Me and my Friend, Jami

Jami and her daughter, Seka, came by to see me today. Seka bounces when she walks. She can bounce so high that she jumps onto the desk from the floor all by herself. She's like a doggie on a pogo stick except she does it with just her own springy feet.
Anyway....Seka was bouncing somewhere in the office while Jami and me were hanging out, just talking "girl talk".



It was a very nice visit. When Fidel (those are his legs in the picture) said it was time to go, Mom said (very nicely) "And who is going to clean up this mess?". Oh gosh! Seka had gotten into my toy box and there were "stuffies" all over. Uncle Fidel said something under his breath and picked up all the toys. He has a nice laugh. You can tell he really loves his fur babies.

Jami gets to go on a leash. When she wants to leave she picks up the end of the leash in her mouth and waits for her dad to get the idea. Seka doesn't hardly ever go on a leash, but that's because wherever Jami goes, Seka is right behind her. I'll probably get to play again on Friday when they come in.

Oh yeah! Hector next door adopted a baby dog that's maybe my size (for now). I haven't met her yet. Shannon told me about her. Remember Hector? His former dog was my VERY good friend, Zeus, who passed over to the Rainbow Bridge not that long ago. I'm glad he is honoring Zeus by adopting another pup. I'll get you pictures when I see them.

With a happy heart, I remain,
Yours Truly.....

Mary-Margaret

Dog at Work!

Mom was a "guest speaker" today at a Management meeting for a big Property Management company, and I was her assistant. We went to a big office building and into a huge room with lots of people. When Mom got up to speak, she introduced me first. I stood up and said "Hello" to everyone, and then I hunkered down for a nap. I even wore my plaid skirt with the monogrammed blazer by Yvonne Tolley. I was very professional looking. Everyone said so.

When Mom was all out of words and no body had any more questions, I stood up in my carrier and curtseyed to everyone, and said "Thank you for inviting me!". Then we went home

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE my job.

Mary-Margaret "Working Girl" O'Brien

My Visit to the "Dogtor"

Booor-ring! Nothing to read. Already I've been waiting 15 minutes


This girl wanted to be friends but truly, I wasn't in the mood. As soon as she shoved her schnozz in my face, I let her know that Mary-Margaret was NOT to be toyed with (or chewed on). I might have hurt her feelings, but sheesh! She weighs about 20 times as much as I do. She's an English Mastiff and her name is Lilly.



Finally...we get called to the examining room. I'm poked (temperature 100.8° = normal), weighed (10.1# again...I knew I should have visited the powder room first) and prodded. "The doctor will be with you in a few minutes!", I'm told.



(tick tock)



(yawn....!)



(not even Muzak in here!)



Finally....twenty minutes later in comes Dr. Bach. She takes me "in back" to give me my shot, take some blood for heartworm test, and do a "fecal". Whateverrrrr! All I want is to get out of there and go to work.

Our "appointment" was at 9:40AM and we were there spot on. We didn't get seen by "dogtor" until 10:20AM. There's something wrong with this system. I have to take time off from work to be here, you know. I deserve a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T, I think.

Hmmmph!

Mary-Margaret

My Cousins, Daphenie & Gracie

This is my cousin, Daphenie. We have a play date on May 19th at her house in San Clemente. Her mom is my mom's cousin, Diana. My mom has lots of family besides me and her pups, Melissa and Colleen and their kids. She has her cousin, Diana, that she grew up with. Their fathers were brothers: My grandpapa, George and his brother, Michael.

So here's how it goes, best as I can tell. George and Ruth had Michele, Michael, Nicholas and Gregory. Michael and Jean had Diana.

Then Michele had Melissa and Colleen and Diana had Beth, Carolyn and Jennifer.

Then Melissa had Randy, Cade and Carter, and Colleen had Clancy and Cailin. Beth had Mila and Michael, Carolyn had Ali, and Jennifer had Daniela and Nicholas.

Then Mila had Gracie Anastasia. That makes FIVE whole generations of my GrandPapa's family on this earth.


Mila and Gracie, my cousins and my Grandpa's Great Grand Niece and Great GREAT Grand Niece, which would also be his brother Michael's Great Grand and Great Great Granddaughters. Whew. Wear's me out just thinking about it. Personally, I just can't WAIT to meet Mila and Gracie. Did you know that Mila (short for Ludmila) was my GrandPapa's mother's name?

Now all this doesn't include pups, or kids from any of my mom's brothers. That would REALLY add a whole lot of kids. We can get into all that later. Right now, what counts is that I HAVE another cousin named Daphenie and we are going to PLAY in MAY!!!

I will be very gentle with her because she's just a baby who got adopted in Montana last Christmas. She weighs maybe 30 pounds now. I can handle that. I was a teacher at puppy school and I know how to manage kids, no matter how big they are.

I'm SOOOOO excited.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

PS - After I dictated this I started counting...and I ran out of fingerettes and toelets. Almost thirty human blood relatives all because of Ludmila Tschebotarioff and Michael John Safonov getting married back in Russia during the Revolution and having two baby boys, one in Russia before they left and one in Basra, Iraq on their way to China. WOW.

Saturday is PUTTER day!

Yup! We "putter" all around cleaning or doing laundry or dishes or whatever. I'm very helpful. I do a lot of supervision. When Mom was taking the sheets off the bed, I helped weigh them down so they wouldn't billow out too much. When Mom was cleaning the kitchen, I sat right by her just in case something tasty might fall to the ground. (No such luck, in case you're wondering!). When Mom does laundry, I like to fluff up her piles of dirty laundry for her. I also make sure the creases stay in the clean sheets by laying on top of them after they're folded.

OK. Question, here. My Grandpa (GP for short) said he liked the Yorkshire Terrier version of English history. We don't know if he's being polite or if I should keep doing research in order to fill in the holes in our family tree. See previous post to see the Yorkie Brigade's contribution to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. What do you think? Let me know. I aim to please!

Oh, yes. Also FYI, my column "Ask Mary-Margaret!" will appear in the next issue of the Yorkie Times newsletter. I listen to pups and their owners and address each question with a thoughtful response. This is everly so exciting. You can access it at "The Yorkie Times" by clicking on this link and scrolling down to the buttons under the photos of kids that have been helped. About in the middle, you'll see "Yorkie Times Newsletter". That's the button. Hit it and enjoy. Enlarge it to at least 50% so you can see it better. I have a column in this issue, too, on page 9. Enjoy!

Love,

Mary-Margaret (aka "Dear Mary-Margaret") O'Brien

Packs? Or Herds?

"Ask Mary-Margaret!" is the name of my column, should it ever take off. Today, the question is from "Curious" in New Yorkie. He asks "Do wild Yorkies travel in packs or herds?"

Dear "Curious":

Packs, of course. And we weren't required to wear kilts until maybe around 1066 after the Battle at Stamford Bridge near East Yorkshire when the new King Harold Godwinson, after defeating King Harald Hardrada, attempted to civilize us. He also forbade us from eating chickens which he considered as an earthbound version of the catfish as they eat anything they can find. Naturally, we opposed this mandate and we volunteered as spies for the opposition in the vicinity of Senlac Hill during the battle of Hastings.

Painting of the Battle of Stamford Bridge by Peter Nicolai Arbo, depicting King Harald Hardrada hit in the neck by an arrow






Date: September 25, 1066
Location: Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire
Result: Decisive English victory


King Harold II (Harold Godwinson) was killed by the Norman Army of Duke William the Second, assisted by the Norman contingent of the Yorkie Brigade only 3 weeks after Stamford at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. William became the first Norman ruler of England, and ruled as King William I. He was crowned on Christmas day at Westminster Abbey in 1066. The Yorkie Brigade was invited to the coronation, we are told, but our invitation "got lost in the mail". We're sure it wasn't an intentional oversight considering the great contribution our troops made on behalf of the new king.

(Note that no Yorkies were harmed in the making of this historically almost-accurate legend.)

We Yorkies are not inclined to follow a dictator or wear skirts. And we do love our chicken.

Yours truly...

Mary-Margaret "Just Ask MM" O'Brien

A Young Pup's Fancy!

(My mother discovered a spotlight in her new Droid which is why I look so silver. Is there NOTHING her new phone can't do? This is me in my car seat feeling sorry for myself, pouting, and not wanting to get out of the car tonight. Reason noted below!)


The day started out ok. My heart was happy and I was singing to myself. "It's Spring! It's Spring!" And I am slender and have a waistline and I am feeling everly so beautiful.

However.....It's about Mom. She's not speaking to ME at the moment. I just happened to notice a really handsome blonde Sheltie in the parking lot and, not being on a leash because I am so very good all the time except tonight, I ran after the Sheltie. Mom hollered and used the usual "STOP" and "YOU GET BACK HERE" and stuff, but I kept on. Aunt Connie knows how I am when I want to go somewhere. Remember me on my bridge running away into the forest? Remember?



Anyway...the Sheltie's dad corralled me. I have never been corralled in my whole life. It was humiliating. And Mom thwacked me on my right hind quarter. And then....oh gosh....she GLARED at me. And it's been like that ever since, even in the supermarket. I said "Sorry!" and I kissed her hand. And I was of the most excellent demeanor in the market but she's still glaring at me.

So any help you could give me would be much appreciated.

PS: A lady in the market told her to "water bottle" me. Isn't that illegal? Or is that "water boarding"? Anyway, for her to get a squirt bottle and spray me when I'm....er...let's say "doing things my way", ok? Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Love, Mary-Margaret (from her corner sitting on the stool facing the wall)

6% or .6 Pounds Lost

FYI, That would be Pounds Avoirdupois, not Pounds Sterling or Pounds Troy. Avoirdupois applies to Agricultural which, I suppose in the real world, means Puppies. Like me.

We went by my Doctor's office this morning and removed anything removeable (like my collar and associated bling), and I LOST a whole POINT SIX pounds. No wonder my clothes are fitting better now. This is wonderful.

Hollywood air kisses from your most slenderific puppy....

Mary-Margaret

From Sherman Tank to Supermodel...

Measurements as of today are 16.5"-16"-13.25"-14" ! Woo hoo! My diet is paying off FINALLY!! Watch out, Kirstie Barkley...Valerie Barkinelli....Marie Pawsmond!! I'm even getting compliments from my friends and associates, and best of all? Mom isn't suffering from back aches after carrying me for any length of time.

I was a perfect 17-17-14-14 (that would be chest-tummy-hips-and length from my collar to my tail) back on January 2, 2010, and now I've lost a total of 2.25" from chest-tummy-hips. I'm not any shorter but I didn't expect to be.

I made my New Year's resolution and on January 2nd, 2010 I started my diet. Instead of Eagle Pack Holistic Duck kibble, I'm getting CORE Wellness (reduced-fat formula) for adult dogs. It's pawsitively YUMMY.

We'll be going to my dogtor's to see just how much I weigh pretty soon, but I was so excited I just HAD to tell you.

(Mom's lost about 10 pounds, too, but ...shhhhh!....it's just the beginning for her! Not all so noticeable yet!)

From the fashion district of New Yorkie....

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Growl.....

Yup. "Growl" just about covers it. Today is Income Tax day. April 15th. Last Saturday, it was Property Tax day. It was also "Tea Party" today (but I didn't see any tea!). Lots of people carrying placards gathered on the corner of Rancho California Rd and Ynez Rd where the ponds are. They all seemed to be pretty much in agreement, too. I'll show you what I mean:





I have no comment other than "Growl". This stuff stresses out my mom and other humans. I just sit back and let it pass. I have no worries. Just don't forget my dinner and water is all I ask. That and a warm comfy bed. OK....and a bunch of "scratchies" when you get around to it. It's also allergy season for me. I get the sneezies and sometimes my nose runs and I get itchy.

April is not our favorite month!

Love you guys....

Mary-Margaret

It Ain't Over Til the Fat Puppy Howls!!

We're in a competition. The winning shelter gets $1000.00. Us Yorks were in FIRST place until about a week ago when the Golden Retrievers put down their chew toys and practically TRAMPLED us over to become first. Hmmmmph!

We may be tiny, but we got friends! I wouldn't ask you to do anything you didn't want to do, but since you're here....I'm asking. Please click on the link. When you get the the contest page, enter "Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue" in TN (that's short for Tennessee). The more votes we get, the better our chances of passing those Goldens.

Shelter Contest <----LEFT CLICK, then enter "Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue" in "TN". A picture of an animal will come up. Type in the type of animal you see, i.e., "frog", "cat", "elephant", "horse", so on. Then click on "confirm vote".

Let me know if you have any questions, ok? But thank you in advance. If you do this once a day, we might have a chance. PLEASE vote for us little guys. Our shelter even pays for our medical bills, and some other shelters (who shall remain un-named) don't. There's a lot of us who wouldn't even be alive today if it weren't for Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue.

If you want to know more about our special shelter, please go to YTNR. This is my everly most favorite charity. They are a legal 501(c)(3) charity and if you send a donation, they'll even send you a "Thank You" note. I have a whole stack of them in my office.

I am everly so grateful for your help.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

(PS - Before you vote for anyone you probably should check to make sure they're qualified as a 501(c)(3) charity. Just sayin'..........!)

Mr. Charles F. Day

We just saw one of our clients in our office last week when he brought in some papers to be served. He and I did a lot of loving, too. Tummy rubs, scratchies...you know, the stuff a pup likes. He said he was 82 and a retired Marine who joined the service when he was only 17 and he actually fought in World War II. He was pretty chipper and talked a whole lot. He was in our office for a couple of hours, just talking. He seemed really happy to have us to visit with.

Today we got a call from his long-time love of 30 years cancelling service because he wouldn't be able to be in court. He died on Friday. Well, gosh! That's pretty upsetting. Here today, gone tomorrow! You never know from one day to the next. In a split second ..."poof"....your flame goes out. I'm really glad we had the opportunity to be nice to him and make him feel good about his time on Earth.

Hmmmmm! Now, I'm taking this as a reminder to tell the people and pups that you care about how much you love them. That love might be the only thing they can take with them when they go to the "Bridge". It's the love that keeps your memory alive, and the love that keeps you warm on your forever journey.

God speed, Mr. Charles F. Day! We know your spirit is still very strong here because we got the chills just writing about you. May you dance with the angels until we see you again.

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

PS to all my FFFs*: Have I told you lately that I love you very much? Hmmmmmmm????

*Family, friends and fans!

One Rotten Apple....

One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel, I've heard. There have been a few "process servers" lately that are pretty rotten. Those "bad apples" draw attention to the industry as a whole even though the bad ones are few and far between.

New York State is cracking down on those who take America's Constitutional right to "due process" lightly. See
this article from "Collections & Credit Risk" about the second process serving company to be shut down. The first was American Legal Process (ALP), also out of New York.

My company, RASCAL (which stands for Rancho Attorney Service of California), has been in business for over 33 years. We follow the laws to the letter and have never had a service "go South". Our rates are competitive and our servers are honest, reliable and credible. There is always going to be someone who charges a few dollars less, but do they have the education, the licenses, and the character that you might rely on down the road if your subject contests service? Will you ever even be able to find that server?

We follow all State and Federal laws and regulations, but first and foremost, we follow The Golden Rule and treat our clients they way we would like to be treated. As strict believers in "Murphy's Law" ("Whatever can happen, WILL happen!"), we'll also back up our services 100% all the time.

We are here to SERVE!!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Chief Public Relations Officer
RANCHO ATTORNEY SERVICE OF CALIFORNIA

PS - That photo has nothing to do with rotten apples, but with what a process serving puppy with a clear conscience does when they get home from work: FROLIC and LOOK FOR KITTIES!! Can you find me? Hmmmm???

Reliable process server Temecula Murrieta California located in Riverside County serving Lake Elsinore Canyon Lake Wildomar Winchester Hemet San Jacinto Fallbrook Anza Aguanga Warner Springs Bonsall Pala Valley Center Perris Menifee Sun City Quail Valley process server

Mom's Day at Salon Butterfly

Here's me a couple of days after my trip to MY stylist. Notice I am wearing a bow? For Easter, I got pink and yellow. See how neat I kept myself just for this holiday?





Here's Delaney greeting me at the Salon. We have become very good friends. She always says "Hello, Mary-Margaret!!" and gives me some pets and belly rubs. Here she is saying how much she missed me and asking me if I'd like anything. Of course, I say, "Why THANK you! I'd just love some water, if you please!". When one is polite, it's very easy to get what one wants.








Here's Miss Delaney with my very special only-for-Mary-Margaret bowl, which is really a giant blue coffee cup. I am honored that Salon Butterfly cares enough for me to see that I am treated well, and with respect. Mom just gets a glass with a straw in it.



I am visiting with whoever happens by. If you didn't already know it, I make friends very easily. Yesterday at the market....at Von's...it took Mom forever to get me out of there. I know absolutely everyone, and some of my friends from other places met up with me there, too. Like Mary-Ann-from-down-the-hall, except she's got a new job in Vista so she's not "Down-the-Hall" anymore. My gosh, we just fell all over each other. And then, in the parking lot, I saw my Aunt Margie and I practically LEAPED onto her shoulder. I bet she didn't know I was such a good leaper, but I am, and I just loved and kissed her face all over. She's not much on dog kisses, but I don't let that stop me. :o)


Here I am just before hunkering down for my nap. It's been a great day. Good friends, good water....just good fun!!

It's great to be me!!

PS: Note the bow is gone? I managed to rub it out of my hair this afternoon. Whew! Those rubber bands get pretty uncomfortable after a couple of days.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

Rockin' 'n' Rollin' Easter Sunday

Woo hoo!! 6.9 on the Richter scale in Baja California around Tijuana, Mexico at 3:40PM today. Check it out. Earthquake Map of California. NOTE: Upgraded to 7.2 later in the day.

I was pretty steady for the first few bumps and wiggles, but then things started swinging pretty good. The mini-blinds were flapping and the chandelier in the entry way was flying from side to side. I ran downstairs to warn any of my friends (in case they didn't feel it) but Mom ran right after me and scooped me up. We were heading outside when the shaking stopped. Good thing, too. She's already in her ...let's call it a house dress, ok?....and would have looked pretty silly, I think.

Earthquakes are pretty frequent, but usually 2.0 or less. This was a humdinger, if you ask me.

Ride 'em, cowboy!!

Yahoo!

Mary-Margaret

Puppy Day Spa!

Hello, Mom! Like my new pink and yellow bow? Hmmmmm? Perfect for Easter, dontcha think?





This is my very good friend, Madison. She always hangs out with me at Miss Marilyn's. Did I mention she lives with Miss Marilyn, too?



Madison is my BFFF (BFFF means "Best Female Friend FOREVER, Grandpapa!) We always hang out together and tease the boys. We have other girl friends, too. Like Billie who came today. This is a picture of her just out of the tub. I think she likes being photographed.


This is Billie.

Charlie was there, too. We all giggled about his new hair-do. He's a Maltese and usually he has really long hair but today? Poof! He's everly so different with no hair. We teased him probably more than we should have, but Charlie is a good sport. Chelsea, another Maltese who hadn't been styled yet, tried to make him feel better. Just wait until she gets her summer cut.

Seriously, though. We ALL feel better without all that hair to trip over. Thank goodness for people like Miss Marilyn at Prime Cuts in Temecula. She's the best personal stylist anyone could ask for. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE having play dates with my friends. That's the best part of going to my day spa - hanging out with my crew.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

"Stink" is such a smelly word!

I am always so happy to get to work. I race down the hall to our door and either Shannon opens it for me or Mom does when she gets there. My very first duty of the day is to say "Hello!" to Shannon. She picks me up and....ohmygawsh! She holds me away and says "Ew..you STINK!".

I'm ... speechless. This is so not like her. Usually she's pretty polite, but this is April Fool's Day, so I think maybe she's kidding. I move back in to give her a kiss and she says "You NEED a bath!". My tongue was halfway out my mouth to kiss her and I pulled it right back in and bared my teeth, ever so slightly. I am wounded to the core.

She sort of looks like she might apologize but I'm already wriggling to get down and get away. I will go where I am loved. I don't need this from my co-worker. Nope!

Mom pretty much sticks up for me, pointing out to Shannon that I am obviously not pleased. I've never curled my lip at her before, but today sure called for it. I told her, quite verbally, how I felt. I even sat by the door and told her I had to go O-U-T. When we got downstairs, though, all I did was sit in the flower patch and visit with old people. HAH! That'll teach her. OK..maybe I did one tiny piddle, but mostly I just wanted to get even.

Miss Marilyn, my personal stylist called Mom this afternoon to remind her of my appointment tomorrow morning. Maybe I really do "stink"? Although I probably would have been a bit more polite about it. "Stink" is such a rude word. I prefer "fragramatic" or "odoricious", don't you?

Love,

Mary-Margaret "The Little Stinker" O'Brien