Stella's World

Friday Memories

2011-10-28T17:17:00.000-05:00

Over the years we have had a few different dogs and a friend reminded me today of our Eddie. This is a little story about him.

We had Otis the Scottie and Bitsy the mini schnauzer when one of the techs from our vet office said she wanted us to look at a little guy who needed a home.

He was a little blonde, curly guy who had been out and running for quite a while and was picked up. So we liked him, and he came to stay with us and we named him Eddie. He was so hungry all the time, he would try and get other dogs food away from them. The other dogs seemed to understand and let him get by with it. What none of us knew was that Bitsy, who was 10 years old and alpha dog, decided to give him a month of it. This is what Bitsy looked like (photo from Google)

This is what Eddie and Otis looked like

One sunny afternoon when they were all out in the backyard, I took each one of them a large Milk Bone to chew on. Like always, Eddie chewed his up at lightning speed and looked around for another.

He decided to take Bitsy's bone, walked right up, and just took it away. She was furious. She grabbed him, threw him down on his back, scream barking at him, biting him and just generally terrifying the little thief. He was trying to get out from in under her, paws waving, and all in all, a big panic. After some of this, Bitsy had a few more words, then picked up her bone and moved off.

You see, she gave him 30 days, and this day was 31, where she nor Otis would put up with his thievery anymore.

I never saw Eddie stealing bones or any eats again. Could have happened and I didn't see it, but I am more inclined to thing he learned his lesson.

For me, it was an expensive lesson because Eddie scratched Bitsy's cornea and it required eyedrop treatment for a couple of weeks plus a couple of visits to the vet.

Bitsy never had pups of her own, but her adoptees, Eddie and Otis turned into little goose steppers following her orders as they came. They were, all three, wonderful dogs!

Jo, speaking for Stella and Zkhat

A Conversation between two dogs

2011-10-21T10:58:00.000-05:00

Once again we have a conversation between good friends Shado and Stella.

Stella: Shado, did you know that today is your Mom and Dad's 5th wedding anniversary?

Shado: Sort of a Gotcha Day for humans, right?

Stella: I guess so. I only have one pawrent, so I am no expert on this but I think you are supposed to celebrate this.

Shado: What kind of celebrating do we do? A party or what?

Stella: You could throw a party for them. There are four of you dogs there, put some kibble out for them, string some yarns around.

Shado, Yeah, yeah! I got some extra bones I've been hiding. I could put those out I guess. Although I always like to keep a few handy for myself. I don't like to be selfish.

Stella: I could send you some rawhides, they are a little chewed but still plenty to go on them.

Shado: Maybe some music then too, huh?

Stella: Good idea, Shado. Maybe we could get Tsar to come, he is such a great singer!

Shado: I will have to talk to Sophie, Gus and Toby about this, see what they are willing to do. I will let you know what we can get together on short notice.

Stella: I only learned about this today when your Mom and my Mom spoke about it.

Stella and Shado together: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BRENDA AND E! We are makin' a party for you!

Shado is at Brenda's Arizona and Stella stays right here!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2011-10-05T17:05:00.000-05:00

Hi All you Pups and Kitties!

I think I missed my Birthday yesterday! How could that have happened?

I asked my Mom, how did you happen to forget about my Birthday and she said Oh No, how did we let that go past? So she promised me that tomorrow we would go shopping for some doughnut holes with frosteen (my favorite sweet treet) and a present. She even sang the Birthday Song for me! We aren't much for big parties but we do like to remember the special day I came on. Oh, its my Gotcha Day too. Maybe I will get two presents!

I told her, we just have to be doing things a little better, like remembering special days. She said she would do her furry best!

I am 5 years old on this birthday. I came here from the Slammer in 2008 when I was just 2 years old. I am a way better dog than I was in those days too. I have learned to be a good walker, and be good to Zkhat, and I love my Mom best of all.

This is what I looked like when I came:

You know now I look very much prettier, don't you think?

So, there we have talked about my birthday day and I am glad somebody remembered! (me)

Love and hugs to all the pups who are waiting for their rescue homes, and for the sick pups and kitties who need help.

Stella, Jo and Zkhat

Adieu, Kodiak!

2011-10-02T18:12:00.000-05:00

We are here to say farewell and so long to The Thundering Herd's beautiful Kodiak.

You can read about what has happened to this wonderful dog on
the pages of their blog.

We just want to say so long to Kodi. If you are new to this blog site, please go and read all you can about the Herd. Their Hu-Dad knows his dogs better than most people know their kids. You will find individual bios on each dog plus good funny tales of the kind of mischief they would get into. One of my favorites, describing Kodiak, is the Kodi-Hug, read it and try to imagine the fun of that!

We can share the Heartbreak of the Herd and DK Wall, their very loving caretaker. My tears are rolling as I type.

So, we hope you find all your pals at the Bridge, Kodi, and we won't stop missing you, all we have to do is go read a few of your Hu-dad's stories about you.

I'm adding a picture of your favorite tree, maybe there will be one just like it at the Rainbow Bridge N.

For now,
Jo, Stella and Zkhat

A Conversation between two dogs.

2011-09-29T15:54:00.000-05:00

This is a conversation between two beautiful black dogs of mixed breed. On the left is Shado Curin and up above is Stella McKnight. Here is what they were talking about:

A two dog conversation: Shado Curin and Stella McKnight

Stella: Shado, do you know my Mom and Bren, write to each other every day? They had a kind of crazy idea yesterday, they think its kind of goofy but we know there is truth to it.

Shado: Yes, I heard. Personally I think the less they know about us and how we mind-meld, the better off we are. Bren started it by saying that I was a bad walker, pulling and jerking her around.

Stella: Then my Mom had to write Bren and tell her that I was mostly a very good girl on the leash. That's when we got in touch about this matter. Then next day Bren said you were a perfect little dumpling and so I felt I had to do some pulling, jerking and running, just to keep things even.

Shado: Bren says everything has to balance out. If you are walking nicely for your Mom, I am having a wild day of misbehaving, spinning on my leash and lunging. On days I behave on the leash, I am certain you are being a little pisser. There is just so much good behavior to go around and somedays YOU get it and somedays I get it. Today I walked like a charm, and I bet you were a nuisance to Jo.

Stella: We haven't been out yet today, but I can assure you being naughty for me today will be a piece of cake (whooo doesn't THAT sound good.) We are having high winds and they really get me wound up. I am looking forward to it!

Shado: This is great, Stella, not only do we look alike, we think alike. But lets do the old switcheroo from time to time so they don't get too smug about us. Keep them on their toes, I say.

Stella: Now I am for that, Shado! I can't wait for the little punks to read this, like Ludo, Bertie, Lightening and Ciara.

Shado: Yeah, and a couple of guys we could both take lessons from are Sam and Monty at How Sam Sees it.

Stella: Its been fun, Shado, and now its time for my walk. heh, heh,heh!

So Long for now,

Your pal Stella

Written cooperatively by Brenda's AZ and Stella's World

This is a dark day!

2011-09-24T16:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend Evfurry Buddy! This has been a rough day for me and my Mom. She decided this was the day she was going to groom me, coat, feets and get rid of mats! I said, no, please, you are not good at this and my coat is just fine. She said sure its fine to you, you shed all over and I am the one who has to vaccum everyday, twice a day sometimes.
She starts out pretty good, she cuts a couple of hot dogs in round things, and puts them in a bowl. Then she starts brushing me, and when I can't handle it anymore, she gives me a couple of the wiener pieces and lets me go sit for a while. Then she calls me back and starts on my feeties, she starts cutting nails and I jerk away and she cuts the quick!!! Ow, ow, ow! It hurts and bleeds. I give her a piece of my mind and she lets me go lick it for a while. That was my second front foot so she just leaves me alone and starts brushing my butt area, which I really hate! But she says we have to do it. So its the same song and dance as above, she brushes, I get mad and move, and she gives me some wienies and I come back and let her go again.
She winds up with a plastic grocery sack full of my hair and toe nails, and still she won't quit. She says there is no point in quitting until the wienies are gone!

There has to be a better way than this! I know you will say she should take me to a professional groomer, but, uh, I got kicked out of one and she won't take me back. So on we go with our battle!

Do any of you get on with your pawrents like this? I love my Mom except on that one day she hauls out her grooming tools. Then I would like to run away from home! We would both like some good advice about this.

Its nice and cool here today with sunshine and blue skies. The trees should be getting very pretty very soon.

Ali Z (Zkhat) says hello to her sweetie Tober the Library Cat and I send hellos to my very special friend Tsar of the Portie Pack.

Good wishes to all of you and happy autumn.

Kisses,

Stella, Mom and Zkhat

Cat in the Bag

2011-09-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

Hi, Jo here today! I am sure we all have our little morning routines, and I like to start mine by looking at Victor Adamus's blog, Cat in the Bag. Always several good laughs to start your day, and for me, that works well!

Sunday, one of the features was a public art display, called Before I Die. No, not sad or depressing, a wonderful look at what people think about as they walk down a city street and give some thought to the display. Take a look at it and I'm betting you will find some good conversation in your family life or friends. Stella wants to have a second life and do it better. Sounds OK to me.

Another beautiful sunny day, 63 degrees F. at 9:30 am. We are all loving it and have a nice walk scheduled.

All best wishes to all, those who are sick, get well soon!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, Stella, and Zkhat (Ali Zophia)

Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-03T18:02:00.002-05:00

Hello Pups and Kitties:

Please look for the important PEDIGREE announcement at the bottom of the blog. We heard about this late in the game!

Stella here: I know it has been a long time since you have heard from me. Last time Zkhat got to write and she keeps poking me that now its my turn. Nothing special going on but you know what? Its 63 degrees F. at 5:22 and its been there most of the day. It feels very fine to all three of us.

Here is a picture of my side kick, Ali Zophia (Zkhat) on my Mom's bed. She sleeps and then she gets up and looks out the window. That is her day.

Here is me, sleeping on my own bed, I got a new rawhide yesterday and so I sleep and then I chew on my bone. That is my day. My Mom says some peoples don't give their pups rawhide because of choking on it, I guess. My Mom buys me the kind that are kind of like a big cigar, long and wrapped up tight. I just chew on the ends of it, so I don't get big pieces off of it. Its very good!

My Mom's day was mostly finishing a book she started. She says maybe we are getting ready for winter!

We are very happy summer is getting done with because it has been way too hot for us. Our family likes it cooler. I guess I already said that.

Zkhat wants to say hi to her sweetie mancat, Tober, the Librarian and I want to say hi to my BFF Tsar who is far away from me where its still HOT. Cool off soon, Tsar!

Wishing you all a pleasant Labor Day Weekend and a nice ride into
Autumn!

Kisses,
Stella and the gang (My Mom says I might win an award for the boringest blog, is that a real thing?

Peeess: My Mom wants me to tell you that she put some new music up yesterday and it turned out to be a Ray Charles Labor Day Festival with 11 RC songs!

"The Write a Post, Help a Dog" program is aimed at raising awareness and food for the more than four million dogs that wind up in shelters and breed rescues each year.

For each blog post mentioning the Pedigree Foundation from now until midnight ET on September 3, Pedigree will donate 20 pounds of its new dry Pedigree recipe food for dogs -- its best recipe ever -- to a shelter, because every dog deserves leading nutrition.

The Pedigree Foundation -- a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization is committed to helping dogs by providing grants to shelters and rescues and encouraging dog adoption. This year the Foundation has already raised more than $376,570 against its goal of $1.5 million to carry out its work to fund grants that not only help shelters operate, but to further shelter innovations.

The Pedigree Foundation depends on charitable contributions from individuals to carry out its mission to help dogs find loving homes.

Thanks, Pedigree! from a former shelter resident named Sasha!
Now, Stella

Ali Zophia for today!

2011-08-18T18:26:00.001-05:00

Hello all you pups and kitties!

How is evfurry buddy today? I thought it was going to cool off, but today it is still in the 80s, just 10 degrees lower and my family would be happier!

Do you remember my special mancat boyfriend, Tober, the Library Cat? He is so smart and clever about every single thing. It seems his builder guy at the library made something special and now they are having a guessing game of what it is! Just go to Tober's Library website and see if you can guess what it is! I just don't think I know what it is!

Another thing to do is to go to Paws of Peace blogspot where they are having an auction for needy animals. Look at everything and see what you want to bid on or see what you want to give them to auction off. They are doing a fine job.

Here is to cooler weather!

Purrrrrr,

Ali Zophia aka Zkhat

Happy Barkday, Sugar!

2011-08-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

Its Sugar's 10th Barkday today!

We know you are 10 years old today, Sugar and more beautiful than ever! All you wanted for your barkday was pictures with smiles!

Here is a picture of Ali Zophia for you. You will have to take our word that she IS smiling. She is doing a Slinky roll in your honor and very happy to do it! Happy Barkday hugs from all of us!

Sunday Chat

2011-08-07T10:22:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday everyone. Its 64 F degrees here this morning and just couldn't feel better after our 85 degree days of last week. We hope all of you who have been suffering with the heat got a nice break (we hope permanently) in your weather too.

Here is an old picture of me and my pal the beautiful Trixie of the Dennis the Vizsla blog. I would like to have more colors in my furs, like Trixie does instead of all black. I just love her coat. Do you like it too?

Zkhat would like to express her pleasure in having a furminator. Mom bought it for Stella who says NO to it, so we tried it on Zkhat and she has filled up a wastebasket with her funny colored hair. She loves me to run it over her furs and I am sure she has been much cooler without so much furriness. Looks slimmer too!

Several many of you had some things to say about my diet. My Vet cutting my daily ration in half, but it hasn't been bad to me, mostly because its been so hot I haven't wanted to eat too much. Once it stays cooler and we get out for our walkies again, it might be a little harder. We don't have a scale that weighs me, but my Mom says I am looking better right along!

We want to welcome the newest little Woo at Overland Park. He isn't named yet, but he is a beautiful little White Sibe that is a gift from Thunder to their Dad. Go and welcome the little guy!

This made me think about KB of Romping and Rolling in the Rockies . This week's Time magazine had a short about a Mountain Lion who was collared in South Dakota, and went all the way to Connecticut where it was hit by a car and killed. Thats a long walk and we are sorry he couldn't stay in the mountains where he lived. Looking for a girl friend, d'ya spose??

Ann of Zoolatry wrote this morning that she is starting a new blog re her husband's battle with cancer. When one family member is battling, the whole family is, and Ann will share what she can about this. Her husband, Vic Adamus, is the writer of one of my favorite blogs, Cat in the Bag!

