Happy Birfday, Bowsah!!!

This is my boyfriend, Bowser. I call him Bowsah and he calls me Mowwy. He's been my boyfriend for a long time, and I am sure you can see why - look how handsome and cute he is. He got that scarf from another girl basset, but it's ok because she is nice and I like her. Do you see his mustache? My baby bro has one, too...I guess it's a boy basset thing, because I don't have one.

Anyway, it's Bowsah's birthday! He's 2 years old now! He had a birthday party with a cake, presents, and friends a few days ago. I couldn't go because he lives kinda far away, but I was there in spirit.

So everyone, wish Bowsah a very happy birthday!!!

Here's his blog - it's fun to read! Baby Bowser's Blog

Vacation...HA!!

Well, we went on stupid vacation! Momma and Daddy went, but we went to stay at the vet. Yeah we got the "luxury suite" and got to play outside every day, but at night it wasn't cutting it. Where is my sofa? Where is my dog bed? I know I have more toys than these 4 puny things Momma brought along.

Right after we checked in, a couple other bassets checked in. Brilliant kennel workers put them across from us and we proceeded to howl at each other. Well, not me since I don't howl. But my baby bro sure had a lot to say...as always! This little lady just wanted her beauty sleep. So much for that.

The good side is that Momma and Daddy picked us up a day early. So that means I got to sleep on the sofa Wednesday night. For that, I am grateful. I've been really quiet since we got home. It's good to make Momma nervous sometimes. If she thinks this is affecting my Addison's, then she won't leave again, right? Winston is doing his part by not eating without a lot of hesitation. My baby bro will eat anything that's not tied down. Oh, lets be honest...he'll eat anything tied down too! But Momma gives him his food and he just looks at it and walks away. Eventually he eats it, but not without being dramatic first. Good job, little dude! You got her worried too! We are smart though. We play and cuddle juuuuust enough so that Momma won't call the vet, but we are acting funny just to keep her on her guard. Brilliant, I'd say. That's the plan we hatched in the SIX DAYS WE WERE AT THE STUPID VET KENNEL!!! Serves Momma and Daddy right!

In other news, we've chewed up our dog bed and are getting a new one this weekend. It seems like we deserve at least that much, considering we were held captive FOR SIX DAYS!!

And did I mention that we got baths while we were on stupid vacation. Yeah, adding insult to injury...

Stop! Thief!

Oooooo my baby brother is in trouble with Momma!! He is so naughty! He did something that I'd NEVER dream of doing in a million years! I am a good girl who knows her manners...not a naughty little boy who forgets his!

Momma took Winston to Petsmart the other day all by himself (I got to go Sunday). He had to go get his toes chopped off at the groomer again. So after he was finished, Momma let him walk around and look at toys and play with the other customers and their dogs. He got scratches and nuzzles...all that good stuff that comes with going to get your toes chopped. Momma was in line paying for the toe chopping when Auntie Dawn (she's not really my aunt, but we love her enough to call her that), who was the cashier, said "WINSTON! What are you eating now?!" Momma turned around to find that he had taken a dog bone shaped cookie off the rack and was going to eat it. Momma got it from him and wouldn't let him eat it. It was covered in plastic wrap...bad for bellies! She wanted to pay for it, but Auntie Dawn wouldn't let her. Boy, was Momma upset and embarrassed.

My brother's manners seem to come and go like the wind anymore. Momma is getting frustrated and told him that if he doesn't shape up soon, he is going to doggy school! Oh boy, Winston...you better listen because doggy school stinks. You get in trouble for napping, you have to do homework...I know because I went when I was a teeny baby. I hated doggy school!

So that's my brother's latest antics. He's something else.

By the way, I learned to use the little steps Momma bought for me. Now I go up on the comfy sofa whenever I want! Go me!!!!!

Happy Valentime's Day!

It's Valentime's Day, hound dog friends and I wanted to wish you all a happy one. This year, I think I have 2 Valentime's...my sweet Bowsah, of course, and my Momma! As mad as I have been with Momma, she does love me. She says she doesn't like taking me to the vet and she doesn't want to go on vacation without me, but sometimes a Momma's gotta do what a Momma's gotta do. I guess that includes nail clippings because Momma said she is going to take me to get one of those this week too. Winston needs his cut off too, Momma...don't forget to torture...err, take care of him too. I'm rethinking this Momma is my Valentime thing now. I'll just let Winston be my Valentime instead.

