SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP!

"Hi folks! Lucy-Maude, here... long time, no post! Well, I finally have time off from my day job, as file clerk, office guard and store greeter. So, I wanted to share a January shopping trip that my mum and I took at the local PetSmart store. How do you like my 'wheels?' I can see the high stuff from here! We started with the tuggy toys and monkeys."

"These are nice - I do enjoy these fleece squeaky toys!"

"Hmmm... bushy tails - these look like
my backyard archenemies!"

"Yes, but it's not gray! Do I want it?"

"Not so much!"

"No spotted frogs, either. You are kidding... yes?"

"Red or blue? Can I get back to you?"

"I don't do purple dinosaurs."

"I don't think so!
Hey, how about letting me walk for a while?"

"Ah, that's better -
nothing like doing my own browsing!"

"This is one of those long, squeaky dogs,
like you just showed me. It's bigger than I am!"

"Ever get the feeling that someone's watching you?
That's one big hedgehog!"

"OK ~ favorite section! Let's browse
through the rawhide and treats, shall we?"

"Pig's ears? Hey - they're bigger than mine!"

"Oh, boy... the clothing department. We're not seriously
shopping for sweaters, right? You regular followers
of my blog will remember the Christmas fashion show,
with enough clothing for three dogs."

"OK - I'll look, but I'm not in a buying mood!
Although the brown cable knit is nice."

"And, with my slim, muscular build, stripes
are attractive... not everyone can wear
horizontal stripes, you know!"

"I do like argyle...
must be all that bagpipe music we listen to!"

"A marrow bone stuffed with some sort
of marrow-like filling. Sure smells good!
Maybe because it's getting close to lunchtime?"

"This or a new sweater? Seriously? Hey, I thought
we were on the same wavelength, oh great and
omnipresent 'dog whisperer!' "

"DUH! Of course we need these. I did inventory
before we left and there's only three left in the jar."

"Huh? The cat aisle?
This is like some awful 'Twilight Zone' episode.
And I thought this shopping trip was all about me!"

"They need mice? Why don't we open the door
and let all four find their own?
(Did I say that out loud?)
I know, indoor cats need amusement.
Yeah, these are cute, I guess."

"No wait... get these! Tiger stripes, leopard spots,
cow blotches and fluorescent orange - just like
our native field mice."

"I've been good, so now
can we go see the real critters?"

"You say they're hamsters? Hmmm... must take
an awful lot of these to make a ham dinner.
Hey, they have their own ferris wheel - cool!"

"Guinea pig? Just wondering how fast they are...
not that I'd ever chase one, of course!"

"Eeeuw! 'Naked rats?' Hey, anyone ever think
of selling rat sweaters... a whole new industry for
some enterprising human. They seem determined
to dress all creatures, both great and small."

"You know, horizontal stripes on fat Guinea pigs
make them look fatter. Do you think they know?"

"Shhh? The naked rats are taking a nap in the
green igloo? Good, they were creeping me out!

Can we go home now - please?"

"So, I chose the long blue squeaky dog and the
fancy marrow bone, both of which I continue
to enjoy, two months later."

"I spent a productive winter as yard guard,
protecting our gardens from all enemies -
foreign and domestic - and gray....."

"Yeah ~ especially gray and furry!"

"And, of course, we enjoyed many a winter sunset,
high above the banks of Lily Pond!"

"I hope all my human and canine friends had a
wonderful winter and, like me, are anticipating
a great spring. I'm working full time now, but
I'll post new adventures, as time allows.

HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!

All text & photos...
©Deb Lambert/Lucy-Maude 2009

Winter Musings... for Canines Only

No matter how you're dressed, no matter what gear
your humans force you to wear, remember that they
have your best interests at heart...
and are protecting you from the elements.

Lucy-Maude here, sharing a winter perspective
with all my canine visitors. From outdoor sports,
to staying warm & cozy, let's share the upside of
my frozen New England surroundings!

