I Am the Most Fortunate of Dogs!

I am spiffing up the Gussiemobile for a bri ef trip to New York City!

I will be spending New Year's Eve on the town with the bootiful Miss Asta and her Mommi and Daddi, and then flying via Aire Butcho across the big pee to visit with Eric the Square and a few of our other friends and to spend a day on the town in Lunnon.

You are welcome to join us for the trip across the pee, but you must make your own arrangements for New Year's Eve, because I am a most oldfashioned type of guy, I don't kiss and tell, so I certainly don't kiss with an audience.

Kisses to all of you, power of the paw to Jake and Fergi's grannmamma, and blessings to Benton, Brooke, Greg and the new puppy.

Gussie

A few of My Christ - uh - muss things

We left Richmond Monday, and drove through snow, sleet and dark of night, arriving in St. Loulis yesterday afternoon. We are finally catching up on blogs, and wanted to share a few of my most favorite fotos from Christmas at our house.

Photos of Teka that make her look scarey

Toys that think they're tuff make Christmas

quite merry

Same toy post Teka is not quite so hairy

More scarey photos this time of the tree

These are a few of our Christmassy things

Pie made of Lemons and Chocolate and Sugar

Yummy dessert and I wish I could have more

Pictures of me wearing my newest T-shirt

Showing my loyalty - it never can hurt

Teka so jealous she barks out her mad

Makes this a great Christmas that we just had

When the snow falls

And the trains creak

Eartha Kitteh plays

With all of her Christ uh Muss

Toys....all from me....

And it makes me glad.

Boxing Day! A Memorial Reprise

This is a total reprise, in honor of our Pal Wally, who now greets travellers at the Bridge.

With apologies to Edgrrr....Wally would've loved you if he had known ya!

December 26th is known as Boxing Day, but also as the Feast of St. Stephen. The English Carol, Good King Wencelas tells us the story of St. Wenceslas and his page.

We have taken liberties with the lyrics here to honor our pal Wally the Corgador, a saint among dogs and benevolent ruler of his pack.


Good King Wally, he looked out,
On the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Tho' the frost was cruel,
When a poor dog came in sight,
Gath'ring winter fuel.

"Hither, Ethel, stand by me,
If thou know'st it, telling,
Yonder canine, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"

"Sire, he lives a good league hence,
And his name is Oscar;
Right against the forest fence,
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh, and bring me bones,
Bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I will see him dine,
When we bear them thither. "

Walls and Ethel forth they went,
Forth they went together;
Thro' the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather.

"Wally it is getting dark,
And the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I fear to bark,
I can go no longer."

"Mark my footsteps, good my page;
Tread thou in them boldly:
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In her master's steps she trod,
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.

Therefore, all ye dogs, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.

This is also in honor of Wally's ma Ape, who does so much with the SPCA, for Khyra's mom and the Bumpass' mom and dad, for Mackie's Mom and Bussie's Mom and all the rescue volunteers. And special thanks to foster families who help doggies find their furever homes. Thank you very much.

buon' natale

We pause in the midst of our Italian Christmas feast, spanning two generations, two days, and at least two pounds, to offer our friends a Merry Christmas in Italian!

The hoomans are being good about sharing, so last night we had our share of the cod and one shrimp- each from the cioppino, and this morning we had a piece of pannetone made like French toast and decorated like Italian Flags although our pieces did not have quite enough of the red and green sugar sprinkles to suit my taste.

Tonite we have a pork roast that muzzer is stuffing with spinach and provolone, mashed Yukon potatoes with lots (and lots) of garlics, and a dish that has two of my favorites in it: Broccolini and Burratta cheese! mmmmm and Pine Nuts! And my sissie made this torte that has Meyer Lemon and dark chocolate layers. But we don't think we will get anything of that, except maybe the crust.

We hope you enjoyed the Italian Carols, and We will see you tomorrow with our favorite tune for Boxing Day.

kisses

Gussie and Teka

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Mango, now Dexter! now Aggie and Archie
On, Ozzie On, Square Dog! on Jake and Just Harry
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Here we Come.....

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wand'ring,
So fair to be seen.

(Chorus)

Love and joy come to you,
And to your fox terrier too,
And God bless you and send you a happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.


We are not doggy beggars
Who beg from door to door,
But we are neighbor's family pets
Whom you have seen before.