In other exciting news, we got new furniture in the living room a few days ago. Our furniture was old and breaking down, so Momma and Daddy decided to go shop for new stuff. Now they've tried this before and couldn't agree on anything (Momma wanted to know when Daddy suddenly got an opinion on stuff like wall color and furniture). Finally, they found something they both liked and was basset friendly (easy to clean and big enough for us to cuddle with them on it). Well, last Friday after Momma got home from work, she spent the afternoon tearing apart the living room and cleaning it. Winston and I chased and chased and chased the vacuum and mop. Boy were we tired that night. We won, by the way. The vacuum and mop went back into their hiding spots. VICTORY!! The next day, Momma and Daddy took all the furniture out of the living room and rolled up the rug. It was weird! Winston grabbed a toy and ran laps all over the room. I just hung out with Momma and was very confused. When the furniture guys got here, Momma, Winston, and I sat in the car (it was snowing and we couldn't play in the yard) while they brought the new furniture in. Momma wanted us out of the way and she didn't want me getting stressed out because of all the commotion. I was a little concerned with all this... until my seat warmer kicked in. Then I just settled in and enjoyed the wait. Winston was very concerned by the guys carrying all that big stuff.

So now we have a big new chair with a big new ottoman. And man, you should see the couch. There's plenty of room for Winston and I...and Momma! The only problem is that it's too high for me to jump up on. Momma bought me steps on Saturday afternoon, but I'm not too sure about them. I just lay on my dog bed or let Momma help me up. I'll have to figure this out somehow.

Beau the Basset

Not all bassets have the sweet, cushy life that Winston and I have. I am thankful every day for my food, my healthy treats, my doggy bed, my sofa, and all my toys. Yeah and Winston too...most days. Little dude needs to stop barking in my face!

So there is a basset in need and his name is Beau. His owner died and the people who took him in weren't able to keep him. He was not able to live that cushy dog life that we all deserve. Well, on the Basset Forum there are a lot of nice people. Some of my best doggie friends are from the forum. Hey, that's where I met my boyfriend Bowser, so it must be a good place. Anyway, the Jowls of Fury crew has agreed to take Beau in and a transport network was set up to get him to the JoF home this weekend. He will stay with them until a permanent home is found. In the meantime, he will need the usual things all dogs need: food, toys, vet care, etc and all that costs money. My basset friends and I have been spreading the word to help raise some money for Beau's care. If you can donate anything, please do it here:



Welcome to the family, Beau. We hope you have a good time with the JoF gang and find your furever home soon!

Bye Bye, Prednisone!

Well, not completely. I met my new doctor today...her name is Dr. Jen. I like her. Even though I got chubbier, she didn't make me feel bad about it...not like stupid Santa did. But she said that it could be my Prednisone that keeps doing it, because I don't get table scraps, I am now on diet dog food, and I only eat healthy treats. Baby carrots now, because Momma has fallen waaaay behind in making our dried treats. Get on the ball, Momma, COME ON!!!

Anyway, Dr. Jen said that after I am home from my stupid vacation, I can cut back to a half a pill each day and we will see if we can go further than that. I like Dr. Jen, even though she gave me a shot and puffed medicine up my nose. Blech!

Wanted: A New Momma

Our dear Basset friends,

Effective immediately, we are searching for a new Momma because we are very, very, very mad at the one we have. As if the vet visits, ear cleanings, and nail clippings aren't bad enough, now Momma said we are going to have to be boarded for 6 days...soon. She explained that we are going to stay at the emergency vet we use (our vet doesn't board) and it'll be like a vacation for us. She's going on vacation with Daddy, but I think they are getting the better end of the deal. I mean, who wants to live at the stupid vet for a week?? I'd like to see them stay there! Momma says it's because I have Addison's and if I get sick, there will be really good doctors there to take care of me.

And if THAT'S not bad enough, we have to go to the vet this weekend to get shots so we don't get sick at the boarding place/prison. AND Dr. W doesn't work at the vet anymore, so we have to meet a NEW doctor. They better not cut off our nails while we are getting shots. Not again.

So this is why we are looking for a new Momma. Our Momma is mean. If you know anyone that wants 2 cute bassets, let us know.

Thanks,
Molly and Winston

Winston's Defense

Hi Basset friends,

It's me, Winston McFreckles. My big sister is sleeping and doesn't know I took over her blog. She'll be MAD when she finds out. She says I steal everything from her - treats, toys, Momma, and now this? Guess I should write something nice here.

Do you know what it's like to be Molly's baby brother? It's good and bad. It's good because she is an awesome big sister. Except for the time that she was sick last summer, she ALWAYS plays with me. She usually lets me have any toy I want (she says I am stealing, but I think she LETS me have them) and will wait behind me for treats. Only once did she take a treat I dropped. She's very nice and has good manners. She never barks at people or other dogs. She listens to Momma and she knows to go potty outside. And she doesn't chase kitties...anymore.

All that good stuff is also bad stuff! Molly is so nice and sweet - this is a lot to live up to. I bark A LOT! I don't always listen to Momma (ok, maybe one out of five commands get through my thick skull) and I think it's easier to pee in the dining room than in the yard. And yes, I chase kitties - often getting my nose swatted in the process. It's hard for me to be as good as Molly and I think that the expectation only sets me up to fail. Then I am called naughty, mischievous, a brat...it's so unfair!! I'm a sweet boy. I'll cuddle with you and kiss you on the nose. I have cute brown eyes and big bumbly feet. I have floppy jowls that are usually wet. My ears are long...and they're usually wet too.

I'll work on being a good boy, but remember that I am still a baby with a ton of energy. It's tough work trying to be like Molly. She's the best sister in the world and I am very lucky to have her :)

Merry Christmas?

I was looking forward to Christmas so much, and I guess it was ok. We were thinking a lot about the hounds we know on the forum that went to the bridge this past year. Lots of sadness for their families. But we also thought a lot about the friends that are still here and we were hoping they got lots of gifts from Santa Paws, even if they were less-than-well-behaved.

Santa made it to our house. We were all sound asleep by midnight on Christmas Eve. We woke up a little late on Christmas morning, but hey, it was Momma's and Daddy's day off and we thought they deserved to sleep in. Momma got up and made cinnamon rolls, but we didn't get any. BOOO Momma! We didn't even get to open our presents until the afternoon. Momma, Daddy, Winston, and I all got lots of gifts, but I think the commotion was too much. There was wrapping paper all over the living room, lots of noise and chaos. I got scared and hid behind the chair. Momma stopped all the commotion when she realized I was upset. She cleaned up all the paper and petted me. She told me I could come out and that everything was going to be ok. I wasn't so sure about that. I thought I might just stay behind the chair for a bit.

Finally, I came out and Momma said she was sorry that it got so crazy. She didn't think it would bother me too much, but she was wrong. I spent some time playing with my new toys. Winston and I each got a stuffed toy, a beefy bone, little peanut butter treats, a nylabone, and a squirrel-shaped cookie (Winston got his squirrel!) - all in all, a good bunch of gifts. Momma said that we can't have all our treats at once. That just makes Christmas last longer.

So I spent some time with that beefy bone, then had dinner and napped for the evening. Momma felt better when I ate dinner - she knew my Addison's was not flaring up. She was scared for a bit. She said that it was a good reminder that I am still an Addison's dog even though I am doing ok on my medicine. I guess we are all still new to this and learning what scares me, and how we need to cope with it.

I guess it was a Merry Christmas after all!

PS - No good pictures, as we failed to cooperate. Imagine!

Waiting for Santa Paws

Winston's being kind of naughty today, and I reminded him that Santa would be here tonight and he'd better behave. Then he chased the kitty. I've resorted to showing him this:

Santa Tracker

Hope it works in keeping my baby bro out of trouble.

Homemade Treats - Part 2

Momma has been working hard at her job lately. She had a bunch of classes to teach this semester and when one of the other professors left, she had to take over one of his classes too. Momma has been working so hard that she hasn't had as much time for us as we'd like. But now it's break time and Momma has a month off of work. Yay Momma!!!!

Now she is going to get serious with this treat-making thing. She has this nifty new dehydrator and she loves it, and so do we! She made dried apples the other day and I think it's our favorite treat so far. We've had bananas, sweet potatoes, and apples so far. She's going to start making cookies for us too. I think Momma is also going to get some hot dogs for us at the farmer's market and dry that as well.

So my dear basset friends, I want to share with you. The other day, I got a package in the mail from my dear sweet Bowsah and it was cookies! I was so excited to get this package and open it up - now I want to share that excitement with you all. So guys, let me know if you want any dried treats. You can email my Momma at mgeorge25@gmail.com and let us know what you want and where to send it.

Winston's Christmas List

My baby bro is about to learn about Christmas. He did a little over the weekend when we met creepy Santa at Petsmart. This guy was rude - he said (in not so many words) that I was fat. Excuse me skinny, grody Santa, but I have Addison's Disease and my medicine makes me chubby looking. I am watching my figure, but some things can't be helped. I'm never speaking to Santa again. Keep your stupid toys!

But Winston made a list anyway. I think we need to boycott Santa and just ask Momma to give us our presents. Here's what Winston wants for Christmas:

• To play with Nala the orange kitty
• Cat food
• Cheese
• A new Nylabone
• Lunch (we only get breakfast and dinner now!)
• The squirrels that live in the neighbor's tree
• His own sofa
• More stuffed toys
• Potato chips
  

His list is pretty simple. He says he has the best thing in the world already: a big sister who loves to play with him. I do love the little guy and missed him when he had to go to the doctor yesterday. My baby bro is the best guy in the whole world :)

I didn't do it, Momma!

Winston got hurt, but I swear it's not my fault!

He hurt his right hip and was very grumpy on Sunday night. He was limping earlier that day and by bedtime, he was hurting pretty bad. All I was doing was laying on the sofa, ready to call it a night, and he ran up and started showing his teeth and barking angrily in my face. I showed my teeth back, but that only made him madder. Momma stepped in and he did it to her too! She has a way of telling us, in no uncertain terms, that you DO NOT act like that to Momma. She looks us straight in the eye and gets her "stern Momma" voice. Then she waits for us to calm down and we get hugs. I learned a long time ago that Momma doesn't take that kind of attitude. Winston is learning.

But Momma knew Winston wasn't being mean. He was up all night because he couldn't get comfortable. He kept crying in pain. Finally, he climbed on the sofa with me and went to sleep. Momma took him to see Dr. W in the morning and she said that Winston only pulled a muscle and should heal in about a week. He is on medicine for pain and he's feeling better. As long as his limp goes away, he doesn't need to go back to the vet. The bad part is, he isn't allowed to run around and play. Booooo! I try to get him to play - I bark and stomp my feet (that's Molly-speak for "GAME ON, LITTLE BRO!"), but he is a good boy and won't wrestle and chase me. I can't wait for him to get better so we can play! I am so BORED!!!!

Homemade Treats!

Momma bought a dehydrator last weekend and it got here a couple of days ago. I saw it and thought, "Jeez Momma, why did you buy that big ugly thing when you already complain that we have too much junk in this little house of ours?" Then she said something about making treats for me...and Winston. Well, there it sat for days and days. I would go check on it to see if there were any treats in it, but it was always empty. I thought we got ripped off by the people who sold that silly thing to my Momma.

Then this morning came and Momma got up early (we were hungry and crying). After we pottied and had breakfast, Momma started making lots of noise in the kitchen and it started to smell like food. People food. Hours and hours later, we had treats! We had nice little sweet potato snacks. We never had them before and Winston and I spit them out at first. THESE ARE NOT PUPPERONIS, MOMMA! But we got used to them and now we can't get enough! Momma made so many that she is going to share with a doggy that belongs to a lady at her work. I told her she needs to share with my basset friends :) Now we are trying to convince her to make banana snacks. She said next weekend when she is off.

What kinds of dried treats do you all like, my basset friends??

My Christmas List

I am not a newbie at this whole Christmas thing like Winston is. I had Christmas before. Last year, Santa brought me presents and I had fun opening them...then chewing up the wrapping paper. Then, we went to Gramma and Grampa's for more presents and dinner. I ran all around their house in circles and never got tired. Then I would jump on Grampa's lap (I was still very little) and sit there, then jump back down. Gramma had all the presents under the tree and Momma was worried that I would open them for everyone before it was time. She kept an eye on me the whole time, but I was a good girl and NEVER bothered them. I did sniff them because I am a curious girl, but that was all.

Then I sneaked a piece of ham from the trash and ran away with it. I swallowed the big piece before Momma could take it, but she wasn't mad. She said it was better than some of the stuff I tried to eat at the park.

When it was present time, Momma said I could help her open some. But then Gramma gave me my own present...just for me...little Molly McFreckles! It was a chewy tug toy thing that I played with for a long time. Winston likes it now and that's ok.

So this year Winston is going to learn all about Christmas! He's going to love it!!! Soon we will go see Santa and get our pictures taken with him (I'll bet Winston tries to eat his beard!). But first, we have to make a list so we can tell Santa what to bring us. I am starting mine now:

Molly McFreckles' Christmas List

• A new chew stick that tastes like beef (or peanut butter)
  
• Pupperoni
• Peanut Butter - a gigantic jar!
• My own blanket
• No more shots
• For Winston to stop barking right in my face
  
• For Winston to stop tugging on my wiggly skin (ouch!)
• More stuffed animals
• My baby brother to stop stealing my toys
• More cheese (with out the pill hidden inside it - I'm on to you, Momma)
• More Molly-Momma time
• More Molly-Daddy time
• Sticks

That's all I can think of now. I'll come up with more, I am sure. Now I gotta go help my baby bro write his...he's clueless, sigh.

I Got My Feet Chopped!!!!!

Vet day was yesterday. Momma and I went to get my blood taken for my electrolytes...this is getting to be the same old story, isn't it? Anyway, I hope to find out tomorrow that all is in balance. I feel good, so I am not worried. I also got my heartworm/tick disease test and it was negative. Hooray! Wasn't worried there either, but we gotta make sure I am in good health. Gotta keep up with my baby bro. He's getting so big! He's almost as big as me! He'll be 1 in February. I hope we have cupcakes like we had on my birthday. Can't go camping though...it's too cold. We can owe you a camping trip, little bro!

So while we were at the vet, Momma remarked that my nails were long and the tech offered to trim them. Momma said she had planned to take us to Petsmart to get them done, but hadn't yet. So my bad Momma let them trim my nails while we were at the vet! Momma! How could you let them take my blood AND cut my feet off?! I dunno what I did to Momma to make her so mean to me! Hrmph!

Anyway, she says we still have to go to Petsmart to get Winston's feet cut off too (she swears it's just the nails, but I swear it's the whole foot!), but I can just go to say hi to my friends. I'm gonna laugh at Winston as he BAROOOOOOS the whole time they are taking away his feet. I am such a mean big sister.

So, we got some snow 2 weeks ago. I think I might love snow, because Momma got a 4-day weekend because of it. Her university didn't have power, so she didn't have to teach. YAY SNOW!! Winston got his first taste of snow...Daddy took him out in it while Momma was away that morning (driving on the slippery roads...be careful Momma!), but he didn't take any pictures. Momma took this one when she got home (safe and sound):


Then our power went out for a little while that night. Not for very long, so we were only a tiny bit cold. We were sleepy by that time anyway, so we didn't care. Winston crawled on the sofa next to Momma and slept through it:





So that's all we've been up to lately. I think Winston might be getting more teeth because he is chewing on EVERYTHING!! Momma is getting frustrated, but she says he'll get over it. I did the same thing at his age. Hope he is over it by the time Christmas is here...or he'll chew up the Christmas tree! Now, I have to go tell him all about the tree, and Santa, and presents...

SNOW!

Momma says we are getting snow today. Now, I remember last winter when I was still a baby we had snow. It was fun for a little while, but then it was just cold and wet and annoying. My belly used to get very cold when I would go outside to potty. I don't think I want the snow to come today...or ever!

Winston is only a baby (even though he's almost as big as me) and he doesn't know what snow is. He was born on February 7th, so if there was any snow, he was too tiny to be out in it. I've been telling Winston all about snow for a while now, but he doesn't quite understand. Today, he will learn all about it for real. Just you wait, Winston, you're going to have a cold belly too!

My crazy little brother will probably like this stupid snow!

PS: These pictures are from when I still loved snow. Now, BOOOOO SNOW!!

It's Me, Again!

I've been very lazy when it comes to blogging. Momma is at work a lot and she takes the laptop with her everyday. When she isn't at work, she's at home doing work. All she does is work! Poor Momma :(

So here I am, back to tell you some wonderful news: I went to the vet today (It's Addison's Day!) and they weighed me. I didn't gain ANY weight. I didn't lose any either...but I didn't gain any!

And Daddy taught us a new trick. Every morning, Momma leaves for work before Daddy and it's his job to take us out to go potty one last time before he leaves. This way, Momma can stay late and help students who like to come see her in her office as she is about to go home for the day. Well, if we potty for Daddy, she can work later. We try not to potty for Daddy...ever.

Anyway, so when we do go potty, Daddy gives us a little bit of Pupperoni. Winston has been working on taking cookies nicely, but I think he gets so excited that he can't help it. I used to be like that, but Momma taught me to be a nice girl. Winston takes things from Momma like a good boy, but he won't do that for Daddy. So Daddy started tossing the Pupperoni in the air and Winston learned to catch it. Daddy taught me the same trick! I'm better at it than Winston...so there, Little Brother!

Oh yeah, and Momma gave me my Percorten shot today. I am very confused by this. She TAKES me to the vet, but now she's acting like she IS the vet...with those sharp needles. BOO Vet Momma! Bring back my other Momma!

I wanna be like Bowsah!

So I have a really good friend named Bowser. I've never met him nose to nose, but I know him from the Basset Hound Forum. Some of you who read my blog know who he is. He's about the cutest thing since, well, me! He has this adorable way of "talking" (he calls me "Mowwy")and you can see what I mean by looking at his very own blog: Baby Bowsah's Bwog

Anyway, Bowsah's Momma has a Facebook page and she lets all Bowsah's friends go and look at pictures. She has pictures of fish and some other animals that I never saw in my little doggy life. She also has lots of pictures of Bowser. I like looking at his picture because he's so cute! So, all this got me thinking. My Momma has a Facebook page and she has lots of pictures of me...and Winston. So I talked Momma into it...she says I can post a link to her pictures of us. Here it is: My Momma's Facebook pictures

Let me know if it doesn't let you see them and I'll have Momma work on fixing it. You gotta see me...I am ADORABLE. So is Winston (he really is, I can't deny it!)

Love,
Mowwy

The Good News...and the Not-So-Good News

Good News: I went to the vet on Thursday and got my Addison's shot. I also got my yearly vaccinations (though some last a couple of years...hooray!). Dr. W said I was a grumpy girl when I came in for my ACTH Stim test a couple of weeks ago, so she came to the office armed with a muzzle, along with my shots. Silly Dr. W, she didn't need the muzzle. I grumbled during my exam (quit poking my belly, lady!!) but Momma told her it was no different from the sound I make when I don't want to come in the house. Momma knows I am not going to bite, but I guess Dr. W doesn't know me as well as Momma does. So, I was good...I didn't bite and I got a treat.

The other good news is that next month, I just need to go get weighed and then Momma will give me my Addison's shot from now on. No more vet, except for blood tests.

The yucky news is that I gained more weight, in spite of my best efforts to diet. Momma told Dr. W what I was eating and Dr. W says I am eating fine and shouldn't get less than I am already getting. I get only a tiny piece of Pupperoni when I go potty outside, but mostly my treats are baby carrots and ice cubes. Oh, and I get a little cheese with my Prednisone every morning. So, I am gaining more weight than I should, even on the Pred, and Dr. W says it might be my thyroid. BOO! If I gain again next month, we are doing a thyroid test when my blood is drawn for my electrolyte test in November. Momma says I have all the signs and Dr. W says since I have one endocrine problem, why not another? It's all perfectly logical.

In the meantime, I feel pretty good and am glad Momma will give me my shots now. I love the people at the vet, but I really don't like it there. I'd rather go to Petsmart! Oh wait...