Happy New Year's Eve!!!

This is a special night for me, because at the stroke of midnight three years ago... The Mom whispered the sweetest word in my ear, as she called me 'son'! Of course, my reaction was pretty chill...!
Gosh, I really lost myself reminiscing. Those days just before and after my official adoption were SO fun, as the Luke and I really forged our Wright Brotherhood.

Those were great times!
And these are great, too!
Time is precious, and the Present is a Gift!


Now to Celebrate,
let's break out the antlers!!!
Please?

The Reuf chimes in, too. He says... 'Either let's go outside and rip and romp, rile up the neighbors and eat things we shouldn't... or GIMME MY ANTLER... or... ELSE!'

I'm not sure what Reufus means by 'else', but it probably means he'll just plop his BIG butt in the Mom's lap. He's BIG on proximity, and if you can slide a gnat's hair between him and the Mom... he's likely to dig his heels in and drive himself in further. Just saying.

Now... Antler, please!

Ahhhhh... Yessss!

And the only way I can enjoy mine...
is to occupy Reuf with his!

ngaw ngaw ngaw

Today has been a wonderful day, spent with my the Mom, and yes... Reufus.

Many of you know that I slipped out of remission last Friday, December 23rd. That was a pretty tough way to kick off our holidays, but it made us even more determined to enjoy our special days!!! Photos to come soon!!!

I'm committed to fighting the evil disease, but my Arsenal is growing light. The Mom is Commander-in-Chief of The Bleu Army, and each of our moves is carefully weighed and measured, and given great consideration. 

I started a new protocol on Thursday. I'll go in for a checkup and bloodwork next and the following Thursdays. My continuation of this protocol will depend on stability, regression or remission (please!!!) of the horrific disease... and that will be evaluated in three weeks.

Every day is a Treasure!!!
I'm blessed with Today... and Tomorrow!!!
I sure hate to lean on Yeu,
but times and circumstances are at the critical point...
Please to help me?
Please to join Team Bleu!

Tis the Season...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas is a fun time for a Sweet Boy who has been good all year and is never, no never ever naughty! *There is a difference, though it may be subtle..., between ornery and naughty. Just saying!

The explosion of boxes and containers and figures that come out of "The Christmas Closet" leave me a little unsettled... but I do enjoy checking out the ornaments as they are unpacked. And I like to watch them placed on the tree. [Pardon the messiness of the process!]

We normally decorate two trees...

The Eclectic and Collectible Tree. Located in our formal dining room, we decorate this tree with the Mom's collection of ornaments that go back to when she was a young pup, living with her the mama and daddy.

These ornaments include gifts from her friends through the years, as well as many given to the Mom's Mom by her friends and students. Some are expensive, and some are even more valuable... hand made! Each has a story, a memory. Each is a treasure.

This tree also displays the Mom's extensive collection of Krinkle Ornaments by artist, Patience Brewster. This passion began with Reindeer Dog (photo below does not do it justice), and has grown to be quite a large and whimsical collection.

Other fun ornaments on this tree reflect things the Mom loves, like farm animals and kitsch.

The Golden Tree. This is a tree that we decorate in our family room. Due to space limitations, it has to be small, but it's loaded! This tree is inspired by the Mom's first Golden... Comet [Check out her blog... Goldens Rule!]... but it is all about the Mom's love for ALL all of her fur children!

There are many Comet-the-Reindeer ornaments and many stars. There are many Golden ornaments, including a great many that honor The Luke, The Me, The Wright Brothers... And I'm guessing that Reuf might be honored on there, too!

Among our Treasures is the M.D. Anderson bone ornament (above) was designed by a child with cancer and given to the Luke and the me by our Aunt Dav, just days before his diagnosis last year.

 We.

This year... We decided to celebrate and decorate The Golden Tree only. And by 'We', I mean... the Mom and I! 

The Reuf has no knowledge of the customs, traditions or manners of Christmas... tree or otherwise. He watched the decoration and lighting of the tree from his 'room'. He was allowed to sniff and walk to the back of it once... and then we quickly blocked his access. 

