In Loving Memory
China Gibson-Eckle
1993-2009
"A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life." ~ Bob Barker
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
monday's mutt
It's a great week for Monday's Mutt to make its debut in my home state of Michigan as we are hopping on the Michigan State Spartans bandwagon! Not only did MSU make it into the Final Four, but they will play in Detroit which is the hometown of this week's lovely mutt. I didn't attend college at Michigan State, but I did go to Hillsdale College with the owner of our weekly cutie. In fact, she was my Chi Omega little sis. I very proudly present. . .
Lilly
Lilly is a 7 year-old Collie/German Shephard mix who is loved by the Gwizdz/Lehnertz family.
GT: Where in Michigan do you live, Lilly?
Lilly: I live in Royal Oak, MI. I'd do that mitten trick those Michigan folk do to show where they live, but I can't find a thumb on my paw.
GT: How did you get your name?
Lilly: My human grandma named me when I was 8 weeks old. I love flowers so it's very appropriate.
GT: How long have you been with your family?
Lilly: All 7 years!
GT: How did your family find you?
Lilly: They found me in an ad in the newspaper for lab pups. . .even though I'm not
a lab and don't look much like one.
GT: What is your best trick?
Lilly: Jumping off the dock into Higgins Lake.
GT: Who is your best friend?
Lilly: My mom
GT: What is your favorite food?
Lilly: Table scraps of any sort, but meat and chocolate are number one!
GT: Lilly. . .don't you go sneaking any Easter chocolate. That is poisonous for you!
Lilly: You are ruining all my fun. Just a little bit. . .that's all I eat.
GT: Do you have any bad habits?
Lilly: Just begging for food. That's not too bad, is it?
GT: Do you have any pet peeves?
Lilly: When my family leaves for the day. And I don't like those little yippy dogs that bark a lot. They really get on my nerves.
GT: What about TV? Do you have a favorite TV show?
Lilly: I love The Dog Whisperer.
GT: What nicknames do you have?
Lilly: Lilly Pusion. And don't ask me what that means.
GT: Any favorite walks?
Lilly: I love the park at the end of our street. It's called Elks Park.
GT: What about a favorite toy?
Lilly: Um, I'm not sure this is really supposed to be a 'toy'. . .but I love to play tug-of-war with the kitchen towels that I grab from the towel bar.
GT: What is one word to describe you?
Lilly: Sweet
GT: Anything else you'd like everyone to know?
Lilly: I like to hug in the morning and I love sleeping on freshly made beds. . .especially if they have cozy comforters.
Lilly enjoying a cozy comforter!
PS. . .Test your 'How Michigan are you?' skills!
monday's mutt
Once again, Monday's Mutt is back in a city that yours truly has never even visited. Somehow I need to figure out a way to conduct these interviews in person.
Here are some clues so you can guess the city. Snow, mile-high, Broncos, Rocky Mountains (I think I just gave it away with that clue).
Do you know where we are? Yep. . .Denver. . .in the beautiful state of Colorado. This week's mutt belongs to my friend and former neighbor, Betsy, and her husband. It is with great pleasure that I introduce:
Wrigley
GT: I think we have another lab this week!
Wrigley: Yep. I'm a yellow lab. I've been told I am a "dudley" as I have a pink nose and mouth with no black markings. I guess I'm kind of rare.
GT: How old are you Dudley. . .I mean Wrigley.
Wrigley: Age is just a number. It's how you FEEL that is really important. Okay, truth be told no one really knows my age and I forgot to start counting when I was a puppy. The vet thinks I'm around 3.
GT: And where do you live?
Wrigley: I live in the Highlands neighborhood on the Northwest side of Denver, Colorado. It's pretty cool here, lots of dogs in the neighborhood.
GT: How did you get the name Wrigley?
