Inspecting the Pouch

Nope! Nothing for MEEEEEEEEE!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien, CPI
(Chief Pouch Inspector)

PS: I HATE Cats!

They are absolutely so RUDE! Yuck. Ptooey. Blegh!

I tell YOUUUU, I'm just sitting by the window enjoying the end of the day, watching the sunlight disappear, when this cat comes by. A brown/grey/white (Mom says it's a tabby) thing just strutting on by the window with his tail waving in the air like a Yankees pennant at a ball game. I bark. It glances at me briefly, sticks it's nose in the air, and doesn't miss a step.

Next thing, a white and caramel colored ALSO VERY RUDE cat starts to walk by the window following this tabby thing. Only this one STOPS and just stares at me. Like, what...you've never seen a Yorkie before? Well, woo hoo, and get used to it. I LIVE here and you are most NOT welcome in my yard. It turns it's back on me and keeps on going.

Then...and you'd think that would be the end of it, wouldn't you? But NOOOOOO...here comes Mr. Midnight, black as coal, and just as RUDE and arrogant as the others. Only good thing about this one is that IT STOPPED...LOOKED right AT me..and actually turned around and ran back where it came from.

I mean, what are we? A short cut, maybe? A freeway for vagrant felines? Do we look like a giant litter box? Ohhhhhh...if Mom would just let me out. Just for a minute, I'd show those nasty cats a thing or two. I bet you I'd remind them of my Aunt Rose and run them right off our property. And they'd NEVER come back.

But Mom says they're bigger 'n me and she won't let me guard our yard. Not a bit. Says she doesn't want anything to happen to me. I tell you, I CAN take care of myself, and my mom, too!! I can be a guard dog just as good as...ok, well Turbo or any of the Husky crowd, or a Collie or.....! Well, I would.

Hmmph!

Mary-Margaret "CAT-astrophe" O'Brien

My fur mom is "Tootoo"

My mom found my "birth certificate". My dad is "Dandy Agustus Bush". He must be pretty important because they called him "Sire". MaDam (get it? "Ma Dam"??) (sigh...oh well) is "Sissy's Tootoo by T and J", and not Molly. Dad was blue and gold. Mom was Blue and Tan. Oh gosh, I don't know WHO I look like now. I'm silver, black, grey, copper, tan. You name it. AND I also have a copper patch in the middle of my head that's starting to grow out from where my hair broke off from one of those bows. The only person I know that has a rusty spot in the middle of their head like that is my cousin, Mo, the cat.

My "Grandma Jean" said that probably the groomer just twisted my leg a bit and it'll get better in time. She said that soft tissue damage takes longer to heal than even a bone fracture. Also...she sort of blew it for me when she told Mom that us Yorkies tend to be a bit dramatic, and if we get attention by doing something, we'll keep it up whether we need to or not. I was NOT planning on letting that little piece of information out. Darn.

So I'm not getting a trip to Dr. V's this morning, and I won't get to play on the computer with Nicole, and I won't be getting a lot of attention and cuddles like I'm so used to getting at my doctor's office. And Mom says, for once, she'll get to the office "on time".

Later, guys! I have to get ready for work. No more bows for me though. Not unless they're the clip on kind.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

My Grandma Jean in Missouri

(sigh) My mom...sometimes I don't know what to DO with her. I'm curled up in my office bed, having my afternoon nap, and all of a sudden I hear mom saying something about being so tickled to find my extended family. My fur mom's "mom", Jean from Elkland, Missouri, was chatting up a storm with my mom, who is equally chatty. So you KNOW my ears were burning.

My "Grandma Jean" said that she would send my mom pictures of my fur parents who she referred to as "Gus" and "Molly". And she also said I have some new little brothers back in Missouri. That probably wasn't a good idea to tell Mom that, because now she has this scary gleam in her eye. I keep trying to say "Mom...Missouri is a LONG way from Temecula. REALLY IT IS!!!!".

I heard a human term for a situation like this. Seems to fit, so I'll sign off with it.

"Oy vey!!"

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

PS: Da-feet of the Chinese!

Ahhh. Today I had a gourmet day when it came to toes and feet. You KNOW how I love to taste shoes, lick toes, kiss feet. A client came in with his international buyer wife who had just arrived from Beijing after a 15 hour flight. She hadn't gone home yet and I immediately noticed something special about her. I disappeared under Mom's desk.

Mom was being very business like with her client, but couldn't help glancing over periodically at his exhausted wife who kept bursting out in giggles. Finally his wife explained that I was kissing her heels and it tickled ever so much. Actually, I was tasting....truly an epicurian delight, I tell YOUUU. I was so disappointed when she left.

The only thing about Chinese feet, I have to tell you, is that you're hungry an hour later.

Later, Gator!

Mary-Margaret

For meeeeeee???? Gosh!

I was just doing my thing with the pouch. You know, say "Hi" to John, the pouch man. Hop up and down a couple of times. I honestly didn't think anyone even remembered little old me. But after Mom fished some envelopes out of good ol' E-050, she said, "Oh look, Mary-Margaret! Something for YOUUUUU!". OHMYGOODNESS.

I hopped right inside until you couldn't even see my tail. I found MY package and, even though no could see MEEEE, they could hear me. Scratching away at that envelope. Oh, it smelled SO good. Finally, Mom said "Here. Let me HELP you!". The words of an angel, and I let her open it up.

My very own I-dont-have-to-share box of Milkbone five flavors doggie biscuits. Am I lucky or what??? Thank you, Auntie Leslie E-041. I just love that we're on the same bag run, don't you? One of these days, I'll send you a little something. NOOOO.....not that!!! Something nice. You'll see!

Tomorrow, I'm going to see Dr. V first thing in the morning. Mom's going to drop me off so they can "observe" me. That's a good word...kinda rolls off your tongue: ob - SERVE!! observe..observe...! Which really means I just hang out and they watch me to see how I am with my leg. NO, the owner of the groomer did NOT call my mother today. Mom says sometimes words NOT said are louder than those that are.

I'll keep you posted.

Love, Mary-Margaret

A first for me - the GROCERY STORE

It was too hot to leave me in the car. I would have been poached in a matter of minutes. So Mom got out my new front carrier and it was sooooo cool. We walked right in, got a basket and did our shopping. People would glance over at us and only a few kids would say "Oh, LOOK AT THE REAL PUPPY!". I also got compliments on my "neon puppy" front carrier and my hat.

I was really still, just sitting there in my carrier with my hat on. One lady at the check stand was pretty startled when I winked at her. She sucked in her breath, and then told Mom that she thought, at first, I was a purse. (rolling eyes) THEN, she said she thought I was a stuffed doggie until I winked at her. I was that still, I tell you. I just love to surprise folks.

Then I made a bunch of new friends. Mom confirmed that I could go inside a grocery store if I were an assistance dog. Mom told her I was a therapy dog because I helped lower her blood pressure and to relax. So the people in the store said that was fine. So I want to know - Is there someplace I get an "Therapy Dog ID" card or something? Like....could this be a real profession for me? Maybe even have business cards made up? This is like SOOO much fun.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

PS - Grocery stores are way cool. Now I know where my chicken comes from. :o)

Sincerely yours,

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Official Emotional Therapy Assistant

The Princess of Process

A long time ago, way before I was even born, my Aunt Vicki dubbed my mom the "Princess of Process". Then, for her birthday or Christmas or something, Sonia bought her this "Princess" sign (in a fine leopard animal print, I might add!). Her credenza was getting a bit crowded so she moved it to the etagiere in the reception room. For the first time EVERRRRR I actually got to see it face to face. Nifty, huh?

Oh yeah...and see my hat? It's better than the bow, but I think it makes my head look flat. What do you think?

Love, Mary-Margaret

Eureka! You have it!

Another picture of my Auntie Vicki, only this time (are you sitting down?) it's with her mouth closed.

And they said it couldn't be done.

(hee hee)

Mary-Margaret

Neon Puppy Carrier

When one isn't supposed to walk a lot, one must find alternate methods of travel. My mom, the creative thinker, got me a front carrier with a matching visor. I arrived at Puppy School today in style, I must say! She's still getting used to putting it on me but I find it pretty comfy, actually.

She got both the hat and the carrier at Yorkie Treasures , just in case you're interested. They have so many fabrics to choose from. I was going to do red, white and blue "stars & stripes", but ended up with the "Neon Puppy" print. And the hat is SOOO comfortable, letting my ears poke through which is really nice.


I finally got a decent picture of Sam, the other golden retriever. He had a bad day today. Somehow, he scraped his little paw pad and had to see Dr. Hill. His mom left carrying all 16 1/2 pounds of puppy, and he's got to go on antibiotics for the next seven days.

I've been thinking about maybe that I'm too old for Puppy School. I love all my students, REALLY I do. But there's so much else to do now that I'm a tweenager. Maybe if I just stop by every so often to make sure the little ones are doing ok would be enough? I know I'll miss seeing my friends all the time. But I'll be in for regular check ups. It'll be ok for me, and somehow I'll get Mom through the transition. She does tend to get really involved in supporting her kids' activities, including mine. After all, I am like her baby! :•)

PS - My most FAVORITE song is "Squeaky Deaky". See "I'm on crutches..." below for the link to order it.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Goodbye, Dakota

   Mom can be such a dodo bird with her camera. Here I was having a heart-to-heart with Dakota, an elderly Rottweiler, and Mom started snapping pictures of us. Well, she didn't know that Dakota was there to go visit the "Rainbow Bridge". When Dakota and her Dad went into the little room, I thought Mom was going to cry. She felt so stupid, but Miss Letty and the other techs told her not to feel bad. They know she means well. Anyway, at least I got to say some comforting things to Dakota, and I told her not to worry. My Aunt Rose would be there to show her around. This is me giving Dakota some loving to take with her on her journey.

Hugs to all my friends -

Love, Mary Margaret

The morning after...

  See? Not a hair out of place. OK..maybe one, but that BOW is in really good. I've done everything, including dancing on my head and it won't budge. Maybe I can get help from some of my friends at Puppy School today. Even if I do NOTHING else, I want that bow OUT OUT OUT.

MM 

Gimpy but beautiful....

  ...or so they tell me. It's hard to feel really good about the way you look when your leg is bugging you. And those tranquilizers Dr. V gave me put things into a whole new perspective. Why, I ask you, would ANYONE want to take drugs. Makes me feel really dreamy, like stuff isn't real. I even let Mom pick me up without trying to make a game of it.

We'll see how I do at Puppy School today. Maybe we'll just go retrieve my CD and go back home. But if Sandy is there....well, you KNOW I'll want to visit for a bit. He is everly SOOOO handsome and hunky. I wonder if he'll even remember me? You think maybe?

(sigh)

Mary-Margaret O'Brien 

I'm on crutches...

...or I would be if they made them in my size. Now I know why God gave us four feet. I'm only using three at the moment. Dunno what I did, but I'm scooting along on all threes now. Doctor said my kneecaps are wiggly. And that's bad? And my groomer, Nicole, thought I seemed to be rather tender when she tried to brush me. (I'll show you pictures of my new hair-do tomorrow, ok?) But no one can find anything exactly, and I'm not really in pain. Dr. V was poking fun at me by saying she thought I made it up just to go see her. Curses...foiled again. AND I weigh SIX POINT SEVEN pounds, but Dr V said I am not going to turn into a St. Bernard. She promised! She says I won't grow much more, but Mom says that she's heard THAT before. :o)

I left my new CD, "Songs to make Dogs Happy", with Miss Letty for sharing tomorrow. I told her we'd pick it up when we saw her at Puppy School. It came in the mail today and I just love it. When "Squeaky Deaky" started playing, I danced all over and barked right along with it. My good friend, Mia, got hers today, too. Already she's hooked on those songs. They ARE catchy, you know, and they deal with things really important to pups. Like squeakies, dinner, friends, playing, dinner, sleep, dinner....!

Catch you later...

Mary-Margaret

I'm a Little Scrapper if I have to be

Here's me, happy as a clam, just minding my own business and playing on the "playground". Three new kids to show around today - Toby (see below), Cash, and Sasha the lab/boxer/? mix. Sasha and Baxter played together a lot today. I like it when my students get along well.

And here's me after Pepper kept trying to grab me around the waist and ...well, you know....and I finally just HAD it. I'd already had a bad day (Mom left me for two whole hours while she had her hair cut and I was fit to be tied. Didn't stop crying the whole time), and then this thing with Pepper. So, remembering wise old master's words to Little Grasshopper, I showed him a thing about martial arts. In a lady-like way, of course. There's Bailie the Beagle and Java the Sheltie cheering me on. Java said something about "Million Dollar Baby" but I have no idea what he was talking about. I think he had some biscuits riding on the outcome, though.

Anyway, then after that, Reese the Cairn Terrier, got on my nerves. She's the one who chomped my tail a couple of weeks ago and would NOT let go. So I flipped her, and when she bit me I handled it very well, I think. I pushed her back against the cement and held her down with my two front paws, and really told her off. I swear, I didn't even try to bite her although the temptation was there. I just yelled at her, and then Miss Almandine picked ME up and said "Mary-Margaret!!". Gosh..like she thought it was my fault.

After that, I went over to my mom, which I never do, and asked her to pick me up and just let me sit in her lap until class was over. My feelings were really hurt. Me? Be mean to someone? I mean, absolutely never ever in a million years. I guess they figured it out later, though. Reese got into it with Cash, the Old English Bulldog (real name is Cash Folsom Fulton, isn't that cool?) and she could have been hurt. Well, that's not MY problem. She'll learn from someone else, not from me.

I don't do well with hurt feelings, but "tomorrow is another day".

Big day tomorrow. I get to go to Country Kennels to get my hair cut. Oh, I forgot to mention that Mom's is really short now. She was going for a particular look and I think maybe it didn't come out the way she'd hoped. Sonia giggled and said that Mom and I have matching haircuts now. I think I'll keep mine long, just to be different.

G'night all.

Love, Mary-Margaret

My Boyfriend Sandy and his little Brother

   Remember Sandy? He was my very FIRST boyfriend. We even both attended our first Puppy School class together last November 26th. Then, you know, we decided to play the field, but we are still good friends. Sort of. Even though I haven't seen him for everly so long. (sigh)

So look who shows up at Puppy Class today? Toby, Sandy's new little brother. He's just a baby and looks just like Sandy did when he was a little kid. Doesn't he? Anyway, Toby and Sandy's Sister-In-Law-To-Be said that Sue, Sandy's mother, was bringing the kids to School on Saturday. I just can't WAIT to see him. Sandy's SIL2B said Sandy weighs SIX pounds. I wonder if he'll still want to dance with me like he used to?

I'll keep you posted.

Mary-Margaret

Grown-ups Make Me Crazy

OK. You probably know that "Hide 'n' Seek" is my favorite game. I patiently waited for my Aunt Vicki to show up with her friend, Simone. I went OUT in the back yard and raced around so they could see how fast I was. Always, after I do my racing, Mom goes into the house and fixes my dinner. Tonight, she goes in the house and gets..(gasp)..the CAMERA. I absolutely put my foot down..er...PAW down, and refused to go back outdoors. See? I'm hiding behind the leather chair.
So here's my Aunt Vicki coming to "get" me. I'm doing my part in this game or, at least, I think I am. I'm hiding. Well? Good gosh, look at her. You'd hide, too, if it was suppertime and you were hungry and HUMANS kept wanting to play. Finally, I gave up and went upstairs and even mom couldn't get me down again. I think I won the game. though. Mom fixed my dinner, called "good bye" to me, and the she left with Vicki and Simone. I had a peaceful dinner without being expected to entertain anyone, and when Mom came back alone, things were as they should be.

