Wrigley and the Cubs

Why Do Dogs Whine?

2011-10-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

Why do dogs whine? I am pretty sure my golden retriever whines because he knows that it drives us crazy. He whines for treats. He whines if we don't feed him enough. He whines when he wants to go on the morning walk and thinks we are going to sleep in instead. He whines every Saturday morning until he sees us getting ready to go out to breakfast....taking him along of course. He whines to go outside, then whines again to come back in!

If I get high blood pressure, it will because of my dog's whining. But, sometimes, I think he might be in pain or has a stomach ache, and I think I should feel sorry for him.

When my children used to whine, I knew exactly what to do and I would never have allowed that type of behavior, so why is it different with my dog? Am I getting soft...or lazy?

All I know, is that I could use the Dog Whisperer right now. I don't know how much more whining we can take around here!

Farewell, McShane

2009-04-17T10:43:00.010-07:00

Last night, the eldest dog member who attends our neighborhood nightly dog get-togethers, was put to sleep. For the past several months his health had been deteriorating quickly. His back paws curved under from arthritis and it was hard for him to hold up his backside. He had his days and nights mixed up and had numerous other problems. His Owners took great care of him and haven't had a full night's sleep in almost a year. But you would never know that he was hurting during the 30 minutes each night as we get all our dogs together to fetch tennis balls, Frisbees and run around on our "dog park" (golf course).

Mac was our elderly leader. All the younger pups greatly respected him and stayed out of his way. When he would start to collapse, Tucker, Petey and Wrigley would run over to check on him, then go back to playing. Mac shot them a look that said, " I can handle myself just fine, thank you." And besides, Mac was way too busy seeking dog treats from all the humans. His favorite treats came from Gretchen, but would beg from all us as he made his way to Gretchen.

We will miss this special dog. He reminded us to be our best each day, no matter what is ailing us or what predicament we have gotten ourselves into. Just like Mac, everyday, we must remember to pull ourselves up and search for what 'treat' we desire in this life.

Thanks, Mac.

Here is his final night for a "Cheers to Mac" with his dog and people friends who loved him so very much:

Mac

Wrigley and the Concrete Easter Bunny

2009-04-08T12:28:00.005-07:00

Poor ole Wrigley. What, with another holiday and holiday decorations, comes new fears and anxiety for our golden retriever puppy.

I placed this concrete bunny out on the ledge by the pool the other day. At first, Wrigley was scared of it. He growled at it and barked loudly to let the rabbit know who's boss around here.

Then, he got up close and noticed the little Easter basket sitting next to the big bunny.

I had placed two concrete lemons in the basket, mainly to keep the basket grounded and not swimming in the pool. But Wrigley, being the eternal optimist, wanted to investigate further to see if they were edible.

But his big ole block head got caught in the handle and he was not able to get his mouth on the lemons.

Wrigley and the Easter Bunny are now good friends. He likes to sit up there on the pool's ledge in the early mornings and soak up the sun together with his new friend.

Just wait to see what I have planned for the backyard for the Fourth of July! I think Wrigley will get a 'big bang' out of it!

First Baseball Crush of the Year

2009-02-28T14:00:00.004-07:00

Spring training games are underway and I already have my first crush of the year. Yes guys, that's what we do at the games...select who we will be following just a little closer than the other players.

His name is Michael Eugene Fontenot and never mind that he was born just days after I graduated from college! That's irrelevant. He plays for the Chicago Cubs, the best team this year! He's from Slidell, Louisiana and went to LSU for college. He's about my son Jon's height and my husband's weight so it all feels familiar. I think it's kind of cool that while he bats left, he throws with his right hand. And he apparently likes playing on Fridays, because yesterday he homered, tripled and drove in four runs to boot. Not bad.

You want a picture? Okay, here he is (on the left) messing around with Zambrano before the game:

Isn't he cute? And guess what his salary was in 2008? $405,000. I think he deserves a raise, for goodness sakes. Don't worry, I've got your back, Mike. I'll talk to the Chicago Cubs management for you.

See you next game...

Opening Day for Spring Training is Just Around the Corner

2009-02-24T14:37:00.007-07:00

I have just spent the remaining morning hours plastering my office walls with the schedules of spring training games around the Phoenix area. I am feeling all giddy and even though we never really had much of a winter to talk about, I have a severe case of spring fever. Spring training fever, that is.

My love for spring training season for baseball began many years ago in Vero Beach, Florida. I was living in Rochester, Minnesota at the time and had recently given birth to my first son, Andy. By March, I was so sick of below zero temperatures I yearned for the sun and a sidewalk that didn't need shoveling. Luckily for me, my parents and Grandmother "Mommom" had rented a place on the beach in Vero Beach, Florida for the month of March. They invited me or (maybe I begged them to invite me), I don't really recall. It does not matter now, as of course, I packed our bags and we headed down to the warm Florida sunshine. If I did nothing for the whole duration of the trip but lay out and swim in the ocean I would have been a happy camper. But this was not the plan my family members had in mind. Several afternoons a week, everyone would leave the beach, shower and put on a brightly-colored pair of shorts or skirt, a t-shirt top and a comfortable pair of flats. We drove inland to the spring training facility for the Los Angeles Dodgers. At the time, it was known as the top facility of its kind in the nation. And thousands of people would attend every game no matter who they were playing.

