Lt. Chaplain Mary-Margaret O'Brien - SIR!!

On Tuesday, me and Mom had a serve to make on a soldier at Camp Pendleton in the morning. Mom stopped at the guard shack to show her ID. She really didn't need to. I am "military" (The Yorkie Brigade) and am recognized by other soldiers in many places. As Mom was trying to find her ID card in the bottom of her purse, the Naval policeman looked in our car window and said "Is THAT Mary-Margaret?".

Mom was absolutely stunned. She said "OH My God! HOW DO YOU KNOW MARY-MARGARET?", and she mumbled something like "My dog has more acquaintances than I do." I was enjoying the moment so I kept my trap shut, but actually there was a relatively simple explanation. I'll tell you in a second, but...(hee hee hee)....I just sat there with a big grin on my face!! Oh...and gave Kyle (that's his name) a whole lot of kisses. I think all the other policemen were a little jealous.

Then we went to Base Legal and the officer in charge says "Hello, Mary-Margaret!". He remembered ME from our last serve. My mom may retire sooner than she planned and just let ME handle things. I may let her drive, though. I'm sure I'd pass the test but for some STOOPID reason the humans at the DMV won't even let me try!.

(NOTE: Explanation - the Navy policeman was the son-in-law of my Auntie Lynda who calls me "PooPoo LahLah" and who baby-sat me while Colleen and Mom were in Germany! Still..that was what...over 4 years ago??)

I love my life!!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain
Yorkie Brigade

My VERY Good Friend, Keri!!

This is one of my most favorite BFF's - Keri Stewart - who worked in the office with my Mom for several years while she was going to college and getting her teaching credential. Woo hoo! She's going to be working with us again part time for the summer. I am SOOOOO excited. And she came by to take us both out to lunch. "Steak!"...Yup. We are getting STEAK!!!



Uh oh....my bad. Apparently that invitation didn't include poor little ME. Nope. I am everly so disappointed. My heart is absolutely broken in two. I think my face says it all. Keri is trying to console me but it's not working. Humans can be SO cruel.

However, my day turned out ok. Mom only ate HALF her steak and brought the rest back for me. Oh yum. My most favorite supper of all time - chunks of medium rare sirloin and kibble. Am I a lucky pup or what??

Love,

Mary-Margaret

International Association of Canines - Temecula Local 92591

We were standing in the check-out line at Von’s the other day. Crystal, the checker, was telling us that she was going to retire in about seven years and move to Hawaii and that me and Mom could go visit her. Mom lifted an eyebrow and said something like “Really? Mary-Margaret, too?”. Then they started talking about how pups have to be quarantined before they can go to the Islands, which is SO unfair (in my opinion, anyway!).

The lady in line ahead of us turned around and said “Is THAT Mary-Margaret?”. Now you have to understand I don’t have much of a life away from Mom except my regular trips to the Puppy Day Spa otherwise known as Prime Cuts, otherwise known as “Miss Marilyn’s”. Mom just about swallowed her tongue (but recovered nicely) and said “How do you know Mary-Margaret?” The lady introduced herself as Carol and said “From Marilyn’s! I’m Lexi and Gordy’s mom! Marilyn talks about Mary-Margaret all the time!” and the mystery was solved. Lexi and Gordy are a couple of Shih Tzus I hang out with.

Earlier in the day we went to Bank of America and I said “Hi!” to all my friends. Our teller was Maggie May’s mom, Tracy. Maggie May and I both had a play date at Marilyn’s the last time I was there. So Tracy was telling Mom all about it. The other teller, Lisa, won't be at Bank of America much longer since she's getting her certificate as an x-ray technician, but her pup, Einstein or “Einy”, goes to Miss Marilyn’s, too, so I keep in touch.

The man in line behind us at the bank who works for DCH Dodge in town started petting me. He told me he had a pup just like me at home named Eddie. When he goes home Eddie takes him for a long walk. Eddie sounds like a really nice guy and I can’t wait to meet him. I wonder if he takes Eddie to work with him? I should drop him one of Marilyn’s cards so he can join our play group.

Madison is Miss Marilyn’s Yorkette. She has GME but she’s sort of in remission. I’ve known her for a really long time and we are absolutely BEST friends. If you don’t know what GME is you could “Google” it. It’s hereditary, incurable and usually fatal. Madison is very brave and an example to us all about how to deal with life's curve balls.

