"Qoccle's DimmiDiSi's Isabella Meant to Be"

This is my new BFF and future sister in law, but I just call her "Isabella" or "Your Highness". She is a princess for real, you know. Her father is a Multi-International champion of professional Yorkiedom. He wins all the prizes in Europe. She was born in Italy and then was adopted by my future mother in law, Connie. That's Cailin holding Isabella.

This is Princess Isabella's father. Isn't he absolutely the most regal looking Yorkie you've ever seen? So handsome. If I weren't already in a committed relationship, I'd......oh, never mind. Hashi is my heart forever.

Hashi's brother and sister, Rhett and Scarlett, both passed away very suddenly this year. Scarlett got sick and died on February 2nd, and Rhett died 65 days after Scarlett on April 6 and Scarlett's birthday was April 11th, and Isabella was born on 3/6/10, 30 days before Rhett died....so this made her "Meant to Be". See the connection? I hope I have it down right, and if not that Hashi will let me know, but isn't it amazing how some things are just "meant to be"??

Yup! And I just LOVE her.

Happy Monday!

Mary-Margaret

The Delaware Valley Yorkshire Terrier Club Pageant

Wow...what a blast. So many Yorks and Yorkettes. I've never seen such a crowd of my kind in one place. They were all so beautiful, too. All dressed up for the beauty pagent, with long silky hair and bright red bows. It was fun to watch such "professional" Yorkies strut their stuff.

First thing I did when I got there was look for my sweet Hashimoto. "Well, Hello!" I said, and he winked at me and went into his room, expecting ME to follow.



"Uh...excuse me?" (I said) "No dinner, no flowers, no candy...?". I was bummed. It had been a year or more since I'd seen him in person and I guess my expectations were too high.

I was a bit mollified, though, when Connie handed me a dress (made by DeeDee) that Hashi picked out for me about a year ago. Oh my gosh!! It was EXACTLY me!! Western style in a buckskin type of material that feels like suede, with fringe and turquoise "beading" and ....oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

I got put back into the x-pen and immediately walked directly under Hashi's tail, between his back legs, to tell him all was well in our relationship. He's so non-fluffable in his demeanor. That's probably one of the reasons I love him so. He just lifted up his back right leg to make room for me and we stood like that for a while....me and him together, with his leg across my back, just feeling the closeness of each other. It was everly so romantic...for a moment, anyway. Then my mom notices what's going on and sort of freaks and says to Connie "Is she wet? Did he pee on her?". Oh DOG, I thought I would die of embarassment. How could she even think such a thing. She's so NOT with the program. I hope nobody was offended by her comment. I just glared at her.

Being quite embarassed by it all, I decided to mingle for a while, leaving Hashi in our pen alone so he could meditate for a moment or two. I think he might have been a bit insulted, too. Being leashless and wearing my new outfit, I was an immediate friend to many new acquaintances, both Yorkie and human. I walked the walk, sniffing and kissing, up and down the hallway outside the pageant room. Then we went inside and I "sat like a big girl", and watched all the pups do their thing.



(You can see my fringe in this picture)


It was a great day. I met Dave and Diane Ross, met a lot of other great folks, got to see my sweetheart and my future mother-in-law again, was gifted with a beautiful new dress AND....ta daaaaa...got to pick out my very own silk bed by Stow Creek Designs (Connie's company). I picked purple and blue. It's absolutely gorgeous. I'm told I won it as a prize in a contest. I'm not sure exactly what I did, but I'm sure glad I won. I'm in heaven.

We love you, Grandpa!! Wish you were here!

Kisses...

Mary-Margaret

PS - There was a chipmunk on my back step when I got up this morning, and later Cailin saw a little red fox walk through our backyard. Matt (who helps us at the house) saw a bear in his backyard yesterday. This is everly so much fun.

Lake Wynonah, PA

Philadelphia just before sunrise. Cailin took this out her window on the plane.






The biggest spiderweb that anybody has ever seen. Cailin even tossed a couple of branches maybe 3-4 feet long at it, and they stuck like velcro. Doesn't that look like maybe a rabbit or a squirrel inside? The whole thing was maybe over 10 feet long.








The skies around here are very definitely blue. No smog. Even the clouds look happy.





The lake - the woods - the sky......! So peaceful!




Cailin takes the most amazing photographs. She's so artistic, and knows exactly how to balance her subject so that the viewer not only sees, but feels the moment as well.






