Adventures of Anna the GSD

Zombie Kitty Attack

2011-12-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

It happened. The kitties got hopped up on nip and did the unthinkable...it was nice and quiet, we were all asleep in bed and then it happend. The best way to explain it is with my artist renditioning skillz....prepare yourself...

Yes, I saved my peoples by leaping onto the bed (and possibly landing on their kidneys and spleens) and chasing off the crack-head, hopped up kitty. Duncan kept the front of the bed secure in his comfy dog bed. It was every man for himself, but we prevailed.

Mom woke up to Simon sleeping by her this morning, he claims he blacked out and doesn't know what happened...but the nip-mouse on the floor by the bed is all the evidence we need...

I guess this is my last post of 2011! I hope you all have a happy and safe new years! Don't drink too much champagne and keep the kitties away from the nip!!

Santa Roo Claus--Breaking Customs

2011-12-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

Well, when we finally arrived home on Christmas Day, there was a package JUST FOR ME (well, not really)!! Mom's GSD message board peeps had a secret Santa exchange and my gift came from DOWN UNDER aka Australlia and my long-distance pen pall Miss Molly Moo (not a kangaroo, but a GSD too!) ! I guess this proves that Santa does deliver all over the world!

Simon and I checked out the package...I could tell my GSD brothers and sisters had sniffed it in customs so it must be legit! But Simon seemed VERY interested in it. Eh, stupid kitty, this is for me!

Whoo hoo! I TORE into my presents! Christmas rocks just for being able to tear apart paper and not get in trouble...

A FOOTBALL!! Wait, do they have football in Austraillia? Isn't it called socker?

And a stuffed dog and another ball all kinds of goodies!! But then something happened....

There was a package for the kitties!! But this wasn't any normal package...we did some sniffing work...

Oh, it's just a mouse! Whew...wait....last time the kitties had "just a mouse" it turned into a scary kitty Charlie Sheen type event...

Oh no!! Nip made it into our house again!! How did this EVER make it through customs!?! Don't they know how deadly this stuff can be! It turns kitties into evil crazy zombies!!

I tried to confiscate it from Mia, but alas, she also fell victim to the WKD (weapon of kitty destruktion)

As the kitties ran around like idiots, I ran to mom for comfort...and to throw my new squeaky toy in her face! Christmas rocks!

A Christmas Surrprise

2011-12-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I hope you had a super duper holiday! Ours was pretty good...and eventful! We left Friday for Granny and Paw Paw's and I was like "SCORE! Time to play with cousin Rebel!!"

But when we entered the house something was off....I detected something...something small and fluffy...

O....M....G!!!!!

Yep, Cousin Rebel got a little sister!! Her name is Dixie (I think granny has this whole Gone with the Wind theme going...). At first we were like "Wha?!?!" and Duncan was all "Oh @#$^" but then, we were captivated by the power of cuteness...be prepared, I warn you:

I admit, even I had my doubts....(yes, that's a bit of stink eye below)

But then I realized I could form her into my NEW Minion!! I'll have an army of Sheltie minions!!!

Then Rebel and I remembered there was something much more important to take care of.....

PRESENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stared off slow.....then I got a whiff of that tape and paper and bows and next thing I know....

I went into a present opening FURRY!!!

In my present-induced state I even went after the paper mom put away!! It was MADNESS!!!

Nothing was left but to collapse with my new grunting piggy!! But there's more tomorrow, when I show you what I got from the Santa Down Under!!!

Occupy Couch--Senior Style

2011-12-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I posted about how Alley, the kitty, had emerged and begun an Occupy Couch movement . Don't worry, that is over, she didn't have the moxi to carry it on for long. But the other night, while mom was watching TV, a NEW Occupy Couch movement took off before our very eyes--a senior one.

Duncan is funny. He's all "Ohh...ouch, I'm old and arthritic! Pitty me! Give me noms! It's all I have to live for blah blah blah..." If mom and dad try to get him on the couch when they're there, he lifts one little paw and is all "Ohhh..ouch...can't make it....bad knees you know....ow....noms?" But an amazing thing happens whenever mom and dad leave home...he hops his jolly old butt up on the loveseat, stretches out and begins to snore.

Then when mom and dad get home, he hops down and stands there like "Ohhh...ouch....I've been laying on this floor all uncomfortable and old, must have noms blah blah blah..." but mom and dad don't buy it, they've caught him on the loveseat and realize there's always a mysterious "warm spot" that is quite Duncan sized on the couch...

So imagine mom's suprise when she was sitting on the couch talking to dad on the phone and I was happy puppy land nomming my bully stick on the floor when Dunc jumped his big ol' butt up on the loveseat...IN FRONT OF US ALL!! Mom was like "holy crap!", I was like "Whaaa?" and dropped my bully stick, Simon was all like "Hmmph, I 'm a kitty so I just sleep through stuff."

Funny thing is, Dunc just refused to look at mom. As if by not acknowledging her presence she wasn't here and wouldn't know he was snoring on the loveseat! Mom was like whatever, took a bath and when she got out he'd gone back to his uber-comfy orthopedic dog bed, like nothing had ever happened.

I have to admit, I'm quite impressed...

Request and Epic FAIL Christmas Photos

2011-12-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

First off, I ask all of you to pray for our friend Reilly who is having a biopsy on a nasty bumpy on his leg this morning. Please keep paws crossed and zoom good thoughts to him, his mom and dad and his little brother!!

In other news, the Christmas tree is up, mom watches all these feel good fa-la-la-la-la movies and she gets visions of grandeur in her head, making her block out any and all past failed attempts for a Xmas photo, but mom had some spare time and thought "I should try to get photo of Anna and Duncan together!!"

I looked at her like she was crazy...mom...what is you thinking?? This will end in your cursing and being a grumpy elf...but whatever....

I am at full attention, then Duncan goes BLUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Hmm...Dunc you smell a little like that beef mom had, trying to bribe us for photos....why does you look like you're waiting on death row??

At this point mom sayz...and I quote "OH FOR ALL THAT'S HOLY!!!"

Sidenote, I think I had a itchy...I don't know why Duncan had an extreme close up...

Duncan finally coroperates...but wait, where's me?!?

I gave up on this trainwreck a while ago!

Mom quote "Screw it!"

Who knew getting a kitty, let a lone the spastic kitty Mia, to pose would be easier?!?!

Post Turkey Day Pout

2011-12-05T12:58:00.001-08:00

Hey all. Sorry I haven't been around...you can blame mom. Totally blame mom! I hope you had a great Turkey day! Ours was pretty cool. I played with Cousin Rebel a lot but mom didn't get ANY photos. Strike one mom!

Then when we got home, we watched the Iron Bowl and our Auburn Tiger kitties lost to our nemisis Alabama. How could mom and dad let this happen?? Strike TWO!

The final straw that broke the Anna's back was when we didn't do ANYTHING for like a week cause it was "cold" or "raining like a flood". I don't care! I need to get out! So I went stir-crazy, which drove mom and dad crazy so they took us out Saturday! Score one for the dogs!

Bout time dad. Let's go!!!

Dunc was even ready to get out. Once we assured him we weren't going to see Dr. Vet!

Ahh....the trail! Time to run free!!

I then turned the table on mom. She wanted all kinds of nice piktures and I was like NO!!! You had your chance and you Epic Failed!!

A cute picture of me and my brother? Oh hell no. I'm putting my head by his butt! Pffffftt!

After a while I relented and gave mom a glamour shot.

I hope you had a great holiday. Mom says I need to play my cards better if I want to get Christmas presents. I don't believe her, Granny and Pawpaw get me presents regardless of how ~~snotty~~ wonderful I am!!! :)

Happy Gobbles

2011-11-22T06:46:00.001-08:00

I'm here to wish you all a happy and wonderful Gobble Day!! Mom has been taunting me by saying words such as:

Granny
Pawpaw
Rebel
Aunt Temple
Unlce Matt

So tomorrow we're loading up and going to Granny and Pawpaw's for Gobble day which means PLAY TIME with cousin Rebel!!

Then Saturday is the IRON BOWL between Auburn and the Tide Elephants of Alabama. We're still hoping our Tigers can beat the odds, never count out the underdog

Later that weekend it's time for the CHRISTMAS TREE!! Which means PRESENTS!! It's going to be a busy week, but bring it!

I'm very thankful for everything in my life, yes, even the kitties. I'm one lucky gal!! I'm very thankful for my mom and dad, friends, toys, noms and all of my bloggy friends! May you all have a wonderful Gobble Day with extra noms and ear scratchees!

p.s. and I'm not just sucking up to mom for Christmas presents, but it couldn't hurt, right?

Occupy Couch

2011-11-16T06:59:00.001-08:00

Something weird has happened at our house...

It all started with mom getting our new coffee table. Isn't it cool? It looks like an old barn door. One of mom's friends made it! Mom said this is step one of "re-fur-nishing" the house. I think there's plenty of fur since she's ALWAYS vacuming and complaining about black furballs, but mom says it's time to get rid of the old, hand me down stuff and get "real people" stuff. This includes our couches. (see if you see anything odd in this photo?)

Apparently mom and dad don't like our ghetto furniture. Who can blame them, after what I...err...the kitties did to the couch years ago.... but now that the remodel is done, it's time to get some new stuff!

I have to say, I'm not too worried, as long as it's a big enough couch for all of us, but apprently, mom and dad have pissed off Alley...yes, if you look closely in the first photo you will see the reclusive cat who dwells in mom and dad's bedroom lair, making devil noises and only emerging to feed....much like a vampire or zombie.

Mom and dad said Alley doesn't do well with change, so apprently it only took her three years to get used to me and emerge! Way to be on it kitty!

My theory is she heard mom and dad are getting new digs so Alley is occupying the couch...since she doesn't do well with change...well she does but only in three year intervals. She has been occupying for the last three days.

Until then, I'm quite confused as to why there are now all THREE kitties in the living room...napping on my couches. Is it a sign of the apoco-lips? I'm keeping my eye on them....

Wittle Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

Mom had a dream last night that I was a little puppin' again, which made her think of my little bitty puppeh pictures. :)

I am a _________

2011-11-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

As you know from my blog title, I'm a German Shepherd. But cause I'm not a "traditional" colored GSD, most peoples get confused...and I get called lots of different things.

To be exact, I'm what they call a bi-color melanistic GSD (that's me in the middle). Mom and dad didn't even know I existed until they saw me. They've seen the normal, all black, all white, but not a black gal with tan toes! We're actually one of the rarest coat types. Mom and dad call me "Bear" but it's cause when I was a little puppin I looked like a little black bear!

Anyhoo, when I young, I was called all kind of things...a long haired Doberman, a Doberman mix, a rottie with cropped ears (a woman accused mom of cropping my ears and went off on mom!), but mom's favorite was one woman actually stopped the car and asked if she was walking a JACKYL!!!

Okay, I can MAYBE see it in the ears, but for reals?? Plus I didn't know Alabama had a large Jackyl population....sigh...

And TWICE now I've been called a wolf....once last year in the mountains and AGAIN this year! But they also lumped Duncan into the wolf catagory this time. I ask you this...even if I looked somewhat wolfish (helloooo the ears people??) would you ever see a wolf, hiking a trail on a leash with a matching collar...and a blue backpack?!?!

Also this year in the mountains, we ran into a "know it all" people, AKA a jerkface per mom and dad, who decided to tell mom and dad EVERYTHING there was to know about dogs. Then he said, "BTW, I love your Belgian Malinois"

Huh? At first mom thought he meant Duncan, since he's at least brown although about 5 inches shorter and 20lbs heavier than any Mal, but no, jerkface meant ME!! When mom said "no, she's a GSD" he tried to argue with her that I was NOT that! Do wha?? So mom mumbled a "whatever, have a nice day jerkface" as dad pulled her away knowing she was about to go crazy-rabid-wombat on the man and we went on our way.

If I was a wolf, I'd have put the bitey on him, but I'm a lady, so I didn't do that. It's amazing what peoples thing they know about dogs...what have you been called that's been crazy?

Crazy Mom

2011-11-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

Hey all. Well, guess what!?! I'm out of Anna Jail!! Apparently my leg is good enough that I can run free and do my "dooties" without a leash! Viva la Resistance!! And while that's good, I think I need to take mom to get her head examined...

See, she got another "leash" from work...another way they can make her work no matter where she is. Mom said it's called an "Eye Pad". But she did find some other neat stuff on there, well she thinks it's neat, I think it's odd...

Apparently there's a camera hidden in that thing and it does weird stuff....like make an Infrared Anna....

Or an X-ray Anna....

Or a double Anna....

You can see what I think of this...why I'm not outside running free but instead being part of mom's experiments I have no idea. But she said now we should be able to blog from anywhere!

I'm not sure of this "blogging from anywhere" thing is worth the mom-work, but I guess it's okay. Maybe this means extra nom monies, or monies for Christmas shopping!!!

Night of the Living Pets

2011-10-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well, it's Howl-o-ween, which means it's time for little ghost, goblins and whatnot to come to our door asking for noms. I don't know why I can't do this...I'm sure there's some noms people could give me, but mom says no, it's time for the little peoples! Pfft!

Anyhoo, I'm still in Anna Jail, restricted rest until my leg heals. It's doing much better, but I should have a checkup this week then mom wants to wait till at least this Friday to let me run free. Urgh! So needless to say, I've been spending a lot of quality time indoors with mom, while she watches Skeery movies. I help protekt her, cause nothing scares me (except skateboards, but that's a whole other story). But the other night we heard a loud BUMP outside....so I went to check, and looks what I found!!

OMD it's Mia of the Black Lagoon!! I always thought it was weird she wanted in the tub with mom, but now I knows, she's a monster!! I slammed the door (walking not running per doctor Vet's orders) and then we heard a moan from the bedroom......

It's Alley Mummy!!! She's always sleeping in the bedroom, it must be her crypt under mom and dad's bed!!! And she was moaning "NOMS NOMS NOMS!" cause she's a husky mummy! Mom and I "briskly walked" out and shut the door...then we saw something more terrifying!!!

It's Simon-acula!! He was so skeery, I passed out.....

When I woke up, I saw mom in a lab coat screaming "They're alive!!!" I looked and saw mom had turned Duncan into Franken-Duncan and me int othe Bride of Franken-Duncan!! OMD!! This can't be happening!!! I'm a monster AND married to my BROTHER!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Then I woke up! Whew! What a skeery dream! No more skeery movies mixed with anti-inflamatories for me!! I'm ready for calm holidays that revolve around noms, like Turkey Day and Christmas!

Have a wonderful, but not toooooo spooky Halloween!!!

