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Friday, December 28, 2012

WANTED FOR COOKIE THEFT

MOST WANTED


TOBY 

THIEF M.O.:

Places paws on kitchen counter, uses snout to nudge cookies from a two-tiered cookie tray. 
In another robbery, he entered an unlocked, open bedroom. After pulling open tin from dresser, consumed the cookies a young man's girlfriend had mailed to him. 

EVIDENCE:

Several eyewitnesses saw the kitchen robbery and positively identified the suspect as the thief.

In the bedroom robbery: circumstantial evidence of wax paper on floor, overturned tin (empty), crumbs on floor. A witness investigated a suspicious noise and saw suspect fleeing scene.

IF SEEN, MOVE ALL EDIBLES AWAY FROM COUNTERS AND CLOSE ALL OPEN CONTAINERS IMMEDIATELY.

OFFER DOG TREATS IF NECESSARY TO REMOVE SUSPECT FROM SCENE OF CRIME.

SUSPECT IS NOT CONSIDERED DANGEROUS BUT MAY GIVE KISSES WHEN APPREHENDED.

Posted by at 4:43 PM 8 comments

WANTED FOR COOKIE THEFT

MOST WANTED
TOBY 

 THIEF M.O.:

 Places paws on kitchen counter, uses snout to nudge cookies from a two-tiered cookie tray. 
In another robbery, he entered an unlocked, open bedroom. After pulling open tin from dresser, consumed the cookies a young man's girlfriend had mailed to him. 

EVIDENCE:

 Several eyewitnesses saw the kitchen robbery and positively identified the suspect as the thief.

In the bedroom robbery: circumstantial evidence of wax paper on floor, overturned tin (empty), crumbs on floor. A witness investigated a suspicious noise and saw suspect fleeing scene.

 IF SEEN, MOVE ALL EDIBLES AWAY FROM COUNTERS AND CLOSE ALL OPEN CONTAINERS IMMEDIATELY.

 OFFER DOG TREATS IF NECESSARY TO REMOVE SUSPECT FROM SCENE OF CRIME.

 SUSPECT IS NOT CONSIDERED DANGEROUS BUT MAY GIVE KISSES WHEN APPREHENDED.

Posted by at 4:43 PM 8 comments

Saturday, December 22, 2012



Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the dog thinks it's delightful,
So outside he wants to go,
To the snow, to the snow, to the snow!

Oh his red bandana's jingling,
From the cold my face is tingling,
Down the starlit streets we go,
In the snow, in the snow, in the snow!

As we stroll through the silent night,
We both think "warmth, recliner, and rug".
Then we see our home's twinkling lights,
And he picks up the pace with a tug!

There'll be dog treats and cookies waiting,
From an afternoon of baking.
After walks with my furry friend,
In the snow, in the snow, in the snow!

Happy Holidays to All!

Posted by at 4:46 PM 6 comments


Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the dog thinks it's delightful,
So outside he wants to go,
To the snow, to the snow, to the snow!

Oh his red bandana's jingling,
From the cold my face is tingling,
Down the starlit streets we go,
In the snow, in the snow, in the snow!

As we stroll through the silent night,
We both think "warmth, recliner, and rug".
Then we see our home's twinkling lights,
And he picks up the pace with a tug!

There'll be dog treats and cookies waiting,
From an afternoon of baking.
After walks with my furry friend,
In the snow, in the snow, in the snow!

Happy Holidays to All!

Posted by at 4:46 PM 6 comments

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Holiday Photo Take Two - Black and White Sunday

Soulful Santa

Posted by at 3:16 PM 11 comments

Holiday Photo Take Two - Black and White Sunday

Soulful Santa

Posted by at 3:16 PM 11 comments

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Take One - Holiday Photo

Happy(?) Holidays

Posted by at 5:15 PM 7 comments

Take One - Holiday Photo

Happy(?) Holidays

Posted by at 5:15 PM 7 comments

Friday, December 14, 2012

Seeing Beautiful - It's Hard Sometimes

There are no words, only emotions. Unspeakable tragedy. What can never take place again, has happened.
There is beauty. It can be hard to see when darkness takes the world.
There is beauty in the shepherding by police of youngsters to places of safety. 
There is beauty in the testimony of a parent that "his teacher did a phenomenal job of making him feel safe" (about her son). 
There is beauty in the sensitivity of the police chief who says,"...there are things we will not discuss yet...a trooper has been assigned to each family...they will be the first to know everything, so they don't need to watch TV [to know what is going on in the investigation]."

