Picture from my Camp Experience

Finally. My Auntie and Uncle sent a picture of what I spent most of my time at "camp" doing: Watching for Mom. I wasn't going to 'fess up, but I really did miss her. As soon as I found out there was no lake, no canoe, no campfire, no ghost stories....I KNEW I'd been hornswoggled. So this is my "camp" and this is what I did. I tell YOU, the NEXT time they tell me I'm going to "camp", I'm going to ask to see the brochures first.

(But I really DID have a good time hanging with my family, though. shhhhhh!!)

Love, Mary-Margaret

Checking out!

This is me, Mary-Margaret O'Brien, checking out of the hospital. Nurse Megan and Nurse Jessie are giving my tummy the final clean-up before Mom takes me home. I keep making noises so Mom asks if I can please have some water? I drink almost a whole bowl full. Then she hears my tummy growl and is surprised to find out that I didn't even get breakfast. I would have except she got there the same time everybody else did, and nobody had time to FEED me.

Miss Letty brought me out a bowl of the yummiest stuff ever and I absolutely inhaled it. Whoever said hospital food was yucky never had a bowl of A/D Feline-Canine prescription diet. YUMMM! I even asked for seconds, and got another big bowl full. I tried for another THIRD helping but Miss Letty said "No". (sigh) Mom did, at least, ask if she could take a couple of tins home for me. Miss Letty explained that it was for us pups who had surgery and was pretty high calorie, not that I have to worry about my weight. She said Mom should mix a tablespoon or so of A/D with whatever I usually have.

Mom was ever so gentle with me. I think she was afraid to hold me for fear of upsetting my staples. Finally, she picked me up and she's been holding me mostly ever since we got home. I have been inside my kennel a couple of times, but I really don't care to be there. I'd rather be on Mom's lap or on her chest napping. When she first came into the house with me on the leash I immediately hopped onto the hassock and got yelled at. "No NOOOO, Mary-Margaret. You're not allowed to hop anywhere.", and she has had me in her arms ever since except for a couple of potty breaks.

Sarabi was soooo right. We DO get lots of kisses and cuddles. I also got a new "Flossie", which is a dried beef tendon, a brand new HUGE bag of Egg & Cheese Charlee Bears (which I was so hoping for!), and a new pink leopard print jacket with a hood on it. I can't wait to put it on.

In two weeks, I go back for a check up. I don't feel too bad, really. Just sleepy and relaxed. Maybe it's the stuff they gave me to keep me calm? Val...val....something. Dunno. And pain pills. But so far, I don't need anything. (yaaaaaaaaawn) Going back to sleep now.

G'night, everybody. Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes. I know they helped a lot 'cause I feel pretty fine.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Did anyone get the license number of....?

Oh gosh! I think it's still me. Mom came to visit me about 3:30PM and I was still pretty groggy. Nicole gently wrapped me in a fluffy green towel and placed me in Mom's arms. Mom just held me and kissed me and talked to me, but honestly I don't remember too much. I kept dozing off and then I'd wake up a little bit, then "poof", I'd be gone again. I was one druggie doggie, thatsh fer shure.

I sorta remember Mom hanging up my "Get Well" cards and letters. Thanks, everybody. Whoaaaaa...uh....my head is still spinning. I'm coming home tomorrow and will write more then. Going back to schleeep now.........zzzzzzzzzz!

The Worst is Over!!

Hi! This is Mary-Margaret's mom. She's out of surgery and doing fine. She already woke up from the anesthetic and is a bit groggy, according to her "nurse". I'll be dropping by later to take her some "Get Well" cards and her teddy bear. She'll be staying overnight and I'll be picking her up in the morning. I'm told that the doctor likes to keep the patients confined for the first day so that they don't get too excited and possibly damage their stitches. I'm assured that she will most likely be curled up on a little ball, snoozing the whole time.

Mary-Margaret would like to thank everyone who sent a get well wish. She will be writing to you tomorrow, even if it's a short note, when she comes home from the hospital.

Did Mom think I forgot Puppy School?

About 4:00PM, Sonia called over to Mom and said, "Ahem? Do you think Mary-Margaret is waiting to go to Puppy School?" Well, of course I was. I don't forget these things and I don't even own a calendar OR a watch, though probably I should. I had been sitting by the door to our office for about 15 minutes, and when Mom didn't come get me, I stomped into her office and just stood there glaring at her. She said "Oh, Gosh! I totally forgot!". Hmmph! It's a good thing one of us has a good memory.

