Friday! Oh How I Have Waited For You

I just love the WEEKEND, don't you? I get to spend time with my Mommys (especially right now that university is done for the summer) and sleep in. There are lots of goodies growing in the backyard, too, and when Aunt T is tilling the soil and watering, she shares ripe fruits and veggies with me. I am the official TESTER.

And NorCal weather has been PERFECT PUG weather this week! It's been mildly warm with a cool ocean breeze. I can go outside and wander and NOT ONCE do I get over heated. It is magical.

The only thing about this weekend is we say GOODBYE to our houseguest, Lulu. Her family returns from Palm Springs tomorrow and she will be going home with them. I know she will be so happy to see them, so that makes me HAPPY. But we like Lulu in Casa de Noodles and I am always a little sad when she has to leave.

Is there a REASON for you interrupting my nap?

Mommy, you are 1 step away from a full-on
STINK EYE

Wrapping Up Lulu's Visit - Two More Days

As I am writing this, Lulu and Molly have brought their playtime inside. They were in the backyard running back and forth and barking at birds. They were having a lot of fun. Then THEY asked to come inside and wouldn't you know it? THEY KEPT PLAYING. Up the stairs, down the hall, down the stairs, and so on. I don't know where they get all that energy. I play sometimes. I run sometimes. But you can count to 10 and I will be DONE.

It is hard to believe that Lulu's time with us is almost up. We really enjoy having her here. She pretty much hangs out with Aunt T and sleeps with her. So each of us dogs have a dedicated HUMAN sleep companion and that gives Sunshine the rest of the house for her MIDNIGHT wanderings. Or whatever she does after we all go to bed. She makes a real show of settling down and yawning and play-sleeping just before bedtime. BUT then I hear her lurking around in the wee hours and I know she is only pretending to join the household in night-night time.

ANYHOW, Lulu loves Molly and waits for her to get up in the am so they can play and chit chat. They spend a lot of time near each other. We all do, as a matter of fact - even tho in the photo below Molly is missing.

I can't even think of any downside of a Lulu visit! We get extra companionship and that's fun. And as a bonus, the "Mommy's gone and I am sad behavior" bribery of the first couple of days means we all get extra treats. And believe me, that is ALWAYS a good thing.

Lulu's huMOM returns on Saturday and I know she cannot wait.

Healthier Than SOME Horses

This is ME waiting for the DOGTOR. I was just weighed and my temperature taken. As you can tell, I am NOT HAPPY about having to do those two things. My weight was good - slightly up from all the land sharking I have been doing to Lulu's dish. Nonetheless, my weight is right where the DOGTOR likes to see it and HE was very happy about that.

So then the DOGTOR and Mommy talked about my general well being and things that perhaps were worrying Mommy. Nothing, she said, because I am perfect. But she HAD to mention to the DOGTOR that she, Mommy, was pretty sure it was TIME for a DENTAL - especially since my breaths have been a little stinky lately.

So he checked my chart and SURE ENOUGH I am due for a dental. So that meant BLOOD WORK just to make sure all systems are go for anesthesia. WHATTHA??? I was already going to get some shots and now THIS?

This is me "SMILING" because I was done. BUT not really as I had to still get the BLOODWORK and the shots. And down the road there is that dental. . .

But the good news is I am very very healthy and the DOGTOR agreed that I do not look or act like I am almost 10 years old. But I am. I know this because I was BORN in 2009 on the FOURTH of JULY.  

And this is me SMILING for reals because after the DOGTOR we went shopping for PAWTY supplies for my upcoming TENTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

It's That Time of Year of Year Again - DOGTOR Time

This is the face of a NOT-so-happy PUG. Yes, I said it. I am not particularly happy about having to go to the DOGTOR again. It isn't that I dislike MY vet. On the contrary, I kinda like the dude (Dogtor Mundh is sooooo friendly). Nah, I just don't like being weighed (what girl does?) and poked at. And getting shots has NEVER been my favorite thing although I am a good pug when they prick me. Everyone at the office is always so friendly and ACT like they are really happy to see me. In a way, I am happy to see them to because they keep me healthy.

This is a routine visit only but I am pretty sure there will be follow-up. I am overdue for a dental, for one. They will have to put me out for that. While I am under, they will also remove and test a couple of skin tags I have AND cut my claws. Mommy does this regularly so they are not too long but who's gonna turn down a pawdicure? Especially when one is UNDER anesthesia?