Wrigley: Interesting story. I've had several names. I cannot remember my first name. The Lab rescue called me "Luke", but my parents didn't think I looked like a Luke. Then there what the whole Star Wars gig. . ."Luuuuuke, I'm your faaaaaather"- it just wasn't going to work. My parents spent a couple of days trying to come up with a good name and in the meantime I was just called "Buddy". It was hard for them because it was the first big thing they were doing as a couple and they wanted to find something that was meaningful to them. They both went to Northwestern and spent a lot of time in Chicago, so they wanted to work that angle. So. . .I was named after Wrigley Field. No, not the chewing gum (although I hear it is delicious!).
GT: How long have you been with your family?
Wrigley: It was one year last October, or 2 years this October. . .however you want to look at it.
GT: How did your family find you?
Wrigley: They found me through the Safe Harbor Lab Rescue in Denver. They're sort of a half-way house for dogs like me.
GT: What is your best trick?
Wrigley: HA! I've got a great one. I ring a bell on the doorknob when I want to go outside. The real trick is that I do it about every two minutes if I think my
parents aren't paying enough attention to me. In. . .out. . .in. . .out. . .in. . .out. Hee, hee. It makes them absolutely crazy, but hey. . .I get the attention I deserve. I'm also pretty good at unzipping my dad's tennis bag and stealing all the balls.
GT: Who is your best friend?
Wrigley: I'm gonna go with Brody. He's another yellow lab who is a little younger than me. Us guys love to wrestle!
GT: What is your favorite food?
Wrigley: Cream cheese. I can't get enough of that stuff.
GT: What is your worst habit?
Wrigley: Other than the aforementioned bell ringing, I would have to say going nuts in the car? By nuts I mean barking, trying to get out the windows and bouncing from window to window to door to door. Can you tell I really don't like riding in the car?
GT: Do you have any pet peeves?
Wrigley: I REALLY don't like getting my nails clipped. Other than that, I'm pretty easy going (except when I ride in the car. . .then not so much).
GT: Do you have a favorite TV show?
Wrigley: TV? What's that?
GT: Do you have any nicknames?
Wrigley: Wiggley, Wriggles, Wrigs, puppy. Oh, and the vet calls me "Wrigley Rodeo" when I'm being uncooperative.
GT: Is there a park in Denver that is your favorite?
Wrigley: Oh yes. Berkley Dog Park. There are TONS of dogs and lots of room to run.
GT: What about a favorite toy?
Wrigley: I have lots of stuffed toys I like but I think my favorite toy is actually the Chuckit. Literally, I'm a little OCD that way.
GT: What is one word to describe you?
Wrigley: Wiggley. That pretty much sums it up.
GT: Anything else you'd like everyone to know?
Wrigley: Yea, I know we rescue dogs can be a wee bit challenging, but with a little training, love and patience we can be great additions to your family.
monday's mutt
Spanning the globe to bring you a constant variety of dogs. . .Monday's Mutt is like the wide world of dogs! It's a good think we only have the trill of seeing new pups appear each week and no drama. . .well, maybe SOME drama.
We're celebrating a couple of seconds and a couple of firsts here at Monday's Mutt. Considering the fact that I've never even been to Alaska, it's hard to believe this is the 2nd Alaskan dog we have featured. It is also the 2nd dog that belongs to friends I met while living in Okinawa. And this week, we feel especially privileged to feature the first mutt who has an owner currently serving our country in Iraq. Monday's Mutt has gone patriotic and we are so proud!
The family of this week's pup is currently stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska. She has 3 adorable sisters that don't look anything like her. In fact, they are all brunettes and our pooch is a blondie! I am delighted to introduce the pup of these cutie patootiee lil cherubs.
Presenting. . .
Alli
GT: Alli Blake. . .what is your breed?
Alli: I am a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
GT: And how old are you?
Alli: I am 2 years old
GT: How did you get the name Alli?
Alli: Well. . .Maddie, Katie and Sarah had the privilege of naming me. A few of their choices were Sunshine and Rainbow, but mom encouraged them to go with Alli. Whew!
GT: Yes. . .good call, mom!
GT: Where do you live?
Alli: Right now I live in Eagle River, Alaska. I have also lived in Alabama.
GT: How long have you been with your family?