Carol said her friend, Patrice, takes her kids to Miss Marilyn’s, too. She couldn’t remember the pups’ names but I do. It’s Lizzie and Darcy. We’ve been buddies for ages but our moms didn’t meet until June 17, 2010 when I introduced them. I have a whole lot of friends in this town thanks to Miss Marilyn. (Note: Keeping a diary is essential to remembering dates.)

Good grooming isn’t just to be beautiful. It’s a Social, Educational and Pawlitical opportunity!!

Love, Mary-Margaret

The Yorkie Times - June 2012

My most favorite newsletter is The Yorkie Times

Notice that I am a regular columnist and have been for well over a year now? Hmmmmmmmm??

ENJOY!!!

Love, Mary-Margaret

I LOVE MY WORK!!

I’m the Head of Public Relations and the Receptionist at my job. I’ve been working since I was 9 weeks old. When people come to my office to ask us to do a job it’s my responsibility to greet them, say “Come in, please?”, and introduce myself: “Hello! My name is Mary-Margaret! How may I help you?”.

After I show them where to sit, I go get my mom…er…I mean…My BOSS! (Yeah….well, she’s only my boss at the office but not at home…don’t tell her I said that, though!) She comes out and sits across from our clients and they start telling her what the problem is. If they get a bit upset or start to cry, that’s my signal to give them some loving.

I start out by sort of rubbing up against their leg and they reach down and pet me. If they’re really distressed I might even hop into their lap and flip over on my back. There’s something about a warm pink puppy tummy that gets most folks calmed down pretty well, not to mention I get a belly rub out of it.

By the time they’re done talking to my mom and we get the job all set up, they get ready to leave. That’s my cue to nuzzle up to them and, if they let me, I give them a big wet kiss on the chin. Otherwise, I hop down and walk over to the door. I “arf” good-bye softly a couple of times and do that pirouette thing I learned from Jilli Dog at the last Convention in Nashville.

We have another satisfied customer and another productive day. It’s good to feel needed and useful and appreciated, no matter if you’re a pup or a people. Personally, I think the world would be a better place if more pups worked with their humans. Our office building now has several workers of the canine persuasion. Even our building owner brings her French bulldog, Ozzie, to work with her. (Note: Ozzie was one of the kids I mentored in Puppy School and he’s turned out rather nicely, I must say!)

The Los Angeles Times did an article about Dogs at Work. Maybe this is catching on??

Dogs at Work

Love and schlurps… Mary-Margaret O’Brien

PS - This is also my article in this month's Yorkie Times newsletter. I'll post the link as soon as I have it.

Lake Wynonah, PA - May 5, 2012

This is where we come to decompress. Tonight we had the mother of all thunderstorms. Woo hoo. It was a biggie. I jumped into Mom's arms and spent the early part of the evening on the kitchen table. I felt safe up there next to Mom's purse and the salt and pepper shakers. Our power went on and off and it sounded a lot like being on a movie lot where they take the sheets of tin and rattle them to make thunder. Sometimes it would crack really loud like a gunshot right next to our ears. I'm not afraid, though. Nope. Not me. A little thunder never hurt anyone.

Earlier today I got a shower in the big people's tub. Next time, I'm told, I will get a bath in the sink. Well, I can't help it if my nails are a little scratchy on someone's sensitive stomach, can I?

We're coming home tomorrow.

Isn't it just absolutely everly so beautiful?? Love, Mary-Margaret

"End of Vacation" Blues

Why is it that the last day of vacation seems like you just got there? So much to do...this is NOT fair. We fly home tomorrow. Arf-arf-double hockey sticks and phooey!!

Mary-Margaret

PS: (growl) and now I have to have a BATH!

So weird - no critters!!

Don't know where they all went. I got here and said "Hello! I'm baaaa-aaack!" and not one chipmunk, squirrel, groundhog, fox, mouse or bear came by to see me. Not one. Matt says there are a lot of deer this year, but I haven't seen any yet. Mostly it's been sleep...get up...go "owt"...rest up from going "owt"...move to living room...rest from the move....go back to the kitchen....take morning nap. Pretty silly when a pup has to rest up from sleeping, huh? That's how it is on vacation. Love ya... Mary-Margaret

East vs West

West Coast - regular gas (when we left) was down to $4.29 a gallon. East Coast - regular is between $3.71 and $3.75. West Coast - 12 oz of Philadelphia whipped cream cheese was $4.99 a carton. East coast - 12 oz is $3.65. Something's wrong with this picture, dontcha think?? Love and kisses... Mary-Margaret

Good Moen...Good Moen!!

