, he stood beside her. (He has lived with Kissie since he was 10 weeks old ......so there was no barking at Kissie from him.)<br />I've always said Brogie is the bravest......since his sight and hearing are diminished his reaction is slower.........but it is always bolder. He charged over there barking his faint, little bark and got in between Kissie and Lucy.<br />Kissie stood up and s l o w l y ambled over toward the woods. She has their number.<br />A few hours later, all 5 of them were on the bed, TOGETHER.......sound asleep.<br />Living in the moment!!!<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-59008832596749330312011-07-15T09:35:00.005-04:002011-07-15T15:33:53.171-04:00PLAY BALLBrogie and Zeke don't play with toys or balls ..............it's not their jam. Gummie, however, loves all things " play". He has a squirrel and a raccoon that he brings to me regularly and he will fetch them as many times as I am willing to toss 'em. Balls are even better.<br />At first Lucy sat in my lap and watched Gummie scurry about shaking his raccoon.....she was calm and content........but VERY interested.<br /> I got some smaller than usual tennis balls, threw one across the great room knowing Gummie would be all over it, and he was..................... but he wasn't alone.<br />Lucy is agile, quick and enthusiastic...ok, maybe a little too enthusiastic. She is a sweet, loving, absolutely adorable little girl and I love her......you would think she might be a GENTLE player........no way. When it comes to playing ball, she is SERIOUS. (Goes to show you how clueless I am). She even growled at Gummie ......... he is sooo mellow... he stopped in his tracks and looked at me. It was obvious from then on that I have to throw two balls at the same time if Gum is to ever have a chance at another tennis ball.<br />Double the fun.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-33448171385526331802011-07-11T17:32:00.004-04:002011-07-12T20:09:45.700-04:00PLAYERSOur cat, Kissie, is a hunter. She is mostly an indoor cat but she spends some time each day laying in wait for ......for whatever comes her way. She doesn't go out searching for prey....way too lazy for that......no she sits and waits and something always appears. I've decided that in her mind if anything is crazy enough to get close then it is fair game.....birds, lizards, moths, moles, crickets ....you know, defenseless little creatures!!!<br />A few days ago she went out before dawn and just before noon I went to the back door as I knew she would be wanting to come inside during the heat of the day.<br />Lucy and Gummie charged out the door headed straight for her..........I knew something was up as nobody, I mean NOBODY in this family charges Kissie. Brogie was napping and Zeke stood on the patio barking. Gummie's tail was at warp speed and he started circling the cat. Lucy got about 3 feet from Kissie, raised a front leg and stood still...........if her tail had been straight out she would have looked like a bird dog on point.<br />I'm not sure if Kissie had the snake or the snake had Kissie........it was a standoff, I think. It was a little garden snake and Kissie slapped it repeatedly, when it tried to slither away she grabbed it by the tail and threw it back on the grass, and the snake curled around one of her paws sending her leaping four feet in the air. When she hit the ground the snake was hightailing it to the woods behind our house.<br />Kissie sauntered over to the patio as if nothing had happened and rubbed her face on Zeke............they went inside.........but Lucy and Gummie were still on the scene. They stood side by side looking towards the woods, barking.........then they sat down and barked. Neither one of them ever took one step in that direction.<br />So I walked over to them ........they stood up and started barking all over again. I just know they were trying to tell me all about it. All the commotion woke Brogie up and he joined us in the back yard.........then Zeke............at that point it occurred to me that the dogs and I were all huddled up on the playing field but the two players were gone............Kissie, to air conditioned comfort and the snake to his hole in the woods. Game over.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-29247876515949118882011-06-28T08:28:00.004-04:002011-06-28T16:29:26.930-04:00A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDSOn the very first day Lucy was with us..... we had a moment.........it's probably the reason she and Gummie are such good pals.<br />We all went upstairs..........except Lucy, who was stuck at the bottom, shaking. I don't think she had ever seen stairs before and it was too intimidating for her. Daughter,Leslie, picked her up and carried her........... and we all had some lovey dovey time.<br />Thinking she would be ok going back down we all headed to the kitchen...... noticed Lucy was missing. She was at the top of the stair........nervous but not shaking.....I tried to talk her through it, but nothing was working. Gummie came bounding up with his exuberant little self.......and I guess he knew just what to do.