Games Yorkies Play

I've been pretty tied up taking care of business for the last couple of months. However, I did find time to write my regular column in "The Yorkie Times" newsletter. Hope you enjoy.

Love and kisses......

Mary-Margaret

PS - Grandpa - just click on the pink link above and you'll go right to it.

Ode to a TURKEY

(sing to "Georgia on my Mind")

Tur-keeeeee, Tur-ur-ur-keeeeee
I sing the whole day through.....
Roast, fried or brined
I've got turkey on my mind
Oh, turkey.....I'm in LOVE with youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Ear Doctor

Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 3:00PM

Sheldon Klausner, MD

2001 Santa Monica Blvd # 870W Santa Monica, CA 90404-2195
(310) 829-1703

To anyone else who reads this, ignore it. This is just a family thing and will be deleted as soon as my Grandpapa goes to the doctor.

Mary-Margaret

Grandpa's Ear Doctor Appointment

Mom called your doctor this morning and confirmed you have an appointment at 3:00PM today, Monday, November 21st. They are expecting you. Please take your "equipment" with you so he can replace the batteries.

Love,

Your dutiful Grand Dogger....

Mary-Margaret

Happy Birthday, GRANDPA!!!

Woo hoo! Put another candle on your birthday cake.....you're another year old today!! (Make sure you have some fire extinguishers or a bucket of water nearby, though! NINETY-ONE IS A WHOLE LOT OF CANDLES!!)

(ahem...ahem....) (mi...mi...mi......) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA!!!

Love, your most humble and faithful Grand Dogger ...

Mary-Margaret

Dear Grandpa - About your ears

Mom talked to your Ear Doctor's office today and they would like to see you on Monday. It's been 5 years since you've been there. Sudden loss of hearing in one ear could be ear wax, but it could also be something more important. Your doctor can't tell unless he sees you.

Please make the appointment or ask Mom to make it for you? We love you too much to just shrug our shoulders and say "it's probably just ear wax".

Love you....

Mary-Margaret

Validate your Defendant BEFORE You Sue!!

See VALIDATE BEFORE YOU SUE

Make sure you don't end up with a worthless judgment that's uncollectible because you didn't verify the defendant entity before you filed your claim!!


Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Vice President/Chief of Puplic Relations
RASCAL's Research & Location Services
CA PI #24790

My friend, Gigi Marie

We spotted each other right away as our moms were shopping at Natural Pet Foods on Winchester in Temecula. I always buy my kibble here. Oh sure, I might spend a few pennies more but the folks here remember me and they always give me treats. But I digress.....!

I was sitting in the little seat in the shopping cart and GigiMarie came right over, stood up and gave me a kiss. GigiMarie is a cream colored Bichon Frise type with bows over both her ears and she smiles all the time. I remember her from the vet's office and we start having some "girl talk". Our moms are like.."Huh?" "Who dat?" and stuff. So my mom goes "What's her name?" and her mom goes "Gigi...Gigi Marie! What's hers?", and my mom goes "Mary-Margaret!", and GigiMarie's mom goes "OH I REMEMBER MARY-MARGARET!".

Wow. Everybody is on board but my mom. "Where'd ....how'd....huh? You know Mary-Margaret?", and GigiMarie's mom says that we were visiting at my doctor's office a while back, and then says "I'd NEVER forget Mary-Margaret!", so we all had a good visit. Me and GigiMarie got some yummy treats....I think maybe turkey and apple flavored, so just right for Thanksgiving. I got my Core Wellness low calorie kibble with no wheat, corn or other stuff that aggravates a lot of pups. I love my kibble. Did I mention that? YUM!!

Anyway....as we're driving out the parking lot my mom looks over at me and says, "IS THERE ANYONE YOU DON'T KNOW IN THIS TOWN? HMMMM???"

I just laugh and ask quietly when my next driving lesson is.

Love, Mary-Margaret

My Driving Lesson at the Bank

Oh, don't worry, Grandpa. Mom only lets me steer while we're going through the drive-through at Chase Bank. I know all the tellers there and they know me. There's Nelda, and Candise and Osh and Tim and Brian. They always say "Hello, Mary-Margaret!" and "How are YOU, Mary-Margaret?!". Sometimes I blow them kisses. That's when I look at them and make a kiss at them from the car. It makes them happy. I just LOVE our banks.

Next week, I get to go visit my good friends at Bank of America. Gosh, I hope Lisa is there. She keeps cookies in her drawer for me. She has a Yorkster named "Einstein". The other ladies go out of their way to make me feel at home. I get petted a lot there. They let me sit on the counter and watch them make the deposit on their computer. I'm very observant in watching for mistakes. So far, they haven't made any that I can remember.

Kisses and snuzzles....

Mary-Margaret

Sharing Something Good!!

Sometimes you find something that just makes you happy all day!! Enjoy!!

Mary-Margaret

10/30/2011 - Surprise Field Trip

(Another installment in Yorkie Brigade Chapel series)



The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia


Good morning, all. So delighted to see you all again. Please join me in welcoming back our esteemed Assistant Pastor, Neeko S. Spaulding, Ecumenisist Extraordinaire.

