Welcome (Almost) Home!

Groundy, Purrcy and Leroy are so excited for your return to the states!

We had a great time and loved looking at the facebook pictures to see what a great time you guys had.

We hope you have a safe and easy flight tomorrow and even though you'll be tired when you get home, G will have lots of kisses and sneezes for you.

Here is a review of our last six weeks:

Number of Days:45

Number of Hunted Presents from P:4 (including Green Bean)

Number of Bruster's Doggie Sundaes: 4 (including 2 homemade ones)

Number of Lulu and Groundy playdates: 7

Number of Collars for P: 3

Number of Pranks from Boo Hoo: 1

Number of Treats from Tammy: 6

Number of Cat/Trombone Fashion Shows: 1

Number of Scary Firework Nights: 3

We have had quite a terrific summer summer so far!

Thank you for letting me love your pets for you while you were away!

Love,
A

BREAKING NEWS!

What you can hardly see in this photo (camera phones do not a good picture take) is a robin's nest in the tree outside of J's bedroom window. I noticed it when G and Lu were playing. A mama robin was feeding at least two baby birds (you could only see the tippy tip of their tiny heads) and by the time I got back with my phone, she was gone. I will keep an eye out and try to get a better picture, but at the very least, it is something to look forward to when you get home!

Start thinking of some names!

Lulu's Last Day

Today is Lu's last full day here and I think she is really going to miss J's room. She loves all of the sunlight and new smells and funny stuffed animal shaped lumps under the quilt.

Remember when you thought she was going to get into J's t-shirt drawer? Well, she did. Here she is in this lovely green ensemble. I tried to tell her that it was a little too long in the sleeves, but she insisted that it was the perfect fit and then went slipping and tripping on by me.



Then........


Leroy thought he'd look much better in the t-shirt. So, I helped him try it on and I have to say, it's a pretty good fit! It looks extra nice with that soccer medal.

I left those two upstairs to fight over who looks better and went downstairs with G and P, also known as the "sane" ones.

Groundy just had her second bath and is showing off her lovely clean coat and Purrcy says that he wants nothing to do with these clothes and baths.

As for Lu's last day, I am going to give her a little bit of time with G later and then help her straighten out J's room a bit. She says that she wants to thank Juju for being such an excellent hostess and that she hopes J doesn't mind that she went snooping in the t-shirts. She just couldn't help herself!

Love,
A

Terrorfest 2011

What's that? You've never heard of Terrorfest 2011? No, it doesn't fall anywhere near Halloween. It's the new name for the Fourth of July...obviously.

We survived last night's "festivities" as you can see by the picture of G this morning, happy as can be!

Last night, shortly after I let P out for the evening to roam the neighborhood like the bravest animal in the universe (okay, maybe just the bravest one in the house) I embarked on the most pitiful evening there ever was.

I have no video to capture this because it was that pathetic. So, use your imaginations.

At around 7:30 I was going to go check out the fireworks, but first I thought I should go upstairs and check on Lu. Sure enough, she was under J's bed growling and crying. I shook the treat jar and got her to the edge of the bed where she cried and growled and ate a few treats.

Then the fireworks started...

G, whom I didn't realize had followed me upstairs, went crazy on J's door. I opened it to go downstairs, and instead, she came right in J's room, planted herself on the blue rug and commenced to shiver and pant.

I couldn't coax her out, and Lu didn't seem to mind at all, so I sat on J's bed and read my kindle. About twenty minutes in, as the fireworks were popping and fizzling quietly down the street, Groundy suddenly leapt onto the bed and pasted herself to my side, where she panted and shivered some more. Never one to be left out, Lulu jumped up and pasted herself to my other side, where she cried and growled some more. I swear that I couldn't make this stuff up.

Flanked by the warmest and most anxious animals in existence, I guess I fell asleep. Your parents called at 10 and left a message and I didn't even hear the phone ring!

