fun at christmas

ella and i had fun yesterday...g&g and auntie em gave us lots of things to play with, and tempted us with lots more...we even had some good treats to eat...new toys are so much fun...ella and i fought over some...sometimes i won...then i would spend 30 seconds chewing on that toy until i decided that the one ella had i wanted...the grownups ate dinner in the big fancy room with a fire in one corner...the last time we spent so much time in that room was with our mommies when we first arrived here...everything smelled so good!...then we went downstairs to cuddle with auntie em and grandpa while they watched a movie...before we settled down we chased each other across the two grownups again and again...they laughed lots and lots...a couple times i heard a grunt along with the laughs...i think we were kind of pouncing on sensitive spots...then we went to bed...today has been quiet so far...grandma and auntie em went out...grandpa stayed at home working...ella and i guarded the house from the back stairs.

Little Christmas Dog

Auntie Emily wrapped me up and asked Grandpa, "What do you think? Little baby Jesus or baby Yoda?" Grandpa allowed as how I was more Yoda. Actually, I was more Disgusted. I thought Auntie Em would know better.

It is now what Grandpa calls "Christmas morning." We slept in as usual, and for a change both Dizzy and I were lying along Grandpa's outer edge. After our walk I decided (again) to not eat breakfast. Maybe later. G&G and AE are not having breakfast yet, because Grandma is in the living room still wrapping presents. She went to bed early last night, saying she would wait until this morning. So all the excitement is temporarily delayed. Grandma wanted to just give AE her gifts unwrapped, but AE said, "No way!"

Grandpa has promised there will be good things for Dizzy and me this morning, too, so I will sign off now in hopes that if I'm not on the computer Grandma will finish sooner so the grownups can have breakfast and then do whatever needs to be done to get the good things for us.

Help!

Help! A mean little dog has me by the throat and is about to eat me alive!

Snatched from a shelf in New York City, carried half way across the country stuffed ignominiously headfirst into a bag, delivered lo! as a stranger in a strange land, given over to these ravenous animals, my fate is now to be dragged hither and yon and torn asunder. Can no one in this vast uncaring world save me?

Yuck!

I asked Grandpa to take this picture to show you what was in the air when he just let me out to do my business. I think I'll stay inside for awhile. Perhaps for a long while.

wet and cold - time for a nap

today has turned much colder...we are warm inside...it has started to rain...it may snow sometime...ella is on her bed at the top of the stairs...i like the big bed...i jumped up here, curled up, and am now taking my morning nap...i know sooner or later i must go outside again...i will try to stay here as long as i can...grandpa is in his office...when i have to go out i will go get him.

must we wait?

grandpa took these pictures last night...grandma opened the door to the small room where the special thing was...we really wanted to get in there...she told us to stay outside...ella didnt like to be told that...i stuck my nose in there...it smelled nice...so grandma took pity on us...she brought out this large bundle...it smelled nice...i couldnt resist...i jumped up and smelled...i wanted grandma to put it down so i could roll on it...she promised we could...just not last night...why cant i have it now?

No Game for Me

Grandma was trying to get me to play a game. I think it's called "take a picture of Ella." I didn't want to play. Grandpa snuck this one in anyway.

Actually, Grandma was teasing us with something she bought at the pet store, but she says we can't have for another week. She was using this thing -- that smells really nice -- to try to get us to play for the camera. Just at this moment, however, I wasn't having any of it.

I Hate It!

G&G took us today on a car trip. That was great fun! What happened on the other end of the trip wasn't. They took us into this room that smelled like lots of dogs and cats, sort of like when we visit our doctor at home, but this time a man came and clipped our toenails! You know how much I dislike that! Did you put G&G up to it? I know they are too sweet and loving of us little darlings to have thought of it on their own.

We stopped for some other things on the way home.

When we got home Grandpa said some bad words, because the pictures he took of us suffering did not turn out! Serves him right for helping subject us to that nasty experience. But Grandma held us and Grandpa took a couple pictures documenting our newly manicured look. Dizzy's is below.

