Our Latest Vet Visits, Part 1

Hi everypuppy and everycat. It's me - Ammy! Zimmie and I each had to go to the vet's recently for our Senior Care appointments. (You can go to this link, if you'd like, for Stormy's run-down on how that goes, plus she hyperlinks back to other posts that fill you in on the whole ordeal.) Now that the appointments are a couple weeks behind us, I'll fill you in - today, I'll cover mine.

There's always this one big puppy at the vet. I usually try to spend a couple minutes with him; he looks so lonely! Here we are:

"You DO know the door to get out is right here, don't you?"

He's in the vestibule - sort of a mini room before the big Admissions area. He never has anything to say. Poor guy must be scared stiff. Frankly, I wasn't too thrilled, either.

When I got into the exam room, though, I found one of my favorite things - a table to hide under! Since it wasn't MY dining room table, I felt a little funny, but it did help me feel more like myself. Here's a collage:

If you could see me, you'd know I'm under the table. Feeling funny.

My student was a very nice guy from Japan named James. He was kind and gentle and very friendly. Even though I didn't want to, I was very cooperative for him. He let me take breaks throughout the appointment and hide under the table. That helped a lot.

Stormy gave me some acting lessons at the Stormy Zoluschka Kryschtal School of Siberian Studies and I tried to remember everything she taught me about vet visits. She said if they touch your tummy or anything, to squeak real loud, and they'll back off a bit. Unfortunately, it's like Mom is on to us - I heard her ask James how familiar he is with Siberians and to expect a little drama and that she'd let him know the difference between "acting" and "pain". Hrumph! I couldn't rattle him at all! Mom was just all calm and said, "Acting... Acting... Yep, acting." I gave up and let him just do what he needed to do. Sigh.

I even stood still and let Beth, one of our Vet Techs, do my nails -- without any drama or trying to walk away or anything. Yes, I cooperated. But I WASN'T happy about it. Here's a collage:

"Sigh..."

I'm not sure, but I think James was laughing at me.

Oh - you may have noticed the quilt. Because we have a lot of things we need to stand around for - like pretty lengthy eye exams and letting them draw blood and do all kinds of stuff - Mom brings a quilt for us, so we don't slip on the floor as much. It also helps us feel more relaxed for the laying down parts. Mom brought one of our toys for me, too; she thought that during my break times, I would relax on the quilt and maybe de-stuff the stuffy. Here's what I thought of that:

"Hrumph."

All-in-all, it went OK. I'm a tad under weight again; we're working on that.

On my way out, I met a Great Dane who was VERY nice! She was black and white and we got to touch nosies. I think the two of us could have been really good friends!

I'll tell you all about Zimmie's appointment in a couple days.

Do any of you try acting at the vet's? Does it work?

Love,

Ammy

Photo Finish Friday

Tail wags, dear readers! It's me, Stormy, here with Photo Finish Friday, the day where we showcase some of the better or at least more profound photos we've allowed our mom to take of us throughout the week. Today's captures are of each of the four of us out on our deck, enjoying a cool, peaceful morning.

Here I am, surveying the neighborhood:

Me - Storms

Here's Ammy, with an eye to the northwest:

Yams - checking the skies for her next forecast, no doubt

Here's Dave, enjoying the view:

"I wonder if the neighbors are growing watermelons in their garden..."

It was a wonderful, quiet morning, full of fresh, crisp smells, a tiny bit of a breeze, birdies singing their songs, and ... well ... here's Zimmie:

"Oh... yeah...."

A beautiful morning, indeed!

Tail wags,

Storms

Musings From the Meteorologist

Hi everypuppy and everycat, it's me - Amber! We've had some mighty wicked thunderstorms and tornadoes and stuff in our area lately, and as our resident meteorologist, it's up to me to keep an eye to the sky and warn everyone about impending bad weather. As some of you may remember, I also teach a class at the Stormy Zoluschka Kryschtal School of Siberian Studies; my best student is Zim and I've been trying to get him trained up as my assistant! I went out with him the other day to do a little extra training.

Here's Zim, checking the skies:

"Wowzers, would you look at that!"

Hmm. I'm not sure how professional "wowzers" is, but I do love his enthusiasm!

"Yeah, Am. Check it out. Osletto's over in the garden."

