Other Dogs

My what skinny legs they have.

I hope they feel okay.

When I graze on grass I'm always feeling a little off.

Andy and Me

Andy said people get 15 minutes of fame.

Which means dogs get 1 hour and 45 minutes.

So why not use a minute or two

in a pink imitation of pop art?

GoD and DoG

 The best book I ever read.

and it's not just a book -

it's an animated video and a song.

Go enjoy it!

My doggy UMWELT

What it is like...

It is close to the ground...

It is lickable...

It either fits in the mouth or is too big for the mouth...

It is full of details...

It is in the moment...

It is fleeting and fast...

It is written all over their faces...

It reads like a poem but the text above is an excerpt

from the table of contents of

INSIDE OF A DOG What Dogs See, Smell, and Know.

Dog ear a page or two for your person

so they may better understand and learn from you.

I was dreaming

about waffles

and fried chicken.

Let's have some.

Smile Detection

Something bad happened to the camera. Now the LED screen shows a spider web of cracks and big jagged black spot.  So it seemed time to shop for a new camera.  And that is when we discovered a new technology called "face detection" that senses when the smile is most natural.

More and more life is like a Ray Bradbury story.

In the above photo I'm fake smiling.

And in the photo below I'm smirking.

Would a new camera have "allowed" it?

Maybe we can just power on with the broken LED?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The "Magic Happens Garden" is all dressed up for Halloween,

Los Dias de los Muertos and All Souls Day as well it seems.
Because if you look closely you'll find amidst
the scarecrow gal, ghost gulch decorations
and a trinity of perfect leaf piles in the gutter

a "Rest In Peace" tombstone for a furry loved one, Daisey

and there is another RIP and tribute for beloved Jay-
"father, uncle, companion, friend".
I think Daisey and Jay are together, joyfully reunited and busy 
making the brilliant blue sky a little brighter
and helping loved ones put smiles on their pumpkins.

Squirrel Invasion

     I always yowl at the squirrels when they taunt me on the fire escape. I hate them and not just because they have thumbs. Over the past few days those dirty rascals found a way into the attic and wall space and tormented us from every angle.  From the sounds of it at first they were busy on renovations to make their winter home cozy.  Then they became frantic when they discovered their entrance had been closed off by a helpful maintenance man. There was thrashing and bashing and skittering; bumping and thumping; chewing, chomping and clawing. For God's sake stay off the electrical wires! Your soul will go straight to heaven. But the smell of your death will be with us for months.
     There are a lot of rules for getting rid of squirrels for people. Rules that seem silly to dogs. Hunt them down and drive them out! That was my strategy. Luckily I was not alone. My excessive sharp barking, pawing and whining I finally drove them down to the second floor where Harley and her people live and she employed my tactic. Eventually Harley went down to the basement with her people and the landlord to do a "squirrel check". Earlier in the day a tenant had been accosted by a squirrel while doing laundry. The people looked and looked but couldn't find the perpetrator. But Harley had sniffed the crafty culprit out.  She signaled the people by standing near and whining at the trash can.  They eventually got a clue and came over.  As they peered in - out popped a squirrel who then ran out the open window as the people screamed and Harley wagged triumphantly.
     During our nose to nose 'post mortem' conversation, we always have a chat about house happenings through the crack under her door when I am in the hall, Harley mentioned that the squirrel flipped her off as he darted out the window. I don't doubt it. It's that kind of attitude that brews my dislike of them.

Two paws up for Harley!!

We love you. That's why we left you cookies in the mailbox.
Your Mom said your "getting a big head".  I think you should.
Nice work.

Dogs in Art

My friend Spot

is a big Gauguin fan

 

And so am I because Gauguin said,

"I shut my eyes in order to see."

 

And that's what I do too.

Banned Books Week

What you wonder are Banned Books?
They are books that have been challenged and consequently removed from public school libraries.

Included on this dangerous list is

Winnie the Pooh.  Charolott's Web.  Captain Underpants
To Kill A Mocking Bird, The Call of the Wild, The Lord of the Flies

most of Toni Morrison's work, some of Maya Angelou's work,
Steinbeck, Heminway, Faulkner, Joyce,
Capote, Rushdie, Mailer, Miller, Updike,
on and on...
There are 100 titles on the list
all either banned, challenged or in the process of being censored.

Ironically it is a "MUST READ" List.

I'm so glad no one is censoring my reading

and I can read as I please.

Sunday Dog Psalm #8

Great Spirit:
It is believed, and not just by me, that
my dew claw is a thumb waiting to happen.
I understand I must accomplish my dog life before I return with thumbs.
I must watch and learn.
Love and communicate without speech.
In my next incarnation when I will be a human
please guide me Great Spirit
in transferring my canine-ly, devine
understanding of humanity.
Don't let my thumbs undo me.

Being A Reading Buddy

Dogs are good reading buddies
because they
don't judge



they just try


try, try, try

Sunday Dog Psalm #3

God seeks me in the garden

Small, white, butterfly
Always hovering nearby

Ghost that I glimpse from the side of my eye
Darting through blossoms, resting on leaves
Taking advantage of sunshine and breeze

Pointing out a shapely cloud
Waiting on the mailbox
inquisitive antenna cocked

Reminding me
as mortality rages on
Death is not the final stop

Sunday Dog Pslam #2

Dear Heavenly One,
Thank you for nature and walks and the time to commune
with my person and our surroundings.
Thank you for my ability to take scent pictures
and my knowledge of the language of trees.