Alli: I have been with my family since I was 9 weeks old. My grandmother picked me up from the breeder because mom and dad were stuck in a snow storm on their way home from a ski trip. So I was waiting for them at Nonnie's house. I think Nonnie wanted to keep me!
GT: Who is in your family?
Alli: My mom, Jenn and my dad, Brett. There is also Madeline, Katie and Sarah. Oh, and one hermit crab. . .but I don't give him the time of day.
GT: How did your family find you?
Alli: My mom met several other Wheatens and fell in love (how could you not. . .I mean, look at me!). She tried to rescue one, but had a hard time. So she found me and I am SO glad she did.
GT: What is your best trick?
Alli: Playing keep-away. . .oh, and I'm REALLY good at
licking the girls' faces in the morning to wake them up for school.
GT: Who is your best friend?
Alli: I had two best friends, Deuce and Sitka, but they both had to move. Ah, the life of a military dog. I do miss them!
GT: What is your favorite food?
Alli: Anything on the table, the floor, the counter or in someone's hand. I am not partial.
GT: I'm having a hard time thinking that a dog as cute as you would have any bad habits, but I must ask. What is your worst habit?
Alli: Um, well, yes. . . sometimes I run away from my mom and dad. I just LOVE a good joy run. They don't ever seem too happy when they finally catch up with me.
GT: Do you have any pet peeves?
Alli: Oh yes, I have two pet peeves. I truly hate it when mom runs the vacuum. That thing scares me to death! Also, I am NOT a fan of the groomer.
GT: Do you have any nicknames, Alli?
Alli: Just a few. . .Alli Tally and Momma.
GT: What about a favorite walk?
Alli: Well. . .these days with my dad in Iraq, I'm not so lucky in the "go for a walk" department. Mom seems a little busy, but I know she means well. BUT. . .dad is due home this month. Woo-hoo! That means I'll get to go for more walks again!
GT: Do you have a favorite toy?
Alli: My kong. Period. I love that thing.
GT: And last but not least. . .a favorite TV show?
Alli: Do you really think I get a chance with the remote with three young girls in the house?
GT: Maybe you could work on them a bit and
get them to watch Animal Planet or something?
GT: What is one word to describe you. . .besides adorable, of course?
Alli: Companionable
Thank you, Alli, for being our special mutt this week. Please give Maddie, Katie and Sarah extra kisses from me! I miss you guys. . .
monday's mutt
All I Wanna Do is have some fun. . .or shall I say. . . I'm California Dreamin'. Did you all know there is a song by Liz Phair titled 'Dogs of LA'? Too bad the lyrics aren't 'G' rated or I would have posted them here. Need to protect the innocent ears of our young readers. Our mutt this week could actually have his own personal song. . .
Well I'm Orlando born and raised
But nowadays I'm lost between two shores
LA's fine but it ain't home
Orlando's home but it ain't mine no more. . .
Monday's Mutt is full of song this week as we land in the entertainment mecca of the US. And since yours truly, the one and only Monday's Mutt blogger, is quite the star-struck celebrity gawker, it only seems appropriate that we highlight everything LA.
Known for its mediterranean climate, propensity to earthquakes, The 101, beautiful beaches, the motion picture industry as well as being the home to many famous celebrities. And to top it off. . .It NEVER rains in California.
Our mutt this week is fully engrained in the entertainment industry since his mommy works in the music industry AND his grandmommy. . .well, I'm not exactly sure what she does other than attend award shows and schmooze with celebs. I am jealous. . .can you tell?
This spunky pup belongs to yet another former neighbor. . .I proudly introduce you to:
'Prince' Bailey
GT: Bailey! What is your breed?
Bailey: I am 110% miniature pinscher
GT: 110%? But you do realize that 100% is the highest you can go, right?
Bailey: Well. . .yes. . .I am 100% mini pin but I have an extra 10% personality!
GT: How old are you?
Bailey: I will be 7 on July 30. . .or is it the 31st? 30 days has September, April, June and November. So I guess it is really July 30, but the vet papers my mommy got when she rescued me each say on of those dates. . .so I prefer we celebrate both.