We're all enjoying ourselves here in the Blue Mountains. Even though we've only been here for two days, it feels like two weeks. No stress....and Shannon is taking care of the office absolutely perfectly. We are very lucky to have her and the rest of our team to keep our much appreciated clients from missing me and Mom very much.

Ahhhhhhh....! This is the life!

Even my chipmunk friends dropped by to say hello this morning. One for me and one for Cailin. We haven't seen our resident ground hog yet, but I'm sure he'll show up. We see where he's been digging under our front porch.

We love you, Grandpa. Maybe we can talk tomorrow. We should probably call you around 10PM our time which will be 7PM your time. We'll check in and, if you're not home, we can leave you a message.

Mary-Margaret "Having fun..wish you were here!" O'Brien

Russia in color, 100 years ago

Dear Grandpa. Jackie sent this link Russia in Pictures which is photographs taken in COLOR from back in 1909-1910. That was way before the Russian Revolution and World War I, and even before YOU were born.

If you click on the pink link and scroll down the page you'll see some amazing photos from the time your mom was a young lady, before she even got married to your dad.

Sorry we don't have a lot of time to write more but you know how Mom gets when she's stressed. So I decided to share this with you. I'm that kind of puppy, you know!

Love,

Mary-Margaret

EGGSactly speaking...!

Dear Grandpa, I'm writing to tell you that about a gazillion eggs have been recalled because of salmonella poisoning. Since I can't email you, and you don't always hear what Mom says, I'm giving you the information here I got it off another site on the internet just because I LOVE you so very much and I don't want you to get sick.

BRAND NAMES:

Albertson
Boomsma's
Dutch Farms
Farm Fresh
Hillandale
Kemps
Lucerne
Lund
Mountain Dairy
Ralph's
Shoreland
Sunshine
Trafficanda

DIRECTIONS:

Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946.

Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1946 223. Hmmm...I always wondered about that Julian date thing. Now I know.

So...DO NOT EAT EGGS WITH THOSE NUMBERS...1026, 1413 or 1946. This is not a "yoke"..it's SERIOUS!!!

I love you...

Your Grand-Puppy,

Mary-Margaret "The Egghead" O'Brien

The Yorkie Times

Dear Grandpa - Click on the pink link of The Yorkie Times to see all about stuff that happens in my circle of friends.

There's some sad stuff about Petie passing away, kewl stuff about Jilli Dog (who plays poker world wide), my column for this issue about "The 'ARF' Word", and....well, I say this to you in all humbleness and modesty.....the introduction of "Frock the War!" designs, for whom I was lucky enough to be selected as the "spokespuppy". Yup! That's me in the article. Us pups are supporting our troops and showing it by wearing a "Frock the War" dress or vest (for boys).

The Yorkie Times is the monthly newsletter put out by the Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, Inc. in Chapmansboro, TN. My very good friends, Corrine and MaryElizabeth, are responsible for it's success, and also for raising the money necessary to provide life-saving medical treatment and surgery for some less fortunate Yorks and Yorkettes.

If you or anyone else reading this post would like to find out more about this legitimate charitable organization (503(c)), please go to Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue. If you'd like to help even a little bit....even send the loose change you find in your sofa or chair....I promise you it will be put to good use.

Love and kisses and schlurps....

Mary-Margaret "Spokespuppy" O'Brien

PS - Only nine more days until I see my fiance, Hashimoto of Bridgeton. I know his mom was concerned about who would sign off for us to get married because we are underage, but if you are counting in DOG years, we're both quite old enough to make our own decisions about this personal stuff. We do need a designated driver, though. Neither one of us have legs long enough to reach the pedals on a limousine, let alone on a tricycle. Hmmm....motor powered skateboard, maybe? I'll discuss that with my sweet Hashi when I see him. Mmmmmmwaaaah!!, my love. Until we meet again!!

Bike or '57 Chevy? New beginnings!

Some people know how to compromise. We were driving back to the office yesterday when I saw this out my window. Woo hoo (I said). Here's what I want when I get my helmet. I'm still saving, you know.



This is SOOOOO kewl. We see all kinds of stuff driving around but this is the absolutely most cool thing of all. Ohmystars...is that a "rumble seat" I see?