My parents lived in the Chicago area and liked the Cubs and Mommom was from Wilmington, Delaware and had been a Phillies fan all her life. Still, the Dodgers were in town, so that's who we watched in the spring. I liked the Cubs and baseball was just "okay" until I started attending these middle-of-the-day games in Vero Beach. It was fun to get a hot dog and a beer or soda and watch these amazing athletes run around the bases. No seat was bad and most made you feel like you were very close to these stars. We used to laugh at the kids (all ages!) trying to get their autographs. We were still facing the sun, and back then, working on your tan was very important. Going back to Minnesota not looking like a ghost was right up there with relaxing and seeing my family.

I grew to enjoy these games more and more. And my family continued to spend their springs in Vero Beach. Sometimes a big group of friends would all go to the games, resulting in lots of laughter and stories. A spring training game is one place where all ages can sit together and enjoy each other's company.

My parents moved to Vero Beach permanently and always supported the Dodgers. Years passed by and now Mommom and my Dad have passed away. My Mom still lives in Vero Beach with her husband, Ed. And sadly, the LA Dodgers have left the City that loved and supported them for so many years. They think they have moved to "greener pastures", to perhaps the next newest and best stadium, in Arizona. But I know they left behind so many wonderful fans with wonderful memories of watching a day game in Dodger Stadium. Vero Beach is left trying to pay for an empty stadium with no team to fill it. Vacationers are left with one less activity to fill their days. Do you think the Dodgers' management understand just how sad this move is to so many people? I kind of doubt it.

Today, I am sitting and mapping out which games I will attend. I thank my Mom, Dad and Mommom for giving me this happy memory and this love for spring training games. I am fortunate to be married to a man who loves baseball even more than I do. I just hope he can sneak out of the office once or twice to enjoy his beloved Cubs or the Giants that play in Scottsdale. Yes, spring training fever is raging and I know just the cure........

Chicago Cubs Move to Scottsdale for Spring Training (One Can Hope!)

2009-02-16T09:23:00.003-07:00

Word on the street is that the Chicago Cubs may not want to stay in their spring training home in Mesa, AZ. It's not that they don't fill the stadium for every single spring training game, but let's face it. Mesa? Not exactly a fun town. We all drive over there and curse on our way back (probably because we had to stay sober for the long drive home!).

So, I would like to propose my town for their new home that's truly worthy of hosting the Chicago Cubs:

Scottsdale

We have the best looking fans, the best restaurants and hotels around us. Just ask San Francisco. I know every town wants you and we all need the added revenue you bring. It would be hard to move, I am sure. Folks in Vero Beach will forever be mad at the LA Dodgers for up and moving to Arizona. They really had something special down there in Florida. Quite unlike Mesa.

Here's hoping that if the rumor is true that you take a look at Scottsdale. I will personally give you a tour!

Whining to the Love Sounds of the Humans

2009-02-14T14:02:00.004-07:00

"Are You Done Yet?"

Wrigley's started a new habit in our house. About four months ago, he started to sleep on the floor in our bedroom. He actually sleeps in the foyer area but it's open to the main area, about ten feet from the bed.

Wrigley is a very vocal dog. He sounds like he's whistling or whining and the tune is rather soulful sounding. I think it is in a minor key. Sometimes it rather cute to listen to and sometimes it can be very annoying. Up until recently, I thought he was making these sounds to get our attention. I use to think he was saying, "get off that flippin' computer and take me for a walk" or "I need more food, please". Now, I am not so sure.

This past week, every day we were in bed, doing human sexual things, he began to whine or whistle. I think he's trying to drown out the sounds of passion. Which is making us laugh. In fact, during one session when things got loud, Wrigley sat up and basically howled like a coyote right along with us. The minute we stopped, he stopped too. I guess you could say it's a threesome in a wholesome, empty nester sort of way.

Poor pup.

Number of Days Until the First Cubs Spring Training Game

2009-02-12T15:22:00.002-07:00

13 !

Who's counting, you say? Why, Wrigley and me of course. Tickets are available online. I wish they let golden retrievers in the lawn area, though. He would so enjoy the afternoon!

Now, you may not be aware of this fact, but this is going to be the year the Chicago Cubs win the World Series! Yes, you heard it here first!

The Eight Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts

2009-02-06T10:00:00.004-07:00

I doubt I will ever stray from the fact that there really are only eight perfect gifts to give your loved ones for Valentine's day. This is the one gift that is a serious commitment and should only be given if you have already discussed all the details about loving and caring for a new addition to your family. But, I guarantee, the recipient will not be unhappy with your selection. This is one gift most children ask for at some point in their lives, as evidenced in this letter:

Here's a picture of Wrigley when we first brought him home (around 8 weeks old). He would be playing one moment, then collapse on the hard wood floor, looking just like a tiny bear rug. Awwwhhhh!!

Even Dogs Celebrate the Presidential Inaugural 2009

2009-01-22T10:29:00.004-07:00

It was written in the newspapers that all across America people were getting together to celebrate freedom and the Presidential Inaugural ceremonies this past week. Well, our neighborhood was no different, except most of our guests had four legs and a tail!

We get together with our dogs almost every evening after the golfers have finished playing, only we don't usually have cocktails. After Tuesday evening, though, we may start bringing libations more often!

We have Eric Felten, writer for the Wall Street Journal's Food & Drink section to thank for Tuesday's buzz and Wednesday's hangovers for that matter. He wrote a fantastic article (Sat/Sun, Jan 17-18, p. W5), called 'Having a Ball at the Inauguration'. The story was about the crazy party with the American people at Andrew Jackson's Inauguration in 1829. There are some striking similarities between that inauguration and this one (read the article).