GT: Where do you live?
Bailey: I live with my grandmommy in Studio City, CA. You see. . .my mom and dad's apartment doesn't allow them to have pets of any kind (even cute, adorable, charming me. . .can you believe it?) so grandma has let me take over her house. So I love her and play with her in return.
GT: How did you get your name, Bailey?
Bailey: My name was Bailey when my mommy rescued me. She loved it so much that I think she even changed some of my vet papers to say Prince Bailey. But now I think that means that I am royal? I really don't get it.
GT: How long have you been with the royal family? Er, I mean your family?
Bailey: I've been with mommy since July 0f 2005. She got me while she was in college in Orlando. Then in August of 2006 we both moved all the way to Los Angeles to hang out with grandma.
GT: How did you family find you?
Bailey: Mommy found me on the internet at the miniature pinscher rescue. She knew she wanted a mini pin (can you blame her?) so she found a foster home in Tampa and actually went to look at a girl puppy named Princess. She THOUGHT she wanted a pink dog bed and girly stuff (ew!). . .but when she got there I liked her WAY more than princess did. So I came up with this plan that I would sit in her lap and lick her and lick her and lick her until she gave in and took me home with her. And it worked! But wait. . .you know, now that I'm thinking about it. . .maybe this "Princess" story is why I'm now a "Prince". . .does that mean both of us are royal? Hmmm. . .
GT: What is your best trick?
Bailey: Oh boy. . .I am super good with the basic 'sit', 'stay', 'lay' and 'paw'. But to be perfectly honest, those are the ones that get me treats so that is the only reason I do them. There are also a few toy names I know well, so when anyone tells me to "go get ducky" or "go get fishy" I totally (like that?. . .I threw in that valley girl speak just for y'all) know what they are talking about. But get this. . .when I do exactly what they say. . .all they do is throw it across the darn room. How lazy is that? So I have to attack that person. Don't worry. . .it's a nice attack meant to be a friendly reminder to get me a treat. But they STILL don't get it. They just throw it again. One of these days I am going to fake them out. . .when they say "go get ducky" I'm going to grab fishy. Shhh. . .don't tell them. Let's see if they figure it out.
GT: Who is your best friend?
Bailey: Well, there are three kinds of best friends you know.
GT: Oh really? This I've gotta hear. . .
Bailey: Yes. . .there are stuffed, people and pup friends. My best stuffed friend is Bobby Sherman. Now I know you are thinking, "Bailey. . .you know Bobby Sherman is not stuffed, don't you?" You are correct. . .he's not stuffed. . .but let me explain. My mom bought this toy and wanted a better name than the average "ducky" or "fishy". . .so she named my pink squeaky elephant after Bobby Sherman, the pop star of the 60s. And yes. . .he is AWESOME. Okay. . . moving on to my best people friend, Grandma. I see her the mostest and she has the most comfy bed ever. And she gives me treats AND lets me take over her furniture. Now, my bestest pup friend is my neighbor Henry. He is a big Chow (about 6 times my size). My grandmommy says he doesn't like most people, but he sure loves me. We are best pals. I love walking to his house when grandma and I go for walks.
GT: What is your favorite food?
Bailey: POPCORN! I love eating it, poking it, staring at it, chasing it. Next year I think I might even trim the Christmas tree with it. I kind of get scared when it pops, but I LOVE it when it pops off the counter and onto the floor. Then I know it's MINE. You see. . .I am allergic to beef and some types of fish (not cool) so there are a lot of treats out there I don't get to eat. So it's extra special when I get popcorn.
GT: I'm not sure if princes have bad habits, but what is your worst habit?
Bailey: Umm, well. . .see. . .I love cylinder shapes. Plastic bottles of any kind, paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls are my favorite things EVER. The only problem with them is that they try to escape as I chase and poke at them. But as much fun as they are, I kind of shred the paper products to pieces. . .and somehow I manage to open the plastic bottle tops. You know, that should be a talent. . .not a bad habit. I need to tell my mom that.
GT: What about pet peeves?
Bailey: I hate doorbells and buzzers. I'm really good about NOT barking much unless either of those sounds occur. . .then look out! My thoughts are this. . .just come on in. . .there is really no need to create such a raucous beforehand, right? Oh, another pet peeve is that I cannot stand it when people stare at me and move their eyebrows. Is that really necessary? Grandma does it just to bug me, but honestly. . .aren't eyebrows kind of useless anyway? Okay. . .my last pet peeve that everyone seems to find funny (which I do NOT) is this lip synch/singing thing people do sometimes. Why? When all that dancing and singing starts in my house. . .it's all over. I run around in circles and jump and bark (all the while people think it's funny, mind you!) and I try to make a fuss. But everyone just laughs at me. What? How can one enjoy such an activity? I just don't get it and I would really appreciate it if they just stopped.
GT: What is one word to describe you?
Bailey: FUN! Really, I am super fun!
GT: What about nicknames, Bailey. Do you have any?
Bailey: Oy. . .I don't understand half of these, but whatever. I've learned to accept it and just answer to them. Buppy Luppy, Puppet (no, I am not. . .thank you), Bailey Boo, Puppy (how original, huh?), Buhby (my grandma must be Yiddish or something), Little Buddy. . .
GT: What about a favorite walk, or maybe a favorite park?
Bailey: I really miss the doggy park in Orlando. It was on a lake so there was a park, playground and a beach! And when I first moved to LA. . .mommy and grandmommy had a house together. Mommy called it the treehouse, but it looked like we lived in a mountain. I never really understood, but it had a super neat backyard and I got to see real deer! But where I live now has more people, and there is even a courtyard in grandma's complex where I walk a lot. . .and I get to see all my peeps like Shae, Nicolette, Susie, Ron, Dave, Nancy, Elias and Alison.
GT: Anything else you'd like everyone to know?
Bailey: Well, not only do I have the best mommy and daddy and the best grandma, but I also have the bestest great-grandma and great-grandpa that live in Charlotte (where you are. . .you know them, right??). I've never actually lived there, but I got to ride on a plane to visit them at Christmas and they took such good care of me. There were like a gazillion rooms to run through. Sometimes I wish NC and CA were closer so I could see them more. I just know that I am a very lucky boy to have so many people who love me!
monday's mutt
Monday's Mutt is back in the QC (that's fancy talk. . .kind of like the OC, get it?) this week with most exciting news to share with our mutts' and their friends. We are being featured in a magazine called Angel Tales out of Chicago. It's all quite exciting and Maeve and Maude are rummaging through their duds searching for red carpet attire as I write. I need to break the news that it's not quite like being in the movies, but hey. . .it's pretty darn close.
So, back to this week's humble mutt who actually has two homes in which she leisurely splits her time. . .Charlotte, NC and Hilton Head Island, SC. We at Monday's Mutt have quite a fondness for this week's pup, as we've known her since she first arrived in Charlotte almost 4 years ago.
I'm turning the introductory duties over to Maude who has this unrealistic impression that she is Luna's great protector. Little does she know this mutt could squish her like a bug. . .but anywho. . .
Maude proudly presents her special buddy,
Luna
GT: Luney Tunes! We need to start out telling everyone your breed, as I'm sure your picture left everyone wondering.
GT: And how old are you?
Luna: I will be 4 in March. And to tell you the dog honest truth, I'm thinking about a little botox on the brows. I'm SO tired of comments from my mom's friends about my furrowed brows.
GT: And where do you live?
Luna: I live in Cornelius on Lake Norman. I don't like to swim (um, I sink. . .you try swimming when you're this top heavy) but I do make my dad take me out on the boat when it's warm. I stand at the front of our boat and my ears fly up like airplane wings. Dad says I steer the boat that way.
GT: You know, I'm thinking that all that time in the boat is the reason for the furrowed brows. Maybe you should start with a little sunscreen and perhaps eye cream instead of Botox?
GT: How did you get your name?
