Her Summer Haircut

Finally got around to giving the Little Bug her summer 'do. She was a shaggy ratty mess. It's not a good sign when you go to your campsite and the campers you hang out with each year say to you, "which dog is this? a new foster?" And then they look at me in disbelief when I tell them it's Little Bug.

I decided to try something new. I didn't think I'd like it. I didn't think she'd like it. But, we both do. The mohawk suits her.

I love her when she's shorn, that face just gets me.

We'll be off to camp soon. A beautiful weekend is predicted with no rain expected. It's about 10-15 degrees colder up at camp then down here, and it's only an hour and 20 minutes away. When it rains, like it has the last 3 weekends up there, it's downright cold and raw and it makes me pretty cranky. My normal sunshine and smiles (I'm laughing hysterically right now, if you knew me you would be, too) goes down the drain. OK, cold and rain without a real house to go in... makes me crankier than normal ... but tequila does help lighten the mood. ;)

Enjoy your weekend, I hope it's sunny and relaxing where you are!!

Finding Shade

Well, summer hit full swing. Two days into it and by mid-morning it was HOT. While I sat out on the patio having coffee with a friend, this little nugget found some nearby garden shade and cool dirt to lay in.

Is it me, or is she just so darn adorable you want to squish her?

HAPPY HOWL-O-WEEN!!

Her expression says it all.

She isn't moving.

She is a ladybug statue.

If she could, she'd be giving Angela the middle finger. We received this in the mail a couple days ago from Angela. Of course, as soon as I opened the package I had to put the costume on and send a photo to Angela. But, since Halloween was still a couple days away, she didn't know there would be a photo shoot again today. Although we had some good laughs, Bug was not pleased then and she's not pleased now. 

Little Bug

Pillow. Bone. Hind legs folded to chest. Afghan at the ready. Good to go.

Shedding the Old for the New Year

For the New Year, Little Bug went from a furry mess....

to clean and chic...

I love this look on her! But now I need to have someone knit her a sweater!

Wishing you all the best for the New Year!

May you shed all those 'furry' things that no longer fit your style, too. 

Little Bug and Lyme

Tuesday afternoon Bug had been holding up her left leg while walking around. Wednesday morning, more of the same, and very little activity. Wednesday afternoon, I carried her outside to do her duties, she did try to walk a little, but it was using her front legs, both legs were now not working. She'd end up just plopping down as her legs gave out. She'd look at me with that cute little face as if to say, "Mommy, I can't do it." I carried her inside and made her comfortable. Yesterday morning, she wouldn't even pee, even with my help of holding her up. I called the vet for an appointment. 

This was her in the morning until about noon...

then I took her out again and she did her duties and walked a few steps, wobbling and using mostly her front legs -- and she plopped down again. 

Around here I give a two day 'let's wait and see' before calling the vet, but she was getting worse not better. Since it started in the legs, I thought "maybe it's Lyme." I called, Angela, she said, "maybe it's Lyme" (after we decided it wasn't a luxating patella, a pulled muscle, or an upset belly.) I texted Shelly, "sounds like Lyme." The vet appointment was for 3:15. 

Lyme and Anaplasmosis, two tick borne diseases. 

I learned a few things, too, in talking to the vet, which I'll put in a 'Did You Know' post, because I didn't know. 

She's on meds for 4 weeks...and very little activity. 

This is her today...immobile but alert.

She walked a little last night, but this morning, it wasn't happening. Her spirit is better and her face is brighter. My Little Bug will be OK...and, now, so will my heart. 

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

These two can often be found snuggled together whether it be on the dog bed, the sofa or the Man chair...

Freekibble Giveaway

I answered my daily Freekibble questions and they're also having a give-a-way --- 5,000 pieces of kibble to your favorite shelter if you win. To enter you have to send in a limerick, poem, rap, etc. with 50 words or less about the pets in your family.

I sent this:

Two little Schnauzers

yes they are

they run and play

and like rides in the car. 

Big boy Hanz

is whiney and needy

Little Bug got her name

'cuz she's nosey and speedy.

Because of them

I've made this rhyme

Oh how I love them

I'm glad they're mine. 

Silly, maybe even a little juvenile...I'm sure they will not choose the winners for content...hmmmmm, or will they? Well, either way, it'd be fun to be able to donate food to a shelter, the hard part would be choosing which one!

