Ta Ta Oh Six

Yep that's me and my pal ..otherwise known as the floozy boozers or the boozy floozies ..take yer pick . Anyhoo for the first time since about 1979 I am going to a New Year's bash at the Day's Inn . I am sure I forget how to dance but if the chicken dance comes on I think I could cluck my way through that one . My Dad says he is gonna start a cong(o)a line . His sweetheart and my father are a danceholics so I hope that I can master a few moves from the greats . As for auld lang syne time I have the essentials - lipgloss , breath spray and mentos ..cause you never know . Feel free to post any hangover remedies and see y'all in 2007 .

Little Miss Sunshine

That is the name of a movie that my Dad and Martha ,N@ and I watched last night . I recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a cute little feel good movie .The little girl in it reminds me of my own little Miss Sunshine who left @ noon back to her radio life in Montreal .Like N@, I hate good byes so you will see no pictures here of me slobbering and hugging onto my kid's carry on through customs .Something about adieu makes me wanna cry a river . On a bright note , N@ said I could visit soon and see the new condo ..is next week okay?
"I don't know why you say goodbye ..I say hello ."

Merry Christmas

....." and on earth peace , goodwill toward men ."

* O Holy Night *

" It is the night of our dear savior's birth ". You are looking at a hand carved nativity given to me many years ago by a dear friend of mine who was a missionary nun in Madagascar and later in Rwanda . Every year I find a special place in my home for the precious figurines and remember the kind person who thought of that gift for me. Christmas Eve has many different traditions as there are cultures and families on earth but inside each of us is the need for the simple gifts of love and hope . May your soul feel that tonight as you honour and remember a tiny baby born away in a manger on one night divine . Always ..the reason for the season .

Dear Santa ,

I am 5 months old now and have been a good girl most of the time . I play nice with my brother Redford the cat and have only ate a teensy tiny bit of my Ma's old slipper . I never bark much and I love everybody and show them my belly . I would like a pair of black lace panties and a chew bone .I would leave you milk and cookies but I would eat it myself .
Love & Kibbles ,
Karma

Home for the Holidays

Joy to the world !
She's here !!! Happy Holidays to you and yours from Ma & the Donut Gang ! xxxooo

" It's the most wonderful time of the year ..

..when loved ones are near ..".. The best gift for me is sitting on her butt right now eating plane snax and probably chatting away to some stranger like she has known them forever and a day . There is not a stranger around who cannot smile when they meet my Nattypants . She is just that kind of person . We will be at the airport with bells on and one of the dogs ( True ) but she doesnt know that part yet unless she is somewhere sneaking a net peek on her new lap top . Nobody can make me laugh like my N@. Santa has let me have her for 31 Christmases and I am so blessed . So be of good cheer ..its the most wonderful time of the year .

Shea

Shea is a copper coloured male orange Persian kitten . He is 3 months old now and the cutest most cuddly ball of fluff you could ever see . His family has had him for several months now and I met the little mischief maker on Sunday . You just cannot help but love him but it brought a thought to my mind of how many people out there think that pets are such a unique gift at Christmastime . Having just going through the joys and the stresses of having a new puppy around I am strongly against the surprise of any new puppies or kittens for Christmas presents . Although it may sound like a good idea at the time .. and appealling little faces like Shea's seem irrestistible...I know firsthand the amount of work , committment and responsiblity that pet ownership entails . That is why so many unwanted animals are in shelters in January and February or left abandoned to suffer the consequences . With that said , for all of you who have pets at Christmas time , be aware that tinsel is toxic and wrap is a snack .
As for Shea....you just have to look at him to know he owns his owners and he is one beloved puddytat .I always said it is a good thing that God made kittens cute because he knew they would be bad . Thank you to Shea's owners for allowing me to visit their new baby and have a PURRfect Christmas .

As Time Goes By

I would like to sincerely thank Time magazine for voting me "Person of the Year " for 2006 . It is a truly an unexpected honor and I feel incredibly humbled to be up there with world icons . I never felt that providing coffee and donuts to harried holiday shoppers was a life changing event but apparently the CEO of Time magazine believes it ranks up there with nobel prize winners and world leaders. I accept with the dignity and etiquette that I have exemplified throughout my lifetime.The only thing I cannot figure out ....is Karma the dog of the year too ?

