New Adventures

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  The weekend is here ...

"I love this part of the trail!"

... and there are all kinds of cool, new adventures just waiting for you out there!

Have a great one!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Finally Friday

Greetings and hello, everyone!  Mags and Cam here.  It's finally Friday - have you made your weekend plans yet?

"Mom's right there."
"Got it.  Look innocent."

Yeah. We were trying to schedule a few things, but someone kept interrupting our meetings!

Have a great weekend!

Mags and Cam!

Surprises

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cam.  This morning, while Maggie was out with our dad on a nice, long walk, I decided Mom and I should get some exercise, too.  We started down our street, then I turned up the hill toward the water tower - that part surprised Mom!

We took our time and checked everything out - there are all kinds of interesting things along the way!

"Oooh!  Give me a sec, Mom!"

I didn't just smell all the neighborhood pups, I smelled deer and coyotes and all kinds of things!

We had a great surprise when we got up to the water tower!  Check this out:

"GASP!  Mom, look!"

That's not just a polite gentleman and a well-behaved pup waiting for us to pass --- it's my dad and Maggie!!!  What great timing!

They continued toward us and "someone" went into stalker mode:

"She'll never see me coming like this ..."

I think she learned that slinky thing from her BFF Chelsea the Border Collie.

Anyway, we play bowed and greeted each other, did a little bobbing and weaving,  then decided to walk home together.

"What a wonderful walk, huh, Mom?"
"Full of happy surprises, Cam!!"

Happy surprises, indeed!  I especially loved running into Mags and my dad!  Thanks for coming with us!

Cammie!

Wordless Wednesday

Cammie!

Longer Trail Walk

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Over the weekend, I took Mom on another long walk.  You know -- "a tired biped is a good biped" and all that!  Anyway ... we headed up the hills to the Hudson Trail.  I thought the sky and sunrise looked especially pretty:

"Oooh, dig that sunrise, Mom!"

I thought I should hop up on the chunk of limestone up ahead!

"Hang on - let me do my serious face!"

I was hoping for something more dignified.  Mom took another shot:

Me!  Polargold's Margaret Thatcher

Totally the look I was going for!

We walked a leg of the trail we frequently take, then instead of doubling back or looping around through the neighborhood, I proposed something else!

"Let's head up this hill!"

It's the last leg of the trail that's paved and it's tons of fun!  It has LOTS of hills; I know my mom loves walking hills!  Here are a couple action shots:

Eventually, we got to where the paved part ends and the dirt part starts.  It was SUPER muddy and I thought it would be a blast to walk that part!  Mom seemed to disagree.  Fair enough, since it would have meant me getting a b-a-t-h when we got home.

Sometimes, there are horses in the field to my left.  I looked for them:

"Horse friends?!?  Are you out there?"

They must have been in the house.  Maybe still in bed -- it was early.

Anyway, it was a great walk and tired Mom out pretty well.  I don't remember her getting into any mischief, at least.  Of course, I was kind of tired myself, so I'm not 100% sure ...

Thanks for coming with us!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

The Far Side Of The World

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  Over the weekend, I walked Mom all the way to the Far Side Of The World.  Or at least the far side of the park.  Whatever.  Anyway ... Mom asked me to pose by the CiCo Park concrete sign to commemorate the occasion.  Check it out:

"Anybody out here?"

I didn't see anybody - it was very disappointing.  Without Mom even asking me, I struck a pose on the southeast corner of the park:

"Ha roo, people of the far side of the park!"

I still didn't see anyone, but I'd hate to offend, in case someone WAS out there!

We powered over the Trippy Trap Bridge:

No gruff Billy Goats or Trolls were seen, but it was still fun!

Once we got past the park and to a big intersection, Mom gave me the choice of which way to go -- the flat way or the uphill way.  Ha!

"C'mon, Mom!"

Always choose the uphill route -- always!!!  Besides, it's a prettier route.

Those trees have so many cool smells and there are all kinds of interesting things about that rock wall!

"See, Mom?  Wasn't the uphill choice the right one?!?"

It was so fun going to the far side of the park and up that one hill!  Thanks for coming along with us!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Serene Scenery Sunday

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cammie!  The most serene shots we took this week come from this morning's walk!  Here are Maggie and me, heading out:

"Hold up, Mags!  Someone left a message here!"
"OK, Cam!"

The sunrise was really beautiful!

It would be better if our neighbors would move their houses out of the way, but we don't think that will happen any time soon.

And here we are, almost back at Ao4 HQs:

"Almost home, Cam-a-roo!"
"What a nice walk!"

Nothing exciting happened, it just was a very serene walk - we enjoyed getting out together!

Have a wonderful day!

Cammie!

Weekend!!!

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cammie.  The weekend is finally here ...

"Oh, yeah!"
"Deal 'em out, Mom!"

... I hope there are some special treats in store for you!!!

Cammie!

Another Day, Another Adventure!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Another stellar walk with my mom this morning!  We took an extra-long route, celebrating the temperature being just barely above 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  We included the Kansas Ocean, Cam's favorite hill to go up, and a stretch of the Hudson Trail.

We had tons of fun - there was goose poop by the KSO, I met what I think was a Leonberger (very handsome!) on the trail, saw a couple other pups in their yards ... and then ... let me just ask you this!  What do you think this is?

"BOOM!"

"That'll teach you!!!"

Give up?  It's the last time that bag will sneak up on anybody on the west side of this town, that's what that is!  HA!  It was chasing us, so I pounced on it and shredded it!  (Then Mom policed it up for some reason.)

Keeping this town safe, one errant bag at a time.  What a great morning!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Morning Walk

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  I took my mom on a GREAT walk this morning!  The windchill was hovering just over zero degrees Fahrenheit, there was a slight breeze going, and we got a dusting of snow overnight!  It.  Was.  Awesome!

When we headed down Hudson Trail, Mom decided she was warmed up enough to take off her glove and shoot a couple photos.  Unfortunately, her brain must have been as frozen as her fingers - no photos!  She did manage to shoot a short video, though!  Take a look:

If that doesn't play, please click here to watch on YouTube.

We had a great time!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Wordless Wednesday

Cam and Mags!

Mom & Me Time

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Every day, Cam and I try to spend some "one on one" time with Mom.  This morning was pretty cold and windy, so I thought what better way to spend my "Mom & Me" time than to take her for a nice long walk!?!

We headed out and eventually went past the fire house:

"Ha roo, fire people!!!"

We looped around and hit the Kansas Ocean.  I decided to strike a pose; I know Mom appreciates that kind of thing.

"You owe me a cookie when we get home."
"No problem, Mags."

Mom gave me my choice on where to go next; I chose to go up the water tower trail:

"There's always something interesting up here!"

It's a great route - and when you get almost to the top, there's an awesome view!  Check it out:

"Awesome view, huh, Mom?!?"
"It's beautiful, Mags!"

We had a great time together!  Do you treat your people to one-on-one time?  I hope so - and I hope you enjoy it as much as Cam and I do!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

TV Show Review - The Brokenwood Mysteries

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Today, I have my "TV Critic" hat on, here to review another program for you.  Or is that "programme"?

We just finished watching the most recent season of The Brokenwood Mysteries, a murder-mystery show set in New Zealand.  I really like this show - my favorite character might just be Dr. Gina Kadinsky, the pathologist from Vladivostok, Russia. She is played by Romanian actress Cristina Serban Ionda. She adds a lot of dry humor to the show.

In one of the episodes of Season 6, however, hands down, my favorite character was Willie.

"I'll bet Willie has this thing solved already!"

Willie is played by Logan.  Did I mention he's a Corgi? Scroll down a bit in this article for a photo of him with the show's star Neill Rea.  He gave a great performance!

The storylines hold my interest, the scenery is beautiful, and the music is really interesting - New Zealand country and alternative.

"I don't normally like country music, but I like this for some odd reason ..."

I give The Brokenwood Mysteries four paws up.  We watch via Acorn TV, in case you want to check it out!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Sunday Stare-Down

Hello, everyone.  It's me, Cammie.  The other day, we had a package delivered.  Maggie and I know there are treats in there for us.

"Open the box, Mom!  O-pen the box!!!"

