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

Counting Down to...TEN

OK, so this is all about me, Jake, again. But it's for -- I think --- a REALLY good reason: tomorrow, January 1, 2012, I will be TEN YEARS OLD.

Just Harry and I -- and the Flat Guys -- have lots to tell you about how we all have spent the last two weeks of December. The Flat Guys went to St. Louis for a quick trip with the folks. And then we got to go to Orlando to spend Christmas with our sister and her new husband.

We'll tell you about all that later (if our Mom remembers we have a blog). But for now I've been pondering what it will be like to be in the double digits. Mom still calls me her puppy. Is that OK for a ten-year old? Will I have to be more serious?? Will I have to yield more territory to my brother who seems to be getting more pushy???Maybe not. After all, my grandpaw celebrated his 100th birthday this past September, and he still has a great sense of humor and enjoys life and, thank doG, gets to do pretty much what he wants.

So I think I'll just continue being me, and enjoying life! What do you say, everybody?

Let's stop to send our love to everyone who's not feeling so well, pause to remember our good friends who said good bye this year, and open the new year with fresh hopes for -- this is for you Archie -- peace in the world. And if it's not too much to ask, an end to the mean-spiritedness that seems to have permeated daily lives. (OK, and maybe lots of treats and regular tummy rubs!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!

Jake (and Just Harry and Mom and Dogdad)