Thursday – A Little Personal – Beach Time

A Little Personal

“Well, Lucy. We finally have some time for a good old walk without freezing to death.”

“I know. I’m just wondering about the sun though. There isn’t any.”

A little personal

“I know, but think of it this way. No panting. Besides look up there. I see some sun.”

“I suppose you are right. We can’t have everything so we should be positive. Let’s go down by the water. Come on humans.”

A little personal

“Look at that Lucy.”

“What is it?”

“Take a sniff. What does it smell like?”

“Oh, it has a briny, fishy smell.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I wonder?”

“Wonder what?”

A little personal

“What it tastes like?”

“Muufff. Strong bouquet of fish. Definitely has mouthfeel issues along with a distinctive eel-like finish. Patoo. Not for me.”

A little personal

“I’ll pass too. Look over there. Shells”

“Hey neat. Good source of calcium.”

A little personal

“You two leave those shells alone.”

“Yes pops. What’s he doing, Lucy? I don’t want to look.”

“He’s fine.”

A little personal

“Have I ever shown you my bird dog imitation, Bailey?”

“No. I think you might need to work on it though.”

A Little personal

“How about my tracking bloodhound impersonation?”

“The same advice you gave me.”

“Okay, so who’s the wiseacre dropping plastic shampoo bottles in the Gulf?”

“I would love to test my locking jaw on their leg if I knew.”

“What do you say, humans? You had enough?”

“Yeah, Boss. Look at the cart over way down there. I would hate to have to carry you.”

“I guess you ladies want to go back, huh?”

a little personal

“Well, here we are, Bailey. I had fun. How about you?”

“Yes indeed. Thanks, parents for the walk.”

“Our pleasure, Ladies. I mean it happens every day but if you want to thank us that is very nice.”

“Hey, Lucy. I have a question.”

“Shoot.”

“How come your leash is always loose.”

“Trustworthy, Bailey. Trustworthy.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Housebound

“Hey, Lucy. Do you want to come up here on the couch you look a little down.”

“To tell you the truth, I wish there was something to play with.”

“I know it is boring when you can’t go outside.”

“Yeah, why can’t we go out?

“For heaven’s sake, Lucy. Can you take a look at the thermometer? It is 30 degrees F out there.”

“Whats that in centigrade?

“You tire me out, Lucy. You really do. We can’t go out there even in our blankets.”

“Why’s that?”

“Pops says the wind chill is too much for his old bones. Look at him. He looks zonked.”

“I heard that. I’m not zonked. Just resting my eyes. Mom is going to take care of you two.”

“What is that, Mom? Looks like a hedgehog.”

“These are pigs you two. Now go and have fun.”

“Hold on Mom. Not sure about this.”

“Okay, I’ll set it on the poof. You take your time.

“Hey, Bailey. Come sniff this thing.”

“Hmm. I don’t know about this funny looking thing. Look at the color.”

“Also check out those beady eyes. The thing gives me the creeps”

“Well, Bailey, there is only one thing to do.”

“What is that, Lucy?”

“Pounce, grab, shake, and kill it”

“Boy, you are an animal for sure.”

“Grrrr.”

“Mowaufff.”

Lucy and Bailey

“There, there, little piggy. I’ll protect you from the big bad Great White Shark. Can you oink for me?”

Thursday – A Little Personal – The Creature

Lucy and Bailey

“Hey, Boss.”

“Hi, Lucy. How are you?

“Just fine. You know I have something I need to discuss with you.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Come closer.”

“Is this close enough?”

“Yes, Boss. What I need to tell you I don’t want mom to know.”

“Sounds serious. What is it?”

“Yesterday we were walking in the neighborhood and—”

“There is something in the storm drain Pops. It hissed at us and made a splash.”

“Thank you, Bailey. Do you know what it is?”

“No. I don’t think I want to know.”

“I’m telling you, Boss. You have to see this thing for yourself.”

“Okay, Lucy. How about on walk we investigate.”

“How about mom? She goes with us on a walk.”

“She’ll be okay. She needs to know too.”

Lucy and Bailey

‘So here is the dreaded sewer. I’m looking in here and don’t see anything.”

“Go closer, Boss. ”

“Still nothing. Why don’t you two come over here?”