Have a Happy new week you pups and peeps. Do what you can for Rescue . . .until they all have homes!

Cheers and kisses,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

White Dog Army Changes the Weather!

2011-07-26T02:38:00.001-05:00

You all know the White Dog Army, don't you? They are fed up with the hot weather, found The Five Sibes blog showing Christmas trees and chilly things and decided maybe we could all do this and cool us down a little!

From their blog: "What a GREAT idea!" White Dog exclaimed. Let's start a campaign to get everyone to post a Christmas picture this week in an effort to end the heat wave that has us all in a chokehold!So please, help reverse this summer's torrid rampage. This community is VERY powerful and if we all work together anything can happen. Post a photo of Christmas this week and think sleigh bells and snowmen and caroling and eggnog. We can make it happen, ya-ah! "

So here is what I found:

This is my house in the winter, snug and cozy when its cold.

This is me in a snowbank up to my knees. I love walking in the winter when its snowy and chilly. (This is me in my slimmer days,too!

We can think about Christmas too, only a few months away. Maybe even fewer trinkets and more money for rescue. Until they all have homes!

Kisses,

Stella

Stella Visits the Vet!

2011-07-23T09:13:00.000-05:00

Hi all you pups and kitties!

Its me, Stella! Last week I had to go to the vet for a checking up. I got some shots and some blood taken out and except for one thing, I am pretty healthy! Here is some arithmetic I learned at the vet.

This, plus

this, equals

THIS!

My new vet said NO MORE TREATZ and only 1/2 cup of kibble

twice a day! He says I have to bite the bullet and just do it.

So my Mom has been following orders, and just gives me half a cup of kibble morning and night, she can add a few green beans and a very small amount of turkey meat. It hasn't been too hard to do because it is SOOOO hot. Once it cools off a little we will start our walkies again, but for the last two weeks it has just been too hot.

A few of us went on a diet a year or more ago, and I lost some pounds but I gained it back.

Anyone who has any ideas to share with me, I'd be glad to listen! I will report back to you once a week and I'd be glad for anyone to join me!

Kisses,
Your Chubby Pal Stella

Important Votes!

2011-07-13T11:17:00.000-05:00

Hi all you Pups and Kitties: Stella here with a word or two from our friend Mogley the Retriever!

The power of the pack, we are calling for the power of the pack. Call in the hounds, call in the poodles, call in the Siberians, call in the mini-dogs, call in the big dogs. Calling all fur friends! If we had a horse, we could ride down the road calling "To Paws, To Paws, the Blog Voting is coming!"

A wonderful blog is up for an award. Raising Ruby is a blog about the daily life and training of Ruby, a service dog in training. Go to her blog and see what it takes to make a beautiful puppy into a wonderful service dog. Follow her life, and you will also be learning a lot about training and service to others. Go to http://servicepuppyruby.blogspot.com/ then save it because you are going to need it every day. Here is the most beautiful Ruby to smile at you herself!

Save this link as well, http://dogtime.com/petties which is the blog you will go to to vote, twice, through July 29th. You vote twice, because Raising Ruby is nominated in two different categories, so be sure to vote in each category. Ruby is under Best Blog Post, and under Best Cause Related Blog. Apparently the rules allow you to vote twice a day. If you have more than one computer, you can vote twice each day on each computer.

Ruby has told us that Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies is the charity she chose to win the two $1,000 awarda if she wins. If she wins, we win! If she wins, all of rescue wins. If she wins, all service dogs win.

So get to voting! Tell all your friends. Tell all your computers. Spread the word. Remind them every day! Vote! Fellow bloggers, post this on your blog to help spread the word!

Mogley G. Retriever

Stella again: I love to read Mogley's blog because they are so good about rescuing those beautiful Goldies and it makes me happy to know that they find such good homes for them. Lets help them get some money for Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies by voting twice a day for these two categories. I voted yesterday and now I am gonna vote twice today right on through the 29th. Won't you join me?

Until they all have homes,

Jo, Stella, and Zkhat, all rescues!

The Fourth o' July!

2011-07-04T14:26:00.000-05:00

Happy Independence Day to everybuddy!

On Saturday, Mom's friends Suzanne and Glen invited us to come and share supper at the lake cottage. We said yes as long as it was early enough not to have a lot of Boomers going on and they said it was!

So Suzanne and Glen and I played in the lake, and it was sooo nice and cool there. We really had a good time, while Mom took pictures.

After a while, we started cooking burgers and brats on the grill and fixed up salad and the rest of what we wanted. When we finished eating, there was a burger and a brat left over and I, Stella, got both of them. Talk about yummy!

There was a very tall purple martin bird house and we all enjoyed watching the birds and talking to each other.

Then, one kind of bad thing happened, the neighbor, about 30 feet away (I am only guessing here) set off a fireworks bomb, that exploded and made a huge bang noise, and lots of smoke! I was really scared and I barked a whole lot at that guy. He knew we were all sitting right where we were! Glen knows that I am furry scared of those things, so he talked to me and got me a little settled down.

Then when we got home, I was still a little nervous, and don't you know some boomers started up in the neighborhood and lasted until furry late in the night. So I got up on my Mom's bed and slept there and barked, and slept and barked. My Mom wishes we could make fireworks illegal!

But we sure had a good time and a good supper visiting Suzanne and Glen and swimming in the lake!

Wishing you a Happier (and quieter) Fourth!

Stella

Ali Zophia's Blog today!

2011-06-28T20:24:00.000-05:00

I had to talk Stella into letting me have the blog and it took most of the day! This way I told her she could have it on Wordless Wednesday since she is usually pretty wordless. Stella told our Mom that I was an Odd cat and I asked Mom if she believed that. She said "Odd doesn't even begin to describe you" so I take that to mean she thinks I am quite perfect, which I am very certain of.

The reason I am writing is because my new friend Tober the Library Cat mentioned me (very nicely!) in his blog today so I wanted to send him some pictures of me. But first I want to show you a picture of Tober . . .isn't he a handsome mancat?

He is the director of his library, which you can read about if you go visit his blog. He has quite a large staff of women that he has to manage too. I am sure Tober can manage it all very nicely.

I wonder if Tober plays games at the library when everyone else goes home (I understand he lives there.)

One of the games I most like to play is on the stairs going up to my apartment. I like to play Slinky! Here are some pictures of me on the stairs.

I wonder if Tober has a nice stairway that he could play Slinky on. Its a fun thing to do and good exercise too!
I would love to have a job like Tober does, but that will never be. Our library director says she is
ALLERGIC to cats. Isn't that the most pitiful thing you can imagine? The poor dear! We are not even welcome to go and visit the library. Stella has been in as a visitor but they don't allow it anymore. She didn't do anything bad, its just they can't imagine everyone bringing a dog for a visit!

So, I hope Tober likes my pictures and we can have a nice relationship. My furs are not as pretty and colorful as Tober's but I think we would look very nice side by side, don't you?

Meow, meow,

Ali Zophia
Muted Tortoiseshell

By Pupular Demand

2011-06-24T22:37:00.000-05:00

Hi Every Pup and Kitty!

These are about the same questions (a few changes) that Debbie and Holly gave us to fill out. I don't like doing it with Zkhat because she is such a rude girl, so I save mine for today.

Where do you like to hang out? When my Mom and I go walking she sometimes likes to stop at the library for a few minutes and she hooks me up to the bike rack. About a zillion kids come by and talk to me and I just love that, so I like to hang out there or with a bunch of kids.

Who do you have a crush on? Oh, thats a very easy question to answer, I love Tsar of the Portugese Water Dog family. He isn't all Portie but he is so handsome and the best singer you can imagine.

I hope we will be sweethearts forever!

What is your favorite scent: Oh, just something that has been in the grass for a while and is nice to roll in. Or maybe something like pizza to eat. I love that stuff, too.

What is your favorite song: Thats another easy one. Its A Song for You by Leon Russell. Its on our Blog jukebox. When Leon isn't singing it, my Mom probably is because she likes it too.

What is your favorite movie: I like movies of westurns, where people ride on horsedogs, and herd the cows around, and get in fights and stuff like that. My favorite guy is John Wayne and my Mom says he crossed the bridge but he made lots of movies so now and then she sends to Netflix for one for me to watch. Giddyup go!
Wahoooo!

Anybody who wants to do these questions are welcome to them, just say Stella sent them. I'd like to see my sweet Tsar fill one out. Maybe Brenda in AZ should get one of her pups to do it too. Now that I think of it, Kona who belongs to AC should do it. You newcomers should do it also, its fun to get to know you better.

Kisses,
Stella

Tag! Ali Z is IT!

2011-06-22T14:07:00.000-05:00

Last week, our good pals, Debbie and Holly gave us a Tag game to play. Since it is mostly Cat type questions, I (Stella) am giving it to Zkhat to play. She might be in a grumpy mood, though!

Here are the Questions and the Mean Queen's answers:

Where do you like to hang out?

This is mostly my business, but I will tell you in the morning I go upstairs, after lunch, I am downstairs and for night I sleep with my Mom on her bed. Next question, please!

Who is your kitty crush?

What is a kitty crush? Oh, my Mom says thats a mancat that I like a lot but too bashful to say. I guess I would have to say Tober the Library Cat. He is pretty rude, and I like that. Very pretty furs, orangey. And very smart! Runs and manages the whole library! So much for being bashful, eh?

What is your favorite scent?

Catnip is a favorite, of course, yogurt, ice cream, fish guts, yummy things like that.

What is your favorite TV show?

I don't watch TV, too dumb for words, so I like to look out the windows and see the activities on the street. Once I saw two boys get in a fist fight, that was kind of fun to see. Reality is my thing.

What is your favorite movie?
Who makes up these silly questions? I have never seen a whole movie in my life, I fall asleep after the beginning. So I like the one where the Lion roars, thats cool. Maybe part of the Pink Panther.
What is the best piece of feline wisdom? My personal best piece of wisdom is "Don't pick me up, if you don't want to get scratched."

So, is that it, Stella??? Anymore questions??? No, thats good.

Meow, Meow,

Zkhat (Ali Zophia)

Hello! Remember Us?

2011-06-16T08:51:00.000-05:00

We have, once again, been laid up with a broken computer! How very boring you might say, and you would be right, but we feel we need to offer a reason for not appearing on your screen for about the last 10 days.

We came very close to using the pictured solution to our problems, but as much as we wished to, we couldn't find the correct tool that is shown. We had a major overhaul done in April, and it was better for a while, but then it just kept going downhill again. From June 6th, it got worse and worse until Monday of this week, it was totally disabled.

Back in the shop, it turned out to be the rogue malware (never take advice from tucows!) had infected even our antivirus program ! What a disaster! So once again, baddies were removed and hopefully will stay away. A new antivirus program (Microsoft Security Essentials, highly recommended and free) was installed. So lets all keep our fingers crossed and hope this fix is IT!

This is not necessarily true, but its a nice idea! Nice to be back among friends too.

Cheers, hugs and good wishes,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

GREEN BANDANA DAY!

2011-06-06T22:59:00.000-05:00

Hey, Everybody! Do you remember the fun we had last year, poking around finding red things to wear? Here is me in the red bandana I found and everybody was singin' "I'm a Lumberjack" to me.

This year we are looking for GREEN things to wear, it can be anything you can find, like a bandana, or a tee shirt or a cap or whatever else there might be around your house. Put it on, take a picture of yourself wearing it, and send it to Sue and the Porties .

Its important that she gets it no later than Thursday the 9th, so it can go on the blog on Friday. No prizes, no ribbons, just some fun among us pals. Won't you join us? We would love to see what you can find to wear that is GREEN and we will have some good laughs like last year!

See you on the 10th with those crazy Porties!

Kisses,

Stella

Joseph Stains Memorial Cheeseburger Breakfast

2011-06-05T10:35:00.000-05:00

This morning, my Mom (who has not been giving me many treatz lately because of chubbiness) made me a Cheeseburger for breakfast! She told me its a Memorial to Joe Stains who loved cheeseburgers in this life and now that he is at the Rainbow Bridge, I am sure he orders them up all day long. But anyway she home made it and put it on a plate for me and got the camera out. So I'd grab a bite, and she'd snap the picture just in time for me to jump out of it! I ate many bites this way (and was it ever good!) while Mom gets a little more
p o'd at me every time for moving out of the burger picture. She keeps telling me Joe Stains would not do this to his Mom, he always posed nicely. But I can't help it, its just a challenge!

So, heres to you, Joe, thanks for the cheeseburger and I hope you are having a Ball at the Bridge. See you when I get there!

Kisses,
Stella

Peeess: I should tell you that this was Tanner's (The Doofus) idea to do and surely a perfect goodbye to Joe. Thanks, Doofus, and I hope you are not too lonely without Joe.

josephstains @ Rainbow Bridge.com

2011-06-01T10:52:00.001-05:00

Joe Stains is the guy who got me blogging! He was more fun than a party, full of mischief, rude commentary (mostly directed at his little brother Doofus), and got away with everything! He was a rabid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Yankees. He loved to watch the games with his Dad and his Mom.

The only thing that scared him was thunder and lightening!

When my Mom was one year old, about 87 million years ago, her Grandpa gave her a Boston Terrier puppy which got named Stubby.

This dog (in days before leash laws) went everywhere my Mom went, followed her Dad every chance he got, and would go into a tavern, sit in a booth with some old guys and drink beer out of an ashtray. He always found his way back home!

Like Joe Stains, everybody in our small town knew him and loved him.

In his spare time, he liked to chase cars and small airplanes.

When he was 11 andMom was 12, one of those cars finally won, hitting him and killing him instantly.

So when my Mom first read one of Joe's blogs, it made her think of her first canine pal Stubby, and each one she read made her laugh, cry, shake her head. So now she has lost her two favorite Bostons,

and it ain't easy.

Condolences to Joe's Mom and Dad, and all the people like me who thought he was just the Berries!

Kisses,

Stella, her Mom and Ali Zophia

Otter -1 Toddler -1

2011-05-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

Here is a very cute wordless Wednesday special. A little toddler guy and an Otter playing, and they really ARE playing.

http://video.yahoo.com/editorspicks-12135647/featured-24306389/playing-with-an-otter-25345251.html#crsl=%252Feditorspicks-12135647%252Ffeatured-24306389%252Fplaying-with-an-otter-25345251.html

Hoping this brings you a good laugh today!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Workin'

2011-05-26T11:47:00.000-05:00

My Mom is working doing a lot of house stuff, like throwing stuff away and cleaning things, and moving things. Do I need to tell you how crabby this makes her?

