big hike

The Warm Up

if i had known

how far it was

i never would have gone

i didn't have a clue

the hike

would be so long

Hot Dog

The Carry

and boy 

that sunshine sure got hot

as we walked on 
and on

i got so tired 

that i was glad 

when momma came along

she carried me

for a bit

the hike to not prolong

after a break

i walked some more

i once again felt strong

The Second Carry

when michael

scooped me in his arms

singing his silly song

i didn't mind 

his singing

as he carried me along

i walked some more

and finally

when i could not 
go on

we were back

and i was glad

not to be dog gone

The Cool Down

wag your tail, it's wednesday

my family's going to the fair

i hear it's lots of fun

oh please, if i am really good

won't you let me come

you could dress me like a baby

with ribbons and with lace

no one would ever guess

with my cute baby face

wag your tail, it's wednesday

there isn't much, that i can do

but i'll stay close, 'cuz i love you

i'll make you laugh, and warm your feet

i'll even share. my doggie treat

and when you're strong, i'll still be here

even if it takes all year

summer 2011

wag your tail, it's wednesday

my mom and troy just left me

and i was all alone

there wasn't any happy

in our happy home

so dad sent me to karen's

he thought that would be best

he was a little worried

that i might get depressed

karen's house is heaven

with lots of dogs and toys

'cuz being a dog sitter

is what karen enjoys

with toys and friends to play with

the time went really fast

but i'm now glad to say this

i am home at last

home is still the best place

it feels and smells just right

and the people i call family

are my heart's delight

No Matter Where

even though we're in wyoming

and there's lots of room to roam

troy's favorite thing to do here

is his favorite thing at home

he has made friends with the horses

and chased some deer and geese

ran the fence with a new calf

and sniffed new smells on the breeze

but no matter what we do

nothing can compare

with a rubber ball and chuck-it

he is happy anywhere

wag your tail, it's wednesday

snowflakes land

upon his back

soft

and white

on darkest black

he doesn't

notice

nor does he care

if they

look pretty

resting there

but i see

fairies

on his hair

for i see

beauty

everywhere

wag your tail, it's wednesday

she's a city dog

and her name is Pearl

and when i visit

she's grandma's girl

she likes to play

and i scratch her tummy

and her crazy smile

is oh so funny

when we go out

people stop to see her

'cuz she's oh so stylish

they just have to meet her

and i just smile

as they ooh and ah

'cuz i'm her loving

grand-mama

I had such a great time visiting my daughter (and grand-dog) in NYC. I was surprised that so many people choose to have canine companions in the "Big Apple". They add a softness and whimsy that is endearing. Laura and I attended the big dog show - Westminster! It was such fun to see all the different breeds of dogs and their people. I met a few breeds I hadn't seen before. The evenings Group and Best In Show events were quite exciting. We were happy to return to Laura's apartment to see Pearl each night. As the woman behind us (who had show dogs as well as rescue dogs) said, "They're all champions!"

wag your tail, it's wednesday (poor stella)

there's a blizzard outside,

it's snowing and blowing,

the snowplows and blowers,

are going, and going.

oh please may i stay,

inside where it's warm,

i might blow away,

in such a bad storm!

fifth biggest snowfall in MN history - Dec. 11, 2010

waggin' wednesday

what a stormy summer,

lots of wind and rain,

it drenches all the rooftops,

then rushes down the drain.

the clouds are acting crazy,

they make the strangest shapes,

the sky turns dark and scary,

and blackens the landscapes.

the thunder booms, there's lightning,

sometimes the sirens wail,

i'm happy to report though,

we haven't had much hail.

one thing that's good about it,

i've often heard 'round here,

mother nature's taken over,

the watering this year.

wag your tail, it's wednesday

three hot dogs

stay where they are told

you know with all that fur

they wish that it was cold

wag your tail, it's wednesday

wag your tail,

it's wednesday,

do a little dance,

smile your biggest smile,

take a little chance.

wag your tail,

it's wednesday,

go out for a walk,

get a little exercise,

call a friend and talk.

wag your tail,

it's wednesday,

make it really count,

life lived to the fullest,

that's what it's all about.

Happy Easter

Happy Spring

my funny valentine

hooray! hooray! it's valentine's day,

so do something sweet, and send me a treat,

if treats are too costly, just send me a hug,

'cuz i'm your one and only, sweet valentine's pug.

its only fair

today was a day that i knew

that it would be a sin

if i didn't take troy to the dog park

to play with his doggy friends

if he couldn't run free in the sunshine

and breathe the autumn air

if he didn't race through the fallen leaves

it just would not be fair

i wasn't the only human

that had the urge to go

the parking lot was full of cars

i think we're all afraid of snow

troy ran to his heart's content

he sniffed and marked the trees

there were boxers, labs and a st bernard

and a pug with a very strong wheeze

it was a truly glorious day

how i loved the smell of the leaves

all the dogs were happy and tired

when they got in their cars to leave

i'm sad that winter's coming

with its snow and frigid air

for we'll sit inside and miss the park

and dream of the days we were there