Lucy and Bailey

‘Not me Pops. Lucy, you go ahead. Quit tugging my leash.”

“Uh, no. I’m good from back here.”

“Sorry Bailey. Well, ladies. I don’t see or hear a thing.”

“We are sure there was something, Boss. I think it is time to go home.”

“Well that was a bust. I guess we’ll never know what is in there.”

“I think you are right Bailey. It could be anything. Maybe a fish got caught in there.”

“This was no fish, Pops.”

“Yeah, Boss. It wasn’t a fish.”

“You okay though, Lucy.”

“I think I’ll have a little lay down. Things will look brighter at dinner time.”

“Good idea, Lucy. I’ll call you when its time.”

“You’re a mensch, Boss.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Cold Snap

“You called Boss?”

“Yes, Lucy. It’s time for your morning walk.”

“Hold on, Boss. Have you been out there today?

“Yes. It is a little chilly.”

“Pops. Sixty degrees are a little chilly. It is thirty degrees right now.”

“Come on. How do you know that, Bailey?”

“You’re kidding, right? I’m a dog. It’s in my DNA to know what is going on outside all the time.”

“Do you agree, Lucy?”

“Well, as I take a sniff of the downstairs exit I can sense some cold air.”

“You guys are like the biggest chickens. It will do you good to get some fresh air. You laid around all day yesterday.”

“Well, there were reasons Boss.”

“Like what kind of reasons?”

“It was a Tuesday. On Tuesday Bailey and I like to lay around.”

“I know. I got a photo of you two.”

“Let me look, Boss. Oh, I see there is some sunshine.”

“See there you are. Come look Bailey. You’ll like it.”

“Um. In a minute, Pops. I need to do some creative thinking.”

“I can imagine, Bailey. How about you Lucy?”

Lucy and Bailey

“You know, Boss. Right now I’m good. Let me rest in this ray of death for a minute.”

“So maybe we’ll go for a walk later?”

“We’ll get back to you on that, Boss.”

“How about if I get out your blankets?”

Lucy and Bailey

“Now you’re talking, Boss.”

“Way to go, Pops.”

“You ladies look cute.”

“Why thank you. (As if we didn’t know. Right, Bailey?)”

“Right.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Bailey Reflections

Lucy and Bailey

“So Lucy. What do you think about the year? It is almost New Year’s Eve, and I wonder if you have some thoughts about 2017.”

“Boy, Bailey. You are pretty philosophical for a hound.”

“I’m a boxer, not a hound.”

“Just an expression.”

“Back to my question.”

“I’m thinking. I guess I will have to call the year a challenge.”

“How so?”

“Just listen to that hammering. It has been going on for weeks.”

“I know, but it is a sign of progress. We had a Hurricane after all.”

“Not to mention evacuating to Austin.”

“Yeah, that wasn’t so pleasant. But we did avoid the flying siding and stuff.”

“I know. I was glad not to have been here then.”

“Okay, that was the Hurricane. What else?”

“I miss Stella.”

“I know. I do too. She always seemed to have the perfect word for any occasion.”

“Not to mention fun to chase.”

“We have to believe she is happy. She had a long life of love.”

“I agree. Well, in any case, I’m thinking she has a lot of mice that need catching.”

“Excellent thought, Lucy. Let’s keep that vision in mind.”

“Beyond those two events, 2017 was not really a bad year.”

“I have to agree. You know we have it pretty good.”

“I would say.”

“I think I’ll make a resolution for 2018.”

“Okay, what is that? Boy, my eyelids are getting heavy. Might be the thought of making a resolution.”

“Lucy you are such a slug. You know that?”

“How about a little nap before we move to 2018?”

“Okay, I see your point. When we wake up, we need to make our resolutions.”

“Hmm. Oh sure. When we get up, that’ll be the first thing we do. Well, besides a scratch.”

“And a drink of water.”

“And maybe a run in the yard. ZZZZZZZ.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Construction

Lucy

“You busy Boss?”

“Oh just trying to finish this chapter. But for you anything.”

“You hear all that hammering?

“Yeah, It is more construction.”

Lucy and Bailey

“These new guys?”

“Nope, the same guys as last week.”

“Well, they don’t smell the same.”

“Nothing ever smells the same, Lucy. So what are they doing out there Pops?”

