Breakfast!

Based on the idea that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day....Here is our menu for breakfast this morning. Of course, I had to drag muzzer away from DWB chat, or it would've ended up being lunch!

Bananas Foster! (life is uncertain, eat dessert first)
Crepes Fitzgerald
Mimosas ( a cranberry version was available for those allergic to citrus.)
Beignets (oh my the house smelled wonderful!)

And eggs. Eight dozen of them got poached with all four burners going. You know, those airedales can pack it away! Course, they are three times bigger than me, but the real marvel at breakfast was Tanner! He managed to polish off a dozen and a half all by himself.

Once the poaching was finished, the eggies became Eggs Nouvelle Orleans, with lump crabmeat and a brandy cream sauce. For those dogs who are shellfish sensitive, muzzer made them with bacon that Sophie la Brador brought with her, and there was a vegemarian version too. Who would have guessed doggies would like crabmeat so well.

Well, we are off to the NFL Experience and THE GAME. WAIT TIL YOU GUYS SEE HOW LACIE IS DRESSED!!!!!! (I THOUGHT MUZZER WAS GONNA LOCK HER IN THE BATHROOM!)

KISSIES

GUS

Sentimental Journey

When we first mentioned that we had made arrangements for Aire Ruby to land at Falcon Field, we also posted some information about a dance that they were holding out there about a month and a half after the snooper bowl. The response was tremendous....so we decided to have our very own "Sentimental Journey" after our Saturday night dinner pawty.

Many of our lovely ladies and handsome gents decided to dress in the fashions appropriate to the era, and we all enjoyed getting a glimpse of the way our great-granddogs danced and enjoyed themselves. We had my Unca Steve bring the Big Band all the way down from Montana, and had Gpapaw and his lady friend come and give us lessons in the fox trot.
Here's a group photo from early in the evening. I wish we could get this bigger, but I am still working on it! From bottom left, the couples are: Penny and Peanut, Ruby and Mack, Stanley and Asta, Dory and Flash, Miss Snickers and Gussie, and Marvin and Lola. many thanks to Ami K. (Asta's Mommi) for the photos.

Muzzer's note: You can find some retro photos to play with at http://www.tekatoytoo.blogspot.com.

Come Saturday Morning

I'm Goin' Away with my friends

We'll Saturday Spend

Til the End of the Day

Just I and my friends,

We'll travel for miles on our Saturday Smiles

So We can remember,

Long after Saturday's Gone.

Thanks to Baby Stan's dad for the photo shop work, and to the Sandpipers for the lyrics.

One Heck of a Day!

It has been one busy day, but we have been having a marvelous time.

We left Joey and Tanner's place early in the afternoon and headed for this spa in Scottsdale. They really know how to pamper a pup there!

We signed up for the complete 4 hour treatment, starting with a facial masque and massage in the garden area. I must say, muzzer loves these masque things, even when she does them at home. I think I am missing something though! It take a lot of scrubbing to get this stuff out of my furrrrrs, and I feel like my face had had about a million zillion baths!! And we all pretty much know my feeling about that, right?

Then we went off and had mud baths. Butchy and Snickers took photos too, and they sent them to their Mama when we got home, so you can see some more spa pictures, including mud baths, on their blog , and I think Asta NY took some photos too, so you might want to check out her blog too! I luvved the mud bath. I think that is the purrfect spa treatment for doggies. And no one hardly hollers at you for gettin' muddy.

Then we went into separate rooms for our rose petal soak. Did you all know that Soak is just another word for BATH? Did muzzer put you all up to this? And now I smell like some kind of fufu flower. Fortunately, they didn't get a picture of ME being tortured, but here is one to give you an idea.

After relaxing and having our pawdicures, we all wrapped up in our terry cloth robes and had pawtinis before we headed out for the shopping mall. The spa had robes for everybody to use, but Butchy and Snickers Mama made them special ones, and theirs were really cute. Much cuter than the normal ones. To see them, go to their blog and say hi to their Mama, who is blogging without help this weekend.

We went right over to Fashion Square for a quick look. It is a pretty nice place, but we had to get special permission to go into some of the stores.

Of course, all the girl doggies wanted to go to this store..... and my was there some heavy hinting goin on! Us guy dogs just kind of sat there and watched them giggle, and then we all went to the tea room at Nordies and had a quick snack before coming home and running zoomies around the house and yard in preparation for our Mexican feast!

My friend Albert had Pawgaritas and Guacamole dip ready for us, and we talked and talked while he put the finishing touches on the albondigas soup. It is scrumptious...muzzer says it is very much like "Italian Wedding Soup" only a bit spicier and with different veggies.

