Happy End of February

Wow. Only 28 days. It sure went fast, didn't it? I am officially SEVENTEEN MONTHS old now. Woo hoo! So, if I were a PEEPLE, I'd be...hmmmm....(mumbling... seventeen times seven divided by....er....) maybe almost ten? Which is actually pretty grown up. Mom says I've come a long way. And really, I have.

When I was a baby, I'd chew her shoes. Now I still get them out of her closet but I surprise her by putting my rawhides or cookies inside. It's just my way of saying I love her, I guess. She's gotten to the point where she shakes her shoes out before putting them on, and I'm always happy to see something fall out that I'd forgotten where I put it.

When I was a baby, she'd say "Come here, Mary-Margaret!" and I took that as an invitation to play chase and "catch me if you can". NOW that I'm all grown up, I just sit down, right where I am, and let her put my leash on. I don't even mind it because I know I'm going someplace and I absolutely EVERLY LOVE SO MUCH car rides.

OH OH OH...and I don't want to forget to tell you this? Really important. I do NOT have accidents on the carpet any more. I don't even use my piddle pads except in the middle of the night when I know it's useless to try to wake Mom up. It's like SOOO baby to piddle on the carpet. If I'm really miffed at Mom I might leave her a "present", but it's the kind she can pick up and she usually knows WHY I did it and says something like "Oh, Mary-Margaret! It's all my fault, I'm sure!". So it's not even fun to punish her in that way any more.

Nope! I am a very grown up puppy, and take my responsibilities very seriously. I go to work, greet people, make them feel very loved, and even relax them if they're uptight about stuff. I rid the yard of cats (except Big Orange, but that's another matter entirely), and keep my mom company. I have a very good life, I think.

And if I haven't said so lately, thank you to all my friends for reading my blog and reminding me when I forget to write. Mostly I just run out of time or my mom is too tired to help me. But it's important to me that you all know how much you mean to me. Really, you DOOOOO!!

Love and puppy-licks,

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Hi, God! It's MEE, Mary-Margaret!

Dear Lord. I know that you made all creatures and you had a reason for everything you did. But dear God, I sure do wish I understood why you made CATS! Here's the thing, God. I don't really mind them a whole lot. We have this game we play...me and most of the kitties. They hop into my back yard and I chase them out. Seems pretty simple to me.

Then we come to "Big Orange". Tonight, I am on the back of Mom's chair, minding my own business as nice as you please. Then here comes the big guy, sashaying into MY yard like he owns the place. Well, I tell Mom to let me out and after arguing with me a bit, she does. So I give him a piece of my mind and HE DIVES INTO MY FORT! My fort! And he HISSES at me. So Mom comes outside in the cold and picks up the pool skimmer. She comes over to the bush and, man, he sees her coming and doesn't wait to see what happens. He hops over the fence. She says "Get in the house, Mary-Margaret", but I think not. I don't want to seem like a sissy.

So she says "Fine, Mary-Margaret! Have it YOUR way!", and she goes in to watch the Oscars. Which isn't bad, mind you. That Ellen person is sort of funny. I can't understand what it is about her, but she makes me laugh. Oops...digressing again.

Then Big Orange pops his head over the fence and I holler for Mom. She comes back out in her slippers and grabs the pool thingy again. We go back and forth. She goes back in and I'm really ticked at this cat so I stand guard. It's getting cold and I want to go in, but I don't want to GIVE in, if you know what I mean.

Finally, Mom comes back out and says "Stop, Mary-Margaret!", so I know that I freeze right there. She comes over and picks me up and that's just fine with me. As long as the CAT knows it's not MY fault that I'm going in. After that, I'm just depressed. Mom keeps saying stuff like "Are you sure you're all right, Mary-Margaret?", and checking me for scratches but really, I'm ok. Just a bit worn out and ....well, to be honest, things didn't go as well as I'd hoped.

I pray, Dear God, that you help Big Orange find a forever home someplace very far away from where I live. I think we'd both be a lot happier. Please, Lord, take very good care of Big Orange.

Amen

Love, Mary-Margaret

Dear Grandma...

and Auntie Leslie, Aunt Vicki and everyone else that I love. I'm really miffed at my mom right now. She's been working so hard and I think she should make the time to help me with my blog. She says I'm lucky she has the strength to fix my supper. OK....I agree. Between the blog and supper, I would pick supper. Ohhh...just thinking about it make my mouth water. MMMMMM.....fresh chopped roast chicken with some kibbles, all tossed in water to make like a soupy gravy. In a bowl. I tell YOUUUUU...what I wouldn't do for my supper.

