It Was Time

After a quarter of a century and hard use by multiple dogs (and cats who expressed themselves artistically on the back, the leather sofa and love seat had reached a state that would have suited them for a stage set for some family-down-on-their-luck drama. Rips, mended with duct tape (brown instead of silver--we're not barbarians) and a pervasive ground-in nastiness that we covered inadequately with a denim cloth have been troubling us for some time.

It wasn't just getting new furniture; it was getting rid of the old. The love seat was manageable through the twists and turns of our front door but the sofa had to be brought in by removing some of the basement stairs and shoving it (with the aid of our two sons) up through the opening. 

We didn't want to do that again. So we shopped online for modular furniture in boxes that could be unpacked on the porch and brought in piecemeal through the front door.

What we ended up with suits us fine. The covers are removable and washable. We added a waterproof cover to the sofa as Otter has a bit of an uncertain bladder. And also just to preserve the sofa. We'll pull the cover off and add throw pillows when we have company.

My chair is very imposing. I feel like Captain Kirk on the Enterprise and may begin saying "Make it so" a lot.

The dogs are less pleased. They were all pretty sure that old sofa was theirs. They were watching in horror as Justin sawed it into two pieces (in order to get it out the door) and Otter remained on the cushy back till forcibly removed.

I got Jenny a new bed to try to make up for the loss of her favorite resting place (see below.)

                                                               

I don't think she's convinced.

 

Gone to the Dogs

 

And Another Snow Day

 

And a Few Dawgs

There were five--our three and Ethan and Aileen's two--but as they don't get along there was constant juggling to keep them in or out or in separate parts of the house.

This big boy is Bucephalus, aka Boo. He's pretty sure he's a lap dog.

 

Professional Sleepers

 

A Portrait

                                                      

Or as Cory the photographer said, " an overly proper portrait of a completely improper dog."

Too right. When I opened Cory's email, herself was, at the moment, relaxing on the dining table in the sun, working on her tan.

Cory is a friend of many years.  He has some amazing photos available for viewing on Flickr and on Instagram.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sodiumbenzoate

and follow @corybarlowphoto on Instagram
For a selection of Cory's photographic endeavors.

Dog Politics

Otter likes to sit in Justin's lap. Jenny does not approve.

Jenny thinks she'll give it a try.

Otter bites Jenny's leg to show that she does not approve.

 

Rhinoplasty Needed

In what Claui called 'an unfortunate series of events,' Josie's beautiful rhino, crocheted by her Aunt Aileen, was the victim of two too- playful dogs. 

I don't crochet so I asked Aileen for advice. How to prevent unraveling and loss of stuffing is the first consideration. Then, how to make Rero/Rere? look better.

Aileen to the rescue! She will crochet another flower which I can affix, after taking care of the preventative measures.

Speaking of dogs, it was Otter and Domino who perpetrated this badness. Meanwhile, closer to home, my bad Jenny pulled one of two unbaked strombolis off the baking sheet I'd foolishly left on the counter while waiting for the stove to preheat. I'd gone to set the table (we had folks coming for lunch) and returned to the kitchen, thank goodness, in time to save the second one from going the same way.  Fortunately, the one stromboli was enough. 

She was not repentant.

 

Three Dog Day

                                                                           

                                                                                       

Discipline in the Home is the Linchpin of Order

 

New Dogs in the Family

Josie's folks adopted Domino last week.

 She's a sweet Pit mix and is happy to be here.

 Otter is a little miffed at no longer being an only dog but that will pass. Bailey and Bob were happy to meet her--Jenny thinks she is a Bad Idea. 

                                                    

And this is Moxie--Ethan and Aileen's recent rescue. Another Pittie mix. They all came up for a belated celebration of Ethan's birthday and to let Moxie run around off leash and experience some new dogs. 

She was sweet and quite well-behaved. (I wish I could say the same for Jenny who has accepted Bailey into the family but feels that the line must be drawn somewhere.)

                                                   

Moxie enjoyed exploring and meeting new friends.

So much to see and smell and do . . .

                                                                                       

Moxie--before

and after the Farm Experience--which included running around the pond with Domino, chasing cows, and eating cow poop.

 

Dogs on the Porch

We were enjoying a pre-supper glass of wine on the porch and watching a thunderstorm moving our way. The dogs don't approve of thunder and lightning, but they opted to stay with us anyway.

Otter is the least wary of the pack.

Bailey barks at the thunder; Jenny hides behind my chair.

It was all soon over and we could relax.

Bobadog is very good at relaxing.

Not much rain; not much of a rainbow.

 

Dawgs...and Kittehs

Forget it, Bailey. You'll never be as cool as Otter and me.

We are calm and sophisticated.

Wait a minute! Is there food?

Looks like a false alarm to me. 

Oh, hi. Welcome to the more rational part of the house. The dogs aren't allowed back here during the day which suits us fine. We don't see why they get to sleep back here but The Woman and That Man allow it.

But seeing them, the dogs AND the people, is why we daily thank Bast for letting us be born as cats. Anything else would be too horrible to contemplate.