All my friends were there and I met a couple of new kids. It was officially my last Puppy Class, but Miss Letty says I'm invited to be a mentor. That would be nice. I'm very good at making the new kids feel comfortable, and I really DO get along with everyone.

I'm have my "coming of age" tomorrow. You know, my "little surgery"? Mom told Miss Letty it was sort of like my Bat Mitzvah. I swear, my Mom comes up with some weird stuff. Bat Mitzvah indeed! We're not even Jewish. Anyway, I have been saying some prayers to St. Francis. And yes, I'm just a little worried. I just can't wait until it's all over and I can go home again. But not until Saturday. Tonight I had a whole half a chicken breast all to myself as a special treat, sort of like a going away party with me and Mom.

I guess I won't be writing tomorrow, but I promise I'll let you know how things are on Saturday or Sunday, depending on how I'm feeling.

Love and kisses...

Mary-Margaret

My Surprise Phone Call!

Oh my goodness. Sarabi's mom actually called my mom today and I got to talk to Sarabi. I was so excited. Except for the part when I heard my mom mention that Uncle Rudy killed my squeaky trout and even got some stuffing out of it. Now, when I said Uncle Rudy could play with it, he PROMISED! Really, he did, but I guess he just got carried away.

I'm also afraid to tell Auntie Leslie that my orange squeaky bone is gone too. I hope she'll understand that I was trying to be nice and that really I didn't mean for it to get eaten. Anyway, so Sarabi and I sort of "heavy breathed" to each other and I know she was wishing me luck on my "little surgery". Funny how these humans refer to our traumas as "little" somethings, isn't it??

And Sarabi's "mum" is just the nicest lady, too. She said really nice things to me. If I didn't already have a great Mom, I might think of moving to Illinois. Maybe.

This picture is of me doing what I do best on a rainy day: Just kicking back and relaxing. I still weigh 5.4 pounds and haven't gained an ounce for about a month. Mom says I've just gotten narrower and longer, which is why my pink turtleneck still fits me. It's an XS and I almost gave it away to Peanut, but Auntie C sort of forgot to let her try it on. I'm glad, really. I do love that sweater.

I better go now. Mom has to shut down the computers and says I have to get off hers. Talk to you later...

Love, Mary-Margaret

The Good News and the Bad News

OK. First, the good news. My Auntie Leslie missed me so much she sent me a present in the pouch again. Mom is so funny. She says "Oh, look, Mary-Margaret. It's for YOUUUU!" (as if I didn't know my own name by now). I can READ it, you know. So she opens the envelope and here's another envelope inside. And she opens that one, too. Then, finally, she gives me the package of TWO little yellow tennis balls JUST MY SIZE. And she lets me try to open that for about a half hour before she finally offers to help. I am absolutely in heaven and I love my balls. One skittered under the file cabinet and Mom found one of my old yellow balls, but I was having none of that. Then she finds a rubber ball, but nope. Uh uh....not that one. I wanted the one Auntie Leslie sent. So Mom gets down on her hands and knees and coaxes my NEW ball out with a carpenter's level. I have to admit it was pretty funny but I kept a straight face. She does try hard to please me and I know I'm very lucky to have her.

Now, the bad news. It's official. I'm to have my "little surgery" on Friday. No food or water after 9:00PM on Thursday. And I have to spend the night in the hospital, but I can go home Saturday. Dr. V says I will have some baby teeth pulled while I'm out, too. Mom's trying to make me feel better about this by telling me when she had her tonsils out. I mean, as if that's even the same. But Sarabi said she got lots of loving and kisses and it wasn't so bad, so maybe I'm just a bit nervous for nothing. She also suggested I ask for egg and cheese Charlee Bears, too.

I don't know my "room" number yet, but I'll be at Pet Medical Center in Temecula, CA. Just in case you want to drop by and visit or something. Or call to inquire as to my health. Surely there must be visiting hours, wouldn't you think? I wonder if I'll get new pajamas for this. I'll keep you posted.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Meet my cousin, Cade!

I just thought you'd like to meet my cousin Cade. He's the one Mom took to Hawaii last week. This is a picture of him inside the submarine that they took way far down under the ocean. Mom says they went to about 107 feet'.

They had a great time, I'm told. Not so many people get to go on a real submarine. Probably not too many pups either.





Here's a picture of one of the fish that they saw. Everything is so blue down there. I'm glad I was on dry land with my Uncle Rudy and the rest of my family. I've never been swimming before, you know! Mom says maybe this summer she'll give me lessons. I hope!! :o)

Mary-Margaret

"Good Morning"? Indeed!!!

I just can't do it. This is awful, but putting the clocks ahead an hour is such a human thing to do, I tell you!! It's practically still dark out, I'm in the best part of a dream and ...BLIM BLAM...that flash goes off. Mom called me several times, so I guess I can't complain about being warned, but golly gosh gee whiz! According to MY clock, it's only 6:30AM.

"Good Morning", my foot. What nitwit thought this thing up? Well, I WILL finish that dream even if I have to sleep walk to do it.

Blegh!

Mary-Margaret

Aloha!! Mom's FINALLY home!

Boy, did I get an earful last night. About not writing. I guess I deserved it. It's just that I was having such a good time at Auntie C's that I didn't want to stop. Then, when I did stop it's only because I crashed from being so tired from having fun. You know?

Anyway, so Mom gets to Auntie C's about maybe 10:00PM and I hear this knock on the door and Auntie C picks me up and here's this kid. Oh, OK, I figure. No big deal, but isn't it a bit too late to be selling stuff? And then I look past him and here's my MOM with a big old grin on her face. I tell YOU! I was so happy, my tail almost got out of joint from wagging, and I just couldn't wait to get to her. I just about leaped out of Auntie's arms. First, I started to tell Mom off because I was a bit miffed that she left me. But by the time she gave me a kiss I forgot all about being mad and started kissing her all over. I even "widdled" just a bit from the excitement. She says she's lucky to have any skin left on her cheeks after I got through kissing her.

Oh I am so happy she's home. I don't want to let go of her even for a minute. But then I see Uncle Rudy and I run over to him. And then Uncle Jason calls me and I hop into his lap and give him some kisses. And then, Colleen, my Auntie C. And then I find out that the kid isn't selling stuff, and he's my cousin, Cade. So I go and give him all kinds of kisses too.

Cade takes a couple of pictures of me and tells me he loves me. I guess I must be falling for him, too, because when Mom and I leave, I absolutely have to kiss him goodbye. Finally, Uncle Jason puts my car seat into Mom's car and I am so happy I can hardly contain myself. I stand up and look forward, and start leaning into the front of my seat, telling Mom to hurry up and let's go. We are going HOME!!!

Oh yeah...and then I remember to ask her about Hawai'i. But before she finishes telling me about mongooses, volcanoes and rain forests, I fall sound asleep and don't wake up until we turn into our drive way. This is a picture of Mauna Loa with snow on it, she says.

Today, Sunday, I slept in and just didn't even want to get out of bed but the clocks got set forward so it was an hour later and I had to. I gave Mom some more kisses and cuddles. After a bit, though, I kinda started missing my Uncle Rudy and the kids. There's always something going on at their house and it's so quiet at mine. I must have whimpered out loud because next thing, Mom says "Mary-Margaret? Do you want to watch 'Animal Planet'?". I'd forgotten about that. I don't want to disappoint her, but I actually got into basketball this past week. I wonder if I can figure out how to work the remote?

Love and kisses,

Mary-Margaret

Busy Mary-Margaret!!

This is Mary-Margaret's mother writing and I have not received any more letters from Mary-Margaret. I was so worried about her thinking that maybe her canoe tipped over, or that she backed into the campfire while roasting marshmallows, that finally I called her counselor. I'm told that Mary-Margaret is doing fine, but that she has been so overwhelmed with her camp experience that she just hasn't found the time to write.

I'll be picking her up from camp on Saturday and I promise I'll sit her down for a detailed report as to how she kept so busy she couldn't even send me one lousy postcard after that first letter.

Kids!! (hmmmph)

Mary-Margaret's Letters from Camp

March 24, 2006

Dear Mom,

I miss you! Can you believe they (Auntie C & Family) actually let one of those rude cats live IN their house - you did not tell me that part!. AND it has a name and they feed it and seem to like it - her name is Mo! Auntie C and Uncle Jason tell me I met her at Christmas but maybe she was nicer
then because I was a brand new baby, now I am very curious about everything and maybe don't know my size. When I first walked in their house, she started yelling at me right away and has swatted at me (warning swats, thank goodness). I am steering clear of her. Auntie C found her hiding out under Cailin's covers this morning...maybe she is not so tough!

