Elsa: What the dog? Can you see what my Mom did to me yesterday afternoon? I think this has something to do with it being Christmas time and her wanting to take pictures, I just know it.
Wilson: Hey little sister, looks like you went to that amazing doggo spa, Lily’s Bath & Biscuits in our neighborhood. I don’t like baths either, but LBB has one of the nicest places I’ve ever been to and she provides buffalo crunchy treats.
Elsa: I don’t care if she provided crypto shares. You know how I feel about baths! This is just all wrong.
Wilson: I’m sorry, little one. I know you don’t like baths. I wasn’t going to say anything but you were getting to be a bit funky smelling and now you’re a breath of lovely.
Elsa: Like I said before…
Wilson: Aww, come on, Ninja…the lady who owns Lily’s is so kind and serene…the soft music is very soothing and it’s the cleanest place I’ve ever been to…
Elsa: {interrupting} You came from a barnyard. What would you know about clean places?
Wilson: Well being a therapy dog has opened by eyes to the importance of cleanliness and I’ve figured out that when you smell and look good, people can’t begin to shower you enough with praise, attention and TREATS. No pun intended.
Elsa: Grrr…well aren’t you clever?
Wilson: Just being pragmatic. It’s done with, you survived and now let’s get on with sharing slices of Nature from this week, shall we?
Elsa: Harumph. Whatev.
Wilson: While many places around the country have been dumped on from a weather phenomena called the ‘lake effect,’ we’ve been basking in delightful sunny and dry weather. Mum had an holiday event for the hospital and afterward, she strolled on the grounds of the golf club where it was held. She told me all about the pond with its frozen edges and birds dropping in to break through the crystals around the edge of it. She said it was very cool.
Elsa: Lake effect? What is this sorcery of which you speak?
Wilson: Well…I learned that it’s a kind of weather phenomenon where cold air moves in over a relatively warm lake picking up moisture, which rises and then condenses into clouds, often producing loads of snow on the downwind side of the lake, particularly when the air is cold enough for the moisture to fall as snow. Remember when we watched that football game in Buffalo last Sunday night? Boy was I glad to be sitting next to Mum cuddled up on the sofa. It looked miserably cold and all that snow would have stuck to us like glue and formed ice balls.
Elsa: Well I will say this week has been quite lovely which is no doubt why Mom betrayed decided to ambush me with a bath.
Wilson: Now, now, you know we dogs don’t live in the past. We live in the present where the weather is nice, we have yummy treats and our Mum loves us with all her heart.
Elsa: Yeah, yeah, yeah…there you go being all philosophical again.
Wilson: It’s called living in the moment and being a dog.
Elsa: Whatever…let’s move this train wreck forward.
Wilson: Not sure how a train wreck factors in but check out the photo Mum took of the lake facing the foothills. It was so serene and lovely and she had a nice walk about that pond and she lingered watching some Canadian geese circle and then land in the water.
Elsa: {yawn} Wake me up when you’re done droning on.
Wilson: You really are in a mood today. Well I chose to be positive. Despite knowing I’ll be on the grooming table after a bath on Monday. {humming a snappy tune} I’m going to the hospital where I’ll bring loads of joy to folks and oh, did I mention, I’ll get loads of dehydrated liver bits? Yum, I can practically taste those yummy morsels.
Elsa: Wow, you sure have gone all Dale Carnegie on me. What else you got this week?
Wilson: The garden may be full of dried leaves but on cue, Mum’s Christmas cactus has begun it’s annual show of beauty. She started to notice tiny little buds Thanksgiving weekend and now it’s beginning to explode with vivid, hot pink blooms.
Elsa: They are pretty and their blooms brighten Mom’s mood considerably this time of year which is always hard on her. Lots of people suffer from depression during the holidays so bright spots of nature like this can help them cope better. Maybe Mom should take me to the botanical gardens conservatory to boost my mood?
Wilson: If they allowed dogs, I’d have suggested it to her. You’ll just have to do with my cheerful personality and the fact that we’ll have a few more days of warm sunny days and clear blue skies. You think walking around the neighborhood checking out all the Christmas decorations might make you feel a bit better?
Elsa: {ugh} there you go again, being all positive.
Wilson: I just want you to be happy, little sister. When you’re happy the world is a better place and you can enjoy Nature and all it has to offer. I heard we’re going to get some snow soon, so we might as well be happy campers until then.