Large, Green and Smells Strange

Grandpa took this photo a couple days ago. It's the one Dizzy promised I'd send you, but we kind of got distracted yesterday. Nothing special, just a lot of little stuff throughout the day.

Today Grandma and Grandpa went out for awhile. When they came back they had this large, green, bushy thing that smelled kind of sweet. Grandpa put it in the living room. I think I remember something like it last year, except last year it had lots of lights and shiny things on it. Dizzy and I ran around it a couple of times, sniffing all the unusual smells. Then it was back to the kitchen.

Grandpa also said that we will soon have a new box in his office, you know, the one moving pictures appear on. I think they hoped to bring one back today, but apparently there will be a delay. Last night we were allowed down the stairs to the basement, where we snuggled with G&G whlle they watched a movie on the big box, a movie with a lion, and a white witch, and some children who fight a battle, and lots of strange creatures.

Grandpa says he hopes Mommie B will send our rabies documents soon, so we can have our toenails clipped. I'm only telling you this because Grandpa asked me very nicely to do so, since you know how I HATE that. Please take as long as you like in sending them.

Otherwise, we are doing fine here. Nightime is one long snuggle, and we don't usually wake until Grandma and Grandpa are ready to get up anyway. We guard the house from the back steps, except when we're eating, out walking, or chasing each other in the hallway.

Bye bye for now.

bedtime

im in one of my favorite spots...between grandmas legs...we are in bed...it is almost time to go to sleep...actually i think i am asleep in this picture...ella is awake...papa is awake but you cant see it here...grandma covered her face so the picture would not show her...she didnt need to worry since the picture is just of us dogs...grandpa took some other pictures...one shows ella closeup...maybe she will send it soon...ella and i ran some in the house today...i found a piece of kleenex to chew...it feels like summer outside...i thought we would be cold...all for now...i must sleep

In Jail

That lady came again today to make noise, push things around, and make things cleaner. We dogs were put in Grandpa's office, and he didn't even stay around but instead took his camera to the hall to record our suffering. If we don't look happy, it's because we weren't.

bedtime

i love my grandma...she goes to bed early sometimes...i love going to bed early...i have a chance to stretch out and sleep without ella being there...i like to sleep...i hope it doesnt rain tonight...i dont like it being wet when i go outside...the weather here is uck...it could be worse...it could be cold...it is warm in bed...i dont get as far under the covers as ella...grandpa says he will steal me tonight...i think that means i will sleep on the other side of the bed tonight...thats ok...as long as i can sleep...i love my grandpa

Waiting for Grandma

Dizzy, Papa and I waited for Grandma to come home this afternoon. Grandpa was around (else how could this picture be taken?), in his office mostly, but Grandma was off doing art stuff.

The weather outside is cool, misty and foggy. Neither Dizzy nor I like to walk, but Grandpa tells us we must go outside every so often.

Last night I had a little excitement. Just after I had fallen asleep this sound like popping corn woke me. I did not understand what it was, so I was up and at the gate to the bedroom, on guard. I started barking to warn whoever was making that noise to BACK OFF!, but the noise continued. Then it stopped. Grandpa said, "Rain in mid-December. What is Minnesota coming to?" I calmed down quickly since neither grandparent was particularly upset. Back to bed. We slept in until about 8:30 this morning.

Grandpa says now the lake has a big hole of water in the center.

On Our Backs

It is almost time to go to bed. I'm kind of getting in the mood. Grandpa put me in this embarrassing posture, however. I was too relaxed to complain. And he said it was for my mommies, anyway. He also took a photo of Dizzy, which I'm including below.

We had a nice day today. Dizzy and I rough-housed in the upper hall, then took a nap with Grandma later in the afternoon. Grandpa was working on his computer as usual, and watching TV. He's still at the computer but Grandma has moved into the bedroom with Papa and us.

