My new friend, Jami

Being Good Friday and all, things tend to slow down. So Fidel, who works with us, called Mom to see if Jami and Michael (his son) could come and visit us. Well, you don't have to ask ME twice. "OF COURSE!", I said, and so did Mom. Michael and I hit it off right away, but Jami is a bit slow to warm up. OK..to be honest, she almost bit me. But Fidel says I shouldn't take it personally, and that it was probably because of my dress and not me. Heeeyyyy!! I LIKE my dress. I mean, who hasn't seen a dog in a dress before?

Anyway, here's Michael, Me (getting another tummy rub), Fidel and Jami (heading for the door).

I'm sure next time will go better, dont'cha think?

Love, Mary-Margaret

Arrrrrgggghhh! My squeaky FERRET!!!

I just realized. My ferret is gone, too. MY BABY! It's not at the office and it's not at home. I took it to "camp" and, ohmygawsh....It's GONE GONE GONE! My life is ruined, I tell you. You know how much I loved my ferret. If my poor little ferret has gone the same way as my trout and my orange bone....! Waaaaaaaaaaah! I will GET YOU, UNCLE RUDY!!!!! (sniff) I LOVED MY FERRET!!! I...I....wa..wa...want my FERRET!!!

Mary-Margaret (sniffle) O'BRI..BRI...BRI..EN

My New Medallion!

 

Dear Sarabi: After Mom FINALLY figured out how to set the camera to take close-ups, she got this for us. Isn't it neat-o? I LOVE it. Allie says she got it at www.BlessOurPets.com

Love, Mary-Margaret 

Pink faux fur leopard print jacket!

I promised I'd show you. See? It even has a hood on it and it fits me everly so well! This is from my Mom for being a good little patient. Isn't it loverly?

Mary-Margaret

My Absolutely TERRIFYING experience

Well, you KNOW how I like to ride in the car and I always stand up in my carseat. I even lean forward when I want the car to go faster. Mom's always saying "Sit down, Mary-Margaret!" but that's no fun. I can hardly see the tops of the trees if I sit.

We were out serving papers today and she almost missed a turn. She stopped pretty quickly and next thing you know, I am flying. I mean FLYING like a bird. Right out of my car seat, and I do a loop and land on the floor of the car. I don't know if I'm alive or not, so I just stay there, crouched down, not moving a muscle. Mom says "Mary-Margaret? Are you OK?". But I'm afraid to move. I just don't want to move anything at all. I'm frozen stiff. Nothing hurts, and I sort of skidded on the Thomas Brothers map book, but ohmygawsh, it was SOOOO scary.

Finally, Mom reached down and picked me up and then I dug my nails into her like I NEVER EVER want her to let me go, and I climbed her like a tree. She cuddled me and checked for "OWies" and checked my stitches and when she didn't find anything out of order, she put me back in my car seat. She kept saying "Oh, you poor little thing!" and stuff like that. I was more scared than anything else. But the good news is, I got another chicken breast all to myself tonight.

Remember, you guys! NEVER EVER STAND UP IN YOUR SEAT. It's just not safe, and it's not worth getting a chicken breast for, either. You could really get hurt badly.

Love, Mary-Margaret

St. Francis of Assisi medallion

Oh my goodness my goodness!! I was the ONLY one who got any mail today. Mom snorted something about me getting my own business manager. Her good friend Allie from Hawaii sent me a St. Francis of Assisi medal to wear with my other "jewelry", like...you know....AKA tag, rabies tag, ID tag, and license (when it comes). I think my bling blings weigh more than I do now.

Oh, Allie. I just LOVE my new medallion. "Saint Francis of Assisi - Protector of Animals". I just KNEW he'd keep me safe during my "little surgery", and now I have a special tag with his name on it.

Thank you thank you soooooo much.

Nuzzles and kisses from me - Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Creative "hopping" and other tidbits

I absolutely LOVE to "hop". When I was at my Auntie C's, I really wanted to get on their bed. See, at home it's easy because Mom has a low cedar chest at the end of her bed. I hop on that, and then hop again to the bed. Simple, huh? But at Auntie C's, there's no cedar chest. Howeverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......

There's this really nifty chair by the window. You can see it a couple of posts ago. Anyway, I figured out that if I run really REALLY fast, hop onto the chair, and twist ever so slightly before lifting off, I can get some spring in my bounce and practically fly right over to their bed. It just took a little creativity.

This morning, Mom actually accused me of being part Beaver!. OK...so I like to gnaw a bit. Baseboards at the office are my favorite. But I found this nifty hole at the top of the stairs that the Home Depot guys left when installing Mom's Pergo. It wasn't that noticeable, but I'm working on it. Also computer cables are good when there's nothing better around, if you want a good gnawing tip. But....if your mom is looking, go for the "Flossie". It makes mom's happier.

OK...getting ready for work now.

Love and kisses -

Mary-Margaret

Vitakraft Yogurt Drops

My mom and Sonia were both sniffing my vitamin drops today. And this was AFTER I pointed out that they were for dogs only? So Sonia took a little taste, and then Mom took a little taste. And Sonia said they're not as good as they smell, but they're nice. Mom, on the other hand, thinks they taste just fine. So I stomped off to my office bed and I've been glaring at Mom for the past 10 minutes. They are MINE MINE MINE!!!

I just thought I'd share that piece of news with you. It's not like Mom shares her food with me except maybe some cream cheese from her bagel. I am NOT going to share with her, either!

Hmmmmmph!!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

"Puppy Love" Shirt from Sarabi

It fits absolutely PERFECTLY. Thank you again, Sarabi. Mom even brushed my hair, but I can't really tell from the picture. I can't even have a real bath until I get my staples out. I feel so icky at the moment.




I AM smiling. Really I am. It's just this thing on my head holding my hair back. I think it's giving me a headache, but Mom says it finishes off the ensemble. She's weird. I admit it, though. I can see better with the clip on.

OHMYGAWSH!!! For Meeeeee???

This is my really good friend, Sarabi, from Illinois. You know what she did? She sent me a PACKAGE. Addressed to MEEEEE! "Miss Mary-Margaret O'Brien" at my Mom's work. And Christine, the mail lady, even came all the way upstairs to personally deliver it to ME!! Can you tell how excited I am? Mom has to keep telling me "NO HOPPING, Mary-Margaret!".





This is me, trying to see everything all at once. I practically jumped inside the box and oh woweee!! There's all kinds of stuff. First, I see CHARLEE BEARS - egg and cheese. My most favorite. Then there is a new shirt and it will fit me just fine. It's my favorite color, too. Pink! I will wear it tomorrow for sure. It has two little pups on the front and says "Puppy Love". That's how I feel about my bestest friend, Sarabi, right now. Like she just KNOWS what I like.



This is me with another surprise - a squeaky HEDGEHOG! Mom says I'm like a turbo-charged hedgehog, so it's just perfect for ME!. So then I see even another package and there is a card and it says "Sorry you're going through a ruff ruff time. Ruff" and "Just whistle and I'll come running", and that's from Sarabi, too! And then, a picture of Sarabi which I had Mom scan and put here so you could see my dearest friend too! And then, oh my goodness....(I've never seen these before so I had just a teeny taste before I grabbed the bag from Mom's hand) Vitalkraft Yogurt Drops with viamins. They are kind of like candy and I think Mom was going to taste one because they smell so good. I had to point out that the bag clearly says "Snack for all dogs" (not for humans). They are absolutely scrumdiddlyumptious!!

I am such a lucky pup to have so many good friends. Thank you thank you SOOO much, Sarabi.

Love and kisses -

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

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