Mom had to take a bath in our kitchen sink yesterday AND wash her hair there, too. We had NO hot water in either bath/shower. Nope! Icy cold. Finally, she gave up fiddling with the faucets and called "Manny the Plumber" who is really Quality Plumbing Solutions, LLC out of Leesport, PA. This happened once before when we were renting out our house to the Weegars and they highly recommended them.

What it was is something called a cartridge that has a flapper so when someone flushes a toilet or turns on another faucet somewhere the person in the shower doesn't get all scalded and red-looking. When the plumber said the word "Moen", Mom knew who to call. They have a life-time guarantee on all their parts. Good thing, too. That little cartridge costs $67.25. Not cheap but totally necessary. Moen is sending us the parts and they'll be here by Thursday.

Manny's brother George the Plumber fixed one of the tub/showers on the guest side of the house, and he'll come back on Friday and fix the one in our bathroom. He only had one cartridge with him and he was having problems getting the faucet off ours.

We sure love our house in the woods. It's so peaceful but it sure is expensive fixing all this stuff. If it's not one thing it's another. Still....gas here is average $3.85 a gallon, and we even saw one place that was having a sale at only $3.79 a gallon. And our cream cheese (8 oz) was $2.65, maybe a dollar or more less than it is in California.

Oh...and I found my rawhide chewy. YUM! Been playing with that for a couple of days now.

Love, Mary-Margaret

PS - Mom says I'm making her crazy just because I try to get comfortable at night and I keep digging at the sheets hoping to make the most everly perfect nest to settle into. Sheesh. Last night about 4:00AM...I guess that would make it this morning?....I even got yelled at. "You STOP that, Mary-Margaret!".....uh....sure, Mom. Whatever. And you don't fluff your pillow and squiggle down under the covers to get comfy? Hmmmmm? PPS - Ouch! Just got an estimate of our final bill. In my next life I want to be a plumber.

God bless Mr. Shaima!

My very good friend, Michael L. Shaima, Attorney at Law, passed on over to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He'd been pretty sick and every time we thought he was getting better he'd get sicker again. For the past couple of weeks he'd just been resting, and yesterday morning at 11:30AM he went to be with God.

He was a nice man and gave me tummy rubs. When I'd get off the elevator on the third floor of his building I new right where to go. I would run ahead of Mom and scratch at his door until she'd open it for me. Sometimes there would be some goodies in their "kitchen" and I'd get a treat. I'd always run into his inner office to say "hello" and give him loving if he was in a good mood. Otherwise, I just dash in and wink at him and run right back out again. We had a special relationship.

Mr. Shaima's wife, Mary, worked with him and took really good care of him, both at the office and at home. She was holding him as he passed on, and she's taking care of winding up his business and personal affairs. She's a warm, strong and loving person. Together they made a really good team.

Dear God, please look after my friend, Michael Shaima, and help him get settled in his forever home. I will come visit him in a few years so we can get back to our licks and cuddles. Until then, Lord, please also watch over Mary and their son, Tim, who is going away to college.

I will really miss him a whole lot.....and so will my mom.

Blessings, and love...

Mary-Margaret

Horking on a Kibble

"Hork hork hork aaaaack!" Blegh! Kibble down the wrong way. Had to hack it back up again. "HORK HORK HORK AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!" I hate that feeling.

Apparently my "associate" hates it, too. Next thing I hear is "We're going to the doctor!". What the heck? It's just a kibble. And a little allergy, maybe. Big deal. But I find out my everly most...er...one of my everly most....favorite doctors will be seeing me. It's Dr. Amy. My gosh, I've known her ever since I was a baby and she was a vet tech. Amazing what a few years will change.

Anyway, I am just fine. See? Just like I said....I was hacking up a stray kibble and maybe a little stuff from my allergy. We are told to get some "baby Benedryl". That doesn't sound too bad, does it?

OH MY STARS!! Mom is SUCH a nincompoop. Dr. Amy said 10 cc's but she did NOT say all at once. You know what happens when you give a pup 10 cc's of pink cherry syrup all at once? Hmmmmm??? Well, let me tell you that the kitchen counter, the walls, Mom and ME were covered in that stuff. I thought I was drowning. And then guess what goes down the wrong way? Yup!! Pink cherry syrup and I am coughing and spraying all over the place for the next hour. And my beautiful hair-do is now sticking straight out from my poor little body like a punker. I'm told I will get a bath in the morning.

Next time, I will eat my kibbles more slowly.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

PS - Isn't my Dr. Amy one of the prettiest veterinarians you ever saw? Mom says she looks like Princess Catherine, sort of. All I know is that she is really nice, gentle and gives me kisses. I forgive her for prescribing the Benedryl already.

Getting my Taxes Done

Here's me and my accountant, Doug MacRae. I just love him to pieces. I'm almost six and one half years old and I have never had to pay taxes yet. See how good he is? And he keeps a "cookie table" in his office. My personal favorites are the short breads. Mmmm-mmmm!!

Mostly he doesn't take appointments for the first two weeks in April. Mom was a little behind in setting things up. Then Marie (she does our payroll) asked if I was coming with Mom. Well....YEAH!! Of course I am, I said really loudly so Marie would hear. "Ok...we can get you in at 11:00 on Monday!", she said. When Doug saw me he said "Hello, Mary-Margaret!! How are you today?". Then Doug saw Mom and said "What are you doing here? I don't have appointments for these two weeks!". Mom explained that Marie said we could come if I came, too. "Oh!", he said. "Well, that's ok then!".

See how things are? Mom would be totally lost without me, I think. I have job security for as long as I want.

Love,

Mary-Margaret

Go for the Gophers!!

Dear Diary & Grandpa (for March 19, 2012) -

First thing this morning, I got all cleaned up and ready for work. Then I raced downstairs and out my personal door to say "Hello!" to my new neighbors, the Gopher family.



"Hallooooooooooooooo??? Anybody home???"



I think I heard someone say "Come in, Mary-Margaret!" Their door is a bit small, dontcha think? Maybe I can help out a bit here. Just a little wider......??



Uh oh! I'm in trouble here. The doorway isn't getting any wider and my friends aren't coming out. And worse ever......Mom's calling me inside so we can leave for the office.



I get picked up and held way far from Mom, who is wrinkling up her nose and saying "EEEEYEEEEW!!!! And "Yuck!". This is SOOOO not fair. OK...my bow is soggy, my face is covered in dirt crumbles and my feet are wet and muddy. I am SORRY! I tried to stay clean. Really, I did. But a pup's gotta do what a pup's gotta do!! I have a life, you know.



Compromise - I get a shower with the spray faucet, dried with a dish towel and my bow gets trashed.

Some people take all the fun out of my morning!!

Phooey!!

Love, Mary-Margaret

Gopher??

As Shimon Peres said on March 4, 2012 when he was worried about being invaded by Iranian gophers: "Peace is always our first option. But if we are forced to fight, trust me - We SHALL prevail."

Shalom!!

Mary-Margaret "The Gophernator" O'Brien

Always Alert - Ever Vigilant

Dear Grandpa...

Mom talked to Melissa yesterday. She'd really like to talk to you. She sent you a letter a while back and asked you some questions. She wants to know what you remember about growing up...about your childhood and your memories. You are the last of a generation and our family history is very important to her and to her boys.

Thanks to Mila we have a lot of information but Melissa would like to know about YOU.

Please write her back.

ALSO - about your phone - Verizon says that they will be more than happy to bill you for your own account, but you PERSONALLY have to go into a Verizon store OR call them. They have to get a whole bunch of really personal information from you before they'll give you an account. Mom says you are much better off getting a pre-paid cell phone like we said before. She even emailed both Mike and Greg and asked them if they could please help out. Maybe they could even add you to their family plan, but that's just one idea. If you get a pre-paid phone it will be a whole lot cheaper than if you go on a contract.

Love and kisses...

Mary-Margaret, your ever lovin' Grand Doggy

About Grandpa's Cell Phone & Gophers

Dear Grandpa - Mom posted this picture for you. I had my hair done on Friday and then I worked all afternoon. By 5:00PM I was really ready to go home and relax. It's been a very busy week at the office.