Anna's Prison Camp: Victim 1&2

2011-10-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I've completed day one of a seven day sentence in Anna's Prison Camp (APC). Let me tell you, doing your "doo-ty" while mom or dad hold your leash and Rebel runs around you wanting to play is not easy my friends...these type of imprisonment tactics are cruel and unusual...I feel like I'm in gitmo.

I began putting weight on my leg again, hoping it would prove to the wardens that I'm good to play, but nope. The week-long sentence still stands. So, since I'm in prison, I've learned from many movies that I need to be top dog or the Dog Father. Being top-dog means you have minions to do your dirty work so YOU don't get in trouble with the wardens. I have found my minon....his name is Rebel.

In the cover of darkness our plan hatched. I was in the living room with Dad Warden while Rebel went to "sleep" with Mom Warden. All seemed well, our alibis were set...until mom warden woke up and found this on the counter, I must warn you, the scenes are graphic:

That is what's left of dad's body pillow and the remains of one of my stuffies...dad loves his body pillow and uses it when he's not curled up with mom or me.

As mom slept, Rebel apparently took out a homemade shank he made from a stick in the yard and brutally murdered the body pillow and the stuffie...to make sure they wardens got the message, he left something very odd and sinister...

Yes, that is the stuffie's leg INSIDE the pillow!! This kid is HARDCORE!!

Apparently dad walked in and saw this gruesome scene last night before he went to bed...he dragged the bodies of the fallen to the counter so mom could see it, with this note:

I don't think our message got across though...mom just started laughing. Not quite what we were going for. Hmm....maybe I need to recruit Simon as a minon as well. He's a kitty and kitties are pretty evil when it comes to hatching plots...

Pain and Loss

2011-10-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

Loss

First off, I want to extend a heartfelt sympathy and an honorary post to Miss Lilac of Tales and Tails. Lilac's mom had to make the hard, but loving decision to let Miss Lilac cross the bridge. Please go and give her your condolences and support through this hard time and read her beautiful post about her dear girl. Much love to the whole family. Run Free Pretty Purple Lady!!!

------------------------

In other news, it seems I've hurt myself. Yep. After a week of running around in the mountains, chasing deer and everything else, it was playing at home with my cousin Rebel that did me in.

Apparently I did somthing to my left hind leg while ~~spazzing out~~ playing with Rebel. I started limping. Mom came home and asked dad what happened. He said he didn't know. Mom did not like this answer.

So mom gave me a good once-over...pulling here, moving there. Nothing. So they thought I may have just pulled something. Next morning? Yep. I'm still not putting any weight on that leg. Now, I can walk and run on it, but I won't stand on it. Mom even put some frozen peas (BLEH!) on it to help. Nope.

This morning and no improvement meant we went to Dr. Vet first thing. Dang it! Dr. Vet says she thinks I might have a small ACL tear. Mom was glad it wasn't my hip/knee. So now I'm on anti-inflamatories and rest for a week. REST?!?! I can't rest! Rebel is here!

I have to go in my OWN backyard on a leash now! How embarrassing! I know the squirrels are mocking me! We have to do this for a week. If no improvement then I have to go back and get an EX-RAY to make sure it's not something worse. I don't know how it could get worse than having to do your "business" with mom and dad six feet away from you while squirrels taunt you, but apparently it can.

So today begins Day 1 of Anna Prison Camp.

I still have some hiking photos to share, so I'll try to post those this week so I can remember the days of running free!

Weekend: Mollie and the Little People

2011-10-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Well we had a busy weekend, so I'm taking a break from my vacay photos to tell you bout it! First, mom got some info on poor, sweet little pittie that needed transport to her new foster mom (and potential forever home) from north Alabama all the way to Mobile! That's the END of the state! Well they had it all but was missing the middle leg, so mom said "I love hitchhikers!"

So Saturday morning, mom went and met Miss Mollie. Isn't she cute!?! Mom said she was super sweet! How did this sweet girl end up traveling from one end of the state to the next?!?!

Apparently Miss Mollie's foster parents in north Ala were doing great. Then they told the rescue they were going on vacay and needed to board her. Then this week the vet called and said Mollie had been there for THREE WEEKS!! Her Fosters DUMPED HER! Grrrrrrr!!!

Peoples are so stupid and confusing sometimes. But that's okay, Miss Mollie is going to a new great home! Mom was happy she had the chance to meet such a friendly and trusty puppin!

Then, that night, mom's BFF and her family came down! That means time with the J-man! The J-man is the first little person I ever met. Here's a pic of me and him when I was 7months and he was still a little booger!

And here's us now!

We played ALL night!! Of course mom didn't get pics of that, she was too busy blabbering to J's mom. And we watched the AU game and AUBURN won against the Gators! Whoo hoo! We're not totally sucking! :)

So the next morning before they left, we played with my stick one last time...I'd get my stick and he'd chase me, then he'd get my stick and I'd wait for the opportune moment...

Wait for it......

Almost go time.....

And steal it in the cover of shadowy darkness!! Muwhahahahaha!

It was a lot of fun. Duncan liked the little peoples cause they dropped food and noms on the floor so he could gobble them up. I also gave a lot of slobbery kisses to J's sister C. She's 16 months but fun to kiss on! And she gives away Cheerios like it's nobody's business.

Then Sunday mom and dad went to Granny and Pawpaw's but left us at home. But that's okay, apparently cousin Rebel is coming to stay with us Tuesday for a WEEK!!! WINNING! Hope you had a great weekend too!!

Hike 3: I Got Too High

2011-10-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

So it was Sunday, the day before mom and dad were going to leave us for the day to go see Biltmore, so they decided they needed to tire me out. So we left Duncan to snooze at the cabin and took a looooong hike in the Moses Cone (the place with the big white house) trail system to Flat Top Mountain.

I saw my first cow. Not as impressive as those Giant Dogs. But don't let the peaceful scene fool you...it was WINDY!!! And this trail walked through fields with no tree protecktion, and at one time mom's hat almost flew off! Brrrr!

As you can see, we are going waaayy up there!Actually, a little past that.

We also stopped to tell Mr. and Mrs. Cone "thank you" for allowing us to use their lands. What a beautiful spot to spend forever! I also maked sure there was no zombie activity so that we wouldnt' be suprised by a zombie attack...you never know, Howl-o-ween is close!

We got a little wind break in the woods...mom and I on a rock. I don't know why she needed to have fuzzy paws like me, I didn't think it was that cold!

From a viewpoint you can see the pretty colors and Blowing Rock, the small town we stayed outside of...

About halfway up we found another cool viewpoint. Our cabin was back behind Blowing Rock, I think I'm pretty close!

And then finally we found the top! And what the crap is this thing?!?!?!

Mom and dad said it was a firetower...you can see forever up there or something.

Mom: "See those peoples up there, you can do it!"

And I was like: "Heck yeah!"

Dad: "Who's going to own that fire tower!"

Me: "I am!"

Mom: "Who's a big brave girl!?!"

Me: "I am! Let's do this! Let's show this tower who's boss!!! GAMEFACE!"

So we started up...Oh yeah, take that firetower!

Who's your daddy?!?! I ain't scared of nothing! Look how high....ohhh....

Holy crap! Look how high I is!! Noticing how high I was about the third level and that this isn't natural for doggies, I pulled out the lay flat and don't move defense...much like a turtle.

After some gentle prodding and some Zukes PowerBones treats I made it down. What the crap was that?!?! What were you thinking, what kind of parents send their little princess up that DEATH TRAP?!!? Call the ASPCA, HSUS, Matlock, anyone!

Oh well, fearing I'd have a complete come-apart if either of them went up, mom and dad settled for beautiful views while I chomped my PowerBones.

Looking around we saw that Grandfather Mountain still had snows on it from Saturday's little storm!

And the mountains looked like the went on FOREVER!

In the end, we settled for a nice family photo ON THE GROUND!! It was a great hike, other than mom and dad trying to kill me on the metal death-trap. And their plan worked, between this and my Deer Encounter yesterday, I was konked OUT!

Vacay Day 3: The Chase

2011-10-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

During our trip, when we weren't out seeing BEAUTYFUL sights like the above, we hung out at the cabin.

Most of the time, I was dog tired so I'd pass out...err...recharge my super puppy energy supply.

But then this place also had a firepit!! At first I was confused as to why mom and dad would take perfectly good sticks and throw them in to be burned! I tried to fight them at first (I had a nice little secret stockpile of sticks I'd saved from them) but then gave in and decided to help them. Mainly because when they had fire, they brought out the hot dogs and I'm a sucker of nomming hotdogs, and dad dropped a lot of hotdogs.

Then one night I heard something...it was in the woods behind the cabin. So I went to investigate to proteckt my peoples. The following is an artist renditioning of what occured cause it was getting dark and it happened so fast mom didn't have the camera. So below is what happened...except it was getting dark....and I look cuter in person...

So anyway, mom came to see what I was looking at, she couldn't see me (at this time I didn't have on my no huntin vest nor my inky-blinky light). Dad came up and they heard a twig snap, then BAM!

A deer RAN past mom and dad! Bookin' it! Like runnin' like he stole it type speed. Mom was like "OMG a deer!" Dad said "Where's An...."

Then all they saw was a black blur of ninja-like quickness right behind that running fast deer!

If you slowed it down you would have seen me, running at the speed of squirrel with my eyes lazer locked on that deer's booty!

And then I was gone! Mom and dad called me and in less than five minutes I came back. Deers are fast yo! I'm pretty sure if we hadn't gone on that looooong hike earlier (I'll post that tomorrow) I'd have caught that deer. I don't know what I'd have done with it. Maybe licked it and walked off? Oh well!

So when I got back mom put me in the house, which was fine. Cause I wanted to pass out..err...recharge. From then on out, I always had my inky-blinky light on at night, but I didn't chase any more deers. It was fun though! Last year turkeys, this year deers....wonder what's next?!?!

Hiking Day 2: Not So Creepy Trail and Camo-Flage

2011-10-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

So hiking day two was an interesting day! It was mom's birthday!!! So I woke her up with slobbery kisses and said let's go! But man, it was cooooolllld outside that day. It was kinda raining at the cabin, but mom said "let's go to the Cascades/Mountain to See Trail" for a quick outing before our Auburn Tigers played!

While we were driving, you know what? That rain stuff turned to SNOW!!! Mom and dad were giddy over it. I was like "Ahem, let's go!! Trails people!" Gah!

So we got to the trail and it was windy! But I got some refreshments before starting off.

Duncan isn't a big fan of getting his feet wet....loser!

This is the same trail LAST year....it was all foggy and SPOOKY and weird...this year it was....

Still a little creepy, but not so bad. All the dead piney trees were still there, but without the fog it wasn't near as spooky.

What? You want me to go in there by myself? Umm..okay...it's not that scary......

Whew, not too scary! And since this trail is BARELY used I got to go off leash. Ahh...freedom. But a few times those dead piney trees made noise in the wind like "CREEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKK" and "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" so I'd run back to mom...just to make sure she was okay....you know...she was scared not me the big bad German Shepherd....

I'm glad we made the hike...the views were beautyful!

When we got back, mom and dad had time to kill before the game, so we walked around the property, I thought I'd play hide-go-seek from them...

But somehow they kept finding me....

Ah-ha! My no huntin' me vest!!! No wonder I can't hide (I'm sure it had nothing to do with my giant ears!).

Did you hear that!?! I heard gunshot! Good thing I'm wearing my vest so no one thinks I'm a wild critter for nomming or putting on a wall.

Oh, and it's waterproof!

That's it for Day two. Auburn won, cause it was mom's b'day and all! No tomorrow...tomorrow is interesting. I'm working on my artist renditioning of one of the events that happend, cause it happened so fast mom didn't have a camera!!!

Hiking Day One part II: Big House and Big Dogs

2011-10-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

After we left Price Lake and the beavers and whatnot, we hit up Moses Cone Park. We'd passed it a lot last year but never stopped. Man, am I glad we did! We never expected to see this beautiful giant house in the middle of the Blue Ridge!

And check out these views! Can you imagine waking up to that EVERYDAY!?!?! Apparently the Cones owned A LOT of land. Mr. Cone died and the Parkway people wanted to put the BRP through their land. Mrs. Cone said "Heck to the no!" but then a few years later she died and the family donated it all to the BRP Foundation! Way to go Mrs. Cone's kids!

I told dad we should move here!!

Dad said no, unless we win the lottery. So I went PFFFT! on that!

Not only was it beautyful, but we also got a picture of us both looking in the general direction of the camera. I don't think that's ever happened before! So off we went on the miles and miles of "care-ridge"roads, starting on the DUNCAN road! I wondered why these roads were so nice and big. And there were lots of piles of poo on them....I thought maybe cause it was named after Duncan?

Oh well, we just took in the beautiful scenery. Flowers were in bloom in the cool fall air....and then it happened...

I heard a loud SNORT and behind us were the most giantist dogs I've ever seen!! I was like WTF?!?!

The next time they came upon us, I was ready with my super-sonik hearing.

We walked behind them, as not to spook the "horses" aka GIANT DOGS. I wanted to sniff them and Duncan wasn't scared, he said he used to chase horses when he was a whipper snapper like me! I guess this is why people call me a pack mule when I wear my backpack, cause I'm like a minature-giant-horse carrying stuff. We even have similar ears!

That's it for day one of hiking. Tomorrow, I'll show off my camo-flage!

Hike One: Price Lake Where the Wild Things Are

2011-10-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

We're back! I have to say, this year's trip to North Carrylina was pretty awesome!!! I have lots to blog about, so we'll start on day one (well, actually two, but hike one). Mom and dad weren't sure how "hiking ready" the old man was this year, so we decided to do an easy favorite at Price Lake. A 2.8 mile loop around a lake and then go from there. The trees were in pretty good color as we started our day.

Ah, the trail! How I've missed you! Backpack, check. Water bowl. Check. Noms, check. Poo bags for my pooing big brother, check. Let's rock.

As soon as I could get to water, I made a run for it! Mom and dad said "come on, there's more water!"

So I went PFFFTT! What's the point of hiking at a lake if you can't get in the lake!?!? GEEZ!!!

Then we found a really pretty tree. Fall was creeping in!

Dad said "Let me get my pretty girls by the pretty tree!" That dad, such a suck-up. Right, but a suck up.Then we noticed something on our tree!

Seems some beavers have made their way to the lake! They've been nomming on the tree! We saw lots of beaver tree noms. Some trees were even on the ground! This makes my stick facination look not so bad.

Dad and Dunc looking cool. But really, we were at a standstill cause the trail was flooded! You know why?!?

Those beavers had built a dam where the trail crosses! We got our feets wet, which was fine with me, but Duncan didn't like it and dad got beaver mud in his shoe! EWWWW!

But once we reached the other side, we saw our beautiful tree! So that made it all okay.

I got in one last swim....man that water felt good. It tasted good too!

