I Think We ARE In Kansas!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  This morning, before heading out on our walk, Mom checked and rechecked the radar a bunch of times.  We were supposed to get storms starting at about 4 in the morning, but they decided to go to Kansas City instead of here.  There's more to do there, so I totally understand.  Anyway, seeing nothing on the radar, we headed out!

"There might not be anything on radar, but it doesn't look real good out there."
"Yeah, Mom."
"Uhh... maybe it's just a little mist..."

We kept going.  Mom can be as stubborn as a Siberian Hu---oh.  Never mind.

When we were about 2 miles out, Mom decided to do a short video of the conditions.

To view on YouTube, please click here.

I think Dorothy and Toto would have headed home.  But us?  There was no lightning in our immediate area, so we kept going!

"Hey, look!  Work Zone!"
"That must be for us.  You know - since we're Working Breed pups!"

There was no one working in the Work Zone other than us, so we powered on through.  We were just picking up speed when ...

"Hey!  What are these things?"
"Speed bumps!  Everybody slow down!"
"I think we're OK, Mags..."

Hey. Safety first -- right?!!?

Anyway, we got a good walk in, and even though Mom looked like a cold drowned rat by the time we got home, I think she enjoyed herself.  I know Ragnar and I did!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Serene Scenery Sunday

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  Maggie told you yesterday about us having quite the raucous storm in the morning.  There were two pieces of good news that came from that -- three, actually:

     Number one, the one I almost didn't count, is that we REALLY needed the rain!

     Number two, once the lightning was past us, we got to go for a totally fun walk in the pouring rain!  Mags and I did lots of splishin' and splashin'!  We also did that thing where we'd stop right beside Mom and do the shake-shake.  That's really fun!  Anyway ...

     Number three, it brought a COLD FRONT with it!  Not like totally cold, but this morning we not only got to sleep in a tiny bit, but it was only about 70℉ while we were walking!  The skies were really pretty, so that brings us to today's Serene Scenery Sunday -- the Morning Skies edition!

This is what it looked like when we got started on our walk:

Isn't that cool?!? Mom tried to get a photo of us with that in the background, but ...

"C'mon, everybody!  Let's get going!"
"Hey!  What's this over here?!?"

Oops.

When we crossed the big street, Mom took this quick shot:

By the time we got to the far side of the park, the skies had changed, but were still really pretty!  Take a look:

"Oooh, check it out, Raggi!"
"So pretty, Mags!"

For those who may be wondering, yes, we were walking in the middle of the street.  Something about "avoiding acorns".  Quite possibly cicadas and dried worms, too, but you didn't hear ANY of that from me.  Besides, it's Serene Scenery Sunday!

Have a great one!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Riding The Storm Out

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  Since before we got up today, we've been having a big thunderstorm.  And do you know what thunder means?

"Yeah, yeah.  Not going anywhere for a while.  We might as well ..."
"Zzz ...."

Yep.  Might as well catch some more Zs!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Photo Finish Friday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Today, Ragnar and I have an assortment of photos for you that were taken over the past week.  The best of the best!  The cream of the crop!  The ... whatever.  Anyway, let's start off with some sunrise pix!

Here we are on Tuesday morning:

Me and Ragnar

That was in CiCo Park. Mom asked Dad to hold our leashes while she took a couple shots of some sunflowers, then turned around and BOOM! Oh. Not my kind of BOOM, but ... you know.  With a camera.

This is us at the water tower the next morning:

If Ragnar and I ever cut an album or a CD, this will be our cover art.
Hat tip to the cartoonist for the idea. 

And here we are later on in that walk:

Ragnar and me walking into the sunrise

In case anyone is wondering if we like our walks, I gave Mom this look on our walk yesterday:

"Hi, Mom!!!"
"Oh, my Maggie!!!  💜💜💜"

Right after that, I BOOMED Ragnar. VERY enjoyable. No photos - apparently holding two leashes, a poop bag, and an iPhone was a bit too much. Go figure.

In addition to our walks, of course we're helping in the Studio in the afternoons as Raggi mentioned the other day. Mom asked us to pose for a photo after a grueling afternoon's work:

Me and Ragnar, Working Breed dogs!

I was doing my Serious Look and Ragnar was verging on doing a Head Tilt.

Speaking of the Studio, Mom was going through some new fabric this morning before she did her workout - stacking things in piles that she thought would "go" together. Then this happened:

"I like these, Mom!"

Our great-brother Dave was the one and only Guide Dog For The Color Blind, but Mom said Ragnar was pretty interested in her fabric choices! Hmmm!!!  We'll just have to see!