She did take a few pictures of some growing things outside. She says the perennials are her favorite things because even if it stays chilly (like now, its almost noon time and only 54 degrees), they come up nice and green. Even one of them has some flowers on it. Thats the first picture, its Sweet Woodruff and it smells very nice, the flowers are so tiny!

This has flowers too but they are short lived. This is a flowering crab and my Mom meant to get pictures of it in its prime but she missed it. We love this tree because it gets little red berries on it and we thought the birds would eat them right away, but they don't! They leave the berries sit all summer, fall and winter, and then, in the spring loads and loads of birds come and eat these berries. Robins, cedar waxwings, bigger birds that hope its gonna warm up, just fill up on these.We have seen the tree covered with a whole flock of birds. We love it.

This is a lupine. It gets flowers on it and it wants warm weather to do that. Good luck, Lupine.

We are the original No News Family I guess. My Mom says she wants to take time to make a few blankets for Tank and the dogs of Joplin, MO . We are sad for all the people there who have lost their homes and pets who have been separated from their families. One thing you can do is visit Tank's blog
and send a blanket to Joplin. Lots of other things too, just Google for Joplin Relief .

Kisses,

Stella and Crabby Appleton

Missing the Beautiful Trixie!

2011-05-17T09:46:00.001-05:00

After having my pal Trixie around for a couple of weeks, eating, playing and practicing our songs, it was hard for me to say goodbye to her. Especially knowing she was going home to that goofy Dennis, Tucker and Trouble, plus all those other strange creatures they have out in Sandie Eggo where she lives.

I just have a couple of pictures to share with you of our singing. Two new songs that we both liked furry much.

We are just joking about the Viszlas being for sale, neither of us is in the market! hahahaha

So it was great fun while it lasted, and I am looking forward to Trixie's next visit to sunny, warm Minniesnowda and getting our musical/variety show together for Animal Planet.

Kisses,

Stella

Water, water everywhere!

2011-05-08T17:50:00.000-05:00

Hi all you pups, kitties and pawrents!

So, Mr. Reilly, over at Cowspotdog is having a fun contest! Because of all the rain and wet weather they've been having at his house, he and his mom decided to do a contest about why you LOVE to get wet or why you HATE to get wet. All the rules are posted here. The winner will receive a box of his mom's beautiful hand-made cards AND other goodies!! How could you not enter?!?

Since I, Stella, am half Labrador, I should love the water, right? I don't love it when it is falling out of the sky, when it gets the grass all wet and comes up between my toes. Then there is also Thunder and lightening to contend with in this scenario!

But here is where I do love it. In Minnesota you will find lakes all over the place, and this one is Mine.

Pretty, isn't it? I love to go out deep as I can in it and swim around and around. All I need is my four big feets and my tail to steer me around!

Then, after some of that, I like to come in to shallower water and just shake it all over everything, like this:

The more little kids around to squeal, the better I like it! If you think this isn't fun, you got another think comin'!

Then I come up on shore and just dry off a little before I go back for more, like this:

Now, don't let it rain on me, OK, bring me in of doors right away when that happens, But take me to the Lake anytime you can! You come too!

Kisses,
Stella

Its So Nice to Be Back!

2011-05-06T22:57:00.000-05:00

Hi Every Pup, Kitty and Pawrent:

Just a short blog to tell everyone how nice it is to come back, even after a few days away with computer trouble, to welcoming friends!

When the White Dog Army adopted a new guy named Yo-yo, I just knew he would wind up as Yo-yo Ma, the cello artist! And he did! He came out of a bad situation with a winding road to bring him home and turned out to be a real sweetheart. Rescue is the very best!

So in honor of the new White Dog Yo-yo Ma, we have added two new pieces of music to our juke box. One is Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata with Yo-yo Ma Sr (!) and the second is Grace with Bobby McFerrin and Yo-yo Ma performing.

We welcome you to visit our blog and listen for these two pieces, and we think BOTH Yo-yo's would appreciate the use of this music.

Happy Weekend evfurry buddy and its very nice to be home with the Sing Along Sisters:

Let me warn you now, I adore this picture of Stella and the Beautiful Trixie. This may NOT be the last time you see it.

Cheers and hugs all around,

Jo, Stella, Trixie, and Ali Zophia

Six Days is Long Enough!

2011-05-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

Hello, all you Pups and Kitties!

We were planning to wait a month to have our computer repaired, but by Monday we had had enough of no pals, no mail, no recipes, no weather info, no FUN, so we took 'Puter to the shop and she came home today, seemingly in very good shape.

We do have some exciting news for you though, Dennis the Vizsla's sister, the Beautiful Trixie is visiting us here in Minniesnowda. You can go here http://dennisthevizsla.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/overheard-around-the-house-20/#comment-26658
for the whole story, or just look here for a very nice picture of two girlfriends singin' a song.

They really are a beautiful pair, aren't they?

Our local highschool has a spring program where kids come out with a staff person and rake up your yard (if you are way past being old enough to vote!) and they did my yard today! Wow, what a wonderful treat that is. They won't take money, tips, food or a blessed thing for doing it either. I always write them a thank you note but it sure doesn't seem like much when I see those bags lined up along the street!

So thanks for all of your messages and good thoughts.

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, Stella, Zkhat and the Beautiful Trixie!

A revoltin' development!

2011-04-29T14:27:00.000-05:00

Hi evfurry buddy!

Its me, Stella, writing from the library to tell you that ONCE again, our computer is disabled, crashed like a thunder boomer last night, and we are having to send it for repairs.

However we may not be doing that right away, we are all unplugged and giving it the razzberries everytime we walk past it. It may take us a month or so to get this all completed but you can be sure we will be back one of these sooner days.

Its actually getting summery here and I have been spending a lot of my time out of doors. I hope it is nice where you are.

I'm sending lots of love and hugs to my best pals and see you later!

Kisses,
Stella, Zkhat (who don't care at all) and Mom (who cares a whole lot!)

Good Friday, 2011

2011-04-22T10:32:00.000-05:00

WISHING YOU A HAPPY EASTER/ A HAPPY SPRING! IT LOOKS LIKE EASTER WILL BE WEARING A PARKA THIS YEAR, IT STAYS COLD (30s F.) AND WHEN ITS NOT SNOWING, ITS RAINING!

MOM FIXED HER CAMERA UP SO WE WILL GET SOME PICS GOING AGAIN.

WE SEND BLESSINGS FOR OUR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT WELL, AND PRAY FOR RECOVERY.

CHEERS AND HUGS,

STELLA, ZKHAT AND JO

Weather (wintery), flooding (profuse)

2011-04-16T10:42:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures of the flooding in North Dakota. These folks are very hard working people who have spent leisure time filling sandbags for the last few months until they had a surplus.

Sadly, we got lots of snow yesterday we didn't need to further the amount of water running.

I am 50 miles west of the flooded area, so it doesn't affect me, but my heart goes out to these folks. If you want to know more about it all, Google for Fargo flood 2011, check out the Weather Channel and say some prayers everybody makes it through it all. Its cold, wet and caring for children, pets, farm animals is most difficult.

If you wish to help with a donation, the Red Cross is already working in the area. The public can help people affected by disasters like floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.org.

Good wishes,

Jo and Stella

Some Thundershirt stuff , a problem and a funnie!

2011-04-12T11:48:00.000-05:00

Hi Pups and Kits!

First of all my Mom got me ready to take a picture in the Thundershirt. She got three good ones, but when she went to transfer from camera to computer, it was no go! What do you spose is wrong there, my Mom wonders. So she will have to see what she can find out. We just have a little Fuji Film FinepixJ12, nothing expensive or fancy. Any of you have this problem?

So I found some pix for you from Google:

Here is one on a Goldie:

and here is one on a poodle-type:

Here is a website where you can learn more about things: like how they are sized and all. You can get one for the tiniest dog or the biggest. Some of the guys that I know wear them. Like Joe Stains was the first dog to have one that I knew about, then there is Darwin the Great Dane, Molly the Tibetan Terrier. I should tell you about how mine was when I first got it. I didn't like it or want it at all. My Mom forsed me to wear it and it was better, but I still avoided it. So she just put it up for a while, then winter came and we didn't need it. So the other day she saw the rain and me getting shakey. She said "Do you want to put on your Thundershirt" and I did. She keeps the neck part closed up, so I just poke my head through that and she fastens the two other velcro spots and I'm feeling pretty good. This was not a violent storm we had, just a little thunderboomer and some rain, but I think I am hooked on the shirt now. Doubt I will turn it down anymore.

Some others have different solutions, one woman uses a snug tee shirt that she pins at the bottom (I'll take velcro over a pin anyday!), Sam and Marge use a high quality treat system for Marge when it storms and Sam says its all getting better for them with this. Others use a wrap of ace bandages around the dog. My Mom says because of her hearing, she doesn't always react fast enough to storms, so we are just going to keep on with the shirt.

Our support group can be the ThunderDawgs and we are gonna get tough on those storms!

Here is my Mom's Funny (sort of) Its about How Old You Really Are:

Haw many days old are you? My Mom is plenty many days old like 26,445, she will make you feel younger than springtime! Now me, I am only 1,652 days old!

Have a happy day evfurry buddy and if you want to talk Thundershirts just send us a comment! We have no connection with the Thundershirt people at all except once they got some of our green papers.
Kisses,
Stella, A Thunder Dawg!

Boomer season starts!

2011-04-11T09:48:00.001-05:00

Hi Evfurry Buddy!

After a long winter of lots of windy blizzardy storms (but no Thunder Boomers!) we had our furry first rain storm over the weekend. Thunder and lightenings were back making me feel scared again just like always.

My Mom asked me if I wanted to put my Thunder shirt on and I jumped right into it! I still feel scared but somehow it makes me feel a little better. My Mom wanted me to put it on this morning so she could take my picture in it, but I said NO! the sun is shining and its gonna be a furry nice day. No Thunder shirt needed. So just take my word for it, I look good in this jacket and it feels snuggy and nice.

I know there are quite a few of you pups out there who share my feelings about thunder boomers. If we all lived closer together, we could get a support group going about it. By the way, the cartoon of that is from
Cool Paw Luke's blog and his Mom gave me the OK that I could use it too.

I would like to know how many of you pups are furry scared of thunder storms, so scared you won't leave your pawrent's side. How many of you use the Thunder shirt or improvise something like it? I am just a curious pup is all, don't plan to do anything with the information I get, if I get any. I just like knowing there are other pups out there feeling like I do.

Right this minute, I am going to go out in the sunshine, in my NO SNOW backyard. I think we are all done with winter, even though it seems like everyone else isn't!

Kisses,
Stella

Feeding the birds! part 2

2011-03-31T19:14:00.002-05:00

Hi Everybuddy!

Brenda in AZ had a question about our recipe for suet cakes. This is what we used to make:

Feeder Oat Cakes

1 pound lard melted

1 cup rolled oats (quick cooking is best)

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup mixed wild bird seed

1 cup sunflower seeds

Melt lard in pot, use oven or microwave.
Stir in remaining ingredients and blend well.
Pour into paper-lined muffin tins.
Chill until hardened

I like to melt the lard in a large stainless steel bowl, let it cool somewhat and then add the "goodies". You can fill a cupcake paper/tin with this, chill them and then put them out in your suet feeders and stock up your freezer!.

I don't do much of this in the summer, since the lard gets melty and messy. Brenda might visit one of her pet food stores and ask about feeding birds in the hot AZ summer. Maybe just make sure they have clean water and food with some fruit in it. Here is an oriole feeder and I bet you get lots of hummers,too. We mostly get garden variety birds, I buy 25 lbs of black sunflower seeds which doesn't last too long once the squirrels get busy!

What a handsome pair this is, dining out ! (photo from Google!)

This is somewhat like my seed feeder is, not exactly though. Mine is supposed to be squirrel proof which is the funniest thought in the world. Mine has windows in the glass area, and the squirrels hang by their feet from the roof and shovel the seeds into their mouths! Although there is this: during the coldest part of the winter, when little or nothing is to be seen out of doors, the squirrels are scampering around looking for food. and giving us a laugh or two.

Enjoy the birds with us!

Cheers, Jo and Stella

A change in the weather!

2011-03-31T11:23:00.000-05:00

Stella here: It went from pretty nice weather, right back to that nasty snow! But look! Dave the Mailman has been here today, thats a plus, isn't it?

But who hasn't been here? One look at the bird feeder and you can tell.

Its been a rough winter for this little suet feeder. The squirrels are rough on whatever they want.

We have a little suet cake for these birdies and we will fix up the feeder and get them squared away.

We used to make our own but sometimes they are on special and its worth it to get two for the price of one!

So what are we gonna do? Fix the feeder and fill it.

While we are more interested in making the birds happy with this fatty stuff. You can be sure the squirrels will get their share too!

Pretty soon it will be time to put some orange halves on the trees and attract some of those Beautiful Baltimore Orioles. We used to have a couple of pair that came to nest in the tall trees but we had a bad storm that knocked some trees down and took their nests with them. The Orioles got mad and moved some place where things were more dependable.

Me and my Mom love the birds. Zkhat just sits at the window and twitches when she sees them.

Is it nice where you are?

Kisses,
Stella

Sunny Monday!

2011-03-28T14:07:00.000-05:00

Hi Pups and Kitties!

Here is a picture (taken today) of my back yard, still full of snows!

Here is a pictue of me, looking it all over:

It all looks the furry same to me, how about you? Sometimes I don't like to walk on it because all of a sudden you sink down in and its rough icy stuff, scratching your legs. Ah well, it is probably thawing from the bottom up, instead of the top down.

Zkhat and my Mom are in negotiations for a column for her to do. But she is making a whole lot of demands which I don't understand because she is really not nearly the hot stuff she thinks she is. A couple more days will tell the story, I guess.

In the meantime, if you are snow free don't tell me about it!

Kisses,

Stella and Her Z-ness

Yes, I am Back!

2011-03-24T00:47:00.000-05:00

Did you notice the clever little cat caricature on the header?. That was made by the most gracious Ann of Zoolatry for us and it is supposed to indicate that after a long spell, Ali Zophia is back in town.

At one time, I was the Advice Columnist on this blog. But some people thought I was, uh, just a little harsh and should probably lighten up. Lightening up isn't something I know how to do, so I retired. Some chihuahua guy is operating the column now. I don't read it.

We cats get abused and used all the time.

Kids get after us, dogs get after us, its a pleasure to be a house cat where I don't go out of doors, and if we get visitors, I can just check out one of my many hiding places.

We are not used to that kind of treatment because our mothers loved us and took good care of us for a very long time. I have some pictures that illustrate that.

What could be nicer for a little kitty and we get used to this kind of treatment too!

I really can't say what I will be doing on this blog. Something, I guess, but what I will be assigned to I just don't know.

I guess you will just have to stick around and see.

Later,

Her Z-ness!

Springs Gift!

2011-03-23T08:30:00.000-05:00

Stella's Driveway Yesterday

Stella's Driveway Today

We are getting , uhhhh, more today!

Happy Spring Everybody!

Stella

Chubby and Polite!

2011-03-22T10:18:00.000-05:00

I don't quite know where to start this story but when I came here in October of 2008, my weight was pretty much where it was supposed to be. I lived at a shelter for three months, and you get two meals a day and NO TREATS. So my new Mom, she didn't give me much in the way of treats either. But then she noticed a lot of people were baking cookie treats for their dogs and she thought well, maybe, she should be doing this too.

So lots of recipes were available for good dog cookies, apples and peanut butter in the picture. I loved them. So when I would come in from my morning outside, I would sit by the treat box and look up.Mom would offer me one, and I would go off happy. But all of a sudden I was asking to go out of doors much oftener and each time I came in of doors, we would go through the asking for a cookie routine.

Yummy, right? Right! Now Mom knew this was not a good thing going on here but just didn't know quite how to end it, being pretty much of a pushover for me. But Mom thinks we have done it, and here is how!

Yesterday,she made me a new batch of cookies. They were called Mom's Pumpkin Biscotti cookies. Mom didn't notice it right away, I would take one and go off to eat it, but I wasn't eating them. I didn't like them! So I would politely take one, take it to my treat place and leave it there! Not even take a little bite off! So after a bit,it just disappears! If I ask I get another one. She gives me the same thing. Mom comes and takes it away when I don't eat it. Maybe one of these days, I will forget to ask! In the meantime, I will think about the peanut butter-apple ones and hope they show up again. Mom just smiles at me.

Now don't tell me to eat carrots or green beans, I don't like them either. I'd rather chew on my bone!

Maybe next time you see me, I will still be polite, but not so chubby!

Kisses,
Stella

More Silliness!

2011-03-20T23:23:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me this today, and I can barely quit laughing.

Go and click on this and enjoy starting Monday with a laugh.

Even Stella likes it!

Stella, Jo and Her Z-ness

http://wimp.com/guiltiestdog/

A re-enactment of a Charlie Brown strip

2011-03-18T11:15:00.000-05:00

Cast of characters:

Helen

Stella

Jo

Helen speaks to Jo: You know what you and Stella should do? You should go to an obedience school!

Jo answers: I think its too late for that.

Stella speaks to herself: Why should we go to an obedience school? She already does everything I want
her to!

End of re-enactment

Happy Weekend one and all!

Kisses,

Stella, Jo and Her Z-ness

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

And did ye know that God invented

whiskey to keep the

Irish from

rulin' the world????

Good wishes to all from the Leprechans

of Minnesota

Jo and Stella and Ali O'Z

(They must be from the Southern part of the state, since we are still buried in snow!!)

Wordy Wednesday Challenge 2011

2011-03-15T23:04:00.004-05:00

Hi all you Pups and Kitties! My Mom gets me in these deals and I really am not sure at all what I should be sayin'. I try to be a good dog and to have a pleasant disposition. I don't get in fights or things like that. I just mosey along and try and have a good time wherever I happen to be. Now I should maybe tell you what my Mom says about me. She says I am a good girl but Very Strong Willed. If you don't know what that means, it means if she says go Right and I say Go Left, I try very hard to make sure we go Left! So thats why my Mom says I am a strong willed Sweetie! Don't those Candies look good on the picture, though? I love stuff like that and hardly never get any of it. When we go to town tomorrow maybe she will buy me something good like that, just for bein' a SWEETIE! hahahahaha!

Kisses,
Stella

Howdi Do!

2011-03-09T16:28:00.000-06:00

Howdi Do

Words and Music by Woody Guthrie

I stick out my little hand

To ev’ry woman, kid and man

And I shake it up and down, howjido, howjido

Yes, I shake it up and down, howjido

Howdy doozle doodle doozie

Howji hijie heejie hojie,

Howji hojie heejie hijie,

Howjido, howjido, howjido, sir,

Doodle doosie, howjido.

And when you walk in my door,

I will run across my floor,

And I'll shake you by the hand,

Howjido, howjido,

Yes, I'll shake it up and down, howjido

On my sidewalk, on my street,

Any place that we do meet,

Then I'll shake you by your hand,

Howjido, howjido,

Yes, I'll shake it up and down, howjido

When I first jump out of bed,

Out my window goes my head,

And I shake it up and down,

Howjido, howjido,

I shake at all my windows, howjido

I feel glad when you feel good,

You brighten up my neighborhood,

Shakin'hands with ev'rybody,

Howjido, howjido,

Shakin' hands with ev'rybody, howjido

When I meet a dog or cat,

I will rubby rub his back,

Shakey, shakey, shakey paw,

Howjido, howjido,

Shaking hands with everybody, howdy do.

--------------------------------------------------
This was a favorite song when my son was little and now I sing it to Stella. She likes it too. She is a pretty good hand shaker except sometimes she gets bashful and keeps her paws on the floor! If things are right for you, you will look at this while the song is playing on our blog jukebox.

Cheers and hugs,

Stella and Zkhat, also Mom

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

Miscellany!

2011-02-23T12:28:00.000-06:00

Hi Pups, Kitties and Peeps,

Look what Martha has for you little guys. Even Mayor Furter might enjoy riding around in one of these:

Looks easy enough to make and the directions are at Martha's website. Maybe even some of you Kitties could enjoy riding in this, but Ali Z gave it a big paws down. But that doesn't mean much because she is just grumpy about stuff like this or anything else, for that matter. I wonder if Martha has any grumpy kitties or does she give them away on her TV show?

Food: My Mom and I had a fight last night (maybe a diskagreement) about what she put in my supper dish. Now I get good kibble (Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover) and my Mom tries to change it from time to time by some add-ins. Sometimes its a little grated cheese, sometimes a little yogurt, sometimes carrots or fish, just whatever she has she thinks I would like. Once she surprised me with Liverwurst which is the best thing I have EVER tasted. So last night, she put a spoonful of spaghetti sauce (yummy) with some other things on top. I didn't like them, so I just took them off, one by one, and laid them in a little green pile next to my dish. So she is watching me and takes my dish away, and chops up these green things in tiny pieces and sprinkles on a little grated cheese. Well, that made it better, but what are those things, Mom? She says Green beans and they are very good, no reason not to eat them. So until last night she was batting a thousand with the add-ins, but now I can see I might have to watch her better.
Do all of you guys get green beans in your dish? Does your Mom do add-ins?

So far today we have had three snowstorms bringing us 87 inches of new snow. Wow, we are all getting so very tired of this snow mess. We look forward to it in the fall, but the trouble with snow is that it OVERSTAYS its welcome. Would you agree?

Kisses,

Your Pal Stella

Should we or shouldn't we??

2011-02-19T20:24:00.000-06:00

You know what I am talking about, don't you? The Purformance Review! Neither of us really wanted to do it so we drew straws and I, Stella, LOST! So this Perfornace Review is brought to you by Ali Zophia, the cat!

First of all we are giving our person a bit of a break. Our computer was on the fritz for a few months, THEN we finally got it fixed and now it has a whole new set of problems. Our person, our Mom, is going to go visit our ISP Monday and attempt to get things straight. Then when that happens we can enjoy being better bloggers (I hope!)

So here goes:

#1 We only blog about once a week now, we used to do better but it is just too much of a pain with the 'puter the way it is. So we will give One Paw for that and an E for Effort.

#2 Its difficult for a cat to judge on creativity, etc., because innately cats are much more creative than humans or heh! dogs. I suppose we will have to give her two paws on that one.

#3 Yes, she does provide ways to contact us, but if it were up to me, Ali Z, I'd just say please find some other meaningful thing to do for yourself. All three of us are busy. One paw here.

#4. No we really don't have time for social events much although Stella said she had a good time at Clooney's for Christmas, (ah, courtesy of Bertie dumping her at the airport in Aberdeen!) Stella says I am supposed to tell you this weekend is Bertie's birthday. So? One Paw here.

#5 Are our friends contented with what they see on our blog?>> I used to get a lot of mail before I retired as an Advice Giver but I have no idea what people think of our blog now that I am not on it anymore. We average maybe 25 letters with each post but Phantom and the OP gang get 65 or more letters when TD burps! Two paws here.

#6 Overall rating and suggestions for Improvement: My main suggestion for improvement would come in the form of a NEW COMPUTER!!! Are ya listenin', Santa!
Our average score is 1.4 with one E for Effort.

On behalf of our Mum Jo, Stella, my dog, and me Ali Z the cat, I say Meow meow for now and see you next time.

2011-02-13T22:18:00.000-06:00

HAPPY,

VALENTINE'S

DAY

ALL!

FROM YOUR PAL STELLA,

HER MOM, JO

AND HER CAT,

ALI ZOPHIA!

WHO

THINK

YOU

OUGHT TO

GO TO A SHELTER

AND CHECK OUT THE

PETZ WHO NEED HOMES!

YOU MAY FIND YOUR FAVORITE VALENTINE!

Brain Games OR Football!

2011-02-06T11:40:00.001-06:00

Hey Stella: Look what I found. Here is a book that you got for Christmas that I misplaced! Lets try one of these games!

Uhhh, Mom, I am sort of taking a nap right now, so maybe later, huh? By the way, I was watching TV and I saw a Mom bringing a whole tray of chips, dips and little sandwiches out to her people. It was like a big deal every body should do.

Aw, Stella, I think you were watching an advertisment for feeding Super Bowl people. Since neither of us watch football, I don't think we need that.

What do you mean, neither of us. You don't but I do everytime its on. So why not just get a tray ready for me for later when the game comes on?

No deal, Stel, I can see you may easily sleep through this whole thing. Let me know when you are ready to expand your brainal capacity and I will keep Brain Games for Dogs at the ready, whenever you are!

OK Mom, I will talk to you about this later and in the meantime, I will resume my nap!.

We hope all you people who are doing Super Bowl the RIGHT WAY will have a nice time of it and may the Best Team Win, like the Cheeseheads for instance.

Kisses,
Stella

Cheeseheads 31 Stillers 25
The Upper Midwest Rulez!

A Happy Birthday and Questionable Weather!

2011-02-01T12:01:00.000-06:00

Hi All you Pups and Kitties!

Here is what I wish you would do. On todays date, February 1st, Sue the Porties Mom got borned. Won't you stop by for a visit and wish her a Happy, Happy Birthday. She is a great Mom to her Porties (and my Sweetheart Tsar). She is the reason my Mom bakes cookies for me! She is also a furry good friend to many of us!

We didn't get our big snow that was predicted yet, I don't know if it went off in another direction or if it just hasn't arrived yet, but if we get as much as they say, this IS what I am gonna do in it!

Kisses,

Stella the Snow Dog

Balmy weather!

2011-01-28T16:40:00.000-06:00

We are having a grey and cloudy day today but it is far warmer than it was last week! Its 28 degrees today and if we had the sun out, we would lose some of this abundance of snow we have.

our house

Across the street from our house is a large church which has a very busy daycare going on. Today I had to leave Stella in the yard while I did an errand, but I did catch a photo of some of the littler kids playing on the big hill the snowplow makes for them.

They just climb to the top of the snow pile, sit down and slide on their butts to almost the bottom! They were having a most merry time of if, with three groups of kids, the one you see, and one more on both the right and left. My pictures didn't turn out well because it was so dark.

I told someone the other day I didn't mind winter a bit if the temperature stayed ABOVE ZERO! We used to spend the whole day playing in it, with sleds, toboggans, and card board boxes. As we got a little older we would go to the school skating rink and skate all evening long. Such fun we had! Back in those days, there was no leash law, so our dogs went wherever we did and had the same merry time we did.

I am going to make Stella cookies tomorrow and she will be very happy about that. Wishing you a most happy weekend!

Kisses,
Stella, Jo, and Ali Zkhat

Hope Springs Eternal!

2011-01-17T17:38:00.000-06:00

My Mom says that should be my Motto, my words to live by. Why is that you ask? Because I get fed twice a day, morning and evening. I clean up my bowl everytime I eat. I go out of doors, at least 5 times a day, and when I come in of doors, I first rush to my food bowl and see if there is anything in it. There never is, unless its 5 pm. But everytime all day long, when I come in I check it. My Mom says THAT is what Hope Springs Eternal really means. I think she is trying to be funny, but what she doesn't know is there is nothing funny about an empty bowl..

This week, I got a very nice package in the mail, and just nearly went crazy snoofing it and scooting it around the kitchen floor. (The mailman must go nutz at all the wonderful smells!) It was from Siku Marie, the White Dog. We had put in a couple of posts for her birthday celebration and because of that, we won a drawing for a prize. Here is what was in the box: For me, a flashy tennis ball, a bag of treatz ( do you know Siku Marie has treatz NAMED after her? Wow), and a greenie to chew on. My Mom got this cute mug that says: My Dog Rescued Me! and a package of dessert coffee (raspberry chocolate). My Mom had never had this coffee before but she says it is soooo good, she just loves it! So we want to thank Siku Marie, her pawrents and the White Army for sending us these goodies and we love them..
Part of Siku Marie's birthday celebration was a Comment-A-thon with donations for every comment, going to Cancer Research, it was a very special occasion!

We are so deep in snow, my Mom has to shovel the back porch every couple of days, or the storm door gets stuck and I can't get out there to take care of my bizness. She could put my leash on me and take me to the street but I don't like to go in the street. Just one-a those things.

I send good wishes to all of you from me, Stella, my Mom and Ali Zophia. May your bowl always be full.

Until they all have homes,

All of us

Its About Time!

2011-01-13T17:16:00.000-06:00

Hello Evfurry Body!

We have been pretty lazy about blogging for quite a while, but you know when the snow is up to your knees, and the temperature is sub-zero you don't want to do much except hang around the house where its warm, reading books and watching movies!

Do you know Sue of the Portuguese Water Dog Blog? She and my Mom are good pals and Sue is always coming up with something good in the doggy cookie department. So she finally put my Mom to shame with her stinky little Milk Bone treatz and my Mom visited a site that Sue mentioned that has lots of dog treat recipes on it. It is the Doggy Dessert Chef blog . She looked around until she found Ham and Cheese Dog Biscuits and cooked them up by this recipe:

Ham and Cheese Dog Biscuits

1 cup ham, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup milk
1 T. wheat germ (omitted, did not have!) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Allow cheese to be at room temperature and in a large bowl combine all ingredients until mixed. Roll out to 1/2 " thick, cut into shape with cutter of choice, lay on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool and refrigerate. (Mom note: I don't like rolling dough, so I used my smallest disher (one inch), which gave me a nice little ball, and I pressed that out with a floured cup bottom! This gave me about 3 dozen 50 cent size cookies which is just perfect for Stella.Don't you agree? I don't always feed her by hand except if I want a picture, I have to, or she would grab her cookie and take it to her treat place.

While its still Mom's turn, I want to ask how many of you read Derfwad Manor (lowering the bar for women everywhere) It is so funny to me, I get lots of laughs out of this blog and think that you might too.

Thanks for reading, evfurry buddy and I will tell you those ham and cheese cookies are plenty good!

Kisses,
Stella, Ali Zophia and Mom

In Memoriam The Luke

2011-01-08T22:55:00.002-06:00

IN MEMORIAM GOLDEN BOY LUKE

(photo by Zoolatry)

This is Stella and we just sadly learned that our pal, The Golden Boy Luke, has passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. We just wanted to say a few words to Luke, he made us all happy and could get some good laughs from us as well, even when he wasn't feeling his best.

It won't matter if he is In of Doors or Out of Doors at the Bridge, because the weather is perfect there all
the time, he will always find some buddies to hang with and snuggle up and snooze with,

We are so happy we got to know you, Luke, and send you on your way with love and prayers. We offer some prayers for your family and Bleu, who will miss you terribly.

Kisses,

Stella

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T14:32:00.001-06:00

Hi all you Pups and Peoples!

This is our back door, which we shoveled clean last night and lookit now!

This is the back drive area AFTER the snowplow came!

This is our front driveway before the plow came!

We are here to wish you the happiest new year ever. We have been snowed in for almost three days and its so deep out there, we can't believe it. That bottom picture is me, but you can't tell which end is which, can you? I just wanted to come in the house so I get a little uncooperative if my Mom wants me to stay out in it to have my picture taken!

My Mom didn't really want to write about the weather but these few pics are for Khyra and the OP Pack, snow deprived dogs who just sit around and wait for it to come!

You know I was thinking this morning that every blogging dog I know is partly my dog. I love them all that much. I am thrilled when K and Portie Samba get well from their bad hurts, I am devastated when The Luke is having a bad relapse, I am grief stricken when Saige the Irish Wolf Hound dies. I go from one level to another with my dogs. My own Stella so far stays well but if she were to get sick, I know lots of people who would be praying and hoping for her recovery. Many who would be sharing experiences with the very same problem your dog is having. That is just one wonderful advantage to dog blogging. One that is worth about a zillion dollars to me, both giving and receiving! But the fact that you are on-board with a lot of people who love dogs as much as you do, and are willing to talk about it, I just love that so much.

I guess we could come up with some promises like more frequent posting, things like that. But I have taken the Herd's Rusty Resolution to do what feels right at the moment so that seems to eliminate any seriousness here. Other dogs are happy and do what they please which includes Tsar, Phantom and Stella (see photo.) and lots of others. Frankie Furter who is the Mayor of Blogville! Dennis the Vizsla who is on hyatus for a while as his Dada gets the newest book completed.

Khyra and Mango seem to be on top of who ever needs the Power of the Paw, so be sure and check their blogs every day and do your best to help where you can.

Don't forget Rescue! We are all rescues at our house including my Mom who was an adopted kid. Kind Hearts with Grumpy Bobby is an excellent place to visit a rescue site, they are in England, but they are champs at what they do. Pet Finders on the 'net can help you find a dog in your area. Read Khyra's blog that will tell you about the Rescue stuff her Mom does and how sweet these pups are.

Thats all from me for now, but keep on doing the Blog Hops and learning more about those who are doing things and how we can help them.

Until they all have homes,

Jo, Stella, and Ali Zophia the cat

The Christmas Program

2010-12-22T23:59:00.001-06:00

It just isn't Christmas without a Christmas program, now is it?

Kisses,
Stella, Jo and Ali Zophia

Christmas at Arlington National Cemetery

2010-12-17T22:34:00.003-06:00

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell,

the line has held.

Peace, peace and farewell.

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

This came in a letter to me tonight and I was very touched by it and wished to pass it on, not knowing if it has already been around or not.

Jo and Stella

Christmas Surprises

2010-12-14T20:30:00.000-06:00

Stella here: I wonder how many of you know Tsar, of the Portuguese Water Blog dogs. He is just a one of a kind, rare character and I just love him. I don't get to tell him that but I do! The other day I got a package in the mail, that had some of the best smellings on it and my Mom laughed because I chased it all over the kitchen floor.I was having so much fun, I was laughing too. I couldn't get a picture of Tsar off his blog so you will have to go look yourself, but he is very handsome.

We opened the box and it was a present from Tsar to me for Christmas time. Look at what a perfect pin of me he sent! I let my Mom wear it because it looks so nice on her coat and it makes her think of me and Tsar all the time!

I am sure you will want to know who made this beautiful pin. This was made at Desert Impressions by the artist Barbara Hansford. You can find her at http://www.etsy.com/shop/hansford800 If you visit her shop she will tell you exactly how she makes them and that she makes 130 different dogs and cats. You can tell her Sue and Tsar of the Porties sent you.

And thats not all! Tsar and Fudge put on a Winter Concert for us. They each sang a different Christmas song with Noah as the back up. They should go on a tour they are such good singers, but I think they would get homesick if they went too far from home. If, somehow you missed this Winter Concert, you really should click on it and listen. Tsar is such a good singer and sooo handsome!

This kind of surprise is the most fun part of Christmas, I think. Thanks for reading and I just had to tell somebody how fun its been!

Kisses, and Merry Christmas
Stella

Doggie Addictions and SNOW

2010-12-09T20:01:00.000-06:00

For those of you who read The Thundering Herd's entertaining blog, you are aware that one of the redheads, Cheowah, has a mighty addiction to Sliding in the snow. Now to me, its not so bad, keeps the girl nice and clean, smelling fresh, she just isn't able to STOP herself from doing it..

In the interest of fair play, it only seems right to say that Stella has a fairly addictive winter habit too. That is, when the snow gets deep enough, she can't keep her NOSE out of it. Now she could pretty much hide this addiction except that she goes around with a white ring around her nose whenever she is outdoors. Its like a messy eater with gravy stains down the front of them, everyone just Knows where it comes from.

In fact, we won a contest and the winner was given a beautiful handmade ornament of their dog and we even ordered Stella's with a snow ring around her snooter.

We don't know if we should try and find a doggie support group for her, but its like Cheowah in the sense its a clean habit, and she is more than happy with her snooter in a snow bank. How do you feel about it?

We are like you, more than busy for Christmas, yesterday was such a pretty day with heavy hoar frost on the trees and bushes.

Even our little dinky back yard looks pretty with the hoar frost decorations! Whenever I try to get Stella's picture, rooting around in the snow, she makes a bee-line for the porch and sits there like its Good Girl Time. Daft Dog as Grumpy Bobby would say!

Thanks to all of you who wrote some Christmas Memories on our last weeks blog. I'd love to see more!

I have one more thing from my childhood, teenhood, that I just loved. When our City workers put up the Christmas Decorations years ago, they would string evergreen garlands across the street, from one light post to the other, then add a string of colored lights to it. I loved it so much because it was pretty and it smelled so wonderful (fresh pine boughs, whats better?) and bright lights. Now the City has bought plastic Christmas fixtures that go on the light posts and they are duller than dirt. But I am sure they are big money savers both in worker's labor, and one time cost for the lights. But Oh, how I miss the pine boughs and the lights across the street. I wish they could afford to go back to the old way!

Happy Weekend to you all, thank you for putting up with my Christmas Memories!

Cheers, hugs, and Merry Christmas,

Jo, Stella and Ali Zophia

Oh, Christmas Tree!

2010-12-04T11:34:00.000-06:00

From Jo: The older I get, the more I think about Christmases when I was a kid. One of the biggest deals was walking up to a lot, a few blocks from our house, with my Dad, to get The Tree. The trees were sold flat, and leaned up against a building. There was nothing beautiful about them and I could never imagine how they would turn into beautiful trees.

For my Dad, it seemed easy though. He was a tall, slim guy, with big hands, a plumber in his work life. He would pick out a pile of trees, and start pawing through them one at a time. He would see one and say "Jo, what do you think of this one." I'd grimace and say no, no, Dad , its all flat and not a bit nice. So he would put it back and continue to paw through these trees. He might ask me once again but if I said No, that was it, he wouldn't ask me anymore.

Then the magic Moment came, he would pull one out, pay a couple of bucks for it, and despite my protesting that it wasn't suitable, he would say, This one will be alright. Then we would start for home.

By the way, This will be alright, were bywords for my Dad. They were applied to naughty neighbor kids, to lawnmowers, to complaining old ladies, most problems that came along he decided that things would just
"be alright". And of course, they were! This is a lesson I have not always learned but I keep trying!

Back to the unacceptable (to me) tree. It went into the livingroom, fit into the stand we had for it, filled it with water, and watched the branches warm up and fall. Within an hour, it was so beautiful I couldn't believe my eyes. My Mom and I decorated it and it was even more gorgeous.

Since that time, I have often asked myself, How Did He Know? That from those flat, frozen trees, he was picking a winner. I have decided he had no idea and just wanted to get home, so he picked one. And he never failed. A few years later, my Mom thought artificial trees were wonderful and bought one for us. But I am glad I had my first 8 years as training from a pro!

Will you share some early Christmas memories? Its more fun than going shopping!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo (and Stella and Ali Z)

Saturday Stories

2010-12-04T10:19:00.000-06:00

Mogley is one of the great story tellers of the blog world and if you click on his name, he will tell you all about righting a serious wrong regarding Reindogs. Don't miss it!

Splendid news from the Colorado Rockies! KB's dog K is on the road to recovery from a very rough infection. Take a look for some of the most exciting wildlife pictures you will see on this blog plus a beauty of a Chocolate Lab that is gaining strength each day, plus a Meth Lab (thanks Mogley!) who has more fun than anybody..

One of my favorite rescue blogs is Kind Hearts where Grumpy Bobby, an older unadopted dog, breaks in the new pups and teaches them the rules. Its wonderful and you shouldn't have to miss it . . .don't be daft!
Kind Hearts are in England.

Its such a busy time of the year, its hard to sit down and write a blog. I try to read all but I know I miss quite a few. Right now, the Christmas Cards are calling me!

Happy Weekend every pup and kitty!

Kisses,
Stella and Mom

DEV-OCEAN!

2010-11-26T21:12:00.001-06:00

Do you remember from Thanksgiving Day when Frankie wanted us to tell about gifts we would give to our pawrents??? I said I didn't know what to give my Mom and so I asked her and she said all she wanted was my Dev-ocean for all the days that would be. I said I didn't know what that meant and if it costs a lot of green papers just forget it!

Here is the scoop on it. It is spelled DEVOTION and it means the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal to a person. This is a piece of cake to a dog, easy peasy, we do it naturally! No green papers needed at all. Whooooo! This makes me so happy!

This is me, happy and singing!

Now another thing is, I got a letter from those sweet Bassets, Martha and Bailey in far away Scotland and this is part of what they had to say:

"We are looking into getting our own credit card so will let you know about that - apparently you can get anything with a credit card and you don't need money!"

Martha and Bailey looking into the credit card business!
Much love
Martha and Bailey xxx

Now that would really be something, wouldn't it. We could go buy our own treatz or anything else we wanted. I could buy my Mom a new sweatshirt even. I can't wait to hear more from these two to know just how we get this.

I'm gonna go take a nap now, this is so exciting.

Kisses,
Stella

The Story of Me & Presents!

2010-11-24T16:38:00.001-06:00

Frankie Furter has asked us to write our stories of our adoptings and we are happy to do that but

the story of me is a pretty much short one, because nobody knows where I was for two years before they found me out on the highway. It was July, 2008 when I was picked up by the Animal Control people and I was just two years old. They took me to the Animal Shelter and put me in a cage and that was that! They took me outside a couple of times a day on a leash, but I didn't even know how to walk with a leash. They fed me OK, but a cage is a hard thing to want to live in.

In October of 2008, I had been in the slammer for three months! That is an awful long time to a 2 year old pup. I am mixed Border Collie and Labrador (a Borador!) and I had lots of energy and no where to spend it. This is what I looked like:

One day my to-be Mom came into the Shelter to help around and had no thoughts of taking a pup home. Her 16 year old Scottie Otis had passed two years ago and she thought she wouldn't have another dog.

(I fixed that right up!) She didn't even look at me that first day. The second day, she did start to think about getting another dog. She stopped right in front of my cage! She told one of the helpers that she had given it some serious thought and decided she wanted a medium sized female with a good disposition. She wanted a dog that she wouldn't have to dress up in a little outfit just to go for a walk. Then she asked this question: Does this female have a good disposition? The helper said, she did, she was wonderful when she first came in, but she gets more depressed and sad as the days go on. Then my Mom said, I will take her! So I got operated on, and then adopted to my Mom. After three months in jail! My Mom asked why no one looked at me and the woman said because a lot of people don't like black dogs! Is that sad or what?

So, I have been here 2 years and a month, I love my Mom and she loves me. My Mom is profoundly deaf, so I can help her with the door knockings and when the phone rings. When she goes on errands, she takes me with her and I get to talk to lots of people and they tell me I am a nice dog, a pretty dog, and make me feel good. This is what I look like now,

I love my home, and my new bed, and even that dumb cat Ali Z is not so bad anymore. I am a good girl who stays out of trouble because thats the way I like it and Mom does too. When my Mom said she would take me, she never opened the door to my cage, or took me for a walk or petted me. She just looked at me and Knew I was the right one. We have worked out any problems we may have had except for one. I am totally scared of summer storms, fireworks, and big booms. She tries to help me overcome this, just by not being scared herself, but its very hard for me. She says sooner or later she bets I will get over it. She has faith in me!

Our friend Ann of Zoolatry made this Glamour photo of me and nobody but us has seen it, I don't think, but my Mom just loves it.

A little different would you say? Support rescue every chance you get, there are lots of good dogs like me just waiting, just waiting for you to point and say "That one!"

Love and kisses,

Stella

Peeess:

I was supposed to also write about what I would want to buy my Mom for a present. I just didn't know what that would be so I asked her what she would want. She said she wanted all my Dev-ocean for all the time there is. So the deal is, I don't know what that is and if it costs green papers, she is out of luck. I have to find out more about this. Your pal , Stella

Baking with Stella

2010-11-23T13:01:00.000-06:00

Hi Pups, Kitties and Peeps!