But beauty is very hard to see through tears. 

Let's hug our loved ones tonight. 
Posted by at 5:19 PM 3 comments

Seeing Beautiful - It's Hard Sometimes

There are no words, only emotions. Unspeakable tragedy. What can never take place again, has happened.
There is beauty. It can be hard to see when darkness takes the world.
There is beauty in the shepherding by police of youngsters to places of safety. 
There is beauty in the testimony of a parent that "his teacher did a phenomenal job of making him feel safe" (about her son). 
There is beauty in the sensitivity of the police chief who says,"...there are things we will not discuss yet...a trooper has been assigned to each family...they will be the first to know everything, so they don't need to watch TV [to know what is going on in the investigation]."

But beauty is very hard to see through tears. 

Let's hug our loved ones tonight. 
Posted by at 5:19 PM 3 comments

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Our Dream, Toby's Nightmare!

What a day Toby has had!

He was supposed to go to doggie daycare to avoid the chaos. But unfortunately he came down with an itchy eyelid infection and is banned from daycare until his eyes have healed.

It may look like he forgot to put on his eyeliner, but it's an infection (fingers crossed, bacterial not fungal).
His day started out well, since I stayed home from work. After coffee and a shower instead of leaving for the day, I grabbed his leash and we went for a brisk walk. He loves the cold weather (35 degrees, I checked). Me, not so much - I'd rather be on the beach like Sugar the Golden Retriever :)

From there it was all downhill.

First, the chimney sweeps arrived to remove the 25-year-old wood stove insert from the fireplace. This did not go over well. Ted is on a business trip and Toby's protective instinct went into hyperdrive. He isn't truly aggressive, but barks and barks at the intruders, and he has a big dog bark. The entire hour they were there, he was "on duty". 

Next, the electricians arrived. They went in and out, doing who knows what, poking holes into walls, and doing things involving drills. Every single time they walked in or out, Toby acted like he was seeing them for the first time. He simply could not relax.

Men at work.

Shortly after that, the gas technicians came. We now had 5 men going in and out and even under the house, through the gates, continuously.Toby kept looking at me like, "How are you fine with this? There are strangers everywhere!"

At last I just couldn't stand to see his stress, not to mention how annoying it must have been for the workers. I gave Toby a sedative (prescription) to calm him down. It worked wonders. He was still curious to see what was going on, but no longer fearful.

And after the inspector comes tomorrow we will at long last have a modern, energy-efficient, lovely and convenient gas fireplace in the family room!
Note to my kids: Dad really wants this to be a surprise, so if you read this PLEASE act like you didn't know when he shows it to you for the first time. :/
Posted by at 8:03 PM 6 comments

Our Dream, Toby's Nightmare!

What a day Toby has had!

He was supposed to go to doggie daycare to avoid the chaos. But unfortunately he came down with an itchy eyelid infection and is banned from daycare until his eyes have healed.

It may look like he forgot to put on his eyeliner, but it's an infection (fingers crossed, bacterial not fungal).
His day started out well, since I stayed home from work. After coffee and a shower instead of leaving for the day, I grabbed his leash and we went for a brisk walk. He loves the cold weather (35 degrees, I checked). Me, not so much - I'd rather be on the beach like Sugar the Golden Retriever :)

 From there it was all downhill.

 First, the chimney sweeps arrived to remove the 25-year-old wood stove insert from the fireplace. This did not go over well. Ted is on a business trip and Toby's protective instinct went into hyperdrive. He isn't truly aggressive, but barks and barks at the intruders, and he has a big dog bark. The entire hour they were there, he was "on duty". 

 Next, the electricians arrived. They went in and out, doing who knows what, poking holes into walls, and doing things involving drills. Every single time they walked in or out, Toby acted like he was seeing them for the first time. He simply could not relax.
Men at work.

Shortly after that, the gas technicians came. We now had 5 men going in and out and even under the house, through the gates, continuously.Toby kept looking at me like, "How are you fine with this? There are strangers everywhere!"

 At last I just couldn't stand to see his stress, not to mention how annoying it must have been for the workers. I gave Toby a sedative (prescription) to calm him down. It worked wonders. He was still curious to see what was going on, but no longer fearful.