"Did someone say BOX?!?"

I think we should be able to win this staring contest - don't you?

Cammie!

Siberian Lamentations

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  We've had some lovely weather lately - a little snow WITHOUT ice -- OK, without much ice -- sub-zero windchills ... it's been great! And now ...

"They say it's going to hit 50 degrees today, Cam."
"I know. I watched Lola the Weather Dog on KSNT the other night."
"I think this means our snow is toast."
"Yeah ... I think so, Mags."

I know. It's a sad, sad situation.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

EDITOR'S NOTE:  The views expressed by certain Siberians do not necessarily reflect those of everyone residing at Ao4 Headquarters.

Share Some Love

Greetings and hello, everyone!  Mags and Cam here.  Today is Valentine's Day - be sure to spread some love!  We have another morning with sub-zero wind chills, so we're sharing the love by doing a lot of snuggling!

"I love you, Cammie!"
"I love you, too, Maggie!"

How are you spreading love today?

Mags and Cam!

Mug Shots?

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  My dad took these photos of me while we were out on our walk yesterday morning.

He and Mom think they look like mug shots.  

See what I have to put up with around here?

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Wordless Wednesday

Mags and Cam!

I'm A Winner!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  Frequent readers of the Ao4 Digest will no doubt remember that I am a power chewer.  It's one of my super powers.  I can totally destroy even the "toughest", most "chew proof" toys out there.  There are a couple exceptions, notably my Pickles and my Goughnuts toys -- they are my "leave down all the time" toys.  One or two others are OK, but really, if I wanted to, they'd be toast.  Anyway, our mom follows KONG on FaceBook and they threw out a challenge -- basically, show us your mega-chewers!

Mom entered me and guess what?  I'm one of the lucky winners!  The wonderful people at KONG sent me a KONG X2, their new toy for mega-chewers!!!

"Look, Mags!"
"Lemme give this thing a run!"

It was SUPER nice of the KONG people to send me one -- and a huge one at that!  Mom listed my weight and breed on the entry, so I'm not sure why they sent the size for 60-90 pound pups.  Maybe they were just that impressed with my skills!  (She also had to send pix of toys I've had my way with.)  For the record, I'm a bit under 40 pounds.  I just didn't want any confusion there.

I gave it a taste ...

"Mmm!"

... then set about chewing.

"It has a nice feel to it!"

I worked on that baby for at least half an hour, with Mom checking on me frequently, of course.  Here I am sinking my pearly whites into it:

"This is an awesome toy, Mom!"
"Mags ... I don't think you've even put a mark on it!  Yet."

"Wait.  Really?!?"

It was still in perfect condition!  I usually get chunks out in the first 5 minutes!  Check it out!

"See?!?  Look!"

Both me and my mom were amazed!  I've been chewing on it more and it's STILL looking great!

Many thanks to KONG for sending me the new X2!  And thank you for making a new toy I can add to my "leave down all the time" collection!!!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret "Jaws of Steel" Thatcher

DISCLAIMER:  We were not asked to do a review, but we did receive the toy free of charge from the KONG Company.  We wanted to do this post for my fellow mega-chewers -- it's a toy I can actually endorse!

Umm ...

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cammie!  I had a busy morning this morning with a routine vet appointment.  When I got home, we had lunch then went down to the Studio to help Mom with a special project for a while.  When we came upstairs ...

"Did you remember to do a blog post while I was gone this morning, Maggie?"
"Umm ..."

Oops.

Cammie!

Serene Siberian Sunday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  The other day, we had really cool-looking skies, so Cam and I thought we should take Mom outside to get some portrait work in.

"Hey, Cam.  Don't be too cooperative, OK?"

I mean ... not to be critical, but sometimes she really is way too cooperative!

"No problem, Mags.  I'm feeling very Siberian."

"Please, Cam?"
"No.  No, I won't come any closer, Mom."
"This is going swimmingly well!"

"How's that for being Siberian?"
"AWESOME, Cam!"

"Thank you.  Thank you very much!"
"We're like rock stars!!!"

I think Mom got good shots!  There is nothing that says the models have to look AT the camera - right?  

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher