My Reading Blog

Max has written for me a number of times over the past six years and it is with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart that I write this tribute to Max.  He left us last Wednesday and there is a great void in our lives.  Over the past few days, Hubby and I have been reminiscing about the joy and fun that Max brought to us each day for the past 15-1/2 years. We brought him home in June, 2002. He was met by the King of the House at that time, Fuzzy our cat.  They stared at each other.  As Max got closer to Fuzzy, there was a very loud hiss and then a slap on the nose.  Max jumped back and tried to decide what this creature was.  But, it became a fast and true friendship. In his early years, Max loved to run and play and of course, chase squirrels up the trees.  At first he couldn't figure out where they had gone, but when they started chattering at him, he looked up and just stared.  He became our "Arkansas purebred squirrel dog" (really part...

 I've been begging Mom ALL week to let me write something to all my friends at TWT and FINALLY, she said okay.  So here goes.... As you know, I'm a pretty OLD dog - I'll be 15 in November - and I've got some medical issues - you know that ARTHUR person.  He took up residence in my back legs, but I haven't let him slow me down (too much).  In fact Mom says that I'm in my second childhood - acting like a pup (sometimes).  I wrote Mom & Dad while they were on vacation to let them know my latest trick: "Hi Mom and Dad, I hope you are having a fun time on your vacation and that you miss me. I am having so much fun at Mr. Jim’s and Miss Carol’s house. I try very hard to keep them guessing and on their toes. I learned a new trick. They have these really cool toilet paper holders that stand on the floor. Did you know that if you grab on to the paper, pull and walk away with it you can leave a really cool paper trail?  Talk about fun! Of cour...

Mom's been scratching her head and trying to think of something to write, but after telling her story about the Guatemala build, she can't think of anything worthwhile to write about.  So she left it up to me. Well, let me tell you.  It's been a rough month for me.  The week before Mom left, my tummy was pretty upset.  I managed to mess on the new carpet - not only in the master bedroom, but the spare bedroom as well.  I didn't mean to, but you know, sometimes things happen.  Mom wasn't really mad, but very concerned.  By the middle of the week, I was feeling better and Mom didn't call the vet.  She left and ..... I got worse and kept Dad up most of the night.  He took me to the vet and I had a digestive tract infection.  The vet put me on some pills, special diet food and lots of loving.  Dad took care of it all, but I really missed Mom.  I didn't sleep very good, was anxious most of the time and somewhat hyper,  Oh...

Mom thought it was time for me to talk about my feelings on this "move thing". I started to get worried back at the end of May when all of a sudden empty boxes started to appear - everywhere.  Then Mom began filling the boxes with all of "our" stuff!  At least it wasn't a suitcase, but still, I began to get a tad bit concerned about what was going on.  You see, there had been lots of strangers coming into our home and checking things out - you know, opening doors and cabinets, going from room to room (just like I do when there's something new).  What was I to think? The boxes were stacked all in one spot and the kept getting higher and higher.  Pretty soon, the pictures came off the walls.  Things were getting stranger and stranger.  Mom & Dad kept telling me we were moving to a new house and that I would really like it - no more stairs to climb.  My little brain still wasn't comprehending what they were telling me.  I just wanted t...

To say the least, IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF VERY DIFFICULT WEEKS  for me!  Allow me to share what's happened. Three weeks ago, Mom woke me up for a nice nap and told me we were going for a car ride.  Now this means:  1.  Going to Carol & Jim's (but no blanket or food was packed); 2.  Going to the vet (ugh); or 3.  Going for a hair cut (another ugh).  I gave her the look that said "really, must I go?". But she insisted.  We drove and I watched to see which way she would turn.  Oh no, it's towards the vet and hair cut.  Drove a little further and another turn.  Well, I guess a hair cut is better than the vet.  I can handle it.  Besides having a bath will feel really good and it's getting warmer, so I need to get rid of some hair. Dad picked me up a noon and I got to get a good nap in before dinner. Then Friday came, Mom called again saying, "Let's go for a car ride".  Not again!  Now what?  Down...

