For Auld Lang Syne

With my thoughts somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge, for my dear Jake, who would have turned 12 this New Year's Day, I visited Bob and Sophie's blog over at the Rickety Old Farmhouse http://bobnsophie.blogspot.com/ and clicked on their link to this perfect version of Auld Lang Syne. A gift from the Scots, written by Robert Burns, and sung the way it should be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxnmaVTlZA

Happy New Year dear friends here on earth. Happy memories of all our furry friends who have left us and are together at the Bridge. 

...Tak a cup o'kindness yet, for auld lang syne!

Joan and Just Harry (aka J. Harold Dog)

They Could Never Open Packages without My Help!!!

Dad lost his phone the other day. He kind of knew where he had lost it and when we googled it using a special GPS app, he actually could see where it was... in somebody else's car. Since it was password protected and he didn't want to go accost an unknown person to get his phone back, he decided to get a new phone. It arrived yesterday and, of course, he could never have gotten it out of the box without my experienced help! Noses and paws are sometimes more efficient than opposable thumbs, right?

See how easy that was with my help!!! What would they do without me????

Just Harry (aka J. Harold Dog)

Just Harry Tells Tennessee Thanksgivukkah Tales

So, there I was. 
My muzzle and beard combed. 
Toys and kibble in a Happy Thanksgiving bag. 
Waiting at the door, tail awag, in my best sit-stay while dad went and opened the car door and beckoned me to come jump in the car.



And where did I wind up? At camp for six sleeps while the folks went  off to Tennessee to see my human brother and sister-in-law and their two adorable small persons for Thanksgivukkah.

I might quibble over my kibble about this abandonment if I hadn't already met one of these adorable small persons (and even confiscated one of her toys on her July visit to us) and saw the six-month tummy bump for the other one and knew the folks would have taken me on this trip had they been gone for a longer enough time so that driving made sense. That's pretty mature of me, right?

Anyway, here's what they told me about their trip and the fun times they had with the little ones. First, out came the  sweaters and gloves and scarves because the temperatures hovered in the 20s. Jake and I experienced those temps twice over Christmas in St. Louis so we understand. Mom made us struggle into our Irish oatmeal sweaters just so she would feel warmer!

The town is on the Cumberland River, which is really pretty when it stays in its banks. Barge tows go up and down the river, which mom always likes to see.

For Christmas, the river was dressed up with all kinds of lighted trees and images, including a fascinating tunnel with blinking lights that was exciting to walk through. Again, 21 degrees, just right for two Floridians!


Mom and dad appreciated the cardinal!

And a ship!

And a bundled up Olivia!

But, now comes the really important part. Mom and dad discovered that Ms. Olivia, all of 18 months now, actually knew who they were when they arrived: Grandpa Jack and Grandma Joan. She has a picture book with all her relatives in it and she was practicing before they got there. 

Olivia has also been paying a lot of attention to her little sister, Phoebe, who was celebrating her one-month birthday when the folks arrived on November 26.

Olivia helps her mom take care of Phoebe and is very gentle with her.

I think my mom and dad really like this grandparenting stuff! They spent hours playing with Olivia, reading books, identifying colors and animals, and enjoying what a smart fun little girl she is. Also, she gives lovely kisses on request.

But let's not forget the animal members of the family. My pal, Marcy.

And two C.A T.S, Mistletoe and Holly. I heard mom actually spent quite a bit of time with those two felines, but I forgive her because she probably just missed my furry presence.


In addition to feasting on turkey, everyone went on two foodable excursions. The first was to a pub that brews its own beer.




 Olivia had to check out the flight of beer that mom ordered. 
 

The second excursion was to a Japanese restaurant, where Olivia tried sweet potato sushi and practiced her drumming skills with the chopsticks.

There's lots more to say. I just hope the next time mom and dad feel the urge for this grandparenting stuff that they take me along. After all, am I not smart and fun and don't  I give great kisses????? And of course I do recognize them on sight (or sniff)!!!!

Just Harry