Follow Up Friday – Cone of Courage Edition

Hey It’s Jet Here.

Our friend, Miss Jodi, Heart Like a Dog, initiated this great idea to update readers on previous posts.  She created a lovely badge to go with her idea and has successfully turned her wonderful idea into a robust blog hop!

Before I begin, may I write a BIG THANK YOU for checking on Mom and I to see how we’re feeling.  I’m kerplopping less out on our walks; however, I’m still rather uncomfortable.  Mom says I tolerate the first aid spray and the goopy medicine very well.  The Cone of Courage remains on 24/7 to defray (VBP) my desire to bite/scratch the area.  Mom seems to have improved about 20%; she continues to feel like her head is under water!  She kept her promise and rested a good bit last week.

Saturday – Merry Newfmas and Happy Houndlidays

We enjoyed participating in The Pet Blogger Gift Exchange hosted by the fetching Honey and Miss Pamela.  Many of you already knew our giftee, Newf and Hound, while several of you looked forward to meeting them.  Guess what?  Turns out my buddy, Snoopy, lives really close to Hazel, Ernie, Nooner and Foyle and wants to meet them!  Super cool!

Sunday – Cone of Courage 

We appreciated your feedback which ranged from acknowledging our efforts to “turn our frown, upside down” to making lemonade from lemons, etc… Mom asked me to share she’s glad you found the photo moving.  So many of you have my back on this one, I feel the love!

Monday – Scientific Mischief 

Yeah, you could relate to Little Miss Bird Dog and my urges to uh… stray from the strict scientific endeavor of participating in this year’s annual Bird Count.  Glad you got a kick out of our Boa Leash maneuver!  Of course you understood our efforts to keep that arrogant Winchester in line!  My BFF, Savannah, requested a quill from that peacock, which, we will happily try to find when he next molts!

Tuesday – Tasty Tuesday Christmas Style 

We wished our blogpal community celebrating Christmas the appropriate greetings and asked how to properly do so in a few cultures.  We learned that in a few countries, it’s proper to say Happy Christmas, as Merry Christmas might imply (VBP) debauchery!  We even learned how to send good wishes in Dutch from Suki, Hiro and Miss Dianda! Vrolijk Kerstfeest!

Wednesday – Now I’m a Leaping Lord

Wowee, wow wow!  Can you believe Miss Ann bestowed such a Royal title on ‘ol Jetty boy?  Thanks for the positive feedback on my new skills.  I think that I may be ready to learn the game of kings… POLO!  Several pals worried about my ego… I want to quash (VBP) the notion that I will change as a result of my recent Royal titles… I remain your humble Jetty.  If I begin to show any difference, Mom PROMISES to keep me in line!

Thursday – The Little Thingies 

So glad you feel the same way about gratitude for the “basics” (which are really a big deal, especially for those of us who had “before” times we do not want to think about.)  We all agree to take time each day to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are.  I’ll remind you, if you remind me!

As for my digression regarding the recent appointment of a new Secretary of State, our friends at the DogDaz Zoo wrote, “And you are so right about a Golden for Sec of State.”  I really feel Bo’s Dad made a mistake – there, I said it again!

Another great Follow Up Friday holiday edition.

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Tasty Tuesday – Christmas Style

Hey It’s Jet Here.

Thanks to Sugar and Kol for initiating Tasty Tuesdays, today is our thirty-eighth participating post!

To all our friends in Blogville who celebrate Christmas, Casa Jetty extends a Merry (U.S.) Happy (Australia, New Zealand and U.K.), Happy Happy (Little Miss couldn’t resist the double Happy!) Feliz Navidad (Spanish speaking countries) Christmas filled with family, joy, health, love, laughter, prezzies, belly rubs, ear scritches, walks, and of course, since it’s Tuesday… tasty tidbits!

Another great Christmas Day!

Tasty Tuesday: JJ’s Favorite Fruit

Hey It’s Jet Here.

Thanks to Sugar and Kol for initiating Tasty Tuesdays, today is our thirty-seventh participating post!

So far, Mom and I have noticed that JJ’s favorite fruit tidbits include all varieties of apples.  Mom favors Fujis, Pink Ladies and Honey Crisps therefore we do as well.  Mom told us that when she lived in New Jersey, she picked apples off trees!

A few years back, she visited her friend, Flavia, in Pennsylvania and they picked apples, too.  Mom figured out a way to carry about two dozen apples (4 varieties) home for Koko and I to sample.  In honor of Little Miss Gotcha Day’s special week, we give you apples two ways!

With Christmas and New Year virtually upon us, Mom thought you might enjoy a classic beverage: wassail.  Mom said I could google… From WiseGeek: Wassail is a traditional drink served during the winter holidays, including Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Twelfth Night. It is especially popular in northern European countries, where it originates. It consists of a hot, spiced drink, often alcoholic, that most commonly resembles cider in the modern day. Originally, wassail is believed to have been closer to beer.

Zesty Wassail  (this link has 2 other cider recipes!)

• 2 quarts organic apple cider
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 2 lemons, sliced

Mix all ingredients and bring just to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes, or leave on the lowest heat (or in a slow cooker) to keep warm. Serve with orange or lemon slices, or a cinnamon stick.

Mom told us some families serve turkey for Christmas.  She thought you might enjoy this wintery stuffing recipe: (As Mom’s faithful Kitchen K9s, we would love the sausage, celery, apples, and bread tidbits! Just sayin’…)

Artisan Bread Stuffing with Apples and Sausage

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
• 2 medium tart red apples, cored and chopped
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
  
• 1 teaspoon crushed rosemary 
  
• 1 teaspoon thyme 
  
• 6 cups cubed day-old artisan bread (1 1/2 to 2 inch cubes)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 
  
• 1 cup apple cider

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until softened. Add sausage; cook and stir until browned. Stir in apples, cranberries, parsley, rosemary and thyme.

