“It’s okay,” I say to Bashi. He is on the grass in the backyard. “Get busy.” He cocks his head and heads for the brick patio. As a show-dog he has been trained to only “get busy” on the concrete square reserved for him at shows. It would be disastrous if he got busy on … Continue reading HOT DIGGITY-DOG

I wave good-bye to Trudy, our Papillons’ breeder, and feel panicked. Wait! I want to yell at her. I am not able to take good care of Bashi and Lily. I am not qualified or competent. I can’t follow all your rules! I can’t even remember them all! Wait!  “Ernest,” I say, “maybe we made … Continue reading Dogs Rule

The Papillons’ breeder, Trudy, parks her van in our driveway, and we carry Petco dog-stuff into Lily and Bashi’s designated room in their Forever Home. The human guest bed is still in their room but the south wall is ready for everything dog. Trudy plugs the “dog calmer” into the south wall socket. The Paps … Continue reading Settling In

The Papillon’s breeder, Trudy, parks her van in our driveway, and we carry Petco dog-stuff into Lily and Bashi’s designated room in their Forever Home. The human guest bed is still in their room but the south wall is ready for everything dog. Trudy plugs the “dog calmer” into the south wall socket. The Paps … Continue reading Papillons Move In

Dogs on Leashes Welcomed Here “My daughter made this little toy for Bashi and Lily so they will always have familiar scents around them,” Trudy tells us as she places a stuffed calico cat on our ottoman. Bashi sniffs it, mouths it and gives it to Lily, who sniffs it, drops it and walks into … Continue reading Petco

         Bashi                                                   Lily A full trimester! That’s how long we have to wait for Bashi and Lily to join our family. Both of them have to be neutered by Trudy’s veterinarian sister---the only vet she trusts because anesthesia in little pups is dangerous, and even with her sister’s expertise the Paps will … Continue reading D-DAY

Bashi, Asia, and Lily on quilt I made from Paps' bandannas. Money can’t buy happiness or Bashi and Lily until their “proposed” domicile is inspected, improved, and approved. Trudy, their conscientious breeder, arrives at our house with a briefcase and clipboard but no dogs. “Let’s check out the backyard first,” she tells us opening the … Continue reading Home Inspection