Dogs of Our Lives: Dogs Will be Dogs

Hallo, sweet Nashie!

You want to join me on the couch? Of course, you can, buddy! C'mon up.

Why yes, I am aware of those dog treats on the table.

And no, buddy, I haven't forgotten to give them to you. Would you like to have one or three? 

What is it you want to show me, Rosie?

You brought WHAT into the house??

Sweetie, branches, sticks, and the like have to stay outside. And how on earth did you get that branch through the doggie door??

Don't be sad. I put it outside for you and you can play with it there. But let's leave it outside, okay?

Oh, Tammo, really?

Out of all the big rocks in the border, you've decided the temple stone* best meets your needs?

Let me help you find another. The other rocks are just field stones Boompa dug out of the ground when the neighborhood was being built while the temple stone is, well... it's historic and from a place that was sacred. Use the field stones instead, okay?

Pepper. You know I love you and I know you love belly rubs. But to crawl under the table by my desk and ask for one under there?

Honey, I can't reach you very well under there. If you want one, you'll need to come out from under the table.

Aw, Pepper. I miss Nan, too.

But keeping vigil by her house with your favorite toy in the hopes that she will come out and play... I'm sorry, sweet girl. How about I play with you instead, okay?

* The temple stone is from the original  Nauvoo, Illinois Temple. Completed in 1846, in 1848 an arsonist set it on fire leaving only the walls standing, and in 1850 a tornado took down the remaining walls. Some of the rubble was used to build new buildings in the Nauvoo area, while the rest of it was collected into piles outside of town.

Years ago in the 1980s it was not uncommon to be allowed to have access to those piles of rubble. People would take bits of the temple home as souvenirs. In 2023, a friend of Craig's who had brought some larger temple stones back to Indiana in the trunk of his car gifted Craig with one that is from the belfry of the temple.

It's a pretty cool thing to have, right in our front yard. And Tammo sure thinks it's swell. 

Dogs of Our Lives: A Sleepover at Nashie's!

Bored, bored, bored, bored, BORED.

Wait, what's that, Mom? Do I want to invite Tammo over for a sleepover?? I sure do! Tammo, did you hear that??

::Wild and crazy barking and howling::

::Climbing into Lisa's car and heading to her home::

Wow, Nash! This is so much fun! Your mom put some tasty treats in my dinner bowl! And now we are going for a long walk!

Wow, Nash! Your mom lets me stay up much later than I get to at Grammy and Boompa's home. Let's play some more!

Boys? Bo-oys! ::pause:: BOYS! It's time to stop playing and go to bed. It is almost midnight and I can't keep my eyes open any longer. Go outside, do your business, and hop into bed. If you need a drink, now's the time. I'm not getting up to bring you one. Capice? 

::Flap, flap, flap, flap goes the doggie door. Sounds of romping and playing. A few moments of quiet. Flap, flap, flap, flap. Lap, lap, lap, lap. Some pushing, some shoving, and finally two leaps onto the bed.::

Okay, Tammo, This is my mom's bed. You have to share because you are kind of... er... um... Well, you're long.

::shuffle, shuffle, shuffle::

Goodnight, boys. Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite.

Bedbugs? Nashie, what are those and why will they bite me??

It's just a saying, buddy. You don't need to worry about them. Go to sleep.

::sighs, yawns, light snoring::

::peace and quiet::

::whimpering::

What's that? You are cold? Here, take my blanket, Tammo.

::snuggling down, light snoring::

::peace and quiet::

::whimpering and a few yips::

What's that? You're scared? It's ok. I am big and strong and right here. I'll protect you. I'll put my head by your side so you can feel me close.

::peace and quiet::

:: some loud wailing and crying::

What's that? You're homesick? Aw, buddy. I'm here and will cuddle up closer to you. Don't be lonely. You know I'm your best buddy, and Lisa is coming to bed in just a minute. We'll all be together, safe and sound.

::heavy snoring::

Next day.

Morning.

Afternoon.

Evening.

Ahhhhh. My own bed. And Grammy and Boompa! Pepper! I sure love Nashie and Lisa, but it is good to be back in my own bed again.