Hanzie and Bug in Nantucket

He had a tough time being there...

and she couldn't stand it...

Life is so tough. 

A few needed days away. More pics to come. 

Little Bug and Baby Bear

Sometimes when I'm getting dressed, Little Bug paws at the side of the bed for me to lift her up. She is ordinarily very nimble and quick but my bed is set a bit too high. As I dressed I noticed she copped-a-squat right near Baby Bear (from Goldilocks and the 3 bears, crocheted by my mom at about 1970.)

I guess the girl started to get bored, or tired, 'cuz she needed to lay down.

But not for too long, UP pops her head.

Uht! down again. (she's so freakin' cute)

Then a walk down the bed to be closer to me and do a belly up for tummy rubs. 

She's so spoiled. 

I didn't do it...

Hanz is such a worrier...then there's Bug with none. He's so pathetic it's cute.

Hanging Out By The Fire

My little wooly monster, Bug, with Harley and Rex, keeping warm.

Yup, I Did It -- Adopted Little Bug

I haven't written about Little Bug, the cutie patootie 9 month old that came in. I've snapped some pictures but haven't gotten to putting them on here.

Even though she fits seamlessly into this household, and Hanzie totally approves....

I've been hesitant to say it. I've wanted to make doubly sure....

well...this little pumpkin head now resides at this little abode I have here.

Yup, it's official and now I'm putting out into blogger land...I've adopted Little Buggy Boo. I had a deep feeling that I would regret it if I let her go. She's a great fit for Hanz and it would just seem weird to NOT have her here. It's one of those kinds of things.

What about Tink? you might ask...well, I miss Tink (now named Olive) and maybe that's one reason why I went through with this one. I didn't want to miss her, too...the little gnat that she is.

I'm being kept up-to-date on Olive's doings and it seems as though maybe she's taking advantage of the sweet laid back personalities of her new owners. But, they outsmarted her having a trainer come in. LOL Good move on their part, it makes for a more harmonious relationship and peace in the house. One day it would be nice to see her again. She'd probably not remember me, that's what happens, but I still think of her often.

But now I have this munchkin to keep me busy and oh, she's doing that. Her personality is showing more and more each day and she's a little pip. Very protective of Hanz, Geri (she's still here with me) and me. She used to bug Weezie regularly but I thinks she's finally gotten bored with that because Weezie just. will. not. engage in play. So she'll pounce on anyone else that will. She's a very happy girl and has been lots of fun.

Playing with the Webcam

I've owned this computer for over 2 years and I used the webcam once. This morning, with Hanz and Bug snuggled up against me, Bug's Head on top of Hanz's, I wanted to catch the image. By the time I figured out how to use it (which really only took a few minutes) the characters repositioned themselves. 

Hanz has that look on his face -- what the? what the?...

 Bug, of course, has to scope things out....

 ...figures everything's cool and settles back in. 

Little Bug, Beaner, Bug Bug, Love Bug, Little B...

Yup, those are the names she is called and she answers to most of them. 

She's a funny girl. Easy going. A snuggler for about a minute, unless she's really tired out. She doesn't stop going. If she's resting and sees movement, she's got to find out what it's about. She continues to want to play with Weezie, who just yells at her in return, but Bug keeps at it. When she lays down to rest, she plops on her side. Up one second, plopped down the next. A few minutes of rest and she's ready to go. 

She was surrendered to us because she is too active. I believe an older couple had her. This is what happens... they're cute on the internet (she came from MI,) or in a store, or on tv, but they are puppies, they are active, and they need attention. To their credit they did teach her to sit and down and rollover. The rollover was an easy teach. She does it most of the way, all you have to do is encourage the full turn, which is a great way to take advantage of and encourage tricks. She gets a treat? she's willing to do it again. Thing is, like other Schnauzers I've known, like my Hanzie, she thinks that if she does all the tricks one after another and in succession over and over again, it will get her her food faster. Doesn't happen. We're working on concentration, focus and patience. Patience for the trainer is needed because their little brains are spinning and have difficulty focussing. But, she's learning that if she sits and waits, then she gets her food. She's a smart cookie...in an education sort of way, not in street smarts. Reminds me of another girl I know, Tink (now Olive) she was like that, too. This characteristic makes them very lovable...you have to watch out for the smart ones...they train you! 