I have heard things about Camp before and it seems to me that some things are missing from my experience, like fishing, canoeing, singing around a campfire (Auntie C says we can put a fire in in the fireplace and sing later if I really want)and sleeping outside (I am glad for that part). My "camping" experience has been more of chasing Auntie C around as she does a lot of laundry and goes up and down stairs constantly (I have mountains of clothes to climb thanks to Cailin and Clancy)and wondering when the real action is gonna start.

My Uncle Rudy has been acting dra-ma-tic, I don't know why he is so worried. He has been hiding out, turning his head away from everybody and having the blues. I keep trying to cheer him up, running circles around him with my leash on is kind of like running around the Maypole. He starts to wag his tail, and then catches himself --- he will warm up to me, I just know it.

So far I am having a good time, it is not too different from home. They have those big blue pouch thingies here too! I thought about catching a ride home in one, but I'll stick it out. Will write more later.

Love,
Mary Margaret O'Brien

From Mary-Margaret's Mother

Hi. This is Mary-Margaret's mother. This photo is after she realized how much fun camp was going to be. She asked me to tell you that she's "absolutely so busy" that she hasn't had time to write any letters yet. When she does, she'll have her Auntie (who is also her camp counselor) forward them on to me and I'll post them for you.
(No I did NOT read her diary. What kind of a mother do you think I am, anyway?)

Mary-Margaret's mother, "Mommy"

Anything for a biscuit...!

I couldn't wait for Mom to actually open the box. I absolutely had had had to have one right NOW. But those Milkbone people use pretty strong glue. I worked it hard, but Mom ended up giving me a hand.

(Yes, Mom. Of COURSE I'll share with my Uncle Rudy!)

Auntie Leslie's Milkbone treats!

The pouch man brought our bag straight to me today. He must have looked inside and saw the envelope addressed: "Attn: M. M. O'Brien". I saw the white envelope and the black letters right away and I just KNEW. Mom opened it up and there was a whole box of flavored Milkbone for just me, Mary-Margaret O'Brien. JUST ME!! Oh, and Auntie Leslie wrote a letter but Mom had to read it to me: "Abandoned for a PINEAPPLE (sniff). Do what I do and EAT yourself into oblivion".

Not sure where oblivion is yet, but I just came straight out and stared at Mom with my big puppy eyes and she said "OK, Mary-Margaret. Think of it as "camp". You'll be gone for a week and have lots of fun, and then I'll come pick you up!". I'm happy but I'm sad. I'm glad to see Uncle Rudy and everybody, but I'm sure going to miss my mom. Mom looks pretty sad, too. Tonight she told me that she misses me already and I'm not even gone yet.

I've been everly so good today to show her that I will be missing her too. She's going to ask Auntie Colleen and Uncle Jason to help me with my blog for a while so she can keep up on what I'm doing. I even packed a sweater and a vest that I've outgrown so Papa John can give it to Peanut, if it fits her. My pajamas still fit me just fine and so do most of my other clothes. Mom thought I grew more than I did. Rudy has a surprise coming!!

I think I want to get Mom to go to bed early and maybe cuddle a bit. It is our last night together before I leave for "camp" (rolling eyes). Maybe I should take my "fort" and just accidently forget to bring it back home. Silly grown-ups have funny names for things, don't they?

Love and kisses, heart full of misses --

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Ready to go for our walk

We were ready, but our Mom's weren't. Darn! I really wanted Star to meet my good friend Kasha.

Practicing the Secret Handshake

Here's me and Star trying to decide on what our "secret handshake" should be. I'm telling her my idea and then ...oops! Mom's there with the camera and it won't be a secret.

We wait until the moms aren't looking and then we put it into action.


Gosh. Every time we try to work out the bugs in the "secret pawshake" (we decided that was a better name for it), the flash goes off. Doesn't Mom realize I have a life, too? I mean, like.....well, I don't mind actually, but I don't want all my friends to think I'm a baby or anything, so I have to act tough, and play like I don't want my mom to know everything. You know?

For Girl's Only! No boys allowed.

Ohmygawsh. I met two of the nicest girls today and we decided to have a secret club. First, I finally get to play with Star, a Maltese. She's Debi's dog, and Debi works with us. OK, really Debi's daughter Candice's dog, but she helps Debi with her work and rides shotgun for her. And so Star comes in and, like right away, we hit it off. Star's Maltese - they're a bit stand-offish at first, but she really REALLY likes me. I can tell.