Pepper? Peeppeer!! I'm cold. Can I have a blanket? And will you come cuddle up with me? I'm scared, too.

Ahhh. Thanks, Pep. I love you.

::happy sigh and then snoring::

Dogs of Our Lives: Poppy's Ruff Walk

First Post of the Day

Hello, all! Today we have a very special guest, Poppy Mitchell!

:: applause, especially loud from the Mitchell family::

So, Poppy, er, may I call you Poppy?

Oh, of course, Grammy! I happen to love the name that my new family gave me. It's Poppy Rowen Mitchell, but you can call me Poppy or even Poppy Ro-Ro like they do.

They really love me and Cambria and Titan worked very hard to convince their parents that I needed to come live with them.

What a beautiful name, Poppy. Is there a story behind it? It's rather unusual.

Oh, yes, and the story connects me even more to my new family. Well, those Mitchells LOVE to perform, 

and Cambria was performing in a production of The Wizard of Oz. 

I'm named after the poppy field scene. You know, beautiful flowers and beautiful me!

::laughter from both Poppy and Grammy::

::Grammy looks at her notes::

I hear you have a story to share. Something about a surprising walk with Uncle Kyle? And he said you'd like to have it posted on Dogs of Our Lives. Is that right?

It sure is, Grammy. My sweet pet Jessica reads me the Dogs of Our Lives posts, and I thought my story might be fun to include. It was quite a walk!

So I heard, Poppy! Uncle Kyle sent me this picture of your walking route - wowza!!

::Taken aback, Poppy examines the photo, then breaks into laughter::

Oh, my, oh dear me! ::gasp:: Grammy, look again. That's not our walking route! That's the walking record of when Uncle Kyle mowed your lawn for you over Easter!

::Gales of laughter, then wiping eyes, catching their breath, and settling down again::

Alrighty, then! Grab your Dr. Pepper, Grammy, and get comfy, okay?

:: Holds can high:: I'm ready, Poppy!

Well, Uncle Kyle was back in town after his Easter visit to you, and he was really missing his dog, Tammo. So, he offered to take me on a walk so I could get some exercise and he could get some pup-time.

Let me tell you, I ended up having the ruff-est day I have had in some time. It started when I showed up to training school, but it was closed. Must be the weekend, I thought.

Probably Sunday. I always have my finest coat on, so I just swung by Church for some woof-ship. I was secretly hoping that we might sing the Howl-elujah Chorus, too. I love to howl those high notes!

But nobody was there. Maybe it wasn't Sunday after all.

Well, if it's the weekend, not Sunday, it MUST be Saturday. I guess I'll go to the dog park and pla...

What?!? No dogs! Oh, the humanity! I buried my head to hide the tears.

I guess I'll just stay home with my people and spend the day with them. 

Maybe I'll get lots of belly rubs and it will turn out to be not-so-ruff of a day.

Yep!! Doggie dreams do come true.

::More wild applause, cheering, and whistling from the Mitchell family::

Thank you, Poppy Ro-Ro! That's a great story and I'm sure your cuzzo dogs Pepper, Tammo, Nash, Blue, Rhett, Gus, Henry, and Oquirrh will enjoy reading it and getting to know you a bit better. I know I sure did!

My pleasure, Grammy. And now I am going back to my family for more love, treats, and belly rubs! Bye, now!

P.S. Gentle readers, my Uncle Kyle wrote the story down for me and took my glamour shots. Isn't he the best? xo Poppy 

Dogs of Our Lives: Naptime (of a Sorts)

First Post of the Day

Ahhh! Time for my daily nap with Lynn! We just ate lunch together (although she didn't share a thing with me, doggone it!)  and she and I are gonna climb onto the bed for a nice winter's afternoon rest.

She loves it when I put my head against hers. Says it helps her stay warm.

It also makes me sneeze, Pep. It's tickly.

Oh, sorry about that. Zzzzzzzz...

Whoa, what? Oh, hi, Tammo. You woke us up. Get comfy and settle in, will you? We need our rest. (You know how hard it is to guide Lynn and keep her safe, buddy.)

Sigh. Back to napping. 

