Oh Joey, Joey

Joey was the last of the puppers to come out and play with Jeff. Joey isn't new to the gardens, in fact he's been here for about six years. Jeff walked out to the truck with us the day we brought Joey home.

Joey is special.


When we brought Joey home, he was frightened of everything. Joey lives in a consistent world and does not like change and he wants to call the shots on what does change.

He graciously went up to greet Jeff, something he probably wouldn't have done a year ago.


And then he merrily went off to play in his own little world.

The Daily Apple

The big day for the new iPhone had finally arrived. I had two choices. Feign sick and call my boss from the line outside of the Apple store hoping the media would not pick me out on camera, or call it a national holiday and take the day off.

The news media was there, good thing it was a national holiday.

And it was a bit like Christmas, who else in their right minds rolls out of bed at 2 am?


When we arrived at o'dark hundred, I mean 4 am, the line was already wrapping around the building. We were probably 150th in line, but who can count that high that early in the morning. Apparently lots of people were celebrating a national holiday.


And the apple did glow in the early-morning air.


People or statues were dancing in the streets in anticipation of the release.


The camera and I had gone off for a little stroll and when we came back, people were wrapping themselves around the next corner. This was about 5:30 am.


At about 6 am, the Apple people strolled through the crowd passing out free donuts. Millions of donuts. And these weren't your itsy bitsy bites either, they were full fledged. Juice, coffee and water accompanied the donuts.

The Red Bull wagon showed up, but for whatever the reason, the mall management didn't want them there. Baldy (my new affectionate name for him), strolled up to their car and told them to take a hike.

When I kidded him about it, he said he hated being the bad guy. Yeppers, he even told me I couldn't sit in the street.



At about 11 am, we sighted the Apple as we inched our way around the corner.


Eight hours in, News 8 showed up. Mic boy actually had the nerve to say he was a Droid owner. Those were the first and only boos heard from the crowd all day.

I really went up to keep Karen company, but I have a confession, I got caught-up in the excitement of waiting and joking and laughing and 9.5 hours later, I walked out of the store with the new iPhone.

It was a very long wait, but to Apple's credit, they did an awesome job. Bottles of water were readily available. The store clerks were amazing. We were tired and getting rummy as I'm sure they were, but as a customer, we never knew it.

It was a long day, but a good and fun day.

The Pocket Rocket

Everyone knows that Crystal is our little pocket rocket and sure enough, she demonstrated her speed and agility for Jeff .


That girl will run circles around the backyard for days on end if given the opportunity.


And once in awhile, on a very rare occasion, she drops.

Whirlwinds and Chaos

Summertime is supposed to be relaxing, yet somehow, this is exactly how I feel.

Happy Birthday Blender

Well little Missy, it's your 11th birthday. You have grown so much in your 8 1/2 years with us.


I looked back at a few of your first photos. You've gotten a little white there girlfriend!


And you are so silly now. You just aren't the same spooky shy girl you used to be.

Happy birthday Blender.

Just Chillin'

Sun has finally come out to play. We're just chillin' around here.

Flo the Flirt

I thought Jillian was a flirt, but she couldn't even hold a candle as compared to Flo. She thought Jeff was hot and took every opportunity to show him.



She started out in flight, sending the grass flying behind her.


And then, she saw the toy.

And once again she took off in flight.


Only to demonstrate that even greyhounds with broken hocks can fly like the wind.

Cherry Pickin'

The cherries are ripening at break neck speed right now. We watched as a flock of birds flew into the tree and flew out each carrying their own treasured cherry.


When I walked out to watch them a little closer, I discovered Crystal immersed in her own ecstasy.


Oh so carefully she sucked and nibbled at each cherry.


Careful not to eat the pit, but to leave each naked pit hanging on the stem.


Satisfying and delicious.


She was off to find another branch. The rest of these cherries were still a little tart.

Flocko Ball

Flocko jumped for joy when he found out he would be demonstrating Flocko ball for Jeff.


Nobody can put on the moves like Flocko.


Of course, every once in awhile the ball gets caught in the bush trap. It's a big penalty if one of us has to crawl into the bush to retrieve it.


Out in the open, he sends his ball flying.


And then, all at once, he's exhausted. Ready for the ref to call a time-out.


Every night, rain or shine, light of day or darkness, Flocko has to play ball. It brings him great joy.

The little lady

Roxy knew Jeff from her brief stay at the adoption kennel.


Being the gentle little lady that she is, she kindly greeted him.


Was totally polite.


And went on about her business as usual.

Rockin' my world

From the very first day I met Minnie at three months old, this dog has rocked my world.


And she knows how to rock everyone else's world too.


She saw her toy and she was off.


Even the toy's world rocked on Friday.


Minnie got worn out after all of the chasing and playing.


And she just settled in to be beautiful.

The man with the beard

Jillian, my little party girl got wind that someone new was visiting.


Unlike Cinderella, Jillian was a total flirt.


Slinky kept her distance, pretending not to notice that man over there,


But not Jillian, she always had a thing for a man with a beard.