First, we get this secret handshake. Then, we get acquainted - a few sniffs here and there - and we know all we need to about each other. Then, we decide it's time to go for a walk and we stand by the door so our Mom's will see. And then Debi picks us both up for our first official group picture. It really came out good. Star and I are very photogenic, you know. And then Star has to get back to work so we say goodbye and promise to meet again soon for another club meeting.

So then Kelly, one of our clients, comes in and brings Brigitte, her miniature poodle. Kelly works for one of our attorney's and she always takes Brigitte to work with her, too. So now there are three of us. And Sarabi, you can be a member too, even though you live so far away. But maybe you can start a club in Illinois.

Mom took the neatest pictures and as soon as the blogger thing works again, she'll post them for me. I just LOVE my job. I really meet so many neat people and some really kewl dogs, too. I'll bet you have no idea how many dogs really DO go to work with their moms and dads.

Next week, when I'm staying with my Uncle Rudy, I get to go to work at his office in Santa Ana where Auntie Colleen, Jason and Papa John work. I still get a bit shakey when I think of Mom going away, but it's not like forever. And I am getting very grown up and really I can handle it. I'm kinda getting excited about the whole vacation thing. I hope Papa John will bring Peanut (his chihuahua) with him. I'm sure she and I could be great friends, too.

Monday, Monday....!

Me and Mom slept in today and didn't wake up until almost 9:00AM. I would have slept longer but when she gets up, I get up. We went to the office again. I very emphatically stressed that I have had it up to "here" with work. She kept calling me a "little pill" when all I was doing was telling her that we need to go HOME and play. So then what do you think??? We go get her nails done.

When Mom is at Cathleen's place, I have to sit "like a good girl" in my car seat (which is also my baby seat, a bed, a back-pack for Mom, a rolling airline carrier, etc, too). Now, Cathleen is a really nice person and she always tells me how cute I am and stuff. But I had a lot to say today, and finally Cathleen puts a towel over my car seat while I'm still talking. So I put the towel around my shoulders and thought I was pretty cool, and kept talking anyway.

Mom says I'm going through the "terrible twos". I was six months old yesterday so I'm not sure how she figures. I know I get bored easily and I like to shred paper, but you already know that. As long as I know where Mom is, I'm real independent. But as soon as she disappears, like even going into the bathroom, I get almost hysterical. Like I think I'm not going to see her ever again. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just want her to hold me all the time these days.

Even now, while I'm dictating this blog, I kept jumping up so she'd put me on her shoulder. That's where I'm most happy lately. As long as she's holding me, I know she's not going to leave me. Right?

Oh gosh, and I have this really weird feeling about her going someplace, and me being left behind. She says I'll have to suck it in and be a good girl while I'm staying at Uncle Rudy's place. I hope I can be. I mean, I know I'll try. I promise! It's only for a week, and I do remember from last Christmas about the really neat smells coming from the oven. It'll be ok. I think.

Bedtime. My favorite time. G'night, everybody.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Puppies like weekends off!!

I like my weekends off, but try to tell Mom the Workaholic that. Saturday was so-so. We were only at the office for maybe 4 hours and then we went to Puppy School. Not a lot of kids there because of the iffy weather, but it was a good group. Samantha came by and was in a rotten mood. She had a "little surgery", whatever that means. The grown-ups seemed to know, though. Her Sister said the staples were coming out. That doesn't sound good no matter what it means. Mom told her Sis where the emergency vet was.

Today, we were back at work again. These "human beans" are something else. The carpenter was working on the building, the attorney was there with her dog, the real estate guy with the nice smelling boots was there. Don't they EVER take a day off?

I entertained myself by seeing how many times I could get my leash stuck by wrapping it around chair legs. Then I climbed on Mom's shoulder so I could see out the window. I can get all four of my feet perched just so, and I use her head for support, if I need it. We're on the top floor so I get a pretty good view of town. My grandma called this morning and said there was something going on, and it turned out to be a Blue Grass Festival. I could hear the music from across the street. It was nice. About five o'clock I really got mad. I don't like working so long and not getting to watch my "Animal Planet" shows. I made a point of telling Mom exactly how I felt, too!

Finally, she took the hint and we left. Sheesh!!! Tonight Mom said "Only four more nights and then you'll be at Auntie C's". What? Did I miss something? What's this "Auntie C" stuff? I smell a plot brewing.

Love, Mary-Margaret
Overworked and Underpaid