On this particular frigid morning, a heavy sweater,
topped by a nylon and fleece parka, is the preferred
uniform of the day.

If you think I'm overdressed, check out the temperature!

TWO DEGREES?

OK - enough! I'm definitely ready to go in!
Let's feed the birds later (that's the birdseed can,
right next to the thermometer). My tootsies are
so cold! As I started to dance the cold-foot-jig,
my mom gave me a lift to the house.

Don't complain if your favorite chair is covered with snow,
just be glad that your human has shoveled many trails
throughout the yard, for your squirrel-hunting pleasure.

Always remain alert... you are first, last and always
a watchdog, no matter whose property you're visiting.

Keep a watchful eye out for cats, squirrels and crows,
as you traverse your grandma's gardens.

Maintain a visible and dignified presence, as
neighborhood dogs pass by, and as your human follows
you about with that new camera (see her shadow?)

Yeah, see what I mean? Even at the garden center,
Sasquatch ("Big Foot") is constantly stalking me.
OK - that was snarky - be glad that you're getting
fresh air and spending quality time with your human.

Fellow dogs, these photos are for you! For so long,
squirrels were banned from our backyard.

But these little gluttons are everywhere!

Oh, I see you up at the top of our dead tree...
think you're cute, don't you?

These guys are constantly testing perimeters and
breaching backyard security.

WILY!

But they do give us a reason to rise and shine
on these frigid mornings... the thrill of the chase!

Every once in a while, let loose and dance a little
snow dance for your human - it makes them laugh...
a joyous sound to canine ears!

Look up and enjoy the winter scenery!

Everything is interesting and has a scent - even
these bird tracks... they're easier to follow in the snow!

OH, OH! See him? Time for action!

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow shall keep me
from my appointed squirrel-chasing rounds.

It is a winter wonderland, is it not?

During the worst of the storm, there is, however,
one thought that occurs to almost every dog
living in a multiple pet family. I refer to the indoor
cats and their bathroom facilities. All four of our cats
merely go to their basement restroom, when nature calls.
Below-zero nights, snow, rain, Sahara-like summer heat
are of no concern to them. Always dry, always comfortable.

As I sit and contemplate the world and shudder
at my next outing in the current blizzard, I admit
to being the teeniest bit envious of my feline siblings.
However, I'll concentrate on the many
outdoor freedoms I enjoy!

This seems somewhat baffling... we now hang up
dried ears of corn for those furry, gray, backyard terrorists.
There's even a squirrel feeder, with flip-up lid.
Has my human given up, acknowledged defeat?
Or, has she simply lost her mind?

Whatever the reason for this truce, we can see that the
squirrels are not shy about accepting the invitation to dine.

Ever have that feeling that you're being watched?

Mom made these the other day. Boy, do they
smell yummy! I'm told not to eat any, as the suet
cakes are for the birds - hope that fat rodent doesn't
raid the suet holders!

Yeah, this guy! I'll pretend I don't see him.

Ah! That next to the last outing of the night...
softly falling snowflakes that resemble little planets.
And no squirrels out and about!

Lickety-split! Sometimes I'm airborne,
as I rush to check the feeders for squirrels.

I plow through snowbanks to hurl epithets at fleeing squirrels.

Well, at least I try ~ it's tough being short!

"All secure, Mom!"
The yard is officially, though temporarily, squirrel-free.

More action out front ~ off I go!

Another of our many storms, which yielded
a few more inches of flurries, overnight.

Oh boy! First snow!

Yay! First footprints! This never gets old.
So much to investigate.

Well, that was fun, but a little brisk!
Think I'll head indoors while Mom shovels.
(Bare feet, you know!)

Sure, I'll wait right here... but hurry,
so we can go into the nice warm kitchen!

Yes, my fellow canines, winter is amazing thing...
a season to embrace and remember
during the dog days of summer.

Welcome to my chilly, snowy world...

A land of squirrels and birthday cakes!

I'll be here, stationed by the front door, waiting for
the next backyard adventure of this winter season.
Hope the remainder of your winter is as picturesque
and adventurous as mine!

All Photos & Text: ©Deb Lambert/Lucy-Maude 2009

Festivities and High Fashion

Lucy-Maude, here... hoping yours was a joyous
holiday and inviting you to share in our festivities.

Christmas morning dawned bright and sunny. Mom got this shot, as we were heading inside for the start of our Christmas festivities. As you can see, much of our weekend snows have disappeared, beneath rising temperatures. Nevertheless, it is a white Christmas! Excitement is in the air, as I anticipate my long-awaited gift.

Come on... let's see what I get
and how the day turns out.....

First, the requisite photo of my gift... I heard Mom
wrapping it, up on the counter, but didn't even
get a peek. You gotta love that fancy gift bag!

Now, first I'm asked if I'd like my present here,
you know... on the floor. Huh? You're kidding, right?
Seriously?? I know we don't have room for a
Christmas tree, but right here beside the trash can?

This is so undignified and un-festive, that
I'm appalled. Let me choose a more appropriate
gift opening venue, if you please. After all, you
tell me I'm a princess. Follow me.....

This is more like it!

So far, we have "Big Dog" from the outside
of the package and "Best Friend" from the inside.
These are evidently some sort of awards, not meant
for consumption! Very nice stocking stuffers.
Not to be greedy, but is "the big gift" still in the bag?

OOH! I spy! It's plush and seems to be a new toy!
Things are definitely looking up.

No kidding... an American Goldfinch? Way cool!

It sings like a finch when you "press here?"
Let's have a listen, then.

Wow ~ can this guy sing! It's a special toy,
to be played with gently... under supervision?
Oh great, I should have known there would be a catch.
No whipping it about by the tail, wing or beak,
while trying to find the song box... with my teeth?

OK ~ I'll try not to maul him, when you're not looking.
And now, to try on one of my awards.
First, "Big Dog!"

Gotta say, I don't hate this shot of my new bling.
Weighing in at 17 pounds, I am certainly one of the
largest Chihuahuas in Lakeshore Park.
So ~ good job, Mom, on picking this one!

Next, I try on the "Best Friend" award... MORE BLING!
This is where the day starts to take a bizarre turn. This is
my official Christmas sweater (from 4 years ago)... I usually
only wear it for "best" - never for hiking or squirrel chasing.
It has a hood and pocket, as well.

Now, I understand the sweater... looks nice with the bling.
But, just because she found a coordinating scarf, is that any
reason to turn me into a peasant woman in a babushka?
Kerchiefs are so 1950's.

After she got up from rolling on the floor with laughter,
Mom tried this look... which I can live with. But, just keep
watching and see how this Christmas photo shoot rapidly
changes and almost spirals out of control...

Here, I take a break with "Finchy," as she loads my
pocket with my "Big Dog" locket and a Milk Bone.

Yeah, boy ~ we are having some fun now! I wonder
if stuffing my back pocket with food, which I have no
hope of reaching, constitutes cruel and unusual treatment,
especially when she's laughing again. Well, I'm not feeling
too litigious, it being Christmas and all - I'll let it slide.

Oh, wait! I take it all back... I do get to eat
the aforementioned Milk Bone!

Crunchy goodness! Hold on, I'll be right with you
for the rest of the story.

Thus fortified, I am ready for this fashion show to
go forward (like I have a choice?). Attired in my elegant
tattersall cape, my sweater hood will be at the ready,
so I can brave the elements in style.

Here, we have my forest green, quilted parka with
turn-up collar...

...and sporting a large back pocket for essentials.
This is what I'll be wearing on those cold, blustery
days, working at the garden center.

This reversible, fleece-lined parka keeps me dry and
warm when the snow flies or the squirrels run!

Yes, I have a T-shirt (can you read the back?).
Since today is quite warm, we tried this on, as well.

It would seem that this fashion shoot includes
a spring preview, as well. So, on went my visor.
All set to hit the links!

All I have to say about this shot is, "Dude... surf's up!"
Mom's much cooler than I thought - first time I'm
allowed to wear my hat backwards.

All morning she's been saying, "Got to get that ham
in the oven." A bib? Well, at least it's a hopeful sign
that dinner may be on the way. Maybe I'll just doze
off while I wait.

Boy, I'm hungry - hope that ham gets under way, soon!

What? Last sweater? This is a good color for me!

These are "Doggles," a practical way to protect
my eyes from the sun and wind, while riding.
However, this is the longest I've ever worn them.

Getting in seashore mode... this is perfect for
next summer's swimming lessons. I just learned
this year and mean to become an expert!

Ah, the wind through my hair and the bugs
in my teeth... I can feel it now... all ready to ride
with my head out the window, next spring!
OR ~ am I simply anticipating our Christmas dinner?

Well, that's my holiday, for now. While that ham
finally baked, the cats had a wild and crazy party
(more on this later), to which I was invited. The best
feature of this holiday? All that attention I got, despite
the many wardrobe changes.

Note: This was a very frugal Christmas... everything I
wore may look pretty new, but I've owned these articles
for the past few seasons - I guess Mom just wanted to
know if it all still fits. And that pretty blue sweater was
knitted by my mum's mom... she's talented!

I certainly hope that all my human and canine visitors
had a Merry Christmas (wonder if Jim got Adi that
stroller just like mine?) and that everyone has a
VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Note: Click on any of the photos for the gigantic version of my excellent adventures. Also ~ although I may appear to be white in color, I'm actually a very pale blond (my head's the palest). I believe Mom calls me a platinum blond - just thought you should know.

Photos & Text: ©Deb Lambert/Lucy-Maude 2008

Rolling, Part the Second...

"In my previous post, I showed how I do not roll.
This time, I thought I'd show you the classy manner
in which I do roll."

"After a morning of hiking and photography,

Watching seagulls standing on a thin shelf of pond ice,

Taking crooked pictures,

Finding baby Christmas trees

And photographing lichen...

It's time to head for home."

"See? Now this is a comfortable ride! And why, you ask,
did my mum invest in a doggy stroller? Well, I'm twelve,
and on the rheumatiz medicine for my wobbly back knees."

"By this point in the outing, I've walked nearly a mile,
so I do appreciate riding for this last leg of the journey home.
However, I always display my fierce independence
by standing during part of the ride."

"Well, here we are... home sweet home!"

"Enough with the photos, already... It's lunchtime!"

"Yup ~ This is how I roll!"

All Photos and Text: ©Deb Lambert/Lucy-Maude 2008

This is Not How I Roll!

"No, I'm not interested in a ride, thank you very much."

Earlier this fall, as we were about to head home after a busy day at the garden center, my mum decided I would look "cute" seated in one of the kid's wagons, used by customers. I'd heard her discussing this at the end of the day, so I was ready to be uncooperative, as some of these photos will show.

"You'd like me to do what?"

"For starters, that seat is too small!"

"Any chance you'll change your mind?"

"Seriously ~ just look at the dirty floor!"

"You're going to pick me up and plop me in, aren't you?"

"OK, you win - I'm in... is this the look you wanted?
Oh, no, you're taking one of those nose-shots, right?"

"Well, let me regain my dignity and try my best
to look like the little princess that I am."

"Vroom, vroom! Hey Mom, do I at least get a ride,
or is this one of those photo opts you stage?"

"Ah! Finally! It's almost over!"

"The door swings open and the princess alights...
you don't have to ask me twice! See - you missed
my speedy exit, didn't you?"

"Aw, come on! I thought we were leaving. I have to go
through the mini-maze of straw bales?"