The day was also quite warm, so we enjoyed going outside several times. I hope it's still warm when Grandpa takes us out before he goes to bed.

That's it for now.

i am cuddly

i do love my grandmas arms tight around me...especially at night...today ella and i played some, but then she mostly slept...she didnt want to eat her breakfast...i dont know why...i wanted to eat it...grandma wouldnt give it to me...early this afternoon some music started playing that grandpa called opera...he listened for hours...grandma lay down on the bed after lunch and read...i joined her...i cant read but i can cuddle...papa was cuddling too...he is too large for grandma to hold him...im lucky that way...ella joined us for awhile...then she got down...shes more independent than i am...grandpa has been working on his computer most of the day...hes very busy most of the time...i wonder what hes doing...today is a nice day outside...perhaps grandma will take me for a walk later...

Skipped a Day

First thing, Grandpa wants me to say that yesterday was a very busy day. That was surprising for him, since he and Grandma actually celebrated his birthday the night before with a nice dinner at Lucia's. He was gone at several points, "running errands" I think he said. Last night they left us alone for awhile and went somewhere to see "art," with some of Grandma's drawing friends.

Second, even though it's time that Dizzy wrote you, she decided also to take a day off. Sort of like the photo above. She also admitted that I could write a bit better and a bit faster. She's sometimes a good and understanding sister.

Today Grandma left again, for her drawing group. Grandpa was busy with his camera stuff.

Before the grandparents woke up this morning, Papa and I switched places, so he got on the bed and I lay down in his big bed on the floor. Grandpa said I snored. It's a big bed. That was good for a change.

Maybe Dizzy will write before we go to bed tonight.

Love and lots of wet kisses for both our mommies and Auntie Em.

Old Tricks and New

Dizzy and I eviscerated one of the remaining stuffed toys that Grandma and Grandpa have left lying around. "Eviscerated." That's a big word. Sounds exactly like what we did, however. There's white fluffy stuff all through the length of the upstairs hallway. What fun!

Last night Grandpa took pity on me and gave me a fuzzy ball to play with. He said at the time, "I may live to regret this." I haven't been too bad, though. I only insist he play with me about every 15 minutes. He did a couple of times.

During one of those play sessions I learned a new trick. He threw the ball to me at the top of the stairs. I picked it up, walked to the edge of the top stair, and let go of the ball. If it didn't immediately fall over the edge, I'd nudge it a bit with a foot. Grandpa was waiting at the bottom. He'd catch it and throw it to the top again, and we'd repeat the game. Then he had to spoil it by getting out that camera to catch me doing it. I only did it once after that.

I did tell Papa about how much fun the new game was, but he said, "That's nothing, pup. You should see the way I do it!"

Grandpa walked us over to the beach this morning. It was a long walk, and my silver coat kept coming loose, but we had fun sniffing in the dry leaves. Grandma has been gone all day so far.

Grandpa is tired tonight, so I'm just sending this picture so I can go to bed with him. (Grandpa asked me to tell you that the lake froze over last night.)

i hab a gold

i hab a gold...one eye is tearig...when i woke up this mornig i had to sneeze four tibes...gradma says it is sobthig called a virus so probably needs to just work itself out...nothig for my mommies to worry aboud...i still run aroud...i still play with ella...i still ead all my food.

Nothing Much

Papa is my friend. That doesn't mean that he likes me all the time. I know this because I am sometimes mean to him. I think his ears will be very raggedy by the time our mommies pick us up. He sometimes tells me he doesn't like me nipping at him; sometimes he yells at me; sometimes he head-butts me. I nevertheless need to snap at him. I'm not sure why. I admit he is very patient -- so far he hasn't tried to bite me.

Both grandparents were at home almost all day today. They went out late in the afternoon and came back with paper bags filled with stuff -- food I guess. Dizzy didn't poop all day. Grandpa was worried so much he took her out four times. Maybe more. Finally she pooped just before dinner. He came back in with her and said, "Hurray!"