Elsa: Oh for dog’s sake…my brother now thinks he’s Jimmy Kimmel! Well let me just dispel any silly notion you have of me being your Guillermo, got it House Pony? Whatever you do, in the words of the resident optimist, have a great weekend and find something in Nature to be impressed with. Not inflatables mind you, but real life nature. I can’t help but wonder if the big guy will be as sanguine after his grooming appointment. Have a great weekend. {snickering}
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Quite pawssiblee THE funnyest post you two have composed twogether Wilson an Elsa!!! Wee are MOL/LOL an love youss’ so much!!!
THE Catmass Cactus iss beeteefull.
An Wilson wee got 5 dayss of ‘lake effect’ snow last week! It just wuud NOT stop!!!! MEE-YOW!
Wishin youss a lovelee week there…
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ An **giggless** BellaSita Mum
Pee S: Elsa are you part CAT? Mee wuud NOT liek to bee bathed eether! 😉
Thanks, sweet kitty. That’s very sweet of you. Hope the bad weather has cleared. We got a touch of snow, it was quite chilly and windy today but is supposed to warm up. Yay.
Lulu: “Augh, the dreaded bath! I am very lucky that according to Mama and Dada my fur is magic and never gets dirty or stinky, so I almost never have to get a bath. Although there was that one time I rolled around in all the bird guano at the harbor … But it was totally worth it!”
Java Bean: “I almost bought myself a bath last week when I was out in the yard barking at a skunk! But Mama called me and I came in and thus avoided getting blasted. Maybe next time …”
😂 Trust us, Bean…avoid those black and white critters. They’re a lot more deadly than Charlee or Chaplin.
Your fur-iends,
Elsa & Wilson 🐾
Wonderful!
Why, thank you very much!
Xena: Elsa, we feel for you about the bath. But you might as well suck it up, let it go, and just be happy to be with your family. Besides, you don’t get a bath every week like me. Just think if you were a schnauzer….
Chia: Hey, that first picture by the lake looks like it has a giant turtle with big teeth. See it? Wonder if it waiting in ambush!!
It’s ok, Chia, not to worry…it was just a cool hollowed out tree trunk. Not sure from where it came but with the ice forming along the edges, Mom thought is was kind of cool.
Luckily I’m doing much better and even been affectioate with my Mom. The tasty treats helped but I guess I just got tired about grumping with Mr. Sunshine bouncing all over the place.
Your fur-iend,
Elsa 🐾
Thank you, Wilson, your way of life, being positive, is great for everyone. I just checked my Christmas cactus, no signs of starting to blossom.
Kiitos, Kristiina. Wilson is mostly a jovial chap. Having to make the trip in the car and then getting a bath in a new place was hard on Elsa. She’s used to routines and if there’s any deviations, it upsets her mood. She’s always a sweetie though and compared to bathing Wilson so much easier to bathe. Bathing him can be a lot like steer wrestling. LOL We hope you have a lovely weekend. Stay warm.
Oh dear (or deer, more appropriate right now) … we are giggling too much for any sensible comment … you two and your conversations really do belong on SNL we think. Sigh .. (you help lessen this hu-mom’s seasonal sadness, thank you …)
We’re so glad you enjoy our silliness…especially at the time of year when it can be difficult to enjoy the season. We keep hoping SNL will do an animal version and would definitely audition for it. 😉 Have a good weekend, stay safe and warm. My sis in Frederick says it’s been chilly. Hugs and tail wags.
I miss having a Christmas cactus – I’m inspired now seeing yours – I’m going to get one TODAY! As for grooming – Teddy loves for me to brush him – if I’d saved the fluff I’ve brushed off his coat these past few years I could have made a lot of Christmas pillows to decorate the house…….they are a lot more decorative than piles of fur here and there when he grooms himself! That photo of Elsa during her bath experience is priceless by the way – – – those eyes!
Hugs, Pam
Glad we inspired you. They are sooo pretty this time of year when the landscape is not very attractive. That hot pink guy has been reliably blooming for 20+ years. It always brightens my mood. Good luck!
Yeah, poor Elsa. She’s never been a fan of baths or grooming sessions but bless her heart she’s always been a trooper. I go v-e-r-y slowly so as not to trigger a stress seizure. It makes it easier for her, not so much for me but I’ll do whatever she needs to stay safe, happy and healthy. 💙
We used to have a pet supply store that had great bathing tubs so you didn’t have to bend over and all that…I miss them. We do have a walk-in shower now that makes baths easier, but you still end up bending over and at 69 that is getting more tiresome!
My walk in shower is too small to be able to bathe either of these guys and this 75 year old ain’t so keen on banging her head-she owns dogs-that’s enough head banging. LOL Yeah that bending over stuff is challenging. This pet boutique is so wonderful. Food, treats, toys, leashes/collars and the most amazing bathing stations. And that dryer…I wanted to take it with me!