For Everything There is a Season

This my father's house and our family home for over 50 years in the northern pulp and paper town of Kapuskasing . It has been up for sale for almost 2 years now as my Dad finally moved to Timmins to begin a new life for himself . Last week the house was sold .. almost unheard of in the month of December and a financial blessing for my Dad . Our family had many Christmases in that old house where 4 blonde kids and 2 loving parents made their own story of love and laughter . Years went by and loved ones passed on and came a time to turn the page and though it has not been easy for my father, he gave up the only home he had ever owned and moved on with the strength and fortitude of a man determined to start over . This old house holds many secrets and could tell you stories of our past . This old house will be brought to life once more by a new family making their own memories . This old house will never be forgotten and will forever remain a very special part of places in the heart .

" This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about .
This ole house is getting shaky
This ole house is gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
Oh his knees are gettin' chilly
But he feels no fear of pain
'Cause he sees an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane .
Ain't a -gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a gonna need this house no more ."

December 13th...

.......and enough of those merry mutts ..... we still do not have Christmas wrapped up !

Remembering Sierra

I have been meaning to write this post for a while now and today is as good as any . As most of you do or do not know , I had been looking for another dog for quite some time after the loss of my Dakota . I had seen terriers , dachshunds and bassets , puppies and older dogs .... and in particular one female rescue dog called Sierra . She was found in the small community of Moonbeam wandering by herself for days, hungry and lost. She was taken in by the Kapuskasing Rescue and fostered by a kind woman until I happened upon her adoption under a local site. I went to see her in early August and brought her back home with me . Sierra was a female shepherd about 8 months old and I knew that somebody had taken the time to train her the basic dog commands as she did the things I asked of her , was attentive , and tried to please me from the first day. The first night she laid beside my bed and I knew I had that elusive connection . Unfortunately , Sierra , through no fault of her own and perhaps due to lack of socialization wanted to have my old cat Redford for dinner every night and try as I might it did not work out . On a rainy day in August I returned Sierra to the animal organization . I remember been glad it was raining because it hid my tears for this lost and beautiful animal that had entered and exited my life so quickly . As time went on and as all of you know it was Karma the german shepherd puppy who finally entered my heart and my life .
I never forgot Sierra and was saddened to learn 3 months later she had been killed by a transport on the highway near Hearst . She had been placed as therapy dog where so many people had given her the attention and love she deserved but had failed to protect her from the hazards of the highway. I cried a second time for Sierra wishing I could have given her a better chance . I suppose upon reflection , like so many circumstances in life , it was all about karma .

"It's Christmas in Killarney..

..with all the folks at home ." The beautiful blonde on your left is my younger sister who was up for the weekend to attend the Sons of Maxwell concert with my family . Don Carroll provided the lap for my sis and the vocals for his brother Dave . The Sons of Maxwell return every year to Timmins to entertain the home town folk with their unique blend of East coast musical talent . My father was thrilled to meet such a nice man ......so the daughters of Gordon thank the sons of Maxwell for a wonderful concert.



http://www.sonsofmaxwell.com/

Frosty the Shepherd

When are we moving to Florida for the winter time ?

Deck the Halls

..with strands of toilet paper ....fa la la la la, la la la la ............tis the season to be naughty....fa la la la, la la la la ....don we now our cottonelle......fa la la la , la la la la la ....follow me in doggy pleasure.......fa la la la la , la la la la ....down the hall with Ma a yellin' ......fa la la la la , la la la la .....see the blazing Ma before us ...fa la la la la , la la la la ......whilst I chew my yuletide treasure........fa la la la la , la la la la......paper snow is everywhere ......fa la la la la , la la la laaaaaa .
( lyrics based on fact ) .

Pretty in Pink

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATTYPANTS !! In my maternal mind I have my child stuck in a time warp . When I look at my youngest, I still picture her as 12 year old kid running around the house making me laugh with her crazy antics and rubber faces . Come to think of it , she still does that ...which goes to prove she has her Granpappy's genes in her for all time .Today is her 31st birthday and I know she and Scottypants are busy unpacking and enjoying their new condo .Happy Day .. * I don't care if you're 80 , you'll always be my baby . *
Love ,
Mommy xoxox

Karma loves Cocoa

Cocoa is the four month old Shihtzu puppy next door to me .She is a wiggly ,squiggly bundle of love and looks like she belongs on Barbie's bed . They have played together since day one despite the size difference and look forward to seeing each other whenever they can .We have another Shihtzu up the street called Delight who thinks she is the Paris Hilton of the neighbourhood and won't give Karma the time of day ...come to think of it ,either will her owner . Puppies are puppies no matter what the pedigreed or the size and it is fun to see them enjoying each other's company.
I wonder if they make pink faux fur leopard vests for shepherds?