Grandma remembered to get that white sour stuff that makes our food taste good. They put a little of that and a little ground meat on our food and we ate it very quickly.

I heard Grandma say she's concerned we aren't getting enough exercise in this cold weather. I think she mentioned throwing a ball in the hallway. That would be fun! Especially since I think Grandma has picked up all the balls and put them out of our reach.

@#$*()& Camera

I can't believe I let Grandpa get this close to me with that silly camera. He seems to enjoy it so much, though, so I humor him. Besides, it wouldn't be very good for my teeth to bite the camera, and he keeps it out of reach on a high shelf when its not in my face.

Grandpa told Grandma he had a dream last night that there were four of us little dogs, two on each side of him, and he couldn't move. He was almost right. Dizzy and I were both under the covers pressed up against his legs. He finally woke, checked to be sure there were just the two of us, and then he shifted Dizzy up so he could move. I was too far down for him to reach me.

Dizzy told me this afternoon that she had to pee really badly but didn't want to make a mistake. I told her to go find Grandpa. She ran off and, sure enough, next thing I knew she was trotting back down the hall with Grandpa right behind. They went out, and I could see the relief on Dizzy's face when they returned.

Grandpa has read your notes to us, and it sounds like you are finding things to do even when we are not there. I miss the weekend morning romps with you, too, although since Grandma and Grandpa stay in bed as late as they can every morning it means we can bathe them in kisses before we have to walk. Sometimes I wake earlier, but I've learned to get up, walk around to check the perimeter, and then crawl back in bed. As long as Papa doesn't get up and start walking around we wait until it's time for Grandma and Grandpa to get up anyway. Like this morning, it was almost time for Grandpa's favorite Sunday morning TV show before we got going.

I'll send this as soon as I tell you that all five of us are in Grandpa's office watching a movie about a young human boy who goes to school in what looks like a wonderful (if sometimes very wet) place where he learns about magic and stuff. Looks like we'll be here for awhile, so I'll just press the button to send this on its way. Love to Mommies and Auntie Em from Ella and Dizzy.

a job

i have a job...i gave myself this job...i am working hard at it...my job is to make this bone disappear...in this picture i am licking the bone...im not stupid silly...i know you cant make a bone disappear by licking on it...grandpa took this photo to make me look silly...before he took this photo i was chewing on the bone...thats how i will make the bone disappear...i work on it in the morning...in the afternoon...after dinner...i even worked on it in bed until grandma told grandpa she didnt like lying on pieces of bone...i have a question for my mommies...why do i have a collar that says ella on it?...dont you have a collar for me that says dizzy?...when grandpa took this picture he also took pictures of ella being lazy...i am busier than ella...i have a job...she doesnt

More Saturday Routine

This is sort of what life was like today, except without the sunshine. (Grandpa took this photo a couple days ago.) It was a lie-around, stay-warm, bark-at-strangers, chew-on-Papa's-ear, count-your-blessings kind of day.

Grandpa held me for awhile. Grandpa held Dizzy. It felt good -- for awhile. Then I had somewhere to go, something to do, although I don't remember what.

Grandpa did leave the door to the dining room open, so I explored a bit, and the room beyond -- last time I saw that room I remember it had a big, fancy tree growing in one corner. The tree isn't there any longer. Will it come again? It was pretty. I was good. I left nothing behind. Grandma found me and carried me back to the kitchen.

Grandpa has been busy as usual in his office. He was running this big machine that makes noise and spits out a big piece of paper. Something he calls a "printer," I think. I heard him mentioning to Grandma how much he likes the prints on the new paper, prints he's making for Auntie Em.

Grandpa made something called "pesto" for dinner tonight. Nothing that smelled like very much while he was making it. But I smelled Grandpa's breath later. EEYEWEE! Did it ever stink! I think I'll sleep under the covers tonight, near the foot of the bed.

I wish one of my mommies would write. Dizzy and I miss them, much as we love being here in this big house with Grandma and Grandpa.

Saturday Routine

This is the photo I wanted to send you last night. Grandpa took it while you mommies were here for Thanksgiving. The next photo shows us totally awake and alert, which shows you how lightly we sleep. But at least he got this one.

We walked several times this morning. The first time I shivered a lot, so much that Grandma lifted me to hold me in her arms. But the second time it was great, and Dizzy, Grandma and I walked all the way around the block.

Last night I decided to surprise Grandpa. So I slept up by his head, first on one side and then stretched long on the pillows between him and Grandma. I think he was pleased to be able to stretch his legs without me being down there under the covers. It was kind of fun to be up there sleeping next to him.

Just before now we were napping in our usual spots, Dizzy down in her bed in the kitchen, me at the top of the stairs. Papa was next to me watching the street, so I didn't need to be on guard. It is nice to relax.

Nighty Night!

Grandma and Grandpa returned from wherever they went. We were very glad to see them and jumped all over them. Good thing they are tall, or we would have drowned them with happy kisses. The nice lady Michelle came in between times and took us for a short walk. She said that much as she loves her Papa, she also loves Boston Terriers and she would be glad to walk us anytime.

I had a special photo I wanted to send you, but the silly program won't allow me to upload it to patch it in here. Maybe tomorrow. Kisses for Mommies and Auntie Em. Dizzy send lots, too.

this morning

grandma left us...she said she is going to her drawing group...so we are alone with grandpa again...he said before grandma left that he was tired...like he hadnt gotten a full night sleep...does that have something to do with us?...he took us into the bedroom...papa too...papa got up on the bed and lay down...ella and i did too for a little while...but not long...we made a race track loop...off the bed on the right...around behind it...up onto the bed on the left...leaping over both grandpa and papa...maybe about twenty times...then i caught ella and her toy...i fought her for it...she kept it really tight...i gave up and found my own toy...ella decided she wanted my toy instead...we fought again...grandpa put a pillow over his hips...i think he was protecting something...finally grandpa got up and let us out...he took me out...its cold outside still...does summer come again soon?...ella says someone comes to visit us tonight...grandma and grandpa will be gone for awhile...i hope not too long...but i like strange people...all for now

Fun!

Dizzy and I are making our own fun. We have hoped that Grandma and Grandpa will take us somewhere special, but Grandpa says it is too cold. I know when I go outside my back leg doesn't want to touch the ground, so I guess it is pretty cold. I also know that going back inside feels really good.

I heard Grandpa talking to some lady named Michelle about visiting us. He said "on Friday," but I don't know when that is. It sounds like he and Grandma must go somewhere and leave us for awhile. Sounds like our life back home. So someone will come to visit us and take us out for our business. I hope Grandma and Grandpa are not gone long.

Dizzy walks around with her nose in the air. She hasn't had an accident in days and seems very pleased with herself. I need to find a way to take her down a notch. Maybe if I gnaw on her back leg.

Grandma and Grandpa had something Grandpa called "hamburgers" for dinner. The smells were wonderful! Grandma said I get some hamburger on my food, too, and it does taste pretty good, but it doesn't smell anything like as good as what Grandpa cooked. I asked really nicely, "Pretty, pretty please, can I have some of yours?" I stood on my hind legs and tried to look as adorable as I could. I whined only a little bit. I really wanted some, but no one would give me any.

I think this will be all for tonight. I need to think about bed, and thinking about bed usually means a nap beforehand. Grandpa gave me a photo to send you that I think I'll use as my official portrait when I'm elected President.

On Guard

I asked Grandpa to take a picture of me guarding the house. The kitchen stairs are really good for this. I can see all the way across the street, and I am careful to keep track of everyone walking up or down our street. (It does feel like "our" street, although I know I have another street with my mommies, and that Dizzy and I will be back on that street in a month.) If a dog is stupid enough to walk past, I really let him know he's not welcome. Grandpa should post a sign saying

ESPECIALLY FIERCE GUARD DOG
ON DUTY
BEWARE!!!!

I also asked Grandpa to take a picture of Dizzy being lazy. Maybe she's just totally relaxed when I'm on duty, however. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

quality time

i love my grandma...she has a soft lap...and nice hands...she takes time to cuddle me...i feel good...bedtime soon...i can tell because im yawning...a big yawn feels good...i have a full tummy...its warm inside...its cold outside...i feel good

Our Day, Today

After Grandma left, while we were resting on the stairs, someone rang the backdoor bell. At the time I did not know that's what it was, but Papa quickly told me. What excitement! A lady was at the door. I think I remember her from when we last were here. She works in the house, pushing a machine around that makes a lot of noise, making floors wet (on purpose, and it seems to be good, as opposed to when Dizzy has an accident), pushing things around on kitchen surfaces, and doing things in other rooms we are not permitted to see. Grandpa restricted us to his room while she worked in the kitchen, and then we were shut in the kitchen with him (he ate lunch) while she was in other rooms.

Here's another photo of Dizzy enjoying the sunshine this morning.



We had a tame afternoon after all that excitement. The few times we went outside it was still cold, so I'm glad we didn't have to go far.

Dizzy stole my bed at the top of the stairs, so I stole her bed in the kitchen. It is very comfortable. I napped.

More perhaps before I go to bed. Grandpa has put away his camera. I'll try not to do anything that will tempt him to get it out again.

Good Morning, Sunshine

Dizzy and I awoke at a reasonable hour this morning -- like 7:30. We started out really quietly, but after conferring, we jointly attacked Grandpa, because we knew it was his turn to walk us. Kisses all over his face from both of us! He quickly got the message, and we were off to the park.

It was a lot colder this morning. Grandpa had to zip up his jacket, and I saw that when he took Papa out after us he had gloves on. He fed us, then we settled back while the grandparents ate breakfast. Grandpa took Dizzy out twice more to see if she would poop (is that what "anal retentive" means?), and then the third time later in the morning was charmed. I know you get such a kick out of hearing about our bodily functions. ;-)

I found sunshine at the top of the stairs, and then Dizzy found it too, and then Grandpa got his camera -- this time without the flash -- and took our picture. In fact, he took lots of pictures. Maybe I can send some of the others of them another time.

Grandma is gone this morning. We're just being lazy. Life is good. Here's a picture of Dizzy trying to lick her own nose.

Last Call Tonight

I'm about to go to bed, but before I could leave my perch at the top of the stairs, Grandpa snuck up again and snapped this pic. I was so far gone I didn't even notice the flash. I thought I'd send this to you before I turn in. No rain tonight, I think, so we should all sleep soundly. Grandpa's turn to take Dizzy and me for our walk tomorrow morning. Maybe we'll be kind to him and not get up until 7 or so.

Dizzy says she wrote you. I hope it was a nice letter.

I'll write more tomorrow.

dizzy here

hi mommies and auntie em...dizzy here...im writing this time...ella said i could...she even offered to help...i said NO WAY i can write by myself...ella says she told you about the big baddaboom last night...i was scared for a minute...grandma and grandpa didnt seem concerned...i went back to bed...i like their bed...i like snugglin with grandma...i like snugglin with grandpa too but somehow i always seem to end up on grandmas side...i like it here...we are having fun...i like the long hallway for running...ella is sometimes mean to me...im bigger than her...i tell her where she can stuff it...oops...im not supposed to say things like that...grandmas gone today...she goes out that door in the kitchen and disappears...i wish i knew how that works...sometimes i wish i could disappear too...when ella is mean to me...grandpa was here all the time in his office...working on the computer...i think hes writing something...he gets up regularly to come see us...we are at the top of the stairs...except when im in my bed...thank you for that...i love my bed...sometimes when grandpa comes to see us he takes us outside...so i wont have an accident...except i had one today...i try but sometimes i just have to go...im taking a long time to write this letter...it is taking all day...grandpa was gone for part of tonight...grandma says he went to teach stuff about cameras...he seems to know a lot about cameras...now hes back...grandma will take me into the bedroom...so i need to finish this...was this a good letter? love...dizzy

Boom!

Last night started routinely. We went to bed more or less simultaneously. I found my favorite spot under the covers in the crook of Grandpa's knees, and the only problem as usual was that Grandpa kept shifting the position of those knees. But I adjusted.

Later I was sleeping on top of the covers between grandparents when suddenly, "BOOM" shook the house. Well, I went straight upright, leapt from the bed, and barked to warn all and sundry: "Man the barricades! Alert! Alert! Repel boarders! To arms, to arms!" After a moment's riot, and no repeat of the sound, I calmed down, but just to be sure I sniffed all around the room to detect any aliens who might have snuck in. Finding none, I was back on the bed. In the meantime, Grandpa had said, "Well, that's something you don't often hear in late November." I'm not sure what he was referring to. I could hear that it was raining outside, and I was glad to be snuggled in with grandparents and Dizzy.

Later I got off the bed and curled up next to Papa, but Grandpa saw me and lifted me back into bed. I accepted this for awhile, but then returned to the floor near Papa for part of the night.

The night's excitement must still have been affecting me, however, since I woke everyone at 6 a.m.. Grandma took Dizzy and me out, but it was raining, so we didn't get much of a walk. Then all of us (including Papa) returned to bed for another couple hours.

The morning has been largely lazy. Grandma is gone, and Grandpa has taken us out a couple times. Otherwise, we're still just recovering from the night's excitement and sleeping a bit. Grandpa did let a Met Museum catalog slip to the kitchen floor. Yum! It tastes good. He later retrieved it, however; what a spoilsport.

I'll talk to Dizzy about her guest-writing some of these blog entries. I may have to coach her a bit. Watch for it, perhaps soon.

I Think I Hate ...

... telephoto lenses. Grandpa has developed this tendency to sneak up on me at the most embarrassing moments. Like here. I was engaging in a perfectly good backrub, self-administered, and Wham! there's that bright flash again. Shocked me right out of my reverie. I sat up straight and just couldn't get back into the mood again.

Otherwise, life is good. We ate well tonight, and then slept close by as Grandma and Grandpa ate. I think they called it turkey. And dressing. And squash. Actually, I think they called it leftovers.

We're looking forward to bed. In fact, I think I'm always looking forward to bed. It's quality time, big time.

I miss my mommies. So does Dizzy, when she slows down long enough to think about it.

Walk, Nap, Etc.

Dizzy and I did indeed walk this morning, but not so far as we did when our mommies took us out. Only to the Lake Harriet bandstand and back. It is still kind of dreary out, and much colder than it was over the weekend, but that doesn't diminish our fun when prancing along the walkway.

We were a bit pooped after returning, so a short nap was in order. Silly Dizzy loves her bed down in the kitchen, but I like much better to lie on the big dog cushion at the top of the back stairs, because then I can see everyone going by outside. I love being the house guard-dog; I bark even louder than Papa! Since I can see Grandma sitting in her chair at the island, I'm sure she can at least see my one eye and a pair of ears sticking up.

After our short nap, while Grandpa was eating lunch, Dizzy came up the stairs and started working on one of the bone fragments that are scattered around the house. I was content to just stay were I was. Grandpa took the photo shown above, which I think is particularly nice since it shows all three of us in our favorite location. Grandpa is getting pretty good at sneaking up on us to snap a photo.

Now Grandma is upstairs working in her studio, Grandpa is at his PC, Dizzy is still working on the remnants of that stuffed toy, and I've returned to my stair-top lair. Grandma has promised a nap later. Super! Another snuggle!

Restless Night

Another strange bed. Grandma promised us we'd sleep in the same place for five weeks now, but last night was our first sleeping with Grandma and Grandpa in their bed. I couldn't quite find the right location; they are so different from our mommies. Dizzy pretty much settled in on one side of Grandma, and Grandma moved over to make sure Dizzy had about five times more space than she needed, which meant that Grandma was in the middle of the bed, which then also meant that Grandpa and I had about a third of the bed to share. That meant that Grandpa was constantly shifting to find a comfortable position, which in turn meant that my night was spent adjusting to Grandpa adjusting to Grandma adjusting to Dizzy. I think only Dizzy got a good night's sleep!

I made two circuits from above the covers to underneath the covers, and least those are the ones I remember. Grandpa yelped once when I was crawling over his legs looking for open space into which to curl.

We slept in until about 7:45, but then Papa got up from his bed, and his toenails on the hardwood floor spelled the end to our restless night. Both Dizzy and I were up immediately, shaking all over to banish sleep, and we were ready for our walk.

It was cold outside, but I remember freezing my tootsies last winter, and it is nowhere nearly as cold as that. It also rained last night, so everything was a bit soggy underfoot. We had a nice walk, however, and met some new people (briefly). Now the morning is well underway, and Grandma has promised us a walk around the lake. First, however, Dizzy and I had to remove all the stuffing from a toy that somehow had been overlooked during Thanksgiving weekend.

Crazy Sister

Sometimes I just don't understand my sister. Dizzy can be just plain crazy sometimes. Take this evening.

There I was minding my own business at the top of the back stairs, peacefully working away on a bone (yum! after dinner treat!), when Dizzy came to the top of the stairs and started barking at me. Like she had some kind of right to my bone! Well, I ignored her as long as I could, but finally I just gave her back as good as she was giving me. Which is apparently what she was waiting for, because she darted in, grabbed that bone, and hightailed it down the hall.

I thought maybe she'd settle in at the other end. No, instead she got there, turned around, and ran just as fast back toward me, taking the three steps at the top of the stairs in a single bound. Then she wheeled, and ran back the other way! She did this circuit three or four times, finally stopping next to me, sounding winded. Then she lay down and started working on that bone.

Dizzy is so weird!

Naptime

A little while after we returned from the airport, Grandma took a nap. That was too good to resist. So Dizzy and I crawled up with her, just like old times. (Oh, yes, I forgot to mention Papa in the Introduction. Grandpa says he's named after Papageno in Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute, but I've never been to the opera so wouldn't know. He's much bigger than us, and is very, very old -- almost 16.) Anyway, Papa also settled in, making it a quartet -- a total of fourteen legs -- all asleep for a couple hours this afternoon. Papa was careful not to lie on either of us small ones.

Grandpa didn't take any pictures. He said we were all too cute, but he didn't want to disturb the sleeping angels.

Introductions

My name is Ella. I'm named after Ms. Fitzgerald. My sister's name is Dizzy. Her namesake is Mr. Gillespie. I know, he's a guy and my sister's a girl, but she doesn't seem to mind. Anyway, my mommies, Bethany and Megan, named us, so we didn't have much to say about the matter.

We're on vacation! Our mommies had to return to NYC to work, but they brought us for Thanksgiving to my grandparents' house in Minneapolis (all of us were there, including my aunt, and my uncle and his boyfriend). It wasn't exactly the over-the-river kind of trip -- I really don't like flying awfully much. Now that we're here, we get to stay until after New Years! If I remember the last time we did this, Grandma and Grandpa spoiled us silly! I hope the next month has lots of food, treats, and cuddles.

We just returned from the airport where we kissed our mommies and aunt goodbye. I think they were sad to leave us, but they were all grown up about it. Grandpa drove us home.

So, this is just an introduction, for anyone who might stumble across this blog. I've promised to write frequently to let Mommy Megan and Mommy Bethany know how we're doing. And Aunt Emily.

Goodbye for now!