Neeko has illustrated his sermon and we won't know until we deliver it if the drawings will show up, so please bear with us. The sermon itself is just as beautiful without the artwork so either way, you're in for a treat.

Please welcome Neeko to our pulpit. (applause applause cat calls...wolf whistles....and a few "wooos" from the Siberian Huskies)

(ahem.....)

The Cross

A young man was at the end of his rope.
Seeing no way out he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

The Lord replied,
"My son, if you can't bear its weight,
just place your cross inside this room.
Then open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

The young man was filled with relief. "Thank you Lord," he sighed, and he did what he was told.
Upon entering the other door, he saw many other crosses, some so large the tops weren't even visible.
Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against the far wall. "I'd like that one Lord," he whispered.
And the Lord replied,
"My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

We all have our trials and tribulations, yet sometimes those
of others seem so much less troubling than our own.
Share this reminder with your friends and family of how
although times may seem to be hard,we have many blessings to be thankful for.

(Neeko says: "Thank you so much for having me back. I've missed you all and hope to spend even MORE time with you this winter.")

(Mary-Margaret approaches the podium)

Thank YOU, Neeko. You always make our gatherings even more joyful.

Now.....everyone........we have another field trip planned as a surprise today. We are going to...(drum roll, please?)....

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. It's a bit further away than some of our previous field trips so we need you to do a couple of things:

First, click on this link St Petersburg, Russia

We suggest you select the low resolution unless you have an amazingly fast internet connection. We're on DSL through TimeWarner and we still got the best results with the low resolution. NEXT, once it loads, in the upper left hand corner, select HIDE controls, and FULL SCREEN. It's absolutely the most marvelous tour we've been on yet.

Not only do we fly over the city on one of the most beautiful days in history, but if we click on the little helicopter icons on the horizon we'll be taken immediately by magic to a specific garden, palace, church, cathedral or other landmark. I could sit here for hours but my secretary had every intention of going to bed about an hour ago and I don't want to push my luck with her.

Now....quickly give your pew mates a hug, grab your belongings and race to the bus parked out by the purple fire hydrant. See you in St. Petersburg.

Have a wonderful time. Snacks provided on the bus by the newly formed Order of the Halter, comprised of members of our congregation who are also acting pastors, and who someday will wear the collar. We welcome Neeko, Buffie, Gizzie, Eleanor, AbbeyMia and ask that any others interested in our continuing bible study, please sign up on the bus.

Lord, help us to be as we wish others to be. Amen

Blessings....

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

Early snowfall in Lake Wynonah

Thank you, Alex, for sending this. Wish my mom was there to help you knock the snow off the roof of your cat house. For those of you who don't know my next door neighbor, Alex, I should probably explain about her "cat house". She's into cat rescue and (at last count) had 32 of them. She's even built a separate house for some of them that shares a common wall with her house and she has little "cat runs" that go between her garage, some parts of her house and the cat house. She's a very good kitty mommy.



I might mention here that her pup, Onya, is the one I go swimming with off the "C" dock when I'm at the lake. Onya is a lot bigger than me, but since I'm smaller than most cats it doesn't seem to phase her much. Onya and I are very good friends and we hope very much to hang out again soon.

Love and schlurps...

Mary-Margaret

Sunday After the Ball - 10/23/2011

(Another installment in the Yorkie Brigade Chapel series)


(Dress by Corrine Ellison)


Good morning, everyone. It's so nice to be back in the pulpit after our Ball in Nashville. I see a lot of you here today that I also had the pleasure of meeting at the Sheraton Music City.

First order of business is to thank the good Lord for allowing us all to travel both to and from the Ball safely. We are so very fortunate that so many of us had the opportunity to meet up, enjoy each other's company, and dine in good old fashioned Southern hospitality style.

Today, Buffy and Gizzie have again stepped up to our pulpit with some excellent inspirational thoughts to share with us. Please put your paws together for the Lentz kids.

(Buffy and Gizzie approach the pulpit and we hear applause, some whistles and a couple of wolf howls....ahem..ahem???)

Today, Buffy speaks:

I have a friend who was working in his home office one evening, trying to get some necessary paperwork done. His little girl, who was about 4 years old at the time, was playing around his desk, puttering about, moving objects here and there, pulling out drawers, and making a good deal of noise.

My friend endured the distraction with stoic patience until the child slammed a drawer on one of her fingers and screamed in pain. Reacting in exasperation he shouted, “"That’s it!",” as he escorted her out of the room and shut the door.
Later, her mother found her weeping in her bedroom and tried to comfort her.
"“Does your finger still hurt?",” she asked.
"“No",” the little girl sniffled. “
"Then why are you crying?",” her mother asked. “’"
'Cause",” she whimpered, "“when I pinched my finger, Papa didn’t say, ‘"Oh!’”" ".

Sometimes that’s all we need, isn’t it? Someone who cares and who will respond with kindness and compassion, someone who will say, "“Oh!". ” We have One named Lord who does that for us. God loves us, understands our sorrows, and gave Himself for us (Eph. 5:2). Now we are to “walk in love” and imitate Him.

Knowing God —what comfort there,
Drawn by His eternal care;
Love from God —what joy we share,
Drawn into His mercies rare.
(—Branon )

God’s whisper of comfort quiets the noise of our trials.