We finally got a good snow cover and it looks as though this one is gonna stay. I have been out in it three times already this morning because I love stickin' my snooter in it!

Day after tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my Mom was talking about baking some special bread for the big day. So we want to give this recipe to you in case you might like to make a special bread too.

Sweet Potato Bread

*1 1/4 cups milk, scalded

3 TBSP sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 TBSP Vegetable oil

1 cup mashed, cooked sweet potato

2 tsp ground coriander

1 package active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

4 cups sifted enriched all purpose flour

1. Combine scalded milk, sugar, salt, and oil in large mixer bowl. Mix sweet potato and coriander;add to milk mixture and beat on med speed of mixer until blended. Cool to lukewarm.

2. Meanwhile, soften yeast in warm water

3. Add 1 cup flour to cooled sweet potato mix and beat until smooth. Mix in yeast. Beat in enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough.

4. Turn out on slightly floured surface, knead until dough is smooth, elastic and shows small blisters under surface when drawn tight.

5. Form dough into ball and place in greased deep bowl, turn ball so greased side is on top. Cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled (about 1 hr.)

6. Punch dough down, turn onto lightly floured surface. Shape dough into 2" balls and place in greased muffin pan wells, Cover let rise again about 30minutes. Bake at 350 about 25 mins and serve hot. (2 dozen rolls)

*My own method: If you should happen to use canned sweet potatoes, pour off the juice into a measuring up, and use it to make the milk mixture, either with evaporated milk or powdered milk. Either way is good,but this adds a little more zip!

Now whatever you do, DON'T leave out the coriander. Go buy a little if you have to.

We bet you will like this a lot, if you haven't already made it!

We will be putting up our adoption story on Thanksgiving Day. Why? Beclaws Frankie wants us to!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo and Stella

Somewhat-Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T14:24:00.000-06:00

      It is my personal belief there is no place as good to sleep as an
    unmade bed. I don't know why people feel like they should
    make them up when they are so comfy unmade.

    What do you say, Huffle??

    Meow, meow,

    Ali Zophia

A TALE OF A CAT!

2010-11-15T22:02:00.000-06:00

Most all of you good pups and kitties know this girl. This is Ali Zophia, sometimes called Zkhat.

So what do you think she is doing? Why has she stuck her head in that small box?

Yes, I know and I am just a little bit concerned about her. You see a friend of mine sent me a sample of spices and herbs. They were all in little baggies, labeled nicely, about 25 or more. I left them in the box up on the counter and used one or more daily. But then I thought I need to put them in a nice container, so I found an oblong tin and put them all inside it, put the cover on and put it away. But I tossed that little box that held all those many spices onto the floor with some other boxes to toss.

Then Ali Z strolled by like one of KB's lions in the woods. It took her a second to pick up the scent, and she crouched down in front of the box and sniffed, and sniffed and sniffed! She kept trying to get her head in further and then she would come out and roll all over the floor. Then she would go right back with her head inside, come out and roll some more. How she loved the combination of spice smells.!

She finally came away, fully exhausted and just said, "the next time Mary sends you spices, tell her to send a bigger box, one that I could sleep in please."

Then she staggered off and went upstairs to bed. High as a kite on the fragrance of Spice*!

*No catnip was included in this array of Spices and herbs!

Ali Z's Mom

Second Annual Worldwide Moment

2010-11-14T09:54:00.000-06:00

My Mom and I will be joining paws at 5 pm central standard time tonight to remember little Suilish,

the mill dog who came to live with my Mom before me. She was afraid of lots of things but she was strong and brave, too. She went to the Bridge several weeks ago.

We want to spend our moments remembering Sulie and hoping for the release of ALL the Mill dogs who are prisoners of greed.

We want to think of Cool Hand Luke, Phantom, K and all the other dogs who are fighting cancer or other unknown invaders in their bodies. We know there are lots and lots of these dogs who are suffering today and we want to concentrate on them getting well.

We want to think of families who have lost their dogs through violence and offer them some comfort.

Families whose dogs are missing, and we hope they will be found and returned.

Cats and other pets who need help in this life.

So much to think about! Join us, please!

6 pm Eastern Standard time, 5 pm Central, 4pm Mountain, 3pm Western . Be a part and our community can make a difference!

Thanks to Jake, Fergi, Nina Girl and their Mom for all the work they have done on this event!

Stella, Jo and Ali Zophia

The Soldier

2010-11-11T09:41:00.000-06:00

A Soldier

There is discipline in A Soldier

you can see it when he walks,

There is honor in A Soldier

you hear it when he talks.

There is courage in A Soldier

you can see it in his eyes,

There is loyalty in A Soldier

that he will not compromise.

There is something in A Soldier

that makes him stand apart,

There is strength in A Soldier

that beats from his heart.

A Soldier isn't a title any man

can be hired to do,

A Soldier is the soul of that man

buried deep inside of you.

A Soldier's job isn't finished after

an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,

A Soldier is always A Soldier

even while he sleeps.

A Soldier serves his country first

and his life is left behind,

A Soldier has to sacrifice what

comes first in a civilian's mind.

If you are civilian -

I am saying this to you.....

next time you see A Soldier

remember what they do.

A Soldier is the reason our land

is 'Home of the free',

A Soldier is the one that is brave

protecting you and me.

If you are A Soldier -

I am saying this to you.....

Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER

Thank God for what YOU do!

Angela Goodwin

Sunday, Sunday!

2010-11-07T13:02:00.000-06:00

Hi Evfurry Buddy ; We got our puter fixed and we hope it will stay good for a long time now! My Mom loves it because she is an information junkie and can always find what she is looking for on it. We have to talk about some upcoming events that are important to all pets.

You can add this to your blog so you will remember what it is about. Its like sending the Power of the Paw all over the world at close to the same time. Two Special Wires ,Jake, Fergi, their Mom and Nina Girl are all working on getting the message out. There is a clock too that is easy to add to your blog that will tick down the minutes, hours and days until this special date arrives. This clock is HTML, so its easy to install.

World Wide Moment is coming next weekend, so do whatever you can to get the message out!

Shelby: A beautiful little bulldog who has had every tough break known to the kingdom of dogs! Visit this
blog and find something you need in their auction. Proceeds will be going for Shelby's extensive medical bills.

Jan's Funny Farm is selling lots of vintage goodies to help support her rescue efforts. Check it out!

KB and K of Romping and Rolling in the Rockies very much appreciate the kind words and prayers that have been sent their way. K, her beautiful chocolate lab, has been treated for a damaged tendon and it is now suspected that it might be cancer. Lets keep on sending those wishes to go out, and over to K for a
healing so she can resume her fun in the woods and fields with her Mom.

My Mom and I appreciated your kind words just over our broken 'puter! You said that you would miss us while we were gone and we missed you all too. Cheers, hugs and prayers all around from my Mom.

Kisses from me,
Stella

Meows from Zkhat

400th Post!

2010-11-01T11:14:00.000-05:00

Here it is, number 400, with some terrible news! Our computer is flat out down again and it makes me feel bad, but my Mom says we gotta just roll with the punches, know what I mean?

So she says right now she doesn't know when we will be back. We can maybe use the Library computers which is what we are doing right now. Anyway we will get it fixed as quick as we can but not sayin' when!

Otherwise everything is OK with us and we will see you maybe next week at the liberry!

Kisses,
#400 Stella, Mom and Zkhat

What's This????

2010-10-29T20:00:00.000-05:00

From Stella:
I will tell you what it is, it is our 399th post! Our next wheneverly post will be #400. My Mom says if we had kept our nose to the grindstone, we could have been closer to 500 posts, but we have just goofed off too much!

From Mom:
Today when we signed on to this blog, all of the names of our bloggers were just plain gone! All that was there was dates and numbers of blogs published. Does anyone know what could have happened to the Blog Roll? Has this ever happened to any of you bloggers out there? I would like to have the easy solution if there is one, before I start putting them back, one by one? I will have to write to Blogger and ask too, but I would most appreciate your advice!

Stella and I did a little walk-about today and wound up at the library. I hook her leash up to the Bike Rack and she seems to be fine there. Today when I came out a cute little boy, about 8 or 9 years old, had lifted Stella's paws up to fit on his shoulders. They were about the same height and he was talking up a storm to her. I didn't have my camera with me, but after this I am never gonna forget it.

Stella says: Thats what I want most is a boy about his age. They are so cute and funny and unlike my Mom who seldom is playful, those guys want to play all the time. Do you have any extras at your house?

Sorry no pictures. Our wimpy snow is all gone, even though it is chilly cold. We'll get some more, I know we will.

Kisses,

Stella, Mom and Zkhat

Guess What?

2010-10-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

When I first stuck my nose out the backdoor this morning, look what I found!

Snow! Not much of it, maybe just a couple of inches, maybe not even that, but its on the way!

Here is what my backyard looked like:

Its pretty soggy from all the rain we got yesterday, and much of it is gone tonight, but the weather guys are
saying more is on the way. I am just as happy as I can be, I love it when it is deep enough to plow through
and play with my red wubba out there.

But after I did my duties, I came in and had my breakfast and went back to bed for a while. When I went back to sleep, I just dreamed about when we used to go deep snow walking and having a good time in the winter!

Are you where you have deep snow? If you are, you know just what I am talkin' about!

Kisses,

Stella

Sunday thoughts

2010-10-23T23:31:00.000-05:00

Stella and I haven't been very dependable with this blog writing. Just because I was reminded of something that goes back to my childhood I might take Sunday's blog for mine, all mine. Tonight I was reading Romping and Rolling in the Rockies and KB was talking about hunting season. Lots of hunters in our area, but no one from my family cared to hunt.

We had some neighbors who liked to bird hunt and when they would come home with a couple of wild ducks, they would bring them to my mother because she loved cooking and eating them. Now just so you know, I am talking about 60 years ago, one big long time distant!

First thing, she would dig in her purse and find $10 to buy real wild rice with. This isn't the cultivated stuff we are talking about, but harvested by *Ojibway people in our area. She gave me this money to go to the store because she felt guilty about spending that much on something my Dad wasn't too crazy about, but she and I were! I was happy to do this because I knew when I came back those birds would be clean and ready to cook with no help from me.

Now these birds were scrawny little ducks usually, not like the plump ones in the picture, but that is OK.
My mother would start the rice cooking, with onion, celery, and sage and then she would stuff these wild birds with the wild rice dressing. You could just have lived on the scent of them cooking in the oven!

When this dish finished cooking, my Dad was always hoping for "something else" and he usually got it, but my mother and I would first scoop out the wild rice that had been cooked in the wild duck, then we would pick away at the meat of the duck which was sort of tough and nothing too great. What the wild duck was, was the single best vehicle to cook the wild rice in.

I have often wondered if I could duplicate this dish today, and I have decided that No, I probably can't. I don't know any duck hunters, but I swear my mother knew a little magic with this, that I don't know. I was just glad she shared it with me and happy for the memory of her and her wild ducks.

Cheers and hugs,

Jo and Stella

.
.

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2009/10/19/manoominike-giizis-wild-rice-making-moon

written by Winona LaDuke

So Long, Suilish!

2010-10-14T09:43:00.001-05:00

This is one of the dearest little dogs I have known in my life. We called her Sulie, and she just ran over with love for those she met along life's way.

She spent the first six years of her life in a Puppy Mill, having litter after litter of babies. She was offered to us by Memory of Monroe Scottie Rescue and reluctantly, we took her. I had been warned by friends that Mill dogs could be most difficult. When we got her, she had some training in those everyday things that most dogs know about. Then we tried to help her learn even more. And she did learn, but more than that, she taught me about facing life. She was so brave! When in a situation that was new and a little scary to her, you could watch her take a deep breath and just do it! She thought cuddling was the best thing in the world, good eats, and walks with her brother dog Otis.

She loved to go walking, even in the snow, and she was so low to the ground, she would wind up with an under-tummy snow pack, which we would have to remove a few times on a long walk! She just loved all kids, and when they would approach us on the street, she would just let them know she wanted to play!

One of my favorite memories of her is the first Christmas we had, very shortly after she arrived. We went to my son and dil's home, about a dozen people there, and she was shaking! She watched Otis and settled down in my lap, but then she took one of her big deep breaths, got down and worked the room! Greeted everybody and then, came back to my lap, where she snoozed! So brave!

Circumstances came along, where I could only have one dog, and since Otis was the eldest, I knew I had to keep him. I wrote Jan at Scottie Rescue to ask if she could find a good home for Sulie. Only the best would do. Within half an hour, she had placed her with a great family that contained her mill brother Bailey, plus a gang of grandchildren!

Jan came to get her,we said a sad goodbye, and it was so much fun to hear about her new adventures with her old pal Bailey and several kids. She was in Heaven.

The little short girl developed Congestive Heart Failure, and this week, her happy life came to an end. That is until she hit the Rainbow Bridge where she met lots of pups she knew. One very important one would be her dear buddy Otis who has been there for three years and I am sure knows Everybody!

This is just my little tribute to a very sweet little girl, who after she left the Mill, got all the breaks she missed out on .

Cheers,
Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Getting Over Bertie!

2010-10-12T13:11:00.000-05:00

As some of you know, I was totally against going on Bertie's expedition because I don't like the cold, wet weather of Scotland. But he forced me to come. Then when I asked for a warm woolie blanket, he went quite beserk, and left me at Inverness Airport all by myself. But let me tell you, it turned out far better than I ever thought possible.

At the airport, I was just sitting, wondering where to go or what to do, when this very handsome man approached me. He said you look lonely and a little frightened, can I help you in any way?

My name is George Clooney and my private jet is taking me to New York. Can we drop you off somewhere? Of course, I knew immediately who he was since his face appears on my Mom's movies very frequently. I told him the whole story, all about Bertie and what he did to me. Then I said if its not too much trouble I live in Minnesota! He said no trouble at all and began to laugh. He said I am only laughing at the little mutt who did this to you. I hope he grows up to be a better dog than that, don't you?

Then he took me out for a nice lunch and we went to board his jet. It was a lovely evening and the jet looked so beautiful. We curled up in a nice cushy seat and HE was happy to provide me with a nice wool blanket. He said he really missed having a dog, especially at Holiday time. He said perhaps we could ask your Mom if you and she will come to my estate at Lake Como in Italy for Christmas. A couple of weeks of milder temps might just be the ticket for both of you. You are such a sweet girl it will be a pleasure to have you join my family and friends at that happy time.