Now what? Who just came in the room??

Boompa! Someone else who needs me to cuddle up with them. Be right back, Mom!

Tell you what - so neither of you feel left out, I'll just stretch out between you. Sorry your arm is under me, Mom. But at least it will stay warm that way, right? What's that? My backside is on your chest? Well, again, I'm working hard even while napping and off duty to take care of you and keep you warm.

Zzzzzzzz. Zzzzzzzz. Zzzzz......... Numbness spreads through Lynn's arm and hand.... Zzzzzzzzz...

Ahhh! That was so refreshing! (Sliding arm out from under Pepper and shaking it to get the feeling back.) Pepper, I'm getting up now and going back to my sewing. What are you going to do?

I'm gonna stay right here and continue to sleep for a while longer. Why move when I am this comfy? Now, don't do anything that might need my guide dog skills while I continue my nap, ok, Lynn? I'd hate for you to get hurt just because I was off duty for a little while.

Got it, Pepper. I'll be careful; I promise. Sleep tight, girlie!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Dogs of Our Lives: A Yuletide Challenge

December 23 Yuletide Challenge: Kissed by a Dog? That's all right by me! What a great prompt, harking back to A Charlie Brown Christmas. As soon as I read it, I knew I had the perfect photo to begin with.

Kathy receiving a big smooch from Tate while teaching A Christmas Carol in Lisa's classroom last week.

With several dogs in my life, I wanted to share some more favorites with you.

Molly/Mama

Here is a much younger Molly in 2018 greeting Lisa after a day spent at our home. My heart still melts when I watch her transports of joy when her Lisa comes home.

Molly had only been rescued a year prior to when this video was taken, and had been so frightened and wanted little to do with humans. What a change the right home can make for a dog, and Lisa's home was definitely that. (That's Millie, Nash's predecessor, with them.)

If there ever was a dog who said "thank you," it's Mama.

Tammo

He's not ours but he is staying with us while Kyle works in Utah.

Whenever his boy comes for a visit, Tammo is over the moon and Kyle's shadow for the entire visit. They have a very close bond that time and distance has not diminished.

Tammo has never met a stranger and is loved by everyone he meets. That's Kate with him at our neighborhood park on a lovely summer day.

Snuggling with Lucas for a nap.

And I will never forget the day last summer that our neighbor, Bob, died and just hours later Nan came over and spent time hugging Tammo in her grief.

She didn't want Pepper or Nashie or Mama, she wanted Tammo. And he very patiently sat there while she hugged him and cried. (This photo is from a happier time.)

Nash

A big boy with an even bigger heart. If Nash were a book character, he'd be Ferdinand the Bull. He's that big, that gentle, and that sweet.

Of course Trinity needs a kiss as she wraps gifts for a huge Isenbarger family Christmas!

Kids + Kyle = doggie heaven for Nashie.

One of the first things Nash does when he arrives for a visit is to sit in front of me, give me several kisses on the chin, and then politely point out the treats that I have on the end table next to me and have probably forgotten all about.

Pepper

Miss P, the Piranha, Peppa Pig, sweet girl... all fond names for her.

I am the woman she is responsible to guide through life and she does a wonderful job of it. 

Supervising me as I peel potatoes for dinner.

I've had six major surgeries since she retired and came to us, and the ones down in Indy that require several days of recovery before I can come home were hard for her.

I had just had abdominal surgery, have a large incision and drains, and am protecting myself with a pillow as she tries to get close when we are reunited after one surgery.

Pepper likes to get as close as she can. (Reunited after two days apart for the Kalamazoo event.)

Every night I fall asleep with her cuddled up on my shoulder.

Although for daytime naps, she sometimes cuddles up elsewhere. Ahem!!

I'm not the only one she will cuddle with - that's Craig (with Rhett under his arm.)

And of course, Lisa gets cuddles, too.

While having a dog who thinks that they are in charge of you and who checks to be sure you are okay no matter where you are can take some getting used to,

I wouldn't trade the honor of being Pepper's partner for anything.

I'm a horsey girl through and through, but I absolutely would not want to live without a dog or two (or four) in my life.

Call me blessed.