Important Bulletin

Exactly one year ago

on 28 March 2009

We posted our very first Blogpost

Having no idea, really, what we were getting ourselves into.

Our Auntie Judith was the first one to comment

and before long

We received our very first comment from the doggie blogging community.

It was from Jackson

Who we quickly learned to be the Leader of the Wirey Ones

The one who first pulled all the Square Dogs together

on Dogs with Blogs.

And Jackson warmly welcomed us to this wonderful new world.

He came back to visit us with every new post back in those early days

and we came to recognize his Beautiful Banner

and we wig-wagged our tails and smiled our smiles

as we came to know this wonderful wirey one.

We quickly appreciated him even more

When he passed the word about the New Kids on the Block

(us)

to his pal (and now our pal) Eric the Square Dog.

Within days, thanks to Eric's Shout Out

Dozens of new Friends were visiting us

and we became hooked

Right into the canine (and feline) community of bloggies.

Then, today, Eric fulfilled an important role

Spokesdog and Reporter

of Important Happenings on the Other Side of the Pond

and

Sadly, and with concern

He let us know that Jackson is mightily struggling with his health

and

How Jackson Needs Us

All of Us

To come together and provide the Power of the Paw

to help him over this new major hurdle.

He's done it before.

He's had medical issues far and beyond what any four-legged

should have to endure.

He's been strong and courageously dealt with them

with the loving support of his Js.

He's got their support again

as he rests in the lap of his people.

But he needs more.

All we can muster.

All we can give.

Now is the time to once again gather together

in the Circle of Paws

Eric has raised the Prayer Flags

to direct and gather the zen

arriving from all over the world

and

we've set them flying over the mountains in our backyard

All in an effort to send as much

Love and Prayer and Zen and Strength and

General Four-Legged and Two-Legged Support

to Jax.

Please stop by his bloggie

(it'd mean a lot to us)

and let him know how important he is to all of us

and wish him all the good stuff it takes

to get better.

Fast.

His improved health would be the bestest celebration

for our one year bloggaversery

that we can pawsibly imagine.

Love

&

After the Storm

By the time we post this

and you read this

Much of our big snow has probably melted.

Still

We thought you might like to see what it looks like

the day after a spring storm.

If the YouTube link doesn't work
(and we figure it'll act up some of the time)
You can try to view the video here
The username:  bloggers
The Password:  springsnow

We really do love where we live

(Even if we do have to wait a long time for color)
And it's fun to share it with you
Enjoy!

It's gonna be a great day!
Maybe we'll find some green shoots of daffydills popping their heads up to see the sun.

Memories of Snickers ... Stitches of Love

It snowed like crazy here again. One day it's warm and sunny and the next day it's a winter wonderland. Last night we went to bed and big white heavy flakes were coming down hard, fast and furiously.  Accumulations of up to three inches an hour were gathering. Announcements were made that schools would be closed and businesses would open late this morning.  Sure enough, we woke up to a foot of snow. We know it'll all melt quickly and it'll be warm and sunny again. Soon. (The sun is poking through right now.) That's simply our spring weather pattern. This is how we get our moisture in Denver's semi-arid climate. So. Right now we are tromping through the heavy wet white stuff. Again. Luckily we sort of like it. And unquestionably it is beautiful.

So.  Here's the problem. We were all long and fuzzy. Both of us. Like woolie bears. Then we started blowing our coats. All over everything black that our Girl and our Moma wear. And we were starting to get a bad reputation for a breed that supposedly doesn't shed. So. Figures. Moma took it upon herself to rid us of all our furs. One morning we were warm and wooly. That evening we were practically naked. Yep. It's the truth.

You probably already knew all that. And you know about our weather. And you know that we have a simple and wonderful solution. Our jammies.

What you may not know is a story that goes with them. And how very very special are jammies are to us. And how very very special they will always be. Always and furever.

So we'd like to tell you. It has something to do with the little girl in this spectacular recent painting by Ami, Asta's mommi. This is the beautiful portrait that was created just for Butchy and the four catses and most especially for MamaLamb. In celebration of their very special Snickers. The amazing wirey girl who touched so many lives and brought so many families together in love and support. The girl we'll always remember. And recall as the sweet and brave, tenacious and wonderful wire fox terrier that she was.

It all started back in August of 2009 when some of the girls were planning a spa day and a sleepover.  (This is me, Fergi, by the way, pawing out this post.) I'll admit that I worried about that party. It was my first experience like that and I really didn't know what to pack. Someone suggested simply "pack up your cosmetics and your jammies and come have fun." Problem was, I didn't have any jammies. Still, I got things together and I joined my new friends. I arrived and had a wonderful time. My friends made sure I was comfortable and not too overwhelmed. When it came time for nighttime giggles and girl-talk, we get ready for bed and I saw the cute jammies the other girls were wearing. Snickers had on MooJammies and my sissie Asta had on some cute mint green and pink floral jim jams.

When I got home, I told Moma that I wanted some of my own. I loved those jammies the girls were wearing. (I can't continue the story without including, Jake did not want to be left out.  He made it clear that he'd like some too. More masculine ones, of course, but nonetheless jammies.)

So, Moma started communicating with MamaLamb (Butchy and Snickers moma) and let her know she'd like to order some special jammies for us for Christmas. And plans got underway. MamaLamb sent a very detailed sizing chart and both Jake and I stood very still for careful measurements. And, the funner part, I got to look at several pictures of Sweet Snickers in her lovely jammies to help decide just what color and pattern I wanted. She had some lovely pink floral ones. And some solid bright pink ones. And she looked so beautiful in them all.



Moma and MamaLamb talked and talked about what colors and what combinations would be best. Little did Jake and I know at that time that we would have new jammies for Thanksgiving.

And here is where the really special part comes in. It's very special to us. You see, MamaLamb was busy making our jammies when Miss Snickers was at her sickest. And MamaLamb told our Moma that it helped distract her and keep her busy.  On 20 November 2009 I got an email from Butchy that said "Mama and I were having so much fun, we were making Jake's jammies. We made yours last night. I actually helped Mama the whole time too." That meant a lot to us, that they were working on our jammies even though Snickers was so very sick. Sadly, two days later, on 22 November 2009, Snickers joined the other angels in heaven. And three days after that we got another email that said, "Jake and Fergi, we forgot to tell you your jammies should arrive on Friday or Saturday. We hope you enjoy wearing them as much as Snickers always did and Butchy still does."

Well, there is no question about that.  We absolutely love our jammies. Mine exactly match my sissie Asta's and Jake's make him feel like a handsome svelte athlete. And we both feel like and believe a little part of Snickers went into these very special jim jams. They arrived in time for Thanksgiving and we were able to enjoy them in the comfiness of our home.  We certainly gave special thanks that very special holiday for the love that our sweet friend had shared with us. She and Butchy were some of our very first friends when we first started blogging. And now, whenever we wear our jammies, we think of Snickers with so much fond remembrance and so much love. And we always will. Now and furever.

The Truth Behind the Picture

We compromised with Moma tonight. Told her she could help us read and begin to catch up (again) with our blogging friends IF she relented and let us put up one quick picture with one quick explanation. Well. Maybe not quick. But at least an explanation.

So. Remember all that snow that came down on Friday? Well. Most of it is gone today. But more is to come on Wednesday. So. Seeing as how today was a beautiful day, we loaded up and headed to the park where the big lake (and the library) is. For a nice walk in the warm (hot) sun.

See this picture?  We've had some comments about how happy we seem to be.  Let us tell you the truth.

The first part of the walk was quite lovely. We saw some cute dogs and some cute kids saw us. It's always nice to get a few complimentary passing comments. Well. We were trotting along quite nicely. Just like in our videos. (Almost as nicely. Fergs tends to keep her tail pretty much tucked at the park, but she still mostly likes it.) We got about a third of the way around the lake, near a small housing development and things took a sudden change for the worse. Seems just as we passed some roofers decided it was time to start using their power hammers. SNAP! POP! SNAP! Lunge. Bolt. Jerk. Luckily for Moma (and us) her reflexes were quick (this time.) Otherwise we'd have been long gone. Needless to say, the rest of the walk wasn't much fun. Every dog. Every roller blader.  Every bicyclist. Every snap pop snap (by now in the distance, 'cause we sprinted to get as far away as possible as quickly as possible) sent us into a fearful fright and flight. Moma quickly remembered that some things still really set us off. Both of us.

