I Can Cross Train

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Mom went to her first event of that Art Basel thing yesterday.  She and my Aunt Liz attended Scope and Art Asia.   Mom described the event as similiar to Food and Wine with the big white tents.  I politely listened to Mom share details about what she saw.  However, only one thing perked up my ears.

Mom said this print was the ONLY dog featured in the whole exhibit thing last night, what were those artists thinking???

The famous photographer, William Wegman donated this print, “Cross Training”, to raise money for up and coming photographers.  Mr. Wegman, I can cross train, I’ll let you take my picture.  Jet, Mr. Wegman only photographs weinmaraners, you’re too fluffy my boy!  I’ll photograph you anytime, your photos make me smile and laugh, just like you do in person!  Thanks, Mom.

Another great and photographic day.

Advertisement

Fluff’s Alright

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

I thought you should meet my other feline brother, Fluffy.  Unlike Puffy, read this, Fluff’s a laid back kind of guy.  My only beef with him involves his incessant talking to Mom.  When she’s not around, he unobtrusively sleeps in the office chair, on top of the sofa, on top of the counters (shhh, don’t tell Mom, the kitchen counters and table are the ONLY places she forbids the cats to go.), on any bed, rug, or floor surface.

When we met, we had a simpatico vibe going, maybe because we share the same fur colors.  Fluff doesn’t scamper off, hiss like a viper or try to swipe me like another feline I know, when I enter his “personal space” which for another feline I know encompasses most of OUR house.  Jet that was quite a mouthful!  Mooommm, I’m expressing my feelings just like you tell us to.

I permit Fluff to share some of my favorite hangouts, too, like:

• Under Mom’s desk – When Mom’s there, I reclaim my spot. Fluff prefers to lay right in front of Mom’s computer screen and chat with her about her activities.  He comments and often suggests different keyboard strokes to improve her efforts.
• My parts of Mom’s bed – When Mom’s there, Fluff prefers to read Mom’s books upside down or keep her book open by laying in front of the bottom third of both pages.
• My favorite spots in Mom’s bathroom – When Mom’s there, Fluff requests that she turn on her faucet to deliver a gentle water stream.  Fluffy and Puffy insist upon drinking fresh running water.  Divas! JET… Sorry, Mom.

You know Fluff’s a good guy when he let’s my human sister do this:

Another great day with my bro.

Cyber Huh?

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Mom told me today is this thing called CyberMonday.  Again, I ask you humans, what’s with naming the days?  Jet, today many websites offer special discounts to customers as a way to kick off their holiday shopping.  Your blog travels through Cyberspace, perhaps you might like to stay open minded about CyberMonday.  Mom, are we talking about presents again?  Jet… Yes Mom?

Oh Mom, you buy my chewy treats online, right?  Perhaps today would be a GREAT time to stock up.  Oh and Mom… you mentioned that sometimes you buy my LAMB food online.  Hey, I could really use a change from Koko’s salmon.  See this if you need a reminder.   Mom, Mom my harness, well, it rubs me a little in a few spots because I might have twisted it beyond repair… would today be the day to investigate that?

Boy Jetty, you have become a retailer’s dream dog.  On Saturday I found a link to a bunch of fun holiday items for furry family members like you.  Perhaps our readers would like to smile as much as your human sister, Rachel, and I did when we viewed the items.  Remember, Rachel’s birthday is on Thursday, one thing at a time!   Ok, Mom.

Your brothers would love this one!

Another great and hopeful day.

I’m Not Allowed to Look

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Well, I’m sort of here.  Mom said I can’t see today’s post.  She said she will handle the information.

Jet, take the day off –

• it’s Sunday,
• you’re clean from yesterday’s spa day,
• you stole 4 of Rachel’s vanilla cupcakes, (Mooommm… she left the container open)

Hey, It’s Jet’s Mom Here.

I didn’t have the heart to tell Jet the following yet.  First, please read this post.

Last night, Jet stood by the gate section of the fence, waiting for a sound, any sound to acknowledge that Patches would hear his goodnight bark.  I hope the new neighbors have a dog(s).

Another great day… so far.