Anyway, he included a recipe of the Inaugural Orange Punch that got so many people drunk back in 1829, so I made up a batch to use at out little party. I also made a Barackatini from a recipe off the Internet, but it was not near as special as the punch.

The first cup was delicious! Here's to our 44th President! The dogs were busy roaming around and chasing tennis balls oblivious to the political process.

The second and third cups were even better! Yummy. One person had to go home and she put the wrong dog on her lease to leave. Poor Wrigley almost went to another person's home for a sleepover!

Discussion on the fourth and fifth cups of punch:

"You should post the recipe for this punch on your blog!"

"Good idea":

Inaugural Orange Punch

3 parts fresh orange juice

1 part fresh lemon juice ( I squeezed about 5 lemons for 1/2 and used Minute Maid Light Lemonade for the other 1/2)

1 part mulled orange syrup (see below)

1 part dark rum

1 part cognac

2 parts soda water

Combine in a punch bowl with a large block of ice. Serve in punch cups with a little crushed ice and give each glass a dash of Angostura bitters.

For the Mulled Orange Syrup:

Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water and heat to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Add the peel of an orange and mulling spices (a couple of cinnamon sticks, some whole cloves and allspice berries). After 15 minutes, remove form heat and let it sit for several hours, strain.

Finishing off the last cups in the punch bowl, some of us could have used this sign crossing the course to get back home with our pets:

I cannot think of a better way to celebrate, it's a new tradition in our house! Congratulations, Mr. Obama and special thanks to Eric!

I See Tears in His Eyes

2009-01-19T12:24:00.003-07:00

Wrigley is definitely going through the empty nest syndrome today. The last child left yesterday, heading back to college and I see actual tears and crying from Wrigley, our golden retriever. He keeps roaming the house, looking for someone to rough-house with or be pet or play ball, but no one is here...except me.

For the past three weeks, Wrigley has gotten nonstop attention from the kids and their friends. A lot of time, they would just lie around the house together, watching TV or listening to music. I think he is going to have a harder time adjusting than I am! Maybe, I should go pick up a special bone for him to chew or get him a new toy to destroy.

I keep telling him, it'll get better as the days go by and that at least Laura will be returning in four months for her summer break, but my words are falling on deaf ears. For Wrigley, each time we leave, he has no understanding whether we will back in 20 minutes or 4 months from now. Poor puppy.

Wrigley Delivers the Goods

2009-01-13T15:26:00.005-07:00

I know you are all waiting for an update on the findings in Wrigley's poo, so here goes:

Yesterday, his droppings included one earring stud minus the stone, a broken golf tee (the sharp end), a colorful beaded child's necklace and part of a shredded, red Tupperware top, oh and some noodles. No pink razor yet.

I'd like to put in on record that we do feed him dry dog food twice a day. He loves it; it takes all of 45 seconds for Wrigley to consume 2.5 cups of food each feeding. Still, who could resist a little sparkly jewelry for a midday snack? I think he's really going to miss Laura when she returns to college next week with all the yummy taste treats lying around in her room!

What Do Wrigley and the last Emperor of China Have in Common?

2009-01-08T11:25:00.005-07:00

Today is day two of our latest ordeal with Wrigley, our 16 month old golden retriever. (My husband caught him chewing a plastic razor from a bathroom trash can and the sharp razor part had already been swallowed). He is showing no signs of pain or discomfort but remember that this is the same dog that runs directly into stucco walls in the backyard without even a whimper.

He's had a steady diet of breads and rice that hopefully have coated the sharp edges of the razor as it slips through his 80-pound body. And although it's one of the most unpleasant things I do all day, I am checking his #2 droppings similar to how the servant/workers checked the bowel movements for the last Emperor of China. Don't you remember in the movie, they checked to see the color of his urine and the consistency of his poos and adjust his menu to "fix" or correct any problems? Here's the clip for the movie in case you forgotten it (the movie came out 10 years ago, so maybe you weren't even going to movies yet). The child actor was so adorable, but his life was pretty sad overall.

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/screenplay/vi2156855577/

Anyway, my careful examinations show me nothing unusual has passed through my puppy yet and it makes me wonder just how long this item is going to take to get through him. What if he's bleeding inside his intestines or someplace and we don't even know?! It's really kind of scary when you think about it........

..........Scary for me and the family, but Wrigley is oblivious. He's happy all the time. Every night, we head out to the golf course (we call it our dog park, FYI) and he runs for tennis balls, tackles his buddies and occasionally tromps through the sand traps (shhh! don't tell anyone).

Keep your fingers crossed that maybe tonight the razor will reveal itself and Wrigley is fine!

2009-01-06T14:29:00.003-07:00

Today, Wrigley got into a trash can and ate one of those plastic shavers. Not the whole thing, mind you. Just the razor part! Bill caught him seconds later and tried to grab down his throat to retrieve it, but to no avail. I tried, too.

We have given him some bread and rice and do not know what else to do but sit and pray that Wrigley will be okay. Wrigley is 15 months old and he has already eaten so many things that should not go through a puppy's system. Whole socks, baby back ribs bones and countless dog toy parts have made their way through this strong little (well, 80 pound) puppy.

Say a little prayer and keep your fingers crossed for Wrigley tonight!