I woke up around 3 and went to bed for real and both Lu and G were acting like nothing had happened.

In hindsight, this is very funny and I am glad that Lu and G get along so well, but I sincerely hope that there aren't too many leftover fireworks tonight.

Love,
A

Ps. How did you guys celebrate in the land of the redcoats?
Pps. Groundy got to see both your Grandma and Grandpa this morning and is the happiest dog in the world!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Look how happy Groundy is about it. That blur behind her head is her tail. (Also, I got her mid-yawn)

We hope you guys have a very nice day!

Love,
Groundy, Purrcy, Leroy and Lulu
(Also, Amanda)

Ps. I loved the punting pictures. Mostly because, even if I saw a demonstration, if someone were to hand me a paddle, I would always try to use it like I were paddling a canoe.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

We hope you guys are having your own special version of the holiday in Bath!

Last night there were no fireworks to terrify Miss G. Instead, we had a terrific thunderstorm that for a few minutes made us (me) nervously retreat to the basement. Here are G and P lying in the shadows and looking at each other like, "who is this neurotic lady who makes us hide from storms and when is our family coming home?"

And here are the beasts this morning. This is how they indicate to me that they want treats. Shortly after this photo I gave them each a treat and now they are being wacky and running all around the house.

You can be certain that there will be a special home made doggie sundae this evening and I will probably go check out the fireworks.


Purrcy is still exercising his freedom....from his collar.

Groundy is ready for this holiday to end already.

Lulu agrees.

Leroy thinks he can probably make louder noises than the fireworks.

Love
A

YAY AMERICA!

Pet Quiz

How does Groundy react to firework displays?

A: "Oooooooooh aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh" (like the people in the video)
B. She ignores them and goes to sleep
C. Sheer panic with her tail way down and worried/alert eyes





*If you answered "C" you are CORRECT!
(I would include a picture, but it is too sad)

I completely forgot how much this terrifies her. Unfortunately, the Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year and so she has a long weekend with fireworks every single night in her immediate future. Poor girl!

If I see any really cool displays, I will try get some video for people (like me) who like them. In the meantime I will give G some extra love to make up for the scary firework sounds.

By the way, answer "B" seems to apply to Purrcy, that brave little guy. Lu tends to react like G and plants herself under J's bed. Leroy thinks they are super cool. I get the sense that he likes loud noises very much.

Love
A

MISSING:

One blue collar with a shiny name tag attached

P came home this evening with a collar sized dent in the fur around his neck, but no collar in sight. I looked through your yard and a few neighboring yards with no luck. I think the great escape artist got his revenge for a week's worth of eye squishing and cherry flavored syrup.

Should I ground him until I get a replacement?

Look At How Far We've Come

Lulu and I have officially entered our final week here and I thought I would give you a video update and show you how far Lu and Groundy have come in their tolerance...dare I say "friendship"...with each other.

Groundy has been consistently sweet and patient and never tried to force her way into J's room. Lulu has been more hesitant and used to growl at the closed door while her dandruff flared.

Then they touched noses.

And now they seem like they could hang out. G clearly wants to get to know Lu better, unfortunately when she has company all she ever wants to do is eat (she's a "social" eater).

P has ignored her presence entirely and that's probably for the best. Though, I am a sure that when I move her home next Friday both G and P will have a lot of sniffing to do!

--------

On a more practical note, both G and P got their various flea and heart worm medicines again today, which means that every time P comes inside I have to harass him with some kind of medicine. He is still being totally sweet, but my guilt is rising.

Yesterday was my last evening of watering Jeff and Aline's plants and while they are BEAUTIFUL, I will not miss the mosquitoes one bit.

I am sure that I will have some stories about Marye and Lucinda Williams very soon. Marye (Pee Pee?) did have her first accident, but it was right next to the litter box, so I'm not sure it counts.

Love
A

PS. The Roald Dahl museum looks like the coolest place on the planet!