Diana the bilingual dog

Diana is Aunty Lia's dog. Grampa Tony loved when she responded to Estonian commands. I tried doing the same a few times, but only knowing the dirty words never came in handy (well...almost never, but that's a story for another time).

Diana died this weekend, and it got me thinking of the time she and I went tobogganing together on New Years Day. I remember her being so excited to ride down the hill in Uncle Peter's lap, and being so jealous that she never had snowballs on her feet when she got back to the top. Mostly, I remember how she smiled whenever she saw Aunty Lia.

Head aega, Diana. And when you see Grampa Tony, tell him I said tere. He'll get a kick out of that.

Three!

That's Lea up there (the one without the hat). We took that pic a few years ago in the park. She turned three this past week. Happy birthday, kiddo.

I hear Lea's a big fan of mine – word in the stroller circle is that her first words were "Maui Monster". Well, I'm a bigger fan of hers. My third favourite thing about her is how gently and kindly she pulls my ears. My second favourite is how much food she drops when she comes over to eat. My first, of course, is that smile; which I get to enjoy face to face. At least for a little while longer.

Dan thinks I'm sleeping.

I'm not. What I'm actually doing is admiring yet another nasty fart. It'll get to Dan in about 20 seconds and he'll pretend to be grossed out. In reality, he'll be carefully evaluating it against past farts of mine.

This one's got a chance to take the lead, too. Actually, there've been a lot of contenders lately. I think it's because the peeps changed my food. I was disappointed at first to say goodbye to the wet-dry mix, but I've gotten used to the new kibble and it's actually pretty good. Besides, the bag said it was filled with nutritional benefits, and now that its...oh, Dan just got it.

Looks like a winner to me.

It's like someone was reading my mind...

Ask the Maui Monster

Hey Maui,

I came across this picture, and wondered if there is any relation between you and the Guinness Book of World Record holder for the hairiest man?

Thanks,

Auntie Mel

Dear Auntie Mel...

I used to think so. Then this happened...

They took my dreads. They took my ears. They even took my beard. What's a Barbet without a barbe? It's a dog with severe identity issues.

There are a few silver linings to this dark, dark cloud, though: I'm much cooler (maybe not aesthetically, but definitely thermally), and my blingy collar is much more pronounced. If past growth is any indication of future growth, I should be back to normal in no time.

A happy birthday indeed

Another April 27th has come and (almost) gone; and really, it was just another day. I woke up "on the floor" in Gramma Helsi's room, went behind the counter at the post office, tight-rope walked a curb and tried Italian prosciutto for the first time.

Yup...just another day.

Common courtesy

I like to give the peeps a few months to enjoy their new things before I annex them. Take this blanket; Dan bought it for Tiia last Christmas. Since then, I've given them 118 straight days of first dibs on it whenever we'd retire to the couch. I think that's enough time.