 And after the inspector comes tomorrow we will at long last have a modern, energy-efficient, lovely and convenient gas fireplace in the family room!
Note to my kids: Dad really wants this to be a surprise, so if you read this PLEASE act like you didn't know when he shows it to you for the first time. :/
Posted by at 8:03 PM 6 comments

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Black and White Sunday - The Thinker

Plotting mischief?

Posted by at 6:56 PM 6 comments

Black and White Sunday - The Thinker

Plotting mischief?

Posted by at 6:56 PM 6 comments

Friday, November 23, 2012

Are You Still Thankful?

Now that the turkey has been roasted...
Now that the dishes have been washed...
Now that the pie has been eaten for breakfast...
Now that the Redskins beat the Cowboys (yes, cause for gratitude at our house)...
Now that the first turkey sandwich of the holiday weekend has been consumed...

Are you still thankful?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love that it has remained immune from the consumerism that has soured Christmas for so many people, which is why I regard Black Friday and all its creep (creepiness?) with apprehension. I love that Americans everywhere take one day to give thanks for all we have. Ever notice that when asked, most folks don't say, "I'm thankful for my iPad" or "I'm giving thanks for the new sweater I got on sale last week"?
How incredibly lucky we are.

 When you ask people what they are thankful for on the third Thursday of November, they talk about freedom, about family, about how God has graced them with plenty when so many are in want of basic necessities. The time the neighbors helped us after the big storm, the time the church found us shelter when the apartment burned, the way the hospital staff looked after our child who was perilously sick.


Three of my reasons to be thankful.

How about the shelter worker who read  your character and matched you with the perfect "best friend" (you know, the companion animal you just have to believe was always meant to be with you)? The teenager across town who took your lost dog to the vet to have its microchip read? The local pet shop owner who bothers to research which pet foods are healthiest - and only stocks those brands, with the knowledge to give advice about the best variety for your pet? How about the vet who let you stay in the examining room alone for as long as you needed after she peacefully sent your beloved pet out of its pain?
What are you thankful for, Toby? 
Pretty much everything!

Now that Santa has officially shooed out the turkey and rung in the Christmas season...

I'm going to try not to think only about all the stuff not bought not wrapped not baked not decorated not mailed...

I'm going to put a post-it on the mirror. It will be blank, except for a big question mark. And I'm going to aspire to carry Thanksgiving inside this Christmas season. When I see that post-it note, it will remind me to ask myself:

Are you still thankful?


Posted by at 2:13 PM 6 comments

Are You Still Thankful?

Now that the turkey has been roasted...
Now that the dishes have been washed...
Now that the pie has been eaten for breakfast...
Now that the Redskins beat the Cowboys (yes, cause for gratitude at our house)...
Now that the first turkey sandwich of the holiday weekend has been consumed...

Are you still thankful?

 Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love that it has remained immune from the consumerism that has soured Christmas for so many people, which is why I regard Black Friday and all its creep (creepiness?) with apprehension. I love that Americans everywhere take one day to give thanks for all we have. Ever notice that when asked, most folks don't say, "I'm thankful for my iPad" or "I'm giving thanks for the new sweater I got on sale last week"?
How incredibly lucky we are.

  When you ask people what they are thankful for on the third Thursday of November, they talk about freedom, about family, about how God has graced them with plenty when so many are in want of basic necessities. The time the neighbors helped us after the big storm, the time the church found us shelter when the apartment burned, the way the hospital staff looked after our child who was perilously sick.
Three of my reasons to be thankful.

 How about the shelter worker who read  your character and matched you with the perfect "best friend" (you know, the companion animal you just have to believe was always meant to be with you)? The teenager across town who took your lost dog to the vet to have its microchip read? The local pet shop owner who bothers to research which pet foods are healthiest - and only stocks those brands, with the knowledge to give advice about the best variety for your pet? How about the vet who let you stay in the examining room alone for as long as you needed after she peacefully sent your beloved pet out of its pain?
What are you thankful for, Toby? 
Pretty much everything!

 Now that Santa has officially shooed out the turkey and rung in the Christmas season...

 I'm going to try not to think only about all the stuff not bought not wrapped not baked not decorated not mailed...

 I'm going to put a post-it on the mirror. It will be blank, except for a big question mark. And I'm going to aspire to carry Thanksgiving inside this Christmas season. When I see that post-it note, it will remind me to ask myself:

 Are you still thankful?


Posted by at 2:13 PM 6 comments

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Playing, Protecting, Patiently Permitting...A Dog's "Grandkids"

Well, now I have TWO kids coming to see me from time to time! Whew! A Granddog's work is never done! Last weekend pack member Lauren brought both of them to see me. I felt so mature watching over the baby.
 I try to be very, very patient with little Mareto when he gets a bit rough, because everyone in the pack is helping him learn how to be good to me. And I know he loves me from the way he squeals when he sees me.
Somehow I just know I must be gentle with the littlest one.


Don't worry, baby. I'm on the lookout for trouble.


She'll be chasing me around before long!

Let them smile. I take my job VERY seriously.


Aw, Mom, can't I just give her a few kisses?
Today Mareto came to visit. We had a wonderful time chasing each other around the yard. Then we took a walk. Between Mareto looking carefully at all the leaves, mailboxes, and flowers, and me checking all my pee-mail, it was a looong walk - just pawsome!
Beautiful day for a long excursion.

With me in the lead we won't get lost, buddy!
What fun it is being a Granddog. Now I just have to teach Mareto how to get to the dog treats...
Posted by at 7:02 PM 7 comments

Playing, Protecting, Patiently Permitting...A Dog's "Grandkids"

Well, now I have TWO kids coming to see me from time to time! Whew! A Granddog's work is never done! Last weekend pack member Lauren brought both of them to see me. I felt so mature watching over the baby.
 I try to be very, very patient with little Mareto when he gets a bit rough, because everyone in the pack is helping him learn how to be good to me. And I know he loves me from the way he squeals when he sees me.
Somehow I just know I must be gentle with the littlest one.
Don't worry, baby. I'm on the lookout for trouble.


She'll be chasing me around before long!

Let them smile. I take my job VERY seriously.


Aw, Mom, can't I just give her a few kisses?
Today Mareto came to visit. We had a wonderful time chasing each other around the yard. Then we took a walk. Between Mareto looking carefully at all the leaves, mailboxes, and flowers, and me checking all my pee-mail, it was a looong walk - just pawsome!
Beautiful day for a long excursion.

With me in the lead we won't get lost, buddy!
What fun it is being a Granddog. Now I just have to teach Mareto how to get to the dog treats...
Posted by at 7:02 PM 7 comments

Monday, November 12, 2012

Monday Mischief - Silliness

Toby has a toy that looks like a blue lizard (gecko?). He carries it around and enjoys catching it. Sometimes he curls up with it while the humans stare at the noisy picture box in the family room.

Why did Ted put it on him like a hat? Toby isn't a dressing-up dog. He wears his TDI bandana with pride but refuses to allow any nonsense with sunglasses, hats, or any other costume or attire. (Believe me - I've tried, inspired by some of the creative work of other bloggers). Apparently, no treat is good enough to offset the humiliation.

To our great surprise and amusement, The Blue Lizard Hat was apparently exempt from the ban on headwear. Even our laughter didn't keep Toby from walking carefully around the living room like a preteen girl with a book on her head learning good posture. 


Does this clash with my fur?

Maybe this will keep my ears warm too!

A rakish side to my personality...
Happy Mischief Monday!
Note: Sorry Toby hasn't had a new post lately - nice to be back and catching up with our favorite blogs.
Posted by at 6:00 PM 5 comments

Monday Mischief - Silliness

Toby has a toy that looks like a blue lizard (gecko?). He carries it around and enjoys catching it. Sometimes he curls up with it while the humans stare at the noisy picture box in the family room.

 Why did Ted put it on him like a hat? Toby isn't a dressing-up dog. He wears his TDI bandana with pride but refuses to allow any nonsense with sunglasses, hats, or any other costume or attire. (Believe me - I've tried, inspired by some of the creative work of other bloggers). Apparently, no treat is good enough to offset the humiliation.

 To our great surprise and amusement, The Blue Lizard Hat was apparently exempt from the ban on headwear. Even our laughter didn't keep Toby from walking carefully around the living room like a preteen girl with a book on her head learning good posture. 
Does this clash with my fur?

Maybe this will keep my ears warm too!

