OMD, OMD, OMD!!!!

OMD!!! I have to say, we are Totally Overwhelmed with the enthusiastic reception we have received at MangoMinster. Honestly, I thought that as a relative newbie, we’d show up, party at the Mango Estate (after the pre-show partying with Moose), make some new friends, pay homage to HRH RH (heehee – I couldn’t resist!), chase a few balls and go home with good memories and lots of new bloggies to follow.

I NEVER expected the huge outpouring of support we received after the loss of Mr. Bufus. Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful pee-mails and comments we received. He is truly missed, and his Reader’s Choice award will be a lasting testament to the fantastic Man-Bear-Dog-Cat-Pig that he was.

(And a Daddy's Boy!)

And TaiChi and I figured that we were both in such tough classes that we’d be lucky to make a decent showing. There are So Many good athletic sporty dogs (not to mention the good sports!), that I didn’t think I’d be able to compete with like of the body-surfing Teal'c and the flying, swimming Samantha. So when Mom read me the results last night (I was too nervous to read them myself!), I was beyond stunned. I was so excited, in fact, that I went zooming around the backyard!


Me? First Place in Sporty Athletic Dogs?!? No. Way!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

And I was a little nervous when it came to TaiChi. Because while I know what a Bad Sport she is, she looks so innocent and unpresuming that I was worried that Mom might not have enough pictures to capture her in all of her Bad Sported-ness, and thus not be able to communicate the true depth of TaiChi’s cunning ways. But I guess I should have had more faith; apparently truly Bad Sports like Ike can recognize kindred spirits from miles away! (Although I can't believe that Mom forgot to mention TaiChi's stint in the 'clink' for biting a missionary when Mom made the list of TaiChi's Dirty Deed - but in fairness to Mom, that was before she had met TaiChi...) Rather than racing around the yard (TaiChi’s zoomie days are behind her, I’m afraid) she decided to celebrate by noshing on Dad’s dinner. What else would you expect from a Venerable Bad Sport?


Me? I’m just, uh, observing. Yeah. That’s it. Observing. Because I want to have TaiChi’s Magical Powers that cause Dad’s fork to gravitate right to her mouth when I get old and venerable!

A big thank you to everyone who voted, and to the judges for honoring us with their decisions, and, of course, thanks to the Relentlessly Huge for hosting this entire event! And now I’ve got to help TaiChi decide what to wear for the Best In Show competition, and then she’ll help me figure out what to do with my hair! And pictures! We’ve got to help Mom pick out pictures, and type our statements! We have So Much To Do!!!!

*kissey face*
-Fiona and TaiChi

A Shameless Plug for Mr. Bufus

In honor of the start of the Cat-Dog competition at MangoMinster I am re-posting the tribute to Mr. Bufus, as well as his original entry, so you can get to know more about him.

Thanks very much for all the kind notes about Mr. Bufus. I must honestly say that I was overwhelming by the outpouring of support, both here and on Facebook, both from friends and family as well as complete strangers (many of whom I hope will not be strangers for long; when I get a chance I’m going to come blog-visiting!). Thank you so very much. We received confirmation that Bufus did, indeed, have cancer of the stomach and intestine, and while it was not yet causing him pain, it was causing fluid build-up which made him bloated and was causing him discomfort. The reality is that the fluid build-up was a bit of a blessing in disguise, as Bufus didn’t have to suffer while the tumors grew to a size where they would be easily noticed. Ultimately, he led a long, full life replete with opportunities to harass a collective pack of dogs, while also having plenty of time to nap in the sunny places. Bufus’ entry in MangoMinster will stand, and I have faith that he will hold his own in the face of very tough competition!

As the Ruler of the Roost, everything was his, if he wanted it, including Fiona's chew toys. (BTW, Bufus didn't have any teeth.)

Or Dad's dessert....
He always found the best sunny spots

And traveled in the motorhome like a pro:

(When he wasn't throwing up in his Uncle Charlie's hat, which did happen on occasion... But that's what Charlie gets for not paying the proper respects!)

He was a fantastic Guard Cat

And, yes, he really did like taking showers.

Seriously.

Bufus was truly the King of the House.

Thanks again for all the words of support; Bufus really was A Great Cat (or, Man-Bear-Dog-Cat-Pig, if we are going to be technical about it) and he will never be forgotten.

Here is his original MM entry:

Name: Mr. Bufus

Gender: Male

Breed: Man-bear-dog-cat-pig (with apologies to South Park); the vet papers say that he is a Maine Coon, although I say he is a Very Large, Venerable Cat

Group: Cat Dogs

Blog Link: http://lizski.blogspot.com (that would be this bloggie).

Here is his picture:

I felt it would be helpful to include a brief statement with Mr. Bufus' picture.

Mr. Bufus is a rescued kitty who has risen to the lofty position of the head of Civil Defense for the Dranow household (the submitted picture shows him in his uniform). In this role, and over his 20 years of life, he has raised generations (note from Fi’s Mom: literally!) of puppies to be respectful of cats, despite having been declawed at an early age (he has a very wicked right cross; for a big lazy cat, he can be very quick when he wants to be!). Mr. Bufus is very much a Cat Dog, as many people has likened him to a dog (even his groomer has said "he’s a great dog" on more than one occasion). He also takes showers (seriously!) and will stand at the shower door when it is running and will meow to be let in. He doesn’t seem to care that he gets soaked. (Which might make him more of an alien than a Cat Dog, but that’s neither here nor there…) Mom and Dad say that he is a man-bear-dog-cat-pig, but I think that is because they watch too much South Park. Mr. Bufus travels Very Well in the House With Wheels, and likes throwing up in visitors’ hats (just ask my Uncle Charlie, who generously provided a hat for Mr. Bufus’ use). He also has the largest litter box on the market, and still manages to miss, which, I think, is a skill in and of itself.

So, now go to MangoMinster and vote early and often for Mr. Bufus!!!

*kissey face*
-Fiona, Official Ballot Box Stuffer

Thank You, and Tribute

Thanks very much for all the kind notes about Mr. Bufus. I must honestly say that I was overwhelming by the outpouring of support, both here and on Facebook, both from friends and family as well as complete strangers (many of whom I hope will not be strangers for long; when I get a chance I’m going to come blog-visiting!). Thank you so very much. We received confirmation that Bufus did, indeed, have cancer of the stomach and intestine, and while it was not yet causing him pain, it was causing fluid build-up which made him bloated and was causing him discomfort. The reality is that the fluid build-up was a bit of a blessing in disguise, as Bufus didn’t have to suffer while the tumors grew to a size where they would be easily noticed. Ultimately, he led a long, full life replete with opportunities to harass a collective pack of dogs, while also having plenty of time to nap in the sunny places. Bufus’ entry in MangoMinster will stand, and I have faith that he will hold his own in the face of very tough competition!

As the Ruler of the Roost, everything was his, if he wanted it, including Fiona's chew toys. (BTW, Bufus didn't have any teeth.)

Or Dad's dessert....
He always found the best sunny spots

And traveled in the motorhome like a pro:

(When he wasn't throwing up in his Uncle Charlie's hat, which did happen on occasion... But that's what Charlie gets for not paying the proper respects!)

He was a fantastic Guard Cat

And, yes, he really did like taking showers.

Seriously.

Bufus was truly the King of the House.

Thanks again for all the words of support; Bufus really was A Great Cat (or, Man-Bear-Dog-Cat-Pig, if we are going to be technical about it) and he will never be forgotten.

TaiChi and Fiona are both great comforts to us right now, and we are also looking forward to the arrival of little Abby, effectively completing the circle of life in our house.

-Dr. Liz and Family

Mr. Bufus, Beloved Son

It is much sadness that I have to post the news that Bufus crossed the Rainbow Bridge today, after being hospitalized yesterday due to complications related to diabetes and possibly cancer. He was over 20 years old, and lived a very full life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

May the food be plentiful, the mice slow, and the sunny spots large.

We love you and miss you, and will never forget you, big guy.

-Love, Mom, Dad, Fiona and TaiChi

MangoMinster 2010 Entry #1

The entire family is REALLY excited about MangoMinster 2010!!! We missed it last year, and so I am prodding Mom to get our entries in early. Mom has said that she wants to start with the easy one first, and she says Mr. Bufus is the easiest of the lot.