For several days, We left some low value ornaments on the coffee table as a test... and he passed. Clearly, our little Reufus is growing up! We don't think We need the gate, but our motto is "Never intentionally set the Reufus up to fail."!

The Stocking.

When he and I had our first sleep-over on December 26, 2008, The Luke had the most beautiful stocking ever! And in 2009, the Mom happened on the same stocking design and bought it for me. This is mine!

This is Reuf's first Christmas... in our family. And the Mom searched high and low for a stocking, befitting his ALL BOY personality, and she finally found it!

Check out the custom made stocking for Lil Reuf... by PIXELCHIC Designs on Etsy!!!

The Mom is thrilled with it! The Reuf is curious about it. And I am not surprised that it faces a different direction from mine! If the stocking fits.. Haha.

The Golden Tree, tonight... room lights off.

[This year, the tree is located in the NW corner of this room. We normally put it up in the SW corner, but since Reuf's arrival here on April 16th... the SW corner has been his, for his room! We decided it would be best to relocate the tree and move display shelves, rather than disrupt the security of Reuf's 'bedroom'!

The Golden Tree, tonight... room lights on.

We are going to finish up our decorations this weekend! Reufus is enjoying the season and has reallyl surprised us with his recent good behavior! The Mom thinks that the all of the training is working... I think it's because he just remembered that Santa has made and is checking his list, not just once... but twice!

Christmas is a Special Time.

It is Joy and Generosity and Fun...
It is Innocence,
a Time to Reunite with Your Inner Pup.

And it's a Time to Remember...
The Reason for The Season!

The emotions of loss seem to mount this time of year... but our the Mom does her best to overshadow her sadnesses with Songs and Specialness and Joy in our home.

Last Christmas, we quietly embraced what we knew were the last days of Our The Luke. I think you can imagine how she feels this year, but...

I'm feeling great, and that gives her great reason to raise her hands to the sky...

Time is the Greatest Gift!

Reflections on A Week of Loss: My The Cousin Dakota Crossed The Bridge

On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 30, 2011...
Our Sweet Cousin The Dakota

Crossed the Rainbow Bridge
after a short and mostly pain-free battle with Cancer.

A Lover of All Things Bandana...
Model Extraordinaire,
Daddy's Boy

and

Walker of Self...

Dakota is a sweet and sensitive member of The Whitson Herd... from whence I come. I always thought he resembled our the Luke. They share physical, intellectual and emotional traits... and are both stunningly handsome!

Here we are together on Thanksgiving Day, left to right: The Me, My the Uncle Tom aka Dakota's Daddy and Cousin Dakota.

Sweet Boy was never without his neckware...
And in memory of "Kota Bear," the rest of The Herd and Atlas are wearing bandanas.

Reufus and I are, too.

We think of Dakota everyday.

His Family misses his subtle, comforting presence.
His place in The Herd was very Special,
 and we're working on a proper Memorial...coming soon.

Until then,
We're sure Sweet Dakota is learning the ropes from Our The Luke 

Friday Night Wrights

Well, well, well...
It's another Blissful Friday Night here in the Wright Household... especially now that it's past Reuf's bedtime! *Wink*

Short of a few "GRRH -Fundraiser-tomorrow-night" errands and running around, the Mom was home with us all day today.

Much of the day, we had company... as in Pest Control Company. You see, in the past few days since the weather has cooled off somewhat, we have had uninvited guests in the second floor suite that we call 'Le Attic'. That's bad enough, but what's worse is... Our olfactory senses have alerted us to the fact that one of said guests has met a fate worse than being escorted out in cuffs, and in fact is dead.

It's awful. And what's awfuller is that the biggest, most well known company in this huge city if not the state... cannot find said guest. I told the Mom that we should have called Billy The Exterminator, and she agrees... Billy would still be here looking, but I digress...

Let's just say that the out of doors smells much better than the in of doors! And I took time to indulge myself!

Our rotten pecan crop is diminishing as you can see... And this is a great time for me to point out how my technique differs from the Reuf's. You see, I sniff each pecan and only eat the ones that have been cracked open to expose the meat... Reuf, on the other paw, has no discretion. He eats it all.

Here's what it looks like when I'm hiding one in my mouth and the Mom mistakenly has the flash on the camera.

Halloween is right around the corner, and here is a freaky sight... It looks like I'm floating above the ground!

And since it is FrEYEday SkEYE Day... I offer you these photos. Our weather is in transition, and we've had fast moving clouds of every kind today.

Nothing overly dramatic, but I just wanted to share what I looked up to see today...

I thought there might be what the weatherman called 20% of a chance of a grass drink, but I was wrong.

Here's a blurry photo of me playing along with the Mom... as she sang the song, "Hup Two Free Four, Tooty Toot Frew The Door!" Oh how that brings back Sweet Memories...

And here's a bit of a blurry throwback to one of Our The Luke's favorite poses!

You might have to biggify this next photo to notice that Reuf clearly has something special... and I can assure you, suspicious, in his mouth.

Apparently, a lime in a bowl of fresh fruits and vegetables to one... is a GREEN BALL to another!!!

Attorneys love a defendant that can feign a look of total Innocence. When "innocent" is perfected, "remorse" is no longer needed in the repertoire! 

And here is the back side, celebrating the almost successful heist and plotting the next adventure!

And since the holiday is approaching, I offer this look... "Happy Halloween, Dahling!"

Oh, and to prove that the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree... We can add this photo to all of the prom photos the Mom's the Mom took... heads chopped off, but the shoes are well documented. Ok, all kidding aside... some things definitely skip generations!

Ahhh... Much better, with my noggin showin.

I normally only cuddle in my bed when the weather is cooler... and tonight, warm weather has returned outside... but the Mom has us chilling out!

I can't tell you how much I love curling up in my nest... 

 And now, I would like to perform for you... My Impression of A Honey Bun!

You have to agree... Pretty Sweeeeet!!!

Campo Blanco, July 2011 Session: Part One

We are safely home from a wonderful session at Campo Blanco, where we greatly missed our The Luke. The Mom was moist to leaky about the eyeballs, both before and during our stay there... The Luke loved his trips to Wimberley. We felt his enthusiasm, and proudly displayed his banner outside the bedroom that we often shared!

And now to tell the story of our trip... Please grab a cool drink, take a potty break and otherwise make yourself comfortable...

TRANSPORTATION.We had resolved ourselves to book the trip in the temporary rental trolley, and at the very last minute... Our Forever Trolley was made "whole"! We were a bit nervous, but decided to go ahead and book it for a long route. [This story is actually a rollercoaster of yes no yes no yes no yes no yes no... but I've saved you from the angst.]

DAY 1. Saturday, July 2. The trolley packed and boarded, our first scheduled stop was to pick up my the Aunt Madison and my Cousin (twin brother) Cane! Seating arrangements were as follows: The very back was mine. Reuf and Cousin Cane were in the middle seat. Aunt Madison rode shotgun and the Mom, of course, drove. Our trolley was booked solid, so a supplemental trolley was put into action, featuring Mister T as driver of his six passengers.

Trip Synopsis:

• Reuf chewed through one leather handle on the mom's duffle.
• Reuf chewed through Cousin Cane's leather leash.
• Reuf ate a Texas map.
• Reuf chewed a hole in the sheet covering the seat.
• Reuf chewed an emergency leash.
• Reuf celebrated the mid-point of the trip... with two pink treats (aka benadryl!)

Arrival at Campo Blanco:

• Relief and Joy... It's time to Relax!!! Let the festivities begin!
• OOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOO....
• Atlas and Cane made a run to the river. Quick scan of the river below our bluff... and they're not there!
• Uncle T takes off to hike the river in search.
• The Mom decides to drive the road. Luckily, she finds them as they beg to be let into a house down the road. Cane hops in quickly. Atlas disappears for a bit, but is finally found again... and coaxed into the trolley.
• BAD boys are delivered back home. And the Mom goes back to walk the river in search for Uncle T.
• She returns back and decides to drive down to the bridge... but Uncle T is within eyesight of Campo Blanco. He is incredibly relieved to learn that the bad have returned to the fold.
• Everyone but Reufus is tired.
• Pictured here, before Reuf peed on the bleu rug... is Buddy!

And who knew at the time... but the Reuf kicked off the great rug washing event of 2011 for the Mom! I had choice words to call him, but the Mom reprimanded me and so I edit... "monkey bird"!
Stay tuned for more Mischief, Fun and Our Cast of Characters! Fewer Words... More Photos!

Free Fur All Friday - A Current as Well as Catch Up Edition

Sit back. Relax in your chair. Take a sip of your drink, a deep breath, and join me in retrospect...  as I savor my Thursday evening!

I had the house to myself, and I basked in the peaceful silence. There was no panting. No squeaking of toy. No thumping of tail. No commands. No "nos". No stepping or hopping over me. I mean...


I ate shortbread cookies in bed.And I penned poetry.


At my side, you'll see the Thesaurus. I've found that one can never recall enough succinct adjectives for wrong, shameful and unfair [some of my favorites: unethical, improper, shameful, unreasonable, grievous and mean].

From time to time, I also browse my Rhyming Dictionary. True poets such as myself would never lean on this tool, but sometime your noggin just can't come up with a rhyme for a critically descriptive phrase, like... "gas bowl". Hypothetically speaking... you understand.


And in my relaxed, pensive and utterly private state, I was also able to revel in The Real Housewives of New York City.

Please don't tell my the Mom. My indulgence in such debauchery, while allowed... is also discouraged. When I can, though... I bask in the RHW schedule. I find them all such a relaxing diversion from the emotionally charged dramas of  (1) Life with a Fabulous Puppy and (2) GRV-H [Golden Rescue Volunteer Houston].


Just saying.

Why did I have the house to myself, you ask?


Well, Thursday is the evening of  injustice. Figuratively, this is the time that the "gas bowl" goes on a huge adventure with my the Mom. And in real life, Reufus and the Mom go to Training at Dogwood on Thursday evening...

The Mom says she needs one other hand in training, and if she had a fourth... she could also take photos!


To satisfy her need to document the moments and also to attempt to avoid the poop call of Lesson One, the Mom walked the Reuf up and down the lush green lawn.

He sniffed. And he sniffed. He knew he had been there before. He grew a bit anxious, and he tried to piece it all back together.

He then looked to the Mom. "Where are we? What are we doing? Let's get this party started!"

Yeah Yeah Yeah... Whatever. I'm bored. So, more on the actual training session later.


Flash forward and join me here... today! Reuf is a little smelly today. And I feel a little sorry for him.

Yeah. I know he's 11 months old, but he's only been with us a little over two months... and since he was rescued as a stray, who knows what he was taught... or the extent love was shown to him.

He and I went out twice last night after his return. Reuf also drained the water bowl twice. He was a bit anxious at bedtime... not like any other night, but...


The Reuf had a number one accident sometime during the night. It was all cleaned up and disinfected before 530, and he was given a "spit bath". And once the Mom got home, the inequity continued... as Reufus got a big time full bath... and I did not!

He loved it... was proud of it. And he rocked it!

Good for The Reufus!
The Mom got excited...
As his feathers seemed to... FEATHER!

Check out the FLOOF!

The more the Mom paid attention to his south end, the more the Reuf tried to diminish... And I respect him for that!

I mean, come on... I get the whole 'hope his fur grows out pretty and nice' thing...

I also get that he had an accident in his kennel, and he has to have a bath...

But, really and truly... we need to document every feather??? Sigh... I guess so!

That said, we are rocking the fact that Reufus is relaxed... and tired!

The trainer says... "A tired boy is good boy." And "boy" is she right!!!

Tired and relaxed boy is also a great inspiration for tomorrow's training and activity cruise director! Just saying.


And frankly, I'm just happy clean, lavender smelling, sweet, slightly trained boy... has now gone to his bed!

Oh Oh... A word about the trolley.


It was on the brink of unfixability, but due to low mileage and overall condition... it is in the process of being restored. I'm told that the only reservations regarding repair were financial.

We are relieved, because the Mom is a huge fan of not having a trolley note. We are all relieved to know that we will have our trolley back in good time!!!

And now... Here is The Luke. One year ago today.
June 24, 2010

So much love in our hearts...