Great photos. Glad you don’t mind bathing to be a therapy dog. XO
Oh trust me, he hates baths every bit as much as Elsa but he gets over it much easier. The boy is gah-gah over treats and attention. Elsa is more of a ‘still water runs deep’ kind of girl. 😊 Have a terrific weekend, Ellen.
You look good in that Santa Hat but a bath, in winter? Dang, that doesn’t sound quite right! Your Christmas Cactus sure is pretty!
Exactly…I gave at the office. We hope you have a great weekend.
Your fur-iend,
Elsa 🐾
Elsa, you look so lovely.
As for the boy, Wilson? I am duly impressed at how you’ve launched a preemptive strike of kindness at your sister. Knowing your turn is coming up in a couple of days and all. Well played my man.
Lake Effect is cool when you’re watching a game that is being played eight hours away, LOL
Have a great weekend everyone
Many thanks for kind comment, Marc.
Lake effect is only good for the home team who’s used to that lousy weather. LOL
Enjoy the weekend-stay safe and warm.
Right!
Thank you mama, hope yours was swell
Love that happy camper shot, it’s the perfect photo op!
Thank you. This boy is learning how to show off in front of the camera. Have a great weekend.
Love your Christmas Cactus, Monika. I also liked your header art. Very nice. The outdoor photos were lovely and Wilson is a positive force.
Aww, thanks, John. You’re always so kind. That Christmas cactus has been reliably blooming for over 20 years. And that color…what’s not to love about THAT color in the season of drab now that leaves have fallen. And that header was inspired by one of the most beautiful holiday night scenes I’ve ever seen. Too bad I can’t make watercolors sparkle like the real thing. We hope you have a great weekend.
You do make the water colors talk to us even though they don’t sparkle. Loved that. I hope you have a great weekend too.
😊 You’re too kind. Thank you.
😁
What lovely site today…the geese with the mountainous backgrounds…the Christmas Cactus…and most importantly, Wilson and a nice clean Elsa!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
Thanks, ‘Gang.’ Winter time can be harsh sometimes and we have to use our imaginations. LOL
Have a super New Mexico weekend!
We love the Happy Camper inflatable! None of us enjoy baths or getting our furs done but we have to do it now and or then. On our drive to MI yesterday we drove through some lake effect snow. There had been lots of crashes. Happy Friday!
Glad you liked the Happy Camper. Too bad inflatables are so noisy. Be careful out there-our mom has seen news reports of some terrible crashes. Have a great weekend.
We send annual Xmas photos to the folks we got our cats from. We used to make a big fuss with grooming and photo sessions. After 12 years, now we just go through our phones and are like, “Yeah, this one’s good enough.” LOL, happy weekend!
Bwahahahaha! Well at least I don’t book a professional pet photographer. The cell phone do nicely and they’re a lot more comfortable with the magic pocket that’s full of high value treats.
Yes, there’s nothing like treats to make them look all perky!
It sure adds sparkle to their eyes! LOL
Good smelling pups and a blooming cactus! It’s Christmas time!
Let the photo session begin! Have a good weekend-stay warm.
wow a spa day before christmas? we hope we can skip that… we have such a christmas cactus thing too… normally if it has flowers we have christmas and get gifts, right?
Well, that’s the theory…🤣 Have a great weekend.
Thank goodness Wilson is happy to counteract Elsa’s mood! Beautiful images and did I get a whiff of a delicious-smelling dog? Niiiice.
Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!
Nothing better than a good smelling dog (unless you’re Wilson, in which case, a treat ranks highest). Despite Elsa’s protestations. Wishing you a great weekend.
I have to agree because a stinky dog is so unpleasant!! Thank you. Here’s an extra ear rub, Elsa!
🥰
💞
Thank you. After yesterday’s amazing dog wash experience, we came to the conclusion that it’s nicer to surround oneself with positive people and positive vibes. Have a great weekend!
Poor Elsa! The thugs know how she feels!
My Christmas cactus is blooming too…and I enjoyed your new header.
Many thanks, Helen. The real life scene was so pretty that night and I thought it might be a good pic to watercolor. It’s not as pretty as it was in real life, but made me smile nonetheless. Sadly sparkle just doesn’t translate well in watercolors. 😉 Elsa sends her sympathies to the Thugs. Have a great weekend.
Isn’t Wilson just full of sunshine and happiness? So nice to see in this grumpy old world we’re in right now.
Have a great weekend!