"Well, here's the 'money shot.' Let's head for home!"

"Ever since Mom got that camera, life hasn't been the same.
Walks take twice as long and I'm constantly asked to pose.
But you know, it's not all long waits and dirty wagons...
more quality time with my human and that's just fine
with this little princess."

"But that dirty red wagon is not how I roll!"

Text & Photos: ©Deb Lambert/Lucy-Maude

Yesterday and Today

Welcome to my canine and human friends!

TIP: All the pictures display in large format, if you click.
Check out the mockingbird, squirrel and my
blurry-eared photo, among others - pretty funny!

Yesterday (Thursday, November 20th)
dawned cold (20º) and clear and was a
day away from home... YEA!

Yesterday, at my Mom's mother's house...

While Mom started out taking photos
of a bright blue sky,

I danced so quickly, doing the Maple Leaf Shuffle,
that my mum took a long time looking at this one,
trying to figure out what I was doing. Can you tell?
I was shaking my head so fast that my ears are blurred.

OK, enough of this - let's see what else is going on.

Come on, follow me!

I'm informed that this is far enough,

so I head back up the long grass driveway.

Ooh - there goes the Bloodhound, out for his walk!

Wow! Looks to me like somebody needs to
come back for more leaf raking, before winter.

My that wind is cold...
I am glad she made me wear my sweater.

Time to go in for lunch? Okey-dokey! Let's go!

Great lunch! And now, while the moms visit,
I'll catch 40 winks with my favorite horse,
before we head for home.

Friday, November 21st

Although it may look like a paint swatch, this was
the 9 AM sky from the back window, this morning.

By 1:00, the clouds drifted in...
another bright, cold day in the 30's.

In the middle of our winterberries,
the mockingbird tests for ripeness.

And WHO was squatting at the top of our dead tree?
Yup, that's right! My old friend Simon Q. Squirrel.

There he is, sneaking through the backyard,
probably checking to see if the feeders are filled, yet.

And here, he seems to on the way out the back gate.
Oh, I'll be watching you, my friend! Remember the
Olympic squirrel chasing events of last winter? All
I can say, Simon, is "Bring it on!" You are no match
for this squirrel hound. I've been working out all
year... hope you've got your track shoes on!

Well, that's about all the news for now and in case I
forget to tell you later, "Happy Thanksgiving!".....
Lucy-Maude

P.S. I LOVE turkey day, 'cause it's also my birthday
and I happen to know Mom's cooking turkey for
a very special treat ~ YUM!

Photos & Text: ©Deb Lambert & Lucy-Maude 2008

My November Rant

"My November Rant"
In which I bemoan the general lack of fall
maintenance at our Lily Pond residence...
By Lucy-Maude

From high atop the linden tree
Simon the squirrel makes mock of me

On my leaf-strewn bench, I stand at guard
Maintaining a chipmunk and squirrel-free yard

Midst the rising tide of fallen gold
Mom waxes poetic and I grow bold

Those poor little birds from the "Checker Kerfuffle"
Play checkers no more... dance the linden leaf shuffle

I'll show you proof of increasing sloth
As Mom pens her poems of seasonal froth

Armed with a camera instead of a rake
Too busy playing to give me a break

I continue to shuffle while she writes prose
I stumble across the stiff, frozen hose

Like the painter's house that never sees paint
If she cleaned my yard, I'd probably faint

On the phone to her mom, she talks a good game
But my suburban yard looks just the same

From Lily Pond to the formal front bed
Our grounds need attention - she writes, instead

She conducts a seminar on how to garden
While the leaves pile up and the hoses harden

"Hey, read your old columns for inspiration
And give me cause for exultation!"

"Sweep off those stairs and drain that hose
Rake the front, then return to your prose."

While linden and cherry add a humusy stench
I'm here, for now, on the birdwatching bench.

All Photos & Poetry: ©Deb Lambert & Lucy-Maude 2008