Benched!

So here I am, trying to blog after a month or so and I discover that NEW BLOGGER has taken over and my mom isn't smart enough to figure out how to use it. Fortunately, she is smart enough to send out an APB to some of our good pals -- Gussie and Dexter and Laciecakes and Asta and Archie and Jake and Fergie and Taffy and Molly -- successful bloggers who don't seem to have any problems with it.  And, thanks to Asta -- the sweetest pupper who ever packed her bags to move to Buda Pest with her mommi and daddi where her mommi is painting up a storm -- and Gussie -- the smartest pupper who ever moved from state to state to state with his fambly but has remained an ardent Red Bird fan -- mom seems to have figured it out. Or not. This morning -- after giving up in frustration last night -- she kind of stumbled onto what was missing yesterday -- but will she find it again? Who knows.

In the meantime, what I want to show you is how my life has deteriorated. See my bench? It's a perfect bench. I can stretch out on it facing west and see what's going on outside. Or I can stretch out on it facing east and see what's going on inside. And it's just a woof away from mom's computer so we can exchange meaningful glances during the day while she's working.

But -- suddenly -- there's STUFF on my bench. Papers. Reports. Mom says it's because she and dad are working on a perfect storm of a project and have run out of flat surfaces to stow the STUFF. All I have to say is it's an intrusion on my property... It's not fair. This is one of my favorite spots...But, oh well, it's time for a nap.

So sayeth Jake! Got that NEW BLOGGER?????

Just Harry's Gotcha' Day!!!!

Time goes so fast, doesn't it? It seems like just yesterday that I met my soon-to-be brother at the home of the Truett's in Orlando. Alle and Jack, who are angels now, were there to meet me too. Once Jake and I had a nose-to-nose encounter, and everything seemed to be copasetic, off we drove to my new home in South Florida. That was then.

And here we are now. I'm kind of eightish, we think, and Mr. Jake is ten and three-quarters. We've learned that Dad cannot resist our wirey faces when he is in the kitchen having a snack. It just takes a bit of patience, and some doubling down.

A few barks always help too...

And more patience because we know he can't hold out much longer.

Yep, tonight it's PEANUT BUTTER ON CELERY!!!!

Looking back on the past seven years here, I think I'm a pretty fortunate dog. Jake is still kind of the alpha, but I've learned a lot from him. I've even learned that, when it comes to reminding Mom that it's dinner time, if I put my left ear up... like a mirror image of Jake... the food seems to come even quicker. (No pictures here -- but a few in a post a few below.)

For those of you who haven't been here before, if you click on September 10 posts from years before, you'll see that I've been loved and cherished and that I'm a much more confident dog than when I was rescued that fateful day seven years ago. Why I can even tolerate firecrackers on the fourth of July, when originally they made my legs go limp and my tail touch the ground.

It's all about love!!! LOVE!!!! And that's what we get every single day ... along with full tummies and squeaking toys (what's mine is mine and what's his is mine too), and treats (always equally shared unless it's a chew and I wait until Jakey drops his and then pounce)

Just Harry

PS to my friends in the UK: I was named after a certain prince who said once, when asked how he liked to be called, Harry, Just Harry!

Finally, a word from Jake the Weatherdog!!!

Hi pals!! Remember me? Jake the Weatherdog?

It seems I have been derelict in my duties as a reporter of Hurry Canes, as Isaac has been drifting past our shores without my commenting on it. Fortunately, my good friends, the Key West Collies, reminded me of my responsibilities. And fortunately too, they have escaped direct contact with the center of the storm and are doing fine.

For the most part, the storm here in South Florida has been mild-- so far not reaching Hurry Cane status. We put up shutters anyway on the most prominent of our windows to avoid any projectiles from the wind -- but it was pretty quiet all day Sunday. Today, however, as the storm continues off the west coast of Flori-duh to its destination with the northern Gulf Coast, we are in the dreaded northeast quadrant of the huge storm field and it is windier and wetter than yesterday. Lots of wet fur and paws from our trips outside -- but nothing more serious.

The great irony of Isaac is that most of our radio and TV stations have been dedicating significant programming over the last weeks to commemorating the 20th anniversary of Andrew, which devastated our area on August 24th, 1992. JH and I weren't even born, and Mom and Dad weren't even dating yet, let alone married. She lived on the edge of the storm and lost half her roof and a lot of furniture and other things -- so she hasn't been too into this remembering deal. But along comes Isaac, as if to say, what's with this commemoration stuff? It's my turn! Look at me!

And of course, Katrina hit New Orleans and the northern Gulf Coast seven years to the day tomorrow. (We owe JH to Katrina, so his Gotcha Day will be coming up in September.) So we'll be watching closely and hoping that Mother Nature doesn't repeat herself with Isaac and the Giulf Coast. Keep everyone in your prayers, pals... OK???

That's it from your Weatherdog for the moment.

Giving HEAT new meaning

Yes, like most of the country and elsewhere in the world, temperatures here in South Florida have been in the upper 90s for the better part of the last few months. When is Spring not Spring? When it is more like Summer -- which finally moved in officially a day ago, bringing more of the same.
Or as someone said in 1225:
"Sumer is icumen in.
Lhude sing cuccu!"
But there is Summer Heat and then there is MIAMI HEAT. While as most of you our pals know, our folks are rabid St. Louis Cardinals fans, and baseball lovers, sometimes even they can't help but get excited when the local basketball team makes it to the top. So yes, there we all were last night watching to see that last swish of the ball through the net as the MIAMI HEAT did what they had promised two years go: won the NBA championship -- and did it in five games at home.
During the basketball finals, a Cardinals baseball game was occasionally on TV the same time as a Heat match. It was fun seeing the absolute differences in the two sports which have so many folks preferring one over the other. Chacun a son gout. To each his taste. As for us, we prefer peanut butter, popcorn, cheese, chicken, ice cubes, celery, and wally melon. AND BEISBOL!

Jake and Just Harry

A memorable Memorial Day weekend

So as not to bury the headline, let it be known that we Barkalot Boyz are now UNCLES! A sweet baby girl, Olivia Carolyn, was born to our human brother and sister-in-law on May 7. As the new parents and baby girl live in Tennessee, our mom and dad -- the newly minted first-time GRANDPARENTS -- decided to fly there over the Memorial Day weekend. And as we are sadly two rumps too big to fit in plane carriers, we could only send our surrogates, Flat Jake and Flat Just Harry, with them.

According to our flat selves, Miss Olivia is one adorable human pup. The new grandparents were kind of awe struck too and couldn't get enough of holding her. Her parents, sleep-deprived like all new parents, are living in a kind of dream world, tending to Miss Olivia's every need.
Marcy, the beagle mix, and Mistletoe, sister to Holly who played it scarce, as well as Huxley, were still trying to figure out what this new creature was all about. And Marcy wanted to know who these poor imitations of our full wirey selves were, since we had met her in pawson a few years ago.

After a lovely visit in Tennessee -- with an overnight in the Madison room of a bed and breakfast -- the folks and our flat selves drove to St. Louis for our grandma's 90th birthday. So there they were at two sides of the life cycle: 17 days and 90 years! It was thrilling for everyone.

And of course, mom and dad went to see the Cardinals play the Phillies. They weren't too happy at the outcome -- a shutout -- but it's always exciting to be in Busch Stadium and see the stands filled with red-clad fans!

Where were we, while all this was going on? Barking our heads off at our favorite boarding spot. But now we're home and looking forward to Christmas when the word is that we may -- just may - get to see everyone in person.

Uncle Jake and Uncle Just Harry

Our hearts are with two brothers reunited under an oak tree in france profonde

Today we're sending our love to two cyber friends, Angus and "the font," who for many years have shared the sweet, silly, fun, sad, insightful moments they have enjoyed with their Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, Wilf and Digby. Digby left for the Rainbow Bridge two Mays ago -- and today it was Wilfee's turn. We -- and so many others around the world -- will miss our daily visits with them, the chance to meet all the intriguing folk in their village in southwest France, and of course Wilf's wise PONders.

We know Wilf and Digby are enjoying their reunion -- filled with mischief and laughter and happy barks and tail wags.

Thank you dear Angus, thank you dear "font" for sharing your Boyz with us in such a delightful way. And now we share your grief and heartbreak.

Joan, Jake, and Just Harry

Opening Day April 4, 2012

Yesterday was a special day here in South Florida for those of us who are BASEBALL FANS! It was Opening Day for the rebaptized Miami Marlins (formerly the Florida Marlins) and their brand new ball park with air conditioning and a retractable roof. But it was a bit complicated for us because even though we root for our local team all things being equal... today was special because they were playing the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS, THE 2011 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS and they are our heart team since dad is from St. Louis and mom converted her loyalties to the team when she married him.