Small Biz Saturday? I’d like…

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

What’s with naming days; Turkey Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday? Jet, the Thanksgiving long weekend kicks off the holiday season for gift buying.  Small Business Saturday asks citizens to support small businesses and American Express will credit a cardholder’s account with $25.00. I need some shampoo.  Uh Mom? Yes Jet? Pet’s Best is small, right?  Yes Jet, I believe they have a few stores in our area, however, they are not a chain.  Really Mom? In that case, I have some requests…

Ok Mom… I like:

• Their leashes and collars.
• Their Solid Gold Hunden Flocken, I’m kinda getting tired of Koko’s salmon variety, where’s the lamb?
• Their recycled water bottle toys and other fun stuff that you could let me try.
• Their dental treats like hooves, antlers, and bones.
• Their yummy training treats and cookies.

Jet, you already have most of those items and your list surpasses the $25.00 required spending.

But Mom, you said holiday shopping began yesterday, I’m ready for presents!  We’ll see, we’ll see.

Another great and hopeful day.

Black Friday, I Can Woof With That

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Did you have a fun Thanksgiving?  I watched my human sister bake A LOT… Did she share with me?  NO!  She said stuff like, Jetty, you can’t have this thing called chocolate.  Excuses, excuses…  Oh, and while I’m at it, Mom watched the National Dog Show.  The golden made it into the final sporting group selection, but, not the top 4.  Hmph.  The flat coat retriever and the border collie didn’t even make it into their groups’ final choices.  Double hmph. Jet, let’s remember good sportsmanship.  Yes, Mom.

Anyway, I digress.  So, Mom told me that today is this thing called Black Friday.  How nice of the world to commemorate the fetching color of my fur!  Not all black dogs have luck like me.  Have you ever heard of Black Dog Syndrome?   “Well known to shelter workers and rescue organizations across the nation, black dogs are much more difficult to find homes for. They are the last dogs to find homes and often among the first to be euthanized.”

The following thoughts contribute to BDS:

• Some people have the crazy idea that us black pearls bring bad luck like that whole silly black cat thing.
• We may not photograph as well as other fur colors making us less eye catching on websites. Second Chance Photos can teach you how to make us look our best.
• Now I like movies like the next K9 (Marley and Me? Inspired!), however, that Hollywood place often selects black dogs for scary movies.
• Our most beautiful selves do not shine in shelter cages.

I’m super lucky, Golden Retriever Rescue South Florida loved my face (what can I say?) and broke me out of the shelter with four days to spare.  They help flat coat retrievers now-a-days, too.  (thank you, thank you, thank you.)

So, when you shop ‘til you drop today and if you’re thinking of adding a furry member to your family this holiday season, remember – Black is beautiful.

Another great black pearl day.

Happy Pumpkin Zucchini Bread Day!

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Earlier this week, Mary Ann and Dixie delivered two plastic bags with deliciousness inside.  Mom made me wait one WHOLE DAY; 24 HOURS to devour eat some.  Jet, I had to wait until I figured out how to capture your enjoyment in pictures.  Sure Mom, if you say so.  To make matters worse, the three mini loaves of my FAVORITE pumpkin zucchini bread and two mini loaves of banana bread (new to me) went from Mary Ann’s hands to Mom’s to… the fridge.  Give a guy a chance!

My human sister, Rachel, helped Mom take my culinary experience to the next level.  I’ll show you in pictures… (the white stuff is Greek Yogurt.)

Then, Rachel told Mom to get ready with the camera …

 

Did I miss any crumbs?

On this Thanksgiving Day, aside from the usual mushy stuff like:

• I’m thankful for my family.
• I’m thankful for having a great pack, etc…

I’m thankful for Mary Ann and Dixie sharing their scrumptious pumpkin zucchini bread with me and hope Mom shares some banana bread with me today.  Jet, forgetting something?  Oh, yeah … and for being my BFFs.  That’s better.  Ok, Mom.

Another great and thankful day.

6:25 Squawkers and 6:35 Walkers

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Yesterday, Mom and I began our morning constitutional about ten minutes later than usual.  Most days, we head out between 6:10/6:15 a.m.  Because I’m such a gentleman, I curl up on the couch and politely wait until Mom finishes her breakfast.  Jet, tell the truth, you bark your “I’m ready, what’s taking you so long” woof in combination with wagging and dancing the K9 jig about 2/3 through whatever I’m eating for breakfast.  Mom, I’m looking out for your portion control.  Jet… Yes, Mom.

Anyway, because of the recent time change, see Human Peeves, the birds in our area exercise earlier too.  Over the last few mornings, amazingly at the same time, a flock of birds cross our path diagonally from Southeast to Northwest and boy do they squawk.  They totally disturb my Scooby Doo Academy sniff detecting practice.

