What's important

Mom spent her blogging time editing phtos for the auction this morning. Apparently, once she goes into Photoshop, she loses all track of time.

Of course she was mumbling the whole time about it being important and getting the color balance right.

Then she left the room with this page open.

So I can tell you what's really important.

Madeline has a facebook page and I don't.

Cassie out!

PS~ Does this picture make my ears look hairy?

The Assignment

Madeline here...

Word from Mom is that I'm accompanying the Blonde Girl to her appointment this afternoon at her special 'vet'.

Apparently, this is the kind of vet that talks a lot and asks you questions, not the kind that sticks a thermometer up your... um... you know...

I don't know anything about the talking kind of vet, my mom always takes me to the other kind. All I know is that they make the Blonde Girl stressed out and she's supposed to hear some kind of news this afternoon.

As long as she comes home with all her teeth, that's all I care about. I worked my Chihuahua butt to the bone last fall getting her through that debacle. Back then she was seeing the kind of vet that glued her bones together. Something I plan to avoid...

Anyway, Mom says that if the Blonde Girl can sit and hold me while she hears this "news" it should make things easier.

I'm telling you, a Chihuahua's work is never done.

Madeline out!

PS~ If the talking vet brings her Pit Bull, I will make "Devil Face!" That's how I roll!

What is it...?

What is it about my idiot dogs that makes them so sweet to come home to after a long day at work?

Other than the fact that they expect me to shoot chicken out of my fingertips, they really don't ask for much...

...a lap,

...a blanket,

...a nice snuggle.

I think they're even starting to like American Pickers!

Do you have a "snugglie" when you come home? Is it one of those blankets with sleeves, or something warm and fuzzy?!

Do tell!

AG out!

Preparation K

This week has been crazy, but crazy busy. The auction is going well, but it's like I could work 20 hours a day and there'd still be the same amount of work tomorrow. So I'm trying to just pace myself for now. I'm working early and working late and still trying to squeeze some quality time in with K3.

Last night we went in together on Pizza. (I've hired K3 to do the dishes two days a week so I don't have to! This gives her a little spending money.) Afterwards, I tried to teach her how to play cribbage. She was a little leary because TOG told her I cheat. This is sour grapes because he can't beat me. So we played a few hands and then she said she was done. She looked me right in the eye with that unwavering honesty she has and said "I don't know why dad says you cheat, you're just lucky!"

I love that kid!

We have less than a week left before we sit down with the doctor and go over the tests and learn her diagnosis. In a way, I feel like her future is very much at stake with this diagnosis... how much or how little help she'll get, overall expectations, prognosis... the whole thing. In recent years, I've been very happy not having a word to apply to my little K3 yet now I'll get one. And while it won't change a thing about who she is, I'm kind of sad about it because people attach all sorts of belief to words and whatever the word is, that's what people that don't know her will believe about her.

The bright side to this situation is that it won't change a thing about how K3 sees herself. We prepared her well and she came through all the testing with a strong sense of self. I think she'll be okay with whatever the diagnosis is.

But we're taking Maddie with us to the final meeting, just in case! There's nothing like the united front of a girl and my her dog!

AG out!

Ack!

Trying to get ready for work in the morning AND get K3 medicated AND clean up the kitchen means very little time for blogging! So this will be quick!

The shot above was taken at CatchCon while I was waiting in line for boat tours. It's one of our Washington State ferries coming in to port.

K3 is making process. We thought it would be just an implant, so having an implant and a bone graft was a little more painful than we thought it would be. She is doing well, but is still on the cream of wheat. We aren't even up to milkshakes yet. For entertainment, we've been watching a lot of Monty Python's Flying Circus and trying not to laugh!

The brute squad has been on the job, I just hadn't mentioned them. I stayed up late processing photos last night....

That's K3 behind the ice pack!

Cassie making sure K3's hand is as clean as it can get!

An exhausted Maddie, taking a break in my lap while Cassie and Fiona oversee K3's healing process!

Okay... off to dispense cream of wheat and vicodin. I'm doing a half day this morning because I'm a dope and didn't take enough time off.

Hope your day is all that!

AG out!

Triple Shot Friday

Why?

Because it's fun!

Fashions courtesy of my step mom who does not have any dogs but clearly has a sense of humor!

Giddy hint of the day: My favorite TV show!

AG out!

PS ~ Happy Friday

The Brute Squad

I'm happy to say I spent quite a bit of time with my camera this weekend. It was very relaxing, almost theraputic to crawl around on the floor calling out to my subjects! These sunny shots were taken Sunday morning. It's hard to show Maddie's markings with the bright sun on her but it's a good shot of her eyes.

Cassie is hard to shoot because her top coat is such a consistant color... her eyes blend into her head which blends into her body... I like this shot because the sun lends some variation to her coat and makes it easier to see her features.

I'll try to keep posting this week, but am working on a federal project at work and on deadline for Monday at noon. The next couple of days are pivital in getting the project on paper.

Wishing you a lovely Tuesday!

AG out.

Triple Shot Friday!

Oh no's! Say it's not so, Whee-maw! You only got 3 hours of sleep last night because of Madeline?

Yes, Ben. This little dog is not the angel she appears to be. She became so fearful of her water dish yesterday (the same water dish she's used for FOUR years) that she kept us up most of the night pacing and whining. I finally figured out what she was frantic about. I put some water in the smallest tupperware I had, maybe a one cup size and she drank almost two of them. Apparently it's not enough to be afraid of her food dish, now she must have a water dish that is too small to fall into.

Your dog needs therapy, Whee-maw.

Tell me about it, Ben!

Happy Triple Shot Friday! I will be picking up a real triple shot on the way to work!

AG out!

Dynamics

In as much as I was looking for a companion for Maddie when I acquired Cassie, the reality of the situation is that on the surface they do not appear to be that close. However when you watch them over time, there are some signs (now that they've been together a few years) that they have formed a bond.

Food: Cassie is very stringent about guarding her food dish from Fiona, who is a pig bit of a glutton. Cassie (the pint sized general) also guards Maddie's food dish and occasionally helps Maddie with her dinner. Maddie does not have issues around territory. It wouldn't occur to her to invade Fiona or Cassie's "dinner zone" and she does not mind Cassie eating with her. 

Play: Maddie initiates play with objects... balls, socks, squeekie toys. Cassie initiates play with dogs. Maddie is her favorite target. She will bite Maddie's legs and tail until Maddie will finally chase her and play. This makes them both very happy.

Cuddling: All dogs will cuddle with a human. Just try to keep them off of you! Both dogs will lie with Fiona. But it is very rare for them to lay down together. Exceedingly rare. I've only seen them do it twice in three years. So when they did it this morning, I busted out the camera...

I shot these with the 85mm 1.8 lens.

I needed a warm and fuzzy start to my day!

Academy awards

I don't usually watch the academy awards, but K3 really wanted to. I'm not sure which movie she wanted to win.

This was my pick...

another year of disappointment...