Day 5 (aka Doggy Love Connection)

Hi All,

Yesterday was a very good day for Miss G--I think she met her soul mate! My friend Sara brought Tucker down and it was love at first butt sniff. Despite the heat we went downtown. We stopped at Hyperion for some water (for the doggies) and iced tea (for the people) and then down to the river. We actually couldn't figure out how to get to the water, so we sat in the shade for a bit. Then we took a visit to Bruster's for some doggy sundaes and peach ice cream! It was a lovely afternoon...although, those dogs snarfed down the sundaes in no time and then spent almost twice as much time pushing the cups around trying to get every last drop. When we got back to the house both dogs were completely tuckered out (pun intended).

Purrcy, however, was not a fan. Tucker does not have good kitty manners like G. He ran right up to P and P had to teach him whose boss. There was a lot of hissing and spitting before we were able to separate them. P was relived when Tucker went home.

I had trouble getting any good pictures because both dogs were moving constantly, but Sara promises to bring him back for another visit.

In P's quest to be the most affectionate pet in this house he stayed in last night and "met" Lulu. Well, he smelled her from under the door anyway. Both cats were growling at each other from the crack under J's door, but they must have called a truce because it only lasted a little while.

Clearly this first week was full of fun! I hope you all are having fun and staying warm :)

Love,
A

Day 4

Happy (?) Memorial Day! Today we are well into the 90's but it will feel like 102....phew.

Well, as I predicted G was extremely excited to meet the various members of my family...in fact, excited might be the understatement of the year. She was particularly taken with my dad who, of course, doesn't like animals. He's not mean to them or anything, but prefers that they ignore him just as he ignores them. So, naturally, G went straight to him and put her sweet head on his lap and looked up at him with her big eyes whilst wagging her tail. She mostly ignored everyone else and showered him with affection. I can't say that he warmed to her, but he did pat her head a few times.

Speaking of affection, Purrcy LOVES me. I mean, I knew he was fond of me, but lately he's been spending more and more time inside and instead of napping on his perch, he snuggles on or next to my lap. I would be worried, but he is still eating a ton and going out from time to time. This also has the advantage of saving birds lives...if he's inside with me, he can't go hunting.

Lulu is still enjoying the comfort and privacy of J's room. She really loves all of the sunlight and has recently become a big fan of the bean bag chair! She's fully forgiven me for our time in the basement.

Finally, I had forgotten how much G snores! Leroy and I had a good laugh about it.

Time to get ready for our doggy date with Tucker...more soon...

Love
A

ps. If you hold a treat out for P you can get a great shot of his face. (okay, it's a little blurry, but it's hard to get a picture of him when he's not sleeping)

Day 3

Hi Again,

It is still pretty toasty in these parts, but we had a great storm last night that made for a nice and cool walk this morning for me and Groundhog (and also Purrcy who followed us for a bit).

I already told you about our basement adventures. Lulu still hasn't forgiven me and when I go to visit her she won't look at me. I think I will give her a break from the baby gate today and try and spoil her with treats.

We also had TWO visitors yesterday: Tammy and Claudia. G was equally thrilled by both, although I'm sure she enjoyed the pocket full of treats that Tammy had, more than Claudia's belly scratches. Also, Claudia offered to help me bathe G...so that's something I will be sure to get some pictures of.

Tonight my father, grandmother and sister are all coming down here to celebrate my dad's 50th birthday with a nice dinner, so tomorrow I will let you know how excited G was to meet them. I predict: very.

In other future news, my friend Sara is planning to come down on Monday with her dog, Tucker. We are setting up a fun doggy date to celebrate Memorial Day. Tucker is a gray terrier about G's size and just as friendly, so I am sure they are going to hit it off. I am thinking doggy sundaes, the park and maybe some naps in the sun.

Leroy was very brave during the storm. While the pets were either getting nervous or angry, he didn't even flinch.

Love,
Amanda

Ps. I attached a photo of Purrcy...he's been sleeping cozily all afternoon.

Day 2

Hi again,

You all left at the right time because today was blazing hot. It's been calling for storms, but there haven't been any yet.

Still no birds.

Purrcy was looking a little weary this afternoon so I gave him his own little bowl of water which he seems to enjoy.

Groundhog has had an exciting two days. Yesterday she "helped" me water the plants...and by "help," I mean tried to bite the water out of the hose. She was having such a good time that I let her play for a good while (making sure she didn't drink too much and leak later) and then put her inside so I could actually water the plants. The hair on her ears is still wonky from all of the water.

Later, I was trying to assemble the impossible to assemble castle...seriously you guys, that thing has me stumped...and I uncovered a red squeaky squid-like toy so G and I played several rounds of fetch!
Lulu is still a little edgy, but she found her new favorite spot: the top of the futon. If I am feeling adventurous tomorrow I may try the baby gate again. I will let you know how that goes.

Leroy is being a good sport about the heat.

I saw a few of those flying ants the first evening here, but those seem to have gone away! Yay!


Love
A

Day 1

Hello!

I hope you all made it to England safe and sound!

Almost immediately after you left I went to check on Lulu and she was snuggled up on J's bed, so apparently she doesn't need a step stool. However, when Groundhog and I are downstairs and Lu jumps off the bed it sounds like the BFG is stomping around.

Groundhog and I went for a good long walk last night and again this morning. I can tell that she misses you guys and whenever I sit on the couch she sits really close to me (if not on top of me). She slept on the bed by/on my feet all night long.

Purrcy hasn't caught any birds for me...yet. It's funny, when he cries to come in it is hard to tell whether it is Purrcy or Lu. They haven't met yet and I don't think that P even knows that Lu is here.

I put the baby gate in the doorway of the computer room and began what I will call "The Grand Experiment." Groundy sad sweetly by the gate wagging her tail and Lulu sat in the doorway to Julia's room growling. Then, Lu walked toward the gate, still growling, while G sat sweetly wagging her tail. Then, Lulu squealed and ran under the bed while G sat sweetly wagging her tail. Then, I took down the gate and closed the door.

Leroy is great! I think he's really glad that a piece of him got to go on the trip.

Here is G on this sunny morning.



More updates soon!

Love
A