Lives in a Shoe

New Family Member -- Meet Yam

Yam is a McNab, one of eight in his litter.  He will be here in a few weeks.  George was working in Atlanta over the summer at the Skyhoundz World Competitions and fell in love with the breed and insists that we need one. 

 

Look at that face.

We'll probably rename him but I think his middle name should always be Yam -- the theme of his litter was Thanksgiving, since they were born November 10th.  His siblings are Pilgrim, Puritan, Autumn Apple, Pie, Gather, Pudding, Daisy.

 

Disc Dogs!

 Video here:

http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/mount_vernon_man_dog_learning_to_fly/

 

 

 

 

 

(I have to break in here to note that in this photo Rick has the disc in his mouth so he appears to be dedicated -- but really it is so he can go "Nyah nyah nyah" to Radar and keep it to himself.)

 

 

 

Current Events

Man with dead weasel accused of assault

Associated Press, by Staff    Original Article

Hoquiam, Wash. – Police say a man was carrying a dead weasel when he burst into an apartment and assaulted a man in Washington state. The victim asked, "Why are you carrying a weasel?" Police said the attacker answered, "It's not a weasel, it's a marten," then punched him in the nose and fled. ...

Well, Sure.

Article in Business Insider "Dogs Make employees More Productive at Work".

George's office has ever been dog-friendly, encouraging, as a perk, employees to bring their dogs.   Cats too -- Marcella brings her cats Fluff and Noodley from time to time to broaden their experiences.

One terrific pit bull, Petee, who belonged to one of the paralegals, was a wonderful ambassador for his breed and a good judge of character.  I'm told he growled only once -- at a client who had been convicted of child molestation.  Little West Highland Terrier Lily, a teeny grande dame, is in daily with one of the lawyers and admired by all for her beauty.  Sometimes our Ricky or Radar go in with George.  Our wonderful Babe, of course, was there all the time and George has a wall in his office to showcase some of her trophies.

 

"You Know What the Meat Drawer Is, Right?"

 

 

The Herd

Spring grass and lots of it.  At first I kept the babies in a separate enclosure but now the little guys are out in the pasture with the adults.  They have bonded just fine.  Bubba is the BEST big brother evah -- both little ones follow him around.  Bub lowers his big head and washes their ears.  Margaret is more matter-of-fact but seems to enjoy the additional company.

 
 
Left to right:  Isaac Hays, Mickey Moo, Elmer Cudd (Bubba), Margaret Thatcher.

Look carefully -- notice the heart shape on Mickey's right flank.  He was chosen to be exhibited in the Petting Farm at the Evergreen State Fair during the summer ibecause of that little heart.  And now his destiny has changed from being made into hamburger to being a steer of leisure whose occupation is grass-munching.

Stocky Hereford Isaac is the most intelligent little calf.  When he was at the fair, our friend Harmen -- who knows cows -- agreed that this was one bright little calf .  Now that I know him better I am convinced he has a sense of humor.  Lucky too -- Isaac has a sponsor.  Seattle lawyer Barbara has sent a generous check to contribute to his upkeep.  I'm sure those moos include expressions of gratitude from Isaac, even though he probably does not realize she saved his life.  All of us hope she will find time to come up for a visit.  We would love to meet her and thank her in person.

 

Easter

 

The Bobcats

Marcella sent me this link.  Made us both laugh out loud.  I think the cartoonist lives in Seattle.

 

Beautiful Joe

One nice thing about the Nook George gave me, which is also a terrible thing about it, is the instant gratification of obtaining new books -- less expensive in electronic form, but more expensive than secondhand.  Another disadvantage is the impossibility of passing a book along to a friend.  I know, I know -- you can lend one to someone who also has a Nook, but...it's limited as to time, and it's just not the same. 

As opposed to the Kindle, I think the Nook might be the most fortunate choice for me because it operates off a touch screen and there are no physical buttons to break.  Also, I understand some libraries now lend electronic books to the Nook.  Something to look into.

I LOVE my Nook.

Works that have passed into public domain are available easily -- sometimes free or "The Complete Works of So-and-So" for a buck ninety-eight.  

I found "Beautiful Joe" -- from my childhood.  I read it and reread it as a girl.  Finding it again was a joy.  I enjoyed it just as much as an adult.  I learned that my childhood book had been edited, probably for length (little Billy joined a circus -- who knew?)  I hadn't known that Marshall Saunders was a woman and Canadian, that there was a real Beautiful Joe, that the book won a contest sponsored by a humane society, and that there is a sequel.  Even though to my contemporary sensibilities it's preachy (in the same way Louisa May Alcott is) I love it still.  

 

 

 

After Five Years -- Missing Dog Shows Up on Porch

Too wonderful.

A shaggy-haired Shih Tzu named Prince - missing for five years - has found his way home even though his owner moved four times since he disappeared.

Video of little Prince lovin' on his peeps -- at the link.