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Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Life of Riley



In honor of the many servicemen who gave their lives for our country, I thought it would be fitting to share the story of Bill Mertens, a resident of the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, NH, who had a very special friendship with a 14 year old female black lab named Riley who visited Bill faithfully until she passed away on January 27, 2010.  


Riley's relationship with the Veterans Home began when she was just a puppy. Bill Mertens, a resident of the Home, used to walk by Riley's house on his way to downtown Tilton. Bill would stop and play with Riley on the way down the hill and would give her a treat. He'd do the same on the way back up to the Home. It didn't take long for Riley to figure out that if she stuck with Bill, she'd always end up with treats.


Bill Mertens passed away in 2007, but before he died, the Veterans Home staff brought Riley into his room, so she could say goodbye. Afterwards, Riley continued to come up to the Home for three weeks looking for Bill. Not easily discouraged, Riley figured out how to open the Home's automatic doors and began visiting nearly every day until for 11 years until the time of her death in January.

I was struck by Riley's story because she made such an impact on Bill's life and as well as on the lives of the veterans who gave our country so much.   It also reminded me about the healing power of animals and it is amazing how well they understand the needs of humans and all they want from us in return is food, shelter, a few walks, and lots of love.



Friday, May 28, 2010

Fred's Moving Adventure


Can you believe this is me, yours truly, Mr. Fred, in this picture? It's true! This is what I looked like three years ago when I was a little 'ol puppy and I was browny, brown, brown beclaws that's what Wheaten Terriers look like before our coat gets lighter.

This is what I looked like when my parents introduced me to Miss April and Mr. Amos when I was a 10 week old puppy! My humans wanted my dog walkers to meet me at such a young age beclause they needed someone to visit me in the middle of day so I wouldn't get lonely. Needless to bark, the humans and I have been close buddies ever since we first met!



So you can just imagine how sad my mom was when Wednesday came along because that was MOVING DAY and since she thought I'd be nervous when the movers came over she had me spend the entire day with my dog walkers instead. Yeah for me!


 So this is why I was sitting in Miss April's car on Wednesday morning because I was waiting for her to come out of a certain house where



my girlfriend Molly (standing in the back), Cooper,



and their curious cat brother, Papi, lives!


After that fun visit was over Miss April drove me to Jesse's house and of course she couldn't wait to climb into the car because she's completely in love with me which is a good thing for me, am I right, fellas?



Then, Jesse and I were headed to the pugs (Ace and Fenway) and Lilly's house for another walk! Can you believe we didn't even have the courtesy to pose for the camera? It goes without barking that we were more interested in Miss April during our photo shoot! Hee-Hee!


The dog walk got even better after the nice photographer lady invited me to take a little dip in her little boy's pool! 


After that exciting visit was over, Jesse and I headed over to Sophie's house for another walk and since she is my OTHER girlfriend I stayed really, really close to her


while my OTHER girlfriend, Jesse, was bathing in a nearby brook



and when I couldn't stay away from Jesse any longer, Sophie and I joined in for a water break,  



and since we were finally all together I decided to tell them the truth. No, I didn't tell them how many girlfriends were in my life, you sillies! Instead, I told them I was moving to Nashua and I wouldn't see them very often butt I would see them on June 5th at the Hooksett Dog Park in honor of Daisy's 2nd birthday and I hope they will be there or else I will be furry, furry disappointed!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

It Is Better To Have Loved and Lost



Hey Everybuddy! 

It's me, Fred! I am posing underneath this sign but I sure don't like it furry much even though it looks like I am smiling but underneath it all I am furry sad because it means I am moving to a town called Nashua and I'm thinking it must be far from my favorite humans, Miss April and Mr. Amos and that means I won't be near them for too long. They wouldn't allow me to bark about my move until yesterday and then they had the nerve to post this information one day later, can you believe it? Like they (whoever that is) say: "Humans, you can't live with 'em and you sure can't live without 'em" and I should know beclaws my mom and dad and my pet sitters sure did make a big deal about this being my last walkie and all. 

For example,


My mom decided to thank my dog walkers with a few gifts:

1) A TARGET gifty certificate but I don't know if that's a good gift or not beclaws I have never been allowed to shop there for some weird reason! 