Mom thought they might be the noisy flock of parrots that escaped from Parrot Jungle and now hover in our general area.  In fact, the parrots used to distract my sister, Koko, when she and Mom did pet therapy at S. Miami Hospital.  However, Mom decided they are black, not green.  When the Ibis flock sails overhead, all you hear is swoosh, so, count them out.  It’s a bit of an ongoing mystery for us, Jet, student of Scooby Doo Academy and Mom, curious by nature.

So, I go back to detecting; head down, sniffing each blade of grass, hedge, palm tree and hark – I hear voices.  A pack of 2 female humans walking very fast pass us.  Mom and the ladies exchange morning greetings.  (Some days their pack has up to 4 ladies talking, talking, talking.)  One lady always tells Mom how afraid of dogs she is.  The crazy part – she owns a small barky bark dog named Herbie.  I’m Jet the gentleman, Mom, maybe I need a sign?

Another great day.

Beagles: Snoopy, MAX and Buddy

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

When Mom attended Camp Truda, she acted in the play; You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.  Her best camp friend, Sue, played Snoopy.  Mom thinks Snoopy had a lot to do with the popularity of Beagles.

All I know about Beagles I learned from that “darn Max” and Buddy.  Our whole pack avoids that “darn Max” as best we can.  In truth, it’s not his fault.  The human who walks him, says mean things about all of us in another language when she passes by and doesn’t scoop the poop either.

She called my Mom names and my sister Koko ugly.  Glad I never heard that personally, or, my protective nature might just have kicked in.  She’s called me terrible words too; however, as I’ve written before, a Gentleman does not repeat words like that.  I behave really well considering that “darn Max” barks, howls and charges at us.  Mom reminds me that Max probably has a more endearing side when he’s with other members of his family.  She always looks for the silver lining.

Just when my rating of Beagles hovered at hmm… like zero, I met Buddy the Beagle.  Our newer neighbors, Pat and Cindy, recently adopted Buddy the Beagle from the pound.  Now, Buddy does that Beagle baying stuff, but, he’s a friendly fellow.  We’ve walked with him a few times and he and I had lots to discuss.  I really appreciated having some “guy time” since the rest of my pack is female.  Pat tells Buddy and me manly man stuff about baseball since he’s really involved in building the new Marlins stadium.  And… I don’t have to explain or apologize for stopping frequently to empty my tank.  Buddy the Beagle understands that I need to let fellow K9s know Jet was here!

So here’s to you, Buddy the Beagle, for restoring my faith in your breed.  See ya on the block!

Another great day.

UN Negotiations – Send Me In!

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Now that we’ve gotten to know each other a bit, I thought I should introduce you to the lower life forms I share my house with.  Jet, that’s not an acceptable way to speak about your feline brothers Puffy and Fluffy.  Mom, you should hear how Puffy talks about me.  He ALWAYS reminds me: Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.  Well, Jet, two wrongs do not make a right, I will speak with him about this.  Yes, Mom.

Anyway, as I was going to say before Mom had to get her two cents in.  (Jet…) Yeah, I know Mom.  When I joined the family, the top priority was to set the pecking order.  Koko, well, she immediately informed me that she had no interest in politics.  One down, two to go.  Upon meeting, Fluffy seemed like a decent guy, the only thing – he NEVER stops talking to Mom.  How much can one guy possibly have to say?  Then, I met Puffy.

Puffy held “Head Honcho” position prior to my arrival.  After surveying the whole house, the time came for a showdown.

Puffy: Dude, this is my turf.

Me:  There’s a new K9 in town.

Puffy:  Hiss.  Cats Rule, Dogs Drool – SEE MOM, TOLD YOU!

Me:  Woof, Woof – I’m bigger and louder.  Unlike my sister, I bark and chase and I’m not afraid to go under the bed.

Puffy: A superior feline such as myself can jump higher and outfox you  anytime.

Me: Big Woof.  I can block the door to the laundry room and you’ll never see your food bowl or litter box again.

Puffy: Who needs this job, I can spend my time much more wisely.

Me: Glad you see it my way.

From my perspective, Jet walked in the house, he looked and sniffed around, we introduced him properly (tush first) to Koko, then, Fluffy, then Puffy.  I knew Puffy had been the alpha, so, I anticipated a hiss or two.  They stared at each other for what felt like a few minutes and it was all over, Jet assumed the alpha post.  Oh, I should mention, that I told all four that I would accept nothing less than a harmonious house.  After three years, I recently made a mental note that Puffy and Jet concurrently rested on my bed with me.