Watching and Waiting

Tail wags, dear readers, Stormy here, along with Zimmie.  As I mentioned yesterday, we are expecting a severe Winter storm.

Zim and I are keeping an eye out for the snow.  He needs to do some reinforcement work on his really cool snow forts.

Tail wags, 

Storms

PS:  The snow hasn't hit us yet, but the ice storm has.  For those of you in the path of this storm - please stay safe!  It's treacherous out there!

Serene Scenery Sunday

Tail wags, dear readers, it's me - Stormy - here with Serene Scenery Sunday.  Do the mid-winter blahs have you feeling a bit... washed out?

Me.  Storms!

Then perhaps this post will help brighten things up a bit for you!

We received some very lovely flowers recently that warmed things up a bit for us. How about we start with a Gerbera Daisy?

Isn't that lovely? How about another look, with a Lomo camera effect added in?

I like the boldness!

Our flowers came with cards that we loved reading. Here's Dave with one:

Dave

He's a good reader, Dave.

I think our long-time readers know how much Zim enjoys snoofing flowers!  Here he is, enjoying a gorgeous bouquet:

"Must... not... eat these..."

I hope the blooms and warm colors help you find some serenity today.

"C'mon, boys.  Shoulder to shoulder.  Form up on me."

The photo above was taken before our melt-down this week.  We have another Winter storm coming tomorrow, so we may see lots more snow.  Our temps have already dropped significantly.  For some odd reason, Mom and Dad found serenity in the couple of 50-plus degree days we had.  Hmm.  Something for everyone here in Kansas.

Tail wags,
Storms

Weekend

Ha roo, pups and cool cats.  It's me, Zim.  You've worked hard all week - but today is Saturday.

Try to kick back and relax for a while.

Play bows,
Zim

Leadership Lesson

Tail wags, dear readers, it's me - Stormy.  Before I begin today's post, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the very kind comments you left on our blog about Ammy.  We all miss her very deeply, but are trying our hardest to find a "new normal".

One of the best things for anyone - biped and quadruped alike - is some exercise!  Yesterday was a gorgeous, sunny day, the snow was melting and we could walk on the sidewalks without slipping.  Perfect for a little stroll with Mom and the boys.  I took the lead, as usual.

As a leader, it's important to set the tone - to lead by example. As you can see, I am walking in a calm and dignified manner. The boys were behind me, but I totally expected them to behave the same way. No need to turn around to check - I trust those two!

Dave and Zim

Err... OK. I trust them to act like Siberians.

Ha roo roo roo! Nothing wrong with having a little fun along the way.

Tail wags,
Storms

Sad News from Ao4 HQs

The Ao4 work very hard to keep their blog upbeat - as a place to share their adventures, thoughts, and photos.  We have some very sad news to share today, so I asked Stormy to allow me - their "mom" - to take over today.

The first week of December, our lovely redheaded girl Ammy was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  She remained true to herself - sweet and strong - through Chemotherapy treatments and other therapies, but sadly, we had to let her go last Thursday.  The Lymphoma had taken over her body and the kindest thing for her was to let her go.  Needless to say, it was one of the hardest things her "dad" and I have had to do.

For those of you who knew Ammy and/or knew her through the blog, you know what a happy girl she was.  It's in keeping with her lovely nature that I have a request - please don't post this to your blogs.  I know it would be done out of love for her - but I know she wouldn't want a lot of sadness spread among the blogs.  One of her most endearing traits is that she just could not stand to see anyone sad and would do her utmost to try to spread good cheer.  If you do want to honor her memory, I'll share with you what I shared on FaceBook:  just be nice to someone.  Cheer someone up.  Show some kindness.  Do it when no one is watching and don't tell anyone.  That is the spirit of my Ammy and one of the most important things she taught me.

Amber was the perfect puppy to Stormy, she taught Zim that life is worth living, and was the very best kid sister Dave could ever hope for.  She was truly one of the dearest, sweetest souls my husband and I have ever had the pleasure to know and love.  

Thank you for listening - Storm and the boys will be back to blogging soon.

KZK

Wordless Wednesday

Love,
Ammy

Really Cool Snow Fort Time!

Ha roo, pups and cool cats!  It's me, Zim, coming back at you!  Hey, remember what I said yesterday about not letting anything stand in your way?  Well, I took a little bit of my own advice.