You can just imagine what a happy moment that was for me! When we got to Minnesota, he got a car and drove me home from our landing. My Mom was delighted and of course said YES! to this offer of Christmas in Italy. So everything is arranged and what, I have that little brat Bertie to thank for it!

So, please, no more poor Stella from anybody! You know what they say, one door closes and another opens up.

Kisses,

Stella, the world traveller!

A Siberian Invasion!

2010-10-11T16:47:00.001-05:00

Hi Everybuddy!

This afternoon I was out in the yard and I could tell a friend of Mom's was at the door and some dogs too.

It was our friend Ruth and her daughter Mary and two Siberians! One red-head and one black and white.

My Mom loved them both, but the red-head was most friendly and fun. That one is a two year old and the smaller one is six! She is of Queen Natasha's side of the Sibe family, very careful about making friends. She will behave like she is gonna be friends but then about half way decides maybe NOT.

Mom made me stay in the yard but they came to the gate and we talked about different things. They said they lived in South America for a long time but now they are going to stay in the US for a while. They are used to hot weather, and we will see how much they like the cold!

I told them to come again and I would get the treatz out and we could have a little party, eat some treatz and talk more.

They are beautiful pups, aren't they?

Kisses,
Stella

Thanks to all of you for your response to my and OP Mom's Power of the Paw blogs!

Power of the Paw

2010-10-08T15:42:00.004-05:00

Right now I have a furry good friend, a chocolate lab named K, who has severely injured a tendon in her paw, had surgery, and is now in a cast for healing. This girl, loves the mountains where she lives and she and her Mom were on the trails every day for exercise and excitement! Her Mom rides a mountain bike and her brother R , a black lab, goes along sometimes. You can find their blogging adventures here. Once you start reading them, me and my Mom think you will be hooked,

So the story here could be good or not, we are hoping K will be healed enough to get back on the trails with her Mom, because they love each other and their adventures. Now if she is not able to do this, she will still have a good life, with lots of interesting things in it. But we are so hoping she can get back on the trails with her Mom. Will you put the Power of the Paw to work and help her heal completely, so she can get out and run again?

She gets little short walks with her Mom everyday, but yesterday she showed her she wants to be Queen of the Forest again. Look at this! Sometimes she sticks her snooter in the air and smells Bobcat, Bears or Mountain Lions.! Whooo! She is always with a person though, never alone in the forest.

Thank you for sending warm healing thoughts to K. She will be very happy to get them and get back on all
FOUR feets again!

The OP Gang's Mom wrote about this in more detail than I have and you just click on that and read all about it.

Kisses, and a big one for K!,

Stella

Birthday and Gotcha day

2010-10-05T16:46:00.000-05:00

Hi Evfurry Buddy! I just thought you might like to see what I looked like on my Gotcha Day compared to what I look like now. You can just tell by my coat how much better things are for me these days!

And you want to know what I picked out for my present? I looked all over the Pet and Garden Shop and came right to this toy you see me curled up with. I love the color of it and it has the Best Squeaker!

I haven't named this toy yet, and I just came in the house from a couple of hours outside, so I am a little sleepy here.

I got to have doughnut holes for my special birthday treat and I got to eat about seventeeneleven of them and they are sooooo good. I wish you could all have come over and shared them with me. (Uh, they were very small, and not quite that many!Mom says)

My Mom and I also went on a furry long walk, we had lots of errands to do, and I love to do errand walks because people talk to me all the time. When people stop to talk my Mom told them it was my birthday! Some shaked my paw, and some wished me happy birthday and some looked at my Mom like she was nutz. But neither she or I care about that. We just have a good time.

Thanks to evfurry body who wrote comments and sent me good wishes. I love that!

Kisses!

Stella, 4 years old

Lots of News!

2010-10-02T14:52:00.001-05:00

Hi Evfurry Buddy!

Its me, Stella, wearing yellow for the Livestrong Day. We are behind this 100 per cent and especially want to point out that our fellow blogger, Kona and his Mom Amber at http://runningwithkona.blogspot.com/ are working on going to New York to run in the marathon there. They are on a Livestrong team and are dedicated to raising $3,500 for this race, which will all go to Livestrong. So if you want to donate to them, it will all go in the same pot and help Amber raise her goal. Just click on her website above, and look on the right side. You will see what its about. We have all lost family members, human and animal, to cancer and we want to see it cureable in our lifetime, so please help.

The second thing I have to tell you is that Monday, October 4th is my 4th Birthday and 2nd Gotcha Day! Its exciting because Mom is taking me to the store to let me pick out my own present! Is that perfect or what? Then for a special treat, I got some donut holes from the grocery. I just love those things and hardly ever get them. So I will show you what I pick out next week!

The third thing is we got new neighbors on our close side and that is gonna be fun because one of them is a
Twinkie Dog! Yessir, a little tea cup chihuahua, and I can't imagine how he gets through our winters, but so far he loves to come and bark at me through the fence. I just love those tiny little guys, barking away, like they are gonna take on the world. I wouldn't hurt him for anything, and I spose he could nip my ankles a little but that would be about it! And his name is BUDDY! Ah, I love it! Mom is gonna try and get his picture as soon as she can. Just think Twink, though!

Thats all I got for today. Kisses, Stella

Barking Dog

2010-09-27T00:46:00.000-05:00

A poem about a Barking Dog!
by Billy Collins

The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
He is barking the same high, rythmic bark
that he barks everytime they leave the house.
They must switch him on on their way out.

The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
I close all the windows in the house
and put on a Beethoven symphony full blast
but I can still hear him muffled under the music,
barking, barking,barking.

and now I can see him sitting in the orchestra,
his head raised confidently as if Beethoven
had included a part for barking dog.

When the record finally ends he is still barking,
sitting there in the oboe section barking,
his eyes fixed on the conductor who is
entreating him with his baton

while the other musicians listen in respectful
silence to the famous barking dog solo,
that endless coda that first established
Beethoven as an innovative genius.
Billy Collins

Have a great week everyone!

Kisses,
Stella, Zkhat and Jo

The Power Source

2010-09-23T21:48:00.000-05:00

like harnessing
the tides or the wind,
how about attaching
dogs' tails
to power generators?

i want the job
of patting the dog
to keep its tail wagging.

dogs could generate
enough electricity
for cities, for countries---
light up the world!
edward field

I want the job of managing this place, to be sure all the pups got time off each day, good meals, a nice bed, the best treatment. And I'd like to be the chief petter, too!

What do you think of this idea, Stella?

It sounds OK to me, as long as the hours were short and the snooze time was long, Mom!

Kisses,
Stella and Mom

Endless Questions???

2010-09-15T10:41:00.000-05:00

Good morning, its Stella here. Yes, I feel just a little owly today. I just realized how many questions my Mom asks me everyday. EVERYDAY! SAME QUESTIONS!

My Mom gets up early and I sleep in. As soon as she gets up, I leave my bed on the floor and hop into hers. When I hear her fixing breakfast, I go out into the kitchen. She says "Good Morning, Stella, did you have good sleeps?" C'mon, what dog DOESN'T have good sleeps, most of the day and all night long. Its what we do best! Then she says, "Are you hungry, Stella? Want some breakfast?" Since I only get two cups of kibble a day, of course I am hungry, thats all I am is hungry. So she fixes my meager rations for breakfast. (Then I wait for 5 pm to come and I get another cup, whoopee!). Then she says, " Stella, do you want to go walkies this morning?" Uhhh, yes, I do just happen to need to go outside and some walkies would be fine. So we get ready to go, and at the end of the driveway she says, "What way do you want to go? North or South?" I give the leash a tug in any direction, and just want to start Moving! So, she then says, "You are pulling me South, Stella, does that mean you want to go to the lake this morning? " No, it means I don't care which way we go! Then she says, "Stella, I can't go all the way to the lake today, but we will take a nice walk anyway." Sounds like a plan to me, Mom! So I take her past the garage where the Ancient Collie lives, and he staggers out on his tired old legs, and Mom says "Want to stop and say hello to Old Collie?" My answer here is no, and I try to keep moving, but Old Collie is one of my Mom's favorites so she scratches his old head for him and asks him about 20 questions. I don't hear any answers coming from him, but keep pulling and presto! we are moving!

Uhhh, you can probably see the direction this day (and everyday) takes. We get home and she says, "Want a treat, Stella? How about a cookie?" OK, that sounds fine, two sounds even better. So Mom goes on about her business, (knitting right now) and I go curl up for a nice nap to have dreams of running loose in a big field with a bunch of other dogs, just having fun. Whoops, that doesn't last long! The door bell rings and Mom won't hear that, so I will go get her. Its a neighbor to invite her to go shopping with her. Does any one say at this point "Stella, want to come along??" Oh, C'mon, you know the answer to that one, don't you?

I'm back to bed, Ali Z is snoozing, and the shoppers are gone. Its nice and peaceful here right now, and NOBODY is Asking Me Questions! This should be good for a couple of hours, anyway!

Do your people ask you questions?

Kisses,
Stella

Nine Eleven

2010-09-11T11:44:00.004-05:00

Sue of the Porties wrote a wonderful blog this morning about the anniversary of 9-11. I would just like to tell you a little of my experience that day. (I even borrowed one of Sue's pictures, but she borrowed it too, so I think its OK.)

This day for me started with a walk to the lake with my little Scottie Otis, the weather was so perfect, just like today, sunny and warm. We walk a mile to the lake, and a mile back home. All the time, I am thinking about how fortunate we are to live in this beautiful country, our own little slice of a perfect place to be. Otis had a lot of friends, so we got greeted a couple of times, by yard workers, people who got out early to rake up leaves.

No one else to talk to though, just Otis and I, proclaiming a perfect autumn day. When we got home, I made a cup of coffee, gave Otis a treat, and sat down at the computer to check e-mail. I never watch daytime TV or especially the morning shows!

My first letter came from a dear young person in Norway, whom I knew from a quilt list., Sol Stensland. Sol had wonderful quilting talents and I loved to visit her website to see what was new. But today she was saying she felt such pity and sorrow for my Country in the wake of the attack on this day! What could she be speaking of? I got up from my chair, hurried to the livingroom and turned on the TV only to see giant clouds of smoke and rubble going down a New York street. Then a replay of the airplanes hitting the huge skyscrapers. Then, spending much of this day, in front of the television, my heart aching for those who were searching for family and friends, for the lost firemen and policemen. Seeing the Pentagon hit, and wondering
about the rest of the World. How far could this go? Who would be next?

I thought too about the smallness of the world where a friend from Norway could send me the news of this tragedy before I heard from anyone else.

Thats my little story. It seems we all have them, the Where Were You When...stories. I don't quite know how to end this except to say I am so grateful for all of the people who protect us from more 9-11s, our military who have given us and given up so much over these years. I am also grateful for all the internet friends I have, I feel so enriched by them all.

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

An Important Day!

2010-09-09T11:17:00.000-05:00

Hello, its me Ali Zophia, Zkhat, AZ,with some important news. Today is the official More Cats Day on the Internet! Yes, apparently some pups thought we should not be on the 'net, but we are here to tell them just how wrong they are!

I am looking for more cats here, but sadly enough, I am the onliest one in this house. But I am the one

that gave advice at one time and my advice to some pups who think they are the only ones who should be on the 'net, is that they had better think this over, and over, until they come up with the right idea! WE ALL BELONG HERE!

ALI ZOPHIA

A Discovery!

2010-09-04T15:20:00.000-05:00

Hi Pups, Kitties and Peoples!

Today was a very nice day for errands. My Mom had a few things to do and she invited me along! The first one was the pharmacy, and the second was the Library. My Mom reads a blog by Laurie Hertzel called Three Dog Blog and Laurie has written a book about her early life in the newspaper biz. It takes place in Duluth, Minnesota and environs, called News To Me, Adventures of an Accidental Journalist. Laurie is now Books Editor for the Mpls Star Tribune!

When Mom picked it up, she was telling two of the librarians about it and in looking at it, they seemed to open to a *shocking part!

Ah well, it just makes you want to read from the beginning, doesn't it?

Maybe you'd like to see a picture of our library, take a look.

This library was a Carnegie Library, built long before my time (and I am 71) and in the last 20 years or so, they have built a wonderful addition onto it. Its one of my very favorite spots to go. With their data base in my computer, you can do a lot of looking even before you get there, plus we are part of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library system, and can request books from statewide Universities. I bet you love your library too.

*By the way, I haven't started the book yet so I don't know if there might be something shocking in it or not. I sort of doubt it, but it made a fun picture of Librarians Lori and Dotz and me, the patron. Check it out anyway, you have no idea what you might find in it!

Cheers and hugs,

Stella and Jo, working together!

2010-09-01T23:26:00.001-05:00

Hummer Babies

2010-09-01T22:19:00.002-05:00

Hi Everybody:

We just got too lonesome and had to get back to Bloggerville! We have had a couple of repairs on the computer and while its Better, its not the best! We will just keep chuffing along with it and see what happens.

A friend sent us this beautiful little photo essay about the birth of hummingbirds, if you haven't seen it, I bet you will love it. Keep in mind the egg is smaller than a tic tac and a quarter fits the opening of the nest!

Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all.

A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest. It took 24 days from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share. You will find these pictures here!

We have turned comments back on, so lets hear from you. I have been reading blogs and doing a few comments, and we would love to hear from you.

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

What? Again?

2010-08-24T15:58:00.001-05:00

I am quite sure by this time, you are tired of hearing about my troublesome computer and the no-fun blogging with it. I wouldn't blame you a bit if you were!

However, this blog is to let you know, we will not be blogging for several months, which is about how long it will take us to get a new computer. The blogging part, takes forever. Forever to bring up your blog, to attempt comments, and to have a couple of small fits, when it all disappears from my screen.

I want to hear from you and what you are doing, but it will have to be via e-mail. Some of you have my personal e-mail address and those who don't are welcome to use djaugh38ster@gmail.com I will probably change pictures on my blog front now and then, but no comments will be allowed when I do. Dealing with
spammers takes me forever.

If Mr. Dell is having a good day, I will check on some blogs, if not I hate getting all crabby over it all, so I won't do it.

If some computer solution comes along to surprise me, we will be back. We will miss every last one of you.

Cheers and hugs,

Stella and Ali Zophia

And their Mom, too!

Pee-Wee's Contest

2010-08-14T11:24:00.002-05:00

Hi all you Pups! Guess what? Pee-wee (Mango's little brother Dexter) is having his furry own contest and its for Black Labradors only. Isn't that funny?

