Echinopsis Bloom - 5/7/16

Little Plant  -  Big Bloom

GG's Trip to the Dentist

This is my Half & Half pose.

Okay. So. All my life, my Mom has taken me to the dentist about once every nine months or so. Every time the doctor looks in my mouth during a regular visit, my Mom says something like, "GG ... (that's me) ... doesn't like to have her teeth brushed." Or, "GG ... (me again) ... gets her teeth cleaned every nine months or so." Then the doctor always says something like, "Well, some dogs ... (I guess referring to me) ... just get more tartar than others."

Anyway, so, Mom whisked me off to the doctor one morning last week, before neither one of us were awake, and she left. What came next was pretty much a nightmare. First, they poked me with needles. I sure was glad when that was over. Can I go home now?

I waited in the kennel for what seemed like forever but I kept my eyes on the people in the white jackets and the other dogs. Finally, they came back to my kennel and laid me on the table. The next thing I knew, I was waking up and I could hear my Mom's voice in the next room. What I didn't realize right away was that there were three holes in my mouth where there used to be teeth and I was feeling a little loopy.

That first day, my mouth hurt a lot. When Mom cuddled me, I just cried and cried. That was because I knew that she loved me. Otherwise, I was a brave little girl. That night, I wish I had those teeth so that I could put them under my pillow and the Fairy Dog Mother would take my teeth and put a lot of money there. ... Oh never mind. What would I do with money?

So now, I have to learn how to eat with three holes in my mouth and twice a day, my Mom stuffs two pills down my throat. ... One of those pills really really tastes bad. I hope she doesn't do that much longer. ... Although, I must say, life is a little different when you feel loopy!

Spring Starts!

Hi folks! It's me GG.

Bishops Cap

 Well, I sure am glad that spring is here but, today is colder than all of January! Anyway, I just wanted to show everyone that our cacti collection seems to be happy in their new house. Several of them have bloomed or produced fruits. Only one cactus died outside over the winter but we had a pretty warm winter and it didn't die until we let our guard down. Sorry, we ARE in Las Vegas. You know. The Las Vegas Cockapoo and all that. Truth be told, we just aren't tough enough to live in all that cold stuff! Then, again, could you live in the desert? Whole different ball game. ... Did someone say BALL?

Silver Torch

Don't know.

Shhh! - 3/1/14

This morning, I am sleeping pretty well. Last night, my Mom and Dad had their great niece, Addy,  over for a few hours while Annie and Vicki went to a show here in town. At first, I wasn't sure what it was all about. There was this small creature crawling around on the floor everywhere. My Mom and Dad were following her around here and there and seemed to be very focused on her movements. Several times, I was sure I had it figured out. She was here to play with me! She was about my size and she like to play ball. We threw the ball back and forth several times. I barked my "I would love to play with you" bark really loud in the hallway where it echoed back and forth against the walls. It was a little disappointing when my Mom told me "That's enough!" at the same time, she is removing the small creature's fingers from near the electrical outlet.

My favorite time of the evening was when Dad fed Addy some of his food. There were a few bites that didn't quite make it to her mouth. Those were mine! Then, there was the time that Addy and I enjoyed pulling out all of my toys from my toy box. Then, she put them back in! I was especially interested in a few toys in Addy's bag but I was told they were off-limits. That didn't stop me from trying to get them out of the play pen bed.

My Mom and Dad held Addy for a while when she seemed to be getting very tired. Finally, my Mom put her in the play pen bed where she played for a little while watching TV. My Mom and Dad were sitting near her and I did, too. When Addy started to relax, I started to relax and took my place on the floor next to her bed.

After escorting my Mom upstairs for her bath, I came back down to Addy's bed. She was asleep by then and I laid down next to her again. This is where I stayed until Annie and Vicki came back to get Addy. Wow. Baby sitting is a fun job but I'm tired.

GG's Christmas 2013

 Hi, the Las Vegas Cockapoo is signing in! I just had a great Christmas and I wanted to share it with all of you! First, my Mom put together the Christmas tree. She hung up all the shiny balls and she put the biggest ones near the bottom of the tree where I could reach them. But, I'm not a puppy anymore and all I did was bat them a couple of times then I left them alone. Well, I would bat them for fun once in a while when my Mom least expected it, too. Hey, nothing broke! Anyway, that was fun. You know how I like balls. Then, on Christmas day, my Mom and my Dad and I all went for a Christmas walk around the neighborhood. I wished everyone a Merry Christmas and gave them a few tail wags. Then, it was time for presents. Mom put a towel outside on the door step and I was wondering why. Then she brought out a ham bone from the beans that she was cooking. Wow! I never had a ham bone before! I really wasn't sure of the ham bone etiquette but I sniffed and nibbled and sniffed and nibbled some more. Finally, I had that huge thing clean and in two large pieces. That's when I decided it was time to bring it inside. It barely fit through my doggy door but I got it in and gnawed on it some more. Finally, I was tired so I went to drink some water. When I came back, the bone was gone. ... I never did figure out where it went. I was extremely puzzled. But, my Mom had a big smile on her face so I was happy, too.