A rakish side to my personality...
Happy Mischief Monday!
Note: Sorry Toby hasn't had a new post lately - nice to be back and catching up with our favorite blogs.
Posted by at 6:00 PM 5 comments

Monday, October 29, 2012

Nothing To Do

Rain, rain, and more rain. No walks. Just stuck inside listening to the rain. 
For the humans, an unexpected day at home instead of work. But for a dog -


Nothing. To. Do.
In fact the most exciting thing to happen today was a bath. Ouch.
Hurricanes are (if we are lucky) incredibly boring. Try telling a dog he's lucky to be bored. 
If a dog could roll his eyes, that would be the response.
No mischief, just rain and more rain.
Posted by at 9:08 AM 10 comments

Nothing To Do

Rain, rain, and more rain. No walks. Just stuck inside listening to the rain. 
For the humans, an unexpected day at home instead of work. But for a dog -
Nothing. To. Do.
In fact the most exciting thing to happen today was a bath. Ouch.
Hurricanes are (if we are lucky) incredibly boring. Try telling a dog he's lucky to be bored. 
If a dog could roll his eyes, that would be the response.
No mischief, just rain and more rain.
Posted by at 9:08 AM 10 comments

Monday, October 15, 2012

Be the Change - For Sea Animals

Marine plastics kill untold numbers of sea animals - turtles, seabirds, marine mammals - each year. One of the seemingly harmless yet common and disastrous articles we unwittingly place in the sea is balloons. They represent childhood innocence and the carefree days of spring and summer, but balloons are deadly. They can drift thousands of miles to settle on the ocean's surface, and they are basically indestructible.

Don't take my word for it - click here for more information. 


Luckily this one washed ashore before it was mistaken for a jellyfish by a sea turtle or dolphin.
Here's a March 2011 quote from SeaTurtle.org:

In 2009, marine biologists with Disney's Animal Programs in Melbourne Beach, Florida, discovered a green sea turtle that was having trouble digesting food. They found that a piece of plastic had lodged in the turtle's gastrointestinal tract. When biologists removed the obstruction, the turtle defecated 74 foreign objects in the subsequent month. Among the items documented were four types of latex balloons, five different types of string, nine different types of soft plastic, four different types of hard plastic, a piece of carpet-like material, and two tar balls to boot.
The list of items from this one turtle read like a catalog of a growing and deadly concern for virtually all marine animals-single-use plastics are having a lethal effect on animals living in the sea.
This photo is courtesy of Ocean Conservancy to a Longwood University article.


What can you do? If you visit a grocery store that gives away helium balloons to children, don't take one! Discourage friends from events where mass balloon releases are planned. Be aware that you will be part of a global movement to ban the release and indiscriminate sales of party balloons.  
For more ideas, visit the Ocean Conservancy website.

Thanks for caring. Please visit the other Blog for the Change websites.
Posted by at 8:11 PM 8 comments

Be the Change - For Sea Animals

Marine plastics kill untold numbers of sea animals - turtles, seabirds, marine mammals - each year. One of the seemingly harmless yet common and disastrous articles we unwittingly place in the sea is balloons. They represent childhood innocence and the carefree days of spring and summer, but balloons are deadly. They can drift thousands of miles to settle on the ocean's surface, and they are basically indestructible.

 Don't take my word for it - click here for more information. 
Luckily this one washed ashore before it was mistaken for a jellyfish by a sea turtle or dolphin.
Here's a March 2011 quote from SeaTurtle.org:

In 2009, marine biologists with Disney's Animal Programs in Melbourne Beach, Florida, discovered a green sea turtle that was having trouble digesting food. They found that a piece of plastic had lodged in the turtle's gastrointestinal tract. When biologists removed the obstruction, the turtle defecated 74 foreign objects in the subsequent month. Among the items documented were four types of latex balloons, five different types of string, nine different types of soft plastic, four different types of hard plastic, a piece of carpet-like material, and two tar balls to boot.
The list of items from this one turtle read like a catalog of a growing and deadly concern for virtually all marine animals-single-use plastics are having a lethal effect on animals living in the sea.
This photo is courtesy of Ocean Conservancy to a Longwood University article.


What can you do? If you visit a grocery store that gives away helium balloons to children, don't take one! Discourage friends from events where mass balloon releases are planned. Be aware that you will be part of a global movement to ban the release and indiscriminate sales of party balloons.  
For more ideas, visit the Ocean Conservancy website.

 Thanks for caring. Please visit the other Blog for the Change websites.
Posted by at 8:11 PM 8 comments
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