2. Place bread cubes in large bowl. Add vegetable mixture, stock and apple cider; toss gently until well mixed. Spoon into lightly greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Cover with foil.

3. Bake 15 minutes. Remove foil; bake additional 20 minutes or until heated through and top is lightly browned.

Another great apple day.

P.S.  Mom’s writing Servings, her Kitchen Counselor newsletter today (yesterday, too… forgive us for getting super duper behind again…)

More De”tails”…

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Mom told my Auntie Liz more about the GRSF reunion last night.  I heard Auntie Liz laugh when Mom shared about the agility course.  You see, the park had agility toys for us.  Mom thought I would just love to walk up this climbing thing and run down the other side.  Since I only wore my collar, she held it firmly to keep my attention and sweetly spoke encouraging words with her “You can do it, Jetty” attitude.  Ok, I figured I would climb the first section to give Mom some pawsitive reinforcement.  As expected, she praised my success and encouraged me to continue.  Judiciously (vocabulary expansion), I walked up sections 2-4 until I reached the apex.  Mom congratulated me big time.  She and I were on top of the world… until I layed down and began to do the backwards slide.  Mom tried to slow me down with no luck; I slid right back down onto the dirt.

JJ happened to pass by so Mom figured she would attempt the climb with her.  Little Miss Show Off barely needed Mom’s guidance, she trotted to the apex and posed for pictures.  JJ must have had gymnastic training before joining us because she jumped right off hitting the ground trotting like “no big deal!”  hmpf… She didn’t make dirt angels!  Jetty, each being finds activities right for them; I was so proud of you for trying while the park bustled with K9s and people.

Miss Sharon from the Rescue sold beautiful Golden Greeting cards to Mom.  The proceeds help GRSF with their vet bills.  Ask her to write you a letter so you can see the cards.

Lots of humans wanted to meet Boozer and his family.  His dad puts really cool pictures and stories of Boo on the GRSF facebook page.  I heard lots of clicks from Boozer’s dad’s camera; can’t wait to see the results online.

Oh, two of the Christmas puppies attended the reunion.  I watched one of the puppies play with some pals in the dirt.  He ended up looking like a Dalmatian instead of a golden!  Bet he took a long bath Saturday night.  JJ and I deferred Spa Day until yesterday because of the late return home and subsequent nap.  Mom wanted me to let you know that it took double the shampoo on my back and belly from my artistic dirt expressions.

Another great day.

I Love the Smell of Pine in the Morning (And the Evening)

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

I love the two weeks after Christmas.  As families begin to take down their holiday lights, remove their lawn adornments, I patiently wait for the Christmas trees to lie at the curb.  I’m a tropical K9, so, I only smell the glorious pine scent at this time.  My air sniffing (read this) skills go on high alert, carefully inspecting the trunk, the branches, sometimes individual needles.  Of course, nothing says “Hey, It’s Jet Here” better than a little tank emptying.  In our area, if you put your tree curbside, the county collects them and grinds them into mulch.  Double good smells!  If I’m lucky, some of this pine mulch ends up back in the neighborhood.

Mom likes the smell of pine, too.  When she used to visit my human sister, Rachel, at summer camp in Maine, she would buy this thing called a pine sachet and put it in our closet.  This is the closet I hunker down in when I’m following the weather peoples’ rules for bad weather.

Jet… Yes Mom?  Tell the truth about the closet.  Do I have to?  I would prefer it.  Ok.  This is the closet I shiver, shake and zone out in and beg for you to sit with me when any bad weather or fireworks happens.  Jet, I’m really proud of you for telling the truth, it’s the first step to overcoming your fears.  Thanks Mom.

Mom used to make pine scented candles from this soy wax stuff with my Tia Maite (that’s Aunt in Spanish), however, she never lit them because she worried either the K9s or felines might knock them over by mistake.  They also made a spray that smelled like Christmas which I think I would have liked, too.  You would have my boy, you would have. 

Since I’m a “live in the moment kind of guy”, I’ll enjoy the smell of pine on my walks.

Another great and pine scented day.

Merry Christmas… Lights

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!  We could tell lots of people in our neighborhood were either tired from Noche Buena celebrations or busy finding lots of presents under their trees this morning because Mom, J.J. and I had our weekend route all to ourselves.  Not a creature was stirring, well maybe a mouse… then the flock of ibis flew overhead from the canal area, the geckos played amongst the hedges… oh, you get the idea!

Mom, J.J. and I have enjoyed the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.  Mom likes the festive atmosphere and appreciates the lighted walkways at night.  Sorry for the blurry pictures of some lights in our neighborhood, J.J. kept Mom’s camera hand busy.  Jet?  Yes Mom.  Who kept my hands busy?  Uh, J.J. and me?  That’s better Jetty.  Ok, Mom.  Combined with my outstanding sense of smell, the lights make selecting the right empty the tank spots much easier.

J.J. had a noisy night, snoring like a bear and struggled once to catch her breath; that scared Mom and I.  Mom hid her medicine this morning in a wad of cream cheese, what about cream cheese for me Mom?  Jetty, thank goodness you are ok and besides, you licked my fingers.  Big deal.  Jet, holiday spirit, remember?… Oh, fine Mom.

Mom?  Yes Jet?  You asked me to remind you to build break time into your work schedule today for the return of … wait for it… THE NBA!  Thanks Jetty, you are the best!  Yes, we will make time to watch the Heat and Mavs today, let’s hope for a better outcome than last year’s finals.  Will you cuddle with me while we watch?  Maybe I’ll grill the veggies for dinner.  Whatever you want Mom, see … my holiday spirit at work.

Another great and festive holiday day.