2) A framed picture of YOURS TRULY and I must say I am impressed with how handsome I look here, aren't you?

3) A card that's filled with all kinds of mushy words about how much she's gonna miss us and how much I am is going to miss my pet sitters. Sniff! Sniff!


I must confess that the first thing that ran through my mind when the news broke out that I would be moving away from one of my lady loves, Jesse, was that we could run away together even if we had to walk along the railroad tracks like hobos but I had to think of my other girlfriends who would miss me such as...



Molly, who is being coy by standing next to her brother, Cooper, instead of me!



Or as much as Sophie who has shared so many secrets with me during our many romantic strolls!



Or as much as I loved frolicking through the woods with my girl, Daisy!



But I do know that I will miss all of my ladies but don't worry I gotcha in my heart forever!


But, we shall meet again at Miss Daisy's 2nd birthday celebration on June 5th at the Hooksett Dog Park, my ladies, and I hope to see you there!





Belated Wordless Wednesday!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Seven Things About Me


Imagine my surprise when I was awarded with THE VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD from my good buddy, Frankie Furter, this weekend! I look to Frankie as one of the "BEST OF THE BEST" of bloggers so to have him bark my name is indeed an honor! Thank you, Frankie! If you haven't ventured over to his blog please do so by clicking on Frankie's name, above, and introduce yourself to the little guy!


According to the rules, I am supposed to share SEVEN things about little 'ol me and I thought it would be fun to share them with the help of pictures so I hope you enjoy the view!

1. I absolutely adore sheep and as you can see I think they all need a big 'ol kiss from yours truly whenever possible. I just love their ears, don't you? But then again, I think I love all ears in general! 

2. If you look closely at the above picture you will see a crutch under my arm which brings me to the second thing about me....I am accident prone! This photo was taken a few weeks after I managed to break my left kneecap in four pieces after tripping over my good pal, Sophie the basset mix. I promise to blog about that adventure soon...it's a doozy of a story!


3. I love Mad Men and I'm even more in love with Jon Hamm's character, Don Draper. What woman isn't crazy about this handsome fella, anyway?



4. I love vacationing in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard and this gingerbread guest house (http://www.titticutfollies.com/) is just as enchanting on the inside as it is outside.  If you've never visited Oak Bluffs, I highly recommend it!



5. Fascinating as it may sound, a nutritionist diagnosed me as gluten intolerant which means that I am sensitive to the elastic protein in wheat, rye, and barley. If you'd like to know more about gluten intolerance I recommend a visit to http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/!



6. Ever since I could walk, my dad taught me how to play golf and I still play from time to time....when I can afford to, that is!



7. I wouldn't call myself a Movie Buff  but I do love the movies and my favorite theater is the Wilton Town Hall Theater where they show artsy, independent films for only $6.00 per person!

And now that you have learned seven things about me, I am supposed to pass the VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD to seven deserving bloggers who befriended  me when I first started blogging. And the winners are:

1. Lorenza the dachshund who wears the prettiest dresses ever!
2. The Rocky Creek Scotties who are as cute as can be!
3. Farley, the golden retriever, who always has something positive to bark about!
4. The Portuguese Water Dogs who are very agile and very talented pooches!
5. Two silly French Bulldogs, Benny and Lilly, who make me laugh every day!
6. Two fuzzy, entertaining Airedales, Maggie and Mitch!
7. Jazzi, the Scottie, who always has something fun to bark about!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Tiny Dancer


If you were to ask Fenway (above) what she wants to be when she grows up you may be surprised to learn that she wants to be a prima ballerina. If you haven't noticed your pug's hidden talents, take a closer look at her perfomance each time you hold a treat above her nose and you will see how well she balances on her tippy toes as she twirls. Watch her animated smile while you sing her praises!


You may have been thinking that your pug is just a clown; a girl who is wild about her treats, but think again! I've watched Isabella (above) as she twirls for her treats and I'm quite sure she is thinking about stardom and the roses that will be tossed at her feet at the end of her performance. She dreams of becoming a star; a celebrity who is photographed every time she walks down the street and with a little practice I believe Fenway and Isabella will be on stage one day!




For those who are skeptical of a pug's dream to be a prima ballerina, watch this video, and then watch your tiny pug dancer very carefully!


Thursday, May 20, 2010

Losing Nellie


Nellie's owner called me early this morning to cancel her precious King Charles Spaniel's walk for today and it wasn't because Nellie was going to the groomers or because she was sick; instead, Nellie was going to leave this world at her vet's office today. Nellie's bout with syringomyelia had finally taken it's toll on her tiny little body and since her symptoms were worsening every day, her owners felt it was time to let Nellie go. 

What a sad day this has been for everyone who loved and cared for dear, sweet Nellie, but it is comforting to know that Nellie is not suffering anymore and is probably doing what she loved best (begging for treats) in Heaven tonight. 

Dear Nellie, we miss you already and we will never forget


your flirtations with your tall, dark, and handsome boyfriend, Zeus,


or your dynamic personality


or your angelic face! Rest in peace, dear girl!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Working Like A Dog


Tell me something, humans, why is it that you act grouchy when you say you've been "working like a dog"? I don't understand what is so awful about working like a dog because, hey, I'm a dog and I have a job, and I happen to like riding to work with my parents every day. All I gotta say is if "working like a dog" is a bad thing then why do I have such a pawsome time with ...  

                                                    
the white haired people at the nursing home?  They always smile when they see me coming. I don't know why they smile and pet my head so much but if it makes them happy, then I am happy too!


And speaking of happy....I was very happy to meet this fashionista, Lula! I never thought about wearing flowers on top of my ears until I met this nice lady! She was the best dressed lady I've ever laid eyes on and I want to be just like her when I grow up!  



And why do I enjoy my other PFF (Pug Friend Forever) friend, Isabella, so much? She's a silly girl, that's why! I mean, who can resist a pug who thinks she can win a game of "hide-and-seek" with a coon hound like me, anyway?



 And why does "working like a dog" seem like fun when I'm playing with my Samoyed friend, Tundra?
 

And what hard working class dog can resist a conversation with her one true love, Fred, in the middle of the day?



And if I didn't have my dog walking job, I wouldn't have met my other PFF's, Ace and Fenway, who always have something interesting to bark about.


And if working like a dog is so awful then why do I smile when I walk with Mini-Me (Miss Sophie), so much?


 And after a long day of work, dear humans, I am not grouchy; instead I am a dog with a job and I couldn't be happier!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Sometimes It's Good To Get Lost!




I know I am awfully late to be barking about Sunday but my mom wouldn't let me use the 'puter until after I finished my dog walking shift today. That's right, I am a dog with a job butt I will explain the details of my job in the next bloggie, butt for now, I want to tell you what was so special about Sunday. Are you ready?

 Well, when Sunday comes around I can count on my parents to treat me to a car ride to one of my favorite walking trails butt today something odd happened! My dad got lost and eventually he gave in to my mom's advice to stop somewhere for directions (Yes, real men stop for directions, so I'm told) so he parked in this very driveway and then mom walked right up to a stranger's house AND went inside!

 

 It turned out that this house did not belong to a stranger but it was the house of my PFF's (Pug Friends Forever), Ace and Fenway! Isn't it funny how my mom and my PFF's have matching smiles? Hee-Hee!



Fenway is my PFF beclaws she loves her home team, the Red Sox, and because her pouty lips looks a lot like Angelina Jolie's, don't you see the resemblance? 


And my man-friend, Ace, is my PFF beclaws his goofy face always makes me laugh! Seriously, I have to pee a lot when I'm with him and that's no joke! 


Okay, enough about them....this is me, front and center, keeping my eyes on the road just in case dad decides to get lost again!




Oh boy! I guess my dad knew where we were going after all! Hooksett Dog Park, here we come!


Sooo my PFF's and I played with each other mostly beclaws the other pups weren't as cool as we were! It's tough to be so cool, but somebuddy's gotta do it! Hee! Hee!


After such an exciting adventure at the park, my pug pals were ready for a milk bone and a nap



and I was ready for my piece of chicken



and a nap with my puggie-substitute, Mr. Piglet.