Then the eating started in earnest...There were Napolitos, and Chicken Mole Verde, and lamb fajitas, and tacos, and rice and beans and 3 different kinds of tamales, and enchiladas and empanadas and oh my tummy!

There were so many different dishes that I lost count, and I was too busy eatin' to take pictures. But it was delish. Then we had more tamales, only sweet ones with fruit filling for dessert, and a spot of Kaluha to finish it off.

Some doggies are goin' off on an adventure. Some doggies are callin home on their cell phones, some doggies are waiting to use one of the 'puters to blog. This doggie is goin to bed

night night

gussie

Afternoon Delights

To all worried Hoomans:

It is about 4:00 pm Friday, and all dogs have arrived and departed for the spa, shopping and golf (tee time was 3:00 pm)

Ruby had a nap upon arrival, then all pups spent some time in the yard, before heading for Joey and Tanner's place for some rollicking fun.

That is the staging point for all afternoon trips, and then they will return here for a Mexican Feast. Our friend Albert has been cooking since early this morning...the man even made his own tortillas. Dinner will be sometime after 7:00, and I am truly hoping that they all want to go to bed early. Barring that, we have tickets to a late session at the "Bird's Nest" which is part of the FBR open celebrations in Scottsdale.

I hope they are working on who is sleeping where tonight while they are relaxing at the spa. The floor with a pillow is lookin' mighty fine to me right now.

We will have spa pictures later tonight, and will continue to blog through the weekend so you can keep up with your hounds and make sure they are enjoying themselves.

For those of you with an itch to have photos of your own to post, I have moved my snooper bowl horde to http://www.tekatoytoo.blogspot.com/ for you to pillage as you wish.

I think they are having a good time, and after all....how much trouble can a bunch of dogs get into in Scottsdale?

Barb
Air temperature is 59 degrees with bright sun, no clouds.

AM Arrivals

Greetings from Azrizona, where we have had one of the shortest nights on record.

Sam the intrepid arrived last night just after 11:30! He said the driving was OK, once he got past Oklahoma. He only had to resort to using the hover craft function a couple of times. Since the modified VW runs on Solar Power, fuel was a concern only because he had not seen much sun on the trip, and was concerned about having to switch over to an alternate fuel source.

We assured him that there is plenty of sun in Azrizona to restock the batteries!

Once we all got settled down again, it seemed like no time at all before Teka woke us all up by dropping the DEMON BALL on muzzer's head. There was no peace and quiet available after that, let me tell you.

So, all five of us went for Walkies. Dad got the girls, muzzer got the boys. It was OK, but we may have to resort to double or triple shifts on walkies when everyone gets here. Muzzer reports that her arms are now 1/2 inch longer than they were when she got up this morning.

And we only saw a couple of cats!

Dad made us all oatmeal to mix with our kibble for Breakers...I wanted eggies and baconables, but Dad is not a short order cook, and he reminded me that I am already "substantial" and should watch my intake this weekend.

About the middle of breakfast, we got a post from Aire Ruby, saying that she will be arriving at Falcon Field around 10:00 am this morning. We are marshalling all available transportation resources and will meet the flight.

Ruby has kindly posted Butchy and Snickers campaign poster on one side of Aire Ruby, and of course, The banner for Joey and Tadpole on the other!

Ruby says that she is quite weary, but holding up well. She will relax at the spa this afternoon, so that she can be ready for dinner and Pawgaritas tonight!

OH BOY....I thought this might not happen, but it looks like we are really gonna pawty this weekend.

Lots of the doggies (including Butchy and Snickers) have brought their digital cameras along, so they will be posting their own pictures on their blogs. We will post a blog list later this weekend so that you can see everydog's photos.

Kissies

Gus, Teka, Butchy, Snickers, Sam, muzzer and Dad.

pee-esss...We have a sign up list next to the laptop, and another one next to the BIG computer in the family room, so doggies can write home if they want to!

Busy Day!

Well, you all know that Butchy and Snickers arrived last night, and now we are waiting for Sam to make an appearance, but we think he may be heading for Joey and Tanner's place, because their tents are SO COOOOOL!

Sleeping last night in the Big Bed was fun, specially after muzzer got up and went into the guest bedroom for the rest of the night. Then Teka got us all up this morning, we did a bit of doggy stretching and set out on our walkies. That makes two doggies for Dad and two doggies for muzzer! Dad is now negotiating to say that whoever has Teka on the lead does not have to take another doggie. Muzzer says he is a wuss.

Then Muzzer and Dad left us at the house, and we watched some sappy movie that Snickers likes on Turner Classic Movie Channel, then switched over to the Animal Planet, and then when we knew Dad was due home, we put on PBS! That Clifford is the biggest Red Dog ever!


Then muzzer came home, and she brought the DEMON BALL!

How do I know it is a DEMON BALL you ask?

Well, when it moves, it blinks at you. Of course, no one has been able to play with it except Teka, but then, that seems appropriate, somehow.

So me and Butcho and Snickers got some of those yummy sweet potato snacks and they took their thyroid pills like the Mama told them too, and now we are helpin dad Philosphize.

Snickers is on his lap, I Gussie am draped across the back of the couch, and Butcho is on the arm of the couch. Teka, of course, is still playing with the DEMON BALL.

I hope she does not intend to bring it into the bedroom tonight.

Kissies
Gus!


pee-esss...we have been alerted to watch for Dory Labradory and the rest of the Aire Ruby passengers. Since they took off early this morning from Logan, I am kinda figuring they will pick up the European contingent first, and then head back over the pole to fetch Sophie, then swing down and make a few pick ups in the Midwest, then head west and South.

I expect we might see them as early as 2:00 am tomorrow morning, but realistically, I'm thinkin they will be here in time for lunch and then on to the spa or golfing.

We're ready for them.

gus

8:30 update

Whew....I was gettin' worried, but Butchy and Miss Snickers finally arrived here about half an hour ago. Seems they were delayed a bit because Butch insisted that they stop at Steak n Shake in Oklahoma City. Good thing they did, that is the last Steak n Shake on that route to Azrizona!

Butchy seems OK, but Miss Snickers said that she will NEVER go on an adventure with him again. She says that her (ahem) posterior region hurts so bad that she is not gonna sit again until it is time to go back to Iowa. Oh, and she says to ask Ruby if she can still use her return trip ticket? We will do that in a bit, but we wanted to get this posted so their mama can stop worriting.

They had some of my new kibble, it has herring in it and it smells scrumptious, then they each had a couple of my new sweet potato snacks (more about those later) They thanked muzzer for dinner, gave me kissies and went off to take a nap.

Think I will join them on the Big Bed soon. Oh yes, and we also heard that Sam is headed this way on the VW, so we are leaving the porch light on!

kissies to all, and special ones to Mama L.,

gussie

Update on Butchy Snickers

Well, we just had a call* from Aunt Re in St. Loulis. She said two little dogs came to Happy Town late last night and asked for her. The security guard called her down to the lobby, and she recognized them right away.

Yup...Butchy and Snickers were getting tired, and they decided to stop and say hello to Aunt Re, and "oh, by the way, can we spend the night?"

Well, Aunt Re thought that was a great idea, and so they all went up to her apartment and spent the night with her in her big bed. This morning, they had a great breakfast downstairs in the dining room, where they got lots of pats and pets from the residents, and ate some nice warm oatmeal, scrambled eggs and bacon, and two pieces of toast each before they climbed back on their pink chariot and headed for Azrizona.

Butchy said they decided to head straight south because the weather in their area was so bad! Despite that, and a late start, they are making good time! We expect to see them arrive here later tonight.

kissies

gus

* Well, she is 93, and she just remembered to call muzzer to tell her about the visitors. Cut her some slack guys.

ALERT!!! ALERT!!!!

We interrupt this Snooper Bowl Planning stuff for an important message.

Mama L. has reported that Butchy and Miss Snickers have left Janesille on a pink four wheeler, reportedly heading for Tempe, AZ and the Snooper Bowl Pawty!

There are several possible routes which they might choose to take. If you are in the Midwestern US, please be on the lookout for them, and report any sightings to their Mama or to me, Gussie. We are worried about them because they are having bad weather (again!) and the travel may be treacherous!

Oh My Oh My Oh My

pictures at 7:00 ('cause we are at the store and it is a dumb 'puter!)

Gussie

Hello: I'm Gussie's Muzzer, and I have approved this ad.

Help Wanted

Non-Techno Muzzer seeks volunteers to assist with virtual pawty pictures.

If you do the photo editing, we will do text, or you can provide. Posted entry can be on your blog or ours, with links to help the pawty-goers find their photos.

We have photos for Saturday Dance, Grand Canyon Tour, Airport Arrival and Transport and Sleeping arrangements at our house. We have “volunteers” already for Saturday Dinner, Cheerleaders and Scottsdale shopping.

Contact Muzzer at gusdaggerwft@gmail.com if you can help.

More happenin' Stuff!

Muzzer has asked that I do a brief outline of what we have planned so far for our Soooooper Bowl visitors.