Mom rolled down her window and asked if she could take a picture and they said it was ok. I think the rear end is just the right size for me and my fiance, Hashi, to go on our honeymoon. Tie a few Little Cesar cans to the back....maybe some crepe paper streamers in my favorite colors of red and purple, hang a little "Just Married" sign on the back and we're off and running. Hmmmmmmm! (Humming) ♪♫♪♫ "We've Only Just Begun" ♪♫♪♫♪♫ by the Carpenters from back in 1970. That was my mom and Papa John's song, too.

Beginnings are so much more fun than endings, dontcha think? All that good stuff to look forward to...plans to make....surprises ahead! I hope me and Hashi will always be at the beginning of something. Only nine more days until I see my sweet Hashimoomoo. I am sooooooooooooo excited.



My heart belongs to Hashi....

Love,

Mary-Margaret O'Brien-Moto

(I like the sound of that....Mrs. Moto...Mrs. Hashi Moto....MMM....MOM...! Oh my heart is fluttering like a hummingbird in my chest!)

(sigh!)

Sunday, Day of Rest!

I slept a lot today, and I barked at a few people taking a walk by our house. I was just saying "Hello" in my own special way. Mom did some laundry, got hooked on some old Margaret O'Brien movies (did you know her real name was Angela Maxine O'Brien?), cleaned some stuff, bleached the grout in the kitchen, played "Bejeweled" until I made her stop and fix my dinner, and just sort of puttered. We needed the rest.

Yesterday we were at the office all day doing billing. There's a lot to do to make sure the statements are accurate. Last thing we'd want is a client thinking we make mistakes and checking over everything we did with a microsope. Credibility is our finest asset, and we don't want to lose that.

Oh yes...and I got a shower. I really wanted one, too. I'd been hinting around but never really pushed it until today. It was hot, I was itchy, and when Mom got in, I walked in right after her. She sits me on the little seat in the corner and lathers me up. Then she lets it sit for a while and I get to watch the dirt drip off me and go down the drain.

After a bit I get rinsed with the shower hose, rub-a-dubbed until I'm pretty dry and off I go to run around the house finishing up my dry-off on the rug, the bed, the furniture. My favorite part, skootching all around. Then she calls me into the bathroom and I get brushed and my collar is fastened around my neck. Silly woman says "Let's get your clothes on!". I don't wear clothes very often unless I'm going somewhere special. I have a lot of bling on my collar and that's enough for me.

No pictures, Grandpa. Not today. Sorry, but neither one of us looked our best.

I keep thinking about our adventure on Friday. Did I mention I LOVE my job? So many places to go, people to see....belly rubs to get.

That's all for now...

Signing off...

Mary-Margaret "Your friendly neighborhood process server" O'Brien

(I always wanted to say that! :o) hee hee hee)

A Place Called "Rainbow"

I love my job. I get to go all sorts of interesting places. This one is called "Rainbow", but it's a Fallbrook zip code. It's waaaaayyy high up and you can look out almost to the ocean. Maybe you can see the ocean if it's a clear day.


Here's another shot. The road is so narrow that one wrong move and you're over the side. Woo hoo! Glad I have my car seat.



We were serving an eviction notice to someone in the canyon down the backside of this road, last batch of mail boxes before the road turned into a conservation camp, which is like a loosey-goosey prison for women. We saw a few ladies in their little bright orange suits. Bright orange doesn't compliment many complexions, in case you were wondering.

At the end of the "driveway" (again, term used loosely) there was a "house" and three big dogs. We honked and nobody came out. Our client said the house was blue-grey and the one we were at was definitely brown. So we drove around a lot, and saw a few squirrels (the kind with tails and fur). Then we went to a house that had an open gate and a sign that said "Watch out for rattlesnakes!". Mom said "Eeeyeww!" and sat there for a minute. I told her not to worry about me...I was fine in my carseat.

Our regular server has been to this place twice before but he had a family emergency so it was up to us. Mom finally opened her car door, made some noise on the rocks, and didn't hear any rattles, so she got out and went to the door. Finally a lady came and said, "Are you a process server?". I guess they're the ones who gave the other server directions the last couple of times. We're very friendly, and so are our other servers, so people don't mind helping. They let us use their phone and we called our client. Seems we had the right place but he just forgot what color it was.

We went back and said "Hello!" to the dogs. Mom got out of the car with the notice and a roll of scotch tape and some of my left-over doggie biscuits. When the pups got too curious for comfort, Mom told them all how nice they were and gave them treats. I winked at them, and they admired my car-seat (they were tall enough to see in my window).



All done...only one and a half hours to find the place and tape the notice to the door. We took a picture of our handiwork, in case the tenants want to say they never got served. When we got back to the office we mailed the tenants another copy of the notice to make sure absolutely they got it.

Have I mentioned that I love my job?

Love and kisses...

Mary-Margaret

If a dog bites a man...

If a dog bites a man he is picked up by animal control, caged, tested, and sometimes even killed. But if a man commits an act of cruelty on an animal, the scales of justice are unbalanced. See the story about Oscar, the Cat who lives near our Pennsylvania house.

Mom says you never know about people and what evil they're capable of. I can pretty much tell by the way they smell or taste, but if I were standing next to this idiot with the cross-bow, that might be me with the holes in my little body.

Just one question, Lord? WHY??

Your humble servant and messenger....

Mary-Margaret

Yorkie Genealogy

My heart beats with pride when I am reminded of my ancient roots. I am caninus lupus familiaris.....just on a smaller scale, and with a highly evolved sense of humor.

Yup! Once we ran wild in the hills of Yorkshire, according to my Uncle Michael who is amazingly intelligent and knows absolutely everything. I have a very strong heritage. A brave soul, an intelligent mind, and a loving heart.

Yours truly,

Mary-Margaret "Wolf Girl" O'Brien

Jokes, by Neeko!

My very good friend, Neeko, tells the best jokes ever. Every day, I look forward to one of Neeko's jokes. He said I could share this one with you.



~ A wealthy man decided to go on a safari in Africa. He took his faithful pet Yorkie along for company. One day, the Yorkie starts chasing butterflies and before long the Yorkie discovers that he is lost.

So, wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the obvious intention of having him for lunch. The Yorkie thinks, "OK, I'm in deep trouble now!" Then he noticed some bones on the ground close by, and immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the Yorkie exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard. I wonder if there are any more around here." Hearing this, the leopard halts his attack in mid-stride, as a look of terror comes over him, and slinks away into the trees. "Whew," says the leopard. "That was close. That Yorkie nearly had me." Meanwhile, a monkey, who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So, off he goes.
But the Yorkie saw him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figured that something must be up.
The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine." Now the Yorkie sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back, and thinks, "What am I going to do now?" But instead of running, he sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet ... and, just when they get close enough to hear, the Yorkie says..................

"Where's that darn monkey? Sent him off half an hour ago to bring me another leopard." ~

(arf arf arf arf arf!!!) <------- me laughing!! Yorkies are so smart, AND they have a very good sense of humor!!

Nothing reportable happened today, except Neeko's funny joke. I hope you like it, Grandpa. Neeko and you have a whole lot in common.

Love...

Mary-Margaret

PS - That's Neeko in the picture at the top of this post. He just had his very first birthday. Happy Belated birthday, Neeko!!

Checking in....!

Why do photos from cell phones take so long to get places??



Mom took this back on July 23rd with her 'Droid, sent it to her email and it JUST NOW GOT HERE. Go figure, huh?




On the way home yesterday we saw that not everybody's parents care as much about keeping them safe as my mom. Tsk! No carseat or anything, not even a helmet. What if they came to a quick stop? Or got in an accident? If there's a law out there to protect human kids in a car, why can't there be one to protect fur babies? Hmmmmmm?



And here's what I look like after a hard week's work. Friday is my most favorite day of all. I always visit my bank, go to the market and then relax just knowing that I have a whole two days to kick back and do what I love best - sleep and patrol for cats.

This week, pretty much, has been good. Except for getting grounded for my "adventure", I was a very excellent pup. Again, at the market yesterday, I remembered my training and kept my composure. Some of the market people wanted to pet and cuddle me, and even give me kisses, but I stood my ground and stayed calm and stoic throughout. It was especially hard with Janet, too. I think maybe I hurt her feelings a bit which I never EVER want to do. I gave her a quick kiss on her hand, but quickly recovered my decorum..."decorum"...wierd word, huh? But I had it down pat and got complimented (again) all the way home.

That's my report for now, Grandpa. Nothing much to yap about.

Love ya...

Your ever obedient grand puppy...

Mary-Margaret

Well, CRAP!!

(sigh)

It's a nice day out. I want to go visit my flower beds and bushes. I even walked all the way to the end of the hall by the glass doors and "arfed" at Mom. "Fine, fine!", she said, and she took me out.

A few sniffs here...a few sniffs there...and then....all of a sudden I was inspired to ADVENTURE. To take a RISK!! To live on the EDGE!!!

I took off like a shot down the parking lot and ignored Mom who was chasing me yelling "STOP!", "HALT", "NO NO!", and other....lets call them instructions? The heck, I said. I briefly stopped to say hello to the painter on the ladder, then I took off again.

"WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!", I said as I ran up the ramp to Starbucks. When I got to the top of the ramp, there was a lady going into the parking lot. "CATCH HER!", Mom yelled, and the woman dove for me, but I was too quick. The woman almost landed on her chin, and I kept going. Oops (I said)! Wrong way. I meant to go around the corner and I got turned around and ran right into Mom.

"BAD GIRL!", she snarled as she whacked my fluffy little butt. And then I got lectured. Boy, do I hate lectures. You have NO idea how that woman can go on. She carried me all the way back to the elevator, up the elevator, through the glass doors, and back into the office. She put me in my bed and told me to stay. I got a five-minute time out for bad behavior (which lasted maybe 5 seconds, but I can't tell time yet!).

I know when I've been misbehaving, and I really did feel guilty. I slunk over to Shannon's desk, hoping for some sympathy but it wasn't to be had. She chewed me out, too. Like...geez! Doesn't anyone else in the world like to take chances? Experience something different? (sigh) I guess not.

Maybe an hour later Mom called me over. We kissed and cuddled and I said I'm sorry six ways 'til Sunday. I kissed her nose, her chin, her shoulder, even her pant leg. I am SORRY SORRY SORRY!!! Yes, I know I could have been grabbed by a wild dog, stolen by a stranger, or been run over by a UPS truck. Yes, I KNOW ALL THIS STUFF! Truly, I do.

But sometimes, a pup just has to learn from their own experiences, you know??

Cowabunga!!

Mary-Margaret

Don't Take Away the "Happy"!

Here's what I do when I'm bored. I root through trash cans after lunch. Sometimes I find something tasty in there, like crumbs or plastic food trays with sauce left in them. Today, I got an award for my efforts. See? Mom had a fresh nectarine for lunch and there was a sticker on it saying where it was from. She tossed it in the trash can, and I found it. Yessss! Quite a prize, huh? I wore it around the office for a couple of hours, too.

I would have worn it longer but one of our clients made it his business to remove it from my nose. Hey! Like he should have asked me first, I think. But noooooo! Some humans think they know what is "best" for us pups. It was stuck on pretty good, too. Some other people tried to peel it off me but I'd back away or turn my head. They got the idea right off and left me alone. This guy really thought he was doing me a favor. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, and he was pretty gentle with me. He tried very hard not to pull my schnozz hairs too hard. It took him a while, but he seemed pretty pleased with himself. Who am I to take away his happy, hmmmmmmm??

Let's see. What else? Ohhhh....it was hot and muggy. I'm sure glad it's not MEEE who has to pay the electric bill for the air conditioner. Mostly I napped under Mom's desk. When it's all humid like that I just don't have the energy to come out and say "Hello!".
My Aunt Lynda (the one who calls me "PooPoo LaLa") stopped by to see me. It's always nice to see her. She's the one with all the pups who took care of me when Mom and Colleen went to Germany, remember? I just LOVE her so much. Most of her pups are at the Rainbow Bridge now, except for Pixie. I really need to get over to her place to visit with Pixie again, and meet Lynda's new pups, too.

Hmmm...I went to the market, wore my red vest and was very professional again. Even when Betsy was making kissy faces at me and saying love stuff to me, I just sat there and looked away. Mom was very proud of me, but she felt bad for Betsy, too. So when we left, Betsy blew me a kiss and blew her one back. She laughed so hard, one would think she never saw a dog blow a kiss before. I told you how I do it. I just stick out my tongue really fast and wink at her. I hope nobody else saw it. I sure don't want to get anyone into trouble.

Oh yeah...and the white and charcoal colored kitty stood right outside my window and teased me. I barked...it wiggled it's tail at me, and I barked some more. Then it ran to the side of the house and I ran out my little door and caught it tippy-toeing across the top of the fence. I leaped up and it jumped off into the neighbor's yard. So much for that cat. I stood watch for a while until Mom called me in for bed. "Yuck!", she said, when she discovered I had some stickery burrs in my fur. That's what happens when one stands guard on a hillside full of stickers.

That's all for now....

Goodnight, Grandpapa. I love you...

Mary-Margaret

PS - Mom says to tell you she loves you, too.