Then we saw that the beavers had built them a house out in the lake! I don't know much, but I do watch a little HGTV and that place looks like a fixer! I mean, it needs some work to make it Anna-worthy.

Then we found ANOTHER critter! On the way out we found this deer standing by the road. She hung out for a while. She just stared at us. This is a lot calmer than my NEXT deer encounter that I'll share with you later (yes, I'm a tease!)

We got in the car and got ready to go on to our next hike. Dunc did pretty good, although I'm totally embarrassed by his tongue in this photo. I mean, how un-civilized! He's making our Bugz Bunny Blanket look BAD!

Tomorrow I'll tell you about me meeting some REALLY BIG DOGS! OMG!

Packin' It Up!

2011-09-28T07:16:00.001-07:00

This is a photo of us last year at Linville Falls. Mom calls it our "family portrait". :)

We're getting all packed up. Mom says we have about as much stuff as they do!! Whatever...well...maybe....

Dad says we're leaving in the morning no later than 7 a.m., which should be interesting since mom doesn't do well nor function nor is friendly before 7 a.m., but she said she would make an exception since this was for a fun roadtrip not a "going to work" roadtrip.

The petsitter also came by last night to go over Simon's drugs and food routine (he's still stealing turkey noms). She was very nice, and one of mom's friends. Simon was not happy though that someone else is going to be giving him his pills, and that we would be leaving him. Maybe I'll get him a pinecone or something as a gift? Do kitties like pinecones??

Anyway, last year, when we went to NC this time of year, the leaves were just starting to turn (seet here's a lot of green in the photo above). But this year, they've had some freakisly cold weather so now all the leaves are turning early! Here's a photo from the BlueRidge Pkwy. Daily Facebook page:

Jennifer DeSimone Mesk took this wonderful photo off the BRP. Aren't the colors AMAZING?!?!
And since the leaves don't tecknikally change until mid-late October, we should she beautiful leaves while beating out the "leaf people" who schedule their vacay's that time of year! Booy-yah!!

And since it's still cool, mom and dad are going to make S'mores which means I get Marshmellows!!! And maybe a fire-cooked hotdog! NOM!!

So stay safe my friends. I'll see you all in a week and a half. I'm sure I'll have tons of photos!

B'day Presents have Arrived!

2011-09-26T07:47:00.001-07:00

Well it finally happened....I got my b'day presents!! They came in the mail Friday. So, what did mom get me??

Oh yeah, that's right, a personalized PINK leather collar!!!!

I can't wear it everyday, just for outings (which don't involve water) and stuff. It's pretty cool!

I told mom she did very good in picking out the color and the font. My name is in chocolate brown. She got it from out GSD mom-friend at Pikoda collars. She sells nylon ones too, but mom said it was time for me to take the big-girl step into leather!

My next present was not something you'd get everyday...it's my....

NO HUNTIN' ME VEST!! For when we go to the mountains in three days. I like it. it's very bright and fits well. And now no one will think I'm a lone wolf or bear!

Mom and dad also had to get up early Saturday and go drive two hours to get our noms. Ususally the nom lady delivers but she couldn't make it this week and we had to have noms to travel with so the parents went to go get them. While there they got us some b'day cookies!

Sorry the photo is blurry. It was with mom's phone and she was worried she was going to lose a finger cause Dunc was all about NOM NOM NOM!!!

Hope you had a great weekend! We'll be packing up all our stuff here and getting ready to make our road trip! I think I have more stuff than mom!!!

Who you talkin' to Willis?

2011-09-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

A lot of peoples think mom is crazy....for obvious reasons aside, because people says mom "spoils us rotten." Now, I don't know what this means...I mean, just because we have a lot of toys and collars and packs (which all serve a purpose) and cause mom and dad do stuff with us and take us on vacayshion with them we are apparently "spoiled". Pfft...if I was truly spoiled my custom B'day present would have been here YESTERDAY on my b'day served with a nice homemade doggy cupcake...but that's beside the point.

Now mom thinks other peoples are crazy cause they don't love their critters as much as her and dad do (and all your moms and dads...high five!). But Tuesday, mom got looked at like she was REALLY bonkers.

Mom took me out for an evening walk. It was nice, relatively cool for Alabama. And when we walk, mom talks to me.

Mom: Oh Anna, I'm so ready for next week! It's vacation!

Me: (run back to mom) I know! We need a rest! I'm stressed!

Mom: Just think, you get to run around and chase turkeys...

Me: Dinner will be served! Nom!!

Mom: And you'll be wearing your new "no huntin' me vest" so no one thinks your a bear or a wolf!

Me: Whew! And a wolf? Seriously? People are so....hey mom, that woman's staring at you...

Mom turns and sees some of our elderly (who am I kidding, they're all elderly in our hood) neighbors staring, mouth open, at us.

Mom: Hello!

Scared Neighbor: Are you talking to....your dog........(takes a step back)

Mom: Umm...yeah....

Scared Neighbor: Umm...hmm.....nice backpack. (scampers inside)

I guess a lot of peoples don't think talking to us critters is normal. I say POO on you! POOOOO! Mom and dad talk to all of us all the time. Riddle me this: how can you not talk to a critter that lives in your house people?!?!

So as we walked off, Mom laughed.

Mom: What's her deal, Anna?

Me: I haz no idea...now about those turkeys.....

GUESS WHAT TODAY IS?!?!

2011-09-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

It's ANNA DAY!!!

Yep, I turn the big O-3 today!!! Look at me above...aren't I cute? Yep...then this morning mom did this to me:

Is that how you treat a dignified lady such as myself?? AND mom and dad are both working all day today, AND they don't have my present yet! Mom said it should be here either tonight or tomorrow....this just will not do!

So I'm going to hit them with my lazer eyes, take off this stupid hat, eat it and probably take a great nap! At least we're going on vacation in ONE WEEK!!! So that makes it okay I guess. And I did overhear dad say something about going to get a puppy-cookie this weekend!

Fashionista

2011-09-13T06:19:00.001-07:00

My dear friend Bunny over at Tales and Tails asked me about something dear to my heart...FASHION!

Bunny has one of the best eyes for fashion I've ever seen, but it seems now that her dear GSD sister Morgan has been taken over by her Mom, Morgan is about to enter the fashion world! Bunny asked about what's in my closet, and man, have there been a lot over the years!

First off, I like pink. Everyone always thinks I'm a boy, so by wearing pink it helps to say "I'm a Lady!" although you'd be suprised how many times still call me "He and Him". Oh well.

These are two of my first hand made collars mom ordered for me! They are a chain martingale, because I had a bad habit as a puppster to back out of my collar and running back to the car. Not fun when Mom was in Petsmart! I don't do that anymore, but mom just likes the way they look. The chain makes me a little hard-core!

This is my current collar and matching leash. Mom buys them all from Fido's Fashion Collars. They hold up great, even at the beach. Hmm...looking at the site I think it's time for a new collar!!!

This is my pink tracking harness. I only wear it when I'm workin' the nose. It allows me to get my nose on the ground without the leash/collar pulling on my neck. And it stands out wonderfully against my furs!

Then I have my Doggles. I think I look very Jacki-O, no? Mom got these for me for my Pannus (an eye condition that I need to keep the UV rays away from). I don't wear them much, but if we ever go to the beach again, they're a must. We'll take them to NC on vacay as well, since I'll be outside a lot.

Speaking of Vacay, here's my backpack. They didn't have pink, but it's okay. Blue is cool too. I wear it on walks around the hood as well, so mom can put stuff in it, like keys, phone and poo bags cause Duncan ALWAYS poops on walks.

Then there's GAMEDAY!! Awwww yeah boyyyeee! Mom made me an Au bandANNA!

Then mom ordered my LUCKY Auburn Collar! The Tigers are undefeated since I started wearing this! I only wear it on gamedays. Mom got it from a friend of Aunt Temple at

Designs by Trucks. I highly suggest this if you need your team to pull out a W!

But I have a super secret with my collar...it's only lucky if I wear it upside down!! Hey, whatever works, right?

Mom said I'm about to add to my collekshion....an orange No Huntin' Me Vest for when we go to the mountains. We may go get it tonight actually at the Bass Pro Shop.

Mom also said that I might get a suprise from our friends at Pikoda Collars for my b'day that's coming up...hmm....wonder what I'll get?

So there you go! What are your favorite fashions you have and where do you buy them? We're always looking for a deal!!

You have TP on Your Shoe

2011-09-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

Toomer's Corner after the 2010 BCS Title Game Win

This weekend was pretty low key. But I was a bit worried when mom and dad got up WAY early on Saturday. I mean, Saturday is sleeping days. But they got up, and before they left they put my lucky Auburn collar on me.

Yep, mom and dad went to gameday in Auburn and left Dunc and I at home. But at least they left the game on for us too!

One of the big traditions in Auburn is after a win, they roll a tree. With toilet paper. I don't understand this, cause mom yells at Mia when she unrolls toilet paper (TP bandit anyone!?!) but it's fine for the peoples to roll a tree. Maybe it keeps the squirrels out?

Toomer's Pre-Mississippi State Game (with Toomer's Drugs in the back)

Toomer's drugs is on the corner of College and Magnolia Streets, the heart of town, so the area is known as Toomer's Corner and these are the Toomer's Oaks. People have become engaged there, taken thier little peoples for their first gameday experience there and it's just a place where all Auburn Fans unite.

Dad gettin his ROLL on!

They've been through a lot, the Civil War, been caught on fire, but sadly, some freak fan of the other team poisoned the trees last year with some hard core plant poison. Yeah, way to step up and kill 135 year old trees! But the trees are fighting, we don't know if they'll make it or not, so mom and dad were hoping we'd win so they'd get to roll the trees, maybe for the last time. (and we hold no animosity to the other team, just their stupid fan. I want to put the bitey on him!)

Post Win, with Samford Hall in the background

So the Auburn Tigers pulled it off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs (kitties beat dogs, sorry) and mom and dad made it to the Corner with thousands of their other Tiger fans.

Mom and dad also got to see some old college buddies they haven't seen in forever! They then went to their favorite restaurant in town then came home. They credited the win to me wearing my Auburn collar. Well duh!

Maybe one day I'll get to go to Auburn and get some photos of me with the tree. I wonder why we haven't done this yet?!

Mom NOT getting a photo of me! Boo mom!

Dam it!

2011-09-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

How was everyone's looooong Labor Day weekend? Mine was pretty good! Mom got to feeling MUCH better by Saturday. Thank god! After a day of crazy football games and yummy noms, Sunday was much more relaxed.

Apparently Tropical Storm Lee was headed our way, bringing lots of rains. But we didn't get much at all Sunday, it was just overcast and cooler, so mom and dad said "Let's take the Anna to the creek!" WINNING!

But we didn't just go to the creek, we went to the dam in town. The creek that runs through town used to help one of the biggest cotton gin factories in the country. Sadly, the oldest mill burnt down years ago (stupid meddling kids!), but the creek area is still a favorite of many, including us doggies!

Wait, I have it allllll to myself?!?! No other puppies!?!

It's not deep in this section at all!

Splishy splashy!

Hmmm...what's over here?

Helllloooooooooooooo! Is this puppy jail?

One of the old mill buildings

I prepare to make my dismount, mom snapped before I made a splash!

Then Monday, it rained alllll day, but mom checked the radar and saw no rains and it looked clear outside. With it being breezy and cool, mom took Dunc and I for a walk...which turned into a wet-t-shirt contest! Mom, Dunc and I got soaked....and for some reason mom kept bringing up the dam again...but I don't know what it had to do with getting rained on..hmmm....

This morning we awoke to a wonderful suprise:

BOO-YAH!!!!

Today is very cool...we went from 90s to 60s! Mom said this is what the mountains will be like in less than three weeks! So overall it was a super dam weekend! :)

Goodbye Sickies Hello Nom Thief

2011-09-01T08:39:00.001-07:00

Well, not really. Zombie mom lives. She's at work a half day to get "stuff" done but didn't really argue with dad when he said she needed to come home. Hopefully the new new drugs she's getting today will help.

So, with all this zombie sickness, I decided to share some GOOD news! If you remember Simon had some health issues this year . He went for his thyroid checkup last week and everything is doing good! His thyroid is still high, 5.1 where the normal high is 4.7, but Dr. Vet seems okay with this. She doesn't want to increase his meds.

His liver is doing great, so no more problems there! But there is ONE major problem...now that he thinks he's all better, Simon has become the Nom Thief!

See, mom and dad feeds us puppers a raw diet. I love it. She tried with the kitties but they were all "Pffft, no way! We're kitties, we're superior!" or something like that. So imagine mom's suprise the other day when she was making our yummy breakfast of ground turkey that Simon starting nomming out of the container!

So now, mom is feeding Simon noms from OUR container! Luckily he only eats the turkey and quail mix, he's staying away from our cow. I'm not sure how I feel about this....

MSK Zombie Addition

2011-08-31T07:25:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned yesterday, in mom's total lack in regard to her own health (umm helloooo, we can't feed ourselves you know!), we now have a zombie like situation on our hands. So we've added Zombie Procedures to the MSK (mom sick kit).

Yesterday, mom came dragging in, after getting no sleep the night before. She kinda just laid on the couch...I'd sniff her to make sure she was still breathing or to check on the occasional cough. She made it till about 7:30, fed us our dinner, took a bath and passed out.

It was waaaay early. But I humored her and laid in bed with her until she fell asleep, then went to chew my bone. Plus Simon and Alley stayed in there and slept on her and Dunc was on his bed on the floor so I knew she was in good paws.

This morning she awoke making odd snotty-like-coughing noises and she kinda just wandered around at super slow zombie speed. I was so glad when dad got home early! Finally, someone to play with, and help me watch zombie mom. As zombie mom got ready for work, she almost walked out with no shoes on her feets!

Dad: Honey, do you need shoes

Zombie Mom: oh crap...

Dad: are you okay to drive?

ZM: Well yes!

Dad: Why don't you stay home?

ZM: I have STUFF to do at work! And I'm FINE (uh oh), I just can't get this stuff out of my head!

Dad: Okay...I'll um try to get you some more drugs from work today. Love you!

Smart dad, he realized the use of the word "FINE" and backed off. It seems realizing when to pick your zombie battles is key in survival. I hope dad gets some mom some good anti-zombie drugs today at the human Dr. Vet office. At least dad will be home tonight!

Oh, and for your peoples that have the same reaction to the Syrup medicine, it used to make mom pass out stone cold, but now it doesn't work. So no more of that EVER!! Per Nurse Anna's orders!!

Mom Sick ≠ Anna Sick = Boo!

2011-08-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

I learned something, apparently mom being sick is not equal to one of us fur kids being sick. See, whenever mom thinks one of is is feeling not up to par, she gets all worried, poking and prodding all over us, and if needed, taking us to Dr. Vet ASAP.

