Angel Jake at the RBC (Rainbow Broadcasting Corporation)

Angel Jake at the RBC (Rainbow Broadcasting Corporation)

Friday, July 31, 2009

But Do They Know What We're Thinking?????

"On the old Internet, nobody knew you were a dog. On the new targeted Internet, they now know what kind of dog you are, your favorite leash color, the last time you had fleas and the date you were neutered."

NYT, July 30, 2009

Mom's update: Since some of Jake's pals have wondered what the point was, I guess we didn't make it clear what this quote was all about. It was taken from an article about the cookies on the Internet that tell businesses more than we can imagine -- or might find desirable -- about our buying practices. So it's all about privacy. Remember that cartoon showing a dog at the computer saying, "On the Internet, no one knows you're a dog." Well, now they do!!

Friday, July 24, 2009

A Tale of Two Tails

Uh oh, what does she want now???
It seems that she feels obligated to report a very private conversation that took place between my Dogdad and me the last time we had a grooming session. I revealed to him -- and him alone -- that I was tired of having a stubby tail -- as compared with my brother's very prominent one. I was tired of hearing her say, when folks commented how much Just Harry and I look alike, that, oh no, Jake has a short tail and JH has a much longer tail. I can live with her description of how our ears differ, but the tail thing is too much already!!
Hearing my frustration, Dogdad said, OK, Jakey, I'll see what we can do. So, as you can see below -- thanks to my Dogdad's magical powers (one of the reasons I love him so much) my tail is actually growing!!!
Exhibit A (before):
Exhibit B (now): And just this morning, when Mom was tracking me with what Khyra calls the "flashie beast," I was able to (almost) tuck it between my legs the way Just Harry does whenever he hears a thunder boomer or a fireworks explosion.

So, as long as Mom has revealed my secret talk with Dogdad, just you wait!!! This tale of two tails is not over.

Jake of Florida

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

We are tres tres en retard for what we, as dogperes (godfathers) of zee twin bebes a roulettes, Romy and Bertie, promised for their christening last week. Zat was a toast. Toast? we demand of ourselves. Pourquoi "toast"? We ask our look-alikes sans roulettes. Jake and Just Harry, who tell us zat "toast" in zis case means a small speech welcoming zee newborns into zee world. So zat is what we 'ave prepared. You will find eet below -- and we suggest zat you "beeggeefy" eet so zat eet ees more able to be read.



And eef Ms. Laciegirl 'appens to read zees, we 'ope she weel send us more of zee "straws."
Bisous a tout le monde!!!
JM et JHC
Photos de Asta

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Happy Barkday (!) to our Dogdad

Tomorrow is our Dogdad's barkday!!! Sadly though, he will be in Alabama most of the day for project meetings so, even if we bark and bark as loud as we can (which we have been doing much of the time since he left yesterday morning -- to Mom's great "delight"), he may not hear us.

Last year was a milestone barkday. We had a big "real" party with lots of friends and family.

But this year -- what to do?

Mom had the first idea. She "invested" in the season Major League Baseball package so he (and we) could watch our Cardinals play almost all of their games. Which we have!!!

But then, we had another idea. What would Dogdad like more than anything we wondered? We looked at each other. Then we looked at Mom. She got it immediately and said, "You're right!! What clever boys!"

And that's how what you see below happened.



Yep! It's a painting of the two of us by none other than the amazingly creative Ms. Asta's mommi!!!! She painted us as a surprise for Dogdad last month and we actually managed to keep it as a surprise until this past Saturday afternoon.

That's when Mom said to Dogdad. "OK, I can't wait any longer. The Boyz got you a very special birthday present. It's hidden somewhere in this house. If you find it and realize it's for you -- then it's yours."

So the four of us embarked (no pun) on a scavenger hunt. First downstairs. No place to hide unless you count the back of the refrigerator or underneath Mom's desk or behind the bookcases. (He looked in all those places.) Then we went upstairs. Bedroom? Under the bed? Bedroom closet? Back bedroom? Back bedroom closet? Guest room? Guest room closet? Aha!! What's this?????

And yes, he absolutely loves it -- and so do we -- tail wags and scritches all around.

The only dilemma? Where shall we hang it?

That will wait until he comes home late tomorrow.