Anyway, that's our week in photos!  We hope yours was mighty enjoyable!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Thursday Doings

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  This morning, we went on a nice, long walk.  Fast-paced, too.  Here's an action shot:

We did Anneberg Park and some zig-zagging through neighborhoods, for over 5 miles. This afternoon, it's in the 90s. I know. Very hot. So to stay cool, we're now doing this:

To view on YouTube, please click here!

Mom thought we might be tired this afternoon.  It's like she doesn't even know us.

Yep. Just your average Thursday around here. What's everybody else up to?

Sköl!
Ragnar

Wordless Wednesday

Mags and Ragnar

Waiting

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  The other afternoon, we helped our mom downstairs in the Studio. After a while, she said it was time to come upstairs, so we came up.  Dad said he would be up in a bit -- he had been down there in the Office.

"Maggie.  Do you think he's coming?"
"Oh, trust me, Ragnar.  He'll be up in a couple of minutes."

And then, before we knew it ...

"Listen for footsteps!  He's about to open the door now, Ragnar!"
"Wow.  You're so smart, Mags!"

Maggie knows all kinds of cool stuff!  I'm learning so much from her!

Sköl!

Ragnar

In Synch

Greetings to all!  It's me,  Maggie!  This morning, Ragnar and I took our mom and dad on yet another nice, long walk.  Here we are, walking up into the hills:

"Check out the sunrise, Maggie!"
"Nice!  It's going to be a hot one today!"

We all did get pretty toasty before we got home.  Because our deck is on the west side of the house, it's nice and shady in the morning.  We decided to get some water and/or coffee, then head out there to relax for a bit!

Ragnar and I played for a while, then thought we'd do some Guard Duty.

"I think I see someone over here, Mags!"
"Nothing this way!"

Since it was all clear on my end, I thought I should help Ragnar.

"What do you think, Mags?"
"This calls for one thing, Raggi.  Are you with me?"

And then, because Ragnar totally gets me ...

Ragnar and me in a double plonk

I just love having a kid brother!  We're totally in synch with each other!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Serene Scenery Sunday

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  Mags and I took Mom and Dad on another wonderful walk this morning.  We went around the far side of CiCo Park, through neighborhoods, and down Hudson Trail.  When we got to the end, the sunlight was "just perfect", according to Mom, so she snapped a quick shot:

Me and Mags

Because it really WAS beautiful lighting, Dad took both leashes so Mom could step back and get a shot with the sunrise in the background.

"Hi, Dad!"
"Ha roo, Pops!"

Then Mom said she actually thought it would be nice if Maggie and I looked at the iPhone while she snapped the picture ... and maybe a smile?  Since it's Serene Scenery Sunday and all ...

"Sköl, Mom!"
"Cheers!"

Oh, I know.  But since it's Sunday and we really were feeling serene -- we thought we should do a nice pose!  

We hope you feel every bit as serene as we do!

Sköl!

Ragnar

A Different Drum

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  This morning, Ragnar and I took our mom and dad on our longest walk yet.  It was great fun!  Mom shot a lot of photos, so I thought I'd share some with you!  Ready to get going?  Get a good drink, and let's head out!

We started mighty early, and watched the sun coming up while we walked through Westbank.

"Pretty, huh?"
"Very nice, Mags!"

We looped through Sharingbrook, then waited to cross the big road!

"Wait until the man in the box says to go, Ragnar!"
"Got it, Mags!"

"OK!  Let's cross!"
"Let's go, everybody!"

Once in Anneberg Park, we hit the Perimeter Trail.

Me and Ragnar on the move!

We decided to take the bridge over Wildcat Creek.  Check out how cool this is:

"Check it out, Raggi!  Fog up ahead!"
"How cool!  It looks spooky!!!"

Oh.  Right.  We just watched a murder-mystery show from Iceland.  One of the character's names was Ragnar - and they called him "Raggi" for short.  I've been sort of trying that out on my brother to see if it works.  Anyway ... on the other side of the bridge ...

"Ooooh, look at that, Ragnar!"
"Maybe there are monsters or something out there!"

Sadly there were no monsters, but if there had been, we would have protected Mom and Dad.  Rest assured!

We explored the housing areas on the other side of the field quite a bit this morning!  There are all kinds of hills to go up and down.

"The sun's getting higher!"
"And hotter!"

Fortunately, not much hotter.  (It didn't get hot until after we got home.  It's almost like Dad and Mom planned it that way.)

Anyway, before we knew it, we spotted a potential friend up ahead!  We approached slowly, then went over to make friends.

"It's not real, you guys."
"Nah.  It's a Stone Pony."

It could have been real ... but it wasn't.  Too bad.  Just a Stone Pony.

Let's loop back through the park, then head home!

