A Big Catchup

Hi there,

It's me, Boomer and I'm just a freaky as ever! I have a lot of updating to do so lets get to it, shall we?

First of all, if you don't remember the cast of characters here at our house, here's a picture to remind you...


I'm on the left, Annie is in the middle and Mr. Snickers is on the right.

You might be wondering what's up with Mr. Snickers' foot - looks like he's wearing an Ugg boot! Well he had to go to the vet to get his teeth cleaned and while he was there we found out unfortunately that Snicks has cancer in two places in his stomach. We found out because he has a cough and the doc did some x-rays to see what was up in his lungs and the pictures picked up the cancer.

We don't know how much longer we will have the little old man but I'll tell ya, he doesn't act like he's sick one bit. He hops around the backyard like he has no sense. He eats and um...does his business just fine so I think he's going to be around for a while. Us dogs, we are tough!

Because of him being sick mom has taken to feeding us blueberries and tomatoes with our dinner. She said there's something in them called "antioxidants" and that's suppose to be good for us. They taste really yummy so good for us or not, we are eating them. Heck, mom just witnessed me eating an orange peel that fell on the ground. Yah, I eat just about anything.

I'm doing just fine actually. I have to lose a little bit of weight though, mom said I'm ready for the "husky" sizes at the store. So I'm eating a little less food, playing ball a little more, and eating my fruits and veggies as snacks.

Annie is going good too. She did develop a heart murmer but that's managed with a little pill in the evening. She can't get her toofies cleaned though since she has the murmer so we have to deal with her breath of death.

If you remember a while back we called Annie our little "pork chop" because she had her foot shaved like Snickers did for his surgery. Sometimes mom still calls Annie that, mom is a dork.

Mom is knitting like crazy still. I swear she doesn't put those needles down - I think she needs an intervention. Here's a picture of her latest knitting kick - bunny nuggests. Little buns of joy she calls them.


She's making them in all sorts of colors which is fun.

We are hearing that horrible word "vacation" again but where they are going I don't know. We met a really nice lady that's going to take care of us so I shouldn't worry. Pop told me that I have to be a big boy and take care of Snickers and Annie while they are gone so I'm all over that. Yes sir, I'm their "go to" dog.

So that's about it. Kind of a bittersweet update but like I said, Snickers isn't acting sick right now so that's really good. We will make sure to take good care of him as his time here winds down but I suspect that will be later than sooner.

Barks and blessings

Boomer

I'm A Brave Boy

It's not that I'm a wimp... It's just that I'm cautious. Yah, that's it. After being with my mom and pop for seven years, last night was the first night I was brave enough to go in the back half of the house. And you know what, I don't even know why I was so scared in the first place. I mean, there is a spare bedroom, a bathroom, and another bedroom. That's it. Why was I so afraid?

I know, it's been ages since I have updated this site. Luckily nothing much has changed. Annie and Snickers are okay - just a little older and a little slower. Me, on the other hand, I'm full of piss and vinegar - can't keep a Brittany down!



By the way, mom still knits like she has no damn sense. Tee-hee! Above is a picture of a toy she made called Penny McTeethersons. I wanted to chew on it but she wouldn't let me. Rats!

How Is Everything Looking

Thinking about starting this up again, maybe. Just checking to see if the template is still there and in working order.

Turbo is Home

Well we brought Turbo's ashes home last Saturday. I thought it was going to be a very upsetting moment but it actually feels like the whole "process" is complete. I'm glad he's back, even if it's only in spirit.

The dogs definitely know that Turbo is gone and it's weird to see their reactions. Our routine is getting back to normal but last week they were wondering where the pissy cat was and were kind of skittish around his room and the back half of the house where he hung out. Now things are much more relaxed with them, but they still don't want to go into the back.

On the knitting front I have taken up spinning using a drop spindle. I have taught myself through some books and some videos on youtube but I really need to find a place where they give lessons. It's really difficult to keep the roving even throughout the entire skein. I have made about 14 or so yards of worsted weight out of a really pretty roving from Chameleon Colorworks, but I'm afraid to go any further because I really would like a lesson first.

On the home front, the flowers are in bloom, the bees are buzzing in the orange trees, and Boomer has decided that he loves to roll in the oranges that fall on the ground. We are diligent in picking up the felled oranges but we both work during the day, leaving the dogs plenty of time to roll, eat and subsequently sometimes throw up, the oranges. What dorks. While I hate having Boom roll around and get all filthy it's kind of fun to watch. He does this nose dive into an orange on the ground and then just slowly rakes his body across it, leaving a nice dirty orange streak down his side. Then I have to get out the rags and wipe him down, and he gets horrified because he can't stand being wet and it's just a big mess. Meanwhile, the other two just stand by and watch, and I swear I think Annie laughs at him.

I have no new pictures of pooches to share but I'll be sure to take some this weekend and post them.

Boomer: Um, mom

Mom: Yes sweetheart

Boomer: I rolled in an orange, ate some of it and then threw it up - can you clean that up for me?

Mom: I always do. When will you learn that you shouldn't eat the oranges????

Boomer: Learn??? I never have heard of such a word.

Mom: That's what I thought.

Rest In Peace Turbo Kitty

Yesterday Turbo went to the great Scratching Post in the sky. The past week wasn't a good one for the little guy and so we brought him to Dr. T for another check-up. He had lost another pound, he was 16 pounds when he was healthy, he came in at 7 pounds yesterday. Doctor T then felt his stomach and said that the tumor had doubled. So we knew, it was time.

Turbo found us in 1993 and he couldn't have been more than 8 weeks old. Hubby was adamant about not keeping him but of course that didn't last long. We both fell in love with the little cat with the huge feet.

Throughout the years we watched him grow from this little fluffy thing to a huge 16 pound lug of a cat. He was more like a dog, he would play fetch with his toys, and we were able to wrestle around with him like you would a pooch. He was a lot of fun - he kept me company when hubby worked nights, he made us laugh, and as we found out recently, he made us cry.

It's hard getting use to the fact that I will no longer have Turbo to greet me at the door when I get home from work. We won't need to escort the dogs by him (he would attack any mutt that passed by him - they were terrified of him), We won't have the 5:00 a.m. wake up call, or a little kitty head poking out of his cat bed, checking to see if there is anything worthwhile going on. He wanted love on his terms, which meant be left alone a lot of the time, but when he wanted some lovin, he got it.

He was our first pet, and I find comfort in the fact that he led a good, long life. I watched Dr. T give him the first shot to make him sleepy and I held and kissed him goodbye. I left the room for the second shot, I just couldn't be there for it. Hubby and Dr. T took care of him from that point on. I really wish it didn't come to this but what are you going to do? I just hope he understands.

Many thanks to Dr. T and the staff at Washington Boulevard Animal Hospital for all their help and compassion through this tough time. It is greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas Every Doggy (and person, and kitties and other animals too!)

Boomer: Mom, why on God's green earth haven't you posted anything?

Mom: Well Boom, we have been really busy with work, knitting, visiting family, etc...

Boomer: blah blah blah... When are you going to put us pooches above everything?

Mom: We do honey, just look at our checking account! All of our money goes to vet bills, toys, food, treats, etc... You all are very high maintenance!


Boomer: Listen, just because Snickers and I ate the Duraflame logs last week and Nicks had to go to emergency doesn't mean we are "high maintenance".


Mom: Okay Boomer, you go on thinking that.


Boomer: Thank you mom, I will

Mom has been one busy knitter lately so I will post some of her projects:

This is Christmas scarf is for Shelby, Anniebelle not included:























Then she made some sockies for her mother-in-law for Christmas:























Now she's working on a pair of sockies for herself:






























And finally, here is a picture of the Entrelac shawl she knitted a while back:






























On a very sad note, mom heard a couple of weeks ago that Simon and Scarlett went to the Rainbow Bridge and Annie, and mom and the rest of us are most crushed. But with the sadness a blessing in Tommy has come about and I'm sure that Shelly will love her new little brother just as much as she loved Simon and Scarlett.

Turbo kitty is still hanging in there - he's one tough little guy! Mom and dad are keeping him as comfortable as possible, and he's taking full advantage of it.


And lastly, a picture of me:











Yah, it's a small picture but only you couldn't handle my gorgeousness if the pic were any bigger.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Boomer

Kiss Me...

Here's my nose, right here in prime kissing position. Go ahead, you know you want to.










Mom has been knitting away like a mad woman.



These are her Desert Rose Sockies. She had loads of fun making these, now if it would just cool down enough so she cold wear them.















And here is a picture of a shawl she's working on. The yarn she's using is this beautiful Japanese yarn called Noro and it's a combination of silk and mohair. Mom says it's very soft but she won't let any of us pooches play with it. She's such a kill-joy.









Anywho - just wanted to let you all know that we are doing fine, even Turbo Kitty! He's such a tough little guy.

Yes, We Are Alive and Well

I'm sorry folks about not having much entries lately, my mom is a dork. That's okay because I'm a dork too and we like to be dorky together. The other day mom was playing the radio and we were dancing and laughing... Which is weird because it was talk radio, not music... Hmmmm


Oh yah, and look what else she put me through...
What the hell is up with that mom? She said it was a kerchief for Shelby, mom's niece. I must say, I do look rather dashing don't I?









Let's see, what else is going on. Annie is completely healed, hooray! Snickers is still obsessed with eating poop. What is it about poop that pooches like? I tried eating the stuff and I have to say, I'm not taken by it. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I ate some poop (you know, I like to keep trying it to see if one day I will like it), and I didn't like it, and it didn't agree with my tummy, and I threw it up right in the middle of the living room. Tee-hee! Mom made dad clean that one up. Dad was all, "Why do I have to clean that up?" and mom said it was because it's his job as a man. Good reason mom...

Mom made some socks from the yarn she ordered from a lovely lady named Dana on Etsy. Well mom isn't done yet because she got slammed with a migraine that lasted FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT! Oh man, mom was on all sorts of drugs and they didn't help so she just laid on the couch and cried. I gave her Boomer kisses on her eye and she said that helped and now she's okay. So let that be a lesson to you - when you feel crappy, call me up and I'll give you a big smooch. I promise I won't eat poop beforehand.



Anywho, here is a picture of her socks in progress. She's almost done with the second one and then she will have one complete pair.

She told me she bought some more yummy yarn from Dana but she hasn't told dad yet. Mom had to bribe me with watermelon so I wouldn't rat her out. Ha, don't mess with the Boomfreakah I say!

Many thanks to the thoughts and prayers for Turbo Kitty. He's doing okay, just sleeping and eating and that's about it. That's fine though, he's old and he deserves to just sleep and eat.



And lastly here is a poem for my girl Dazy Dew:


Oh Dazy Dew
I love it when
You roll in poo

You orange and white
and oh so bright
I would love to take you on a date
One night

We would look at the stars
and I can piddle on cars
while you stand by and laugh

Oh Dazy Dew
Where are you?
Dazy Dew
My love for you is true.

Annie's Doing Great, Turbo - Not So Good

Hi Everyone!!

Today Boomer said I could update his blog because I'm such a good girl. My parents are so proud of me and the way my leg is healing. Here are some pictures...



This first picture is when I got my bandage taken off. You can see the scar that runs down my leg. It looks painful, and I hobbled a bit but at least I could walk better without the bandage.









This second picture is how my leg looks now. The doctor said that I'm healing ahead of schedule - that's because I'm such a good little girl. He also said that I'm 90% healed and in two weeks he's going to take away all my restrictions from running and jumping. Mom calls me her little "pork chop" because she said that's what my leg looks like, a pork chop.







Here I am all happy that I'm healing up so well. Hi Simon!!!







Now the not so good news. We think that Turbo Kitty has cancer in his gallbladder. The doctors did an ultrasound on his little belly and there is a mass pushing his tummy to side. The only way to find out for sure is if the doctors do an exploratory surgery on him and mom and dad don't want him to go through that. He's 14 years old and didn't bounce back all that well from his teeth cleaning last May. They have decided to keep Turbo as comfortable as possible until, well you know. Hopefully that won't be for a long time. Turbo wasn't that nice to me but that's okay, he's a kitty and they can be kind of weird. I just want him to be comfy.




Lastly, here is a picture of Snickers, isn't he adorable?!! Mom tried to take a picture of Boomer but he wouldn't hold still - he was chasing after birdies. Don't catch the birdies Boomer - just chase them!!!!

Annie's Back!!!

Well the goosey gal is home. She had her surgery yesterday morning and mom and dad went to visit her yesterday afternoon. The doctor said that her surgery couldn't have gone any better and she was recovering well from the anesthesia.

She came home this morning and I was so excited that mom and dad thought I would step on her so they kept me away from her for a while. I do tend to step all over people and the other pooches when I'm all happy and goofy; I need to learn some manners - at least that's what mom says. I suppose she's right but I just am such a happy go lucky kind of guy that I can't help it.

Here are some pictures of our baby Annie. They aren't too gross but if you have a weak stomach like mom's boss (hi Mike!) then maybe you better look away.

Here's Annie with her pretty pink bandaged leg: Poor little gal is so tired from the pain medication and the surgery. The doctor said that she needs to stay really still for the next couple of days since she's going to be in some pain. If she gets all uppity she could undo all the work the vet did and that wouldn't be good.





Here's another picture of the goose and her leg. The doctors took a piece of muscle from her thigh and made a knee ligament out of it. That's why she has her entire leg shaved and wrapped up.










Lastly here is a close-up of her leg. She has some staples showing at the top which doesn't look nearly as bad as it sounds. Notice how many spots she has on her skin, isn't that cool? I thought she just had spots on her fur.





Annie goes back to the vet in five days to have the bandage removed then after another five days she has the staples removed. It's going to be at least 6-8 weeks before she's all well but hopefully it will go by fast for her. Bless her heart.

Annie says thank you for all your prayers and concerns. I'll update once she gets her bandage off and let you know how that goes.

Annabelle Update

Hi ho everybody!

Annie would like to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers. She's doing a lot better now but she still needs surgery. She goes in on the 12th of March and mom and dad should be able to bring her home on the 13th.

Annie has a torn Cruiciate ligament in her left knee and a partial tear in her right knee. She surgeon will be fixing her left knee because it's worse. They are going to take a piece of her muscle from her thigh and use that to repair the ligament. It sounds pretty complicated but the surgeon said that this is really common and he doesn't think there will be any problems.

Annie will have to wear the cone of shame for a while AND while mom and dad are at work they have to keep her in a doggie pen so she doesn't chase after the people as they walk by our house. That's not going to be fun for her because she doesn't like being in a crate at all. Hopefully because the pen is big and more open she will feel better about being in it. Also, she will be outside with Snickers and I so we can make sure she's okay and keep her company.

Poor little goosey gal. I'll give you an update after the surgery and let you know how she's doing.

It's Been A Rough Month, And It's Not Over Yet

Hi ho everybody,

Well as you can tell by my title it hasn't been easy around here these past few weeks. Turbo Kitty's pancreantitis is back and we are having a hard time getting him to eat without throwing up or it coming out as pudding poos. We think we have it under control for now but he's such an old man so who knows when his tummy will act up again.

Then mom gets the flu, and I mean big time flu. She was out of work for a week which was really fun having her home, but she kept telling me she was too sick to play ball. WTF?! I mean, yah she was sick and she slept all day long but still - I had an opportunity to play ball for hours every day for a week and she couldn't do it. What a weenie... She's feeling much better but she's still not up to par yet.

Now the recent bad news - both of Anniebelle's knees fell apart! The ligaments have torn and she needs surgery on both knees. It's not that Luxating Patella thing that other pooches get but I can't remember what the name of her condition is called. Mom, Dad and Annie go in on the 21st to see the surgeon and then her surgery is after that. It breaks our hearts to see Annie hobble around. She has pain killers but they don't make her walk normal. Mom and dad are doing everything they can to make her comfortable and we are all thankful that surgery should help.

On the other hand, the good news is that I came in second for the semi-finals of the Tail Waggins Bakery contest. That was neat-o! I didn't win the finals but that's okay because my good buddy Doc won and he is going to split the basket of treats he gets with me. Yippee! Doc's mom works for American Brittany Rescue and is such a good lady, she takes in fosters and helps out with special events. Even better, she's the mom to my girlfriend Dazy Dew! Oh Dazy - you make my heart go pitter pat!!!!

Anyway, that's what's going on with the hounds here in Whittier. I hope all of you are doing okay and thank you so much for your votes!!! I really appreciate it!

Boomer the freaky boy!

Vote For Boomer!!!!

Hi there,

I know that I haven't been around for a while but it's for a good reason - I have been campaigning for President. President of what you ask, well I don't know but everybody keeps talking about Presidents, elections, primary's and caucuses that I thought I would get in on the action. Hey, it's how I roll...

So if you vote for me I promise tennis balls to all, a bed, blankie and pillow for each dog, and treats ever hour on the hour. Now let's see Hillary, McCain, or Obama promise that! Ha!!!

Click on the link below to vote for me!!!!!

Boomer 2008!

Message From Boomer

Christmas Boomer 001
Originally uploaded by chacklerbelle

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a Happy New Year!!!

Love and mooches smooches...

Boomer

I'm So Sorry

You know, I haven't had time to write lately and Boomer is quite upset with me about that. It's just that I have been so busy with the holidays now in full swing. My mom has more surgery scheduled on the 19th of December (nothing like what she had - she's still cancer free!) and I will have to take care of her for a couple of days. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm sorry for not updating Boomer's site. I know it doesn't draw a lot of people but still...

Hopefully the new year will bring more free time, if not I might have to wind this site down. Or do you think I should leave it and only update it once in a while. Boomer is a very opinionated dog so I am sure he would want to speak up once in a while.

I also apologize for not stopping by other poochie blogs lately - it's not that I don't want to, it's just the whole time issue. I hope you understand.

Blessings to you and yours and I am planning on getting the Hackler Hound's Christmas cards mailed by early next week.

DWB Christmas Card Exchange Notice

If you see an address for "The Hackler Hounds", that's us. Mom was trying to make things simple but then she realized that no one knows who the heck the "Hacker Hounds" are. She should have listed Boomer, Annabelle and Snickers...but she's a dork.

Sorry for any confusion!

Alpacafest West

Boomer's mom here...

Alpacafest West proved to be all I could ask for and more. I pretty much was on an alpaca high the whole day, even though we were there for only three hours or so.

The event had alpaca competitions as well as vendors who hocked their wares. I bought some alpaca finger puppets for my niece Shelby. Okay, one is for her and the other is for me. Check out her site if you have a moment, she's a terrific artist.

Hubby and I really want to purchase some alpaca's and hopefully one day we will be able to. It's pretty expensive process so we won't be able to do anything for a couple of years but until then we will keep going to events like this to learn as much as we can.

What can you learn you ask? Well there are two types of alpacas, the Suri and the Hucaya:


These lovely ladies are Suri's. Their fur is corded, kind of like a mop. Their fleece is very soft what I understand more desirable than the Hucaya's who's fleece is more like wool. White alpaca's are seem pretty popular to own because their fleece can be dyed to almost any color whereas if you have a grey, black, brown, or silver alpaca you will have a harder time dying the fleece. I could be wrong but that's what I have observed.








This sweet suri boy is Trident. He was such a sweetie and just loved to be pet. I guess their personalities are much like cats, fairly independent, but there are a few that really love their people and Trident was one of them.










Here is a group of Hucaya's. Aren't they adorable!?! I love the spots on the girl in the front. Like I said earlier their fleece is fluffy like wool and it's very soft as well, but I have to admit the suri's fleece felt softer to me. Look at their eyes, such beautiful eyes and they have long eyelashes - very sweet indeed.

Biggie, you most definitely can guard the alpaca's for us. In fact, I insist!!!










And lastly, I wonder if Boomer has had one too many pints with Finnegan...















Me thinks so.

Dog Park Fun

First of all...


Is this Annie


or


Simon?


I just don't know!





Mom and dad took me to the dog park the other day and I met my girl Dazy Dew and her pal Blue. Mom got one picture before her camera died (yah, she's a dork) so here it is.

Dazy is the smaller britt and Blue trying to give her a kiss. I'm just hanging back, not trying to look desperate.


The lady in the pink sweater is Diana and she is Dazy's slave...er I mean mom. The lady in the brown shirt is Cheryl and she's Blue's slave...er I mean mom.

The guy behind Diana is my pop but you really can't see how handsome he is in this picture.



This weekend mom and dad are going to this thing called Alpacafest West where they are going to see tons and tons of Alpaca's. Mom keeps telling me she's going to get alpacas one day because they are adorable. I think they look kind of dorky but hey - to each is own, right?

This Is All Sorts Of Wrong

Happy Birthday To.... ME!!!!

It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday! It's my birthday!