Good Luck Bobbycakes

Normal day , let me treasure you . Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

The Secret to Health & Vitality

Sitting here with my coffee , Karma by my side switching channels on a lazy snowy Sunday morning . I began to watch two well dressed men praise the virtues of the Almighty cleansing and I figured what the hell a few words of religious wisdom never hurt anyone . We are all sinners and our bodies are toxic and need to be drained and cleansed at least 3 times a day after each meal......UH ?..I was expecting a few words of salvation when I came to the conclusion that not all sinners pass 10 foot stools like long black rubber hoses with little or no cramping or gurgling .Yep it was an infomercial for colon cleansing .Apparently we are jammed packed full of living parasites,some up to 10 feet of Loch Ness tapeworms . We will all feel a lot lighter and better without 10 pounds of fecal matter sitting in our bloated intestines every day of our lives .Dr. Danny proudly stated that being fecal free will cure depression ,cancer,allergies ,joint pain ,acne ,increase energy levels and a host of colon cleansing attributes including a sexual libido that would make a porn star blush. Damn and all this time I am having Fibre1 cereal and fresh fruit for breakfast when I should be on my own poop vacuuming mission of mercy .Medical doctors advise against this drastic method of ripping our insides out but Dr.Danny said that he should know the real facts because he has worked in a health food store for almost six years now and that $89.99 plus shipping and handling was a small price to pay for feeling as wonderful and nice smelling as he did .He almost had me convinced that I needed to be saved until the distinct odour of a passing fart brought me to my senses and I let Karma out for a doggie doo. I came to the conclusion that Dr. Danny ,despite his best efforts , was still full of it .

Helga

I don't know why but lately I am wanting to call my puppy *Helga* . It seems like almost overnight she has doubled her weight and become an eating machine . I am happy she has a healthy appetite as my last shepherd was prone to many food allergies and did not look forward to mealtime like this one does . Karma does the spinning dance when she sees her dish and she politely sits until she has permission to devour every last morsel of culinary canine delight . Helga , I mean Karma is one of those types that lives to eat and she's not a bit flabby ...more like a solid cabbage roll of doggie flesh and gorilla hair . In fact , my pet name for her ( pun intended ) is "my chunky monkey ". For the life of me though and I swear on my milkbones , every time I look at her lately , I picture a German hausfraus in pin curls . I don't know why .

Wovel

I saw Joe's wovel on the weekend . He only had one on display. When I saw it I wanted to break into Tina's ...." big wheel keep on turning , proud mary keep on burning ". It was big, black and shiny plus he even had a non X- rated instructional video to impress me but I had to decline that in a public place . He assured me of no backaches even though it was quite the size. Size ,of course is debatable and most of us agree that it is all in the performance that matters. Joe proudly said he could push a heavy load with it without a problem. I must say ,I had never ever seen one quite like his before but then again ,I do lead a quiet life . On top of that Joe said he could be finished in a space of 10 minutes or less without any overall heart pumping and that he always practised it safely . Good old Joe . I usually have to pay to have mine done .
I really need to get out more .



http://www.wovel.com/

Net Nuked

Ma's net has been nuked due to technical difficulties .Back to our regular scheduled
programming when the sh** hits the fan .Patience is a virtue .

"Do I have sharp little puppy teeth?"

.....I swear on my Mommy's donuts ... I only use tongue . "

....and they called it puppy love ...

"Don't hate me because I am beautiful " ..well my donut mommy thinks I am .....the ears go up , the ears go down , sometimes all in one day .

One Scary Moment

You know how you have a fright that makes you think about how lucky you were .I had one of those this morning . After a visit with my Dad and his sweetheart , I decided to take a quick visit to see a friend of mine up the road a ways . He lives on a narrow street with a driveway on an incline . He had wanted to see Karma and I promised him, so I took the unplanned moment to do that on my way home . Karma was safely asleep in her crate at in the back . I pulled into his driveway right behind his Rav , parked and exited my vehicle . In a split second , my Tahoe was sliding down his icy driveway onto the busy street..without me , the designated driver I might add ! Within seconds I opened the door of the moving vehicle , grabbed the wheel , put the brake and the emergency on , caught my breath , and reversed the car to the road and the traction of the pavement . Funny how you do things in emergencies without even knowing you are doing them and thank God we do . At home thinking of the consequences of * what if * ....I have to say I had an angel watching over little Karma and I today.

Bring Out the Woolies

..and that's woolies not willies for all of you who can't read . We have had snow for a while now and I must say the older I get the less I like it ..if I ever did . Karma & True are fascinated by the white stuff on the ground and think of it as their own personal slush puppies .It is interesting to see the world from a dog's perspective as they discover something new in their puppyworld each day .Today it was a green garbage bag that seemed like the jolly green giant, a pink feather left over from a small child's costume , and a sad , orange pumpkin spewing out seeds on the sidewalk for puppies to taste . Like wolves leaving the den ,we have even had the courage to reach the end of our street now and come home safely . Everything is new again .

Halloweenies

Girls just wanna have fun . It was nineteen seventy something and one of those Halloween hotties is me . Take a guess and you get a coffee cwisp in your Tims .

The Holy Hand Hot Fires of Hell

I felt like I was in a burning house . My hands and arms were on fire thanks to my pharmacist daughter who had all good intentions by giving me some pain reliever samples for arthritic pain last night . " Try these Mom ... free samples of Lakota topical pain reliever ." ...I should have known better , this from a kid who proudly swallows the entire jalapeno pepper from the East Side Mario's salad .Spicy is her middle name not mine . I used the package just before bedtime last night envisioning a restful sleep ...instead I was awake most of the night in my own personal red hot hell of a date with Satan himself snickering in the flames disguised as the native man on the Lakota package . At some point during the night I must have brushed my lips with my hand because in no time my lips were burning like * Hot Lips Houlihan *.I thought of getting up for a cold shower but instead washed my arms and hands and went back to my night of deep penetrating heat. This product boasts of being greaseless and odorless and you're the only one who knows your using it . No kidding. I felt like rolling in the snow this morning and shoving my hot hands in a bucket of ice . I think my neighbours would have noticed that you Lakota Lucifer medicine man .Read the small print . It is long lasting . I guess that means when hell freezes over I will feel the joy of arthritic fingers once again . Thanks Dawn.

An Earful

Perhaps some of you may have noted the way Karma's ears appear in the pictures . What many people do not know about German Shepherd pups is that in order for the ears to stand erect as adults ,we must avoid touching them as they grow . The cartilage is forming and and as they grow can be broken permanently resulting in a floppy eared shepherd. I must admit they look rather odd at times ...almost like praying hands . In yoga that is refered to as namaste .All pups grow at different rates and Karma is way ahead of True in the ear department . I have always loved the dignity and quiet beauty of the shepherd dog and find their ears to be a beautiful part of their anatomy. I have always been against the docking of ears and tails for show purposes . So when I see my puppy , I can envision the beauty that she will one day be ..natural ears and all.

Karma Chameleon

"You come and go ..you come and go ."Don't be fooled by the innocence .She is into everything ..and I mean everything . She wears my panties , eats my socks and shoes, chews my plants and chair legs and all of this has resulted in yet again another brainstorm idea ( besides the previous post of water yoga ) .I have lost a total of 5 pounds on the puppy diet and I am not the one having Pro Plan for din din . I think I may be onto something here ..lifting puppy squats at a weight of 14 pounds and growing @ a rate of at least 20 times a day ..bending , circling , chasing ,crunching, poopy scooping ...yep , I just might fit into my 60's paisley hot pants by Hallow's Eve .

"Splish splash ...

I was taking a bath long about a Saturday night " ( sorry no pictures available ) ...one of those long lavender bubbly my god my entire body is aching make the world go away kind of baths when I had an idea that might revolutionize the meditation \exercise industry. The idea hit me like a pup waking up with a full bladder .....water yoga ...I haven't googled this yet to see if there is such a thing ( but I am sure all of you will ) Last night in the tub as I felt my muscles unwind and relax I thought this is what yoga is all about ...refresh the spirit, calm the mind and drift away to the power of positive thinking .........a little underwater breathing for the sun salutations ....exhale ..inhale ..exhale..inhale ...exhale..blurp blurp blooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo**************************"bing bang I saw the whole gang dancin' on my living room rug ..splishin' and a splashin'..reelin' with the feelin'..rollin' and strollin'....movin' with the groovin' splish splash ...."

Socialization

Anyone who knows anything about puppies in the hood , realizes the importance of socialization at an early age .We have been busy introducing our new charges to the world a little at a time . The differences in the puppies' personalities are already developing .True is the big , loveable oaf and Karma is the irritating little sister who bites his appendages relentlessly and just might save a neutering trip to the vet . (..that's my gal..)
Karma and True meet Miss Kitty the collie ...
and Karma and True meet Buddy , King Charles .

