Today’s smile comes to you courtesy of a recent ‘concert’ singing just this song. It never seems to fail when you have a pet.
Here’s wishing you a lovely and ‘concert-free’ Monday.
Live, love, bark!Ā š¾
Category: #ohthatdog!
MLK Monday ~ January 20, 2025
Today is Martin Luther King Day in the U.S. When I found this quote/meme, it occurred to me it was even more poignant to share it today. I had just came back inside from shoveling the snow that fell overnight on top of all of yesterday’s snow. One way to honor the civil rights leader, is through participating in some sort of service on this day. So, I chose to shovel the two houses sidewalks next to my corner lot. Both are somewhat new to the neighborhood and I haven’t met them. While it’s below zero, it was quiet, I was well bundled up and being out pre-dawn, it allowed my thoughts to percolate softly on that idea of service today. I also couldn’t help but think that Mother Nature’s calendar is definitely messed up. January is normally our driest month of the year. Guess the powers to be didn’t send out that memo to her.
And while it’s MLK Monday, we still felt it was important to start today out with a couple of smiles. Stay safe and warm; we hope MLK’s words strike a note in your heart.
Not to be outdone, as I was trying to shovel out the ‘pee-tio’ yesterday, a similar scene made for some interesting maneuvering at the Ranch.
Here’s hoping you have a great Monday.
Live, love, bark! š¾
Monday Musings ~ January 6, 2025
Welcome to the first Monday of 2025. Today is also notable for another reason, it was one year ago my dear friend, Cheryl and I drove to Missouri (along with Elsa, riding shotgun in the back seat) to pick up a gigantic and severely matted floof, then named Sam, to foster. He greeted us enthusiastically and I knew right away that it was more than likely I would fail at the foster aspect of this journey. We drove 1500 miles roundtrip through snowstorms on highways and tiny rural roads over a 24 hour period. I couldn’t have made that trip without Cheryl’s presence, good nature and common sense to guide us (and keep us squarely on the road and not in a ditch after it became dark). I’ll always remember our conversations which reassured me along that uncertain road where we recalled the past 20+ years of friendship, with observations on life, people and dogs (and egg sandwiches bought at a gas station convenience store). Her great company surrounded me in comfort and continues to this day. I’ll always be grateful for her joining me on this transformative journey, with all its twists and turns. Thank you my friend, for accompanying me then, as well as for your ongoing loving support and friendship. I love ya!
The transformation of this filthy, matted mess…
to this handsome boy after his first grooming…
While we’ve experienced few hiccups over the past year, I still have a dear friend who was always there for both of us.
You’ve come a long way Wilson, both literally and figuratively. From all the ups (learning how to navigate the ways of a noisy, chaotic urban environment while becoming an beloved pet therapy dog at Lutheran) as well as the downs (losing those unnecessary pounds and a couple of damaged teeth), you’ve been quite the addition to the Ranch, Wilson. Here’s to many more happy trails, buddy. Happy Gotcha Day, House Pony.
And because it’s also a Monday, we would be remiss if we didn’t share a smile to welcome the New Year. Have a great week!
Live, love, bark!Ā š¾
Monday Musings ~ October 14, 2024
Today is Indigenous Peoples Day in the US. Formerly known as Columbus Day, Ā it celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples by commemorating their histories and cultures. While I always post some light-hearted smile on Monday’s today always leaves me with an uneasy feeling because of how native peoples have been treated and there is nothing funny about the historical past in that regard.
We here at the Ranch ask you consider the history that went into the creation of this national holiday.
And because it still ISĀ Monday, we can’t begin the week without some sort of smile. As you may recall, Elsa has a long history of eating things that is well documented on this blog. (for example, see The Carnage Continues). She’s been very civilized for some time but then suddenly last week decided the mail would be her latest conquest, including important notices and bills. She managed to pull several pieces of mail off the dining room table 3 days in a row.
I will note however, she’s never chewed up junk mail instead, she seems to focus on important items and then proceed to pull them down from the middle of the dining table. She managed to munch was an agreement with the Water Department regarding agreement for replacing the service line. Do you know how embarrassing it is being an adult and telling a service rep “my dog ate the agreement” and how can I get another one? Luckily it’s a national holiday with mail not being delivered today so it’ll be safe, at least today.