It's complicated too because just after they won the World Series, mom's favorite player and favorite manager and favorite pitching coach moved on. So on so many levels, this was a new beginning, with a new manager (Mike Matheny) and a newly reconstituted team playing in another team's new ball park with their own new name and new uniforms and new manager.

We wanted to show you the new Marlins Park because it is spectacular -- but all the photos we found were copyrighted and we didn't want to go to prison because we hate being behind bars. If you're interested, you'll find cool photos here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1131892-marlins-park-previewing-all-the-features-of-mlbs-newest-ballpark-in-miami

We couldn't wait for the game to start. We donned our Cardinals bandananas and were ready for the first pitch! Mohammed Ali was there to throw it symbolically in honor of a bout he fought in Miami Beach years ago; and Jose Feliciano sang the national anthem. A huge Amercian flag draped the field for the pre-ceremony, which had a local very Miami Latin flavor to it.

Things got very interesting when the Cardinals scored first. And then scored again. And again. And again.
We were really into it.

And so so tickled when they won, 4-1. One hundred sixty one games to go! WOOHOO!

Jake and Just Harry

Every Once in a While...

The phone rings. Or someone knocks at the door. Or when out together, a small creature attracts their attention. And Jake barks to Just Harry: "I've got it!" And Just Harry barks back, "You think so?" And two otherwise lovable, usually peaceful terriers turn into helions and attack each other.

Yesterday it was my cell phone ringing in the other room. As I rushed to get it, I must have triggered a frenzy and the next thing I knew Jake and JH were at each other in the hallway. Not a pretty sight. Not a pleasing sound. After what seemed like an eternity, with a splash of water to shock them into separating, JH gave Jakey a friendly nuzzle and they both took off to the stairs where they sat in all innocence on their respective steps.

Having learned from a few past skirmishes to check for blood, I first examined JH. He was fine.

Then it was Jakey's turn and I found a scraped bleeding patch just south of his right eye and another wound that didn't seem as though it had punctured the skin, but was alarming nevertheless. Cleansing and neosporin to prevent infection and a temporary bandaid. And of course the dogs were going about their business as though nothing happened while I was shaking in my boots, er, make that bare feet. So here you have it the morning after:

THE ALLEGED PERP

THE BLOODIED VICTIM

THE OH SO INNOCENTS

THE MOM (not shown)

Sunday Snoozin'

Because of that ear thing, I know you all think this is Jake, but it's not, it's me, Just Harry!!! Interrupted from a sweet Sunday snooze by a human who thought I was oh so CUTE!!!

About those office supplies...

After my last "noteworthy" attempt to scarf some supplies for myself...

I had to take matters into my own paws.

Sometimes a dog just gotta' do what a dog gotta' do!

Jake

Office supplies are not just for humans

OK, is this MY fault or my Dad's fault? His computer bag has a zipper pouch in the front that sometimes contains leftover airline pretzels or other goodies, along with "office supplies." After a few "episodes," Dad has learned to keep the pouch zippered -- except if it's not totally closed, we've also learned how to open it enough to get our noses in and extract whatever is in it.

So, the other day, he and Mom came home and found lots of paper clips and binder clips and post it notes and computer cords on the floor 'cause we pushed the zipper open and got all that stuff out. What Mom didn't know, however, is that I had also extracted one of those small cardboard pads with little sticky tabs on it to use when you want to show where to sign something or mark a spot in a document. She didn't know that is until around 2:30 am that night when a familiar retching sound woke her up and when she looked to see what I had produced, she found the whole pad -- yucky but intact. She panicked as to whether I had swallowed anything else -- but apparently I hadn't. She also wondered where I had stored the pad for at least 10 hours. So, whose fault?????

(Sorry no pictures...)

Jake

Goodbye to a Dear Friend, Miss Maggie

When we first started blogging, Maggie was one of the first to say hello. And over the years, she continued to be one of the first with a happy message. Her conversations with Mitch always brought smiles to our faces -- and it was only when we learned of her illness a short while back that those smiles were mixed with thoughts of the inevitable today. When she would have to leave us for the Rainbow Bridge.

Miss Maggie, Miss Maggie, we've loved you for a long while -- and that love won't change. It will just have a different address.

We know Mitch and your Mom and Dad will have rough going for awhile, but we hope knowing how many people and pups are there to comfort them will help them over this sad time.

Jake and Just Harry and Joan