You have to send your photo along with your name and blog address to backupdog at comcast dot net . Then you have to write a little post about what makes being a black labrador so great. If you win, Pee-wee will send all his tennis ball money to New England Lab Rescue. It turns out that Pee-wee is very particular about who enters, you have to be black and be a lab. No yellow, chocolate need apply. Since I am a mixed breed, half Border Collie and half Lab, I entered and told them if they didn't want me in, to just lose my post! I mean like I care! Here is what I sent them:

Stella Bella McKnight

http://wwwstellasworld.blogspot.com/

What makes being a labradog so great? I am half Border Collie and half Labrador. I know how to herd, how to retrieve, and have Never needed a swimming lesson. As far as intelligence goes, both dogs are in the top 10 of intelligent dogs (Border Collies are number 1, Labbies are number 7) My health is great, my coat is beautiful, and I am one of the most popular designer dogs going today. I can't think of anything better to be.
You didn't mention that we mixed breeds could apply, so if you like keep me in and if you don't, just lose my entry. Good luck to all!

Cheers,
Stella

Peeess

Pee-wee wrote me back and told me I seemed very fuzzy for a Lab! (thats the BC in me) So he did put my name on the list anyway. Won't it be fun to see how far Fuzzy Me gets in this contest!

By the way if any of you black mixed breed Labs/Something want to enter, you need to do it by August 22nd! I noticed there was an ASTA entered . . .could that be our little New York girl? Oh, I hope so!

Kisses,
Stella

A few problems!

2010-08-07T11:35:00.000-05:00

Hi Evfurbuddy!

This is a post I really don't want to write, but maybe some of you are having the same problems and it would be good to talk. Lots of you know I rescued my Mom a couple of years ago. She is a good Mom too, with just a few exceptions. Here is what this is about:

I am a shedder, black hair, year around. My Mom thinks that if she could keep me brushed she would have to do less vaccuuming of this black hair. But I really hate being brushed. I will roll around in the snow and in the grass, and get rid of some that way. I also get matted. So my Mom goes and spends money on these tools.

The deal on the bottom there with the green handle is the matt buster. Its hard to work it and you gotta be patient with it, which I am NOT. So I just get in a fight with my Mom about it, and take off where she can't get me.

So then, when I think the coast is clear, there she is waiting for me with the Pinbrush. Thats not so bad, but a little goes a long way with me. So we get in another fight and the same deal happens again!

But now listen, after two years, this last week, every night she brings out the tools except NOW she cuts up some deli ham, and puts it in the green bowl you see in the picture. (and Huffle knows we all love ham.) So we go at it, she gives me some ham, and de-matts and brushes, and gives me some more measly pieces of ham.

Then I can't take it anymore and I just run off. Then I hear her voice saying "Stella? Better come back, Zkhat is eating the ham pieces." So I go back for another round!

Evfurry night she takes a soccer ball size of hair off me and the house is staying cleaner. She likes it and I am getting used to it.

By the way, Zkhat lets her brush her for hours! Hopeless!

But you have to admit, my Mom is impatient AND a slow learner.

Not a good combo. But a good Mom.

Are your Moms good at this?

I'm outta here!

Kisses!

Stella

Hot Weather Exercise

2010-08-02T09:38:00.000-05:00

We both know how important exercise is for us pups and our pawrents too. However, when its soooo hot, its very hard to get out there and do our walkies, isn't it? So I am here today to present you with an indoor exercise that you might really enjoy.

Of course, if you are up to it, you might even walk your block 4 or 5 times, depending on your air conditioning in your home and your energy level.

I feel certain this will solve a problem for many of you who just don't want to get out in 85-90 F weather.

If you are unable to find a wooden block, use your imagination and find a magazine or something else that is block-like.

Let me know how it works for you, won't you?

Kisses,

Stella, who has walked her block 4 times this morning alone!

We are back, sort of!

2010-07-29T21:38:00.002-05:00

We are really not fixed yet, but I am trying to keep reading as much as I can. I cannot always comment, however, because it sometimes takes me 25 minutes for one comment (losing info, shutting down, what have you!)

One person I found on KB's site, whom I have really enjoyed is Amber who is the pawrent to Kona! Kona was a very frightened dog, and since Stella is the first dog I have had to have debilitating fear (of storms!) I became very interested in her.
So I just wanted to tell you that Amber was able to get an entry ticket for the New York City Marathon in November. She will also be on LiveStrong's Team Fatty to raise money to fight Cancer while she trains! She says she is a hermit and will have a hard time raising the necessary $3,500 but she has already raised
$1,120 . You all know how hard it is to raise the last dollars of a big pledge so go to Amber's fund raising
page and be a part of this great effort. You can donate on-line or by printing a form and mailing it in. You can also donate in memory of someone very special to you. Amber will tell you more about this on her website.

My mother died of cancer when I was just an 18 month old toddler, and I have had the same type of cancer and surgery. However I am in my 11th year of being cancer free. to support this kind of activity is a real joy for me. Send some money, but if you can't, just cheer Amber on in a comment to her blog.

This is Amber's pup, Kona. You know what she would do, don't you? She probably has her paws crossed for Phantom too!

I also wanted to tell you I now have Comment Moderation after getting tired of all the peoples who write strange things.

After all the writing of this (and nervously expecting it to disappear and it didn't), I am pretty happy.

Cheers and hugs and kisses,

Stella, Jo and Ali Zophia (Zkhat)

Toodleooo for a while!

2010-07-21T19:24:00.000-05:00

Hi Every buddy!

We are sorry to tell you that due to computer problems we are going to disappear for a while. Our favorite Tech is on vacation and will be back next week, so I am sure we will eventually get fixed up but right now all the machine is, is annoying and no fun at all.

We send our bestest wishes to evfurry buddy and will talk to you when we get repaired!

Love and hugs,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

My new dream car!

2010-07-15T16:45:00.000-05:00

Here is me, Stella, watching over my dream car on the street. You never know what can happen when you are parked, so you gotta be careful!

My Mom was gonna take a picture and some peoples wanted to talk to me about my dream car. So I left for just a minute.

So, here it is! My Vikings Dream Car! The one I always wanted, right here in front of me.

Do you know what you can do???

Isn't my dream car just a beaut???

I just love it!

Kisses,

Stella, another Minniesota Vikings Fan!

Out Walkin' Around!

2010-07-10T19:23:00.000-05:00

Hi Evfurry Buddy! I know my Mom and I promised some pictures with our little stories but the problem is with HER. . .she forgets to bring the camera with us on our walks. She promised to write herself a note and stick it on the computer, and who knows, she might even do that!

Did you see the Porties Blog yesterday? It had a bunch of ribbons that Nicky of the Dughallmor Beagles made for them. Well, I don't want to brag, but I got one too! Its really pretty but I didn't get a good picture of it. Its got Stella on it and up there in the middle, its got a paw print in gold along with Dughallmor Beagles. Does anyone else miss those Beagles as much as me and my Mom does? My Ribbon hangs right in my special room, so I think of them a whole lot.

My Mom and I have been walking every day, even when its hot. The best part of walking for me is that people stop us and tell me what a nice dog I am and that I am pretty and all that stuff. Its nice. But yesterday, an old guy who looked like he'd been working on cars, stopped me in front of the library. He talked lots of words to me and I did not understand even one of them! He said them in a nice way, so I don't think he was mad or anything, he just speaked another kind of talk. My Mom couldn't really hear him so she couldn't figure it out either. So she smiled at him and he just went into the library. I hope somebody there could understand him!

My Mom is getting her energy back. She mowed the lawn yesterday, and we walked to the library and then down to the Pet Store to get me some Dog Food and then we walked back home. Today we walked some errands and stopped at the Bakery and my Mom bought me one peanut butter cookie. Oh, Man, I love those things!

So thats about all we have been up to, it was 85 when we got up this morning which is too hot for either one of us!

I hope you are all OK and keeping cool. Zkhat has a spot upstairs where she goes, Mom thinks maybe she sleeps in the bathtub up there!

Kisses,

Stella

The Name Game

2010-07-03T20:49:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, Frankie is sponsoring this Name Game and he wants us to tell how we got our names.

Mine is actually pretty boring. When my Mom found me at the Shelter, the staff there had given me the name Sasha, but my Mom just didn't feel like it suited me at all. So while I was off having my operashun, she was thinking about a new name for me. When I got home, she said, HELLO STELLA, do you like your new name? She said Stella is the Italian word for Star and that I was gonna be her star girl. I loved the name and I still do. I am happy to be Stella and happy to be my Mom's star!

We also have our cat, a muted tortie, who used to be named Allison. Since my Mom thinks cats should have exotic names, Allison had to go. She renamed her Ali Zophia. Then, just recently, her furry good friend, Khyra, renamed her Zkhat. We all liked that, and now we call her Zkhat all the time.

So there you have it, our names and how we got them!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AND ENJOY YOUR THREE DAY WEEKEND, THOSE OF YOU WHO GET IT!

Missing Rocky?

2010-06-29T09:51:00.000-05:00

NOT ANYMORE!

ROCKY WAS FOUND YESTERDAY AND KHYRA AND HIS MOM HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ON HIM!

GO VISIT KHYRA'S BLOG FOR ALL THE DETAILS THAT ARE KNOWN NOW.

I KNOW WE ARE ALL VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN RUNNERS AND FOUND OURSELVES IN PLACES WE DIDN'T KNOW. IT GETS SCAREY AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS!

SO, WELCOME HOME, ROCKY, TO YOUR NEW FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!

THE BEST OF LUCK FOR A HAPPY FUTURE WITH YOUR FOREVER FAMILY.

YOUR FRIENDS,

STELLA, JO AND ZKHAT

I rescued a human today!

2010-06-28T09:35:00.002-05:00

I Rescued A Human Today
Author:Janine Allen

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.

I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today... (and I am so proud of her I even do the stupid "fetch the ball" thing just to make her happy).

Stella in the slammer before she rescued her human!

Until they all have homes,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

One more thing:

LOLA RESCUED MAB!

I'm Ba-a-a-a-ck!

2010-06-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

So, where did the Little Guy go? What do you mean, its been a couple of days? Didn't seem like it was that long! So much for baby sittin'! hahahahaha

Yesterday Mom and I had a pretty good walk. Mostly did errands for her, but thats OK, we see a lot of peoples and most of them like to talk to me a bit. We went to the Pee-oh, the library , the clinic and then I get my reward from the Bakery, whoo, whoo! Just one people cookie, but its soooo good. When we go to the library, Mom tells Lori I am out front and she usually comes out and has a little visit with me. I just love that girl!

So some of you folks have been a little worried about Zkhat (thats Khyra's name for Ali Z and I just love it)

when she goes and stays outside all night. She just goes out the back door with me, our backyard is all fenced with cyclone fencing and there isn't anyplace she could squeeze her fat little self through, We have never seen a coyote around here at all, thats not to say there couldn't be one, but I myself haven't seen or heard any. So if she is wanting to go out bad enough, she probably will. Although for the last several nights, she hasn't! Maybe got scared, you know the scaredy cat story!

Mom and I are gonna start posting regular again, taking the camera on our walks so we can show you some things. Probably not every day, but every other day, something like that.

We are singing the blues for Rocky, the Runaway. We sure hope someone can catch up with him soon. Akitas are cool dogs though and pretty smart. Although if he was really smart he would be in his new home, snugged up with his new peoples. Go check at Khyra's blog for news about him and put your paws together for some prays that he doesn't get hurt. C'mon Rocky, this is enough!

All for now. Hope the new week brings you good health, some smiles and brings Rocky home.

Kisses,

Stella, Mom and Zkhat!

Some Words on Wordless Wednesday!

2010-06-22T23:28:00.000-05:00

Mom: Stella dear, Pam wants you to babysit little Sage this afternoon. Will you do that?

Its really too hot to play with him , Mom, I'd just rather go lay in the shade if its all the same to you.

Hi Stella! Its me, Sage, I am here to be

babysitted by you. Won't this ever be fun!

I just love to play with you, Stella, what

will we play today? We could play ball,

or do zoomies, or bitey face or almost

anything fun.

Uh, Sage. shouldn't you be having a nap about this time?

No, No, we gotta play, my Mom said you would

play with me. Are we having fun yet? What do

you want to play first? C'mon lets start with

ZOOMIES, I just love to play Zoomies with

you, Stella.

OK, Sage, here is a new game, called Hide and

Seek. You shut your eyes, I go hide and you

just try to find me, little pal!

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

Sage is a 6 month old Pomeranian neighbor pup, just adorable, and last time I checked he was still looking for Stella.

I may have a few words for her when she shows up!.

Late for last week, early for this week!

2010-06-21T16:24:00.000-05:00

Hi EveryBuddy! Jo here. We have been seriously delinquent about posting this week, its been a busy time. But here is some good news, at 9 weeks post op, I have been having PT, and today got the boot! No more PT and for that I am quite happy. Its been a good time, though. My new knee is within 5 degrees of use of my "good" knee and the surgical scar is even looking pretty good. I have a card for five free sessions at our local health center, and will also do home exercises for several more months. I may even join the Health Center if I am able to do that. Stella, as you know, has been walked by our good friend Lori, and they are both fast movers. So yesterday, I harnassed her for a walk and she makes like she is taking off with Lori, but I stopped her and reminded her she is back with her pokey Mom these days. As usual, she adjusted to that and we moseyed a good bit. I just can't risk falling yet, so I will stay slow for a few more months. The only pain I get at this point comes with thunderstorms and heavy weather! So I am celebrating once again having my time as my own and getting around very well! Thanks for your encouragement!

Hi all you pups and kitties, goats and hamster (lol!) Stella here. I really wish I had a whole lot to write, I have been getting out for some walkies with Lori first and then my Mom, Pokey Petunia and right this minute I am ready to go outside and chew up a marrow bone which just smells wonderful. In a couple of weeks, I think my Mom will be geared to walk a couple of miles to the Lake, like we used to do. Then we will take some nice pictures for you to see. But just for right now, I have a bone waiting for me on the back porch!

Hi Kitties and Pups! Ali Z here. I am going to tell you about a little adventure I did. About a week ago Stella was going out the back door and I sneaked out right behind her! Now I never go outside, but sometimes I just want a little grass to eat. The backyard is fenced in so its not like I can go furry far or anything! My Mom left me out for a while, then she called for us to come in and Stella did, but I stayed out. I watched the lights go out in the house and for me, I spent the whole night OUTSIDE by MYSELF. I loved it and I might do it again sometime too. Meow, Meow Ali Z!

All the news thats fit to print from,

Jo, Stella and Ali Z