But I digress. The whole purpose of me writing is to tell you that if if were up to MEEEEE I'd be posting every night. Not having thumbs (you know, it's a dog thing?) I can't type and my spelling isn't all that hot either. So I NEED my mom to help.

I think we're going back East in a couple of weeks. I hope "WE" are going, anyway. I want to see my new house. Mom's all nervous about stuff going the way it's supposed to. I'll keep you posted, though.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Ozzie's Parents visit!!

Ozzie's Parents - Mr and Mrs Kamm (Barbara). Actually, Mom had this really neat picture all set up of the Kamms and MEEEE, but I couldn't contain myself any longer and just HAD to give Barb a really BIG kiss.
My PRESENT! OH BOY!!
I feel silly. It was a bag and open on one end the WHOLE time. I kept smelling this scrum-diddlyumptious cookie.
Wow!! I got a really nifty turtleneck sweater AND a yummy cookie. Thank YOU SOOOOO MUCH!! Their doggie bakery makes the everly most best cookies.

Ozzie...be sure to sniff your mom and dad really good and see if you can tell what SECRET message I sent you. (hee hee)

Love,

Mary-Margaret

My Hidey-Hole!

Mom was hunting for me today. (hee hee)This seemed like a cozy spot to curl up and snooze.
Half the fun is the hiding part. She found me, so I came out to say "hello!". Several clients came in today, too. I especially liked the man with the shiny loafters with tassels on them.

Tonight when we got home I went out and there were THREE cats in MY backyard. One was my new friend, I thought. Hmmmph. Imagine the NERVE of asking two MORE cats over to play. A dark grey and a black cat. I tell YOUUUUU! I told them ALL to get OFF MY PROPERTY. And they did.

Haven't lost my touch yet!

Love, Mary-Margaret

The Cat Stopped By..

..to say "Hello", I guess. We were sort of visiting over the back fence for a while until Mom came out and said "NOOOO!". Well, my goodness, I don't know what she was all worried about, except like maybe he invited me over to his place? And I'm not allowed on that side of the fence? We were having fun, or at least I was.

This cat was the nice little grey kitty with the white face, not mean "Old Orange" who swats me. I hope I get to see him again. It would be nice to have a friend to talk to once in a while. Ya know?

Love, Mary-Margaret

Happy Presidents Day

All these holidays. I have no idea what they're for but I DO like that I get to stay home and relax. Me and Mom worked on Saturday and Sunday doing a billing so we both needed a day off. We'll probably read a book....er, well....I mean Mom will. I just snooze on the back of her big leather chair and keep her company.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Hello again, everybody!

I tell you, my mom gets soooo sidetracked sometimes. I keep bugging her to take dictation and she just rolls her eyes at me and says "Later, Mary-Margaret!". I know she's been pretty preoccupied with getting her notary renewed before the old one expired. She got her stuff done yesterday and she's good 'til 2011 now.

Um...let's see. I've been working hard myself. Have lots of clients coming into the office that need attention. I try to give that to them and I make them all feel really important. That's my job and I do it well. It's amazing how one teensy little lick or nuzzle can make the most hyperly stressed client to forget all his problems. Yup. I do that! Every day from whenever until 5:00PM. Except weekends which are MINE!

What I like is when MY clients, like Mrs. Lillard, call me first to make sure I'll be there before they come in. Now THAT is really special. Tells me I'm doing something right!

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Love, Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Flying Chelsea

This is my really GOOD friend, Baby Chelsea, from Montoursville, PA. I'm going to have a play date with her soon, I hope. Like maybe when me and Mom go back to Pennsylvania this year? Anyway...ohmygawsh! Look at her. She's absolutely FLYING above the snow. Isn't she cute?

I'm SOOOO looking forward to meeting her.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wow! I even got a present from Auntie Leslie. It's a...a....er....round, flat "thing" covered in leopard fur with a giant squeaky in it. I shall treasure it forever and ever. Thank you, Auntie Leslie. And to all my wonderful friends and to my family, I wish you all a Very Happy Valentine's Day!

Love and kisses - Mary-Margaret

Cashews and Oopsies!