So Happy Barkday Dad. We love you!!! We love running together on the golf course and tying you up in our leashes!! We love hearing you shout LEAVE IT!! when we bark at a car door outside at 5:30 am! We love riding in the car with you! We love your sneaking us treats when Mom says no! We love all of us sitting on the couch and watching the baseball games! And we even love (don't tell) sitting on your lap and getting plucked! (Hah!)

And thank you, thank you, thank you Aunt Ami!! (and Asta and her daddi as well who packed it for shipping and had close up and personal conversations with UPS when they seemed to have forgotten where we live!!)

Wirey love,

Jake and Just Harry

Monday, July 20, 2009

Here's to the Ladies in Our Lives

We lingered a bit in Scotland after the wedding to watch the final round of the amazing British Open -- and we were rooting for Mr. Watson (I guess that's 'cause our folks are kind of ancient too) -- but it was not to be.
On the way home, we pulled out the album of photos Petey shared with us from the wedding and decided we wanted to give a tip o' our tam o' shanters to the lovely ladies who graced our paws during the wedding.
(FYI, to quote Wikipedia, A tam o'shanter is a Scottish bonnet worn by men which was named after the character Tam o' Shanter in the poem of that name by Robert Burns. The bonnet is made of wool with a toorie (pompon) in the centre, and the crown is about twice the diameter of the head. Originally they were only made in blue because of the lack of chemical dyes, and were called "blue bonnets". They are now available in plain colors or in different tartans.)
First, here's the glamorous Ms. Essex of the Key West Collies. Quite the self-confident lass, never once did she question Just Harry's friendship with the once Just Martha. (Our Mom especially admired Essex' aplomb.) The lovely Ms. Snickers, with our handsome pal Gussie, was stunning too.
And second, here's my lovely Gabbi of the Dughallmor Beagles, elegant at the reception and even more bedazzling in her tartan wedding attire.

And, yeah, I know this is a cheer to the ladies -- but my secretary had to point out that I too looked quite grand as I stood with my new buddy from Scotland, Hamish the Westie.
The bride and groom and all the wedding guests were amazing in all their fnery (check them out at Petey's Playhouse if you haven't already), and we are giving great growls of gratitude to Petey and Eric and Asta for all they did to make this a breath-taking moment in our already incredible jet set lives!!!

WOOF WOOF WOORAY!!!
WOOF WOOF WOORAY!!!
WOOF WOOF WOORAY!!!
____________________
But wait, Just Harry says he wants to include a tribute to Auntie Martha, who, in her brief foray into modeling, gave his life a new dimension. We know the two Basset sisters are off on vacation -- but he wants them both to know how happy he is to see them reconciled.
Jake (Back in Sunny/Rainy Florida, Newly Recollared, and Just Plain Tuckered Out!!)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Whew!! Just in Time...

I kept telling Mom that I might have trouble getting through Customs in Scotland or worse, coming home from the wedding -- so I REALLY needed a new ID tag. Thank doG, she and Dogdad scurried to the store to get me one -- and now I feel a lot better.

The collar is a bit fancy -- but she said that now that I have a girlfriend, I need to be more in touch with my sensitive side.

We opened a bottle of wine to celebrate. It's not quite like single malt -- but it will do in a pinch! She also mailed the request to our County Animal Care and Regulation Division for my new registration tag. But I don't think US Customs cares abut that.

To his credit, Just Harry said he wouldn't go to Scotland either, if I couldn't. He put his paw down on that!! I was touched because I knew how much he wanted to be with Ms. Essex and also have a few minutes to reminisce with Martha. (And don't tell, but he was panting to get back into his kilt!!!)

But now it's all worked out. I am so stoked that I will be by Petey's side at the wedding and will be able to see my love, the sweet Gabbi, as well as all my friends.

So the ceremonies are about to happen, according to the handsome groom, Petey, and if you haven't visited his blog, well it's time you do so!!!

Jake

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Has Anybody Seen My Collar???

I think I'm in BIG trouble. Last night, when Mom went to undress me, she looked at my neck and then asked, "Jakey, where's your collar?"

"Gee, Mom, I don't know. Didn't you put it on me this morning like every morning?"

" Yes, of course I did. But it's not there now."

At first, we thought I may have lost it when Dogdad took me out for our bedtime run. But this morning, he retraced our steps and it was nowhere to be seen. And it's nowhere to be found in the house.