Thank you so very much, Buffy and Gizzie. This is surely something we can think on and reflect upon, as we begin this week. If we have a toothache or maybe we're a few dollars short when paying a bill, we may be frightened or in pain or perhaps just feeling lost and confused. A friend saying "I understand! I care!" or "How can I be of help!", is of greater comfort than someone minimizing your discomfort by either ignoring you, changing the subject, or suggesting "It'll all work out!". We all need validation, and we can show others what we need by first offering it to them.

The next time you feel someone in pain or trouble, reach out and offer solace. You don't have to solve the problem, but be empathetic and validate their feelings. It's true - what goes around, comes around. Be kind....be understanding....and be
the person you would like to be friends with. It will come back to you when you least expect it, but when you need it the most.

Please turn to your neighbors and offer your paws in peace. Wag your tails as a show of love. We are family here, and we love each other without condition or judgment, but with open hearts and minds.

The Ladies of the Leather Collar have been busy salting and drying the fish caught by the Knights of Pawlumbus on their retreat and I'm told it's ready to share on the goody table in the side garden. Yum. I can't wait to try it. I hear it's almost as delicious as that chicken breast in lemon butter sauce with capers that we had at the banquet on Saturday in Nashville. I can't stop thinking about it. If anyone has the recipe, please share?

Blessings to you all and may you have a wonderful, productive week.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing us together.

Amen

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

2011 Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Ball

(See photos at the end of today's diary!)



Good morning, everyone. I'm BAAA-AAAAACK!!! Oh, I feel just like Cinderella must have felt when she woke up missing a shoe. Was it real? Was it a dream? Was I really a princess for a day? Let me start at the beginning of my adventure.

Wednesday - October 12: My spa day. Bubble bath, shampoo, style, blow dry, bow AND play date. Miss Marilyn gave me a goldish orangish and black Halloweenish bow. Who would have thought it would be a perfect match to my ball gown two days later? While I was being pampered and primped, Mom was having a tooth pulled and a temporary bridge put in. She says "pulled" is like saying World War II was a back yard 4th of July celebration, though. I guess when the tooth is out and there's only deep roots left we get into drilling, blasting and tunneling. We don't need to go into detail here...this is about ME, not her!! Back to my adventure.

THURSDAY - wake up, pack, check packing, check house. Turn off air conditioning, check car...and away we go. They remember me at Aladdin parking and give us the top drawer treatment. At the airport, there's a line snaking all the way to Somalia at the Southwest counter so Mom caves in and asks for a wheelchair for the first time in her life. This is way cool, I think. I sit on her lap in my personal car seat and say "Hello!" to everyone I pass. Airports have the nicest people in them, for sure! When a human is in a wheelchair they get a full body pat down, and as I watch from my special vantage point, Mom gets the full Monty. About half-way through she asks her wheel chair driver if the TSA agent speaks English because she can't understand a word the lady says (which is why this is taking so long). The driver says the agent just has a very heavy accent but we still get an interpreter to translate, and things go a lot faster. I think that's the first time Mom got more petting than I did.

(Note: My water bottle slipped through inspection in San Diego despite all the TSA precautions - we just forgot it was in our stuff. Nashville, on the other hand, didn't even bother giving Mom a pat down when we departed.)

Thursday night - After landing and getting another wheel-chair ride to the Shuttle Shack, and discovering that the phone to the Sheraton isn't working, we luck out and the shuttle shows up anyway. Already I am greeted by lots of Southwest flight attendants, even from the other planes. "Hello! Are you Mary-Margaret?", they ask? I just smile and give them kisses. Southwest has the nicest flight attendants ever. When we get to the hotel, even the desk clerk says "Oh, THIS must be Mary-Margaret!". I'm flattered and my heart is so full of love. I give more kisses. We race to our room, drop off our stuff and race back out the door. We are going to Ruth Chris' Steakhouse in Nashville for Dinner.

Another first for me!! Dinner out with my very best friends, AthenaMaria and AbbeyMia. While the ladies and a couple of men are yakking, we three catch up on stuff that us Yorkettes really care about, like what are we wearing to the Ball. For supper I have the yummiest filet mignon ever. MaryElizabeth tells me it's so nice and tender because it's "prime", not like the stuff we buy in Albertson's or Von's. When we get back to the hotel we stop by MaryElizabeth's room to visit some more. I'm so tired but I don't want to go to bed either. This is the most exciting day ever.

MaryElizabeth holds out her glass with some golden liquid in it for me to smell and I'm intrigued. My tongue pops out like a Brazilian tree frog and I'm actually having my first taste ever of VSOP cognac. "Yikes", (I say) and scrunch up my face, wrinkle my nose and "blegh" my tongue. It sure doesn't taste like it smells (I say). The ladies get a big giggle over my obvious distress and discomfort and MaryElizabeth offers me another glass of (she says) "water". No thanks - Fool me once, shame on me. But it will be a long time before I stick my tongue into one of YOUR drinks again (I say). She apologizes over and over to me. She feels awful and had no idea I'd actually taste it. Well? This is ME - MARY-MARGARET! Of course, I'm going to try it. "Sheesh!" (I say). A minute or so later I figure I've laid enough guilt on the ladies and I drink about a half glass of water to get rid of that awful taste. Note to self: Lay off the after dinner drinks until you're 21 or maybe forever?.