Aunt Vicki told Mom she thought I was mad at her. That's silly. I love my Aunt Vicki. She's the one that sent me that pink sweatband for when I play tennis? Except it turned out to be a collar? Which was fine, because I'm lousy at tennis anyway. And she sent me that silver collar that was really a bracelet for Mom? If she's reading this, I have something to say: Come back and I promise I'll play hide and seek all you want. Really, I will. Just as long as it's not at suppertime.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Awesome Yorkie Prayers WORK!!

Just got this from Tanner's angel. She said I could paste her email here and share with EVERYBODY!
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(paste)

Tanner is out of surgery!! I just spoke with Dr. Huett, she said Tanner came through like a champ. As it turns out, Tanner had a single, external shunt .Because the shunt was located in an obscure location, it required more than the usual time to repair. (Jessie & I were getting pretty nervous!) The ameroid constrictor is now in place. Dr. Huett said Tanner's liver looks healthy, just a little small, and she has taken several liver samples for biopsy. Because she was able to see Tanner's shunt, the portogram was unnecessary!

Jessie and I were very much impressed with Dr. Huett. She spoke to us for about 45 minutes prior to surgery. Her explanation of a LS vs acquired shunts, the symptoms, the differences between liver disease and LS, about MVD, HE and every complication, outcome and the risks involved in this procedure was both understandable and calming.

Thank you all for your incredible support. You are a band of angels..you came through with prayers and dollars for this lovely little Yorkie in his time of need...Keep the prayers coming, the next 2 days are critical. Tanner will remain inpatient at OVRS for at least that amount of time. Either Jessie or I will post an update tonight.


Today is a good rescue day (:

Connie

Connie Kramer
Director Petrealtorz www.petrealtorz.com
Michigan Yorkshire Terrier Rescue
Michigan Maltese Rescue

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Isn't that just the most WONDERFUL NEWS? Let's keep our paws together for the next few days so that Tanner will have good news on the tests, too.

Yorkies RULE! Yeee-haw!!

Love and (bowing head) Thank you!!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

What kind of Hair-Cut?

Just checkin' in. Nothing big happened today. Unless you count toe and shoe licking. I got a lot of that in. (hee hee hee) Drives folks nutsy. One guy even said I was "distracting". Well? That's the point, isn't it?

Mom's back to her Lean Cuisine stuff. I'm back to "Go eat your KIBBLES, Mary-Margaret!". I've kinda made a game out of it, though, so it's more fun. First, I flip my kibble dish so all the little chunks go flying. Then, I leisurely sidle up to a kibble when it's not looking and gobble it up. Then, I amble on to the next one. I can entertain myself for a couple of hours like this.

Trying to figure out if I should get my hair cut short for summer OR let it grow long, like those beee-yoo-ti-full show dogs. Oh, heck, I'm not the show type, but I wouldn't mind looking like I am. I still have my puppy fur. Mostly on my rumpus (as you saw the other day), but I'm told it will grow out silky if I don't cut it. Couldn't hurt to see, I guess.

OK...that's it. Another ho-hum day.

Have a good night, and God bless.

Love, Mary-Margaret

About Opy and Tanner

The Dachsies (Roxie, Sammy & Andy) reminded me that I hadn't told you all yet. OPY IS COMING HOME!!! Her mom wrote on her blog this morning and said that Opy was pretty sore but her doctor got ALL the tumor out. They'll know more later. I'll keep you posted.

YIPPEEEEE! To: The Yorkie Prayer Circle and all of my other friends who wished Opy well. We DID it! Yaaaayyy....!

Now it's time to put our paws together for Tanner, the Yorkie. I mean, I ask you - would a human give up their birth child if it needed medical care? I THINK NOT!! Well, they forget that adopted furbabies need their love and understanding just as much IF NOT MORE than a human hairless kid. Hmmmph.

If you are interested in helping Tanner, please click on Tanner's name above and you will learn all about him and this awful condition that so many Yorkies are born with.

My mom and me already sent a donation. I gave up my new summer bikini in a trendy orange/pink Hawaiian print to do that, because Tanner needs the money more than I need a bikini.

Love,

Mary-Margaret