"Oh, Kaye!" chats about dogs

Do any of you recall seeing this on the Johnny Carson show many years ago?

And if you did, did you cry right along with Jimmy Stewart and Johnny Carson?

Oh, boy, I sure did.


"I will always love a dog named Beau."


That line killed me.  And still does.


Like many of you, I've had dogs and I've had cats and I have loved each of them boundlessly.


And I will always love them.


Most of you got to know Harley over the years and he was a pretty special little guy.

Even wrote a book, he did.

When we said good-bye to him my heart broke into a million pieces.


There will never be another Harley.


But the heart is a pretty amazing thing.


My heart's been broken a lot, and I admit, I'm surprised by the fact that it always mends.  It may not mend completely, and it may mend in a way to be different than it once was.  But what I've learned is that while it's mending it also seems to expand somehow.  It accepts and makes room for more love.


I will always love a dog named Harley.


But there's a new kid in town.  And this little girl is working very hard to help mend our hearts, make us laugh and remember the joy a pet brings to our lives.

Donald and I are just not ever going to be able to live our lives without a little furry four-legged creature sharing the home fires with us, it seems.


Meet Annabelle.  She'll be with us for awhile.

I hope we have lots of time with her.

Time to hold her in our hearts and spoil her rotten.


So, now, Dear Reds.  Anyone want to tell us about the pets that have stolen your hearts over the years? 

"Oh, Kaye!" chats about politics and puppies

This past month has been a busy one.

Being mom to a new puppy (sometimes referred to as Princess Piranha) has kept me on my toes.

Anyone reading my Meanderings and Muses knows what I mean.  Puppy and Politics, that's what it's all about for me these days.  Who would have guessed?

Getting more and more involved in local political activities is keeping me busy - remember, "It's a marathon, not a sprint!"  There is much to do.  

One of the local events was a visit to Rep. Virginia Foxx's office.  She was not there, but her staff was expecting us and they were kind and courteous to all 180+ of us who presented individual letters addressed to Rep. Foxx.   

The other was a tea and cookies event held on Saturday.  She declined this invitation also, even though she was just down the street a couple blocks at a speaking engagement right before the event started

The tea went on as planned and was a huge success.  Rep. Foxx was represented by a photo and an empty chair.  Too bad she chose not to attend, there were excellent points made by attendees and questions that deserved answers.


I have strong feelings about all this.  I happen to think elected officials have an obligation to listen to their constituents.  To answer questions.

Silly me.



So.


Moving along to puppies . . . 



Puppy Kindergarten started this week.

Oh, laws . . .

Let me tell you about Puppy Kindergarten.

It's basically a dog obedience class except it's for puppies only.  Puppies who have about an inch long attention span and very sharp little teeth.

The woman who owns Woof Pack Pet Services is an amazing woman who teaches a variety of classes, has a puppy day care facility, a boarding facility for dogs, and another for cats.


So.  Thursday night was our first class.

Here's our pack -

An adorable mix of pups - all sweet as pie.

The class is based on "Positive Reinforcement."

I love that.


We have been to various classes for dog training in the past - and left - because we did not care for their training philosophy.

This one just seems, to us, to be just right.


So there we were with out itty bitty little fluff ball and all these bigger, but oh so sweet, dogs.  And because they're all puppies, they all have the same issues.  Short attention spans and sharp little teeth.  

Some, however, are already better trained than others.  I'd have to say Annabelle was not as well trained as some, but perhaps a little better trained than others.


But, once she got tired, she was done with learning.


She didn't care if she was being offered a T-bone steak for "down," she was not interested.


Donald is acting as "handler" since he possesses all the patience in the family.


My role is cheerleader and photographer.


That suits me just fine 'cause I get to watch all the other puppies while Don does all the work.


And I smiled and I laughed and I had the best time.


And you know, it's nice to put the rest of the world aside for an evening to watch the simple joy of puppies.

So, Dear Reds, I'm guessing many of you have your own stories about doggie obedience classes, and I'd love to hear them.

"Oh, Kaye!" chats about football, puppies and Ryan Gosling

Hi, Dear Reds - 

It's Super Bowl Sunday!!

Who's everyone cheering for today?

The Atlanta Falcons were my home team for oh, about 30 years, so since the Carolina Panthers didn't make it this year, I'll be pulling for Atlanta.


And, of course, the big thing for Super Bowl Sunday is food.


Not like it once was though.


I remember when Super Bowl Sunday at our house was a very big deal.


Lots of people, lots of food, lots of adult beverages.


That was back in the day.


These days, it's so low key it's hard to describe.  Just think TV, recliners . . .  you get the picture.


But the food is still important.


And grazing seems to be a Super Bowl tradition for us, so we'll be having a little of this, and a little of that.


But there is pulled pork BBQ in the crockpot serving as our Super Bowl entrée.


But you know, I can't really think too much about football right now 'cause we have a new family member.


Her name is Annabelle and I'd like for you all to meet her.

Annabelle Barley is a 10 week old Corgi.


We just picked her up yesterday, so today we're going to be busy getting acquainted and helping little Miss Annabelle feel at home.  (I hope she likes football).


We took her shopping yesterday.  She seemed to think that was fun, so I do believe she's going to be a girl after my own heart.


Now, since we have the oh so delectable Ryan Gosling gracing our page today, who saw La La Land?

What did you think?

I loved it.


I know not everyone feels the same way, but it was exactly what I needed, and if it's still playing here in Boone next week I'll probably go see it again.

Annabelle is still small enough that I'm betting I can sneak her in tucked in a pocket . . .