As you celebrate the contributions of Indigenous People today, we hope you have a good week.
Live, love, bark! š¾
Monday Musings ~ September 16, 2024
Happy Monday, peeps. Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Time to get back to it…whatever ‘it’ is for you. Over the past eight months, I’ve been observing Wilson to get a good idea what makes this boy tick and realize he is constantly in training for the lazy dog triathlon. I mean…just look at two ofĀ his best events.
We hope you have a splendid Monday and an even better week doing your best.
Live, love, bark! š¾
Monday Musings ~ September 9, 2024
Seriously…? It’s got to be a mistake. However this happened, we hope you make the best of it. Happy Monday!
Everyone at the Ranch is in a celebratory mood because it’s a special someone’s birthday. Happy Barkday to our pal, da Phenny! We hope it’s ‘pawfect!’
Live, love, bark! š¾
Monday Musings ~ August 26, 2024
Happy Monday. For those keeping score, there are twenty-nine days left in the summer from hell with today being the last Monday in August. Since Wilson joined the Ranch, he’s always been an ‘enthusiastic’ eater, so much so I serve meals in a puzzle slow feeder. It still only takes him about 5 minutes to gobble the kibble, toppers, veggies and supplements.
Today’s smile somewhat resembles mealtimes although I can’t imagine any delay in quickly inhaling his meal. The frame where Farley is waiting looks a lot like Wilson, although in his case, it’s because I have him wait until he receives the release command. This waiting period lasts from 30-60 seconds and has helped him with impulse control and confidence building, not that he’d ever wait for any condiments. The puddle of drool for me to clean up once he’s inhaled eaten his dinner is just a bonus for me.
Here’s hoping all your meals are ‘pawfect’ this week.
Live, love, bark! š¾
Monday Musings ~ May 6, 2024
Four months ago today, a certain House Pony arrived at the Ranch by way of a foster agreement with the Red River Old English Sheepdog Rescue. That Pony, now known as Wilson, was later officially adopted and has become a larger than life Ranch hand. He continues to adapt to city life. One thing for certain though, he is decidedly not a fan of the Sciuridae family of rodents, otherwise known as squirrels. It only seems appropriate that we share today’s ‘public service announcement’ from the National Park Service while smiling. Squirrels vex Wils. His strong commitment to ridding the world of these vexing critters is front and center as he continues to adapt to city life, coincides with his ability to turn me into a kite. Yet his efforts to combat their judgy ways remains thwarted.
Stay upright and keep smiling on a Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! š¾
Monday Musings ~ April 1, 2024
Welcome to Easter Monday, which also happens to be April Fool’s Day. Before we share today’s musing, I want to wish my baby sister an extra special and Happy Birthday. That’s no joke either. Now, on to today’s smile.
It never fails…if there’s something on the stove, he take up position here. If something is needed from the fridge, he’s parked in front of the freezer. It’s no wonder I’m not an especially good cook. There’s clearly a ‘slight’ design flaw to working with a sous chef in a galley kitchen. And in my case, the sous chef is called Wilson. No wonder things are either over or under cooked. Maybe I should just go with boxed cereal for meals like I did in college?
May all your recipes be Top Chef quality today and all season long. Hopefully he won’t lay in front of the pantry so I can grab the spices needed for that pot of chili simmering on the stove top. Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! š¾
Monday Musings ~ March 4, 2024
Today’s post is an homage to Sock Monkey Day which occured over the weekend. Speaking of weekends, where the heck did it go? Most of mine was all about getting my taxes done (don’t ask, it was 5 hours I’ll never get back at one of those first come, first serve tax prep places for seniors that don’t make appointments-I even arrived 2 hours before they opened, and it still took all morning), today’s Monday pic pretty much describes how I feel. 
At least the “Pony” humored me (notice Elsa also left her trademark calling card by removing an ear). Here’s hoping Monday treats you well and you don’t suck at poetry.
Live, love, bark! š¾