Also we're letting you know that our contract for your cell phone is up next week and we think you'd be better off buying a pre-paid phone . Mike or Greg can help you with that since they live right by you instead of 100 or more miles away. According to our carrier you haven't used it at all other than accidentally (like maybe when you sat on it) in the past 4 years.

If you want to check into a prepaid phone try CVS Pharmacy . It's only $19.99 which is less than we've been paying every month for you. I think you'll be a lot happier and Lord knows the money we'll save on this end can buy a lot of kibble AND treats AND maybe even some new clothes for me every month.

We hope you understand and that you know we love you VERY VERY much.

PS - There's a new family that's moved into MY yard. Sort of brown furry things. They have made a couple of little mounds of dirt on MY hill. There's a hole in the ground and I have taken up sentry duty. I sit there and stare ...and stare....all afternoon. So far they haven't come out to meet me. HOW RUDE, I ask? They are trespassing in MY yard and they don't even introduce themselves? Mom says their name is "GOPHER", and she says she's going to call the EX...EX....you know....like the Schwartzenegger movie...."TERMINATOR"!!!



She doesn't want them hurt, though. Just MOVED!! Like Matthew did to our groundhogs back East. Loaded them up and drove them 30 miles south to Berneville and turned them loose. Yup. That's what I want done with my gophers. Except maybe turn them loose on the reservation south of Temecula instead where they can live a nice comfy life in the wilderness.

Your devoted Grand Doggie....

Mary-Margaret

Lunch with AthenaMaria Dugmore

AthenaMaria is my very BEST FEMALE FRIEND FOREVER. That's BFFF if you're texting, but I don't have a cell phone or thumbs so I don't have to abbreviate. We went out to lunch with our moms to South Coast Winery on Saturday.

That's AthenaMaria on the left with the blue wrap in her hair. Her mom puts wraps on to keep her from getting all tangled up. When she takes the wraps out and brushes AthenaMaria's hair it's really pretty and long and curly at first. I wish I had long hair (sometimes, except for when I'm chasing cats or digging in the garden) so I could have Princess-curls, too. It's just not to be, though. That's not how God made me. I am sturdy like a brick with legs (my mom says), and I'm patient and friendly and kind and I love everyone. I just don't have long, flowing tresses is all.

Like the song Katie Cruel says (tweaked a bit): "Oh that I was who I would be, Then I would be who I am not, Here I am where I must be, Go where I would, I can not!"

Or, as Popeye says "I YAM WHAT I YAM WHAT I YAM!".

Love and kisses.....

Mary-Margaret

My Uncle Rudy

My most beloved "Uncle Rudy" left for the Rainbow Bridge on January 11, 2012. He was more than seven years old, and probably more than eleven. Colleen and her family adopted him in 2004, from a family that had adopted him a few years earlier. His first Christian name was "Frank". Then he was re-christened "Sunshine" when Allie and her family in Las Vegas adopted him. When Allie's family moved to Hawaii they opted not to have him go through quarantine and he became my mom's beloved Grand-Dog, renamed "Rudy".

He was a brave little fellow and faced life with the spirit of a fighter. When he was younger he was attacked by big dogs and lost one eye in the battle. Another time, Rudy was on a walk just minding his own business when a German Shepherd chomped down on his thigh, necessitating a visit to the doctor for a deep puncture wound.

As Rudy aged, the sight in his remaining eye faded. He had his house mapped perfectly in his mind, though. He would go to the patio door and wait to be let out; he navigated the frequent changes of furniture positions in his living room with ease, almost as if he were equipped with the equivalent of sonar.

When he became older and lost some teeth and it became difficult for him to chew, his best buddy "Jack the Cat" would actually chew up his kibble and then place it in Rudy's mouth just like the momma birds do with their hatchlings. His family said their good-byes to him over the past couple of days as it became obvious that his quality of life had diminished greatly and he was in pain.

He took his last trip to his favorite doctor yesterday morning where everyone there loved on him until it was time for him to leave.

God bless "Uncle Rudy"! And thank you, Rudy, for the years of love and pleasure you gave to us all.

We will always love and remember you.

Mary-Margaret

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.