christmas time

Christmas at our house means baking and frosting cookies.

These sugar cookies take TIME, and I mean lots and lots of time.

I used to get bored and take naps while baking was going on because I never get any cookies to eat, but this year things changed.

Thanks to Fig, I learned that food is available in places other than the kitchen.
Take a look at this tree. There are BERRIES to eat! And PINE CONES!

And GINGERBREAD boys!

We had a small problem, but it didn't take us long to solve it.

Fig can work miracles!

in hiding

Can you see me? I love it here. It's Tad's crate, and it sits in the kitchen in direct sunlight.

Since T-Pole has some "naughty, bad dog" tricks, Motch is taking no chances. It's a new rule that came into effect when he moved in: when the last person leaves for the day, Tad goes to jail because Motch doesn't want any puddles and droppings in the house. (She says to thank you, Fleas Gang, for being concerned that I don't pick up his bad habits.) Tad doesn't think it's so bad to get locked up because he gets a carrot --- and then he doesn't howl.

But when he is free, it's my turn! I like it in here! Sometimes Fig and Tad are a bit too much for me, and I like my space. Before they came, I was alone for most of the day, and I liked it that way. So when I get the chance, I slip inside and enjoy the quiet and solitude.

Pretty perceptive on the part of Petra Pot Pie, wouldn't you say?

gone way and furever too long

Oh my goodnes, I just don't know what to say. There is no excuse for being gone for so long. None whatsoever. No family crisis. No personal issues. Not a word to say. Motch has been lazy, lazy, lazy and that's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

To catch you up on some news: my grandma is home from the nursing home and doing okay, except she's not as strong as she thought she'd be by now. She's kind of discouraged about that. She's coming to our house for Thanksgiving, and I think I'll let her share her food with me to cheer her up.

Speaking of home, that's an area that has expanded where I live. Hannah and Leah and FIG and TAD are ALL living with me right now! I'm learning new things from them; every so often you'll hear ME growl first when someone rings the doorbell.
I'm still the littlest one, and I'm learning to take care of myself. It's hard work, and I don't get as much sleep as I used to, so I walk around with droopy eyes alot. Both girls have both modified their beds so that I can climb up and down on them (they got tired of listening to me chirp when I was left behind). My appetite is growing, too, because if I don't eat my food, guess who will? So I eat twice a day now, really fast...food that I didn't like a month ago.

Anyway, enough rambling for now. I am happy, life is good, and I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

nightly walks

My walks begin like this. I get carried across the prairie grass which grows taller than me and makes me itch. I know it doesn't look like much in this picture, but this photo is deceiving and it really is TALL grass.

Then I'm lowered to the ground and freedom rings!

This is Zoe, one of my new friends. He looks like an oreo cookie, and I'm trying to see if he smells like chocolate.

No, he's all dog, but he sure looks good enough to lick.

And this is Nugget. Doesn't he remind you of Paris Rains?

Nugget is a strange one. When his dad hits a ball into a hole, he just sits down beside him instead of chasing the ball. So although he looks like Paris, I don't think he acts like her. And then my walks end like this, where I collapse on the floor or in somebody's arms. Life is good!

leash rash

I love my walks, and we take them almost every night. Usually they are happy and uneventful, but the other night, Motch felt the wrath of my leash. It looks a little nasty.

When I run in circles, she needs to stay out of the way. Maybe adding jumping rope to her exercise routine would help?

At least there are no red marks on ME!

first place

YESIREEEEEEE! My Cubbies are in first place!

goodbye my friend

Well, it is a sad day for me. My beloved chair is being removed from the bedroom and dragged into the front hall.

Its next stop with be on the curb, and I really don't understand why. It is a tad bit frayed, but I spent many months pulling each thread with love and affection. With intention. On purpose.

This chair is to me what Cowboy Pig is to Joe. Why can't Motch put it in a cupboard and pull it out on special occasions like Joey's mom does?

She has already replaced it with this old thing, and I'm not very happy about it.

therapy dogs

We've been spending lots of time visiting Grammy, who is in rehab at the nursing home. She's working hard and enjoying her therapists, especially those cute ones.
When I was there the other day, I met some therapy dogs, but I can't remember their names. Do you see the treat on this one's paw? He didn't eat it until he was told he could. All of the dogs did tricks like this, and it made people smile.

No smiles from me, though. I wanted that thing!

happy friday!

Hey Everybody! Look at the card Mack made for me! Isn't it PAWSOME?! Thank you, Mack! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Just 2-year-old Petra saying have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yes, today is the big day: my 2nd birthday! Can you believe I'm 2 already?

Can you think of a better way to celebrate than with frosty paws?

With Fig and Tad?

Figgy ate hers so fast that she came and helped me finish mine.

I went to visit Grammy at the nursing home on this happy occasion, too.

She was happy to see me and happy that the Cubs split the series with the Cards over the weekend. She loves to display her W towel on her wheelchair. And just look at the lovely flowers that are stuck in the top of her wheelchair handle. Pretty cool, huh?!

Tad went with me and he had fun sniffing legs.

I liked sniffing cracker crumbs that fell to the floor.

There's no doubt that Grammy loves me!

And I love her! This is the first time she held me, last November, on my gotcha day.

And now I'm 2!