GG's First Family Thanksgiving - 2013

GG's Trip to Atlanta

It took three and a half days to drive from Las Vegas to Atlanta with a half day stay in Amarillo to visit Grandmother Barbara. When us three travellers (me (GG) and my Mom and Dad) arrived at her house, I was so excited to see her. I remembered her house from several trips made there before and Grandmother Barbara is so kind to me. While my people went out for a nice meal, I recuperated in my bed from all the driving. I was ready for a break. Then, we stayed overnight in her comfortable guest room.

After more driving, we arrived at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Frank's house on Thursday and were given very comfortable guest quarters. I especially enjoyed the walks on the boardwalk through the woods near her house daily. The next day, Mom and Dad packed up my bed and we all went over the river and through the woods to Grandmother Marie's house where I was, again, very excited to see someone I remember and love. I was especially excited to play with a new tennis ball that Grandfather Gordon gave me. I was so excited that I knocked over a rickety table and broke it. I felt very bad about that but Grandmother Marie made me feel a little better and then we went back to Aunt Debbie's. That night, Mom and Dad left me in my bed and went out to see some colorful holiday lights.


Atlanta Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights 2013 

On Friday, November 22, Debbie, Frank, John and Kay went to see the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights. It was the last pleasant evening before the bad weather came in and the crowds were not bad since the holidays were just getting started.

They walked through the gardens one and a half times and soaked in the beauty of the incredible light displays. There were carolers meandering about singing Christmas songs with beautiful voices.

Since it was dark otherwise, you could not tell that the lights were wrapped around plant topiary art works that were shaped just like the lights. The exception was colorful orbs in one section of the gardens that were constantly changing colors.

They also walked through the greenhouse with tropical plants displayed. It was very dark inside here with the exception of tiny laser lights emitting spots of green everywhere. There was also a model train display that delighted the kids. And, there was a smores set up where you could cook your own decadent snacks. I think I would have like that 'cept that I'm not supposed to eat choclit.

 On Saturday, Aunt Debbie and my Mom went to the grocery store while my Dad went to see my half brother, Connor. Later that night, Uncle Frank, Aunt Debbie and my Mom went to see a movie and ate at a nice little french restaurant in Sandy Springs called "La Petite Maison." (I wonder if they make french dog food ....) It sounded so good!

Sope Creek Hike

 On Sunday, Mom went to Uncle Tim's house while Dad went to see my half sister Andrea ... who, by the way, looks fantastic, I heard .... At Uncle Tim's, Mom went on a hike down at Sope Creek with Uncle Tim, Aunt Pam and my cousins Lauren, Max and Haze. The hike wasn't long but it was a beautiful Georgia November day. Later, Dad and cousin Paige came over and everyone went out for dinner. It sounded like a wonderful day. Kinda wish I had been there.

Family

Marie & Gordon

Debbie

Tim with Max & Haze

Ryan, John, Andrea & Connor

Paige, Lauren & Andrew

 On Monday, Mom and Dad went back up to see Grand- mother Marie and Grand- father Gordon. Dad helped them with their ailing computer while Mom helped to make pecan pies for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities. Later that day, Dad went to have dinner with my half brother Ryan. Dad really enjoyed getting to see his children so much while we were there in Atlanta. They have grown a lot and look so happy! I was able to see them a couple of days later and they were all so big and tall! Plus, they had a dog named Bridget that was also really tall!

(CW from left) Gordon, Cameron, Andrew, Tim, Paige, Lauren & GG

(CW from Top) Tim, Paige, Lauren & GG

Debbie & Pam

John, Frank & Marie

 Tuesday and Wednesday were busy with good smells from the kitchen, a load of laundry and cold walks in the rain on the boardwalk. On Wednesday, I got to see my first train. Hmmm. I don't care if I ever see another one. They are very loud and squeaky. Mom also gathered colorful leaves and such for a centerpiece that Dad arranged for Thanksgiving. I found two new tennis balls on the walks, too. Very exciting! I brought them home even though my mouth was so frozen that I kept dropping the one I found on Wednesday.

Laura & Her mother, Malvina

Lauren & Cameron

We Love These Kids!!

Thanksgiving

 So, this event called "Thanks- giving" arrived on Thursday. It was a big day for everyone. I have never been among so many people before in my life. Everyone was taller than me but I blended right in. We are an equal opportunity family. I just stood right in the middle of the kitchen and watched Uncle Frank and Dad carve the turkey. (This was when Uncle Frank became my person of the day!) Every once in a while Uncle Frank would "askadently" drop turkey my way.

 The kitchen got busier and busier as more and more people came through the door. I took it all in stride. As a result, my Mom was sooo proud of me. After the meal, which was presented at two tables, everyone sat around talking and watching a game with a funny looking ball on TV. What a day! I really enjoyed every minute of it! I think I like Thanksgiving!

The party's over.

The Trip Home

The drive home lasted only three days. We stopped in Amarillo again but only for dinner. While we were there, I met my first baby. It was my second cousin named Addison. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do but everyone sat around laughing anyway. In the end, I think I like Addie, too.

Barbara & Addie (You can't have too many dolls!)

P.S. It's so good to be home!

GG's New Water Friends

Hi! GG here! The one and only Las Vegas Cockapoo! Anyway, I just wanted to show you my new eight friends. They just made their appearance today and I'm pretty sure that this was their very first swim. I didn't even bark. They were just so darn adorable!