Chorus

God bless the Wire Fox terriers,
Likewise the smooth ones too;
And all the little Jack Russells
That o'er the table go.

chorus

We ask your blessings for our friends

Both near and far away

For those who take good care of us

So we're not called to stray

Chorus

For friends who've gone before us

To wait upon the Bridge

And all of us who miss them so

On this side of the ridge

Chorus

And when that wondrous time has come

That we're all well and free

Perhaps then we can sing this song

And Dance around the tree

Love and joy come to you

And to you good Wassail too

And Dog Bless you and send to you

A Happy New Year

And Dog send you a happy new year.

Christmas makes humans feel emotional

They go to parties parties or things devotional

Whatever happens or what may be,

Here is what Christmas time means to me:

City sidewalk, busy sidewalks

Dressed in holiday style.

In the air there's

A feeling of Christmas.

Doggies barking,

puppies yipping,

Meeting smile after smile,

And on every street corner you'll hear:

Silver bells, collar bells,

It's Christmas time in the city.

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,

Soon it will be Christmas day.

City street lights,

Have such nice posts,

With a newly wet sheen,

As the doggies rush home

On their leashes.

Hear the snow crunch,

See the pups munch,

This is Santa's big scene,

And above all this bustle you'll hear:

Silver bells, collar bells,

It's Christmas time in the city.

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,

Soon it will be Christmas day.

Asta lives there,

close to Times Square

And we’re welcome to stay

And her Mommi will help with the shopping

From the Midwest,

And the Southwest

Here comes Stan and Lacie

To find the right present at Macy’s

Gussie’s shopping

Without Stopping

For his sweet muzzer dear

And for all of his favorite Girl pups

Mango's looking for a special

gift for each of his gals

And a really tuff stuffie

For Stella

Koobie hopes that

Her pal Lenny

Sends a new DVD

One where he provides all of the music

Doggies careful

Of the Traffic

And the Newfs watching out

To make sure that the puppies cross safely

Huskies hoping

Huskies praying

For a whole lot of snow

So that they can pull sleds for their buddies

Darting this way

Darting that way

Lot’s of noise in the air

And above all the bustle you hear

Silver bells, collar bells

It’s Christmas time in the City

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

Soon it will be Christmas day.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,
lean your ear this way!
Don't you tell another dog
what I'm going to say:
Christmas Eve is coming soon;
now, you dear old man
Whisper what you'll bring to me;
tell me if you can.

Wirey dogs are oh so good,
when we're fast asleep
Down the chimney, broad and black,
with your pack you'll creep
All our stockings you will find
hanging in a row
Mine will be the shortest one,
you'll be sure to know

Ozzie wants a strong tug toy,
Scruffie wants a bone
Butchy wants big red ball,

One to call his own.

Now I think I'll leave to you
what to give the rest
Choose for me, dear Santa Claus;
you will know the best.


ps. cookies on the table in the living room
love gussie

A Breakthrough!

Well, we had a big breakthrough here today, so I will take a minute and tell you about it, then give you over to the big guy!

Me and Gussie have been reluctant to go out on walkies unless someone picks us up and carries us beyond the fence line. Ya know? This makes is difficult when there is one hooman doing walkies, like now, when Dad is off visiting Grandpa in Azrizona.

Every time we go out (5 or 6 times a day, cause I'm a diva) Muzzer puts us in the car, drives out of the driveway down the alley and around the corner, and we go walkabout.

Reverse on return.

But we have been working on WALKING out through the front gate! Muzzer has been bribing us. With treats. And today, we did it! And we came back through it to get in the front door! And muzzer was so happy, we got a slice of ham each.

Enough of my triumphs.

Here is gussie with his Carol.

Hi pals! This one is for my Dad, who will be on his way home tomorrow.

And for all our loved ones and yours who, for whatever reason, won't be with us on Christmas.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Today is my Grandpa's Birthday. He is 93 in Hooman years. I can't even count
that high in Dog Years!

And sometime between when I went to bed last night and when I got up this morning, Miss Lindy-Loo and Swede William had their babies. There are four of them, two boys and two girls. And word is that Willy is pretty proud of himself, but we think Miss Liny Loo deserves most of the credit!

