Gone to the dogs…


We swap dog sitting with some friends of ours who have two dogs more or less the same size as Prancess Lily.  The Siskestons have gone to Seattle for a week so their cute canine critters are here right now — sorry, I love alliteration.

Yesterday evening I was sitting in my recliner in my office / man cave attempting to read a couple chapters of a novel in Spanish, Yo no soy tu perfecta hija mexicana. As I was doing so, Luna, Zeeba and Prancess Lily, all three decided to pile in the chair with me, creating a ménage-à-chienne.

I gave into the situation, and decided to close my eyes for a few minutes… I seem to be napping more frequently these days. Señora saw my pecado and decided to take a picture.  Apparently, Zeeba had vacated the ménage before Señora could find her phone and snap a picture.

Reminds me of one my favorite groups from the 60s and 70s, Three Dog Night.  I have definitely gone to the dogs.

Subscribe to Curmudgeon Alley

Rev. Joe’s Random Thought #9,989

yeah I know you did not ask!

I was reading a post on Nextdoor that was a bit of a rant, and from the poster’s comments it sounded like they lived in an apartment complex a mile or so from our house.  It is a nice complex. I checked it out first time I lived here, but decided that was more money than I wanted to give someone in a rent check every month.  It does seem to stay full though.

Apparently, the poster has a new neighbor, a new neighbor with a Great Dane. Apparently when this new neighbor walks this Great Dane, they do not pick up after their giant of a dog, effectively leaving massive poop bombs all over the place.

And living in an apartment with a Great Dane…

You just think you have problems.

Sister Lorie’s Tale from the Dark Side

Did you ever wake up and wonder what side of the planet it is? Well, I woke up and wondered what part of the universe I had been magically transported to. I’m a planner. I planned a trip to Oklahoma City. We have been going to this retreat for a few years now. We found a hotel close by the facility. Granted this hotel is not much, but it is clean and cheap.

I made the reservation on one of those on line places. You know the kind where you can see lots of lower rates for hotels… I won’t mention the name here. I found the hotel, made the reservation and like a flash they charged my card.

That same day, the hubby calls to tell me that ‘mail count’ is that same time frame. For those of you who are not familiar with USPS, mail count translates to going in early, working late and no time off except for your own funeral. Oh well, we can’t go, so I call the online company. Continue reading “Sister Lorie’s Tale from the Dark Side”

If A Dog Were Your Teacher !

If A Dog Were Your Teacher !

You would learn stuff like…

 

  • When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
  • Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
  • Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
  • When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
  • Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
  • Take naps and stretch before rising.
  • Run, romp, and play daily.
  • Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
  • Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
  • On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
  • On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
  • When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
  • No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout – run right back and make friends.
  • Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
  • Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
  • Be loyal.
  • Never pretend to be something you’re not.
  • If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
  • And MOST of all…
  • When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

 

Author unknown

Insurance Companies: Not Price Fixing, But Just As Bad

Name a product you must have if you own a home. If you said homeowner’s insurance give yourself a pat on the back. Even as a renter it is a wise idea to have renter’s insurance to protect losses from burglary, fire, etc.

greedNow name the one thing you should not do with these policies. If you said make a claim give yourself another pat on the back.

I live with my girlfriend who owns her house outright. She has been with the same insurance company for many, many years. I will not name names as I have come to learn these companies are vindictive. Just as an aside my girlfriend is financially stable, has been employed steadily for the last 25 years as a teacher, and has a good credit rating.

Several years ago due reasons beyond her control there a sewage backup that ruined practically everything on the first floor and the basement of her house. The company graciously took care of everything. Continue reading “Insurance Companies: Not Price Fixing, But Just As Bad”

Pepé Le Pew

Most of my adult life I have engaged in some sort of regular physical activity.  The motivation derives from an effort to keep my weight somewhat in check and maintain a level of health.  Plus I just plain feel better when I am exercising.  This activity has taken various forms over the years, jogging, extended walks, bicycling, or lap swimming.

When my children were younger I mostly jogged.   I would come in from jogging, especially in the warmer months, very sweaty.  If a child was around I would ask them if they wanted a hug.  Of course, they did not, and I would start chasing them saying, “I need a hug.”  I would never actual catch them, but it was a fun little game (at least for me) that we played. Continue reading “Pepé Le Pew”

Sit, God

When I was in high school in the 60s I lived in Rhode Island.  Down the street from us were some older folks, probably early to mid twenties.  They would definitely qualify as hippies.

They had an absolutely gorgeous Siberian Husky.  The dog had the most amazing blue eyes that penetrated right through your soul when he looked at you.

At least one of the couple must have been dyslexia as they named their dog, God.

You would hear them on the porch calling for the dog, “Here, God,  come here, God.”  If you were in their house occasionally would hear, “NO, God,  off the furniture.”  Sometimes it was “Sit, God” or a “Stay, God”.

Funny thing is though with those piercing blue eyes you did wonder…

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein available at Amazon.com

Book Review by Sister Lorie

artracingrainI’m not sure how this book came to my attention, it’s not my usual read.  It’s told from the point of view of , Enzo, an aging dog as he recounts his doggie life.  He is a dog philosopher and expounds on his view of humanity and our views.  He is frustrated with his lack of anatomical ability to communicate to his humans and is left with doggie drool and gestures. 

I don’t want this to be a spoiler, so let me just say this.  Anyone who has been emotionally attached to a dog or thought that the dog has understood a conversation will love this book.  I found myself laughing out loud at Enzo’s take on the owners in-laws and his way of letting them know he didn’t care for them.  The end is touching and puts in words what I have long suspected.  Great read if you have or have had a dog.  If you don’t have a dog, this book may give you the desire to spend time with one of creation’s best creatures.