<br />He went up to her and they touched noses....then he went down one step, .....turned back to look at her and waited.............she slowly came down one step. He touched her nose again and went down 3 or 4 steps, turned, looked at her and waited. She crept down to him ever so cautiously and then they both started wagging.... big time. It was a piece of cake after that.....and these days she is the quickest up and down.<br />Good times.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-53766988545847491842011-06-25T21:49:00.004-04:002011-06-26T11:23:56.657-04:00TENNIS, ANYONE?Lucy is adjusting to life in a home......doesn't sound too hard but think about it ......she has lived her 3 years in a kennel. Guess what she has had the hardest time with..........TV. At first she barked at anything ................then narrowed it to animals and/or people that moved, but after a few days it mostly went away..................yesterday there was no barking at all.<br />Sometimes when I go downstairs and know I'll only be down there a few minutes I close the boys (and girl) in my bedroom....mainly so that Brogie won't make a useless trip..... they all follow me wherever I go.........and a 12 year old cavalier doesn't need to make 20 trips a day up and down the stairs. So that's what I did this afternoon.<br />I was probably down there 15 minutes when I heard Lucy and Gummie raising the roof. I found them at the foot of the bed.....eyes glued to the TV...Wimbledon ...ladies tennis match with Serena Williams and somebody. Both ladies GRUNT when they hit the ball........both dogs BARK every time the ladies GRUNT. When the ladies went to their chairs between games..........the dogs laid back down...but as soon as they heard the next grunt they jumped up ......and got right back into the match.<br />I started to change the channel but decided to let them work this out.......and thankfully, it was near the end of the match, because they did NOT give it up.<br />Tennis? Who knew!<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-48025734735370558722011-06-20T09:58:00.015-04:002011-06-23T14:11:24.978-04:00TRUCKLOAD OF CUTE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USRcibnN3SE/TgN_jfcv-gI/AAAAAAAAACw/ljkGDeO42ls/s1600/017.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USRcibnN3SE/TgN_jfcv-gI/AAAAAAAAACw/ljkGDeO42ls/s320/017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621477007602743810" border="0" /></a><br />Sunday morning a big, shiny black truck(one of those with a big backseat and all the goodies of a luxury car) pulled into my front yard. At the wheel, Steve Crumley, and in the passenger seat, Holly Crumley.....and although they are an attractive duo...........it was their cargo that made this a truckload of CUTENESS.<br />I have never met any of their three sons........but at least one of them must be a handsome dude. Three year old Bailey Crumley and two year old Jackson Crumley were in the backseat in their car seats.......they were at the end of a very long trip and yet...... soooo sweet and happy. Jackson has blond hair and a smile that he flashes at will......it melts your heart. Bailey has that same blond hair and is a talker........love it.......she showed me her freshly painted finger nails AND toe nails.......and said she was ready to go to the beach because she had been in the truck FOREVER.<br />As if that is not enough cuteness.......there was another passenger........who had, in fact, ridden all the way in Holly's lap.<br />LUCY is a three year old blenheim who just finished nursing her puppies...........she is a daughter of our beloved BROGIE...............and we are her new foster parents. She pushed the cuteness gauge into redline territory.<br />Her coat is blown and she's hanging pretty low..........but when you look at her little face......OMG.<br />She even has freckles on her face just like Brogie. I was immediately smitten (I love that word, my mama used to use it all the time).<br />We have had three days with her.............so far her favorite is Gummie. Although she is the smallest, I have the feeling she may end up ruling the roost. Only time will tell.....and I plan to enjoy all the time we have with Miss Lucy.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-52343829289207994542011-06-17T10:52:00.003-04:002011-06-17T12:01:27.345-04:00SPUNKYI went out to get the paper early this morning with Gummie leading the way. It was almost dawn but still pretty dark and when I got to the end of the driveway.......all of a sudden ......barking, growling, and all kinds of commotion coming from across the street. Gummie wanted to zip over there but I said no and we started back up the driveway.<br />Out of the dark a white fluff ball darted in front of us, trailing a lead line and barking like we were mass killers trying to attack his home. Gummie's tail went into propeller mode and I just watched all the fluffiness running circles around us.