"What a great walk!  Fog, the possibility of monsters, and a Stone Pony.  Hey.  Stone Poneys!  Does anyone else have 'Different Drum' stuck in their heads now?"
" 'You and I travel to the beat of a diff'rent drum ...'  --oh, cats, Mags!"

Anyone else?  

Thanks for coming with us!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

The Scene Of The Grime

Hi everybody! It's me, Ragnar. There I was last night, when ...

"Oh.  Uhh... hi, Mom.  Mind if I get a quick shower before bedtime?"

I was just returning to the scene of the grime, as they say on all those detective shows Maggie likes to watch. Really.

Sköl!
Ragnar

What The Fluff?!?

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  So there we were this morning, being very good puppies, helping Mom and Dad get some road work in, when Mom said something about "doing something" when we got home.  She didn't say out loud exactly what she was talking about.  Frankly, it sounded sneaky, and that's never a good thing with our mom.

"This can only mean one thing for me and you, Ragnar."
"It could be something fun, Maggie!"

Yeah.  "Something fun."  Only if you consider a shower and a blow-dry "something fun"!

Anyway, I got my shower first, then sat out on the deck with our dad while Ragnar had his shower.  Mom decided to give me more time in the Kansas wind to get a little dry, and spent 10 minutes with Ragnar and the Master Blaster.  TEN MINUTES.  And he was dry!  That's a record, I think.

She used the Master Blaster on me for half an hour, then Ragnar came over to check on me.

"Sheesh, Mags!  You're still soaking wet!"
"I know.  Isn't it great?!?"

What can I say?  I have my daddy Juarez's thick, lovely coat!

"Keep that Master Blaster going, Mom!"

I have to admit - it sort of feels good to get all of the loose fur blown out!  Here's a short video of me in the fluff cycle:

To view on YouTube, please click here.

After an hour, Mom declared me "dry enough".  Ragnar and I posed for a quick shot out on the deck:

Polargold's Einherjar and me (Polargold's Margaret Thatcher) - looking mighty fluffy!

We did zoomies in the living room, then went out front for a portrait:

"Do we get cookies now, Mom?"
"Yes, Ragnar!  You were both VERY good puppies!!!"
"Yay, cookies!!!"

So ... it wasn't what I'd really call "fun", but it did feel good.  And now we're both super fluffy!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Wordless Wednesday

Ragnar and Mags

Kicking It Up

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  Now that Ragnar has perfected the "rest your chin on the crossbars of the chair" pose ...

"Hi, Maggie.  Hi, everybody!"

... I'm kicking things up a bit.  Taking things to the next level.  Check it out:

"Hey.  Check my leg out!"

I know! It's like a 9.9 on the difficulty scale, but I think Ragnar is ready for it. I'll keep you posted!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Throwing Her Off

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  This morning was really beautiful - we had a storm overnight that brought cooler weather while it was still early.  We decided to head up into Colbert Hills and go for a nice, long road march.  We would have done that regardless, but I'm just trying to paint a picture here.  It was nice out.

Anyway ... we were hiking along Grand Mère Parkway when ...

"Hey.  We should pose up on the walls into that subdivision!"
"I don't think Mom has treats, Mags."

What was she thinking?!?

"Good puppies!  Good sit!  Wait!  Now ... look this way!!!"
"I just don't know about this ..."
"How's this, Mom!??"

I mean ... did I mention Mom didn't have treats?  Then Maggie filled me in on another great Siberian lesson:  normally, it's "no cookie, no lookie", but it also pays to keep Mom guessing.  Throw her off guard every now and then.

"There's so much to learn, Mags."
"You're doing great, Ragnar.  Really.  Here ... let me give you a little smooch!"

"Aw, shucks, Maggie!"
"Hey.  You have kelp stuck in your teeth ..."

I have the sweetest, smartest big sister/mentor a guy could ask for, don't I?!?!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Serene Scenery Sunday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Once again this week, we thought we'd share a compilation of photos from a few different walks to help celebrate Serene Scenery Sunday.

Today, we had a delay due to lightning, but once we got going, we had a great, beautiful walk:

"Check it out, Ragnar!  Still a little cool air from the storm!"
"This is gr---BUNNY!"

Yeah.  There were also about 100 bunnies and 15,000 squirrels out!  We stared at each and every one of them!

Some days, we had gorgeous sunrises:

"Oooh!"
"Aaah!"

We walked the trail at Anneberg Park a couple times this week:

Me and Ragnar at Anneberg

And we also walked parts of Hudson Trail:

"If this doesn't make people feel serene, I don't know what would!"
"I'm feeling all kinds of serenity, Mags!"

You can probably tell by the looks on our faces how serene we are while out on our walks!  We hope our photos brought you a bit of that serenity, too!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher