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