Luna: My mom watched some movie called Moonstruck with Cher and Nicholas Cage. There is a scene where an old little Italian man is walking his dogs and sees a beautiful full moon. He stops his dogs and tells them to howl at the "bella luna" or beautiful moon. So Mom thought Luna was a good name for a dog and she just waited for a dog as beautiful as me to come along (okay, I just threw that part in. . .she didn't really say that, but I'm sure she was thinking it).
GT: How long have you been with your family?
Luna: 21 years going on 28 years for you human folk. For those of you that can't do the math, that's 3 years and 9 months in dog years.
GT: So we know you have a mom and a dad. Who else is in your family?
Luna: It's just me and mom. Well, sometimes I notice dad around and this other dog they call Cabby. I love her and all, but she can be a little pest. Honestly, I'm a little obsessed with my mom.
GT: How did your family find you?
Luna: My mom was on some weird highway called the internet? I'm still trying to find that highway because there is a breeder selling pint sized Mastiffs. But I've been on just about every highway in North Carolina, I-77, I-85, I-40. . .and frankly, I'm exhausted.
GT: Oh, your mom found you on the information super highway. . .that's the internet. The computer.
Luna: Now you tell me. That piece of information would have been very useful. Now it all makes sense. No wonder she found out that my birth mum was a cousin to my current mom's first mastiff. I really need to pull out the genealogy charts and this is family tree stuff is way outside my realm of understanding.
GT: What is your best trick?
Luna: I can open doors with my nose. Ta, da! Still working on closing them though. My mom says I have no manners. At least I don't potty in the house, mom.
GT: Who is your best friend?
Luna: My mom. And when she isn't around, Cabby. Cabby is my little sister. . .and she acts like one too. . .but we never fight like human sisters do. She just gets on my last nerve at times.
GT: What is your favorite food:
Luna: Carrots, broccoli or chicken. I'm a little spoiled.
GT: I'll say. What ever happened to good old-fashioned dog food?
GT: What is your worst habit?
Luna: I get jealous when my sister takes all the rawhide bones. So, I stand at the door and pretend to want to go outside (you know. . . the messee becomes the messor). My sister always falls for this and will drop the bone and run past me and go outside. Ha, ha. . .works like a charm. When she is outside, I turn away from the door and run and get the bone. I am a bit sneaky. . . I prefer to think of it as clever.
GT: Do you have any pet peeves?
Luna: I hate loud noises and don't like it when anyone is upset. If anyone is sad, bummed out, bothered I will leave the room and hide as far away as possible. Mom says I'm sensitive and can tell if someone is upset even if they don't raise their voice.
GT: Do you have any nicknames, Luna bug?
Luna: Oh yes. . .don't we all? Luna bear, Lunesta, Loon, Loona-ba-boona (my uncle calls me that), Luney, Luney Tunes, Luna-tic
GT: What about a favorite walk?
Luna: I LOVE to go to the beach when we are in Hilton Head. I love to run with my sister and chase her.
GT: Favorite activity?
Luna: My favorite activity is cuddling. I think God may have put me in the wrong body. Accidentally, of course. My mom and dad say that I am the most loving and cuddly dog they have ever met. I will try to crawl in your lap if you let me. My head is the only thing that will fit though.
GT: Oh yea, remember that time when you were at my house and you tried to come in through the dog door? Only your head fit. So your head was inside the house and your body was outside. That was SO cute.
Luna: Was that supposed to be funny?
GT: Okay, only one more favorites question. Promise. What about favorite toy?
Luna: My dad. Definitely. He is fun to play with and boss around. Second to that, rawhide bones (only the ones I steal from my sister). The others I really don't care much about.
GT: What is one word or phrase to describe you?
Luna: I'm a lover, not a fighter.
GT: Aw, so true Luna. Anything else you'd like everyone to know?
Luna: Mom says I remind her of a book she read as a child called "Ferdinand the Bull". He was a sweet bull who preferred to sit and smell the flowers than be mean like the other bulls. That's me.
For your viewing pleasure (and for those of you who are wracking your brains trying to remember Ferdinand). . .
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