Even worse, not only is my favorite Cardinals collar missing. but now I'm also illegal because my registration tag was on it. You'd think, if someone in the neighborhood saw the collar, they'd read the information on my ID tag and call us or drop it off -- but that hasn't happened

So could it be that this famous photo at the stag party Eric threw for Petey over the weekend is the last I will ever see of my Cardinals collar?

Well, as Mom says, trying to put a positive spin on it, "Jakey, at least I have you and not an empty collar with no dog inside."

DoG forbid!!!

Jake of Florida, Now suffering from a huge identify crisis.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

For Baseball Fans Only

Please accept our apologies if this post has a limited appeal. But last night there was just one place to be if you're from St. Louis and a baseball fan -- and that was right in front of the TV watching the All Stars Game. (Unless of course you were actually in Busch Stadium!!)
Cardinals greats -- Stan Musial, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock, and others -- were featured in the pre-game show.
And the President, who threw out the first ball, was there to greet all the current players and those baseball greats.
It didn't hurt our fun either that the President threw the first pitch to
our hero -- "The Great Albert," aka Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.
Later, when the President spent some time in the TV booth with Joe Buck, son of the long-time "voice of the Cardinals," Jack Buck, we captured five minutes of their conversation while the game was going on (it took forever to upload, so we had to toditch it for the moment). President Obama seemed to be having such a good time, and sounded so relaxed and real -- we enjoyed every minute!
And we captured a shorter interview with Albert too. He, like most of the top hitters on the National League, didn't do much hitting last night -- but we love to watch him nevertheless.
Not only is St. Louis our Dogdad's hometown, but, remember, we spent this past Christmas there with him and Mom -- so we too enjoyed every moment of the game -- except for the losing part...
Hope no dog minded this non-canine interlude.
Jake and Just Harry

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

It's Not Wheelie Wednesday

But it is Le Quatorze Juillet!!! Happy Bastille Day, Chers Amis!!!

Jacques Maigret et Justin Herkimer Clouseau
Jake and Just Harry's Expatriate Wheelie Look-alikes

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Who's a Doofus? Not Me!!

Just Harry here. Yep, me, the Canine Klein guy!!

Just a few moments ago -- 8:47 pm EST - Dogdad took me and my brother out for our bedtime run. We went to the golf course as we always do -- but we barely had time to do our business, when young idiots from a few houses down set off two firecrackers. They were only about 100 yards -- about a block --away from us and it was scary, scary loud.

I freaked out and jumped so hard that I jerked my leash out of my Dad's hand and ran as fast as I could. Of course Dad was startled. When he realized what had happened, he called me and called me and tried to catch up.

But -- no need to worry -- I ran across the golf course as fast as I could,my leash dangling after me, turned down our street, and ran right into our driveway and sat by the front door.

When Dogdad told Mom what happened, she almost fainted.

But nope, I ain't no doofus. I is truly a smart terrier who knows where home is and where it's safe.

Just Harry

(Mom told me what a good boy I was, and gave me lots and lots of cuddles.)

Friday, July 10, 2009

In Memory of a Special Foxie Girl from Finland


Memorial photo by Jill Murphy, Mom to Linus, an airedale gentleman, Libby Longtail, a young wirey miss, and Dennis, a mature wirey rescue.
One of our sweethearts passed away on July 8. Her name was Tiina and she was a 17-year old adorable wire fox terrier with tulip ears who loved the outdoors and brought joy to Anne, her mom, and to all of us who knew her through our cyberspace connections.
Here's what Anne once wrote about Tiina as she entered her "granny years." "She used to love to swim, spend hours in the lake, and fetch yellow water lily flowers for us. She wanted to play fetch with her ball or other toys so much that it wore everyone else out. No one would throw the ball for her, but being a wire fox terrier she soon learned the trick how the ball would roll into the water on its own.

I wish I had a video camera then to capture her on the rock cliff, egging the ball into the lake.We had to put an end to her games sometimes as she would not stop, but kept on and on. We feared she'd drown herself.

For the first 3 or 4 years she didn't go swimming, just waded in the shallow water, blowing bubbles, as she was puzzled why her paws were under water. Then she tried to find out the secret by sniffing them. Yep she is smart ."

