Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy, Tempeste and Bubbles

 

 

 

“What is that thing, Twiggy?”

“It is a human made little piece of heaven.”

“I don’t get it. What do you mean, piece of heaven?”

“These are bubbles. More fun than anything. You chase and pop them.”

“One just landed and popped on its own.”

” You have to get them while they are still in the air.”

“There’s two more.”

“I got the high one. You get that slow one coming in.”

“This one is in my sights. Easy peasy. Where do they come from?”

“Mom is over there with a magic wand and solution. No more questions. Just go for it.”

“A little boost, and I’ve got this one.”

“Atta girl. They won’t last all that long, so we need to make fun while they’re here.”

“That is some move.”

“I call this a backward twist. Really fakes ’em out.”

“I’m lined up. Target in sight. Big deep breath.”

“Good idea. Okay, now take your time. This one’s yours.”

“It’s so pretty. Look at all the colors. I don’t want it to go.”

“Well done, Little One. Now bite it before it pops.”

“It popped.”

“They are very delicate.”

“At least it lived its own life. Are there any more?”

“Mom has packed it in. They will be back another day.”

“Thanks for the lessons. You are right. This is fun.”

“Next time, you’ll know what to do. I hear the roar of dinner. Let’s go.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste On a Rainy Day

“Tempeste. What are you doing?”

“Looking for crumbs.”

“You have to believe there are none around here.”

“So I’m finding out. I’ll keep looking, though.”

“Suit yourself. Believe me, I’ve been over this place with a fine-toothed comb.”

“Fine-toothed comb? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ve looked carefully, and there are no crumbs.”

“Shoot. There goes the morning.”

“Where you going?”

“Since It’s raining, maybe a nap would be good.”

“That does seem like a good idea.”

“Um. I’m not so sure. This bed is not very cozy.”

“May not be cozy, but it sure is soft.”

“Yeah, I can feel that. Maybe too soft.”

“How could a bed be too soft?”

“Sometimes, when I sleep wrong, I get a crick. I think it is from a soft bed.”

“I have never heard of sleeping wrong, let alone a crick.”

“You have to believe that it happens to me.”

“You kids these days. A crick, indeed. Follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“To my nice Serta Perfect Sleeper dog bed. It is a no-crick zone.”

“You would let me use your bed?”

“We can’t have you going around with a crick.”

“You’re the best.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste in the Yard

“Why did Mom let us out in the yard?”

“So we can run and play together. Besides, she picked up all the leaves.”

“What is that fencing doing there?”

“That is to keep you from eating leaves on the other side.”

“How about a race.”

“Okay, I’ll race you to the other fence.”

“Hey, no fair. You are bigger and faster.”

“Also heavier, I might point out.”

“Okay, then I’ll race you back.”

“Hey, I didn’t even get a chance to run.”

“And you don’t get a chance either.”

“Okay, you win this one.”

“The panther and the puma sniff the ground looking for prey.”

“That is a nice story.”

“The panther decides to take out the puma.”

“I have to say the panther has a nice spring.”

“Time to give up Miss Puma.”

“You have not seen my secret move.”

“Come on. Show me the move.”

“Maybe when you get bigger.”

Aw, come on. Cough it up.”

“You are not old enough for my move.”

“I will keep bugging you until you show me the move.”

” I must say you are becoming very persuasive.”

“Whoa. What was that?”

“That dear heart was the move.”

“Can you show me again?”

“You have got to be kidding me.”

“No, I would like to see it again.”

“I think you should quit while you’re ahead.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempest on Walk

“This is so exciting, Twiggy. A walk.”

“Yes, I’m always happy to take a walk.”

“Look at that grass over there.”

“One rule of walking is not to go off by yourself.”

“Thanks for the tip. What happens if we do wander?”

“You could get the yank of your life.”

“What is a yank?”

“Um, that’s where Mom corrects your direction. It is not a good thing.”

“So, how about if I protect you by holding your leash?”

“I really don’t need protection since I have learned how to walk on a leash.”

“It may be fun to see what Mom does when I walk you.”

“I’m sure she won’t be entertained. Let’s switch sides.”

“We can just switch when we want?”

“As long as we keep going forward, Mom’s okay with it.”

“You are the best, Twiggy. I appreciate all your help.”

“Don’t worry, Little One. I have your back. Let’s switch again.”

“Okay, I’m moving forward.”

“I like your stride. You look very disciplined.”

“I have to take two steps to your one.”

“I know. It’s the hardship of still being a puppy.”

“Look at this. There is a leaf on the road.”

“Okay, time to turn around. I don’t want to be near you when Mom sees you try for a leaf.”

“I love leaves.”

“That’s what gets you in a playpen. No eating leaves.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Tempeste Gives a Demonstration

“Hey, Twiggy. I’ve been watching some WWF wrestling.”

“Okay. It is always good to get some experience.”

“Yeah, but I need to put what I’ve learned into practice.”

“Don’t tell me you have found someone to practice with?”

“Not really. I thought I would be able to practice with you.”

“Yeah, I was being facetious. Of course, you want to practice with me.”

“What does facetious mean.? Does that mean yes?”

“It means I was  more or less kidding you.”

“Oh please, practice with me.”

“Dear Lord, I know I will regret this. Okay, I will.”

You’re the best. The first is the neck hold.”

“Yeah, I can hardly move.”

“Then there is the step-over-head grip.”

“Your foot is in my eye.”

Oh sorry. How’s this half-body slam treating you?”

“I’m powerless.”

“Now the full-body slam. I’ve got you pinned.”

“Yes, you do. One…Two. ..three.”