Most of you will be arriving Friday afternoon, and we have planned an opportunity to play golf and relax around our house, until our friend Albert comes to fix dinner for us.

This weekend is also FBR weekend in the Valley of the Sun, and we have many golf courses. My G-papa is the only golfer in the family, so he will be your guide for a quick 9 holes at a local course. Please be sure to let Ruby know if you are planning to bring your clubs on board RubyAire, since they must be secured carefully to prevent damage.

For those who want to relax, we will be filling the dog pool and providing lounges and snacks during the afternoon and early evening. We will also have a dedicated nap space, for those who want to conserve energy for the first round of pawtying!


Saturday starts early for those who will be travelling to the Grand Canyon! We will head north through Flagstaff, stopping in Williams to see the Grand Canyon railroad! We have early reservations for the new observation walk on the south rim of the canyon, leaving in time for a late lunch in Flagstaff on the return trip.

For those who want to see more of the valley, Teka will conduct a shopping trip through Scottsdale, with stops at Gainey Ranch and the Waterfront. Lunch will be "on your own" at the food court at Fashion Square or one of many fine dining establishments in the area.

This is strictly a "bring your own plastic" outing, or you may windowshop if you prefer.

Miss Snickers and Asta are in charge of the doggy spa day at Fiore, also in Scottsdale. This is a great chance of all of us to relax and recharge in a very comfortable atmosphere. Dogs and Bitches are welcome on this outing, though there will be separate shower facilities, all treatment rooms and massage areas can be shared.

We all will end our day with a special catered event at Furio, one of the premier nightclubs in our fine metropolitan area. (and also one where we get a discount, cause E.Beth works for the management company!)

Furio serves fine wine and cocktails in an intimate lounge setting, and they will provide us with a special menu featuring many eatables. They are anxious to learn how to make Pawtinis and Pawgaritas, and have created a special drink for the occasion using WallyMelon.

Because so many doggies reacted enthusiastically to the idea of a Sentimental Journey dance, we have booked a fine swing band and they will play in our private ballroom.

Wow!!! I didn't know this was going to be so much work!
I hope our plans so far meet with your approval. Plans for Sunday later. Please let me know if you will want transportation to religous services at any time during our weekend.

More Soooooper Bowl stuff!

We are pleased to announce that Miss Asta K. (NY) has completed the Cheerleading Academy course in time to take charge of the cheerleading squad for the soooooper bowl game pawty!

Her intense training was not only physically demanding, but required great inter-species skills and tolerance. We feel that this will be extremely valuable in building a cheer team that embraces diversity and avoids favoritism. Cheerleaders will be cheering for good plays for BOTH teams, and to encourage BOTH teams to perform at their highest level in this impawtant contest.

Asta has agreed that cheerleaders may be from all breeds, sexes and species, and that they may select their own uniforms, with Asta and her Mommi maintaining veto power over uniform design.

If you are interested in being a pawty cheerleader, please contact Asta at http://astasworld.blogspot.com/ , she has a C-box where you can leave her a message.

More on our plans and schedule later today.

kissies
Gus

A mystery solved!

We got up this morning, and no one could figure out what was wrong with Teka! She did not want to get out of bed. She did not want to go for walkies. She just wanted to curl up in the warm spot muzzer left and sleep and sleep.

I, Gussie, was very worried about her.

She stayed at home while we went on walkies. That has NEVER happened.

It was still dark when we went out, and we couldn't see much. On the way back, we noticed that there was a little white car parked in front of our house. Dad said "must be some of those crazy friends of E.Beth's."

We went inside for breakfast, and we turned on the laptop to check my e-mail! I found out why Teka was sleepy when I read my pal Joe's blog.

It seems that Joe's brother Tanner (aka Doofus) and Teka went out last night for a little midnight snack. They must've stayed out later than the last bus back, because Tanner had to scratch around for alternate transportation. Read Joey's blog for the details, but anyway

In the spirit of cooperation, the two of them worked together to drive the golf cart back to our house. Then I guess Tanner must've hooked up with one of E.Beth's friends, because he got back home OK. I told muzzer, and she told Dad, and they went out to see if they could find a phone number to call for pick up, or at least let the owners know where they could find their golf cart.

Imagine their surprise as the walked out the door! The golf cart was being driven away by

this guy and his buddy! Muzzer looked at Dad and said "Well, there goes the neighborhood! Now we have to move." He just shook his head, which is a fairly common response.

Gussie

with thanks to Joe Stains, Tanner and their mom.

BOGUS!

Well, we went over to Sophie LaBrador's blog because lots of my friends have been having their humans take this test about what kind of doggie you are supposed to have.

So, muzzer is a bit of a skeptic, and it has taken some doing to convince her that she needs to check this thing out. But finally, after we got dad home, and after we got dinner over, and after she had some hot chocolate, she said, "OK Gussie, let's kill some time and take that quiz."

Let me first tell you friends, I am the PERFECT DOG FOR MY MUZZER!

I walk her, I make sure she doesn't eat too much, I keep her feet warm, I take care of customers at the store, I remind her to get my treats, I chase Teka away when she gets too pushy. In short, I am loyal, brave, honest and true, obey my muzzer at all times, and obey the Terrier Law!

Well, she took this quiz. And I figured, it would be some mix of terriers, terriers and terriers, because Muzzer has learned to love Bostons, Airedales, Welshies, Belingtons, Irish, Wires and even my friend Ralphie, who is a JRT! She is still working on Teka. Maybe even a Lab or a Newfie would be on her list. Maybe a Bernese Mountain Dog.

But NO.....Here is her list:

Number one dog for Muzzer.WHIPPETS!

Now I love the waggle , andd their servants seem nice enough.

But this is not the right dog for my muzzzer.

This dog is ELEGANT!

This dog is THIN!

This dog is SMART!

All these things make my muzzer feel inferior.

This is NOT the dog for muzzer

Number two dog.

ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS.

She had one of those. His name was Nigel

He went to the bridge, and she still misses him.

But she loves me BEST!

Number Three Dog

English Cocker Spaniel

Cute, but he probably drools almost as much as a Springer.

Numbere Four Dog

Field Spaniel

Are we in a rut here folks?

Number 5 Dog

Wheaten Terrier

Close, but no cigar

Now, this is where muzzer got mad at the quiz. She went down and clicked on the why ? button next to Fox Terrier. It said she should not have a fox terrier because she said she didn't want to run with the dog every day, and because she is over 60!

Age-ist

We rest our case, not a valid quiz. I know she is old. But lots of bloggie moms are almost as old! And she is real small, so she doesn't look that old. And she has it in her will that E.Rabbit gets the dog and E.Beth gets the dolls, so I would be taken care of and loved. I am not happy with that quiz, and now I think muzzer was smart for not going there earlier.

See, I told you I was the perfect dog for her.

Gussie

Greetings Pals:

I am just beginning to straighten out some of the details for our Super Super Bowl Party ....

For those of you who are counting...we have added the official University of Phoenix Stadium Countdown clock to the sidebar. Just a way to help you keep focused, and to let you know how long you have to pack your bags before Air Ruby comes to pick you up!

Speaking of our intrepid pilot, arrangements have been made for Ruby to land at Falcon

Field in Mesa, Arizona. Right after landing, our guests will be given a tour of the Museum at the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force facility at Falcon Field. For our guests from England, a special treat. This landing field has strong ties to the RAF, and was used as a training facility during WWII. Or as G-papa says "The Big One." The 81st AF division also has a lot of memorabilia housed there, as do a number of other USAF divisions. There are also a number of restored airplanes from that era, to view pictures, go to their web page.

Falcon Field is kind of fun, they even have a big, old fashioned tower. Ruby will be talking to a real person controlling the landing order and approach patterns, just like in the old days.

Unfortunately we will miss their big social event of the year, which is not being held until March 15. You are welcome to return for this dance, called

"Sentimental Journey" if you wish, we will be happy to have you stay with us again, and would love to see you all dressed up in the 1940's duds that the folks wear to these dances. Can you imagine Stanley in a snappy pilot uniform, complete with scarf, escorting lovely Asta in her snappy dance dress, a la Ginger Rogers? Or how about the whippet fellows as Fred Astaire? Anyway, you are all welcome to come back, but muzzer says "no organizing Gussie, it will be too much work."

We think you will enjoy this chance to stretch your legs before boarding your complimentary land transport. Joey and I will be doing the driving, we promise we will not let Teka or Doofus anywhere near the controls of these vehicles.

Joey and I are ready to do a "short" tour of the Eastern part of the Valley of the Sun on the way to your accomodations. Just be sure to let us know if you have a particular spot you don't want to miss.

Muzzer will be waiting at home with your welcome gifts, and she will have snacks on hand. These will have a southwestern flair, including pup chips and sloppy salsa, Dogaritas and the requisite hot Mexican food.

More later about dinner on Friday and plans for Saturday and Game day.

For those of you who prefer to make private arrangements and just join us for the pawties, we noticed that Expedia has some special rates available. Check this Expedia site for information.