Have I mentioned how much I love cashew nuts? Oh yum...they are the absolutely most best nuts ever. But maybe I had too many last night. (burp)

I'm sure glad my mom loves me. I THREW UP THREE TIMES last night after we went to bed. Twice on her new comforter and once on the floor. A whole bunch of stuff each time. WOW. I bet I lost half my body weight. Mom just got out of bed, grabbed the paper towels and went to work. Even she was impressed by how much I threw up. I'm thinking maybe I set a record or something? She managed to get it all off both the comforter and the floor and this morning there weren't even spots.

So, after all the excitement, I slept like a log. I even snored, which is ok according to Mom because I didn't move all night and she could at least tell I was still alive. What a sense of humor, I tell YOUUU!

Feeling everly so much better now and back to cat chasing. I think I'll lay off the cashews in case that was what did it. How come stuff that tastes the best is the worst for you?? Doesn't seem very well thought out, does it!

Love, Mary-Margaret

Early Morning Silflay

Mom says I remind her of the little rabbits in "Watership Down". I run...I hop...! Nothing compares to the feel of fresh dew drops between my toes. I SNIFF the fresh, morning air ....ahhhhhhhhhhh! It's good to be me! Life is grand.
I love my mornings!!











Love, Mary-Margaret

"Big Orange" is back

Yup. He spent the night under MY daisy bush. I went out this morning to check out my fort and guess who was sound asleep in it? Hmmmmmmm? THAT'S RIGHT!! That mean old cat. I bark and bark until my throat is raw. Finally, Mom comes out and says to me "NO! Mary-Margaret. Come here!". Like she's sticking up for "Big Orange" and not meeeeeee. So I get picked up and Mom says "Scat, CAT!". But it just looks at her with those big green eyes. She says he looks like "Puss in Boots" from "Shrek II".

We go over to the garden tools and she picks out a pool skimmer (no we don't have a pool, we just have a skimmer...don't ask why, please?) and we walk over to the bush. She taps the leaves and Big Orange hops over the fence. Well, HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL? Orange leaves for Mom and not for me. It's MY job to clear the yard of cats and I feel like a failure.

I've been pouting on and off all day.

That's it for now...I'm in a funk.

Love, Mary-Margaret

What's YOUR Favorite Dog?

Hmmmmm? You can VOTE HERE once a day. The ChowChows are banding together and running a tight campaign. Us Yorks have managed to gain almost 200 votes since last week, but we need help.

If you're here, reading my blog, please vote "Yorkshire Terrier" as your favorite dog.

Thank you very much. We Yorks and Yorkettes appreciate it.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Bunny Agility

Mom though you'd like to see Bunny Agility Trials. They kinda make me smile just to watch. Agility is a big thing with us pups, even with Yorkies, but Bunnies? Aw, come on, guys!

MMOB

Luxating Patellas

No, it's not a spa. It's wiggly kneecaps. I went to the doctor to get my rabies shot yesterday and my knees wiggle. Dr. Bach says they're "Grade 3 Luxating Patellas" and that I have to lose weight (I'm 7.7 pounds) and walk more. She says eventually I'll need surgery to correct them. I don't understand. They don't hurt me but sometimes my legs click when I'm cat chasing. Mom says it'll cost about $3000.00 to fix. That sounds like a lot of money to MEEE, who still doesn't have a piggy bank. (hint hint)

So....Mom says "It's always something!". I guess. I'm sorry it's me but she just hugs me and says that she loves me and it'll be alright. She says she'll take good care of me. I believe her, too! That's what family does, you know? They take care of each other.

Nap time now. Today was my spa day with Miss Marilyn. Mmmmmmm....love those baths, bubbles, massages. And I got to play with Biscotti and Ava (I think that was her name) and...and.....maybe Winston? Mom picked me up at noon. It's like being pampered AND having a play date at Miss Marilyn's.

I'm everly so relaxed. :o)

Love, Mary-Margaret

Christmas Sweater from Aunt Debi

Last Christmas my Aunt Debi got me a really nifty pink and silver backpack carrier for my mom to carry me around but for some reason (?) she thought I was littler. So she took it back to try and find a bigger one. No such luck. But she found this really haute couture sweater. And when she came by today and dressed me up (it has a removable collar, in case you want to know! Ritzy, huh?)...oh...well, she mentioned that I was getting a little "chunky". Indeed! How would SHE like it if I said something like that to her? Hmmmmm?

But Oh I DOOOOOOO love my new sweater. I feel absolutely everly so glamourous. Really!

Love, Mary-Margaret

PS - Notice my "Mona Lisa" smile? I'm trying. Really, I am.

Smile! Smile! Smile!

First off, let me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FUFU!

We had a "Smile" lesson this morning. I'm just not a "Julia Roberts" type, you know? I'm more serious. I guess you could say I'm a "Mona Lisa" type. Just a slight upturn of my lip? I'm an analyst...a thinker.
"Smile! Smile! Let's see some teeth!", she says. Look....this is the BEST I can do unless you're holding a piece of cheese in your hand. OKAAAAAYY????











Yup, say "Cheese" and I might smile. Now can we get back to work??

Love, Mary-Margaret

Lou, Scooby-Doo and baby Kalamazoo

Here's Scooby-Doo and his wife, Lou Bird-Doo. He's her second husband. Her first husband, Blue Bird, passed on a few years ago. She didn't mourn for very long.
Here's Lou and Blue's son, Kal. Scooby is now Kal's step-father. You can tell from Scooby's picture that he's a "plucker". Plucking is a nasty habit some birds get into, sort of like when humans bite their nails. That's why he's missing a few feathers. Mom tried to get him to stop but he's impossible.

There. Now you've met my whole family.

Love, Mary-Margaret

It's been a rough week!

Mom says to tell you it's all HER fault that I haven't posted to my blog since Thursday. She's just tired, she says. Lots of work last week and she's fizzled.

No cats for a week or so either. Maybe they got adopted? I hope. Cold at night, like frost on lawn in morning and gets hot in the afternoon. We don't know whether to put on the heat or the air conditioning. Sometimes we have both on because (ahem) "ONE" of us forgets to turn the other thing off. Not saying WHICH one, but I don't have thumbs so it should be pretty clear.

G'night all. Miss you guys.

Love, Mary-Margaret

Bird Housekeeping?

You already know I have brothers and a sister. BIRD brothers and sister. My "sister" is Lou who is the meanest love bird ever. She is always scowling and trying to bite Mom when Mom is trying to feed her. She's been in our family since waaaaay before I was adopted. Like maybe at least 10 years? She was a "gift" to Mom in exchange for Mom rescuing someone else's love bird who kept running away from home after his parents moved Lou in with him. Mom says she totally understands why.

Then there is Kal (short for Kalamazoo) who is Lou's natural born child. His father, Blue Bird (rest his soul) broke into our house by chewing a hole in the screen and he would visit Lou whenever he could. Finally one day Mom surprised him while he was singing romantic songs while sitting on the top of Lou's cage. He flew into Mom's bedroom and right into the landscape mirror on her dresser. Stunned, he was picked up and plopped into Lou's cage.

They were a loving couple and had several clutches of eggs but nothing ever happened so Mom figured he was shooting blanks. Until one day there were three eggs, and that night there were two. Like eggs don't just disappear. So she looked really close and saw a naked pink little bird baby she named "Timothy Buckley the Second" or "Timbuktu". He didn't make it even 24 hours. Lou tossed him around and stomped on him.

After that, the next day, another egg hatched and THIS time Blue took over. He sat on the baby, Kalamazoo, fed it (it's yucky how they do that but I'll tell you another time), and wouldn't let Lou stomp on it. After a week or so it started to sprout feathers, and then after that is started learning to skootch around the cage. Mom says it was pretty interesting watching a hatchling turn into a bird.

So Kal grew up and they were a family. Then my Aunt Vicki thought Kal needed a girlfriend so she gave us Scooby-Doo who turned out to be a boy. But the other birds, especially Lou, picked on poor Scooby so he stayed in his very own cage. He escaped whenever he could and he'd mope around the other big cage. When Blue passed on, he was even more determined to make friends with Lou. Kal didn't care one way or the other. He just sat happily by himself during the day, ignoring the other birds, and at night he'd crawl into his coconut shell bunk bed (that my Aunt Allie gave him) on the side of the cage.

Then Scooby become even more impatient to date Lou. So the last time he got out, Mom just tossed him in there and he's been Lou's doting husband ever since. I guess that sort of makes him Kal's step-father, and Lou is Mrs. Bird-Doo now.

OK...so there you have the picture of our bird family. Birds are messy. I try to help as much as I can as you can tell from the picture. I learned a long time ago to quit trying to eat birdseed because it would make me throw up. Now I just snuffle the feathers around to help Mom when she gets busy.

That's it for today (and yesterday). Oh, Dear Diary, I just CAN'T write every day. With all the year end taxes and payroll stuff and reports and things, my mom is so busy she can't think straight. She says that either she's going to teach me to type OR I'll just have to do it when she has a minute.

So that's just the way my life is.

Love, Mary-Margaret