So think good thoughts for me. Molly just had hers and she came out of it fine.

Oh, and by the way, there is a MAJOR CELEBRATION coming up next week. More on that later.

Sharing My Time and Mommy(s) Monday

Do you all remember our FURiend Lulu? That is her in the pink collar. She is visiting us for some days while her HUmom is in Palm Springs. We loves loves loves it when Lulu visits because she represents a change from our regular routine. In some respects, she has to conform to OUR schedule - eating, walking (or not when its hot) and potty. BUT in other respects, having her here means MORE playtime and MORE sharing. In fact, it means a lot more sharing of everything like our myriad beds. . . our variety of food and TREATS . . . and most of all, our HUMANS.

Other than on Monday, I don't mind sharing at all. Mondays are just too hard and I admit I am a little needy

Lulu is 3 years old now so she has a completely different energy level than I do. Keeps me on my toes, that's for sure.

Personal Assistant At Your FEET

This is a bit dizzying, huh? This photo was taken looking DOWN on me as I sat under Mommy #2's chair in the office. She is working and I am her personal assistant. So I need to stay very very close in case she needs something like

• To pet me - it brings her comfort
• To catch a morsal - Mommy #2 can be a sloppy eater
• To let her know of impending doom - you never know. And as we all know, small pups make the best ALERTERS
• To keep her feet warm - even in summer (an aside: today is the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER)
• To help her think of things to write - especially when her mind is a blank slate

That's just a summary of all the things I do as her personal assistant. It is a tough job but SOMEPUGGY needs to do it.

You're welcome, Mommy

The Truth is - I Have PLENTY to Say!

ABOUT

1.     Molly JOINING me in a bed. It is her attempt to BOOT me out of the bed. Don't be fooled by the innocent look on her face. She is trying to USURP my claim. I was in the bed FIRST. And that gray thing to the left? That's the bottom of a different bed she CHOSE not to sit in.

2.     Only getting ONE MEAL in the morning and one meal in the evening. The way I see it, if it is FOOD then I want it. And I see no reason why I can't have it - ANYTIME and ALL THE TIME.

3.     Molly getting this piece of PIZZA and not me. I like pizza. I am a good PUG. It just does not seem fair. Something about my HEAD being too big. That makes NO SENSE to me.

4.     TONGUE OUT TUESDAY being a thing. I don't understand what the big deal is. But whenever I stick my tongue out, which granted is not too often, everypuggy in the house makes a big DEAL out of it.

I Am Speechless!!! #WordlessWednesday

My Excitement is Unlimited

I know. A picture is worth a THOUSAND words. But I think this one is only worth about 500 words because it does not tell a complete story. I am so so so SO happy now because Mommy #1 has returned home for the SUMMER. Yes, you heard me right.

FOR. THE. WHOLE. SUMMER!

It started on Wednesday last week when Mommy came home with some boxes from Mommy #1. Then the NEXT EVENING, Aunt T brought MORE home. THEN . . . then . . . then. . .

Mommy went to campus and made her car look like this. It was filled to the absolute max with Mommy #1's clothes and stuff. It is amazing how much stuff 1/2 of a suite holds, huh? Anyhow she brought ALL of this AND Mommy #2 home with her.

It took some time, but now Mommy #2 is fully moved back in and her room looks like HER SPACE.

And me? I am so HAPPY I could . . . NAP

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered

I LOVE love love adventure. I am an adventurous PUG. This time, adventure came in the form of a TRIAL. It was, basically, the old hide and seek with cups and a treat.

And where there is a treat involved, I am THERE.

My cousin E tried it on all three of us. Sunshine could care less. Molly could not understand the appeal. Me? I was determined to keep trying until I conquered it. At first you could see the confusion on my face. I got it wrong A LOT. But then . . . 

Suddenly it was all clear

So HOT The SKY Was On FIRE!

The original picture lacks the intensity of the
real sunset. This was taken at 8:20pm.
 IPhone Photo

Mommy took this photo of the sunset the other night - the night it was still over 100 degrees at 6pm. She said this photo does not do it justice because the colors should be MORE intense. So I am gonna try and FIX that using my handy dandy photo editing SOFTWARE.