He might need a bit more training. I decided to check things out for myself:

"The worst of it should skirt around to our south-east..."

I knew we'd get lots more rain... some thunder and lightning... but no tornadoes or hail or anything. (For a funny look at how huge the hail was just south of us in Wichita, please click here.) And then it hit me. If we were going to get lots more rain ...

"Hmmm..."

...and I was sure we would... that's no time to give a Siberian a b-a-t-h! I think Mom's going to have to put that whole "precursor" thing on hold.

"Isn't that a shame?"

Remember to keep an eye to the sky, everyone! You never know what you might see ... and what it might help you get out of. Hee hee hee...

Love,

Ammy

Wordless Wednesday

Play bows,

Zim

"Precursor"?

Hi everypuppy and everycat! It's me, Ammy!!! Guess who got combed and brushed the other day?

Oh, I know what you're thinking! "Ammy! Brushes and combs are EVIL! How could you sit there smiling?!!?"

Well... Davy had a bath not too long ago... and Zimmie had a bath not that long ago... and Stormy had a bath just yesterday...

All of us out on the deck yesterday, helping Stormy dry off

But me? I just got brushed!

"Hee hee hee!"

Umm... does anyone know what "precursor" means?!?

Love,
Ammy

Extended "Family" Members

Tail wags, dear readers! It's me - Stormy. On yesterday's post, Dave had a thoughtful inquiry from our wonderful friend Angus Mhor. He said his mom was asking about our bats!

Let me fill our newer readers in...

"Here's the scoop!"

For many years now, we've had a bat who makes his home hanging on the underside of our upper deck. We've named him Bart and he seems to come back year after year. (You can follow the hyperlinks for the bigger story!) Last year, he hung out just like previous years, then the exciting thing was that he seemed to have a girlfriend!!! We were really happy for him - especially since Bart alone can eat 1,200 mosquito-sized insects per hour. Think of all the bugs the happy couple could have chowed down on! But alas, she left him. Or as Ammy said, it seemed to be a "one day stand". One "day". Ha roo roo roo... you know... because he's nocturnal. Oh, that Amber!

We hadn't mentioned Bart this year, so it was mighty sweet of Angus' mom to ask after him! He is indeed back! Dave sent Mom out to see about getting a photo of Bart - and here's what she got:

"Good eeeeeven--HEY! It's the middle of the afternoon!

What's a guy got to do to get a little shut-eye around here?!?!"

Sorry, Bart. The paparazzi are everywhere!

Anyway, as you can see, he's doing quite well! We truly appreciate you asking after him, Mom-o-Angus! AND we appreciate Bart eating all those mosquitoes!!!

Bart's not the only extended family member I'd like to tell you about today, though! Guess who's got big news?

"Somebunny's had a baby!"

That's right! It would appear that Oswald and Mrs. Lapin have had a little one. Let me introduce you to Osletto!

"Hello."

He's a little shy. Except around me and Zimmie. C'mon, little one! I'll make sure no one hurts you!

Osletto

He's growing like crazy! He lives under one of the bushes in our front yard. Zim and I make sure to check on him when we go out. He's smaller than my stuffed puppy!

I hope you enjoyed meeting our extended family members! We're glad they're here!

Tail wags,

Storms

Serene Scenery Sunday

Woo, everypup and everycat. Dave here, with Serene Scenery Sunday. When I take a nap on Zim's bed ... err...

I mean... When I'm on Guard Duty in the bedroom, I like to think back over all the pretty things I've seen lately. You know - just to get in the right state of mind. Clear my head. That sort of thing. Storm thought it would make for a good Serene Scenery Sunday post, so here goes!

When I was playing with Squeaky Fish the other day, Mom got all excited about some petunias we saw under the deck:

Volunteer Petunias

She was excited because she hadn't planted them - they just showed up! When Mom's happy, I'm happy - so there you go! Besides, I like the color!

Know what else is in that purply-pink family? Our Purple Emperor Sedum. Here's a look at some of those:

Purple Emperor Sedum

Aren't they cool? I hear we're going to be transplanting some of them when it cools down. I wonder if I'll get to help dig the holes?!?

We also had some really pretty, colorful, serene sunsets this week.

6 SEP 10 sunset

Aren't the colors rich?!?! Here's a look at the sky just a little bit later:

Oh, yeah! I think those images will put me in the right frame of mind for ...

...Guard Duty. Yeah. That's it. Guard Dutyzzzzzzzz......

Luv,
Dave

September 11th, 2010

We at Ao4 HQs will never forget what the Islamic Terrorists did to our country nine years ago today.

The Twin Towers in New York City...

The Pentagon...

In the skies over Shanksville, Pennsylvania...

We will never forget what these terrorists have done to our nation, nor will we forget what the members of our Armed Forces continue to do for our nation.

May God bless America ~

The Army of Four

Photo Finish Friday

Woo, everypup and everycat! It's me - Dave - here with Photo Finish Friday. I know Zim told you yesterday that we'd show you more pix of us out on the deck ...

"What's Zim doing over there?"

... and that's OK stuff ... but you know what I think makes for a better photo op?!?!?

You know what I'm thinking, don't you?!? That's right - Squeaky Fish time!!!

Me & Squeaky Fish

That's a collage of me and Squeaky Fish after a great play session! Know what's even better than that?

"Oh boy, oh boy, oh BOY!!!"

That's right ...

Squeaky Fish and Squeaky Tennis Ball

... me and Squeaky Fish and my Squeaky Tennis Ball after a play session! Oh, that makes me soooooo hap-- well, since it's Photo Finish Friday, it makes me like this:

Please pardon the grass on my tongue...

Happy (Photo Finish) Friday, everyone!

Luv,

Dave

Decked Out

Ha roo, pups and cool cats. It's me - Zim! Two things before I get started with today's post!

Number one: Thanks for all the sweet words on yesterday's post! That pic was me enjoying a breeze during a recent trip to the Kansas Ocean. I really wish you all could have been there - it was incredible!

Number two: Sorry we haven't been visiting your blogs as much lately. There is a lot going on here and we are only allowed to use Apple products if Mom is here helping. We're trying to get caught up! Bear with us? (Amber insisted I insert that hyperlink...)

So, anyway, speaking of Ammy... now that it's not as hot as it was, we're all getting to spend more time outside! The other morning, after Am and I walked Dad and Storm and Dave walked Mom, I was taking a little siesta in the bedroom when I heard Am calling me. Oh, sure, Mom and Dad had been calling too, but you know how that goes. I got up to see what was up with my sis.

"Hey, Zimmie! Come on! We're all out on the deck!"

"Hey, Yammer!"

Mom and Dad were having coffee, so the four of us stood watch for them. Here's a little collage of me out there on Guard Duty:

Yeah, I know. It's VERY hard work!

One of the cool things about being decked out is that you just never know what you're going to see out there! That morning, we saw a Chinook from Fort Riley flying just over the ridge line. Check it out!

Chinook!

Mom didn't see it at first, but Dad and I pointed it out. She didn't get a picture of Dad, but here I am:

"Over there, Mom!"

"Ha roo roo roo!"

I love being decked out! We'll share more pix later of the rest of the Ao4 out there!

Play bows,
Zim

Wordless Wednesday

Play bows,
Zim

What Day Was It?!!?

Woo, everypup and everycat! It's me, Dave! Do you know what yesterday was? No... I don't mean No Labor Day.

"Wait for it, friends!"

Yesterday was ...

"SQUEAKY FISH DAY!!!"

That's right! Squeaky Fish and I played...

...and played...

...and played! Squeaky Fish almost took a header off the wall under the Amur Maples once, but I saved him!

"Gotcha, Squeaky Fish!"

It was a scary moment, but it worked out OK!

Squeaky Fish also took a little wrong turn into the garden by the upper gate, but I was real careful in there and got Squeaky Fish to safety.

"Come on, Squeaky Fish!"

Since it was pretty toasty out (in the 90s), Squeaky Fish and I helped Mom wash the lower deck off after our yard time; we both enjoyed splashing around a little bit! It was so much fun! I wish all of you could have been here!

Luv,

Dave

PS: For those who might wonder about the leash... our neighbors to the south now have a couple cats and some kittens who come into our yard a lot. Mom doesn't want me to ... umm ... escort the little guys out of here, so the leash is there as a safety thing.