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