FRIDAY - Up and at 'em. Mom throws on her t-shirt and shorts, grabs me and AbbeyMia and we go check out the lawn by the back parking lot. MMMM-mmmm! So many smells, so little time. This is amazing! I really don't want to go back in but humans are weird when they don't look "just so" or haven't brushed their teeth yet. On our way back to room 1067, we meet up with some Yorks and Yorkettes going into the "hospitality room". Their parents look pretty much like my Mom, like they just got out of bed, too! We go in and have some breakfast, check out the boutique, and I end up with a new coat, my ball gown, and two new dresses. All proceeds go to the Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, too. FUN!

At 10:00AM I go to my first educational seminar by Arlene King, World Class Dog Trainer and AKC Judge. I am mesmerized. Her pups "Fergie" and "Sophie" show us what we can learn if we really apply ourselves. After a few minutes I figure "Well, heck! If that's all I have to do to get a treat, I'm in!", and I hop down and over to Arlene. Mom's yelling in a loud whisper - "Get back here, Mary-Margaret!" and I think....Treat? Or Mom? Give me a break - no contest there - and I keep going. Lucky for me Arlene is so nice and generous. I end up with a few munchies in my tummy before I go back to the sidelines.

We go back to the Hospitality Room for some sandwiches before moving on to the next seminar - "T Touch" (Tellington Touch), by Penny Case. It's like a soothing, healing holistic approach to health and happiness. It works on humans, too, if you want to know. Mom listens and I get the benefits. Ahhhhhhh!! I can live with this.

The "Hamburger Hop" is at 6:00PM. I'm asked to deliver a blessing. Considering my Mom gets stage fright and I need her to translate, I'm lucky she didn't really butcher what I was trying to say - just a word or two got jumbled, but generally she got the point across, I guess. I get to visit with my friends and the humans yak while having dinner. Mom snuck me a burger of my own which I enjoyed quietly under the table. After dinner, there is a "Best Photo" and "Best Costume" contest - we didn't enter, but we definitely enjoyed the show. My good friends Ashley and Kung Fu Kori tied for best photo with another pup I don't know. Muppet and Dixie dressed up as Dr. Seuss' "Thing #1" and "Thing #2" and they won first place in the Costume contest. (see pictures below)

After the contests we had the Fashion Show. There were some absolutely gorgeous outfits there, most (if not all) made by Corrine Ellison, a pup's answer to Vera Wang. In addition to gowns, there were pups in tuxedos, and the highlight of the show was Remi in her 2011 Wedding Gown with removable train (for dancing). She was the most beautiful bride I've ever seen.

SATURDAY - Up and out to the back parking lot, then to the hospitality suite for some breakfast. At 10:00AM we are downstairs and I'm taking the Canine equivalent of the SAT. What? Huh? I didn't even study (I say). Mom's telling me to just watch and pay attention and I'll do just fine. Oh, Lordy (I say)....and I spend the next five minutes watching AthenaMaria, taking notes, and praying. When it's my turn I go through my paces - sit, stop, down, heel, left turn, right turn, about face....oh, I can't remember it all. But I must have had an angel on my shoulder. I got it all right and I PASSED!!! I got an "A". Here's what I was graded on:

1) Accepting a friendly stranger; 2) Sitting politely for petting; 3) Appearance and grooming; 4) Out for a walk; 5) Walking through a crowd; 6) Sit and down on command/Staying in place; 7) coming when called; 8) Reaction to another dog; 9) Reaction to distractions; 10) Supervised separation (3 minutes) - I PASSED THEM ALL!! I think I will ask Mom to frame my certificate and hang it up in our office when I get it.

At 1:00PM we went to Rosemarie Cunningham's Grooming and Wrapping seminar. There's a lot to know about grooming and pawdicures and stuff. Most of the pups with really long hair got all involved. Me? Oh, well by this time it was nap time and all I wanted was a comfy place to lay down. I saw a possibility over by the water table and took full advantage. Pulling the table cloth corner down a bit, I scrunched it up and made a bed. We Yorkettes can be creative in a pinch!



THE BALL

Finally - the highlight of a Yorkie's social calendar - the Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Ball. Everyone was dressed to the teeth! I wore my gold lame' gown and mingled with the other pups. I was asked to give the blessing again. Mom did her best, but she was glad to sit down again. I need to work with her some more on this. Neeko (our Assistant Pastor at Chapel) and I shared some alone time but he's really more a ladies' man and his dance card was full. His brother, Ray - a handsome long haired surfer type pup - was paying a lot of attention to me. I didn't mind it until he got a bit aggressive and I had to tell him that "I'm NOT that type of girl!". He apologized and said he respected me for that, and the rest of the evening went well.

For dinner, I had the best ever chicken breast (under the table again, though). After dinner there were some awards and entertainment.

My very good friend "Jilli Dog" and her human, Rick Caran, put on a show with Jilli's sister Ruby and her brother, Spidey (a chihuahua). Jilli and Ruby are the only poker playing pups I've ever met. Ruby can count money, too. Jilli is a published author and did a book signing after the show. I now have a personalized autographed copy of "Jilli Dog, The Little Dog That Made Mr Kranby Smile". I can count Jilli and Ruby as two of my VERY GOOD FRIENDS now, too!

DAN DUGMORE FAMILY BAND

We wound up the evening with some good old down home country music. Mom bounced me on her knee and I really enjoyed the band. Dan Dugmore is the winner of many awards including the ACM 2011 award for best Steel Guitar player of the Year.



Karen Dugmore, Danny Dugmore, Adam Dugmore all played with him in the band, along with some other very talented people. I wish my mom had written down their names (like I asked her to) but who listens to me? They are all accomplished musicians, especially little Adam who blew me away with his drums. I rocked out to the music until it was time to go to bed.



That's Rick Caran holding Ruby and Jilli Dog in the front of the band.

I didn't want the evening to end. This was the very best weekend of my entire life. I will never forget it. Thank you to all the good humans that made this possible for me, but most especially to MaryElizabeth Dugmore, the magic lady that makes it all happen for us Yorksters and Yorkettes. Because of her and the good deeds of Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue so many of us have found our "forever" homes; so many indigent pups have had medical treatment that has allowed them to live the best lives possible; and so many humans and pups now share lasting and unconditional love.

GOD BLESS YORKSHIRE TERRIER NATIONAL RESCUE !!

Love,

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

PS - The entire weekend including the Ball was live-streamed over the internet. There were people all over the world, including Australia and England who watched it. We were told this was the largest, most successful ball we've ever had.

























(TH...TH....THAT'S ALL, FOLKS!!"

Photos:

1) Me wondering when dinner will be served
2) Wow....treats for MEEEE??
3) Dixie & Muppet (Thing #1 and Thing #2)
4) I just LOVE Airplanes.
5) Tina Ann Byers & Lucy (Lucy is 3 - she was only given 72 hours to live when she was born. Her head was separated from her spine and she WAS a quadraplegic. See what love and good medicine will do?)
6) Lucy on wheels - this is her second set of all terrain tires.
7) Jilli Dog
8) Me - waiting for dinner again!
9) Gown on and ready to boogie
10) Class (I already know this stuff, though!)
11) Tina Ann Byers and Liah (3 yrs old) - This is where Liah always sits.
12) Tina and Liah
13) Aida in her Wedding Gown
14) Tootsie Pop (Diane Cuomo's pup)
15) ??
16) ??
17) ??
18) ??
19) MaryElizabeth Dugmore
20) Karissa and Chiklet Cuomo
21) More "Class" pictures
22) AbbeyMia in denim ball gown
23) ??

St Peter's Basilica - Sunday, 10/9/11

Today we have another field trip planned. Remember a few months ago we visited the Sistine Chapel? Today, we are visiting St. Peter's Basilica.

The buses are waiting and we have sack lunches and water bowls ready for you. Grab your jackets, your pups and your cameras. We are off to ROME again.

St Peter's Basilica Be sure to move your mouse around each location so you can see a 360 degree view of the sacred place. There are 10 locations you can visit.

Amazing to think that this was first built around 64 AD, pillaged by the Saracens in 845 and rebuilt again in the 16th Century by Michelangelo and his protege. With your sound turned up you'll tour this beautiful complex to the accompaniment of a heavenly choir.

If you're interested in a brief history of St. Peter's Basilica, you'll find it here. History of the Basilica in Brief

This time next week we'll be in Nashville for the Yorkie Ball. Hope to see you there. Since I won't be able to conduct services next Sunday, I'm hoping that Eleanor and her secretary, Patti, might be able to step in for us. We'd all love to hear more about Eleanor and her family.

Blessings to all.......

Mary-Margaret

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

My new harness!

I got a present in the mail yesterday. It's a new beautiful black, bronze and gold step-in harness. It's gorgeous (picture to follow when we charge up our camera). I feel beautilicious in it!!

So it takes Mom a bit to figure out which end is up and what goes where. I "step in" (like I am told to do) and then we spend the next quarter hour adjusting the straps. "Ahhh...PERFECT!", says Mom, and I'm skootched out to the reception area to finish my nap.

You know (I think)...this really is comfy. When it's time to go home, I'm not interested in moving. Mom grabs the leash and pulls. "Fine...FINE!", I say, and I walk over to the door. Another yank, and I'm in the hallway. Mom's locking the door. She is holding my leash and starts to walk down the hall. "Hmmmm", she says, "This is awfully light!". She looks down and there is my harness on the end of the leash, but no ME!

"Mary-Margaret?", she says. "WHERE ARE YOU!!". Stifling a giggle (yes, Yorkies giggle), I poke my head around the corner. Someday, she'll learn who is the boss around here. Meanwhile, she picks me up and carries me to the car, muttering stuff to me all the way out. I don't even listen anymore. Like...it's always the same thing. "Mary-Margaret! You little stinker!" and "Mary-Margaret! What am I going to do with you?".

I'm thinking maybe tighten the straps a little more? Make it more of a challenge for me?

Until we meet again....

Mary-Margaret "Houdini" O'Brien

Surprise Play Date! Belle and Yogi

We had a client come in the office today...sort of a drop in to get some docs notarized. That's not so unusual. Coming in with TWO Yorkies in her arms is. I was so excited. Two new friends. We all hit it off right away. Me and Belle and Yogi.

I guess it was about 1:00PM according to my rumbly tummy and I figured someone forgot about lunch. We had stopped off at Natural Pet Foods earlier to get my special kibble and we got a couple of free sample bags of something that looked pretty good. A pup can only wait so long before they take matters into their own paws. I went over to Mom's purse and pulled out one of the bags and started to open it. Our client was very impressed and even said so. "Huh?", said Mom, who was in never-never land trying to concentrate on her business. I had just started to tear off the corner of the bag when she snatched it away from me and handed it to Jennifer, asking Jenn to please give me my lunch. That stuff (whatever it was) was very good. All I know is it had some lamb in it because of the picture on the bag. I can't wait for lunch time today. YUM! Oh, but I digress.

Mom asked Eileen (Yogi & Belle's mom) if they were going to the Yorkie Ball in Nashville. Can you believe that some humans haven't even heard of it? Why, it's our highest social event of the season. Us Yorkettes even wear evening gowns and we meet Yorksters who are single, and we dance and mingle and exchange our steam iron numbers (Yorkie's version of the cell phone). There's a fashion show and a luncheon and even a special dinner. We gave Eileen the link so she could learn more about Yorkies and their high society.

Only two and one half weeks away. I am SOOOO looking forward to this. My everly first Ball. I feel like a Princess already.

Love and kisses....

Mary-Margaret

Hi, Grandpa!!

It's getting to late for you to call, so we're going to bed. Also going to go watch TV with mom. "Glee" is back on the Fox Network and we just LOVE LOVE LOVE Glee.

Today, we got four new tires and new rear brakes. I said "hello" and "good-bye" to people, and did my little "happy dance" for them. I think maybe the mechanic's shop might offer me a job. They seemed pretty impressed with my ability.

We got to the office around noon and worked all day. Tonight Mom's throat was scratchy so I took her to Dairy Queen for a small vanilla cone. The girl at Dairy Queen gave me my very own little bowl for FREE. I think Mom's getting a cold or something yucky. I really need to take better care of her.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

NBC's "The Playboy Club"

What planet did THIS club exist on? When my mom worked the Los Angeles/Hollywood club on Sunset 1965-66 there was no touching of Bunnies, no leaving the club in your uniform (even if you were disposing a dead body in a river), no smoking where anyone could see you, no dancing with the customers, no sitting down on the job (they "perched" on the backs of chairs). Bunnies didn't go into the "liquor room", and most definitely Bunnies didn't murder their customers with their stiletto heels even accidently. That would have been worth a gazillion demerits easily.

Bunnies were the squeaky clean fantasy girls-next-door. They could have been fired for behaving like the bunnies in the show. Whoever wrote this or was otherwise involved in the creative process is either an idiot or delusional. My mom was proud to be a Bunny. Now, in less than an hour, she feels sad and humiliated.

Back to "Castle" on Monday nights, I guess.

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
(Your roving entertainment reporter with all four feet on the ground!!)

Today I am SIX!!!

I am SIX today! I am a big girl and I don't need a baby seat. Mom says we're not moving until I get into my carrier.



Um....Mom? Please? Just for today? After all, I am SIX now. I want to sit like a grown up. I promise I'll be still.



We get our oil changed and order our new tires. Everyone says "Happy Birthday, Mary-Margaret!". I like that a whole lot. Especially when they tell me how pretty I look with my pink bow. And all of my Facebook and Yorkie Spice friends said "Happy Birthday!" to me, too. I feel so loved!!

After we run errands, Mom takes me to lunch for my birthday. Woo hoo! I know where I want to go. "In-N-Out"!!! They make the BEST burger ever. YUM!! And Dr. V said I could go off my diet today because it's my BIRTHDAY!!



For me? Flowers? FOR MEEEEEE???? Oh my heart be still...I've NEVER ever gotten flowers in my whole life. Who would send me flowers? I'm trying to read the card but it's still inside the envelope. I need a little help here?



The minute the card came out of the envelope I knew. My very best "BFF" Athena Maria from Tennessee sent me flowers. THANK YOU THANK YOU, Athena Maria. I love you. I grabbed MY card and immediately tried to digest every word.

Then Mom grabbed the card (or what she could find of it) and tried to piece it back together so I could share the really nice message on it. I know she took a picture of it. I'm sure she did. Well, as soon as it turns up we'll post that, too.

(found it!)



Then tonight my Grandpa called me up and played "Happy Birthday!" on his harmonica for me. And then he played "For she's a jolly good fellow!". He does that for his fambly, and I am his "Grand Dogger"!

TODAY IS THE EVERLY BEST DAY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.

TODAY I AM SIX!!!



Love and kisses...

Mary-Margaret

Buffie & Gizzie Save the Day! Sunday, 9-18-11

(another installment in the Yorkie Brigade Chapel series)

Good morning, everyone. Again we have our guest speakers from Miami with us. Buffie and Gizzie save the day. We are so blessed to have them volunteer so willingly.

Buffie? Gizzie? Please take the podium. Thank you so much for helping out again.

(applause...applause...clap..clap....wolf whistles from the Rottweilers in the back pew....and gradually the noise dies down)

(Gizzie takes the microphone)

The Pearls

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy, can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere-Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.

One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."

"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's Daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

Jenny's father is like our heavenly Father. He also is waiting for us to give up our dime store stuff and seek Him first... So He can fling open the windows of Heaven and pour us out such a blessing that we will not have room enough to hold it.

What are you hanging on to?

Thank you, Buffie and Gizzie for such words of wisdom. And thank you also to Merry, their secretary, for painstakingly translating this parable from Doglish to English for us. Please give them all a hand in appreciation.

Sam Press correctly guessed Fiji as the site of the retreat that the Ladies of the Leather Collar attended a couple of weeks ago. Well done, Sam!!

We are fortunate to have peanut butter and chicken cookies provided by the Kindergarten Pups at the back table, along with fresh streaming hose water running freely from the garden.

Please turn to your neighbors and wag your tails as a sign of peace and friendship. Remember to be as you wish others to be.

Blessings to all............................

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

Dear Grandpa....

Mom asked me to write and say "Thank you!". She didn't tell me what for and I know better than to ask. Still...she said you'd know, and "Thank you!".

I love you, Grandpa. You are the BEST Grandpa in the whole wide world.

Kisses and Schnerfels....and some Schnoozles, too.

Your Grand Dogger...

Mary-Margaret

2009 Valentine's Day Dress - FINALLY

Guess what I finally got? Hmmmmmmm???



Now I'm not saying it's the fault of our fine United States Postal Service but....! We were looking for it every day back in 2009 and MaryElizabeth even called our post office saying we hadn't gotten it. They know who I am and told her "You DO know that Mary-Margaret O'Brien is a dog, don't you?". Well, of course she knows. Everyone knows. I'm not ashamed of my heritage or my ancestry. I'm proud and I stand up tall, head up and chin out. YES, I AM A YORKSHIRE TERRIER!!

Still.....No reason to take two years to get me my dress, is it? Hmmmm???? I do love it, too. Ruffles and all. Makes me feel everly so feminine!!

I might have grown a tad and maybe gained a little weight in two years. What do YOU think?

Love,

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

[[[[BONK!]]]

Well, RATS!! Mom did it to me again. That's twice, now. She fell asleep in her chair and the phone rings. It takes her forever to answer it and so as long as she's up, she decides to shut the glass sliding door. My doggie door is in the sliding screen outside the glass door, so I don't know my access has been blocked. Who'd a thunk?

"Upstairs!", she says, and starts to climb the stairs. Hang on!(I say) Not everyone is in the house, but she can't hear me. She looks around and finally figures out I'm not there just as I dive through my doggie door. [[[[BONK]]]].....and OWWWWWWWWEEEEE!. Yes, I was OUTSIDE ENJOYING THE EVENING!! So much for relaxation before bed. I've really got to watch her these days. My nose is still a bit sore from that one. Maybe I should start testing my door with my paw before jumping through it.

Mary-Margaret "The Schnozz" O'Brien

The Yorkie Times - September 2011

The new issue is out and I wanted to share it with you. Just click on this link: Yorkie Times Newsletter and scroll down about half-way to "Yorkie Times Newsletter" button to catch up on all of our Summer Social News and Events (just under "Smoky 2010 Awards").

Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, Inc. is where people go to adopt a Yorkie. Their site is at Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue . Scroll down the page to find stories about kids who were adopted through YTNR. There is a boutique where you can help support YTNR, a link to kids who are available for adoption, and stories about the kids who were rescued and now have "forever" homes.

Hope you enjoy both the newsletter and the web site. Yorkies are very special, you know. Some say that we are God's special messengers on Earth, ergo the saying "From a Yorkie's lips to God's ear!".

Blessings...

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade

Play-Date with AthenaMaria Dugmore

I had company today. Yup! Me and AthenaMaria Dugmore had a PLAY DATE!! Oh, we had SOOOO much fun. I showed her my back yard, and my upstairs, and my special window by the front door where I watch for cats.

Then Mom and MaryElizabeth and me and AthenaMaria went out to breakfast at "Simply Sharon's", a Creole down-home Louisiana type place where they serve chicken and waffles. The chicken is fried to order and it takes about 20 minutes to get served. The waffles are (I'm told) very yummy. They're thin and freshly made. MaryElizabeth had grits, too. And the waitress brought out tiny freshly made muffins - banana nut and poppy seed. I just napped in my carrier after we got seated, and so did AthenaMaria. We know how a pup is supposed to behave.

It's a pretty popular place. We had a really long wait before they gave us a table. That was ok, though. I was saying hello and good-bye to everyone. I think maybe I could get a job as a hostess....maybe?



Then we went to our office and checked the mail. AthenaMaria and I had a bit of lunch. I always share with my guests. I wait until they are finished eating before I have any. Even if they eat all the lunch, I know Mom keeps more for me. Sharing is very important in a friendship.

And THEN we went down to Old Town so MaryElizabeth could see the shops. And THEN the ladies stopped at JambaJuice and got something to drink. Mom says she's hooked on something called Orange Dream which tastes sort of like orange sherbert. MaryElizabeth likes the raspberry lemonade with a "shot" of something for immunity put into it.

THEN we went through Valle de los Caballos (Valley of the Horses), and then the vineyards, then home. Me and AthenaMaria took our afternoon naps and the ladies yakked. About 5:00PM they decided to go to Fish House Veracruz where they ordered abalone. I'm not sure exactly what happened because I was under the table where I always am at a restaurant, but the abalone wasn't tenderized and it was burned black and so there was a discussion with the manager who seemed sort of miffed that the ladies didn't want burned abalone. He eventually mellowed out and the ladies ordered Sea Bass and Halibut. It must have been ok because they quit griping. (NOTE - one doesn't have this problem with kibble!!)

Finally we came home and everybody said their goodbyes. I sure hope I get to see AthenaMaria and MaryElizabeth again soon. They are really fun people.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

Dear Grandpa....

Our telephone AND internet weren't working. We had been on hold on our cell phone with Time Warner for 35 minutes when Mom noticed the time. She didn't want you to worry so she figured she had time to call you quickly and say "hello...I'll call you later". In that period of time, they must have answered and she lost the call. She was not very happy.

The phone and internet are back on now. You know the MOST annoying part? All the time she's on hold she has to listen to an advertisement about how GREAT Time Warner is with their phone and internet service.

Not very bright, if you ask me!!

Mary-Margaret

Good Friends and Bar-B-Q

Here's me with one of my newest best friends, Athena Maria Dugmore and her mom, MaryElizabeth. We went to MaryElizabeth's mother's house yesterday for barbeque. Mostly I played with AthenaMaria. We played "chase", "sneaky pounce", and for a while we were explorers on an expedition into deepest darkest master bedroom. Lots of good stuff in there.



This is MaryElizabeth's mother, Connie. She's absolutely amazing. She's about 7 years older than my Grandpa. She tells funny stories, and she laughs a lot, and her family is from Lithuania. She and my mom had a lot of things in common that they either remembered or were told by their grandmothers and great grandmothers. One of the things they had for dinner was Lithuanian potato pancakes topped with sour cream. My mom said they were the best thing she's ever had. I passed on the pancakes but AthenaMaria and I did have a little rib-eye. Good stuff.



We hung out and visited some more before dessert. I was stuffed and so was Connie so we both passed on dessert, too, but Mom and MaryElizabeth had some fresh home made from SCRATCH apple pie with BaskinRobbins 31 flavors vanilla ice cream. Mom says that's the way vanilla ice cream is supposed to taste. She's been buying the frozen stuff out of the market freezer but they're either too sweet or too fatty tasting. This BaskinRobbins place makes it the way she remembers it from when she was little. I guess we'll be hunting for a 31 Flavors store now.

Thank you for having us over, MaryElizabeth. We had the BEST TIME EVER!!!

Love,

Mary-Margaret "See you at the Yorkie Ball" O'Brien

PS - The Yorkshire Terrier National Ball is in Nashville, TN on October 13-16, 2011. It's the annual charity event that caps off the Yorkie social season, and all proceeds go to Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, Inc. Hope to see you all there. Scroll down the link to learn more about our Ball!!! (NOTE - This is the ONLY time you will EVER see MEEEEE in an evening gown!)

The Golden Rule - August 28, 2011

(another installment in the Yorkie Brigade Chapel Series)

Welcome, everyone.

Before we start today, let's say a prayer for our dogthren and birdthren ...ok, and cathren, too....who are in the path of Hurricane Irene and who are in danger of losing their homes, their belongings, and for those who are afraid because they've never seen anything quite like this storm before. We ask that God hold their paws and talons and grant them peace and serenity so that they may get through this storm.

(a moment's silence)

Amen

Now...today we talk about the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!". (My sister used to say it as "Do unto others before they do it to you" when she was really little and we still laugh about that). But seriously.....we want to treat other people they way we would like to be treated.

In the Bible, in Luke 6:27-36, it says:

[27] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you.

[32] "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. [35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

If you are invited to the dog park for a play date, it's ok to feel a little shy. But instead of thinking about how shy you are, concentrate on making the other pups feel welcome. I guarantee you that if you focus on showing the others a good time by sharing your ball or your frisbee or your treats, you will forget about yourself in no time at all. You will be having such a great time helping the other pups you'll stop thinking about how shy you are.

We teach our puppies that they must learn first to follow before they can be good leaders. Humans learn that they have to start at the bottom and learn their business before they can advance and be promoted. We show others how we expect to be treated in this world by example, and treating them the way we would like to be treated ourselves.

This week, let's all practice giving without expecting anything in return. I think you'll be unexpectedly surprised at all you will receive instead.

Now, let's turn to our neighbors and wag/fluff with all we've got to show our love and friendship. Cats who are currently shedding are excused today, and may simply lift a paw instead.

On your way out, please stop by the Kindergarten Puppies' table. They've been very busy dying cashews for their latest art project. We all love cashews (unsalted, of course) and we assure you that despite the bright colors, they are totally edible and safe. Spring water available from the garden hose if you get thirsty. The Ladies of the Leather Collar and the Knights of Pawlumbus should be back next week.

Blessings....and Nuts to You!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous