funk and stuff

Everyone has been in a funk around here.



Even Ella. She keeps eating things she’s not supposed to. Her latest victim was one of Peppy’s favorite dog beds. Needless to say this little eccentricity of hers does not make for a happy tummy. She is also on doggie probation which means that a watchful eye or ZAPPER is always present. Yes, we zap our dogs folks. I’m well aware that ZAPPING dogs is the equivalent of spanking children. I’m down with both. We have a three way dog training device that involves a special collar for each dog and a remote. Robert is not afraid to use it. I, however, am a pushover. I don’t think I’ve ever used it on the girls, but I’m not afraid to zap peppy when he’s not obeying. Peppy purposely disobeys whereas the girls sometimes make bloopers because they are still uncertain about the rules around here. And yes, we do run a tight ship. We expect the dogs to come when called, follow basic commands, know what certain words mean, and most importantly, refrain from barking unless Robert’s mother is entering the house. I’m not sure if most people out there understand the individuality of every single living creation in this world. Dogs are no exception. Peppy’s greatest acts of rebellion involve peeing and barking. He will continue to bark, even if he’s getting zapped, if he feels there is a need for it. I usually roll him over on his back and wrap my hands around his face if he keeps barking. Yes, he can still breathe; it’s really not even an uncomfortable position. The only reason he doesn’t like it is because I am taking away his control. He also likes to bite just about anyone who enters the house. For some reason he likes to attack men and grandmothers. He is very protective of everything in the house, especially Robert and I. When I have a moment of tears I can hide anywhere in the house and he will still find me. It is one of those rare moments when he doesn’t expect anything out of me, not even a hug or kiss. He just wants to be near me. Rose, the wonder dog, hasn’t even accomplished a feat like this. She rarely gets in trouble, but when she does, she hightails it to timeout. Yes, we have a designated spot for timeout. What’s hilarious is she will make a beeline for timeout if Ella or Peppy is in trouble. She cries and whines with pure sorrow if Ella or Peppy is being punished. She demands to be with them in timeout, and if she can’t have her way she pouts. Out of every creature, human or otherwise, that I have met in my life, she is the most compassionate. She strives to please everyone and everything. She even gets offended when we squeak her most precious squeaky. She has a special squeaky that is NOT for throwing and most importantly, it should NOT be squeaked in any way whatsoever. If one of us makes either of these terrible mistakes she will take this squeaky thing to a dark corner in the house and nurse it back to health. Amazingly enough this is the only squeaky that has never had to be sewn back together. She takes better care of this squeaky than some people take care of their kids and pets. While on the subject of squeakies, there is one very important rule that I must mention. We do not allow any of their toys outside. Often they try to sneak one out when they go out to play. They understand the command, ‘drop it’ very well now so there are very few moments when a squeaky makes a getaway. If one does make it outside it is usually in the mouth of Ella. Rose, the brown nose of the family, goes on squeaky patrol and throws a fit if a squeaky makes it outside. Ella is a little like Rose, but she shares her rebellious streak with Peppy. Her biggest problem is her ingestion of inedible objects. This long list includes a yogurt container, recliner, bath poofy and most recently a dog bed. She isn’t a stuffed animal lover like rose. She loves tennis balls and kong toys. When we go to the pet store Rose will most likely want to take a ferret home. When she realizes she can’t have one she picks out a stuffed animal. Ella, on the other hand, usually picks out rope/kong toys. She is a chewer, through and through, and we are coming to terms with the fact that this may be something she just has to outgrow. Until then she will be on doggie probation.
As for the funk going on around here—it’s been a tough week for us all. Robert found out some bad news about graduation and I have been up late the past few nights, putting finishing touches on two papers. Last night was a rare moment because I actually got to fall asleep with Robert and the pups. This morning proved to be even more brilliant. We slept in until 9 and for the first time in months, shared breakfast together. I do not think we realized it then but that quaint breakfast was a celebration for the end of a particularly long funk.
As most of you know, for the first time I am watching American Idol. I have a few favorites, Syesha Mercado, David Cook and Michael Johns. I was especially fond of Mercado’s performance last night. I am not a big fan of the song she sang because dolly is too simple with it and whitney sounds like she’s trying too hard. When Syesha Mercado came out I was ready to press the fast forward button but surprise surprise! I loved the arrangement. I gave it a chance and I think you should too.