And this is the song my muzzer was singing before I came to live with her:

I want a wire fox terrier for Christmas
Only a wire fox terrier will do
Don't want a pug, no tiny poodle toy
I want a wire fox terrier to play with and enjoy

I want a wire fox terrier for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning,

creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprisewhen I open up my eyes

to see a wire fox terrier standing there

I want a wire fox terrier for Christmas

Only a wire fox terrier will do
No dachshunds, no boxers or spaniels
only like wire fox terriers
And they will like me too

I can see me now on Christmas morning,creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprisewhen I open up my eyes to see a wire fox terrier standing there
I want a wire fox terrier for Christmas
Only a wire fox terrier will do

rockin'

Rocking around the Christmas tree,
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some Bones and stuff
And we'll do some caroling.

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Doggies barking " let's be jolly,
Deck the halls with boughs of holly. "

Rocking around the Christmas tree,
Have a happy holiday
Doggies are dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way.

Asta and Gus can jitterbug
In a great four legged way
Lacie and Mango disappear
For a while but nothing stops

Ruby and Mack have a grand old time
They are joined by Soph and Joe
Everyone knows that we write these rhymes
Never knowing who will show.

Mayzie and her Brudder
lead a big long line of dogs
Teka helps them get outside
where they all can hunt some frogs

Nobody cares what time it is
But the youngsters fall asleep.
Time to dim the tree lights low
And our promises to keep

We all get a sentimental feeling when we hear
Doggies barking "let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly."

Rocking around the Christmas tree
May our friendship never stop
Everyone dancing merrily at the DWB sock hop.

carol of the year!

I consider myself to be a lover of great Christmas Carols.

But did you know that there was a gentleman who picked a semi-official "carol of the year" for 25 years? His name was William Studwell, and he died this past August, but not before researching and picking his final official Carol.

We are including two links to stories about him. The first is from NPR (yeah. like you couldn't guess, right?) and the second is from the Chicago Tribune .

So, the carol of the year for 2010 is (drumroll please Teka!)

We Wish you a Merry Christmas.

(OK, stop the drums already!)

It is truly difficult to improve on this song, so we give you:

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We Wish you a Merry Christmas
We Wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Good Tidings to you,

Where ever You are

Glad Tidings for Christmas

And a Happy New Year.

Milk Bones

We aree posting early today because we are (maybe) going on an adventure!

One of Muzzer and Dad's favoritest groups are singing (we hope) in Ashland, VA tonight.

They are called :

Robin and Linda Williams and their fine band.

And they have been on lots of shows, like A Prairie Home Companion, and last year they were in Mayemphis at the Center for Southern Folklore and Robin and Linda are just about right for old folkies (NOT Fogies!) like my hoomans.

So, we are hoping they can make it to Ashland in time for the show, and we hope Dad decides it is OK to drive, 'cause we are havin' a SNOW STORM! here.

But we wanted to share a couple of their songs with you (here is the carol part!) and because they are a little obscure, here is where you can hear part of the first one, so you can have the melody if you want to sing along!

And here is MY Version......

SHOT GUN SHELLS ON A CHRISTMAS TREE
by Linda Williams

as interpreted by Gussie

Thinking back on my best Christmas day
I see Lexington Virginia and a small place tucked away
And my brand new family was gathering there
And I was doing quite well going up and down the stairs.


Chorus: We hung milk bones high
On a little tiny tree
Pink and green and ones that looked like me
They still decorate my memories
Milk bones hung on the Christmas tree

We were livin very simple but we were warm and full

Had spaghetti for supper and taffy to pull
And there, high above the Lexington lights
Was lots of love to share on the cold winter night

Chorus

That little bitty place was a haven for me

And I knew I was right where I wanted to be

And folks from all over the world gathered there

'Cause I plenty of wirey love enough to share

Chorus

Milk Bones Hung on a little Christmas tree
Milk Bones Hung on a little Christmas tree

And then, it seems like maybe we should share another of their songs that was written about a Virginia Snowstorm a few years ago.

We hope you are warm and dry, and have paws crossed for Lorenza.

And we hope we get to go to Ashland tonight, 'cause otherwise, Muzzer will not be happy.

And when Muzzer is not happy...........

A personal favorite!

Teka Reprises "I'm Getting nuthin for Christmas!"

I broke my bat on Gussie's head;

Somebody snitched on me.

I hid a frog in muzzer’s bed;

Somebody snitched on me.

I made fresh pee on Daddy’s rug;

I made Gussie eat a bug;

Ate some gum and a little slug;

Somebody snitched on me.

Oh, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas

Muzzer and Daddy are mad.

I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas

'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.