Tiina lived a long, happy life in Finland --and we can just picture her now, across the Rainbow Bridge, renewing friendships with all her wirey pals who preceded her.
Godspeed, sweet girl!! We'll miss hearing about your antics and enjoying our virtual walks with you and your mom through the Finnish countryside .
Jake and Just Harry

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

(Photographic credits: Petey of the West Village)

Monday, July 6, 2009

Breaking News

Well, leave it to Petey -- he uncovered the story that had been hidden for days behind all the Wimbledon excitement. Our Just Harry and Just Martha have suddenly become, to quote Petey, "the darlings of the catwalk!" Knowing how my young brother feels about C.A.T.S, I'm not so sure that's exactly true. But it seems it all began when Miss Martha suddenly revealed a whole new mischievous side to her personality. Remember that photo of Just Harry in his new kilt? Well, guess who helped him pick it out!! That's right, none other than Just Martha.

While they were discussing the proper fit for Just Harry's kilt, they were discovered by scouts for a Scottish modeling agency and, before JH could say "But what do I wear under my kilt?", they were signed up for the annual Dressed to Kilt fashion shows in New York and Los Angeles! And so while folks were combing those bonnie banks and braes in Scotland, our missing pair were actually back here on this side of the Big Pee.
Petey tells us that Just Harry and Just Martha are to be featured on the cover of the next edition of Dogue and D magazine. So who knows what to expect next!
Now I know you're all wondering what this means. So far, according to Petey, Just Martha and Just Harry's relationship has been Just Professional. If I can interject a bit of real life experience, it seems that my very own Mom and Dogdad had a Just Professional relationship for twelve years, traveling all over Florida on projects and hanging out as good friends before he finally asked her out on a date (and then proposed) (and then married her). So there is precedent for this kind of shall we say, dilly dallying.
But I know you're also asking, what about "the girl (almost) next door," beautiful Essex of the Key West Collies, whom JH took to Myrna and Gilbert's wedding? And does Just Martha have any suitors whose hearts might be broken if the two decided that Just Professional wasn't enough?

I suspect, since we'll all be together again at Petey and Rosie's wedding later this month -- Cupid may have some surprises for us.

In the meantime, I'm happy to report that Just Harry just walked in the door -- pleased as punch with his new found fame. It seems, in addition to the fashion shows, he landed a new contract with Canine Klein.And I've heard that Just Martha is back at home, and has categorically turned down the role of handmaiden to her allegedly royal sister. How will HRH Bailey react?

Others will have to pick up the tale!! I have to go make haggis for my brother...
Jake
(Photographic credits: Petey of the West Village)

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Some of Us Are Home (And Some Are Not)

Preface: All photos in this blog as well as the creative inspiration behind this bittersweet tale belong to our pal Petey to whom we are deeply indebted.

Well, it's true, Petey and I have left our lady loves on the other side of the Big Pee. Eric took us to Heathrow on the Fourth and Petey and I scampered off to our AireRuby flight, tickets in mouth, and now we're back in our respective homes in the US of A.

It was heartbreaking to leave my Gabbi, especially since Petey had found us such a sweet bungalow with bone shutters...

When I got home though, Mom was ecstatic to see me. But after a few minutes of excited tail wagging (me, not her) and scritches (her, not me), she looked around inquisitively and asked a very pointed question: "Jake, where's Just Harry?"

"Gee, Mom," I answered slowly. "Isn't he here already? He left our little group headed for Heathrow in Eric's zoomer and muttered something about making his own arrangements...."

And then, not sure whether I should spill the beans, I kind of added, "He did seem to be getting along really well with one of the Basset Sisters, Martha, and he said he was 'Just' going to hang around in Scotland with her for a bit. Apparently her sister, Bailey, had recently decided she had royal lineage and wanted Martha to be her handmaiden. But Martha, deciding that she preferred to be 'Just Martha,' asked our Harry what it was like to be 'Just Harry'. And while they were talking, they discovered they had a lot in common --- and well, that's all I know."

Except, I did get a glimpse of JH decked out in Scottish attire." "Where they are now is anybody's guess. But HRH Bailey is getting impatient to find her alleged handmaiden. And now you're upset too."

Oh dog oh dog oh dog -- does anyone out there know anything more before we're all really in big trouble??????

Jake

Friday, July 3, 2009

This is What It's All About


IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to... compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare,
That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
— And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
— John Hancock

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton