HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's a BIRD...It's a Plane...It's ....!

Mom's looking out the back door and goes "Uh oh!!". Naturally, I get up to go see what's stressing her out now. I see a pile of something black that looks like a dead crow. "Kewl!", I say. "Let me OUT!!". She just stares at whatever and doesn't move. "LET ME OUT..OUT...OUT!!", I say.

"OK...but you stay away from that dead bird!", she warns me. "Yeah, sure! Whatever!", and I immediately race lickety-split across the back yard to "the bird". I'm like totally cracking up now that I'm standing by the object of her distress and she's hollering "NO NO NO!!". I'm just enjoying the moment. I reach out and touch "the bird" with my paw and it flops over. "Arrrggghhhhh!", she says and goes inside to get her shoes. Personally, I thought it looked less like a dead crow after I flipped it but some people need convincing.

She grabs the cell phone camera and notices that the battery is dead, so she plugs it in to charge it. She looks outside and I'm not by "the body" anymore. This is way too much fun to clue her in right now, so I saunter over to the fence and twiddle around over there and then I amble into the house, soggy feet and all.

About a half-hour later she checks her cell phone and it's got a 50% charge, so she goes out to inspect the "body". I might add that it's raining and the back yard is like a swamp in some places, but still she goes out. She seems to want to document this event for posterity.

I'm standing in the kitchen watching all this and trying really hard not to laugh out loud. Mom takes her picture and wades back into the house, glaring at me the whole time. "Funny, Mary-Margaret!", she says. "REAL FUNNY!". Well, I think so but then some people don't share my sense of humor.

Amazing what shape a twig with a few wet moldy dead leaves can take in some people's imagination.

I find my entertainment wherever I can.

Happy New Year, everyone!!

Mary-Margaret

Mary-Margaret's Mail

Dear Grandpa - Mom says you can mail me stuff at her office:

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
c/o Rancho Attorney Service
28465 Old Town Front Street
Suite 318
Temecula, Ca 92590

PS - you can send Mom's stuff there too!

Merry Christmas, one and all

Dear Grandpa - I went to Miss Marilyn's yesterday. Charlie the poodle was there. He barked and howled when he saw me. Silly poodle. I think he has a crush on me. Unrequited though. I think of him as a friend. No more than that. I have my career to concentrate on. I'm just not ready to settle down yet.

We went to Miss Cathleen's place on Thursday. Mom got her toes done. I got my monthly special walk around Old Town. It's so pretty in the winter. There's lights everywhere and the ice skating rink is set up. Everybody is so happy. I met a really nice young man and stopped dead in my tracks. I started talking to him and he was very impressed. We conversed for a while and then Miss Cathleen said we had to go back before Mom thought we were kidnapped or something.

Today is Saturday and we're just hanging around the house. Mom's still coughing so I guess she still needs to rest up from that awful flu she had. I am taking good care of her.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

Christmas Issue - The Yorkie Times

It's out and it's great. Cheerful holiday reading. Check out The Yorkie Times

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Mary-Margaret

Coming Home!!

Dear Grandpa. We're at the airport in Sioux Falls now waiting for our plane to arrive from Chicago. Then we'll be on our way home.

I had the everly best time with my "family" and my cousins, Sophie and Jazmin. This morning it was only nineteen degrees outside and I just wanted to sleep in. Mom took this picture of me skootching under the covers for a quick nap after she already made the bed.

She's pretty sneaky with a camera that way. It's ok, though. I love her anyway.

Your ever-loving Grand Doggie....

Mary-Margaret

Mom's Mailing Address

Dear Grandpa - Mom said you wanted me to send you her mailing address. Put her name on the envelope and then c/o Rancho Attorney Service, 28465 Old Town Front Street #318, Temecula, CA 92590. Hope that helps.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the West Coast branch of our family and give them all big, schlurpy licks for me. Especially Zooey, my very good friend, Uncle Michael's kitty. I really miss him.

Love and kisses,

Your ever-loving Grand Dog...

Mary-Margaret

Putting words into escrow!!

(Los Angeles Mayor the Honorable Richard Riordan and ME!! I love him but you know how I feel aout "Pawlitics" by the look on my face!)

There have been a lot of books authored by dogs lately. Dogs are very good at delegating clerical tasks to humans with opposable thumbs. If we HAD thumbs, though, we'd probably do our own typing. Most of these books are about our contributions to the human race and how much better it is because of us pups.

Dogs are more than dumb animals. We have souls and we know that we're put on this earth for a purpose. Not all humans recognize that fact but I seriously believe that those who do are better because of it. Take my mom, for example. My Aunt Rose was called to the Rainbow Bridge on November 18, 2005. My mom was grieving terribly for her; her heart was so sad and she was becoming physically ill. On November 24th she dreamed about adopting another pup and, in the dream, she was told that it wouldn't be a pup she expected or even wanted but that love comes in unexpected packages. She had absolutely no intention of getting another dog. It was just way too painful to have to say good-by. Nevertheless, she woke up knowing that Rose had given her permission to love again.

All morning long she had a craving for puppy kisses. She still didn't know that she was, according to divine plan, about to become a mother again. She just knew that she'd probably feel a little better if she could smell some puppy breath and maybe get a few baby licks. She decided to stop by the local pet store for a few minutes. I spotted her the moment she walked in. "Stay cool!" I said to myself, knowing there was a God-inspired universal plan in place. Sure enough, after getting licked by every pup in the place, she and I were left alone sitting side by side, having a conversation. I used telepathy. She spoke English. After recovering from the shock of my human-applied price tag, we went home together and became permanent roommates.

Mom's mother, my Grandma, was from the old school of child rearing. It was difficult for the two of them to have a conversation with each other without my mom feeling like no matter what she said or did, my Grandma would be critical. Even if my mom said she agreed with what my Grandma said (to keep peace), my Grandma would reverse her position and my mom would find herself in the proverbial corner once again. Enter Mary-Margaret O'Brien, Canine Counselor and future (in the next life) United Nations Ambassador.

Mom knew I was extremely brilliant and sensitive and needed desperately to express myself in my own words so she let me have my own blog when I was only 3 months old. There's almost 1400 pages in it so far.

My Grandma would read it every day and when she and my mom would get on the phone they talked about ME and MY life instead of other things. If I didn't post for a few days my Grandma would call my mom and demand to know if I was all right and what I was doing. It didn't take me long to figure out that my Grandma and my mom were talking to each other through me but without the arguing and stress. I was like a "Conversational Escrow Canine", and from December 2005 until November 27, 2007, their relationship was on an even keel. I'm so glad I could help them have the last two years of their lives together in peace and love, without any of the negativity they had experienced for so many years prior.

My Grandma went to the Rainbow Bridge on that last night. I was invited to her viewing and then to the formal service. The pastor even mentioned me as her beloved Grand-Dog, Mary-Margaret O'Brien, when he was listing her surviving family. I comforted my mom and my Grandpa and realized that my job had only just begun. There was so much more God expected from me and I was not going to let him down.

This is getting way too long so maybe next month I can fill you all in on the other ways I've made a big difference in the world, if you really want to hear about it. Let me know. I can always talk about squirrels or gophers instead.

Love and kisses.....and blessings!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien, Lt. Chaplain

North American Division
International Yorkie Brigade

PS: For this month's YORKIE TIMES , click here!!

LuLu

This is my friend Lulu from North Fork, CA. She lives with Mary, one of my mom's friends from back in 9th grade. They hadn't seen or talked to each other for over fifty years and as soon as they re-connected it was like no time had passed at all.

Mary is actually a Yorkie person and has been all her life. Her last Yorkie, Abbie, went to the Rainbow Bridge and then another lady friend of Mary's went to live in a special home so she got to adopt HER pup Lulu, an 8-pound Shih Tzu.

I just can't wait to go visit Mary and LuLu. Old friends are just like family, I think.

Love,
Mary-Margaret

My Friend, Candy

I was going to go out before supper and take care of some business. But when I stuck my head out my personal doggie door someone said "Hello? I think I'm lost. Do you know where I live?". I'm not good at directions so I called for my mom.

"Arf. Arf. Arf. ARFFFFF!", I said. Over and over. At first I got ignored. Then she said "Oh, HUSH, Mary-Margaret!". Um...Mom? There's something amiss back here. You really need to come. So I kept barking.

"Ugh", she said, probably remembering that rat from a while back that needed last rites. "What have you found now?". I pointed to our back yard. Mom sucked in a bunch of air and said OHMYGOODNESS. Then she went outside in her nightgown and the stranger came right over to her. She was wearing a pink collar and trailing a dark pink leash. I told her that Mom was kewl and not to be afraid. "How on earth did YOU get in here?", Mom asked.

Mom felt around her neck and found some tags. One of them said "Candy" on it and it had a couple of phone numbers. Mom picked Candy up and carried her into the house. She was pretty bony under all that fur. She looked an awful lot like me only lighter in color, with a long tail, and...well, not to be rude or anything, but she really could use a professional groomer. She had dread-locks and long nails and lots of stuff stuck in her hair.

I let Candy sit on Mom's lap to get the stickers and twigs pulled out of her fur. Then we took her into the kitchen and gave her a bowl of Pinnacle duck and potato dry kibble and some water. Boy, was she hungry. I had my dinner at the same time.

We called the phone numbers on Candy's tag and left a message. A few minutes later someone called back and said they didn't even know she was gone. Then Candy's mom came and picked her up. I think Candy probably got out, walked up the sidewalk on the really busy street and then came up the slope to my yard. We can't figure out how else she would have gotten in there by herself.

Candy is a very smart girl to come to my house for dinner. We had some visiting time and then we kissed each other good bye. I think I have a new friend, now.

Love, Mary-Margaret

My Handsome Hashi

My man Hashi. He still makes my heart skip a beat. Isn't he the handsomest ever?

(sigh)
Love, Mary-Margaret

Can you see me NOW??

My favorite game is "Hide and Seek". Usually I win. Today I would have won except for one teensy little thing.

Can you see me NOW??

Mary-Margaret

YTNR Annual Meeting - Rochester, NY

(Me, Linda and Karen discussing serious business at the board meeting!)

Read all about it at The Yorkie Times .

There are articles, video and (ahem!) MY column toward the end of the newsletter.

Enjoy!
Love,
Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Jet Lag

Dear Grandpa - I'm home and I had Mom reset my watch (no thumbs, you know!). Technically I guess I would be taking my afternoon nap about now but since I'm back home on PDT now I'm taking my afternoon nap this morning instead. Yesterday I had breakfast in Rochester, lunch in New York at JFK Airport, dinner somewhere over Missouri or Kansas (they all look alike when you're 7 miles high), and a late night snack at Jack in the Box somewhere in Mira Mesa. It wears me out just trying to figure out when and where I'll be eating. On the other end....er, "other paw" I mean.....JFK has a Puppy Potty Park which is like an international potpourri of eau de chien. I spent a good while sniffing bark chips in a very lovely little white picket fenced enclosure just outside of Jet Blue's check in area. JFK is truly an international destination. I made sure that future visitors would know "Mary-Margaret was here!" before I left. Glad to be back. We love you, Grandpa!! Mary-Margaret

Dear Grandpa - re Carmax

Carmax will buy your car and if you accept their offer you can leave with a check the same day. Click on this link to read more about it:

CARMAX WILL BUY YOUR CAR

We know people that have sold their car to Carmax and they are both very happy with the way it worked out. They said the offers were more than fair.

There is a CARMAX near you by the airport. Whatever you get for your car will go a long way toward paying for a cab to take you to the places you want to go.



This is me waiting for my hamburger at In-N-Out, my most favorite place to have lunch. Do I have the best mom in the whole world or what? Hmmmmm???

Love,

Mary-Margaret, your loyal Grand Puppy

My Private Place

I'm feeling a little better than yesterday. Appetite is fine, plumbing working well, and "garbage disposal" cleared out. I'm just hanging out, resting. I made a "fort" under the hassock. Was enjoying the peace until Mom found me. Didn't take her long, either. She looked over at the edge and saw my NOSE sticking out. (Note to self - next time tuck nose all the way underneath!)

Still limping a bit. We'll see how it goes. Doesn't hurt any more, though. Just a little annoying is all.

Love....

Mary-Margaret

August 2012 - Yorkie Times

Dear Grandpa and to whom else it may concern....!

Here's the August 2012 issue of THE YORKIE TIMES newsletter.

The did an interview with MOM and my column is in there, too. Enjoy!!

Love and kisses...



Mary-Margaret

Mom's Big Interview!

Mom got interviewed for a local Temecula website. She's pretty pleased that someone even asked her about her business. I'm pretty pleased that they used a picture of ME to put in the interview. Boy, what a team, huh??

You can go here Rancho Attorney Service interview with Michele Dawn if you feel like reading it. Honestly, it's not too boring and you can always look at the picture of MEEEEE!

(just kidding)

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Receptionist & Chief of
Public Relations for
RANCH0 ATTORNEY SERVICE OF CALIFORNIA

Dear Diary - July 21, 2012

Dear Diary:

Woke up early and bugged Mom to get outta bed and let me out.

Checked backyard for rabbits, cats and other friends or intruders. Nobody there. Sniffed a worm that sorta looked dead in a puddle on the patio and got yelled at.

Came back in and took up my post at the front window, barking "Hello" at humans and pups as they walked by.

Mom fell asleep in her comfy leather chair. She snores. I fell asleep on the couch. We both woke up what we thought was a couple of hours later and thought it was afternoon. It wasn't. It was only 10:12AM. Watched more HGTV.

We called my doctor to see if they could get me in for my booster shots. They could. We made appointment for 4:45PM

Mom got off her butt and got dressed and we went to the office. No mail but there was some stuff to do. About 3:15PM we wrapped it up and went to the Von's market. I said "Hello!" to all my friends. While we were in the check-out line waiting for Crystal to finish up the person ahead of us, a man came up beside me and said "Excuse me? Excuse me?". Mom thought he wanted to get to the candy rack but he said he wanted to take my picture. Mom said "Smile" and I guess I sort of grimaced. My bow was a bit askew and my hair rumpled but I gave him my best "photo op" look over my shoulder and he was happy.

After we went home and unloaded the groceries we got back into the car and drove over to Pet Medical Center. Zeus, the fat cat that belongs to Dr. Bach, was all sprawled out in one of the waiting room chairs. I don't think I ever saw a cat sprawled so absolutely everywhere all over the place but Zeus managed it so that he looked like a chair cushion with paws and a tail.

I got called into my exam room and asked them to please raise the blinds. I like to look out the window to see who's there. The girls came in and weighed me. I am doing pretty good, lost almost a whole pound. I'm down to 9 pounds, 15 ounces. Core Wellness adult formula kibble is good stuff and tasty, too. They took some blood from my jugular vein, gave me a shot for something, and went up my tush for a bit of left over....er.....you know....checking for heart worms, which I won't have because I take my Sentinel every month. Then we went home.



My shoulder was a little sore so I decided to kick back under a tree in my backyard for a bit. Very relaxing. Little breeze...great smells. What more could a pup want?

Mom had a turkey and avocado sandwich for supper; I had my kibble and chicken.

So much for a day in the life of Mary-Margaret O'Brien, Yorkshire Extraordinaire.

Love to you all......

Friends are FOREVER!!

Feral cats - gone. Gophers - gone. Rat - gone!

It was getting a little boring in my back yard for a while there. But now I have BUNNY RABBITS with fluffy little white cotton tails. Sometimes they come over to my house to munch on the clover that's growing in my back lawn. They hop through the wrought iron fence along the back border and even kick back a bit, just enjoying their moment.

Nobody has stayed long enough for me to get to know them on a first-name basis yet. Just about the same time I hop through my personal door to introduce myself, they hop through the fence and disappear.

I race over to the fence and stand on my tippy-toes trying to see where they went. I'm pretty sure they live on the slope between my yard and the road. I sure hope they don't try to cross the street without looking both ways. My good friend Pooka who lives next door says they come visit him, too. If these bunny rabbits are anything like Magnolia Blossom or the Woolies, I'll have hundreds of friends in no time at all. Isn't that great!!??

I wonder if they'll let me mentor them like I did the kids at Puppy School? I could work on socializing and showing them good manners and maybe even work on their language skills. Doglish is pretty basic. I'll try to get them to sit still long enough for a snapshot so I can share with you. They hop pretty fast, though.

OHHHH...and my very good friend MaryAnn who used to work down the hall came to visit me yesterday. I haven't seen her for a couple of years but the minute she opened the door to my office I ran right over to her, with my whole rear end wagging a mile a minute. She knows exactly what I like. Friends really are forever!

(ahem??)

Forever in my heart and soul - You're my friend, you make me whole!!

(Original poem by MEEE...Mary-Margaret O'Brien)

Love always...

Mary-Margaret







(NOTE: Thankfully someone was thoughtful enough to make my picture PG rather than XXX rated. I really need to talk to Mom about those candid shots of me when I'm not looking.)