I put a tack on E.beth’s chair

somebody snitched on me.

I did a dance on Noni’s plants

climbed a tree and ate my pants

Dumped the sugar bowl and then

somebody snitched on me.

So, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas

Muzzer and Daddy are mad.

I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas

'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.

I won't be seeing Santa Claus;

Somebody snitched on me.

He won't come visit me because

Somebody snitched on me.

Next year I'll be going straight;

Next year I'll be good, just wait

I'd start now, but it's too late;

Somebody snitched on me.

So you better be good whatever you do'

Cause if you're bad, I'm warning you,

You'll get nuttin' for Christmas too

I'm Gonna Snitch on you!

Floof!

You know Thunder and Phantom, Ciara and Turbo,

Mischa and Meeska and Shiloh and Shelby.,

But do you recall

The most famous sled dog of all?

Khyra the floof tailed sled dog

Had a very floofy tail,

And if you ever saw it,

You might even say it sailed!

All of the other sled dogs

Used to laugh and call her names;

They never let poor Khyra

Join in any sled dog games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,

Santa came to say:

"Khyra with your floof so bright,

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?""

Then how the sled dogs loved her

As they shouted out with glee,

"Khyra the floof tailed sled dog

You'll go down in history."

Santa Baby (adapted for Miss Eartha Kitteh)

Santa baby, just slip some catnip under the tree,
for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight


Santa honey, a '54 convertible too,
light blue
I'll wait up for you
dear Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight


Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the tom cats that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you'd check off my Christmas list


Meow, Meow Meow.....Santa baby,
I wanna cat toy that's really hot
Feathers on it...
Been an angel all year
Santa baby,
so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa honey, one thing that I really do need, the deed
To a scratch pad that's fine, all mine
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie please bring along a condo, for cats,
Sign your 'X' on the line
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight


Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me

Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow
Santa baby, I forgot to mention one thing, a ring
I don't mean on a phone
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry ... tonight

IT SNOWED

In honor of our first viable Richmond snowfall, we reprise:



Dog Tags Ring
Are you listenin'?
In the dark, noses glisten
It's Snowy and Bright
A doggie delight
Walking in our winter wonderland

See the trees, they're a great spot
Just to pee, in a straight shot
Watch out for the rocks, or wires that may shock
Walking in our winter wonderland

Asta Says she wants to build a snow dog
Khyra says she'll help us with the floof
Butcho brought his plane filled up with treaties
Including lights he dropped upon our roof!

Rem-ing-ton,
brought some more snow
From the land,
where the lakes grow
It'll make the snow dog don't ya know?

Down the block, there's a grade school
Stuff thrown out can be real cool
There's hamburger buns, and chewy green gum
Walking in our winter wonderland.

On the way home we will pass the poodles
Stir them up and leave them, ain't life grand
The neighbors will know, we'd love it to snow
Walkin in a winter wonderland.

Me and Teka like to go out walking,
Mom and Dad they kind of trail along
And all of us love, our sweaters and gloves
Walking in our winter wonderland




gussie

Too Good NOT to share!

see more dog and puppy pictures

DrrrrrrumRolllllll Plllllease!

Tadadadada.....

The grand count of replies through midnight yesterday is.......................

131! :)

That is less than we had hoped for, so later today we will use PayPal to make our donations to Fox Terrier Rescue (100) PetFinder (100) and a charitable effort to be un-named.

Because we will make the donation in honor of whoever guesses right first.

OK?

kisses

Gussie

Gotcha Day!

Well, five years ago I met my hoomans for the first time. And with all the worrying I did, I feel now that it all turned out for the best.

When the big Hooman (dad) and the little hooman (muzzer) walked into my Foster Mom's house, I didn't know what to think. They don't look like they match at all, and I was a bit worried about discord in the family, since I had heard stories about doggies who cam from Broken Homes!

But, they seemed pleasant enough, so when they sat down in the family room, I gave them some pretty good sniffs. The Tall Hooman just smelled kinda like soap, and maybe some maple syrup from breakfast . The the short, squat little hooman smelled like Philly Cheese Steak! Love at first sniff! I figured anyone who smelled like that was OK by me!

So we visited a while, and they asked about my temperament, and about what I liked to eat, and they asked if I liked to go for walkies? So, that started an uproar, and all four dogs and three hoomans went for walkies on their street. And I was very careful and walked nicely and only peed, but didn't poop, hoping that would get me on their good side.

And then we went back to the house and sat in the kitchen for a while, and the small hooman let me sit on her lap and lick her face, while the tall hooman signed some papers and didn't say much.

And then....we loaded my crate and my bowls and a chewie and me into the back of the very first Gussiemobile ever and we drove to Lexington, Va where we spent the next six and a half months.

Since then, we have lived in Azrizona, spent the summer in Santa Fe, came back to Azrizona where Teka came to live with us and Travis came to visit, spent the summer in St. Loulis, visited my bootiful Miss Snickers and Mama Lamb and Butcho and Daddy Lamb, went back to Azrizona, moved to Mayemphis, went to St. Loulis lots of times and then moved to Richmond, with a couple of weeks in St. Loulis along the way!

Here are some pictures of my first few days with my hoomans.... I quickly established my right to be on the Big Bed, my Sissie E.Rabbitt came to visit almost as soon as we got there, and I found out that the small hooman (aka Muzzer) cooks and the big hooman (Dad) plays lots of silly instruments. So far, it has been grand. Think I will hang around a while.

Y'all have till Midnight tomorrow to

post your comments, then we will tally up the damage and report to you on Tuesday.

Oh, and my friend Peanut has asked if s

ome of us would send Christmas cards to his Dad, who is spending his Christmas with his Army unit in Afghanistan. If you leave a comment with your e-mail addy, Peanut's Mom will email you with the APO address.

Think that is all for now.

Dec 4, 2005

From Gussie's diary

Today I had a bath and brush, then I just sat and cuddled with my wonderful Foster Mom.

Tomorrow those old folks come. I wonder if they will smell funny. I haven't spent much time with old folks, ya know. I am just barely past puppyhood.

Gussie

Dec. 3, 2005

from Gussie's Diary:

Not much to report today. Played in the yard with the dogs who live here. Spent a lot of time thinking about the family that might adopt me.

Talked to my foster mom at length about them. They are an "older" couple, and they have lived with terriers before, but their last doggie was an English Springer Spaniel.

I'm a bit worried about whether they can keep up with a young terrier, pawticularly because I understand that they are living in a small apartment with no yard, and it will have to be walkies on a lead almost all the time.

My foster Mom said wait and see. She also told me that they have a house in a place called Arizona, where it is almost always warm and sunny. That house has almost a half an acre for a play yard.

I will keep an open mind about this.

Gus

Where were we?

Oh yes, I remember .... I was in Merryland, Dad was in Virginia, and Muzzer is in St. Loulis.

I remember very fondly the days I spent with my foster Mom. She had wires of her own, and one little black dog who barked with a funny accent. He said he was a Scotch something or other, I think.

Anyway...even while in Phoenix and St. Loulis, Muzzer was calling and talking to the folks at rescue, and they were calling and talking to her. And the upshot was that she managed to talk them into holding me in Merry Land until she could get back to Virginia, and she and D

ad would come and pick me up.

Here is my picture from Petfinder. How could she reisist?

Happy Channuka

We're switching gears here, but muzzer said we could not post the Driedel song again for Channukah, so here is her favorite.

So, where were you five years ago?

Hmmmmmm.....

I remember where I was.

I was with my wonderful FosterMom somewhere in Merry Land.

My first hoomans had decided that two dogs in their house with their schedule was one too many, and, well.......they decided to keep the newer dog, who was a Italian Greyhound.

But I was lucky even then, because they cared enough to call Fox Terrier Rescue and the nice folks there put my picture on PetFinder.com.

My muzzer and Dad were spending his sabbatical year in Lexington, VA. They were 'sposed to be in New Orleans, but hurricane Katrina drove them out. The fine folks at Washington and Lee were kind enough to offer to foster my dad and some of the other scholars from Tulane, so that is where they went.

Lexington is a little (tiny) town, with about 7000 people living there.

Muzzer did not have a dog along, because Nigel, her ESS died in June, and she had agreed with dad that maybe they should wait until they got back to Tempe before they got a dog. Muzzer had made her list of places to eat and things to see in New Orleans, and she figgered she would be busy.

But Lexington....well, she volunteered at the Habitat store, and she walked dogs and dog sat when people would let her, but she was really lonely. So she started looking at doggies in the Rockbridge shelter, but they were mostly coon hounds and walking hounds, which are great dogs, but they prolly weren't inteneded to live in apartments, right?

And the ESS rescue people felt the same way....and Dad said NO to rescuing a Bernese Mountain Dog, something about the puppy being larger than muzzer, which is sizeism if I ever heard of it. (shhhhhh...I'm kind of glad he said no to the last one)

Anyway, muzzer had a wirey terrier when she was just a little girl, and she still loved us. So she started looking at Wire Fox Terriers on Pet Smart, and filled out the information sheets for the WFT rescue guys, and they contacted our vet in Tempe, and our pastor and our neighbors and.......well, they did a good job checking muzzer and dad out. And they finally said...."welllllllll, maybe if we get a really mellow wirey fellow we will give you a call."

And so, muzzer waited and waited and she saw my picture on PetFinder and she called and said "that one, I want that one!"

But they said, "no, there is another lonely lady ahead of you."

So muzzer went off to Phoenix to see her oncologist and off to St. Loulis to see Aunt Marie and Uncle Ray.

to be continued.......

OKAY! A comment on this post will count.

Remember...a comment here OR a comment on Facebook OR a note to my gmail address gets a green papaer in the pot.

kisses
gussie

oh, and if you have already left a comment DATED TODAY it will count too.....hey E.Rabbittttttt.....Sissies can play.

gus

Coming soon to this blog.

OK guys, I thought I would give you fair warning.

On the fifth of December, I will have been with Muzzer and Dad for FIVE YEARS!

And they have been wonderful, and fun, and marvelous. The years. The pawrents are a bit boring, ya know?

So muzzer asked what I wanted for my gotcha day. And I said "Peace on earth, a job for George, more time with Aunt Re, and Teka disappears."

So we decided that she could work on those things long term, but in the short term, I get a trip to Petsmart BY MYSELF, Without TEKA and for the first five days in December, for everydog or dog fambly that comments on my blog or on Facebook OR drops me a line at GUSDAGGERWFT at GMAIL dot com Muzzer will put one green paper in the pot, and at the end, we will send 1/2 to Fox Terrier Rescue and 1/2 to Petfinder.com. Peoples who want to make muzzer cry can do one of those every day for five days. I think that is it.

You can tell friends and families, and all of you are invited to my Gotcha Day Pawty at the Jefferson Hotel in Downtown Richmond on December 5th. But don't tell muzzer. I want the bill to be a sooprize!

kisses

gussie

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends

Me and Teka

are thankful

for Pawrents

Sissies

Friends

(fur and otherwise)

and lots of other

things, like:

sleeping in the big bed

muzzer being a messy cook

dad having a big lap

lots and lots of walkies

our blog

our dog bed

our couches

our chairs

our table,

from whence falleth

many giftes.

We will be in Merry Land

tomorrow, so we are posting

this early, and wishing

the whole world a wonderful

day of ThanksGiving.

Gussie n Teka

You call this NORMAL!

Boy oh boy...we spoke too soon!

We no sooner got the muzzer back from St. Loulis, but the Dad person left us here to take care of the muzzer person, saying that he had to go to a conference!

(that is the Dad person on the far right of the photo. He is the one in the striped shirt!)

Anyway, he went off to some place called Dart Mouth.

Me and Teka think that sounds rather uncomfortable, but hey..you can see that it does not look like too bad a place, huh?

But our routine, which me and Teka cherish, has been greatly altered.

Well, we still get up in the morning at Oh Dark Thirty (that's what muzzer says.) And go for walkies.

Usually we bound down the stairs, wait for the hoomans to get coats, boots, and stuff on, and then go out the side door, across the deck, and out the driveway. There, Dad picks me up, and muzzer picks up Teka, and we cross the invisible fence line.

Well...without the Dad here, we have to get in the car, open the gate, drive to the street, park the car, and only then can we take walkies! Now, I am a seven year old dog (and I will soon be eight!) and my bladder is not too happy about this. Teka is pissed too.

This goes on EVERY TIME either one of us wants to go walkies. About five times a day, at an estimate. And all because Muzzer cannot do like Dad does and pick up both up at one time to carry us across the fence line. Sheesh. We are putting her on a weight lifting program, but her arms may still be too short, ya think?

So, I won't do my doggie duty in the yard, because I don't like it, and muzzer can't carry us both at the same time, and neither of us can be left behind while the other one is walked, because we get frustrated and tear things up.

So, our last walkie of the day is ten o'clock. Pee Emmm...that is usually Dad's quality time with us, because of the fact that muzzer is almost always asleep at that time.

But last night, we did the "getinthecar,openthegate,back out the car,park on the streetandgoforwalkiesthing for the last time a little after ten peemmm.

And the muzzer, who is most famous for being a clutz, managed somehow to fall down on the sidewalk or trip on a leash or something and skinned her hands and her knees and taught me and teka about fourbilliontrillion new HBO words.

But she is doing OK, except for grumbling about dogs and stairs, so we will see if we can do our thing seven or eight more times without further incident and then pick Dad up at the airport (if she can find it again) and all will be "normal" again.

I am a little bit worried that Dad will blame me for not taking care of her, but hey....what's a doggie to do.

Hoomans.

Sometimes I worry about them.

Gussie

normalcy

This is a photo of Mary Munford

You might wonder what that has to do with Normalcy

Well, our muzzer is back from St. Loulis

And one of the things we did today

was to go for our usual walkies

at a school named after this lady.

It is a nice school in a nice neighborhood

People who are selling their homes will often

list them as "close to Mary Munford"

We like to walk there right around noon.

That way we get to see the kids when they

come out for recess! Sometimes they

bring leftovers. Parts of a sandwich or

some chips or pretzels. Apple cores (my most

favorite, next to cookies) You know...kid stuff.

And some of the kids just don't quite make that hook

Shot into the trash can! Can you imagine that?

Of course, me and Teka are on the alert, and we try to

sneak over and grab the treasure before muzzer sees it!

We are not successful very often. Muzzers are quite vigilant, ya know?

Anyway...the other reason we like this walkie is that

there are lots of trees, and we have found that in Virginia,

where there are lots of trees, then there are lots of sqrrrrrrls.

And today, the sqrrrrrls were out in force. They had been lulled

into a false sense of security because me and Teka had not been there

since muzzer left town last Friday. So those bold sqrrrllls were

having a confab on the grass. We broke that up quickly.

We have convinced muzzer that we must resume daily

walkies at Mary Munford School to protect the boys

and girls from the squrrrrllls!

Update on the Moment in Time

Whew...just a brief post! We got Dad to help us light our candles, and we didn't even burn down the house. We called muzzer so she could be with us, and me and Dad were happy to hear her voice.

Then Teka did her howling act, and all the neighbors came out to join us!

It was wonderful.

Kisses
Gussie

Worldwide Moment coming:

OK, this is easy. We did this last year with good results!Join us in a moment of togetherness.Light a Candle, close your eyesand think of all the love we haveto share with hoomans and furfriends.
Then open your eyes and pass it alongby barking, yipping, howling or just giving your hoomans a kiss.
We'll be directing ours toward Muzzer in St. Loulis, our friends whoneed our prayers, and anyone or any dog/cat/bird, etc. in need of our support.
Join us. Like we said, it is easy!
gussie and tekain solidarity.

My Sissie E.Rabbit Sent this article

From the London Telegraph!

Pedigree Chum it certainly isn't

A new restaurant has opened catering just for pampered pooches. Rose Prince and her cocker spaniel Billy review a real dog's dinner.

Billy and I entered the restaurant yesterday lunchtime, wet and dishevelled after walking across the park in the rain. The smell of slow cooked lamb hot pot hovers invitingly in the air. 'Yum,’ I think, hungrily. Billy, meanwhile, begins to salivate, panting quietly to himself.

Perhaps I should explain. Billy is my dog - a delightful Working Cocker. And we are attending the first restaurant designed just for dogs. Chef patron Henrietta Morrison of Lily’s Kitchen Dogs Diner, knows her clientele. As we enter, she gives Billy a thorough rubdown with a towel until his golden curls bounce back into shape and before Billy could even beg he was offered a complimentary free range beef tendon for being the diner’s first customer – a chewable grissini that he protectively clamps between his teeth. Billy is normally fed on my home-cooked leftovers. I wonder how he will cope with Morrison’s cooking.

Morrison was inspired by Lily, her laid back Border Terrier, and her natural pet-food company is two years old natural pet food company. Lily too is a greeter - and stands quietly near the entrance welcoming customers. She takes Billy’s traditional, un-gentlemanly dog greeting - a healthy sniff to her derriere - in her stride. She’ll have to get accustomed to this – for her diner is sure to be a hot ticket.

Read the rest of this story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/pets/8120719/Pedigree-Chum-it-certainly-isnt.html