Stupid Human

Lady is not too fond of irresponsible humans with dogs who don't use their safety leash. This fluffy gray dog in our neighborhood barks at me often. Usually, the man uses the leash, but today, he let that dog run loose and he ran right for me. I looked like Dumbo the flying elephant as Lady tried to pull me out of his reach. She was NOT happy with that human. You may remember we have had a lot of vet bills due to dogs attacking me. She doesn't like anyone messing with her baby. She didn't scold me for barking back at him. He barked first. The man didn't even apologize!! Stupid human.
We had guests for the weekend -two young ladies from the capital city. They loved our cool weather. A bunch of ladies came over Saturday for a training. They drew on each other's hands with henna. Good snacks, too. Lady took the girls sightseeing. They rode horses and yaks and taxis. I stayed home. The girls left this morning only to come back when their train was cancelled due to a landslide. They left after lunch to catch their second train four hours away. We had another bunch f neighborhood ladies here today. They made jewelry. The baby from downstairs came for awhile but she distracted her mom so that she left. I tried to entertain her, but she wanted my toys. She has a whole basketful to play with. I a not allowed to play with hers. Don't worry, I was a good boy. We had sun today, which was nice after all the rain. I've been a muddy boy. 

Holy Cow!

Our high temperatures don't see 70 degrees anymore. The humidity is high. Our clothes won't dry. I climbed a rock pile, took care of business, and couldn't get back down. Lady had to rescue me. Then, I didn't feel like walking back home, so I wagged my happy mete, planted my paws firmly, and batted my baby browns, signalling Lady to pick me up and give me a ride home. 

Last night as I walked Lady, two cows had forgotten to go home before dark. The white one turned around when she saw me and headed for me. Jerry took off running, and Lady and I didn't hesitate too long either! Cows go after small kids and short dogs. We always have to dodge their poop. They are holy here, considered the mother of all life because people drink their milk to live. And other reasons, but that is the main one. The cows have the right of way here. Hey, I yield. Indian cows have a distinctive hump on them. Their horns go every which way. There's a big caramel-colored bull in our 'hood we call "Rock Star," but we haven't seen him lately. He is a big beefy guy who thinks he owns the road. Well, I guess he does here. All cars yield to the cows.

 

Lady took this up in the mountains. 

Highjacked

No, not me. My e-mail address:littledogmarley@hotmail.com. I am so sorry if you have received some bogus ads apparently from me. Hey, I am not salesman, so you know I didn't send that stuff, but I know it is annoying. Lady wiped out all the contacts on my list in hotmail so that maybe you will stop getting them. I write here. I write back from my email. If you email me, I will write you back, with Lady's help of course. My nails get stuck in the keys. I won't let her trim them. Uh-uh. No way.
I do love to read your comments and get e-mail, so do write me.
The high today was 62. I wore my Pooh coat tonight because I start to ache in this chilly weather. The sun was hiding today. Lady put her suitcases away so maybe she is sticking around for awhile. She says we're having more company though. I hope they bring treats.

Full House

I was right about that suitcase -Lady took off again, but she's back. I helped Jerry paint while she was gone. She brought that baby and her parents with her. We had dinner, then the power went out. That's always fun. Lady was afraid someone would step on me. So we went for a walk, and guess what? LOTS of humans had the same idea. Nothing else to do.
Lady said she had a great time in Apple Country but she came home with lots of insect bites. I licked some for her. I am not so sure she appreciated it.

I've Got Mail!!!!

What a day! First, my Lady comes home, and then I get mail! I got not one but TWO cards from kids in Florida, USA. Lady got one. Vannette wrote me and asked me if I like to play outside. You bet, Vanette! Of course, I am not allowed to play outside without my harness and leash. I can play on the balcony without them though! Thank you for praying for me, Vannette.I love the horsey card.

Karsyn doesn't like to read but is very good at math. She wants to inspect bones when she grows up, or perhaps be a detective. Thanks for writing me Karsyn, and tell your brother Ethan hello for me. Aunty Marilyn, please tell Buddy Boy hello. Lady wants to thank Lauren, age 6, for writing her, too!! 

Lady unpacked two suitcases, but only put away the big one. Uh-oh.

Lady's Home!!

This morning my happy meter was wagging off the scale because Lady came home! She road in a taxi all night to get home to me! There are two major holidays in India these days, so trains, planes, and buses were full. Lady said she passed buses with people crowded on the top in the luggage racks!! I cleaned her face really well, lavishing her with kisses. She brought her suitcases in and I got really excited! Lady ALWAYS brings me something. Grandma sent me Slim Jim Beef Jerky which Lady didn't let me open myself -she fed me a piece at a time! Grandma also sent me a new squeaky toy. I rooted around in her suitcase looking for other stuff, but she whisked some stuff away and hid them.

 Of course, I unwrapped it myself.

Publish Post

Thanks, Grandma! I love my gifts! Lady gave me a Beggin' Bacon strip! yum! More to come!

Back at Home

Well, I am back from my vacation at the Children's home. The kids brought me back home to Jerry. I think she missed me. Lady's not here -I looked. She is still in the US with her mommy and daddy. But still, it's good to be in my own home. Aunty didn't give me the right dog chow. I wouldn't eat it until she added real chicken and rice!! I've got her trained! She even fixes me chapatti's, a flat read like a tortilla only made with wheat flour. I know, because I watch her carefully as she makes them.
Lady always brings me surprises when she comes home. I wonder what she'll bring me?

Lady's in the US!

I heard from Lady. She's with her mom and dad in the US. She misses me terribly. I'll miss her when I see her. I am getting lots of attention here. Lady is having a good time with her family and friends. I will give her a big greeting when she comes home to me. Thanks for remembering me!!

Back in the Children's Home

Yep. She put me in the Home on Monday, but guess what? She came back and picked me up today, Wednesday! I was so happy to see her so soon! She's leaving again tomorrow morning, so I have to return to the Home, but I have tonight. Lady said she just couldn't stay here even one night without her baby -that's me. We had a nice pizza dinner. She left all my stuff at the home, but I don't need anything. She's got the big suitcase out, so I know it is going to be a long trip. Aunty Prabha is taking care of me until Jerry gets back next week. Then I can come back to my house and stay with Jerry until Lady comes home. Jerry doesn't let me sleep with her, but she fixes a bed for me right beside hers.
Well, I better help Lady get ready for tomorrow's trip! I wonder what she'll bring me????

New Sweater

Rae, from Apple Country, finished my sweater. She took my old one home in Dec. for measurement, so I've been waiting for a long time. I like it. Lady says I look like a bee.
Lady's got her big suitcase out and she's packed it. I know what that means. I remember the first time she got out the big suitcase. I dragged my blankie and crawled inside. Lady cried. She left me for six months. She says she won't be gone that long, but that's what she said in January when she went to Thailand for three to four weeks and came back two months later. It has something to do with a visa. I don't need a visa when I travel but I do need special papers. And to make matters worse, Jerry is packing her bag, too. Lady didn't get my sky kennel down so I guess I am not going. Uh oh. Guess I am headed for the Children's Home again. At least this time my back is not hurting.

Chicken!

Sorry I haven't posted lately. Lady has guests here and has been too busy to help me with the computer. I am not allowed to use the computer without supervision. My nails get stuck in the keys, and I can't use the mouse.
One nice thing about guests is that I usually get meat! Aunty L. sent me some chicken last night. Okay, she sent it to Jerry and she shared! I love Jerry. She's a carnivore like me. But, she did buy me the wrong dog chow. I eat meat and rice flavor and she bought puppy chicken. I tossed it back up. Lady mixed it in with my regular but I still don't like it. Chicken helps.
I see the suitcase out again. That means Lady is going on a trip. I don't see mine out, which means I am not. This morning the neighborhood ladies are coming. Most of them like me. I am a good host. These ladies learn from Lady and then cook. Sometimes I get a taste, and sometimes not.
Our high today is only 69. The cool damp weather has bothered me some in the mornings. The forecast is for rain all week. Oh boy.

Lady's Home!

Lady went to the capital city to meet some American humans coming to visit. Two ladies are staying with us. The men are staying at the YMCA. Lady brought me a new baby. I promptly chewed it's nose off. I love it. I found it in her bag. I always check to see if she brought something for me. She was walking kind of funny. She hurt her back. Jerry made chocolate cream pie and that made Lady feel better -that and the dark chocolate m & M's the Americans brought her! She doesn't share her chocolate with me, or anyone for that matter.

The best part -these guys played tug-of-war with me!

Just Lady and Me

Deborah's gone. Jerry's gone, but she'll be back. Just Lady and me. Lady was gone most of the day, so it was just me. When she returned, I gave her the most enthusiastic and warm welcome! At least it didn't storm while she was gone. I took her for a walk, then we had dinner in front of the TV. Lady had been up on the ridge getting ready for some American friends who are fixin' to come. Now, there's thunder. Woke me up. So, might as well write my blog cuz I can't sleep. Nope, I can see the lightning through the window. I hide under the blanket but I can still see it and I shake. I don't like thunderstorms.
Rain, rain you can stay,
But send the thunder and lightning away!
Just Lady and me. I kinda like that.

Fixin'

We're always fixin' to do something. Lady tells Jerry, "We're fixin' to go out." If she cooks, she says, "we're fixin' to eat." Lady is always fixin' to do something or go somewhere. "I'm fixin' to plan for the Children's Home kids." Me? I'm fixin' to take a nap, fixin' to chase flies, fixin' to love the stuffin's out of my baby, fixin' to eat, scold that big yellow lab marking my gate, fixin' to take a nap, fixin' to snack, fixin' to lie in a sunbeam, fixin' to go to bed, fixin' to chase birds on the balcony, fixin' to water plants and fertilize trees, fixin' to nap...
Hey! I got to Skype with my Uncle Floyd and Aunt Virginia as well as Grandma and Grandpa last night! They have been to see me in China and South India, and they are coming again!! Yippee! hey gave Lady some real good news for Deborah, who is fixin' to leave early Monday. They collected some money for Deborah's tuition! Praise the Lord!! Deborah has one more year for her MDiv before she returns to her home country of Myanmar, next March. She has stayed with us for two summers. She took care of me for a couple of months when Lady was in the US. I lived in the girls' dorm! Fun! Until one of the girls left the gate open and I ran out and took on a big street dog. He bit me on the neck and on the ear. Five trips to the vet for after-bite shots and I was good to go. I will miss her. She eats meat.
Well, I am fixin' to go find a sunbeam in which to bask.

Babysitting

I love babies! My little buddy Wyatt came today. Lady, the baby's parents, and our other American friends had to go to a funeral. One of their close Indian friend's mom died yesterday. In India, they have the funeral really fast because they don't embalm. Christians bury but Hindus cremate. Lady told me. Yesterday, the men went to see the family. The lady was on a cot. She's with Jesus now, so it was just her body lying on that cot. People came and put flowers on the body. Today, they went to the service at the big church on the ridge. It was in Hindi, but otherwise pretty much like funerals in Lady's country. The open coffin was in the front. The lady was wrapped in white cloth with a veil over her face and cotton in her mouth. There was no eulogy. Lots of pastors came because she is a pastor's wife and a pastor's mother. They carried the coffin out and drove her to the cemetery. Lady and her friends took taxis to get there. They put the casket on a slab and said prayers and sang songs. They sprayed floral spray in the casket. Several people came and did that. Then, they carried the casket to the hole and sang some more and prayed some more. Oh, and they cried a lot. Then, they not so carefully put her casket in the hole. All the people threw rocks and dirt on the box. Then, they threw flowers onto the fresh dirt. Lady and her friends said their good-byes and left.
The baby is teething. He only slept a half hour at a time. He played with Jerry and was so cute though. She thought he was hungry but he wasn't -his gums hurt him. I tried to distract him.
Bless his little heart. He likes me.

Two Things I Hate

I hate balloons. They scare me. They float around and look scary, and they make awful noises when they pop. They make my fur stand up. I really don't like them. That's why Lady decorates for my party with paper balloons. Balloons make me shake.
I hate thunderstorms. They're loud and very scary. The lightning frightens me. I hide. Thunderstorms make me shake.

Yesterday, I got the double whammy. Lady had a "Welcome Back" party for Kira and Ezra, who used to live in this house. All the kids in the neighborhood came. Lady blew up balloons and they had sword fights. I hid under Christy's skirt. They popped the balloons, and waved them around. I survived the party without biting anybody but I sure wanted to. I am friends with most of these kids but altogether they are a bit overwhelming. It's a strain to be so good and not snap.
Then the storm came. I hadn't stopped shaking from being terrorized by short humans. Oh, the stress. The power went out so Lady and I hit the sack early (for her, not me). The power came back on, but we just stayed where it was warm and safe.

 Me running to get some food that dropped. I am on clean-up duty. Don't worry -no chocolate.

Attempted Kidnapping

You're not going to believe what happened this morning! Lady came just in the nick of time to save my baby, the one Jerry gave me for my birthday! What? You thought it was me being kidnapped? Nope. Who were the baby snatchers? Two monkeys. I was out on our balcony watching the world go by with my newest baby. I told Lady friendlies were here. She thought someone was at the door, but I was facing the balcony and not barking. There were two monkeys sitting there, and one was holding onto my baby! The screen door was open because I had just been out there. Lady told them in her very firm authoritative voice (she is a teacher, you know) to drop it! They did, and ran to our other balcony. Lady saved the day! She is most concerned that they don't bite me. And she doesn't want them running loose in our house! 

 The culprits trying to make a getaway.

 Sitting on our balcony.

Monkeys are very very populous in our city, and common in the 'hood, but we don't want them in our house! They bite and steal. Bad monkey!

Chilly Dog

We had another storm last night. I shook all night. The temperature dropped to 48 and only a high of 70 today. Very nice in the sun, but I had to wear my Pooh Coat. I was aching. This is when my arthritis kicks in and hurts me. Lady got my heater out again so I could warm up.
I gotta tell you a funny story. One of Lady's friends came to visit this morning. Lady gave her cake and tea. She gave me some of my dog treats that Aunty Lindsey gave me for my birthday. Then, Lady received a phone call and left the room. After her guest left, Jerry told Lady what happened. After she finished her cake, she reached into my baggie and ate my doggie treats! The nerve! She ate my cookies! Jerry was laughing and had to go in the kitchen. When she stopped, she pointed to the writing on the baggie that clearly says that they are MY COOKIES!! She told Jerry not to tell Lady, but of course, she did. This is not the first time Lady's guests have eaten my biscuits. I have my own jar with MY photo on it and MY name on it, yet still humans reach in and eat my treats!  Lady teaches me to share but she usually means with the poor dogs. Aunty Lindsey, your doggie cookies are a hit!

If it's not one thing...

I gave Lady a good scare last night. And I don't mean the "AHHHHHHH!!!!" kind. I mean the "Marley, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" kind. I was just lying on the mattress, and crying. Lady thought I was dreaming so she tried to wake me up. But I wasn't dreaming. I was hurting. She thought maybe my tummy was upset and tried to get me up to go outside. I cried and wouldn't put any weight on my left front leg. She carried me outside and I just hobbled around on 3 legs, and wouldn't take care of business. I just headed for our gate. She gave me a feel better pill. Two hours later, I walked on all fours. I got one of my nails caught in the carpet when I was digging to America, and it hurt. I'm fine now.
My tummy is still not right. Lady has a time trying to get the medicine in me. I am better though. We'll check with the doctor tomorrow.

Taking Medicine

In my last post, I told you about Lady's challenge with trying to get the nasty tasting medicine in me. That was when she didn't know it was nasty. I don't have an appetite. This morning, she praised me for taking my medicine. What? I just had pancakes with syrup and plain yogurt. And after dinner, she said I was a good boy. I didn't eat quite all of my pizza, but she said I ate enough. We had house church and dinner here tonight. Everyone had their own pizzas.

Lady didn't see any blood in my poop. Thanks for praying for me. 

I wonder what she'll feed me tomorrow. If she tries to put that stuff on my chow, I will not even go near it. Lady knows that. I trained her well.