Mmmm! Puppy Tummy
A New Toy (coated with shavings)
Sandy thought someone should give me a ShopVac so I didn’t need to use all the towels. I have a ShopVac which was half full of dust and leaves from yesterday’s project. The purpose of the towels was to stop the progression of the river toward the dining room. I really need a traditional wife to take care of the house, pick up the dry cleaning, a little cooking would be good . . . scheduling workers . . .
I finally made it to work at 2:00. When I got home from work, I scooped up three soaking towels to wash (they were waiting for me on the driveway). I opened the washer door and — water poured out all over my feet and pants legs. Apparently the hose split had somehow filled the washer — and the worker folks (including butt-crack pants brother) were sliding a washer full of water around while doing their chores. The dehumidifier and fans are so loud that the dogs and I can’t hear one another (or they’re using that for an excuse to do whatever they want). The disaster clean-up guys found old mold, so the adjuster and I must have a conversation tomorrow. Sections of drywall were cut out, so there will be a contractor involved. . . . my poor dogs! The worst part? When this is all done, it won’t look like anything was done — not like Kim’s new floors, or Joanna’s rebuilt house, or Kate’s addition. Sad, isn’t it?
Several of you asked why Phoebe didn’t bark and wake me up when Timmy fell into the well — uh! No — when the washing machine hose split and flooded the downstairs. Well, Phoebe is mellowing out. She sleeps in the bedroom with Inca, Chase and me. They all go outside before bed, but once we turn out the lights, they sprawl out — two on the bed and Phoebe on a luxury cushion on the floor at the foot. The puppy is in his prison in the living room, but the waters did not get to the living room and dining room, so he did not scream for help.
Phoebe has actually begun napping in the same room as visiting people and has cut down on the frantic barking. Right now, she’s not happy that there are workers in the house, but she’s been pretty quiet about it. So, the short story is that all my dogs, and the visiting queen, are useless when it comes to alerting me to spraying water.
Last night I went to bed at about 1:00 AM. Sometime during the night, I awoke and heard the heater running. I thought that it must be cold outside for it to be running that late. It turns out, it wasn’t the furnace. Sometime after I crashed, the hose to the washing machine burst and cold water sprayed out for the rest of the night. The half-bath, laundry room, kitchen and about a third of the garage are under water. I’m glad I have insurance, but I really needed to be at the office this morning. I really needed to not be paying out a deductible. Every towel I own is spread through the kitchen to stop the river. I was able to turn off the water at the washing machine, so now am waiting for the clean-up specialists that my insurance company uses. Sigh!
ps My brother (of butt-crack pants fame) came over and replaced the hoses to the washing machine. One of the hoses was so firmly attached to the spigot that he used a hack saw to get it off. My nice insurance adjuster said he would pay for the parts and the work. It’s going on noon and the clean-up specialists are still here. Sigh!
Sometimes they are just so cute that they need to be hugged.
The puppy toy is again dried out and available for snuggling
When you become the lone puppy, toys are your friends
It’s a little chilly outside (winter storm coming in), so Adrienne and I only got a few show-side stacked photos. We wanted to take photos outside for the light. This is what the baby looks like when he isn’t racing around with his dad (which is every chance he gets). I still like this puppy a lot. He’s been registered as C-Myste The Game’s Afoot at Elyan. He misses his brother Watson so much — even Adrienne and I can’t make up for that. Unfortunately in this photo, he has his back foot turned slightly so doesn’t show his rear angles much. Conformation drill starts up in January and this boy will learn how to stand like a show dog!
A little bite control instruction from Dad:
I joined my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter at her mother’s home for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, then came home to watch Chase and Holmes play. What a pleasure they are. The puppy is fearless and Chase doesn’t seem to tire of the craziness.
Do not be deceived by this sweet face
Puppy wins this round
Dad, we don’t both fit in my new bed
This is all about MY toys
A Thanksgiving WWF wrestling match
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE
If you look at the puppycam, you’ll see that Holmes is now in a three-sided puppy pen. It keeps him from leaping over a side of the pen and being unable to get back to his shavings. The drawbacks — if the puppycam had sound, you would hear Chase and Holmes “talking” incessantly VERY loudly. If Holmes had his way he would be free to follow his dad around 24/7. Though Chase seems to think that would be terrific, I suspect he’d get pretty tired of the little beast biting his feet and tail.
I’m so glad they love each other — at least until Holmes starts lifting his leg. There will be many more videos to come.
Chase sleeps nearby, resting his head on an end table — I wonder if he’d like one of the wooden blocks used in some Asian and Latin American countries?
There was a women’s basketball game tonight, but I never made it out of the house. I try to give Holmes his half hour with his dad every day (it makes him sleep through the night). Once they started playing, I just couldn’t leave. Agree?
And more of their antics in still shots
Holmes is down, but not out
Holmes applies the lip grip to Chase
It isn’t over till the fat lady yells “cut it out!”
Holmes turns it around and is on top
Now it’s Holmes’ toy — for the moment
Holmes is at the office — so much like having his dad here when Chase was a puppy. We are expecting “Jean from NM” for a visit — needs her puppy fix. In the meantime, Holmes’ job is to keep me from working.
A toy — any toy — no matter how battered
This puppy is wired!
The rare ring-tailed Cardi
We’ve made many trips out to the grass, but Holmes thinks grass is for romping. I have a piddle pad in the office which he’s used once (good boy), but he’s really not catching on to the plan. I could put a few shavings on the piddle pad, but I want him to transfer his urges to the great out of doors. It will come . . .
I put a little box in the mail this morning. It’s heading north. The box is a little misshapen ’cause I had to squish it, but the surprises should be just fine. So, happy holidays * * * * * * * *
Well, looky there — PhotoShop blocked out the recipient’s name and address (mostly).
Holmes is a little lonely — even though he and his Dad had a grand frap this evening. Holmes came to the office with me today, and has already christened the carpet and warned off those strangers walking near my front door. This was not intended as his first office day, but he escaped from the puppy prison this morning. This evening, to avoid damage to his family jewels, I took out the pen’s side door, and bought him a little stool on which he can climb to get back in. At the office, he had no problem with the lead when we went outside, but he does have a problem with the grass: it smells great, a puppy can roll in it, carry leaves, but a real bathroom has shavings. Tomorrow I’ll bring Chase along and perhaps Holmes will mimic his Dad.
That’s the American Temperament Test Society’s motto. Today I received Chase’s TT certificate commemorating his efforts on October 24th. Good boy, Chase!
For those of you who’ve been watching the boyz on the puppycam (username elyan password puppies) — even though Watson has gone to his new family in California, the puppycam will operate until Thanksgiving because Holmes will still be in the puppy prison. Over the long weekend, we will complete serious housebreaking. By Sunday, I plan (hope) for him to be ready to take his place in the canine hierarchy here. The biggest problem will be his opinion of where he fits.
He’ll be gone part of each day to help me at the office. I really can’t do my job without Cardi help.
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