See... last week, I had to have some biopsies taken of some stuff on my face.  It turns out I have something called Zinc Responsive Dermatosis, or ZRD.  They took four samples and had to stitch me up, so I had to wear ... the dreaded cone.  Oh, not if I was out on a really cool adventure (which is why you haven't seen me in the cone), but around the house I did - so I wouldn't scratch and pull my stitches out.

We got about 7 inches of snow starting Sunday night and into Monday - yesterday!  It was really great - but those of you who know me know I LOVE to build really cool snow forts!  I wondered ... could I build one with a cone on my head?  Then I re-read my own post and knew I shouldn't let something like a cone stand in my way! Here's how it went:

Me, checking out the scene

I knew I couldn't let that snow go to waste!  I HAD to build a really cool snow fort!

"I've got to build a really cool snow fort ... but how?"

Then it hit me.  Bipeds aren't the only ones who can use tools to their advantage!

"Oh, YEAH!  It's my very own snow shovel!"

I worked really hard.  And I have to say, the cone helped me make quick work of it.  Here I am, relaxing afterwards:

"It's not just a really cool snow fort, it's comfy, too!"

Nothing stands in my way of building a really cool snow fort!  Ha ROO!

Play bows,
Zim

PS:  For those who might wonder, it's called the Comfy Cone.  It beats the hard plastic kind, but "comfy - cone" is an oxymoron if you ask me!

Advice From Zim

Ha roo, pups and kit-cats! It's me - Zim! Don't let anything stand in your way today.

I know I won't!

Play bows,
Zim

Serene Scenery Sunday

Woo, everypup and everycat.  Dave here, with Serene Scenery Sunday - as promised! I just have one collage for you today - it's a comparison study of sorts. (I have no idea what that means; Stormy told me to write that!)

On the left, we have calm serenity... and on the right...

... we have Squeaky Fish-style serenity overdrive!!!!! Woo!

I hope you find something or someone today who makes you feel super serene!

Luv,
Dave

Photo Finish ... Saturday

Woo, everypup and everycat.  It's me - Dave - here with Photo Finish Saturday.  Yeah, I know.  We usually do Photo Finish Friday.  We've been off our schedule ever since we took our blog break.  We're trying to get back to normal but just aren't quite there.  Stormy said I should take this weekend to share some of the cool effect photos Mom has done lately - so let's get to it!  Let's do Photo Finish Fri Saturday!

How's this to start things off?

Yeah! Me and Squeaky Fish! I would say that I'm the one in black and white, but I guess I'm always in black and white.

Let's color things up a bit!

Do I look like a cartoon character in that one? How about a serious action shot?

Oh. I guess there aren't any special effects in that one... I just think me and Squeaky Fish look really cool.

We got a lot of nice feedback on a couple pix of Zim Mom simulated the Lomo camera effect on (here and here), so here's one of me:

I'm pretty sure my tongue doesn't usually look that pink and glossy, but I could be mistaken!

Mom and I did a cool collage that I'll save for tomorrow. See you then?

Luv,
Dave

Operation Quicksilver?

Hi everypuppy and everycat.  It's me - Ammy.  I've been doing a lot of thinking about Zimmie and those buffalo.  Or about what Stormy said.  I went through the photos Zim had Mom take and checked out a couple of the close-ups.  Here's one:

Hmm. Given that he hadn't moved in several days and that he and his friends look a tad one-dimensional, I decided they just might be fake buffalo, which I think is what Stormy was getting at.  A little research was definitely in order!

Me at the iPad.  Researching.
With a snack handy, just in case I got hungry.

Why would there be fake stuff out in a field?  Was there a precedent for this kind of thing?  I looked all over the internet, and then I stumbled onto Operation Quicksilver!  Do you remember that?  It was in World War II - basically, it was a plan by the Allied Forces to deceive the enemy!  They created the "First US Army Group" - a fictional unit commanded by General Patton that would invade France at the Pas-de-Calais.  Not really invade, but make the Germans think that's where they were going to invade!  They set up fake equipment and all kinds of decoys all over the place to deceive the Germans, when the real attack was at Normandy!  You can read all about it at this link.  Here's one of their inflatable tanks!

Looks pretty real, doesn't it?  From a distance.  And so do the buffalo Zim saw, until you get close up like this:

So the question is ... just what are the buffalo planning? Is a real herd up to something somewhere else?!!? What could it be?!?!

We'll keep our snooters to the ground and try to get to the bottom of it, but in the meantime, if you see any buffalo roaming around, don't turn your back on them! They're planning something! Something big! I just know it!

Love,
Ammy

Thinking on a Thursday

I know what Stormy said...

"Hmm..."

...but if not real, then ... what?!?

Play bows and deep thoughts,
Zim

About Those Buffalo...

Tail wags, dear readers.  It's me, Stormy.  If you're like me, you've been enjoying seeing Zim's pix of his new discovery!  He always has the best adventures, doesn't he?  An ocean, a cool path to hike on to get down there, and even buffalo!  Wait.  Buffalo?  At the ocean?  Something doesn't sound right about that.  Even if this is Kansas.

Zim got to go to the new ocean again on his birthday.  While he and Mom were downloading the pix they took, I had a little look at one of them. It was another shot of the buffalo.

Me, at the iMac
"Something strikes me as odd here..."

Something seemed a bit off, so I compared his new picture:

...to one he had Mom take the other day. Click here to see it.  Did you click?  Notice anything ... unusual?  Remember, they were taken five days apart.  Let me use a little PhotoShop magic...

I took the new photo and placed the old photo over-top of it.  Take a look:

I hope you see what I mean. I don't see a lot of roaming going on there.

Dragons or sea serpents I could believe. Buffalo roaming? Hmm.  What do you think this all means?

Tail wags,
Storm

Other Adventures

Hi everypuppy and everycat!  It's me, Ammy.  Sorry I'm late posting today.  There is a lot going on around here, so sometimes it's hard getting to the computer.  I know Zimmie has told you about the new ocean he discovered, but don't worry - the rest of us have been out having other adventures!

Here I am from a couple weeks ago, out practicing my camouflage skills:

What do you think? Can you see me?  How about in this next one?

I guess I'm easy to spot there.  It's kind of ironic that my very nice pink CAMO leash is what shows the most. I thought camo was supposed to blend in? I guess maybe hot pink isn't quite the color to blend with Kansas winter landscape.

I wonder if everyone can see me coming?

"Oh, Mister MOUSIE!!!???!!!"

I think the pink camo blew it for me. Oh well, Mom doesn't like for us to use those "high prey drive" instincts we Siberian Huskies have anyway. Neither does Storms.

Oh... speaking of Stormy, she might have something to ask all of you tomorrow ... about Zimmie and those buffalo he saw the other day.  I don't know ANYthing about any of that.  OK?  Really.

..."Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam..."  Hee hee hee!"

Seriously.  I don't know a thing about it.

Love,
Ammy

Serene Scenery Sunday

Woo, everybody!  It's me - Dave!  Last week, I sort of forgot about doing Serene Scenery Sunday, but if you ask me, the pix I did share were mighty serene!  I mean, what could be better than cookies?!?!  Stormy said I should post more scenic photos today, though, so here goes!

We don't have eagles here at the house like Mom and Zim saw on Christmas out at that new ocean Zim discovered, but we do have lots of hawks.  One of them sat on a pole about a hundred meters away and did some poses for Mom.  Check him out!

Zoom in, Mom!

Isn't he cool looking?!!? What a powerful bird! Here's another look:

While Mom was out on the deck freezing because she didn't stop to put her jacket on shooting those pictures, she also saw this little robin:



Stay warm, little birdie!

Guess what else Mom saw while she was out there?  Or should I ask "who else" she saw?

Left to right:  Zim, Ammy, me and Dad
Dad is the tall one in red
I guess I'm the only one not red there...

It's me and the redheads!  And Dad!  We were about 300 meters away, heading home from a cool adventure!  Walking adventures are even better than cookies, so Storm had a good point about posting these today!

That's all I've got for you this time!  Happy Serene Scenery Sunday!

Luv,
Dave

Happy x 2!

Hey everypup and everycat!  It's me again - Zim!  HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!  I hope your 2011 is filled with good health, lots of happiness, and many, many cool adventures!

So in addition to it being New Years Day... guess what else we have going on here?  My honorary birthday!!!  Since I was about a year and a half old when I adopted Dad and Mom back in July of '01, they picked TODAY to celebrate my BIRTHDAY!  I'm 11 today!  Ha rooooo!

Swing by, if you can! There will be lots of fun walks:

Dave, Ammy, Storm and me out on a walk

And you know what comes after walks?

"Thanks, Mom."

That's right! Treat time! Let's try another one, too. (I could pose for snack-eating pix all day!)

The eyes have it!

Feel a little washed out? Then have some healthy, colorful snacks, too! How about one of my faves?

"YUMMERZ!  Are those frozen peas?!!?"

Frozen peas! Still frozen, if you please!

The celebration will be going all day - so stop by any time!

Play bows,
Zim - I'm 1-1 in 1-1!