“They are doing what’s called a demo of the area.”

“See the handrails leaning up against the glass?

“Yeah, Pops I see ’em.”

“They came off the sun porch.”

“Pops, come back in here. That drop is a long one.”

“Just a couple more pictures. Here is another shot of the porch.”

“An outside shot of the rails leaning and a big hole.”

“Pops. You gotta quit now.”

“Okay, I’m ready with this photo of the other end.”

“I’m back, Bailey.”

“None too soon, Pops. You had me a little nervous.”

“So you were concerned about me?”

“That is a long way down for the dinner dish, Pops.”

“I get it, Bailey.”

“How about you, Lucy. You concerned?”

“Huh, what? You say something, Boss? So what did all that look like before the demo?”

Here you go, Lucy. Some before shots.”

Hurricane Harvy damage

“I’m glad someone is fixing those handrails and deck, Boss. I don’t think I want to go out there.”

“Me too, Lucy. Me either.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy Has a Question

“Hey, Boss.”

“Hi, Lucy. When you stand there like that, I know there is something on your mind.”

“How do you know I do not just adore you.”

“Um. I would say I just know. So what is the question.”

“Okay, then you caught me. I was wondering if that is Santa on the roof?”

“Santa? What makes you think Santa is on the roof?”

“Tell him, Bailey.”

“Well pops. We hear the pitter patter of pretty heavy deer up there.”

“I’m always amazed how you wake up from a sound sleep and seem to know what’s going on, Bailey.”

“Boss. Come over here and take a look.”

“Lucy. I don’t have to take a look.”

“Lucy’s not kidding, pops. You should see this.”

“Can’t you just tell me?”

“It looks like a bunch of elves delivering long pieces of metal.”

“That’s because they are the roofers, you two. Remember, the hurricane damaged our roof? These guys are fixing it.”

“But so much stuff, Boss. You should see it all.”

“I know, Lucy. They are replacing the whole roof, so there is a lot of stuff to put up there.”

“Can Bailey and I bark at them?”

“That would be a no. Lucy.”

“Beg for treats?”

“No.”

 

 

Thursday – A Little Personal – Stella

Our family is saddened that Stella succumbed to her age Tuesday. She passed peacefully and is now with her brother across the Rainbow bridge. We took her to the veterinarian, and he gave her what she needed to say goodbye.

Stella was born under a Mesquite bush in August 2001 in San Antonio Texas. She was one of five. She and her siblings were rescued, the mother spayed, released and all the kittens came to live at our house. They were bottle fed, and when old enough, her sisters were adopted by three other neighbors. She and her brother Frank were to remain with us to live the best life possible.

She did ask me to remind all pet owners that when it is time to help your pet in this transition, do it remembering the love your pet gave you. It is a sign of your love for them to make the ultimate sacrifice by letting them go.

Stella remains in our hearts but will be missed.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Bailey Go Out

Stella, Lucy and Bailey

“John.”

“What Stella?”

“Do you see these two wolfhounds poised to devour my food?”

“Your bowl is on my books. Maybe they are thinking of reading.”

“Not even funny in your author world, John. How about getting these two outside.”

“Hey Pops. Check out Lucy.”

“What’s she doing?”

“Still trying to get the lizard.”

“Lucy, leave that lizard alone.

“Shush, Boss. I think I have him this time.”

“Right Lucy. I can see he has his eye on you.”

“Look, Boss. He’s running right to me.”

“Sure he is, Lucy.”

“Dagnabit, he took a left turn.”

“Boy I’ve never seen him do that before.”

“Okay, Boss I get it. flummoxed again.”

“Hey, Lucy. You get ’em?”

Lucy

“You are quite the comedian Bailey.”

“Why don’t you two play in the yard. There will be another lizard later.”

“You think the Boss is losing it, Bailey?”

“I think ole Pops was trying to distract you with that lizard tale.”

“I guess you are right. I thought he didn’t know I knew there is a lizard every hour.”

“He knows.”

“Good. I would hate to think the old boy is slipping. What the heck are you doing?”

“My afternoon sun bath and back rub. This is a spa after all.”

“I dunno. I think y’all are starting to unravel. Oh well, it is still a happy place and the sun feels good.”