Eventually, on the other side of the lake, we walked off the path and rested in the dry grasses. That's where Moma snapped the picture. The expressions may suggest happiness. But truth be told, the tongues suggest heat, thirst and anxiety (panting). And the ears suggest pure "get us home and back to the comfort of the place we know is safe." We have a feeling we won't be walking around the lake again until the roofing project is over. But that's okay. It's gonna snow again and we're perfectly happy romping around in our own yard.

Oh. One more thing. Moma went in the library and picked up a book on hold. Darwin's Dogs:  How Darwin's pets helped forma world-changing theory of evolution. Hamish's Gail led her to it. It'll make good reading material while it snows. And while we lie close to her side (or feet) reminding her of just how special we are and how important our perspective on Life is. Just as Darwin recognized.

OH Yeah! And one MORE thing. Before we forget again! Some of our local Colorado buddies have recently started blogging. Darcy and Bailey.  The Dirty Westie and her Cairn Sidekick. Ever since we got to know them (their moma is the one that helped to introduce Fergi to swimming pool swimming - she works with the Parks and Recreation District that opened their pools to us well deserving canines) we've been hoping that they'd talk their moma into helping them share their terrier voices.  And they did!  So ... stop by their bloggie and say "woof".  OK?  You can imagine they're peering out their window hoping some new pals stop by. In typical terrier spirit!

OK.  Now.  We've said our word.  We'll get Moma comfortable with our laptop in her lap, me at her side and Fergi nearby in her bed ... and dictate some comments as she FINALLY helps us begin to catch up with our friends.

What a Difference a Day Can Make

Wednesday and Thursday this week were so mild.

Sunny days and very warm temperatures.

Our Walkies were Wonderful!

Happily trotting along.  Sniffing.  Smelling.  Looking for Signs of Spring.

Then

24 hours later

just as forecasted

the Weather changed
and
One of us was THRILLED about the Conditions.

(Who would've known
that She was terrified the first time her feet hit grass
less than two years ago!)

We could've told Moma that was going to happen

and maybe

just maybe

She might have waited to rob us of all our Furs.

This happens every March.

It's the month when we get the most Precipitation.

But instead of Rain

we get Snow.

Lots of it.

But not to fear

Sunday it's supposed to be in the mid-60s (~18°C)

Again.

We'll wait
Patiently

We really do love our Home.

Pee esS

Luckily

Thankfully

Our Girl came Home a day early this week.

It's a good thing she did.

Her buddies in the Mountains are snowed in!

But by Sunday, the weather should be fine for the trip back up.

How We Spent Our St. Patrick's Day

by Fergi

Hmmm

Seems that having some Irish Wheelies around here

has influenced just how we spend March 17.

Moma got a hankering for some Irish coffee

and Winston O'Wheelie oversaw the preparation of it.

Seems she got a headache halfway through the glass.

We only wish we'd gotten the whipped cream

before she tossed the dredges.

The German "girls" got all gussied up and stood

with Foxy Boy

(we never know quite what he's up to)

high on the mantel

observing (in awe)

while the Northern Irish kids

shared shamrock toasts with Jake

(as if!)

I was in a bit of a frump.

Every time Moma got the camera out

I tucked my tail and went the other way

'cept, of course,

when I was on my bed.

My safe spot.

(Some days are better than others)

I did, manage, however,

to turn on the green in my eyes.

Fitting for today, don't you think?

Then Jake.

Good boy Jake.

His idea of green was the fake fig tree on the deck.

Seems he likes to flush out the birds

that roost there at night.

And tonight was no exception

(Cracker dog in training)

He worked that tree over for a long time.

Put on your night vision goggles
Tilt your head to the right

(Moma forgets she can't rotate the camera when she takes a video)

and watch how the entertainment

came to a rather abrupt end at our house

this St. Patrick's Day.

With a big kaboom

a few laughs

an uprighted tree

and

An Irish Blessing

May you always have
Walls for the winds
A roof for the rain
Tea beside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all your heart might desire!

We hope you all had a Special St. Patrick's Day
We did.
Even if Jake still didn't get the bird.

Love,

The New Dude

So you probably know by now.

Moma and NinaGirl love to scrounge around in Second Hand Shops

Thrift Stores

Antique Shops

Flea Markets (minus the fleas)

Garage Sales

Estate Sales

All those sorts of places.

That's where they found Winston's New Wheels.

And Moma's new loom

(I'll let her tell you about that another time.)

Well

It turns out that some of those Shops

Must be some sort of Animal Shelters.

Yep.

A couple of weeks ago

They loaded this big white dude into the back of the car.

I tried to get a good Sniff

To see if I recognized him.

Nope.

Never met the fella before.

But it seems that he was going to move in.

Right up onto our Big Bed.

They said there was a Resemblance

Sort of a cross between Mishka and Me.

I s'pose they're right.

Though I'm more handsome.

Or at least I am now that I've been groomed up real nice.

My Girl tried to assure me that she still loved me Best.

And mostly I believe her.

Though she's had Mishka longer.

Like ever since the first day she and Moma met.

Still I worried.

And I wasn't too sure about this new Dude.

(He doesn't have a name - at least not one that I know of.)

We took a little bit of time trying to "bond."

And eventually I decided to let him in on some Advice.

Some Secrets.

My Girl isn't crazy about sleeping in New Places.

My Girl is going to miss me up there in the mountains.

My Girl is really really scared of Spiders.

My Girl is going to miss me up there in the mountains.

My Girl loves her Mishka very very much.

My Girl is going to miss me up there in the mountains.

My Girl tells her secrets to me and to Mishka.

My Girl is going to miss me up there in the mountains.

My Girl needs someone to cuddle up to in addition to Mishka.

My Girl is going to miss me up there in the mountains.

I am trusting you to take really good care of My Girl.

I'm going to miss my Girl up there in the mountains.

Then before I knew it

They loaded up.

Buckled in, safe and snug

and

Headed up the mountain.

Just the three of them.

And you know what?

We all know

We all agree.

It helps

Having a Guardian Angel

or two

or three.

Everydoggie, Everybear, Everyblend, Everyone is doing well

Up there in the mountains.

Really really well.

Pee esS

One day NinaGirl says she's gonna write a blog post

Right here

About them

Up there

With her

Without us

In the mountains.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Just Messing Around

Our Girl was Home for the Weekend.

We love that.

It makes us really Happy

and our tails wag a lot.

We went on a couple of pleasant Walks.

One is around a nice big Lake

that has lots of very tempting Geese.

(Moma didn't take any pictures of the geese.

She says we see enough in our backyard.)

We did see some other cool critters, though.

I imagined and dreamed my way closer to them.

Praire Dogs
in the fields
Who weren't too happy about me silently staring at them
(You should've heard their chatter)

All I was doing was looking.
'Cause Moma wouldn't let me off the leash.

(I'm not sure why.)

Later that same day we took a short Hike
in the Red Rocks.


Fergi even took the lead.

It was a perfect day.
A perfect weekend.

Then Our Girl left.
Till next Weekend.

We won't talk about how much we miss her.
It's bad enough
That Moma can't even use her name
'cause we get worried when we hear it
and can't find her.

Sigh.

Time to nap
and dream about next Weekend.
Together.

Pee esS
For those of you who have been following Our NinaGirl
She said she is gonna post something new on her bloggie
(you can get to it here)
Complete with pawsome pics of a hike 
(without us - imagine!)
a few days ago.
We still think we'd make a great added attraction
to the surroundings.
And we promise we wouldn't chase the wildlife
or the sixth graders.

Some of Us...

... Have Been up to No Good.

(According to Moma)

Who?

Me?

My beard is what?

Longer?

Bushier?

What?

My woolie (sheepskin) is what?

Not for Plucking?

Oh.

I didn't know.

And what's this all about?

What's she doing?

Climbing what?

Reaching for what?

Why?

Who gave her this silly idea?

Oh.

Sweet Pea

Her Twinnie.

Who she'll get to see again at Scruffs

(if she survives)

(Check it out, the entry deadline is quickly approaching.)

Trouble is.

All I could hear was 

"HELP!  HELP ME!  GET ME DOWN"

I don't think she much liked it

in that tree.

I had to stop my Plucking

and

Hop off that Woolie in the Sun

and

Rescue my Wheelie Little Sister Edwina.

(Not ALL of us wirey ones are the provokers.)

I think she may need a Leash.

A Comfy Ending to the Day

Hey!

Did she forget about us?

We've been out on the deck for a while now.

It's getting dark.

May we come inside now?

Please?

It's getting cold out here!

And we're practically bald!

Awwww.

Much better.

This is nice.

Now we're warm and comfy.

First a Grooming then Our Cozy Jammies

It's a pretty Good Deal

A pretty Good Day.

We're happy.

Scruffs and Pups

We Girls have been wheelie watching the goings-on in this house

Up here from our Safe Spot

on the Mantel.

A rather pesky fella

- an unusual lookin' one - 

Butts his way in front of us to get a front row view.

Except

Well

That's not entirely true.

He doesn't butt his way in front 'cause he doesn't even have a butt to butt with.

It's true

He's Bottomless.

(We're wondering if Lacie did experimental surgery on him.

The return address on his traveling box had her name on it.)

Here's the Story.

The way we know it.

Shortly after the Holidays

a Big Box arrived on our Doorstep.

Moma brought it in and heard some Racket coming from Inside.

A message that came with it said

"Poke a hole and insert a big straw.

A straw that leads straight to a giant smoothie.

Leave it in a quiet place for a few hours.

Do NOT unpack the box until the contents have settled.

You might regret it, otherwise."

So

Here it was

On our Counter

For a Long Time.

And things did eventually quiet down.

Of course

Our curiosity soon tempted us

and

Open that Parcel we did.

Life popped out of that Box

or, rather, out of a Bag in the Box.

Intense little Eyes

Peering right up at Jake.

Pretty innocent looking Fella

Wouldn't you say?

Well

It didn't take long to figure out the Fella was Different

in more ways than one.

This fella had a big Hole where his bottom and legs were s'posed to be.

Jake couldn't believe his Eyes

So he checked it out with his Nose.

Poked it right in that canyon, he did.

Even tried to take a Bite.

But there wasn't anything there to eat.

Fergi came over to meet the new Dude

and he was nice and friendly with her.

"Charming and curiously interesting," she said.

Hah!

It didn't take me long to start thinking otherwise.

He couldn't even look Jake straight in the eye when they tried to talk.

Notice

Jake's smiling

He's not.

(Intense is the best descriptor we've come up with  so far.)

In nothing flat

He was muttering in the wheelies' ears.

Erin was astonished

Not believing what she heard.

Big Brady was politely attentive (or at least pretended to be)

Until the Foxy Bottomless Dude tried to climb on his back

Muttering something about "These wheels will do."

Life changed for Us Wheelies and the Live Wires when that Foxy Boy arrived.

The rest of us are Calm, Quiet, Dignified.

Mellow and pretty laid back.

This one is a bit more Spirited.

A pesky sort of Fella.

Often up to some sort of Mischief.

But at least now when anything Curious or Unusual happens around here

We have someone to blame it on.

(Even Mumsie told us he has been known to raid the refrigerator at night.)

So

We never quite know what to believe about him

or about what he says.

But we did decide there was some credibility to his Announcement

About something called Scruffs.

An Old Wheelies Dog Show

When we found more about it on Eric the Square Dog's Blog

We decided to believe him.

So

We're pretty sure you know about it

('Cause recently we've been embarrassingly late for everything

and it's Old News by now.)

You can read more on Eric's Blog.

All the details

All the dates

All the criteria

All the FUN!

And

You can bet your bottom (sorry, Foxy Boy) dollar

That we'll be there.

Be there

Be square

And DON"T BE LATE!

(Did you read that part, Moma?)

Now

On a completely other Note.

Having to do with Scruffs.

It's our pal Scruffy's Birthday

(as if you didn't already know!)

Look how cute Baby Scruffy was as a pup!

A picture of innocence.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCRUFFY!

We love you!!!!

And who is this cute little pup?

All Together Now
"Awwww"

She's Darcy. The pup of a friend named Kate!

(Surprise!!!!)

And it's Darcy's Five Year Gotcha Day!

And

Speaking of Gotcha Days

We missed it

(Figures)

Monday March first was Piper's Gotcha Day

(of Rocky Creek Scotties and Java)

Wasn't he a cute little pup?  And now he's a Proud Papa!

And

Speaking of Rocky Creek Scotties

Today was Carrleigh's Third Birthday!

(We sure hope she could take some time out 

from her new-mother Responsibilities

and have some special time for herself.)

Happy Birthday Carrleigh!

So

How's that for a Quick Catch Up?

There is so Much More

But we've gone on long enough and it's time for a Treat.

It's the Weekend

That means Our Girl is Home

and some of us'll be off running around like crazy for the next coupla days.

Just long enough

To put us behind (hahahaha - not you Foxy Boy) again.

Butt (hahaha - we are fixated!)

We'll catch up again.

Love Ya!