People use cameras to capture and see, recall, envision.
I use my nose.
My nose is like a highly sophisticated camera.
Humans can not even begin to fathom my
shutter speed or white balance mechanism
it is so finely, cosmically tuned.

I have an internal instrument that allows me to connect and create.
And I thank the Great Being for this wonderous gift.

I can convert my scent pictures into 3-d movie dreams
that enable me to live the story.
My paws run, I snort, bark, twitch.
I am fully engaged with what I have encountered.
I reconstitute and recreate.
I can return to each story again and again
in search of meaning, knowledge, connection.

This tree tells me
the story of a man who sought freedom 200 years ago,
he was running from persecution.
He rested often beneath this tree
and the time, shade and roots taught him
how to stop running,
and stand for Freedom.

This tree tells me
of the wealthy but neglected child
who stabbed at this tree
trying to find his own true heart
as he waited for the school bus
angry, lonely and afraid.

This tree tells me
of the birds and squirrels who used this tree as safe harbor
from weather, predators and famine.
The hardships of being other, lame or weak.
The demands of being forthright, resilient, strong.

This tree tells me
of the circle and cycle of life.
It is home to the vibrant red cardinal
who is the reincarnation of Rosie the greyhound.
Recognizing her reassures, encourages, teaches us.

This tree tells me
what is
and if
I am home.

Like so many others,
I leave my stories here
with this great tree
the glorious Wayland Tree
I leave them to honor and cherish
the world and myself

This tree tells me I am a part of the story of
struggle and transcendence.
This tree tells me how to recognize peace
and piece together the elements of eternity.

History of KaChewKee Wrappers, Part I

You may know what it is like to feel "wildly" and uncertain. Thrashing about, flailing and failing away, in a cold world moving much too fast. I certainly do. I know the deep gnawing need for self confidence and security; reliable rules and well known boundaries, actual opportunities, exciting, not frightening, challenges along side support and positive reinforcement. Before I experienced any of those things and the time, relationship, consistency and connections those things require; I was a terror. To myself and everyone else.

I chewed EVERYTHING. Pillows and handmade quilts were my favorites.
I devoured corners of any kind and became an expert on making circles.
Fabric is my favorite medium.
Even when I chewed my quietest she somehow sensed it
and would catch me at my evil handiwork.
She insisted I contribute and not destroy.

I whined constantly. I can make the most pathetic noises that express far more than words ever can or do. But who can't? Anyway. I did so incessantly and I pulled on my lead relentlessly. I'd eat a 12 inch bully stick a day just to work off my anxiety. I worried constantly about my head top and hitting, sudden movements, something bad in the kitchen. I enticed and then skittered and growled. I wanted to be close but I didn't know how. If you looked in my eyes too long I'd go berserk and ricochet off the walls and furniture. Literally.

Eventually it got to the point where she said, "That's how little dogs wind up back at the pound my friend." It wasn't a threat. She was highlighting a fact. Because indeed that is how I wound up at the pound the first time! I drove her to her wits end and then I tried to push her a little further. But she didn't give up. She called the Zen Dog Doctor. The nicest man came over and spent time with us.

He changed my attitude, her approach and our occupations.
Who knew a toy could change your whole life?
Stay Tuned
more History of KaChewKee Wrappers to come

Delicious Anticipation

The party plate is prepared.



Visual instructions are displayed.



I am full of restraint and good manners.






When will the KaChewKee Wrappers be served?

Rosie & Pistachio

Before my friend Rosie retired from racing she thought that
cute little stuffed rabbits were something to chase around the track.
She knows different now!
Pistachio never runs. If fact he's rather bossy.


Say What?
OH! Yeah. Right. CHEEESE


Rosie used to think that coats were just something for betting numbers
to be placed on. Then she discovered the comfort of a
custom made coat
in black and white nubby wool tweed.

After a warm and stylish walk



it is time to explore the deep relaxation of the couch

with your head propped perfectly
on your very own pillow.
Life is Good.

Maizey's amazing KW adventure

KaChewKee, KaChewKee,

Please give me that KaChewkee!!

I love you. Oh Thank you. Look at my tail blur of joy.
You are my world. I read your eyes and follow your wishes.


This is the special spot where I will enjoy it.
OH Thank YOU!

Release the Hounds

For weeks now we have been scouting potential photo shoot locations. The best so far is a home on Blackstone Boulevard. The third floor bathroom was not only large, it had large windows as well, a claw foot tub and best of all "Hunt Scene" wallpaper with horses and leaping beagles.

That's a lot of beagles who are going to need baths
or at the very least a good hose down.
Who among them wouldn't delight in the cozy comfort of an
after bathrobe?

KaChewKees Across the Nation!

In New Hampshire Dudley anticipates the fun ahead.


In Virginia Tofu enjoys them all kinds of ways!


In San Francisco Rex gets down to business!


Hey! What's with the cardboard greyhound and whippet? Those gosh darn 'doggequins' are horning in on my turf. I'm the model here. I know I can't fit into all the garments but I sure can do ALL the KaChewKee modeling. I'm checking my contract on this.