Part VI - Christmas at Mom's house

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OK, so this post is 3 weeks late. Whatever, the photos are cute.

Christmas time was spent down at my mom's house. It was the first foray for Lilly to the house I grew up in. My mom and sister are both die-hard doggie lovers, so having hyper-spastic Lilly along for the ride wasn't too much of a stretch. We spent an action-packed 2 full days there, bringing along Lilly's full compliment of utilities: toys, crate, crate pad, food, bowls, step stool for feeding, etc. etc. Things went very well! Lilly was her usual cute, endearing and devilish self, she didn't destroy anything truly meaningful, and didn't pee on the carpet. Victory. We set up the crate in my old bedroom with Marilyn, so she got to sleep near mommy for the first time. Lots of pictures below of the fun and good times.

Coming up in Part 7, special little Lilly's daily feeding procedure.


Here, my sister discovers how much Lilly likes to sit on people.

Every dog deserves a stocking full of goodies, right?


Sorry Lilly, you don't get to consume the bag or wrapping the treats come in. Note the defiant look she is giving the camera.


Dig in dog!


Lilly begins to disassemble the packaging for her presents. Notice how this particular present is a "Calming Capsule". She destroyed it within hours. :) That's our girl.


I don't know about you, but that look says to me "I'm really enjoying myself"


Enjoying the afternoon sun looking out on the backyard. My boyhood golden retriever used to do this just about every day, in this exact spot.



Asleep in the afternoon sun. Who says cats have the market cornered on this?



OK, naptime is over. I feel like being naughty again.



OK, now I REALLY feel like being naughty. Let's go! Party time!

Part V - Doggie made of rubber

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Marilyn and I are becoming more convinced that Lilly is not actually made of flesh and bone....she is more likely made of rubber. She stretches herself out like she has no joints at all, like its the most natural thing in the world. I've seen a few really young puppies do this once or twice, but she is now 7 months old and does this every day! Amazing. See photos below:

Part IV - SKUNK!

December 6, 2007. Marilyn and I have spent a large amount of the day preparing food and decorations for our Performing Arts of Roseville Christmas Party. Its just after 4:00pm, and the party starts at 6:00. My phone rings.....

The voice is Marilyn's, shaky and very distressed. She tells me; "Pack everything up and come over RIGHT NOW. Lilly and I just got sprayed by a skunk!"

Oh no. Please no. Not now, anytime but NOW! I turned around in circles, threw everything together, and sped over to the house. Once I got there, I went in through the garage and smelled SKUNK. Not good. Inside the house, it wasn't as bad, but still got close to gag level. Marilyn had opened all the doors and windows, which helped a lot. She also lit a bunch of incense, which was a brilliant move and the smell started to dissipate.

Problem was, we didn't know whether to proceed with the party or not. After initially getting the word out that it was cancelled, we decided to make it happen. Everyone came over, had a great time, and no-one complained of skunk.

What happened was this. Marilyn was in the backyard with Lilly for a 'potty' break. Mare noticed that Lilly had cornered a black cat by the rose bushes. Then she saw the white striped tail and started hollering at Lilly to come. Lilly did move away some, but then back towards the skunky. It was a baby skunk, and it let go with a blast at the dog and Marilyn. Lilly got a little on her face and chest. Marilyn dragged her into the house, pulled her into the shower, and scrubbed the both of them with Dawn detergent. It worked, and Lilly only had a little residual smell for the next several days.

All in all, it could have been a LOT worse. Only one portion of curtains and some clothes were lost. Marilyn's neighborhood is overrun with skunks, and animal control is constantly catching them there.

So we've had the dog a little over a week, and its already been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and been sprayed by a skunk.

Smooth sailing, no?

Coming up in Part V - Dog made of rubber.