Max was fed, the pill boxes filled, the dishes done.  Time for a walk.  The sun was coming thru the clouds and then bright in the sky.  The temp was 65 - balmy and humid.  A great day for a spring walk and some picture taking. Max did his duty, smelled for some different scents, pulled, stopped, and pulled some more - unfortunately the wrong way for me - he wanted to go home.  He didn't like my stopping to take pictures.  He didn't want to walk.  He's getting old and set in his ways.  He knows when he wanted to turn around. So back home we came, but there were a few pictures to share.  Spring is here.   The birds are singing.  The redbuds are brilliant.   The dogwoods are producing some beautiful flowers.   The grass is turning green.   The oaks are sprouting leaves and soon will be spreading the yellowish-green dust that will powder every surface.   But Spring has a ar...

Mom's been really busy lately - cleaning cabinets, boxing stuff up, decluttering, and who knows what else while I try to nap. Today, she told me that we would only have a short walk since there are people coming.  She pulled my sheet off the couch - hmmm.  She cleared the tables and counter with things that are usually out in the open - hope they don't open any cabinet doors.  While she did this, I decided it was time for my exit, up the stairs, up on the bed, for a snooze.  Now that I'm dreaming of chasing squirrels, taking a walk by myself to visit my friends, laying on the front porch in the sunshine.  Thinking, should I bark when these people come in to look at my house?  Or should I just pretend that I don't hear them and keep dreaming.  I know if I bark, Mom will yell at me to be quiet.  So I think I'll just enjoy my snooze.

I didn't think Max would be writing so early in the month, but he insisted! You know that I love going out in the snow, burying my nose and pushing.  You know that I love running in the snow and chasing those snowflakes.  You know that the cold temps seem to make my bones feel young.  But yesterday .... We've had snow on the ground for over a week and on Saturday we got another couple of inches.  But last night, instead of snow, it turned to freezing rain.  The ground was glossy, the trees were coated with a clear icy substance, but Mom & I decided to take a short walk (you know, just so I could do my duty.)  Mom told me not to pull because she didn't want to fall.  So I was being pretty cautious as I stepped out the door into the snow. It went "crunch" then "crack".  I hesitated, not sure what was happening.  I walked a little further and tried to go faster - crunch, crack and then my legs started going all different directions....

Mom was having a hard time thinking of something to write about, so I volunteered to write this week.  Last Wednesday, Mom took me to visit my third set of parents.  Mom & Dad along with my second set of parents were going away for an overnight trip to a concert in Fayetteville, AR.  They really like this group called "Home Free".  They make their music without any accompaniment of musical instruments -  you know, they call it a cappela.  I bet I could sing with them. Well, whatever, they left me with Ray & Kathy.  I like it there too.  They treat me really good and I adapt to their routine.  One time I stayed there, Kathy left out the bowl of M & M's and it was really good.  But, she learned her lesson and put them away - darn!  Ray loves to get down on the floor and play - so I made sure I rested up all day so I could roughhouse with him. Kathy didn't get home til late on Thursday, so Ray and I spent some time ou...

Whenever Mom is home, I don't get a whole lot of rest.  You see, I have to keep an eye on her at all times.  I really worry about her and don't want her out of my sight.  I love my Dad too, but I'm pretty much like him and don't get too concerned about things - unless Mom is around.  Dad is more content to sit at the computer or watch TV, but Mom...  Well, she is constantly on the move.  So when she's home, I have to keep one eye open and be ready to move at a moment's notice. We have to go outside to read on the back deck or front porch.  Or sometimes we go out to wash the car - I really like that because I get to roam the yard.  Then she heads upstairs to make cards or scrapbook.  That's another favorite spot of mine (and usually where I sleep when it's only me and Dad).  About the time I get all comfy, off she goes to do something else.  In the early morning (when I should really be sleeping), she heads downstairs to exercise...

Max was so excited when he got back from his walk last Tuesday, so I thought it would be good for him to tell you what happened. My Dad's a real hero.   Last Tuesday (Dad's birthday), he took me for my walk.  We stopped briefly at our neighbor's house to chat with Tom who was working on his horse trailer.  Then we started up the hill, taking our usual leisurely walk - Dad lets me smell everything and do "my thing".  We got about 100 yards or more and heard a loud bang and then someone yelling for help. Dad dropped my leash, turned around and started running (my Dad NEVER runs).  I stopped and looked at my leash (it's a retractable one) and started running after Dad dragging my leash behind.  We ran to Tom's house and saw that the horse trailer had fallen and had Tom's wrist pinched.  Dad reached down and lifted it up and Tom pulled his arm free.  No blood - thank goodness.  I just sat there and waited.  Then Dad ran into To...