R's girls fell for her right away. Her 'design' is very attractive and how can you not fall for a dog that as soon as you get in the car it plops it's head into your lap and snuggles in for the 20 minute drive. She knows how to work it! LOL

R continues to show her affection and guidance and I think I heard him say, "she might end up mine" or something to that effect...whoa! words like that have never come from his lips....he was just probably caught up in the moment. 

I keep thinking the Universe is trying to tell me something. It keeps bringing to me these good dogs that make me think, "should I?" Ever since Lucy. Don't get me wrong, I've had affection for other dogs before Lucy but I don't really recall the thoughts of keeping any. At least not with this much thought. Maybe a "if no one adopts it, it would be a good dog to have around" but not this "should I shouldn't I?" Lucy and her growth and spirit and loyalty to me must have softened me. I considered keeping her, then came Tink a year later and days later we have this little button. The Universe is trying to wear me down, I swear! LOL

This is the first time that I've actually thought of the longevity of a dog's life and how old I might be when it dies and if it lives to what could possibly be 16 years. When I've gotten dogs in the past I didn't think of the fact of having them for so many years, I was just in the moment, as many other people are. Once I made the commitment I knew I was committed forever, but who knew that Weezie, that 10 week old little blondie that I found on the sidewalk, would still be here 17 years later? So, I think, wow, if I adopted Bug, she might live until she's 16 and I'll be 63. ...63! ...63. ...63. ...63. Not old by today's standards by any means but hello? 63. what the heck might I be doing when I'm 63? or 54 for that matter. Ahhhh, better to not think of such things and stay in the moment and cross bridges when I come to them. 

Words and a Glimpse

I've been very busy with the rescue dogs' vet appointments that are an hour away, getting a new dog in (I'll give you a glimpse in a minute) working and putting my stuff and a client's stuff on ebay. I just sold some needlework kits and I had to write about it. How sweet are the women that bought these? They paid quickly and left notes of 'thank you.' One actually thanked me for finding the vintage sampler she bought. This makes me smile and warms my heart. It's so simple, and unnecessary, but a reminder in this world of negativity and media doom and gloom, that people can be kind. I also have other things listed and was told by a guy that I had something in one of the groups of things, that I might not know was of value. He just wanted me to know. Nice Nice Nice people.

By the way...if you like Longaberger baskets and cross-stitch, I will be listing many many many of each over the next few weeks for a client. MANY! a few baskets have already been listed. Also,  Garden Gate magazine, Needlework magazines and embroidery thread plus plus plus.

Now, onto the new girl...

First, I have to say -- Tink will always have my heart -- but like lovers that have come and gone, they become a sweet memory, sometimes the longing lasts a short while, sometimes a long while, sometimes a new girl comes over and helps you to put that longing in a pocket.

Her name is Little Bug. Bug, for short, but you'll also find these words spoken: cutie, peanut, li'l bean, bugger...Tink will always be in my heart, she touched something deep in my soul, but Bug has a fighting chance to win it over, but in a different way. I loved Tink's 12 pounds of long thin body, moldable, pliable, lazy. This little thing is 12 pounds of stocky, muscular Schnauzer. Not lazy. Not going to stand for being laid in your arms on her back. She's more like a wind up toy. She's 9 months old and will grow only a little more...she's like a mini Mini.

She came in with the name 'Tipsy' which I didn't think suited her and that night R. asked, "where's the little bug?" and I loved it!! So I started calling her Little Bug - and she is a little bug.

She is such a good girl. Busy, busy, has to know what's going on. Smart. Excellent in the car. Snuggler. 12 pounds of cuteness....and if you don't know it already....I love the petite Schnauzers and teeny dogs in general. One thing that's great about her and I wish I had this quality...things don't bother her. I mean noises and stuff until she gets used to them, yeah, she'll bark. But, being tripped over, pushed around by another dog, tripping over something? nope, she just carries on. She's not a worrier. Obviously R. has taken to her, he doesn't let the fosters sit with him normally, I think he likes to maintain a distance so attachments aren't created. This little bug may have gotten under his skin. ;-)

Better pictures will come but you needed to see her.