This is adding 11200 k to the color. It is closer
to real life because the underside of the cloud cluster
is richer, brighter

I struggled a bit to get the right color concentration to imitate the intense colors in the sunsetty sky. My software is just not precise enough. But I did manage to get one corrected photo that captured the FEEL of that 90 PLUS degree sunset.

Are your cheeks burning? Can you just feel
the heat coming at you?

This photo brings out major FEELS for me - and makes me want to

In a COOL place

A Thousand Words Worth

Tell me. . . What am I dreaming about?

1. Food?
2. Cooler Weather?
3. Walkies?
4. Food?
5. Mommys' kisses?
6. Backyard smells?
7. Best FURiends?
8. Food?
9. BA Sports?
10. FOOD?

Dreams of Tidbits Yet to Be

When you are Dreaming

And imagine things to eat

Do you ever come to

And have them in your reach?

These are the things

Pugs wish for

Help! I'm MELTING!!!

FOLKS! It is so hot here. Do you remember when I was complaining about it being cold and wet despite being SPRING? Well, I take it all back. We skipped SPRING and have headed straight into the FURNACE of Summer!

I am inside with the AC running and it is still

H O T

When The Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie

It's NOT amore ANY WAY you look at it

For the record, I volunteered for this job. It meant freeze dried chicken treats - as much as I wanted. BUT - and this is not my fault - I could NOT get my head into the hole. NOT even a little bit. I am so, so, so very

NOT UPSET!!!!

Blushin' and Ga-Fawin' ALL Over The Place

I loves loves LOVES this angle because I look SO SVELTE! I am a good weight for a pug, though, so don't worry. Me and my almost 15 pounds are very healthy.

So THANK YOU for all of your comments and thoughts about Blogging these days. We have certainly passed the nadir of BLOG POPULARITY but I do believe . . . WANT to believe . . . that there is still a need and want for communicating in BLOG format. You can say so much more. You can connect with your audience better. You can - fulfill your Mommy's dreams of being a WRITER.

And ALL THE LOVE. I love you right back.

I think we need to start a REVOLUTION. A revolt against these quick thought social media apps where you get 24 words or less to express your thoughts. Where a photo is supposed to tell the whole story. We need to LET IT BE KNOWN that blogging is the key to SOCIAL INTERACTIONS when in-the-furs won't work. I have made so many FURiends blogging. FURiends for life! Some I have never met in the furs but I know I would love them if I did.

So in the words of Lin Manuel Miranda as HAMILTON

We’re gonna rise up! Time to take a shot!
Not throwing away my shot
We’re gonna . . .

Just Sayin'

Oh! Just so you know. I have no intention of giving up blogging. Blogville will have to close forever before I walk away. I am just curious about the steadily declining audience and participants. Many of my favorite bloggers no longer blog. That is tough - I really enjoy reading them even if I check in irregularly and comment even less. My assistant, Mommy #2, thought once she was working from home that she would have more time to spend reading blogs and commenting. It is absolutely the opposite, though. She is ALWAYS busy on NON-BLOG things.

But I have too much to say and do to keep it all to myself.

Hopefully my poll gets some replies, though. I really want to know what people think about blogging vs other social media like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Today we are heading to a big WARM-UP. We have completely skipped SPRING here in Silicon Valley. We had rain and temps in the 60s just 2 weeks ago and this week we are cooking at temps we used to only see in late SUMMER. So what gives?

Mother Nature is going through menopause, I think. Mood swings like crazy . . . uncontrolled heat followed by deep chills. . . just a little off. I don't know what to expect anymore.

To all my Blogville Friends in the FLOOD areas, I hope you are safe and on dry ground. It is a terrible situation which will go on for a long time AFTER the rains stop.

Summertime - And The Bloggin' Ain't Easy

The only time worse for Blogging than SUMMER is Christmas Time. We all get so busy that visits are the same but commenting is down. It makes me feel like no one is really interested. I know the truth is more like every one is busy enjoying the freedom of activities that Summer offers. I am no exception. And even worse, I am MISERABLE at commenting myself.

Nonetheless, it has me wondering if the day of the BLOGGER has passed? Is the field so over-saturated with bloggers and influencers that readers are losing interest? Is there just not enough time in the day to visit all of our Blogville FURiends and comment?

OR- has Social Media and the quick BYTE taken over and no one cares to read in depth thoughts of a PUG? I am curious to know what my READERS and fellow BLOGGERS think.