Now, on the other hand, apparently mom's ears have been stopped up for like four months. FOUR months. Does she go to human Dr. Vet? Oh noooooo! She waits until she becomes completely infested then goes. Now I ask you, how is this fair? I swear, what we put up with when it comes to our peoples!

So yeah, mom has a SEVERE sinus infection (duh) and a touch of bronchitis. So she came home and dad and I assembled the Mom Sick Kit (MSK).

Apple J, drugs, a thermometer and a brownie...cause nothing says healing like chocolate. Mom spent most of the day konked out. Then last night she took the cough syrup which should make you sleepy, but instead mom's head was filled with thoughts and she got only like 1 hour sleep. So, I'm revising the MSK:

So now we need more brownies and less crazy, zombie inducing medicines. In going over the MSK, I also realized one thing....

See, when mom takes her temperature, she just puts this nice thing in her mouth. Why is it then that when I got to Dr. Vet I have to have this put in the "you know where"?!?!?! Hmmm....

Oh well, at least she's feeling better-ish. Just sleep deprived and zombie like. At least she's getting this out of her system before the big game on Saturday! Also, thanks to some info from some awesome doggie bloggers, we're going to change our hiking itenerary for vacay in 29 days!! Whoooo hooo!!!

I Iz Alive

2011-08-26T10:29:00.001-07:00

Yeah, that artsy photo thing is all mom has of me. Cause you know why? We ain't done SQUAT in forever!! It's been soooo bloody hot that no body wants to do nothin! I've got a few walks here and there, at night, when it gets below 95 degrees. Sigh.

Luckily we do have some funs coming up!! Next week starts DUN DA DA DUN! College Football!! Which means our National Championship Auburn Tigers start play! Which means I have to get out my lucky Auburn collar! Time to hoop and holler with the parents! We're not sure how our Tigers are going to do this year, but we don't care. We just want to watch the footballs!

Also, in 33 days (who's counting??) we head up to North Carrylina for vacayshun! It's like in the 70s there now....with now humidities. We can't wait. Mom has already scoped out some new trails for us this year along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and guess what?? I may get to expand my states visited to Furrginia!!! I'm very excited about this!

A few of the trails mom wants to hit are:

Tanawah Trail

Beacon Hights (not Bacon like I thought it was last year!)

Roaring Fork Falls (I wonder if they has a spoon?)

Mount Mitchell

Crabtree Falls

Boone Fork Trail

and the Cumberland Knob Trail whic will put us on the Furrginia State line!

Mom says that after a few days of these trails, her and dad are going to leave us tired sleepy pups at the cabin and they're going to the Biltmore in Asheville for a day. I think I might need that rest!

To all my friends near Evil Irene, please stay safe! My paws are crossed for you and your peoples!!!

Hoarders?

2011-07-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Mom likes watching crazy TV shows....things like Intervention, Swamp People (CHOOT IT!) and now, Hoarders.

It makes her either:

A. Feel really good about our house

B. Have the need to clean somehting

While watching last night's episode, mom said "I'm so glad we got rid of any clutter we had when we redid the house!" But then as she looked at me she got a weird look on her face....

"Anna, my darling, you have have a hoarding problem...."

WHA?!?!?!

I don't know what you're talking about!

I know them all by name!!!

I think you're just jealous!!!

I know I'm not a hoarder! I can't even compete with Buttons who has the most impressive toy stash in the WORLD!

Mom stated this pile doesn't include my outdoor toys or the countless number of socks and underpants I run around with....pffft. Whatever woman!! Now go out and buy me something!!!!

Old Man Checkup

2011-07-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

Last week mom finally got to do something she hasn't done in a while, take a critter other than me or Simon to the Dr. Vet!! It's not something she looks forward too, but at least this wasn't because of an eye problem or a thyroid issue, it was just Dunc's old man checkup.

Since he's the ripe old age of 13, Dunc gets the full "Senior Blood Panel" (aka Old Fart Blood Work) done each year now. Mom always gets worried that something will show up. I tell her all the time that Duncan is fine, as long as you feed him during his pre-set feeding times, there will be no problems.

Oh well, so off they went, leaving me at home (BOOOO!). Unlike me, Dunc LOVES Dr. Vet's office. He loves getting petted and treats. Me? Not worth having things stuck up the "you know where" but he doesn't mind.

This time, they also wanted a pee sample. So mom took Dunc out front and followed him around with a tupperware like container trying to capture they "essence de Duncan". It took three times. Dunc told me it was like a fun game. Mom was not amused.

So Dr. Vet called with the bloodwork....the call mom always dreads. But Dr. Vet said he's doing GREAT! Yay!! One thing did come back a little high, and that's his cholesterol. Mom said whatever, he's 13, he's on a raw diet, what more can you do??

Looks like the old man is doing well. I think this means we need celebratory noms!!

The Mysterious Case of the TP Bandit

2011-07-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

It was a nice quiet night. Crickets chirped, bugs buzzed, mom watched TV, I nomed my bone, Dunc was passed out....we were clueless to the carnage going on down the hall.

Mom was a little worried when she saw the bathroom door ajar....she cautiously opened the door, turned on the light and screamed when she saw THIS:

Oh, the pup-manity! A whole role of TP sat colorless and lifeless on the floor. What a waste.

Upon hearing mom's scream I ran into Inspektor Anna action. My list of suspects was pretty slim. It wasn't me, it wasn't Duncan. It also wasn't Simon cause he was laying on mom the whole time. Alley? No way. That would require effort and unless there's noms or a twinkie hidden in the roll of TP she doesn't do anything...so that only left: Mia

Mia who has always had a TP fetish. Mia who stalks quietly from bathroom to bathroom looking for victims.

There she was, coming back to relish in her crime. I did not approve, so I went PFFFFTTTTT! at her and gave her a raspberry of dissaproval.

She hung her head in shame. She knew she was busted. As she tried to flee I chased her under the kitchen table and kept her in that prison until bedtime. Case Closed--Inspektor Anna out.

Mommy Funny--NOT!

2011-07-11T08:10:00.001-07:00

Mom got this email the other day and thought it was soooooo funny. I am not amused.

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats:

1. The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

2. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

3. I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

4. For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob, or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

5. The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first then go smell the other dog or cat's/or your own butt. I cannot stress this enough.

We have formed a rebuttle to this:

Mom:

1. We are only taste testing the noms for you. In olden days royalty could be poisoned...and you are royalty to us. You never know who might try to poizon a donut or steak! We do it because we love you!

2. We don't have a stairway...so the loop from the living room, around the kitching table and back IS in the form of a racetrack. So pffft!

3. I don't know what you mean. When I fall asleep everything is fine. The kitties are quite mad you don't appreciate them aligning your neck and spine by sleeping on top of or on either side of your head. And you know we all fit fine when dad's not there...so you might want to take this up with him. He's crampin' our space.

4. I am concerned about anyone who willingly places themself in a tub of water that contains no frogs, sticks or mud. We all are. We are to make sure you make it out safely. That bathroom is a scary place. It's for your best interest.

5. Well...well...I got nothing. Oops.

83 Days to...

2011-07-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

Shawnee was right! VAYKAYSHUN!!!! In 2.7 months the fam will pack up and head back up to North Carrylina for a week! Sigh...I can't wait. Here's why:

1. It will be a lot cooler!

2. I get to run around and chase things like turkeys

3. Lots of fun hikes and outings

4. Lottery tickets

Let's face it, being a loving, doting pupper to peoples can be a tireless job. We all need some time off. Time to sleep late, eat a lot of noms and sniff the deer poop. I think mom and dad are really ready too...especially dad. He hasn't had vaykayshun in a loooooong time!

Maybe this year we'll get the winning lottery numbers. Cause then we'd buy land a build a house in North Carrylina and you would all be invited to a major party! I guess I'm still wishful today!

83 days, 15 hours and 18 minutes to go!

Wishful Wednesday

2011-07-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

Only 84 Days!!!!

Anna 1, Squirrel 0

2011-07-05T11:03:00.001-07:00

I was quite busy while mom was out of town....how busy? Busy enough for MURDER?!?! Well, I wouldn't call it murder, I call it built up appression unleashed!

In this nice grassy area, where Duncan likes to roll:

Dad found something else....a body. Due to the graphic nature (and that it was dad and not mom who would take some sort of photo) this is my artist rendition of what he found:

That's a chalk outline...I'm not telling them how I finally caught the evil squirrel, but it probably looked something like this:

So, chalk one up for dogdom! Viva la resistance!!!

Missing: Dad

2011-06-27T07:06:00.001-07:00

Well, he's not really missing! But if he was, I could find him!

This weekend, mom and dad decided I needed to get out of the house and work. So in the evenings when it cooled down to 95 degrees we went tracking! Here's an old post about my tracking, but now we do more search and rescue type tracking.

Friday night, mom went out the front door, walked a block away to the school, then across a field and hid in some trees. It was my job to lead dad to her. So I got to sniffin....once we got up to the field no one was there so dad let me and my mighty snoz off leash and BAM! I found mom!

Sunday night, dad was the bait. As soon as I went out the door the sniffer was sniffin on the ground and I found his trail. Even on cement, which is harder to track on cause there's no grass or anything for peoples to leave their smelly on.

We made it to the field and again, I got off leash. I bee-lined it to dad and guess what! There was also a dead frog there! I thought I might get to have it since I worked so hard, but dad said no.

I like tracking. It's fun and I get to use my brain and nose and stuff. And I get to wear my hot pink tracking harness! :)

Rain + Giant Pit= FUN!

2011-06-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

So in the last two days we've got a lot of rains...like 2.5 inches. Which is good. The grass is actually green now, not crunchy. And when mom got home yesterday and let us out GUESS what I found?!?!!? Behold!!! :

My dear, beloved pit I've been digging in for the last 2.5 years collected the rains, which turned it into MUD! Do you hear that? Yes, that is the sound of angels singing you hear!!

I mean just look at it! All that filthy muddy goodness....time to jump in! Wait, what mom?!?! NO?!?! Pfft! How dare you! It's my right as a doggie to roll around in things such as dead animals, poo and MUD! Don't you remember signing that in the contract? A bath? Humph. Fine then!

But I'm still going to leave muddy paw prints through the house so THERE!

PS thanks for the blogger lowdown. Mom cleaned out our cookies (mmm..nom nom) and everything but its still acting up. This is making Anna angry, and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Time to put the bitey on!!!

Mom AND Dad Day!

2011-06-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Today is a special day! If it wasn't for today, I probably wouldn't be here blogging right now. How scary is that? Today is mom and dad's Anna-versary!

Mom and dad have been together forever, especially in dog years. They started dating 13 years ago today. Then 10 years ago today dad gave mom something shiney and they were "engaged". Then NINE years ago today they said "I do!!"

The only thing older than mom and dad's anna-versary is Simon. He was around before dad. Dude he's old!

Their tale of their beginning isn't too romantic. Apparently, they dated in high school, then dad dumped mom!! Bad! Bad Dad! Mom went off to college in Auburn, and she came home one summer, saw dad at the firestation, she stopped, he asked her out and mom thought "Hmm...free noms for the summer, I'm in!" (Mom is wise beyond her years, free noms rule! I know where I get my nom love from now.)

Thirteen years later here they are! Sadly, dad has to work today, but that's okay. I'll keep mom company on her anna-versary.

Last night we got some MAJOR rains! Yay!! It even knocked the power out for an hour. I laid on the loveseat, Duncan nomed a bully stick and mom and dad talked about their last nine years by candle light. So I guess it was pretty romantic. But we were all glad when the air came back on!!

PS. I'm having trouble leaving comments on some of your blogs. I leave one, then it makes me sign in, then does it over and over again. What the crap?!?!

I'm Alive...Hot...But Alive!

2011-06-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm alive! I know I haven't posted in FOR-EVER, but in all honest NOTHING has been going on. NOT A DANG THANG!

Summer hit us here early in Alabama, so basically, we've just been watching birds spontaneously combust outside while we sit in the nice airconditioning! Mom and dad have been working a lot, so Dunc and I have been holding down the couch. I guess it's like reverse hibernation, instead of in the winter, we do it in the summer!

Duncan is mourning the loss of his grass he wollers in...you can see in the photo above, the deadness is creeping down. We're supposed to get rain this week. BRING IT!!

I did get to go up Sunday to Granny and Paw Paw's and play with Rebel. That rocked. Mom is leaving next Wednesday to go to Mizz-ory for a family reunion, leaving just me and dad again. And in 99 days we get to go back to the mountains for hiking! Oh, that's like FOREVER in dog years!

I'm off to do some catching up on blogs...before my computer melts!

I'm Lashing Out

2011-05-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

Yo yo yo!! Anna-Dawg here! I think I've learned how to keep mom at the crib, yo! I was chillaxin, watching some daytime TV and saw how some of these human kids got attention from their parents--by going thug gangsta!

So I busted up in mom's face with my gangsta, street cred hat and was like "Woman! You need to step up, for reelz!"

And she just laughed at me, took my gangsta, street cred hat, said I was cute and left for work.

Doo wha?!?! Woman, I'm not kidding! I'm FO REAL!

Well, maybe I need a gang to be gangsta? I might be able to recruit Duncan, he'll do anything for noms. And Simon, well, he IS the original gangsta...

I'll ponder this while mom is out of town AGAIN!! See you all next week!!

Peace out!!

Mom's Collar-ado Piks

2011-05-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Yay! Mom made it back from Collar-ado. It seemed like FOREVER! She had fun but was glad to be home, she missed us tons, oh, and dad too! She even brought us all back presents, but first, here's some of her photos:

After her conference in Denver, she and Aunt Temple headed to Estes Park, outside the Rocky Mountain Park. It was soooo pretty, and warm, and then....

BAM!! Snow!! It was crazee! While dad and Duncan and I were sweating our butts off in 90 degrees, mom and Aunt T had a winter wonderland!!

This is at Bear Lake...somewhere, under that snow is water....

How much snow you ask? Well take this example, mom and Aunt T were walking ABOVE the trail marker signs, they had to be dug out so they knew where they were! That's like 5 feets of snows!

But even with the snows they found wildlife, they found this bunny. Apparently, the snow makes the bunnies crazy, cause while all the park signs say DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE the wildlife must not do the same, cause this bunny charged Aunt Temple...Frankie Furter is right, bunnies are the devil!

They finally found some lowland areas that weren't up to their butts in snow. That's mom looking like a frozen hermit in the corner.

After all the hiking, mom and Aunt T went to stay at the Stanley Hotel, where some dude wrote some Shining book. It snowed all night there too! It is pretty though, and dog friendly which allowed mom to see puppens and miss me!

Check out that stairwell....I'd so want to slide down the banisters!

This is the part mom stayed in. No ghosts though. I think they were scared I'd come put the bitey on them if they messed with the mom.

Mom said this is the hallway that inspired the creepy scene in the movie...

When they awoke on Sunday to come home, this was their view. I know a few husky-roos who'd have a BLAST there!!!

When mom got out my present, I thought she was being mean! I can't has chocolate!

Oh, but no, I was wrong, this was a doggie friendly chocolate NOM!!! Oh, Duncan and I NOMMED out hearts out!! It was glorious!!!

So, we're here for now. Mom leaves Sunday for a beach conference! Gah woman! If we missed your blogs we apologize, we're going to try to make the rounds today!! Chocolately kisses!

Mom's going far far away...

2011-05-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

Remember a while back when I said mom was leaving me with dad cause she had to go out on a trip? Well, the time is almost here! Mom and Aunt Temple are leaving EARLY Sunday for Collar-ado!

After they spend some time with Granny for Mom's Day on Saturday, they are flying out, first stop is Fee-nix to change planes, then on to Denver...I've made a drawing of it for you:

See, mom is going to be all the way over there, and Anna is going to be all the way over here! Boo! And she won't be here for mom's day! So I guess that means no pressies for her!

Once mom and Aunt Temple get done in Denver with mom's conference, they're going up to Estes Park, Collar-ado to go to the Rocky Mountain National Park to go hiking. I asked mom if Aunt Temple will need to borrow my backpack, but she said she's fine.

While up there, they're staying at the HAUNTED Stanley Hotel, the basis of some movie called the Shining?

And they're staying on Friday the 13th! Mom and Aunt T sure are crayzee!

Mom is making all sort of notes and things for dad...so he knows how much noms to feed us and when and who gets what pills when and stuff. Very important nom information. So after Friday I won't be around for a bit, cause mom is taking the technologies with her.

Bears and tents, oh my!

2011-04-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

OMG do you see that bear behind me?!?! Don't worry, he's just like a giant stuffie! Nothin' but fur and stuffie fillin! Your guesses were close, I kinda went camping, well, more like looking at camping supplies...mom took me to Bass Pro Shop!!

Most people don't know, but the BPS will allow in well behaved dogs. We hadn't been there in a while so mom took me for socialization and I did so good!! But the piktures aren't good, mom just had her cell phone to document my excursion.

We checked out the camping supplies....this camping thing seems kinda fun! I may have to make mom and dad invest in a tent and stuff.

At first, I was worried. This guys butt smelled like wood....then I realized he and his little wood-butt smelling family weren't real. They were man-ee-kins. So weird!

Then we saw this black bear...mom said it looked like me, although I was much cuter. Well duh!

Sigh...shoes mom? Seriously?? You drug me here for shoes?!?!

This is more like it!! Wait, where's the pink?? (oh and I didn't do that wet spot on the floor...I don't know where it came from, guess some pup needs some Doggie Diapers!)

I took one final look around....there's so much stuffs!

So that was my excursion! Mom and dad would love to go camping, but it's already too hot here!

PS- thank you for all your prayers and thoughts for the peoples here in the South! It's been hard to watch, but we all have a new perspective on what's important in our lives...it's not the toys, the collars or even the noms, it's the peoples you love, like mom and dad, and even the kitties.

Right now there's not a lot of info on how to give to the pets here, but we're looking out for info. As soon as we know something, we'll pass it on! Have a great weekend with your peoples, and spend an extra minute snuggling with them!

We're Okay....

2011-04-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Dog mom here--

Just a quick note, we are all okay from the horrible storms that ravaged Alabama yesterday. We did have one hit the county next to us, where they're still locating people and doing recovery there. This same storm caused us to go into our "safe spot" but nothing happened thank God. The weather was so weird...hot, muggy and nothing moving...so surreal.

That's Anna's head by the toilet, Mia and Duncan. The other two kitties were with Dog Dad and I in the tub.

Dog Dad and I watched in horror as the tornado hit Birmingham live. Our family is in and around the B'ham area, so we watched, guts wrenched and feeling completely helpless. Luckily, all our family, friends and family-critters are fine.

My mom and dad (Anna's Granny and Pawpaw) have debris in their yard from who knows where. But they have no damage. Dog Dad is from the Pleasant Grove area that was hit, but it seems everyone they know there is fine. And of course Tuscaloosa is a disaster area.

As the death toll rises, please keep all those affected in your prayers. I think the Red Cross is also taking donations.

Anna will be back tomorrow with her blog she teased about yesterday.

~Dog Mom

A very bunny weekend!

2011-04-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

And by "bunny" I mean busy, not Bunny the greyhound!! (Although a BUNNY weekend would be awesome! We could trade fashion advice and stuff!!) Mom was off Friday, but she spent the majority of Friday and Saturday preparing for dad's side of the family to visit for Easter!

There was a lot of cookin' and cleanin' and stuff. I supervised of course, and taste tested a few items to make sure no one got food poisoned. On Sunday they came down, it was Granny and Papa (dad's parents) and dad's sister and her family and dad's brother and his family.

It was a lot of people, but I did good. Much less spazzy than I was two years ago when they came down for last Easter. But when they left, mom and dad just COLLAPSED on the couch...I joined them. Entertaining is hard work!!

After they left and we had a good snooze, the Easter bunny brought me a blue bunny. I have tried, unsuccesfully, to remove his eyes. But it's only a matter of time.

Today we're watching more possible bad storms (BOO!!!) and hoping it's nice and quiet. Tomorrow I'll post about my adventure last night...it involves tents and bears. Any guesses??

Helping Burry the Bodies

2011-04-20T06:13:00.001-07:00

Each year, mom commits murder. Her intentions are well meant, and some may even argue it's unintentional manslaughter, but nope, it's straight up premeditated MURDER!

Let me show you the scene of the crime.....

Yep, for some reason, my mom thinks she can grow plants. She can't. She knows she can't. But she gets to looking around the neighborhood at all the pretty plants and thinks "This is the year!" Yeah, the year of DEATH!

Here's this year's victims and killing supplies. Poor guys, they have no idea what's about to hit them...oh and notice mom didn't have to buy any soil, cause the dirt in the planter is nice and rich due to the decomposition of previous years' victims!!!

I supervised, just so I could tell the po-po (aka police) about what happened.

But then I got sucked in...I mean, you call this a hole?!? Woman! No wonder you kill them all!

Sometimes you just have to jump in there and do it yourself....oh wait, oh no! This makes me an accomplice!!!

This is my look of shame to mom. How dare you trick me into helping your murderous plot! And how dare you waste my toy and nom monies on flowers that you're going to kill!

Ugh, in fact, I can't even look at you right now!! It does look good though...sigh....

As of right now, they're all still alive. I think mostly cause it rained after she planted them. It's the watering mom has a problem with, but she said she's going to water them today....umm hmm...we'll see how that goes!

Do I know You?

2011-04-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

After my awesome Woooing on Friday, Saturday was Bark in the Park. It's a fundraising event for our local humane society. Usually, Lola and Aunt Temple go with us but Aunt T had to "work" so Lola couldn't make it! Boo!

But this year, Dad and Duncan went, that was cool. But while there I thought I saw a lot of people I knew...Like at first I thought "OMG, Hound dog Mom is here!!!"

But nope, it wasn't them.

Then I thought, OMG, Lola made it, wait, why's there two of them?? Oh, that's not Lola! Boo!

Then I got super excited cause I thought I saw Bunny! Then I realized no, for one, it's the completely wrong color, and two, Bunny has much more fabu accessories than that...I mean, that dog's nails aren't even painted!

It was a fun day, we saw all sorts of dogs...little ones, big ones, in between mutt ones. I sniffed a lot of butts and had a good time! Mom said I was even much less spazzy than in years past...that I must be getting "mature" whatever that means.

We even saw some of the girls from Dr. VET's office, they said "You should come see us! Oh wait, nevermind! You do already!!" Mom said it's kinda sad that they recognized us out of a hundred people and dogs! I told mom, that's the price of being a supermodel diva...you can never go out without someone recognizing you!!

I went WOOOOOO!

2011-04-18T10:49:00.001-07:00

What a crazy weekend! We had some BIG storms come through Friday night. Dad had to work, so mom was home with us watching the weathermen on the TV. We were fully ready to do our tornado drill in the bathroom...even with Alley the Devil Kitty.

Luckily everything went north of us, but sadly one storm had a tornado that killed three people, about 20 mins from our house and only about 5 mins from mom's work.

Even though we were okay, several times the tornado sirens went off because we were in the Cone of Possibliltiy (not be confused with the cone of shame). After hearing these sirens, I did show mom new talent of impersonating the sirens! I went WOOOOO WOOOOO WOOOOO! See...err...hear!

Do you see and hear how mom snickered at me?? That's why I gived her the stink eye!! Here I was trying to warn her about the sirens and she snickers at me! Boo on you!!!

Luckily we was all okay and I didn't have to be locked up with Alley, but for some reason when Dad got home he and mom laughed at my video....I just don't get it!

There Goes the Neighborhood...

2011-04-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

There's been some strange activity in the 'hood lately. Besides my nemisis, Socks the Devil Cat, there have been some characters waltzing around.

We live in a pretty suburban neighborhood, we're not out in the country or anything. Although, our property ends up against a railroad track then woods beyond. It's an older neighborhood so there are lots of established trees. All of this is part of why mom and dad chose our house. But apparently, with the trees also comes some sketchy characters.

Exhibit A: The band of marauding turkeys.

They just walk on out, stand in the road and eventually wander off. At first mom thought she was seeing things. But then dad saw them too! And this is also right by a school, there's some pretty heavy traffic there in the mornings, but these turkey's ain't scared...they're hard core gangsta turkeys.

There's about 7-8 of them...but we haven't seen them in a few weeks. Dad says it's because it's now officially turkey season here, so the turkeys must be smart! They ain't scared of a car, but they are scared of becoming this:

Exhibit 2: Apparently I have some long distance relatives coming to visit. Can you see them in the photos?

Yep, that's a coyote! Not just one, but there are two. Dad caught these with his camera phone so the quality ain't great, but almost every day, about 12:30 or so, a pair of coyotes go down the tracks behind our house!

Mom did some research and apparently late March is when coyotes turn on the Barry White and "get it on"with the languate of l-o-v-e. Mom thinks that this pair may have a den close by. So we'll wait and see if we hear any little coyote howls in the next few months!

We've also had a pair of "fighting" raccoons we've heard in the woods, but I have to stay away. Mom says there's been reports of rabid raccoons lately! Oh my! We've also seen a bobcat walk on the tracks as well.

So it seems my 'hood is going wild! Do you have any interesting neighbors?

Hooky Creek Day!

2011-04-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Yesterday was AWESOME!!! Mom played hooky and got off work. I don't know what "hooky" means, but if it means mom comes home and we go do cool things, then I think she needs to come down with hooky-itis.

It was a slow day at work, GORGEOUS outside (76 and sunny) and mom decided she wanted to spend time with the fam. So she came home and we loaded up and went to the creek. I haven't been to the creek in ages...would I remember how to have fun?? Hmmm...

ZOOOOOOOM!!!! Yeah, it's all coming back to me now!

Splashy splash! I'm coming to get you Duncan!!

Don't even think about it kid!

Uh oh! RUN AWAY!!!! I'll get him later!

Did I just hear Jaws music??

I'm suprised the photo even came out with mom's scary white legs, I thought they might reflect the flash!

Way to go mom!! I think all dog moms/dads should take a hooky day!!

My belly MAY have got a little wet....

Hey, what's that in here?!?!

OMG what is THAT!?! These giant GIANT tadpoles were everywhere, dad said not to taste them....

Come on slow pokes!

Ta-dah! Two happy, wet, dirty dogs means the day was a success!!

So it was a great day...we all just needed to get out and run off some steam after being cooped up with the allergee sickness. Also we had to get out of the neighborhood....there's some strange characters hanging out there lately...more on that tomorrow!

Wordless (sneaky) Wednesday

2011-04-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

Shhhh....I'm hiding, waiting for mom. She's taking off work early to take me to the woods!!

Cough cough Hack Hack...sigh

2011-04-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

How was your weekend? Was it full of fun adventures, sunshine and awesomeness? Want to know how my weekend went?

Here's a soundbyte:

"HACK HACK! COUGH COUGH!"

Snot noises

"COUGH COUGH!"

MOOOANNN!

"OMG we're DYING!"

Yep. That's what I heard. I had double-dose nurse duty as BOTH parents were sick! We're not sure if it's allergies or a sinus infection or both (mom calls it the "plague of neverending snot death") but all our fun, outdoor plans got thrown out with all the used tissues.

I guess as soon as Simon and I get better, mom and dad have to go get all sickly. But they PROMISED me this weekend we'll have fun. It's Bark in the Park Saturday, a fundraiser/doggie event for our local humane society. And we're going. If I have to drag them out by their Breathe Right strips, we're going!

Protekt This House!

2011-04-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

As a German Shepherd, part of my job is to protekt mom, dad, the house, Duncan and, sigh, the kitties. I take this seriously. I'm willing to take on any foe (as long as they don't have a vaccum cleaner, skateboard or the like) to protekt my peoples.

Squirrel. Bring it.

Pizza delivery guy? I'm on it.

UPS man...well, he brings me stuff so I just let him know I'm "keeping an eye on him".

But my main nemisis lurks around our neighborhood like a poisoned snake. Glance by and you'll miss him. He hides in people's shrubberies and looks in windows. He goes through people's trash and learns about them...and I keep my eye on him. Watching for the moment to catch him and be hailed as a heroine!

Last night, he almost walked into our backyard as mom and dad were up on the back patio, clueless the the danger in the bottom part of our yard. But I was there. I was like a ninja waiting to strike! As soon as he got ready to hop our fence I went into action! I ferociously barked and tried to get mom and dad's attention!

Finally mom came down to see what the "fuss was about." I tried to warn her to stay back, this is not a guy you want to take lightly...but then mom just started laughing!! Can't you see the danger in the photo?!?!

Let me biggie-fy it!

Yes, it's a black and white kitty!! OMG!! Not just any kitty. I HATE this kitty. I mean, I'm pretty equal opportunity when it comes to kitties, but he's always taunting me and this time he was on my property chasing a chipmunk!! That is MY chipmunk!! What' next?? He goes after MY squirrels!?!? This will not do, my friends.

Mom finally got me inside and I quickly ran to the front windows to see my foe...and there he was. Across the street, glaring at me. Until we meet again kitty....

Kitty Update...give yourself a hand!

2011-04-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Mom took Simon off to Dr. Vet today to see how his thyroid and liver were getting along. She made us all cross our paws and give kisses before they left....so then we waited.

I pulled a shoe out of the closet and left it in the living room just to show how much the waiting was wearing on me. Duncan passed out in worry. Tick tock tick tock....

Then mom came home, annnnd: Simon is fine!!!

Dr. Vet ran the bloodwork and not only is his thyroid now normal, but so is his liver!! Throw your paws up!

The only thing mom and dr. Vet can think of is that Simon must have gotten into something to make his liver value spike like that. Then the fluids and denamarin did their job of flushing it out!

We are all so relieved! Thank you all for keeping him in your prayers and for crossing your paws. We all appreciate it so much, and love our blogging family that is there for us no matter what happens, even if it is to a kitty! Love and hugs!

Anna and Simon!

Anna-bana-fo-fanna

2011-04-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

So my buddy Reilly over at CowSpotDog is having a contest! An EASY contest, you just have to talk about you! Well, how you got your name actually.

My story isn't that exciting. On the 1.5 hour car ride to come get me, mom and dad had several names they liked, one of them being Dory...like the fish. Seriously. A fish. What was they thinking?!?! Daddy also liked Panzer, but mom said I was a girl! Panzer was a boy name! Dad tried to argue that, but of course, mom won.

When they saw me, there was only two of my litter left, me and my sister. Mom and dad hadn't thought about a black shepherd before, but I had a lot of "spunk" as mom called it. They even brought Duncan up to meet the puppies and when I saw him, I went right up to him and licked his nose! Yep, I won!

On the way home, asleep in Mom's lap, mom thought of the name Ada, from the movie Cold Mountain and the song mom loves called Ada Plays from that movie. So there I was....Ada. Then mom remembered she had a lady at work named Ada! Oh no, now she'd always think of work lady! So after some thinking we then we changed it to Annabelle.

My middle name is Walker, for the county in which I was born...mom says it's a inside joke because everyone back home HATES Walker County drivers and the county itself is quite infamous. So there I was, Annabelle Walker.

I only hear the Walker part when I'm doing something they don't like, like eating underpants or trying to put a kitty head in my mouth...I get the "ANNABELLE WALKER! NO!" Pfft. Like that'd stop me!

And for Duncan, he was named Duncan at the shelter and mom and dad thought it was cute, so it stuck. He doesn't have a middle name, but that's okay, he doesn't ever do anything to get it yelled at him...underacheiver!

Eye haz good news, and Eye Mad at Mom!

2011-04-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hola!! Mom is back from her conference, so that means I'm back too, with my internets. Not much has been going on here, it was a beautiful weekend, but dad worked all of it, so we just bummd out at home. But I do have good news!

Last week mom took me to Dr. Eye Vet to see how my pannus is going. After all the kitty news, mom needed some good furkid news...and survey says: my eyes are 85 percent improved!! Dr. Eye VET was very happy and said I should be good to go! How cool is that?!

Simon is also doing well, he goes back for a blood panel Thursday, so keep your paws crossed. He's still eating a good bit and I'm giving him magikal Anna kisses. Now, on to the bad news....which caused me to shun mom....

I mentioned mom went to a conference, well, now begins her busy travel time! Leaving me with no internets!! She and aunt Temple are going to Denver in May for a week and staying at some haunted Stanley Steamer Hotel (they keep referencing the Shining, but I don't know what this means) and going hiking in the Rocky Mountain Park.

THEN she's going to a 3-day beach conference the next weekend...THEN she's going to Miss-or-ee during July 4th for a family reunion, then ANOTHER conference that next week.

Seriously mom?!? You're just dumping us off with dad?? Yep, she's keeping dad at home too! I mean, I love dad, don't get me wrong and I can get away with more, but GAH, its the principle of the matter!

At least we're all going back to North Carry-line-ah in September on a family vacation. That may win back my affections, but right now. I'm mad at mom. I bet get some majorly cool swag from all these places...

This is NOT a Drill!

2011-03-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

So Saturday was interesting. Mom and Dad left that morning to run errands and do some shopping. When they got back they decided to clean the house, which means they got out the noisy vacuums and stuff.

But right before they started, they heard something... At first I thought it was a kitty howling, but then mom looked and dad and said "Seriously?? Okay, kids, this isn't a drill, in the bathroom!"

Next thing I know I'm in the bathroom with Duncan, then we have Simon thrown in, then Alley then Mia. Apparently those noises were tornado sirens! Since we don't have a basement, the safest place for a tornado is a small interior room, and that's our bathroom.

I have learned that the porch is NOT the place to be during a tornado, plus I don't want to see witches on bikes (on in my case annoying teenagers on skateboards, grrr!).

We were all pretty cool, except for Alley who kept making evil devil cat noises and hissing at air. I tried to hear what was going on, but due to the kitty noises of death all I heard was:

Mom: So where's the stor...

Alley: RAWWWRRLLL! RAOOOOOORLLL!

Dad: I think it's to the nort....

Alley: HISS!!! HISSITY! HIIISSSSSSS! SPAT!

Mom: So, looks like we dodg.....

Alley: DEVIL NOISES! LOUD DEVIL NOISES!

Mom: Okay, I'll go let the kids ou....

Alley: RAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!

Finally we were released from the Devil Kitty prison. As we all piled out, I tried to explain the heck that was the bathroom with Alley, so I drew an artist interpretation for mom:

The storm went north of us. Later the sirens came on AGAIN, but it was again north of us. They just turn on the tornado sirens anytime there's a warning in the whole flippin' county. I howled at the siren, mom and dad thought it was funny. I was actually protesting the Devil Kitty Bathroom. It's going to be a long storm season...

Oh, an mom is going out of town for a few days, taking my internets. I'll be back soon! Hugs!

The Kitty Low-Down

2011-03-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Dog mom here. Anna is letting me post on her blog today, there's a lot of scientific stuff her little puppy brain doesn't quite get.

First off, THANK YOU! When I looked in on the blog this weekend and saw all the encouraging posts from people I don't know or have never met, it humbled me. Both Dog Dad and I were so touched. Pet parents (and their pets of course!) are the best--I am honored to be part of this online community.

Okay, so here's the lowdown on Simon's situation. Vet called Friday, and while his thyroid levels have improved, his liver has gone up...from 260 two weeks ago to 795 last Thursday. This is raising concern of possible liver failure. After the initial shock, I began researching and found that his thyroid drug can be causing the liver spikes.

After a phone call with the Vet Friday night, we're trying to find the correct balance. Taking him off the thyroid pills will kill him, and so could the possible side effect of these pills. So we're adding another pill to the mix, Denamarin. Vet said it can be a miracle drug--cleansing and rebuilding the liver.

The game plan is to continue the thyroid meds, add in the Denamarin, give sub-q fluids twice a week and see where we stand next week. If the liver levels are high, we'll have to look at something else, like a thyroidectimy. But we need to get him strong enough to go through surgery, meaning he'll need to be on the thyroid meds to do that.

So basically we're waiting-and-seeing. I pray the Denamarin does its job. He has been eating more, which makes me feel better...maybe being a southern girl I think anything can be cured with food! Again, thank you all so much. You have no idea what it means.

Oh, and Anna wants you all to know she's been giving more magical healing slobbers aka kisses to Simon. She has been quite attentive to him, but I mean, she is the best dog nurse ever! Much love,

~Dog Mom

Bad News :(

2011-03-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Mom just got off the phone with Dr. Vet. While Simon's thyroid levels have improved drastically, his liver values are out the roof.

Dr. Vet is afraid Simon is going through liver failure...she's not sure if it's a mass or what. We're going to try some things involving subq fluids and some new food. Please pray for Simon!

For Who the Yack Tolls

2011-03-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

Yawwwwn.....sorry, I' m soooo sleepy today. And so is mom. We're dragging. Mom's had a few cups of coffee, I've had a few fresh blades of grass, but we're still tired. Why? Oh, let me tell you why!

Last night dad was working, I jumped up in his spot, curled up with mom and dozed off to sleepy puppyland--I dreamed of squirrels and balls made of bacon and streams flowing with gravy...I don't know what mom was dreaming about...probably shoes or Johnny Depp or something.

As we peacefully slumbered, something began to pull us away from our noms and hot pirates...it was the sound of a yack.

No, not that kind of a yack, but the yack of a kitty. A yack sound that could wake the dead out of a coma. Mom scrambles out of bed to find the yacking offender so they don't yack on her new carpet and find it's Simon. Luckily he was on the wood, so she cleaned it and came back to bed.

Off again we drifted....I was dreaming of certain studly dogs and mom was dreaming of George Clooney when....Yack Round 2.

Again mom got out of bed (not quiet as leaping as before and mumbling something about words I cannot publish). Yack crisis two averted. Back to dreamland. At this point I got sick of being awakened by the yack, so I got out of bed and went to sleep in the spare bed. Ahh...serenity now.

Whatever. Mom gets up and starts turning on lights (it's now about 4 a.m. btw) looking for the yack sound...but I didn't hear a yack sound. But I couldn't see anything cause the lights being turned on burned out my retinas. Woman, just let them YACK for goodness sake! Gah!

Then mom realizes it wasn't the cat yacking, it was Duncan licking his feet. At 4 a.m. Yeah, I'm not even going there, but mom was so yack-paranoid she thought that it was another yack attack. She has yack shellshock.

By this point she had had enough! She buried herself in the covers and didn't emerge until 7 a.m. So we're both sleepy, the cats are sleeping soundly on the couch and I am quite worried about my brother's 4 a.m. foot fetish.

Have a great weekend! :)

Magical Time Machine Thursday

2011-03-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

Time to dust off the Time Machine for a trip back in time! Did you know that 137 years ago today, the famous magician Harry Houdini was born? Do you have any idea how old that is in dog years?? Like a billion years old!!

Anyway, Mr. Houdini didn’t just pull bunnies out of hats and stuff, he did scary escaping stuff. He was actually born in Hungary then came to America as a little boy, I guess cause they had no noms in Hungary.

He was called “The Handcuff King” cause he could escape from handcuffs and chains and stuff. We might could learn something from this....

To prove he was doing it without tricks, he'd often do them almost NEKKID!!

He did stuff like escaping from a skyscraper while hanging upside down, getting out of straight-jackets, being burried alive and other such weird things...

One of the weirdest (to me and I think you'd agree) was the Chinese Water Torture act! They'd go dunk him in water all tied up, and he'd escape before he'd drown! I often feel like this during bath times...so I guess I can sympathize, but why would you do it willingly?!?!

A lot of people think that Mr. Hou escaped by swallowing a key and upchucking it furball style and then using it to escape. Most times he escaped hidden...in boxes or in the ground.

But then, still at the top of his game, at the age of 52 this happened:

Not by one of his magical tricks, but by something even Mr. Hou couldn't escape...a ruptured appendix. He actually collapsed on stage in Detroit then died later that night.

So the lesson here, bath's are torture, you can cough up a key and don't ignore when you're feeling bad, go to the Dr. Vet or Human Dr. Vet. Ta-DA!!!

Wordless Wollerin' Wednesday

2011-03-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

Even a diva has to get dirty every once in a while!

Decisions, decisions, HALP!

2011-03-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I won an item in the awesome Paws for Peace acution benefitting Richie and Ronnii and their vet bills! Now the hard part, how to pick my prize?

I won an awesome collar and matching leash from Cody's Creations. And they have SO MUCH cool stuff, I don't know what to pick. I narrowed it down to three, but need your help! Tell me which one to choose (or pick one out for youself and go get it...or get the one I get and we'll be twins!!) :

1. Skully Sweet
2. Grape Crush
3. Pink Argyle
I really don't know which one is more fabulous...they ALL are...don't you see my dilemma?? I love pink, but I may try something different?? I don't know!

And for all you fashionable fellas out there, there are some awesome manly collars as well. I can see some of you in them already!! Help support those who support awesome causes like the Paws for Peace Auciton!

I can't wait to see what you guys pick!

Bark the Vote/Lost AGAIN!

2011-03-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Bailey for the Bark the Vote Spectacular Tongue-Tacular Fan vote!! If you would, email me your mailing address at annagsd at gmail dot com so we can get your goodies out to you! And Link, you should be getting yours this week too, mom's going to mail them out at the same time.

So this weekend, mom and dad and me went back to Weogufka state park...you'll remember this as the state's "best hidden (emphasis on HIDDEN)" state park. Last time, mom and I searched for hours to find it, and after some dog puke and some scary peoples we found it and left.

But this time dad ASSURED us he had the right directions to get there, cause one of his coworkers had gone and gave him the directions. So, off we went....on some country backroads that reminded me a lot of getting lost in NC for Elk Falls where we encountered the Mountain Chicken.

We cross some scary bridges and find a dirt road, we go up the dirt road, and we come exactly to the place where mom and I had stopped last time. We get out. We walk up the road to the firetower thing.

Dad keeps muttering this can't be it. Mom says "this is it, this is best hidden secret in flippin' Alabama". Dad gets on his phone to call his friend.

"Hey dude, yeah, I'm out here in the middle of no where with a pissy wife and a hot diva GSD...help."

It was hot, it was like 86 that day. It was on that hot mountain that I realized I'm not as cool as Shawnee...Shawnee would have found this trail in two seconds cause she's the MacGuyver of trails. Here I was stuck on the same stupid mountain with mom and dad.

After my pitty party, finally dad gets off phone with dude and says we have to drive more, so we drive and mom sees this, the trailhead! THANK YOU JESUS!! I was ready to get this show on the road now that we finally FOUND the road!

We crossed a stream, which was good. My dogs were HOT! Ahh, stream water!

I decided to do my best Holly impersonation!

We came upon some old cabins. This one had fallen apart, but mom caught a butterfly! She didn't even know it was in the picture till later.

Biggiefied butterfly

This cabin was standing, but I'm not sure it would pass my building inspektion

No, this doesn't look up to code AT ALL!

But dad did find a swinging bench to take a break!

See dad, this place is not up to code! They need our remodeling skillz!

I got hot. Dad carried my backpack for me and I made it back to the stream where I majorly cooled off! Now that we know where the park is, maybe it is a good hidden secret? We'll have to go back!!

Found: Secret Kitty Weapon

2011-03-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

This may seem like a kitty blog, but it's not...I, Anna the GSD, have discovered a secret weapon that makes kitty into putty in our paws--this is for all puppers. But I must continue to study this, because it caused some odd side effects...

Mom came home with something in a package yesterday, something that Simon was going bonkers over! She put it on the floor and I watched what happened...

Simon began just rollign around on the floor....he was oblivious to me. At first I thought he was having a cat-niption fit (Badda bing! Get it! Oh well..)

He was unawares of anything around him. I probably could have picked him up and tossed him and he wouldn't have realized it....

As I studied the effects of this odd Weapon of Kitty Destruction (WKD) I wondered if it was just Simon, or if other kitties would fall to it's spell (and yes, that's Simon drool marks on the floor, not mine!!)

So I got Mia in on the act...just to see what would happen....

At first Simon didn't want to share...he was like a CRAZY man!! But Mia finally got a sniff..

OMG she became a blur of craziness!! Maybe I shouldn't have gotten two kitties involved because now I had two cracked-out felines on my paws...and they were getting scary...

I finally got the WKD away from them...I don't get it. It's just a little mouse thing....apparently puppies are immune to it's kitty crack effects...I even licked it, nothing...

Then Simon came back for his "precious" as he started calling it. I gave it to him. I was scared. What had I created?!?!

He just kept saying "WINNING! WINNING! TIGER BLOOD! WINNING!"

OMG, Simon turned into Charlie Sheen...

After about 20 mins, he collapsed in his own kitty drool and just passed out. I have no idea where Mia went, last I saw she was just staring at a wall saying something about the "colors".

I don't know what WKD's are, but they have to be used wisely...but I must see if this has the same effects on squirrels....

Enough kitties! Swamp dog time!

2011-03-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

I'm taking my DOG BLOG back!! No more kitties...for awhile anyway. :)

Last weekend when cousin Lola and Aunt Temple were down, I took them to my woods. It was still very muddy from all the rains, which, of course, meant it was AWESOME!!

I forget Lola's legs are a "tad" smaller than mine and she can't go quite as far or fast as I can, but we made it to my sloo which was up over the reeds/weeds. Which made for great Swamp fun!

Lola is a bit at her limit...I mean, she can't go too far!!

I waded out...looking for gators or lepord-cans....

RUN AWAY!!! Leopard-can's scare me!!

But I was safe with Lola...we're gangsta!

I tried to get that big stick, but mom said "no" and "leave it". Boo mom!! I think Lola found a bug...

I was ready to jump in and go for more, while Lola....

...not so much!!

It was a great weekend. Mom and dad are off all weekend, so dad wants to go back to Weogufka State Park...mom and I had a bad experience there, but apparently, we used the wrong directions. So, dad's up for trying it again...mom shudders about it and thinks back to this post. No big breakfast before we head out this time!!!

Bark Your Vote Tongue-Tacular Fan Vote

2011-03-15T06:35:00.002-07:00

We'll be announcing the winner of the Tongue-tacular today, but first, the Bark Your Vote poll is now open!!! You have until next Monday Morning to vote. All entries can be seen in the links below. Good luck!!!

I. Bajas- RA Husky
II. Amber- Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie
III. Noodles- Ruby
IV. Calhoun - Kayla
V. Jazzi - Lady and Lucky

Simon Update

2011-03-15T06:35:00.001-07:00

Okay, this blog IS NOT going to the kitties!! I know it seems like it though and I'll post tomorrow about some good, dirty, doggie time, but I wanted to give the full scoop (not litterbox scoop) on what's been going on with the oldest fur-kid, Simon.

Simon is 13. He's gangsta. He's always been a thin kitty, but in the last month of so he's got like REEEEALLL skinny. Mom thought it was due to his teeth, so she went to an all canned food diet. This didn't help. He also began having diareah (cha cha cha) of a pudding consitancy. And STEEN-KEY! OMG even I didn't find it appetizing!

So after much worry, Mom loaded him up and took him to Dr. Vet Friday. Mom was terrified of something like the "C" word or the first stages of kidney failure. Mom didn't have a cat carrier so she had to make a bootleg-ghetto one from a paperbox at work. It was pretty good (mom should have got a pic of it, but she was so worried she forgot about documenting for my blog...sigh) but even the vet staff kinda made fun of it!

Simon did great at Dr. Vet (since he's gangsta, he's very laid back...very). Dr. Vet took some blood to do a full blood panel and said she'd call mom that night. She said it could be anything and we wouldn't know what to do until she got the blood work back.

Mom isn't a very patient person, so anytime the phone rang she got excited/nervous. I thought she almost went rabid wombat at the poor Omaha Steaks telemarketer. Finally, Dr. Vet called....verdict...Simon is hyperthyroid! Mom was quite happy with this...his kidney's are great, no inkling of the "C" word and since mom was hyperthyroid, she can use her old prescripton for Simon!

So, Simon is all good. He's not acting as starving and he goes back in two weeks for a check up...the litterboxes are less stinky aka more appetizing again. Thank you all for your prayers and good mojo for Simon! I've done my part by giving him tons of magical Anna kisses and slobbers...they have healing powers, so I know he'll be fine!!

And the winner is.....

2011-03-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Can you feel the suspense?!?! Saturday, Mom, Aunt Temple, Lola and I selected the winner for the title of 2011 Spectacular Tongue-Tacular Champion!! Lola was there to verify the contest and make sure no shenanigans or hanging chads or anything didn't happen.

I have to say, I was shocked by the results!! Here we go!

The names!!

Lola awaiting the drawing and making sure mom doesn't do anything illegal!

Lola verifies the entries...yes, they pass the Corgi legit inspektion

Sniff sniff...

Too many to choose from (is the suspense killing you yet?!?!)

At the moment of the choosing, Lola is there to make sure it's all corgi and square

Got one!! (it's my my mouf)

Verification from the Judge.....

And the winner is Link!! A KITTY!!!! Do wha?!?!

2011 Spectacular Tongue Tacular Winner!!!!

Wow, a kitty!! How crazy is that?!?! But we're equal opportunity around here! So Link, send your mailing infos to me at annagsd at gmail dot com!

I'm glad Lola was there to supervise, so no doggies can bark foul! It's been a weekend of kitties. Simon is okay, and mom will fill you in on him tomorrow.

Congrats Link! And don't forget to vote in the Bark the Vote Tonguetacular Fan Vote on the side of my page, you have until Next Monday!!

Spectacular Tongue-Tacular Entries FINALE!

2011-03-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hey all! Well, the submitting is over! And OMG there are sooooo many fantastic tongue-tacular entries this year, 45 to be exact! Here is this year's final entries. On Monday, we'll announce the winner of the drawing and open up the Bark Your Vote to allow you to choose the most tongue-tastic photo winner!

ALSO, SPECIAL REQUEST: Can you say a prayer for my kitty brother Simon? Mom took him to the vet today (why this post is late). He's losing weight and has pudding poo. I gave him lots of kisses when he came home, but now we're anxiously awaiting the bloodwork analysis from Dr. VET

1. Jazzi

If it's not Scottish, it's CRAP! PFFFFFTTTT! :)

2. Addy

Shiney white + black nose + giant pink tongue = adoralicious!!!

3. Cleo and Winston

Not ONE but TWO hounddog tongues!!! Who says they're all about the nose??

4. Rugby

I vote Rugby for the September month of the tongue-tacular calendar!!

5. Thunder, Phantom and Ciara Woooooos!

Two out of three sibes say PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTT to no snow!

6. Frankie

Frankie gives his best Bo Derek running on the beach interpretation...much better I think!

7. Beryl

Excuse me, do I look good? Why yes, I know, just wanted to make sure you knew! WINK! :)

8. Levi Mac and Dillion

Too...much....studlyness....can't....take...it....SWOOOON!

9. Harley

It's your Birfday! It's your Birfday!! Stick your tongue out like you just don't care! (it was her birfday yesterday, so wish the queen happy birfday!!)

10. Fenris

I like big tongues and I cannot lie, when I see a dog walk bye, with that big tongue out their face I get CRAZY!! BOL!

11. Lady and Lucky

And last but not least...ladies and gentleman, a perfectly similtanious tongue to nose duo!!! What a way to end the show!!!!

Again, thank you for all the entries!! It's such a fun contest and a great way to meet new friends! Good luck, and we'll have the results Monday! Have a great weekend!!!

Tongue Tacular entries pt. 4

2011-03-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, we have sooo many more tonguetacular entries! We would have posted yesterday but mom has a sinus infection and was passed out. Thanks to the Benedryl and rain storms, she slept all day. Even the kitties got worried at one point! But she's better today and running my blog like a good mom!

Without further ado, more tongue-tacular entries!! And remember, go say hi to anyone you may not have met before!

1. Calhoun
Just when you think Calhoun can't get anymore hunkalicious, he does this. Swooooon girls!

2. Nikki

I'm not partial to Nikki cause she's a fabulous black GSD...no, not at all...whistle whistle....

3. Lucy

Lucy's tongue is upstaging those flowers! They don't stand a chance!!

4. McIver

A puppy McIver reveals a little tongue...he's too distinguished now, but that adds to his charm. I'm still crushing!!

5. Chewy

Chewy acts as a sweeper...looking for any nom crumbs!! I've seen his tongue in person, and it is spectacular!

6. Nari, Starbuck and Alpha

A tri-fecta of complete cuteness!! I mean, OMG how cute is that?!?!

7. Bailey

Bailey is our first 3-D tongue-tacular entry! It's like it's coming OFF the screen!! Whoa!

8. Sammy Joe

Sammy Joe is this year's first kitty entry. I'm allowing it. Just cause I like kitties. They share our hatred for the squirrels!

9. Link

Another kitty! Link looks like he ate/or is about to eat some noms!

10. Seraph

THE POWER OF CUTE COMPELLS YOU!! Seraph is toooooo stinkin' cute!

11. Kayla

A true working dog!! Okay, who else is craving peanut butter now?!?!?

Tomorrow is the last day! Then I'll draw the winner this weekend, annouce the winner Monday and then post up the voting for the first Cast Your Bark Tongue-Tacular Contest!!

My New Brudder

2011-03-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, mom succumbed to Puppy Madness**. A LOT of her friends have been getting cute, adorable little puppies. I think after seeing pikture after pikture after pikture, mom snapped. When I went out side I met my new brother...Fluffy von Fluffpants.

At first I thought we could be BFF.

He looked happy and nice...although I don't think he was purebred...

But then the Fluffy began trying to take my toys!!

Do what?!?! See that smirk he has from stealing my toys! I don't think so!

My TOY FLUFFY!!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Hmm...not sure what happened! Mom said we'd rehome him to the squirrels/birdies nests.

Remember mom, I'm your only little girl!!

**Yes, my mom was completely sober during all of this...

Tongue-Tacular Entries Pt. 3

2011-03-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

Guess what....MORE TONGUES!!!! It seems us dogs have all kinds of tongues! GIANT tongues, small tongues, twisty tongues, spotted tongues, we got it all! Here's some of this weekend's entries. Again, if you haven't met these pups before, go by and sniff their booty...err...say hello!

Friday is the last day to submit AND we may have a special guest winner-picker this weekend...I'll still pick the winner, but my cousin Lola, the wonder corgi, may be my assistant! I may also have a special announcment concerning the contest...mom is thinking about having a "Puppy's Choice" winner in conjunction with our random drawing winner....letting you make your bark heard by voting. What do you think? It's going to be haaard to choose though!

Remember to leave a comment on my blog so I know you posted an entry!! Good luck!

1. Noodles

Okay, Noodles' tongue kinda looks like a...umm...noodle!!! Rigatoni anyone?

2. Katie

Man, I need to perfect the "tongue out the side of my mouth but I'm paying not attention to it or you" multi-tasking look!

3. Frankie Furter

Frankie displays the "I HATE YOU SNOW" angry tongue technique. Add a little bit of a snarl and I'll bet that snow just melted away!

4. Sarge

OPEN UP AND SAY AHHHHH! What do you see when you see the blot on my tongue? I see Mississippi...I think...

5. Ruby

Nothing like some hot day/mom and dad made me go hiking/tongue action! Those make the BEST slobbery kisses!!

-----------------------------------------------------------

Our weekend itself was pretty boring. It rained all day Saturday so mom and dad must have got attacked by the Sandman, cause they turned into giant kitties and laid around/napped all day! Then it got cold Sunday so we just chilled (get it!! BOL!) at home.

Aunt Temple and Lola may come down this weekend for Girls Night. I am PUMPED!!!!

Tongue-Tacular Entries Pt. 2

2011-03-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

Wow! I've met so many cool friends! That's why I love this contest, it's a great way to meet new puppy bloggers and their peoples. If you don't know any of them, go by and say "What up dog??"

This year's competition is getting tough! Here's the next round of entries...so many awesome tongue actions going on!!

1. Amber

I mean seriously, is Amber related to Gene Simmons?? That's INSANE!!! :)

2. Lily

She looks innocent...may the power of cute compell you!!!

3. Eva

....and I said "cause it was CAT-agious!" Get it?? Bahahahaha! A hilarious tongue entry!!

4. Finn

I have to admit, I may have a new crush...Finn makes sticking your tongue out look gooood!

5. Tibby

I loooove this photo...nuff said!

6. Reilly

As the breeze blows through my hair, it makes blowing a raspberry quite diffikult!!

7. Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie

Whooo hooo! Panama City here we come! PAR-TAY! (not really, but a dog can dream, right?)

There's still plenty of time to enter....click on the Tongue-tacular logo on the side of my page! I can't wait to see more! Have a super duper weekend!

Spectacular Tongue Tacular Entries!

2011-03-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a few of the Spectacular Tongue Tacular Entries! There's still plenty of time to get your entries in, so do it today so you can win FABULOUS prizes!! Deadline is March 11!

Also, go make friends with these awesome doggie bloggers if you haven't already! Rules (there aren't really any...maybe guidelines?) are on the post linked by the Tongue-Tacular logo above or on the side of my page. Remember to post back to me so I'll know to come find your photo!

1. Bajas:

Bajas demonstrates the "sleeping tongue" approach!!

2. Buttons:

Buttons demonstrates the "Get me out of this gitmo prison/water torture" technique! Free Buttons!

3. Shawnee

A true first, a tongue-tacular self portrait!! Shawnee is my hero!

4. RAHusky

The "neener neener it ain't that cold mom!!!" tongue truly gets the point across!!

Spring and Glamour Shots

2011-02-28T06:59:00.000-08:00

This weekend was super! I think that ground squirrel/hamster/varmit/thing was right when he saw his shadow. The birds are singing, trees are budding, Duncan is rolling around in the grass. Yep, spring is here! As you can see by our gardinia bush, it's become a lot more colorful around here!

Mom says the trees should have leafs on them by the end of the week!

Mom, Dad, Dunc, Cousin Rebel and I decided to hang around in the backyard most of the weekend....play ball!

Hey, where'd my ball playing partner go??

I just stopped to smell the flowers!

Uh oh, it's glamour shot time!

Yawn...a diva-model's work is never done!

Rebel struck a pose too! (if his ears look a little slobbery, I assure you, I have NO idea where the at could have come from...whistle whistle)

Duncan said Glamour Shots were for sissy's...pfffffft!

But he gave in with a distinguished gentleman pose...very George Clooney-esque, no?

It was a great weekend! Mom didn't get any play photos of me and Reb cause everytime we started she didn't have the camera...well, that's what she says, but in truth she was taking a nap in the sun!! And Cousin Rebel goes home today. Boo!!!!

I've received some great Tongue-tacular entries! I will be posting round one of photos later this week...so get your Spectacular Tongue-Tacular on! BRING IT!!! :)

Spectacular Tongue-Tacular is BACK!!

2011-02-23T08:37:00.001-08:00

IT'S BAAAAACK!!

A year or so ago I held the Spectacular-Tongue-tacular contest, and I've decided to bring it back!

It's very very simple actually. To enter, post about this contest on your blog and feel free to post your favorite tongue photo! Then comment back on here so I know you've entered. You get an extra entry if you post this cool logo on your blog entry and link it back to here so more people can enter**. All entries must be in by noon on Friday March 11th. Then on March 14, we'll take all the entries and do a big ol' random drawing to declare the winner

What do you win other than the title of 2nd Annual Spectacular-Tongue-tacular winner? A goody box with some toys and treats will be delivered to you via da mail man! And mom knows how to shop...I've trained her well!!

So find your favorite tongue-tacular pics and remember:

Does your tongue hang low?
Does it wobble to and fro?
Can you tie it in a knot?
Can you tie it in a bow?
Can you throw it o'er your shoulderlike a continental soldier?
Does your tongue hang low?

**note, if you're a people and your doggie doesn't have a blog, you can still enter and win the prizes for your puppy!

Pins and Needles

2011-02-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

What a great looong weekend. Mom was off Monday for Presents Day (whoops, she called it President's day...whatever). She needed it after running her 5k! She did it in 36 minutes! Go mom!

Cousin Rebel also came down. Yay! And Granny and Pawpaw brought something else too...a late Christmas present (see, maybe it was Presents day!) for mom...and guess who was on it?? Me and Dunc!!

Granny is a quilter, so she hand quilted me and Dunc for mom! How flippin cool is that?? AND she got my GOOD side!! I couldn't believe how much she captured my diva beauty!

And Dunc's charm! Although she left off all his greys! BOL!

Mom loved it! She couldn't believe how much the quilt looks like us! Granny did one for Aunt Temple too, it has cousins Lola the wonder corgi and Amos on it. Mom asked if Granny would sell these, she said she'd make them, she just needed pictures of the people's dog(s) and she'd do it. So if your people's want a one of a kind quilt with you on it hit me up yo! Or check out Granny's Etsy site and send her a message about what you want....all for about $130-$150!

Okay, enough for shameless plug. Mom was a "tad" sore after her run so we just hung around the house and played at home most of the weekend. Dad got the worm-bug yesterday, so he stayed home as well. And Rebel is here until next Tuesday! I'll get some play pics up soon!

Mom Has Worms and new Counters

2011-02-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night, as mom and I got ready for bed, all was well. Then about an hour later mom wakes up and starts walking around the house. She did this a few more times...I was quite concerned so I followed her around the house.

Apparently mom was having horrible tummy cramps. It lasted all night and into the morning. Poor mom, got no sleep so I stayed up with her while the kitties and Duncan snoozed away. When dad got home the next morning and saw that mom was still in bed he was quite worried. Mom said she had a tummy bug....and I was like "Oh nos! Mom has worms!!"

I was worried mom was going to start scooting her but across their lovely new carpet, but dad said it's not worm bugs, but like a virus bug. Mom got up, went to work for a few hours cause dad and counter top dude were installing our new kitchen countertops (photos below), then came home when they were done. Since we were both up alllllll night we both passed out on the couch.

This morning mom is bug free, which is good for mom. She doesn't want to even KNOW where Dr. Vet sticks the thermometer!! And which means she'll be in tip top shape for when Granny and PawPaw come down Saturday bringing cousin Rebel!!

Mom also has a 5k she's attempting to run that day. Mom has a busy weekend, but she's off work Monday so it will be some good times! Here's the before, during and after of the kitchen. Mom and dad are so glad it's all over with!!!! I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

RIP Turquoise Nighmare Part II

2011-02-16T07:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's all gone...the plushy-turquoisy carpet is dead!! Mom almost cried when she walked in yesterday and saw the new carpet!!

Prior to new floors (you can see my lazer eyes if you look closely!). We don't understand the magical linoleum brick road that curved through, so we got rid of that!

Ta dah! Dunc and I like this new carpet...it doesn't try to eat your soul like the other devil carpet!!

The dining room before...wood paneling and rose trim...why would we ever get rid of that??

Demo was fun!!!

Almost there...again, mom says ignore the construktion mess!

MUCH better!!!! Mom is ready to get a new dining set and china cabinet!

Now mom says it's time for new furniture!

I think we all enjoy it...even dad! I think he collapsed from home-improvement-itis.

It's quite nice. Simon even rolled around on the new carpet. All of mom and dad's hard work (which I supervised!) has paid off. Dad is doing the new counters tomorrow and there will be NO MORE pink in the house!! Do you hear that??? Those are angels singing!! Mom and dad have been remodeling the house, tearing down walls, painting and everything else since May of last year...I'm glad it's over! Well, they still have little odds and ends of baseboards and stuff, but the big stuff is DONE!

And in BETTER NEWS mom said Granny and pawpaw are coming down Saturday to see the house AND bring my cousin Rebel to stay with us for a whole week!! Granny and pawpaw are going to Vegas so mom and dad will be puppysitting. SA-WEET!!!

So far my puppy-sneaking skills are still good...the floors aren't giving me away too much...yet, although I did just have my nails clipped.

RIP Turquoise Nightmare

2011-02-15T07:15:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day! Mine was pretty awesome...and dad is still with us. Not because he saved his butt by doing anything for V-Day (way to step up dad...ever heard of flowers? Ahem...) but because mom was so enamoured with our new floors she didn't care!

Any of you that have read my blog for a while may have noticed that our floors in our house are horrendous! The carpet, while quite plush, is a horrible turquoise leaf pattern, with a lovely white and turquoise linolieum. Mom hates these floors. They haunt her at night. They've killed three vaccum cleaners with their leafy-plushness. They refuse to die. But in our final stage of complete home remodel, her dreams came true...they went RIP.

On Sunday Night, Simon and I paid our respects to the turquoise nightmare....

Can you find Simon's head?? How does he do that??

WARNING: EXCUSE THE MESSES IN THE HOUSE!! EVERYTHING WAS EVERYWHERE DUE TO CONSTRUKTION. WE DON'T LIVE LIKE SQUATTERS (mom wanted to make sure you knew that)

The old kitchen floors and carpet...blah!

Mia is paying her final respekts...

The hall...yeah, it's pretty bad!

Viola!! Check that out!!!

I approve these new floors. The kitties have less traction when I chase them. Muwhahahahaha!

They didn't get all the carpet out and replaced with the new carpet yet, they're doing that today. Dad and I will once again stay outside and supervise. Mom is so happy...RIP horrible floors!!

And thank you all for the good eye-mojo!!

Eye had a buzy weekend!

2011-02-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a weekend! So much to talk about!

First, mom took me to my appointment with Dr. Eye Vet to see about my possible Pannus. We waited in the waiting room for a while, but I was so nice and calm, and even got to met two little baby puppies that someone had just dropped off at someone's house in the cold night! How horrible!! Everyone laughed when these two little puppies backed me into a corner! They were hard core puppy fighters! Everyone called me a "chiken" but thought it was great how sweet I was with the little fellas!

On to Dr. Eye Vet. She was cool. Mom said she had a good vibe. She looked in my eyes, even turned the lights off! When she turned the lights on, she told mom I was an overacheiver, that I had both types of pannus! One affects my 3rd eyelid and is more cosmetic than anything. The other is typical pannus and hurts my cornea and could make me go blind! Oh snap!

But Dr. Eye Vet said with eye drops it can be controlled and I won't go blind. I'll just have to get drops for the rest of my life. That's better than going blind, so we can handle that. She said the rest of my eye was very healthy and she felt good about things. She even really liked my Doggie and Gabbana sunglass photos!

I did get a shot in each one of my eyes, but they numbed it up before hand and I didn't feel anything. I was so good, I didn't flinch or anything! After mom got the bill she said "Thank GOD for that puppy insurance policy I bought!!"

After that, me, mom, dad and Dunc went to the woods to run around since I was so good at Dr. Vet. It was great! I got to show dad my trails and my spot at the lake. On the way, Dunc tossed his cookies, but other than that it was a great time! After the long day at Dr. Vet and running around the woods I passed out!!

Sunday, mom painted the last room in the house in preparation for....dun dun dun!...the new floors that are coming in today!! Mom was so excited! We'll have a photo recap tomorrow! Oh, and today is also Duncan's Gotcha Day! Here's mom's write up last year about how we got the Big D!

Mom has to go by the store and get something special for the big guy...and also apparently buy dinner for her and dad since it appears dad has forgotten that today is a special day...Valentine's Day. Dad may not be with us for much longer...it was fun while it lasted pops! :)

(Warm Wishful Thinking) Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-09T07:03:00.000-08:00

Sigh....

What I Is

2011-02-07T13:59:00.001-08:00

Reading Bunny's Post yesterday about Blueberry's color got me thinking about all the times I've been called something other than a German Shepherd due to my fancy coat coloring.

Most people know GSDs by the traditional Black and Tan, or Rin-Tin-Tin look. That's what mom and dad knew before they got me. They also knew of the solid white GSDs. Then, after meeting me they were introduced to the whole new world of GSD coloring!

I'm what they call a Bi-color GSD...it's one of the rarest GSD coat colorings. I only have tan on my legs and a little bit around my bum and some brown tips in my ears and on my belly. Other than that, I'm all black. This pattern makes most people think that I'm either a:

1. Petite Rottie

2. Some sort of Doberman

These are the most common things people think I'm mixed with. But on occasion, I've heard some doozies! Like when we were hiking in NC and I was wearing my blue backpack and this woman freaked out saying: OMG THAT WOLF IS WEARING A BACKPACK!! ON THE TRAIL!!!

Do what? Does this guy look like the blue-backpack, coordinated pink leash and collar wearing guy to you??

I think the best though, and mom's alltime favorite, was when a woman actually stopped her car, backed up to us and asked mom if I was a Jackal. Mom was dumbfounded and looked at the lady like she had an arm growing out of her head....wow.

There are also sable GSDs that do look kinda wolflike...mom and dad think they're very pretty! Then there's the solid blacks and blanket-blacks that have a lot of black on their bodies, but not enough to be a bicolor.

Mom and dad also got a lot of "You cropped her ears to be like that, right?" I'm guessing because I looked like a Dobe. Mom would reply "If this is what her ears look like cropped, how big do you think they were before?!?!?!?"

So there you go...I'm not a Rottie-Dobe-Wolf-Jackal cross, just a plain ol' GSD!

Bike Season!

2011-02-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

Hey all! Hope you all had a great weekend! Ours was pretty laid back...it warmed up to the mid 50s Sunday, so mom took me to the woods to burn off some energy. Dad was working so he didn't get to go, but I had fun anyway! And I found some new PREY! Muwhahahahahaha!

See, I was in the woods by my little part of the lake, when I sensed a disturbance!!

What's dat?

I hid among the mud and reeds...waiting...

Come on mom!! Gah, you're crampin' my style!

Wait...I hear something with my giant supersonik ears!!!

I'll point...like a huntin dog...there it is!!!!

Can you see my prey??

Biggiefied, it's a biker on a trail!!

I wonder if he'd fit in my backpack??

No worries, I won't hunt the bikers, I just like to look at them. The trails are hiking/biker trails so they're out a lot, but they're all pretty nice! Some of them even bring their doggies to run alongside them as they bike. I don't see this happening in our future, but it's cool to look at!

In other news, a week from today is not only Valentine's day, but it's also Duncan's gotcha day AND the day we're getting new floors in the house!! What a busy day that's going to be! Mom may take off work and maybe we can all go to the woods while the workers install the new floors...me, dad, mom and Dunc! That sounds pretty cool!

The Fairy Tale of Anna-locks

2011-02-02T06:25:00.001-08:00

There once was a beautiful GSD named Anna-locks. She was what some might call "high maintenance" but she was okay with that.

One night, as her mom went off to sleep, Anna-locks tried falling asleep in her "Lair of Doom" aka under the bed. But Anna-locks laid there and thought, this bed is too hard...I need to sleep somewhere else!

So Anna-locks crawled up on the bed with her mom...who was sleeping like a bear! She laid down and put her little puppy head on a pillow...it was a body pillow her dad used at night. After tossing and turning, Anna said, this pillow is too poofy!

Anna-locks then rooted the poofy body pillow off the bed (oh so quietly I assure you), then laid her head down on her dad's normal pillow. "Ahhh....this one is just right!" she said! She was so comfortable and relaxed that as she drifted off to dreamland, she pooted.

This woke up the momma-bear who was pretty much awake during the whole "Anna-locks getting comfy thing" and had had enough. With a GRRRRRRRRR (or more like a sleepy ANNA!!) momma bear scared off Anna-locks.

But Anna-locks, using the power of cute, came back, snuggled with mom bear an they all lived happily ever after! THE END.

Well, this is MY version of the story anyway, I don't know why mom looks so sleepy today and told dad she didn't get any sleep last night because of "his daughter." Must have been one of the kitties doing something!! Whistle....whistle.....

New Look and some Intell

2011-02-01T07:55:00.001-08:00

So I spruced up my page! Decided I needed a new look...so I went with Tiffany's blue! Yes, I have high standards...you're not suprised are you??

Second, I have a blogger award! The hunkalicous Levi Mac gave me the Stylish Blogger Award. I think Bunny and Blueberry and Morgan gave this to me before, but I was going through my eye stuff and didn't have time to post...so I'm doing a two-fer today!

I guess I got it, cause I'm stylish with my backpack and sunglasses and all. Sigh, the life of a diva! So here's what I'm supposed to do:

There are 4 duties to perform to receive this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

So let's see...what can I tell you about me that you may not know?

1. I love playing "catch me if you can" with mom and her underpants...it's a fun game!

2. If mom and dad start howling, I'll howl. I think we make a good trio...maybe we should go on the road?

3. I love morning snuggles with mom...when it's just me and her.

4. If given the opportunity, I will sneak in the laundry aka cat room, and dig in the littler box for treats...it's like a buffet of opportunity, but mom and dad don't agree....

5. I have learned to not bark at the UPS man, most packages he brings are for me!

6. The best way to get mom and dad's attention is to get the loudest toy I have (I have three in particular) and just stand there and stare at them and squeak it every 5 seconds...it does the trick!

7. I love boys...I love being flirt. There, I said it! I'm a heartbreaker....WHOOOA HERE SHE COMES! SHE'S A MANEATER!

And, I'm going to break the rules, I'm not going to pick 15 blogger friends. I'm giving it to ALL of you!! Take it, post some fun stuff!