"It's awfully quiet around here."

It's hard to get comfy when Your Boys are getting ready to leave.


To stretch our visit, Lady naps in the family room on Ron's computer bag while we visit one last time. The next day, when the time comes, she won't say goodbye -- just goes to her red chair and ignores the door as it closes and the cars as they pull away.

A Warm Winter Day

We had sun and 60s on Tuesday so Lady, the Boys, Grandfather and Auntie Al headed to Queeny Park for a long walk in the woods.


Lady got a swim ...


... and a big run while Grandfather and Auntie Al rested for a minute midway.

Cardinal at the Feeder

Matthew managed to zoom in on this cardinal at the feeder -- great shot, Matthew!

Christmas Lovin' with the Cat Guys

Musta head butts with Matthew for attention ...


while Toivo cuddles on Alex's lap again and again.

Hey!

How come nobody's paying any attention to ME? What makes Ted's new laptop so interesting, anyway?

Christmas Lovin' with a Dog

Lady collects pets ...


... and neck scritches ...


and gives ... plenty of dog kisses to everyone.


And sometimes with her Two Best Boys at once!


She loves her new toy from Alex. Two days llater its skin is removed and the rubber in pieces ... which means it's a VERY good if temporary toy ...


but that's okay because there's always the string bone to pull on.


And then Matthew sneaks her onto the soft for a cuddle ...


and then turns her over for a long tickle.


Soooo tired.

Breakfast on the Winter Solstice

Dad's taken charge of feeding The Herd. All three (plus the birds outside) are ready for morning kibbles!

Toivo Chasing Squirrels

Just look at that tail twitch!

Table Decoration

Toivo seems to think her place is right in the middle of the dining room table.

Pooped

After yesterday's six-hour playdate with Beau and Zack and this morning's Puppy Choir with a dozen neighborhood dogs, Lady's hardly moved all day.

First Real Snow

It started snowing early this morning. Lady kept checking the progress through the windows then wanted out to experience the real thing!


Her world looks some different! Some things remain the same, however -- note the two balls, the football and the purple ball.


And of course it's best if you dig right in.


Finally, though, it't time to come inside where it's dry and warm.

Lady's First Pig's Ear

Beau and Zack brought bones and pig's ears for Lady's birthday.


Now a pig's ear requires careful inspection.


But by dawgs, they're lip-smackin' good!

Lady's Third Birthday

Like all grown-ups, Lady was little excited about her third birthday on December 1st (at least, that's the designated date since she was a pound puppy and we don't know the exact one).


But doggie treats were in order, thanks to Lady's Mom!


RustyV and RustyVI thought the treats looked just great.


And the Birthday Dog seemed to agree!

Reaching for New Heights

Toivo is fascinated with the table from all angles and stretches!

Hello, Mr Squirrel

... have you scared off the winter birds?

Change Comes Hard

Poor Lady. She is not happy about her kibble bowl being moved to the basement. She knows where it is, she knows it's full, she knows she's hungry. But it's been three hours and she still will not succumb to the temptation. This dog is tough!

Later: Finally, she ate but only after being led, very docilely, to the basement on a leash. TWICE.

• First Trip: she sniffed at the food then looked up with sad puppy eyes. Two minutes later, I realized she'd soundlessly gone up the stairs and retreated to her Sad Chair.
  
• Second Trip: now loosely tied to a chair near her kibble bowl, she sniffed at the food then looked up with sad puppy eyes. Then sat. And sat. And sat.
  

Softie that I am, I sat beside her, petted her, beseeched her to eat, waited for her to eat. No go.

So I put a few kibbles in my hand and offered them to her. She sniffed, then gently took a single kibble from my hand -- success, yes? -- and just as gently dropped it on the floor by her feet! And another! And another! And another! Kibble by kibble! This dog is tough!

New Cat Cave

Toivo likes it under the new kitchen table: it's high enough to be safe from The Dog and dark enough for A Cat ...


... except a Scaredy-Cat Musta who likes it better on top!

Rainy Sunday

Lady watching the squirrels and later ...


Toivo watching Lady chasing squirrels outside.

What's Up?

All three are curious about the little kitchen table's temporary placement in the dining room ...

It's Almost Turkey Day

From Animals and Human Alike, Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!


Lady's rustled up a special surprise for you -- just click here. Hope you like it!

Her Eyes

... are bigger than moons!

Toivo, Again

Fussing with the flowers. AGAIN.

Lady in the Leaves

She's not much help but she sure is cute!

Good Food & Bad Food

Lady waits expectantly for her TREAT BALL to be filled ...


... but has no idea what to think about the steak juice left. She ignores it! (Note the tennis ball in her dish ... it's a new game.)

Musta Stays Warm & Playful

When the furnace comes on, this is Musta's favorite spot, basking in the direct heat from the vent and batting at the cord.

The Resident Bat

The shadows make little Toivo's ears look even bigger than they are!

Musta's Electric Blanket

This is Musta's favorite spot -- right atop my laptop. Luckily, this time I remembered to put the top down. When I don't, all those pawsteps and settling-in moves create some very whacky commands that put the laptop in a drive-spin!

Lady Turns to Mush

Is it any wonder that Lady greets next-door Elizabeth with a helicopter tail?