“What does one, two, three mean?”

“You pinned me, and you won.”

“Where you going?”

“I need to go to the showers and shake off my defeat.”

“There is always a rematch.”

“I’m sure of that.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – The Puma and Panther Showdown Over A Bed.

“The panther sneaks up on the puma with the intent of taking the bed.”

“The puma is fully prepared to ward off the attack.”

“The panther makes the first move.”

“The puma is now fully alert.”

“With a giant roar, the panther attacks.”

“The puma prepares to deflect the move and returns a growl..”

“The panther outflanks the puma.”

“The puma parries the thrust.”

“Mmumm emmumm”

“The puma buries the panther.”

“The panther takes a deep breath and is ready to go again.”

“Excuse me, but did the panther say, ‘I give up?'”

“‘Never surrender,’ the panther shouts.”

“The puma laughs and gets ready to end it all.”

“Okay, okay I surrender.”

“A very smart panther you are.”

“The panther can’t stand the tummy tickle.”

“You will do my bidding.”

 

“Yes, I will if you stop.”

“Maybe just one more tickle.”

“Sure looks like affection to me.”

“Yeah. That was a fun game. Okay no more tickling.”

“How about one kiss.”

“How about another rukus?”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste – Getting to know You

“Another lesson I have to teach. Body language.”

“What about it?”

“Look at my ears. They are telling you I don’t want to be bothered.”

“I’m not bothering you. We are just playing.”

“Well, playing to you might be annoying to someone else.”

“Are you annoyed?

“Let’s just say I have had better days.”

“Would a kiss help?”

“That was lovely, and it did help brighten things.”

“Where you going?”

“I’m going over to the refrigerator to lie down.”

“Why the refrigerator?”

“There is nice warm air coming out of the bottom.”

“Oh, I can feel it. It’s wonderful.”

“I suppose there is enough for two.”

“You are the bestest sister.”

“You comfortable?”

“I think I need to move just a little more.”

“How about now?”

“I’m going to get off of you.”

“Aw gee, it was just starting to feel good with you up there.”

“Dark sarcasm, right?”

“You bet your Pink Floyd.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Gets Her Wish – Tempeste Is Here

“Okay, Tempeste. We need to start some instruction today.”

” I’m so glad you are going to teach me.”

“Hmmmm. I’m wondering about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, was that statement sincere, or are you trying to butter me up?”

“Gee, I don’t even know what buttering you up means.”

“Okay, I’ll accept that. I think you might be too young to be political.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Believe me, it is a perfect thing.”

“So you’ll teach me what I need to know?”

“Yes, but first a pact. You do as I say, right?”

“Of course I will.”

“Great. Now we can start. Where are you going?”

“I thought I would try these black thingys.”

“These are several lessons off. Let’s start with the game-playing basics.”

“That sounds good to me. Let’s begin at the beginning.”

“Yeah, that’s what basics mean. Okay, this is a play bow.”

“That looks friendly. How’s mine?”

“It looks good. Now, we choose your animal. I’m a vicious puma, and you are a panther.”

“You do look vicious. Is the panther vicious, too?”

“OMG, I would say the panther could be even more vicious than the puma.”

“I like the feeling. Grrrrrrrrrr.”

“You are going to be fun.”

Here is a close-up of Tempeste. She was in her puppy mill mama, which Dog Ranch Rescue in Anna, Texas, saved from that situation. She is a brindle French Bulldog, eight weeks old, and born in freedom. Her mom has a forever home as well. The producer picked her up on Saturday. She lives up to her name and has us all wrapped around her paw.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy’s Wish.

Hey Twigs. What’s going on?

“I was just thinking about Lucy and that photo you took of us running on the new Turf.”

This one? Taken three years ago?

“Yes. We were sure happy. I miss having Lucy with us.”

“Mom and I miss her too. Of course, you have us.”

“I know, Dad. I hate to tell you, but fur and skin people are different people.”

Well, I do know that and know I’m no substitute for Lucy.”

“I know you try your best, but I have a hard time seeing you as a water buffalo.”

“I wonder what we can do to help you?”

“I’m not sure either. There is no way to wish Lucy back with us .”

“If you had another wish, what would you say it would be?”

“One that I have said many times. You know I can’t say it, or it won’t come true.”

“Here’s a deal. I’ll make a wish, and hopefully, it will be the same as yours.”

“That would be swell, Dad. Do you think Mom would join us in a wish?”

“I’m certain she will.”

“I hope we are on the same page. If so, I think it’s time  to smile.”

“I think so too, Little One.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy’s Ball

“You in the mood to play ball?”

“It’s way over there.”

“That’s a whole three feet away.”

“Really? I thought it was closer.”

“For heaven’s sake, it is almost next to you.”

“Well, it just seems like it is not friendly.”

“What’s not friendly about it.”

“Seems standoffish to me.”

“It is a ball, not another dog.”

“Yeah, well, I wish it were.

“Okay, there. Mr. Ball, meet Twiggy.”

“I think you take things too far sometimes, Dad.”

“You implied that the ball was standoffish. I just wanted you two to become acquainted.”

“Okay, I get it. Nice to meet you, Mr. Ball. You have an Instagram  handle?”

I’ll throw you the ball. This will make it more active.”

“Now I think you are getting somewhere. A little interactiveness. Don’t hurt yourself.”

“There you go. Be careful it’s going to bounce.”

“I have my eye on it.”

Whoa. It took a mighty bounce.”

“Not too far for me, though. I got it.”

“Want to go again?”

“I sure do. I love to play catch.

“This time, I’ll toss it far.”

“And the doggie will run it down.”