<br />In no time I heard shuffling footsteps coming up the drive......the proverbial "little ole lady" said....I don't think he'll hurt you. I said good morning and we had a nice little chitchat.....both dogs sniffed each other and played chase for awhile.<br />She was visiting her grandson who lives down the street and had arrived last night so this was only SPUNKY'S second walk in the neighborhood and he was a bit nervous, she said. She was such a nice lady and I enjoyed our talk........... it made me think a bit.<br />Her grandson is at least 50 years old so she is probably in her nineties. She told me she walks SPUNKY 3 or 4 times every day and he is her buddy.<br />If I am lucky enough to live into my nineties please let me be ambulatory.................. and please let me have a little buddy to walk.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-44222939279329146772011-06-16T20:01:00.003-04:002011-06-16T21:10:18.494-04:00OLLIEI have a new email friend, "d", who lives out on the west coast and has four beautiful cavaliers, one of each color. How cool is that! She sent me a great little story recently that I would like to share ........hope you enjoy it as much as I did.<br />e<br /><br /><br />An interesting story today. We live in a canyon area surrounded by unpopulated hillsides in the northern part of Los Angeles County. Up until this year there were very few wild furry creatures around. There was, however, a large population of coyotes that roamed the area in packs keeping rodents and the like at bay. We could hear howling at night and often saw them roaming the streets just before dawn. With the ever increasing housing developments sprouting up, those coyotes have completely disappeared. Now we have an invasion of jack rabbits, tree rats, raccoons, and opossums. All four Cavs seem quite brave with their barking and noses to the ground, but once confronted with creatures face to face they run for their lives. Jackson and Cooper bark from the door, Savannah will venture out to the yard gates, but little Ollie (Holly's black and tan) takes off for the far reaches of our yard and flushes out four footed invaders. This morning there was more noise than usual. I was at work, but my husband had to call me and recount the story. Ollie cornered the granddaddy of rats. He had it in his mouth shaking it wildly and was headed for the house when Bruce said "leave it". Being the well trained pup he is, he dropped it at Bruce's feet. It didn't move. Bruce touched it with his foot. Since it didn't move and thinking it was dead he picked it up by the 3 foot tail. Suddenly it started twitching and jerking all over the place. It was playing dead, we think. Anyway, Ollie was so proud of himself prancing around. Bruce took it to the trash can with all four dogs now trailing in a single line toward the trash cans feeling brave and adventurous now that the invader was corralled. I guess it is still in that trash can. I am afraid to look!! The exterminator comes tomorrow to do the dirty work. YUCH!!! So much for city life. I think it will be awhile before I let Ollie lick me on the face. Yeah, maybe five more minutes.<br />dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-34322216342684418472011-06-14T20:03:00.008-04:002011-06-15T20:03:26.612-04:00TRAINABLE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bsrj0B--5RE/TflGgi44HPI/AAAAAAAAACQ/9e1hTrI_lDo/s1600/006.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bsrj0B--5RE/TflGgi44HPI/AAAAAAAAACQ/9e1hTrI_lDo/s320/006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618599535056526578" border="0" /></a><br />When Gummie wants something from me he talks....absolutely talks.........granted, his language is a series of grunts, groans, and whines (can whine be a noun?), but he communicates and has trained me well. Now I pretty much know what he wants by the sound he's making.<br />Brogie takes a different tack......he either barks at me or puts his paws on me ......and I have to guess, but with him it's usually potty time or lovey dovey time. Doesn't take a brainiac to figure him out.<br />Zeke is the laid back type......he only gets excited about a few things.............food, car rides, and chasing things that have a heartbeat. He is a patient little guy and only occasionally needs to get my attention...........he just growls and wags his tail, and that usually means he's got to go. About a month ago he started a new thing to get my attention and it's only when I'm sitting on the patio. He'll growl and wag and then sit in front of me.......and stare at me. After a few minutes he'll stand up, growl, wag, and stare at me. He has big eyes and he STARES for what seems like a long time...then he'll repeat the sequence. We're outside so he's free to go poop or pee..........the patio door is open part way so he is free to go inside and if he wants attention he just rubs on my legs .........................so it was a mystery to me as to what he wanted.<br />I guess I'm a little s l o w .............but I've never had a dog stare at me for that long. He was probably thinking he'd never be able to train me.....but you know what ........I AM TRAINABLE.<br />Come to find out he wanted to go inside...........but he wanted me to go with him!!!<br />He does it every day and even though I don't always go in when he wants me to, at least I know what he wants. Before you know it I will be under voice command and able to go outside without my leash on......just like Gummie.<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-48845148065771291862011-06-08T19:17:00.004-04:002011-06-08T19:26:06.624-04:00CLOSE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9tI3EHRrYQ/TfAEwgaiNaI/AAAAAAAAACI/Z9DI3jSl2rE/s1600/003.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9tI3EHRrYQ/TfAEwgaiNaI/AAAAAAAAACI/Z9DI3jSl2rE/s320/003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615993966712468898" border="0" /></a><br />I love soo many things about the boys and I'm including a picture of one of them........I bought three wonderful and expensive doggie beds........they deserve it. You would think they would love that...............nope, they would rather be scrunched up and uncomfortable as long as they are together. I mean how can you not love it!!!<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-4807910324958223282011-05-31T22:46:00.005-04:002011-05-31T23:31:07.015-04:00PIXI've had some folks wanting me to post some pictures of the boys and even though I am a terrible photographer (took these with my cell phone) they still look beautiful to me.<br />They are the sweetest little guys and I don't know how I managed without them.<br />e<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LhmXr27uNE/TeWp1GMvWeI/AAAAAAAAABs/F9gTFu-Td1c/s1600/Emma%2Bpups%2B004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LhmXr27uNE/TeWp1GMvWeI/AAAAAAAAABs/F9gTFu-Td1c/s320/Emma%2Bpups%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613079240249399778" border="0" /></a> <br /> MONTGOMERY CARSON "GUMMIE"<br /> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkjgWi0NYYM/TeWpL4u9rtI/AAAAAAAAABk/lLkpuZzncfg/s1600/005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkjgWi0NYYM/TeWpL4u9rtI/AAAAAAAAABk/lLkpuZzncfg/s320/005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613078532260212434" border="0" /></a> ZEKE CARSON<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yno4kC1EavA/TeWoj_XjS3I/AAAAAAAAABc/MZzthmHuqBI/s1600/003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yno4kC1EavA/TeWoj_XjS3I/AAAAAAAAABc/MZzthmHuqBI/s320/003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613077846846294898" border="0" /></a> BROUGHAN CARSON "BROGIE"ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382890726670895841.post-38484816307018056282011-05-21T09:00:00.007-04:002011-05-31T23:51:14.659-04:00LILY PADS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkDzXB3UwAg/TeW3DL6zONI/AAAAAAAAAB0/9939bK-6Dzs/s1600/040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkDzXB3UwAg/TeW3DL6zONI/AAAAAAAAAB0/9939bK-6Dzs/s320/040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613093775954098386" border="0" /></a><br />Last fall I borrowed a few water lilies ............OK, I stole a few water lilies from a lagoon here in town. I rationalized my plundering as being helpful to the town because the water lilies were smothering the pond and needed to be thinned out..........geez I can put a spin on anything, even larceny.<br />I cut all the foliage off, placed the root balls in fabric baskets, and sunk them to the bottom of my patio pond...........where they quietly enjoyed a winter hiatus.<br />This Spring we had an explosion of lily pads and beautiful , dazzling white water lilies and they have almost smothered the surface of my little pond!<br />When I first started the pond Zeke got upset about everything I put in there but after a few weeks he got over it ...........Gummie and Brogie never cared one way or the other..........but when the actual water surface began to shrink Gummie had issues.<br />There is a water bowl for the boys downstairs and one upstairs and Brogie and Zeke use them...........not Gummie. For some unknown reason, he only drinks from the pond. We had a really big pond at our last house and he drank from that one too.<br />I noticed that it was getting hard for him to find a spot to have a drink and the other day it all came to a head. I think what happened is that he put his paw on one of the lily pads to move it out of the way and when he actually stepped on it he lost his balance and fell in............it was so funny. I guess he didn't see it that way because his eyes got big and desperate........... he looked like he had been thrown off a pier. I jumped up and helped him scramble out of the pond..... he shook off and we went on with things.<br />I have started thinning out the lily pads every week or so and Gummie continues to use the pond as a water fountain.<br />I mean, really, what do you expect when you live at the zoo!!!<br />eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804371573436359613noreply@blogger.com0