Christmas Balls and Other Scary Holiday Items

2008-12-17T11:44:00.006-07:00

Wrigley has taken a liking to shiny Christmas ball ornaments. You know, the metal ones? Yes, he is trying to eat them. We've caught him with at least 5 now. I cannot imagine how bad they are for him, so we've removed them all from the tree. I tried to get a picture of him with one in his mouth before it broke, but I was too afraid it was going to crush in his mouth.

Holidays can be dangerous for pets, in general. First, you have plants such as the poinsettia that can make a dog very sick if he eats the stems and leaves. Then, you have all kinds of sweets and chocolates around the house that can make a dog very sick. Finally, your visiting guests may have medicines laying out by their beds that your dog might eat by accident and this could really make your dog ill.

When I was about 9 years old, my Dad's mom came to spend the Christmas Holiday with us. She would always stay in the guest bedroom and spread her stuff all over like she was going stay for a year or longer. As kids, June and me thought that would be great, but maybe my Mom had a different opinion on the subject.

Anyway, she would set out all her medicines (to this day, I have no idea what all the medicine was prescribed for) on the bedside table. It looked like a mini drugstore. Peaches, our poodle was just as fascinated as we were with the items on that table. Here is a picture of me and Peaches that same year (19_ _, oh, who really needs that date anyway):

I dragged all my dogs around like this and my sister and I probably stuck that silly bow in her hair. They never seemed to mind, though.

One afternoon, just several days before Christmas, Peaches got into our Grandmother's room because she forgot to keep her door closed and Peaches ate some of her medications. Poor dog, she began to throw up about 30 minutes later. I remember Mom yelling some words I was not familiar with and racing out the door to the vet's office. I thought she was never coming home.

About two hours later, Mom returned with a woozy, blurry-eyed dog. She told us that we all had to take turns walking Peaches, outside around the pool. The doctor wanted us to keep her awake throughout the night. She walked like a very drunk person and almost fell in the pool several times. By midnight, my sister and me would giggle about how funny she was acting, not realizing just how sick and scary this night was for our little dog.

Luckily, Peaches survived and really enjoyed her Christmas as I am pretty sure my sister and me never let her out of our sight and carried her around in our arms like she was our baby. Mom put the medicines up in the bathroom cabinet and watched her Mother-in-Law like a hawk for the remainder of her visit.

Let's all be sure to make this a happy and safe Holiday for our pets. They are all way too special not to be kept healthy and well taken care of, this holiday season.

The Life of a Dog Toy

2008-11-20T06:15:00.006-07:00

I have a theory about dog toys. It goes a little something like this:

The toys that the dogs like the best always have the shortest life span. The average life span of my golden retriever puppy's toys is 7 days. We spend so much money right now on dog toys that I am thinking about putting in a separate line item in the family budget labeled "dog toy allowance".

Take for example the mean green and white nylabone toy:

It hurts to pick it up much less chew it! The softer green part is hard for Wrigley's mouth to chew it without getting scratched on the two ends.

I don't think Wrigley would touch this toy even if I dipped it in juice from a steak! This toy's going to be around for a long time!

This round toy's been around for a month or two. It's soft but apparently doesn't taste good or is much fun to play with, but he does like to rest his head on it before taking his afternoon nap. It also works well for collecting dust and dog hair while being scooted on the wood floors!

The lifespan of the toys Wrigley really likes, all follow the same pattern. First, he's so excited to play with it and chew on it:

He's gentle with his touch and they are best buddies for hours, even days:

Then, something triggers the dog and all of a sudden there is increased aggression to the toy and the chewing becomes very intense:

From there, it just gets ugly. Here is a picture of last week's favorite toy (the inside parts are strewn all over the house or somewhere in Wrigley's stomach):

Poor little guy; didn't stand a chance:

The big red Kong toy is a hit, but only when it's filled with the Kong peanut butter:

The soccer ball pillow wasn't really a dog toy at all; it was off the bed of one of my son's bed. It lasted 3 days:

Of course tennis balls are fun if you throw them.

Tomorrow, I will head to my favorite pet store and choose some innocent victims, er, toys for Wrigley to enjoy, er, destroy.

Now it's your turn. Send me your recommendations of your dog's favorite toys in the comments. Thanks.

Knocking People Over is not Nice

2008-11-12T14:35:00.004-07:00

Wrigley is a perfect one-year old golden retriever, except for one very bad habit. You see, he's the kind of dog that loves people and interacting with them. He gets so excited that he jumps on the person and at 80 pounds, that can actually be dangerous...not just annoying. If he doesn't get a massive amount of attention from this person, he will lunge at them again.

My dog trainer told us how to turn around and ignore him, which actually works, but unfortunately, strangers and guests are not aware of this tactic. I've also tried distracting him with treats, but friendship trumps treats at this puppy age.

The other day, we were walking on the golf course behind our house and an innocent woman was taking her morning walk. Wrigley was off leash (shhh! don't tell!) and he spotted the woman and before I could say, "come Wrigley" he was tromping towards her. Then he proceeded to try to get her undivided attention by jumping up on her again. Apparently, she was having a bad day, and she barked at me! "Get a leash!"

I need each and everyone of you to give me their best advise because I cannot afford more dog training at this time and don't want to lose friends with this bad habit. To a golden retriever, everyone is either a friend or someone who is going to be a friend. I cannot change this part of his nature, nor do I wish to try. In fact, I wish more humans had this personality trait. But, it's time to stop this jumping ASAP.

Wrigley's Halloween Costume

2008-10-31T07:36:00.005-07:00

People do the craziest things to their dogs. The empty nest Mom can be the worst with our dogs as they often times are the "replacement child" in our lives. A friend of mine sent me these shots of dogs dressed in Halloween costumes and frankly, I think they are adorable.

The costumes seem to fit the personality of each dog so perfectly. Having seen these, I search for the perfect costume for my golden retriever. Which do you like best?

Wrigley is going as an obedient, well-trained puppy as he is staying with his trainer while we are off visiting Laura at her college parents' weekend. It's a hard outfit for him to wear, but he will look adorable as ever.

Happy Halloween. Don't let your dog get spooked by the fireworks and loud noises this holiday can bring. And chocolate is definitely a no-no. (Eat all of it yourself!)

Using a Shock Collar on Your Dog

2008-10-15T13:06:00.012-07:00

I look over in the corner of my little office and see Wrigley curled up sleeping the afternoon away while I am busing reading blogs and writing posts, and I think to myself, if anything ever happened to him I would be so upset.

Which brings me back to the decision of calling Altmoor to discuss the use of a shock collar for discipline. You see, we live on a golf course and they are kind enough to allow us to roam freely on the course before and after the golfers are playing. Wrigley has his gang of dog buddies that he romps and plays with daily. They really live the life! But the course also has many coyotes and a mountain lion every once and awhile and my puppy likes to take off and explore. Also, a busy road is just behind some large hedges and if he ever decided to take off in that direction, I fear he would be hit by a car. I have done some training and that works well most of the time. I am thinking for those emergency situations, the shock collar might come in handy.

It's a difficult decision, so maybe a poll will help me decide.....

Online Surveys & Market Research

Wrigley Reinvents the Game of Fetch

2008-10-11T15:03:00.010-07:00

Finally, Arizona is having a day when the wind blows it doesn't feel like a giant blow dryer is aimed at your face. Husband Bill is off for another fun-filled day at the office, so I decide to take Wrigley out for swim and maybe get some color. You can always tell the natives of Arizona as we are always one shade away from officially being called an albino. (Think: 'John McCain White'). I throw on my little green bikini that only the poor dog is allowed to see and we head out to the backyard.

I know...this picture looks like it should be from the movie 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas', the way it's positioned. I tried to reverse it and it wasn't any better. But this is pretty much what Wrigley's been up to since the demise of his beloved Chicago Cubs. He's watched one Red Sox game and a few innings of the Rays' game, but mostly, he lies upside-down, up against the wall in our hallway!

Beth: "Come on Wrigley, get up. Do you want to go swimming and fetch the tennis ball in the pool?"

Wrigley: Groan...(stretches and scratches the wall).

Beth: "Come on, I'll get in and swim with you!". This is special because when it's finally cool enough to layout, the temperature of the pool water is almost too cold to enjoy!

Wrigley gets up and saunters out the door acting as cool as can be. But he's a puppy and I know he's totally excited to jump in a fetch the tennis ball. Brrr, it is kinda cold, so we both swim a few laps to warm up. I throw the ball and he dutifully swims to get the ball. Yet, even though Wrigley is a golden retriever, he has no intention to returning the ball to me. He juts by me and swims to the steps. Now the real game begins. I lunge at him and try to get the ball. He starts running around the yard, around the furniture and up to the raised grassy area. I cut him off at the pass but just miss him. He's loving this game!

We live on a golf course and I look out and two of the maintenance guys are watching us and chuckling it up and I think to myself, don't laugh at the poor dog. I check to make sure the suit is still covering all the important private parts we Americans love to hide.

I capture him and he drops the ball for me. "What a good dog!" See, he's not dissing me it's just we play the game of fetch a little different than most people do. As Jen at Steenky Bee would say, "that's just how we roll".

I check for color..no lines yet. I try to lay still for more than a few minutes on the chaise but it's difficult. Wrigley heads to the rose bushes and decides to chew on a rock. One-year puppies do the darnest things. "Drop it," I say with master-like authority. He knows not to run around with a rock in his mouth so he obeys me but decides to join me on the chaise. Oh how I love that wet dog feel as he shades me from the sun. (He's probably worried that I might get skin cancer).

Time to call it a day. Wrigley's ready for his afternoon nap in the hallway.

Last Good Season for the Kitchen Chairs

2008-10-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Chicago Cubs get sweeped in 3 game series! I am in shock still. I have no words (at least that will be allowed on my blogger/Google agreement) to describe this miserable ending to what was supposed to be the best since 1908.

It was definitely a terrible ending to this most promising year for the Chicago Cubs. I go away for a few days to see my middle son at his College's Parents Weekend and we lose 3 games in a row and just like that...our season is over!

On days when I need to be away from the house and Wrigley is home alone I often leave the television on, especially when there is a Cubs game scheduled. He actually will sit and watch for long periods of time. However, it is not such a good idea when they are losing, because he starts to chew on the rungs of my kitchen chairs. This weekend proved to be disastrous for the Cubs and Wrigley was not at all happy.

The kitchen table and chairs were given to my Mom and Dad as a wedding present and then when I got married in 1980, they were passed down to me. The kitchen table is in good shape and may be able to be passed down another generation. The chairs, I am afraid, are not going to make it past Wrigley and the 2008 baseball season.

Laura and Beth Pick Chicago Cubs to Win the World Series

2008-10-01T19:54:00.007-07:00

My family has always been amazed at just how well my daughter does at selecting teams to win whether it be college basketball or professional baseball. We are amazed because she rarely pays attention to the games that were constantly on the television. She didn't collect baseball cards or study the stats of each player.

Her choices for who's to win are based on a complex system she devised when she was about 5 years old. First, what colors are the uniforms? Next, you must consider the level of cuteness of the team mascot. Finally, you throw in emotional ties to the team, such as if the team is located in the town where a favorite Aunt lives.

This unique system has crushed her two brothers, a step Father and me (Mom), all devoted sports fans. We know stats, history and know the current injuries of all the teams and use this information to create our choices. So, I thought as the division series for the NL and AL begin this week, I thought I would show you my selections versus Laura's selections with her compelling arguments for her decisions:

National League Division Series:

Beth: Cubs over Dodgers

Laura: Cubs over Dodgers (Cubs have the cute bear mascot and the Dodgers left Vero Beach where her Grandmother lives and that decision made Gran mad!)

Beth: Brewers over Phillies

Laura: Phillies over Brewers ( Laura's college is in Pennsylvania, only 2 hours away)

American League Division Series:

Beth: Red Sox over Angels

Laura: Red Sox over Angels (She loved the movie with Drew Barrymore and Aunt Aimee and Uncle Dave live in Boston)

Beth: Rays over White Sox

Laura: Rays over White Sox (She LOVES fish and marine biology)

National League Championship Series:

Beth: Cubs over Brewers

Laura: Cubs over Phillies (Hard one to call, but cute bear and the fact the her step Dad was a bat boy for the Cubs during spring training when he was little, trumps closeness to College connection)

American League Series:

Beth: Red Sox over Rays

Laura: Red Sox over Rays (Family ties wins out over love of fish, plus she likes the color Red better as this is one of the colors for her College)

World Series Championship Game:

Beth: Cubs over Red Sox

Laura: Cubs over Red Sox ("It's because of that 100 year thing that Bill is always talking about!")

Well, there you have it! We will just have to see how our predictions hold up in this very exciting year! The good news, we both ended up with the best Winner even though we came to our selections in a very different manner. Go Cubbies!

Special Dog Treat

2008-09-29T17:15:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was Wrigley's first birthday! And since I know no children around the nest anymore, I felt like making a big deal of this special day. Bill and me decided to take him up to Oak Creek Canyon in northern Arizona. Bill has been working so hard lately and we haven't gone hiking in quite a long time. We used to take our first golden retriever up hiking a lot. Hampton used to stay in the creeks until he was shaking to death, looking for fish to catch. He would get dirty running along the paths and then get all muddy running across the creek. The inside of the car was always a mess but it all seemed worth it. This was definitely a tradition we wanted to keep with our new golden puppy.

I thought about taking Hampton's ashes in the urn up to Oak Creek to spread over the water, but at the last moment I changed my mind. Hampton went back to Andy's old bedroom to "rest".

The puppy did well on the two hour car ride but was ready to get out and explore. We walked for a couple of miles and met up with a sexy little black lab named Sophia and Wrigley took a definite liking to this bitch who was many years his elder. They fetched a tennis ball and frolicked in the water. Once, we let him off the lease to roam around, but he took off on the path like a 'bat out of hell' (such a crazy saying!) and Bill had to go chase him up the hill.

After about four hours, we got back in the car and drove home. Wrigley nestled in the back seat and proceeded to fall asleep within minutes. He looked so content and peaceful, which made us think about Hampton. Hampton was a great dog. He died on back cancer when he was 11 years old. We still miss him and I have his picture on my cell phone.

As we got about ten miles from home, Bill said, "you know it was just about this time of year when Hampton died". I never remember dates like that. He then said, when we get home, I'll look at that picture on your phone to see what day he died. Well, there was a reason we ended up going on September 28 and not the 27th or 30th. You see, when we turned on my phone and checked the picture (taken just minutes before he was put to sleep) Hampton had died two years ago on the same day that our new puppy, Wrigley was born. It was not until this very afternoon that we knew this fact. We have truly been blessed by our pets and know they have enriched our lives so much.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly

2008-09-22T11:03:00.003-07:00

The emotions ran the full gamut this weekend all because of three different teams I happen to enjoy following.

First the Good:

The Chicago Cubs cliched the National League Central Title! Only one other time in the Cubbies history have they achieved this title two years or more in a row, back in 1906-08. This is the first step on our way to winning this year's World Series and it could not have happened to a nicer group of guys. We were at a tailgate (see below) when we heard the good news. Everyone around started hooting and hollering and screaming, "Go Cubs". This is really 'America's Favorite Baseball Team' now and (almost) everyone would love to see this team go all the way. (The picture above is my daughter and my puppy, Wrigley, both big fans of the Cubs). IT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

Now the Bad:

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Green Bay Packers, 27-16. This just isn't supposed to happen. I hated that the Cowboys won at Lambeau field. What makes this so bad to me is that it feels like the Cowboys are taking the status of 'America's Favorite Football Team' back from the Packers and that me very unhappy. Even if you've never frozen your butt off in Green Bay or watched season after season of Favre supreme quarterback madness, you probably secretly wanted to be a cheese head and own one of those cheese head hats. And, I am old enough to remember when everyone loved the Cowboys and those idiotic cheerleader costumes. (Back then, I loved the Washington Redskins, so the Cowboys were never on my fave list). Let's hope this love affair does not come to fruition.

And Finally the Ugly:

You guessed it: Arizona State University loses to Georgia 27-10. This was supposed to be like the game many years back when we were not supposed to beat Nebraska, but we did. We jumped the fence and pulled down the goal posts (not my finest moment), and it was fun. Having just lost to UNLV last week, all loyal ASU fans thought it must have been a fluke. Now, we do not know what to think. But, sitting out in 100+ degree weather, tailgating and looking like sweaty pigs is not my idea of fun. One interesting comment: leave it to the gorgeous Georgia female fans, they looked fabulous and I don't think they were even sweating. Unfair.

Woman's Thighs Resembles Water Balloon in Video

2008-09-10T18:20:00.002-07:00

My friend Susie sent this video to me and said, "The dog drinking water was cool...blah, blah, blah. What I found
most intriguing was the water balloon sequence while the credits were running. That balloon eerily resembles my thighs. Who new"!!?....

She's hysterical.

Cardinal and Brewer Fans Quick to Predict Cubs Fate due to Zambrano's Injury

2008-09-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

Apparently the Chicago Cubs are doomed all because of yesterday's MRI results for Carlos Zambrano. The test has concluded that he does have a right rotator cuff tendinitis and inflammation. And true, for this weekend's game in Cincinnati, Carlos will be replaced by Sean Marshall. For sure he'll miss that start and the whole town of St. Louis is already praying that he isn't throwing yet for the game coming up on Wednesday. But, Jim Hendry, General Manager for the Cubs is anticipating that Carlos will start the series with Houston. What the Brewer and Cardinal fans fail to understand is that a little pain and injury is not going to deter the Cubs from winning the World Series at this historic 100 year anniversary.

Carlos will take his little shot of medicine and have the doctors take all kind of precautions to reduce the inflammation and he'll be just fine. The history books and the movie (I hope) will remember this bump towards the championship as a minor incident. I can see it now, in the movie, the Brewer fans are all sitting in Steve's on Bluemound (a cool local bar) all giddy and cheerful that now they have a real chance and they make toasts to Zambrano for helping out their weaker team, but then the music changes. The group looks up on the television that's located above the bar and who do they see walking out to the pitchers mound, but Zambrano himself. There is no indication that he is favoring his right leg at all. He goes on to win the game and stays in to the 7th Inning and the group drowns the sorrow in the beer.

You see when destiny is involved, no rotator cuff tendinitis or painful inflammation is going to get in the way of winning for the Chicago Cubs. I suggest Cardinal and Brewer fans to be careful what they say and how they act for the rest of the season as it just might become act three in next summer's blockbuster movie.

Talk on Presidential Politics just like Cubs vs Cardinals talk

2008-09-04T06:09:00.001-07:00

Some of the nastiest, vile discussions take place everyday online and on you tube videos about the Cubs versus the Cardinals. The rivalry between the two teams is fierce. No one really hears what the other side is saying and nothing positive could possibly be said about the other team for fear of retribution from other fans. The same can be said for the discussions taking place regarding this year's Presidential elections.

The you-tube examples I wanted to insert here would clearly violate my blogger agreement to their terms and conditions of decency and proper content, but trust me you can find them yourselves. Actually, if I was clever like zsasz2969 with making you-tube videos, I would take one of the Cubs/Cardinals ranting videos out there and put in their place, pictures of the silly CNN news anchors like Campbell Brown or Jack Cafferty. It would be hilarious.

It's the beginning of September and I'm already getting miffed over being treated like some dumb moron that can't understand policies and party platforms and the reality of compromise politics needed to get anything approved in Congress, no matter what your stand was before elected. Miffed isn't a strong enough word; more like I'm mad as hell! Even uneducated people who have little access to books and the internet probably hate being talked down to. (Okay, let's see, one candidate will give me change and the other will have experience...hmmm). Candidiates, please have some respect for the American public you will be working for!

(INSERT Scream)

As far as the discussion between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals, it's a no brainer.... Cubs win. Go Cubbies!

I Have a Slobber Dog

2008-09-01T06:00:00.002-07:00

Early on, we realized that Wrigley was going to be what we lovingly call a “slobber dog”. You know the type; always drooling around the mouth. It’s most prevalent when he’s around other dogs, food or people; in other words, most all the time.

At nine months old, we took Wrigley to stay with his Breeder and Mom while we hosted a graduation party for my daughter in our backyard. My sister came out for the party and when we picked him up, the breeder proceeded to tell us that he slobbers a lot and that she’s always glad when the dogs she selects to keep aren’t one of the slobber-type dogs.

During my last visit to the veterinarian’s office, I asked the assistant if there was anything we can do to curb this slobber problem, like Botox or a medicine, and she looked at me like I was nuts. I think the problem is getting better as he matures. And maybe it’ll be better now that he’s been neutered. Does anyone out there have a slobber dog and have any suggestions or ideas to help Wrigley with his slobber problem?

Puppies and College Tailgate Parties

2008-08-30T13:16:00.004-07:00

Tonight is the first game of the season for Arizona State University. We are playing Northern Arizona so we better win this game. Football fans everywhere are filled with hopes and promise that this year will be a winning season. ASU should have a good year and I am so excited that it's football season again.

Okay, my excitement really has to do with with more than just the game of football. My favorite part is the tailgate parties. We have several great friends that we meet up with and bring food and drink to share. ASU tailgate people are a little crazy as the temperature is often 100 degrees and there is no breeze! Every year we discuss putting misters on our tent and talk about getting an AC fan, but never really get around to purchasing them. But we are okay because the beer is cold and the wine is good and the food is delicious.

Last year, we brought our golden retriever, Wrigley, into the family during football season and were not comfortable leaving him for so long. So, we decided to bring him to the tailgate party and I stayed out with him and listened to the game on the radio. He was a very popular with the students and other tailgaters! I think our husbands enjoyed the female students who flocked around this adorable, tiny puppy! He enjoyed stealing a hot dog from a child in the group next to us. I loved watching my children and our puppy play together. My daughter took Wrigley up for a picture with the team's mascot, Sparky.

I do not know if we will be bringing Wrigley along to the tailgate parties this year, seeing that he now weighs 80 pounds. But this will be one memory I'll remember for a long time.

GO ASU! Beat NAU!

“George Will, Wrigley and the Chicago Cubs”

2008-08-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Maybe you’ve read on my blog about my fascination with George Will. Well, to add to this, I have come to learn that he loves the Chicago Cubs. I find it interesting that there’s this connection of a sort with me, my dog and George (Mr. Will seems so formal!).

My favorite GW quote on the subject: “Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal”.

The Humility of Getting Neutered

2008-08-18T12:05:00.001-07:00

"It wasn't enough to take away my manhood, so now you place this plastic, Elizabethan collar on my head, making me look like some kind of deranged flower.

I should be able to to lick my deflated privates until the area is red and raw if I so chose.

Aaughh!"

Dog Day Afternoon

2008-08-15T16:42:00.005-07:00

Wrigley had his operation about five hours ago and since we have been home, nothing has been accomplished. I think it is perfectly acceptable to sit on the floor with your dog all afternoon on the day he has been neutered.

Wrigley is getting Neutered!

2008-08-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

Wrigley is enjoying his last few days before he gets neutered. Of course, he’s really just enjoying these few days without any knowledge of what’s in store for him. That’s the joy (or the demise) of being a suburban house dog.

As a pet owner, we make all the important decisions for them and even if we “discuss” these decisions with our pets, we do it in a language they do not understand. Some of these decisions are necessary (“time to get your toe nails clipped”), some are optional (“you get to spend time at the boarder’s home while we frolic on the beach for a few days”) and worst of all is the heavy-hearted decision whether your pet should be put down (“would you like a piece of salmon before you get put to sleep?”)

A man came up to me last week at Kashman’s Place, an outdoor café that allows dogs, where Bill and me were sitting with Wrigley. He was admiring how beautiful the dog’s coat was and what a perfect shaped head he had, when I blurted out that Wrigley was scheduled to go in for his neuter operation this month. The man frowned at me and said, “You should at least let him a little fun before you cut off his ability to have some attractive offspring!” WELL, how the heck do I do that? Do I let him loose on the streets of North Scottsdale some evening, free to roam and find some babe to hump and do the dirty? Do I call a friend and ask her to bring her dog for a “play-date”, only tell her this is really more of a real date? Or, do I tell our breeder (who actually has the rights to his offspring) that we would like to let Wrigley have the experience of fornicating once before he gets neutered?

I think I will obsess about this for the next seven days, right up to the drive to the veterinarian’s office. Meanwhile, Wrigley is happily chewing on a small tree branch that has fallen from the tree just outside of my office.

“Reasons why Wrigley could be the Cubs Physical Mascot”:

2008-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

1)He looks a lot like a young bear cub.

2) He loves hot dogs. We use hot dogs to train our dog to sit, drop, crawl and "wait-sit" (has to be said as one word or else it doesn’t work!);

3) Unlike Billy the goat, he doesn’t stink. I take him to this little boutique pet store and they wash and fluff him up and he comes back smelling awesome. (He doesn’t care that you might be calling him a sissy right now because he doesn’t mind going and getting nonstop doggie treats!)

4) I would never put a curse on the Cubbies if Wrigley and me were asked to leave the ballpark for any reason. We would just go somewhere, get a hot dog or two and watch the game somewhere outside the park.

5) I think Wrigley (our dog) and Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers would get along great!

“Wrigley and the Chicago Cubs”

2008-08-06T06:00:00.003-07:00

Wrigley was born on Sept 26, 2007. He is a golden retriever that already weighs 80 pounds. There is something very special about this dog. We knew that from the minute we brought him home. It was apparent to all of us in the family that he would be different and at that moment we thought that maybe he could bring some extra luck and hopes for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series pendant this year. For non-fans, it’s been 100 years since the Cubs won the World Series. It’s long overdue.

My husband was a bat boy in the 1970’s when they played their spring training games in Scottsdale and has been an avid fan ever since. I lived my junior high and high school years in a suburb outside Chicago and have always loved the Cubs, too. So, the name for our new dog seemed perfect.

On opening day for the Cubs at Wrigley field, I turned on the television and I could not believe my eyes! Wrigley sat still for close to two hours (something of a miracle in itself) and actually watched the game. The Cubs won. And they continue to win.

Neighbors have started to mention that maybe Wrigley is the reason for the team’s success. Our neighbor who has two fantastic Golden retrievers, lovingly call Wrigley the ‘Second Coming of Christ’. (He is so handsome!) At the local breakfast place that we take Wrigley to almost every Saturday, people are starting to talk about how he must be good luck for the baseball team. We say, we hope so and continue to follow the team winning game after game.

I want to go online and find a Cubs dog bandanna. No luck so far. If anyone knows a place where I can purchase one of these, please let me know! When I find one, I’ll take his picture.

More on this as the season progresses!