So... here is his entry:

Name: Mr. Bufus

Gender: Male

Breed: Man-bear-dog-cat-pig (with apologies to South Park); the vet papers say that he is a Maine Coon, although I say he is a Very Large, Venerable Cat

Group: Cat Dogs

Blog Link: http://lizski.blogspot.com (that would be this bloggie).

Here is his picture:

I felt it would be helpful to include a brief statement with Mr. Bufus' picture.

Mr. Bufus is a rescued kitty who has risen to the lofty position of the head of Civil Defense for the Dranow household (the submitted picture shows him in his uniform). In this role, and over his 20 years of life, he has raised generations (note from Fi’s Mom: literally!) of puppies to be respectful of cats, despite having been declawed at an early age (he has a very wicked right cross; for a big lazy cat, he can be very quick when he wants to be!). Mr. Bufus is very much a Cat Dog, as many people has likened him to a dog (even his groomer has said "he’s a great dog" on more than one occasion). He also takes showers (seriously!) and will stand at the shower door when it is running and will meow to be let in. He doesn’t seem to care that he gets soaked. (Which might make him more of an alien than a Cat Dog, but that’s neither here nor there…) Mom and Dad say that he is a man-bear-dog-cat-pig, but I think that is because they watch too much South Park. Mr. Bufus travels Very Well in the House With Wheels, and likes throwing up in visitors’ hats (just ask my Uncle Charlie, who generously provided a hat for Mr. Bufus’ use). He also has the largest litter box on the market, and still manages to miss, which, I think, is a skill in and of itself.

Please accept Mr. Bufus’ entry into MangoMinster 2010.

*kissey face*

-Fiona (and Dr. Liz)

I'm ba-ack! Not that I actually went anywhere...

I know, I know, I know. I should have hung the ‘out of the office’ sign up, but, well, that was a little tough for those of us with non-opposable thumbs.


Lessee. So, the weekend. As I already mention, I had (with apologies to Arlo Guthrie) a Thanksgiving dinner that couldn’t be beat, and slept most of the rest of the day. I went hiking a few times, but no place spectacular – pretty, but not spectacular. And Mom didn’t bring the camera; it was just the two of us, and well, I have no idea why that is an excuse for not bringing the camera, but whatever.

The RV park was really full over the weekend, and I met a mini-Mango; she was an English Mastiff, and weighed a mere 130 lbs. Given that I weigh 55, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to meet the Relentlessly Huge in person. I mean, it would be like a row boat next to an aircraft carrier! Anyhoo, there were lots of other doggies around (and even a cat on a leash – but it was too far away for Mom to get a picture, and she only saw him/her once), but Mom didn’t get any pictures because, well, I was having a slight case of puppy-itis, and was bouncing 17 directions at once every time I’d see a doggie. So not Mom’s fault, this time. She was doing all she could just to hold on to me. And was muttering something about how my new sister will be better socialized. Uh-huh. She’ll still be a puppy, Mom.

I did, however, spend a lot of time looking out the window at (and alerting Mom and Dad to the presence of) strangers in the neighborhood.



Which took quite a bit of time and effort.


And even required the assistance of Mr. Bufus.

The window was closed for Mr. Bufus' benefit; I don't think he'll stick his head too far out of the window, but I just want to be careful!

Mom took some time to get some more stitching stuff done. She has been working diligently on Christmas presents, and might actually get all, ah, most, erm, some done in time for Christmas. So if your Christmas present shows up in July, you’ll know who to blame.

Here's here latest project for one of my cousins...


Dad has been practicing his guitar, in preparation for his March 13th birthday gig. Mark your calendars now. I expect you all to attend. It will be on Main Street in Park City. Bring your friends! He’s been practicing so much that Mom told him that he needed to take a little break. And when he ignored her, she took the next logical step:


Heehee! Although it didn't work for too long, because Dad finally got wise and tore off the tape...

And TaiChi and I have been spending lots of quality time together.
Yeah, um, I'm not sure if there is any angle that is right for that picture!


Now I’m going to try to catch up on some bloggies before I start my next great adventure.


Oh, and I have some awards, but I’ll have to get to them tomorrow, as Mom has to get her act together before I can post them. But thank you all in advance!

*kissey face*
-Fiona

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hopefully you have had (or will get) some tasty tidbits from your bipeds. Me? I'm spoiled. Yeah, I know, tell you something you don't know. But I'm really spoiled. The staff at the RV park host a potluck Thanksgiving lunch/dinner thing, and they even gave Mom a 'doggie plate' for me and TaiChi! Mom is doling it out in small bits so it doesn't upset our stummies - which is fine, because it means that we get turkey for a couple of days!!!

But, since it is Thanksgiving, I think it is only right that I list some of the things I am thankful for.

First, I am thankful for Mom and Dad. Not only do they take me on fantastic hikes,


But they picked ME out of all of my siblings. Me!!! Little did I know, when they brought me home in the Big Yellow Car, what a lucky puppy I was!


I'm also thankful for TaiChi, who is the best little big sister, ever!


And, of course, Mr. Bufus, who has Taught Me The Ropes.


And the House With Wheels, which lets us go EVERYWHERE with Mom and Dad!

And I'm thankful for ALL MY FRIENDS!!! (I couldn't figure out how to add a link, but you know who you are!)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

*kissey face*
-Fiona

I guess beating the servants works...

This was supposed to get posted Sunday night, but the internet was slow, and Mom was really tired. So just pretend that it is Sunday when you are reading this.

I really appreciate you getting all over Mom for her complete lack of photo-taking, because she’s gotten better. Sort of. Let’s just say that she had good intentions.

First, yesterday, Mom and Dad took me to an open grassy area and played football with me. Mom didn’t get any pictures, but this was because technically I’m not supposed to be off a leash at all (unless I’m in the ‘dog run’ – which is a bit of a misnomer, as the only dog that could actually run in there would be a miniature Chihuahua or maybe something smaller), and so Mom was “running interference”. I didn’t dash off or anything, but it made it look all official. And I got to race around to my heart’s content, so I’m not bummed that Mom didn’t get pictures. And I totally understand why she didn’t, because I'd rather run around and play football with no pictures than not get to play football. So it was okay.

And today. Today. Mom and Dad were going to take me hiking today. Mom got this fancy map that has all these trails that I’m allowed on, and so we were all rarin’ to go. Kinda. Dad was tired from not sleeping well, and it was cold and sort of cloudy, so we decided to go in the afternoon. So we hung out in the morning, and Mom took some “action” shots. She thinks she is such a smarty pants!

And after some quality hanging out time, it still hadn’t warmed up a ton, so Mom decided to do some grocery shopping. She has to drive in to Hurricane for groceries (about 20 minutes away). She did her shopping, and then, on the way back, Dad called her because Mr. Bufus was "not acting right". He was having problems piddling and when he did piddle, he was piddling blood.

Even I know that this is Not. Good.

So Mom came home with the groceries and found an Emergency Vet Clinic open on Sundays (anything open on Sundays in Utah is a rarity). Yes, all of us have the amazing ability to only get sick after hours or on Sundays. It’s a highly specialized skill. The clinic was in St. George. Which meant that Mom had to drive back through Hurricane, and into St. George. When it was all said and done, Mom was gone for a couple of hours, and by the time she got home, she was very tired, and it was too dark to go hiking anyway.

As for Mr. Bufus? He has a bladder infection, and is on a bunch of drugs, and Mom has to give him fluids twice a day. And she still has to give TaiChi fluids every day… So, yeah, Mom is completing all of her practicum hours to be a veterinary tech, if she ever wanted to become one. He has to go to a vet in a couple of days to have them check on him, but in the meantime, he gets lots of wet food (and I'm not allowed to sneak in and eat his food. Well, not much, anyway). He should be all right, but Mom will be playing nurse for a while.

So she had good intentions, and she promises that when we go hiking (hopefully tomorrow, although Dad has work in the morning, and Mom is pretty worn out after today) or any place else that we go, she’ll get pictures.

In the meantime, here are my action shots! Heehee!


These are mine.

You would REALLY like to give me some of your hamburger, wouldn't you?

Oooh, I am so irresistible!

Thanks, Dad....

Oh, and Mom is all excited because on the drive back from the vet, she saw a Ford GT. (Here's a stock photo - and it is even the same color as the one Mom saw.)


She didn’t know what it was, but thought it looked cool. And thought it was pretty funny when the highway patrol guy pulled up next to the Ford GT and rode along side it, looking at it for about a quarter mile. When she got home, she looked it up, and apparently they only made a little over 4,000 of them, so I guess this was a pretty rare sighting. I think she's in love! ;-)

*kissey face*
-Fiona

Of Haircuts and Snowsuits and Things

Mom’s been “busy.” Again. Some of her being “busy” seems to involve having a whole bunch of screens open on her computer and her doing a lot of tapping on the computer. And she calls that work? Uh-huh. Work. And then she’s been helping Dad with his work (well, she says she’s been helping Dad – I’m not sure how she can actually help Dad, since his work seems to consist of him tapping on the computer and talking on the phone).

She’s also been busy with starting to get us packed to take the House With Wheels to southern Utah (outside of St. George). Mom and Dad have pushed the departure date back to Monday, because while it has stopped snowing, it has gotten Really Cold. (And Mom got me a haircut. But more about that.) And it is cold in central Utah, too, and the roads (I-15, specifically) can get icy, and Mom and Dad don’t want to have to worry about the House With Wheels on icy roads. And it gives Mom more time to pack, because she’s been busy with this Other Stuff.

Other Stuff including getting TaiChi and Bufus into the vet, to make sure they are doing okay. Being old and all, Mom says they have to go in more often than me. The good news is that Mr. Bufus has medicine that seems to keep him from tossing his cookies when we are driving. Which makes Mom happy, as she’s the one who has to clean up, because Dad is the one driving.

Mr. Bufus, sleeping on Dad's head, and NOT tossing his cookies.

Mom has also started work on Christmas presents for people, so she’s been busy with that, too. But at least she can do that while spending quality time with me at the same time. So I guess I’ll let her do that.

Anyhoo, back to the hair cuts…. Yeah. Um. It’s like 3 degrees out (Note from Fi’s Mom: it’s in the low 20s at night and 30s during the day, so methinks you are exaggerating just a tad) and Mom decides that NOW is the time to cut my hair. By a professional, thankfully! (Note the second from Fi’s Mom: we are going to warmer climes in a couple of days, and I plan on taking you hiking, my dearest Fi-ster, and if I kept you with long hair, you’d get HOT. And you don’t like being hot. So just trust me on this kiddo.) AND. And, TaiChi didn’t have to get a haircut. She got her face and feet cleaned up, but HER hair stayed the same length. (Note the third: TaiChi doesn’t go hiking like you, and she’s got thin hair. And she’s OLD. She gets cold easily.)

Yeah, whatever. All I know is that TaiChi looks like she's got a snow suit on, while I look like I'm ready to be conscripted into the Marines.

Snowsuit.
Enlistee.

Seriously. Is that FAIR? Yeah, I thought not. But I guess I can't complain TOO much; at least I didn't get dressed up as a squirrel (or anything else, for that matter) for Halloween!!

Let's look at this again.

Pretty old lady modeling her snowsuit.


Me? High and tight. At least they left my ears at a respectable length. Private Fiona reporting for duty, sir!

*ahem. At least Mom takes me to a good groomer, and doesn't attempt to do this herself.

Oh, and you know what else Mom has been slacking on? Basil, the usually white standard poodle that the groomers have, and who hangs out at the shop pretty much every day, had been colored pink, and had been shaved in a really cool spiral look. Basil didn’t mind (we talked, and he told me); actually, he kind of liked it, because his parents colored him that way for a photo shoot, and he liked being the center of attention for the photo shoot. And actually, he looks quite handsome in a punk rocker sort of way. So Mom has to stop by get a picture of him, too.

So, since Mom’s been slacking, I’ll leave you with a couple pictures of late-night snow zoomies that I did a couple of nights ago when it was snowing. Now it's melting and muddy. Which is fun too, but these are sort of cool pictures.

Note my military-issue laser eyes!

These laser eyes are seriously cool!

Oh, and Mom wants to say something…

Thanks, Fi! I just want to throw out a huge thank you to my wonderful friend Vuboq for the AMAZING pottery that he sent me. But, being the slacker that I am, I haven’t taken any pictures yet; I actually want to wait until daylight to get the pictures so the flash doesn’t make the glazing look funny. But THANKS!!! Really amazing pieces! This guy is an artist!

*kissey face*
-Fiona, Private First Class