Ma's N@ Revenge

" Let me be your worst nightmare ...rise up and be kneaded ....................."
..in case you all think I have gone looney tunes ( well , you could be right ). ..after 2 weeks of non stop puppymania , I thought I would let N@ feast her eyes on her very favourite dough boy next to Bobbycakes and Milkymuffin.
HEHEHEHEHEEHHEHE!!!!

"uh uh "

".........no Ma ........I was NOT playing with the camera .........."

Theresa's Space visits Ma's Coffee shoppe

.............shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....after that the guy in the middle played computer games ......shhhhhhhhhhhhhh........

Spaced Out

Evan came to visit today . He is the precocious son of Theresa's Space and since Karma needed some kid socialization, Theresa was kind enough to offer Evan up as the boy meets puppy , puppy meets boy scenerio. To enjoy our Tims quietly , we had to resort to a little crate time.
Evan was fine with it ..but Karma felt a little serious kissing was in order .

Pussywillows ,dog tails,soft winds and noses

You just have to laugh at puppy antics. My lion king Redford has finally aknowledged the lowly four -legged minion that invaded his domain a few days ago . They had a game of cat swap and dog seek and then King Red did his thing in the litterbox while Karma watched in awe and admiration at her new orange friend. A few moments later, wondering where Karma has gotten too and after looking for her in the usual places ,I finally find two eyes looking at me quizzically and a litter speckled nose from within the cat's covered litter box.. Redford was not impressed even though imitation is the highest form of flattery .

Something to be thankful for ...

We are enjoying our *puppytime * and I am sitting here during a moment of quiet crate time thinking of all the blessings in my life . I have a wonderful , supportive family , old and new friendships that I value , good health and laughter that warms my soul and keeps me sane .
There is something about dog ownership that takes you out of yourself and allows you to see the newness of life in the simplest of things .... a falling leaf , a cool early morning breeze , and the night time stars ..of course, I am out here in the yard now at the oddest of hours applauding any canine elimination and dancing in the dew like a donut fairy .
Happy Thanksgiving N@tland .
Babies are always cute when they are sleeping.

Deja vu

Dakota would be pleased to see that Karma likes her favourite *nipple * ball too .






Kiss my butt , pup ...that don't impress me much.

Meet Karma & True

All went well . They arrived in a bit of a stinky mess but hey ,you would too if you had no place to go. They are happy , calm , and relaxed puppies although mine seems to be a bit more of a whiner ...we are busy getting adjusted but you know I will keep you posted and probably be as bad as N@ and JB with baby pictures . Feel free to give any puppy advice . Time to play .

My Dream

Last night I had a dream , one of those vivid ones that makes you wonder about meanings and direction in life . I remember looking out a window from a high place with my best friend Michelle and as I gazed down from this vantage point I saw a black & tan german shepherd purposefully trotting towards a pool of water . Knowing I had lost my own dog for quite some time now , I said my friend "..that looks like Dakota " ..she replied " .. but it can't be.."I ran down a set of steps and hallways running towards the dog and I knew it was her .She looked different ..younger ..like she used to look ..but it was still her .with her over sized ears , people eyes and glossy black coat..I knew it was her and I ran to her and buried my face in her neck hugging her with all my might .I had found her again ..my Dakota . When I woke up I had been crying but in my mind this morning I thought just maybe it was my beloved dog's telepathic way of giving me her blessing to love again the way I had loved and cared for her .The heart has many rooms and today one of those rooms will be filled . Life is about destiny and choices and direction .
Dawn's puppy will be named * True* and mine will be *Karma*.

You're havin' my baby ..........

....and will all due respect to Mr .Anka , it is Leslie who had my baby and 8 others . Quasar is quite the stud . Check it out here .

http://www.committedtocanine.com/puppies.htm

Her Legacy to me

Those of you who have been following N@ 's site for a while now might recognize this picture of Dakota who left me a year ago last August for a better place free from the pain of bladder and bowel cancer that took her life. She was 11 and half and a great companion to me and I am not ashamed to say it has taken me many months to get over her loss . I have haunted shelters , pet stores , multi media ads looking for some connection to fill the empty place she left in my heart . She was a very special dog to each of us . Today I am pleased to tell you that by the end of this week , another paw print will again stamp my heart and fill the hollowness left by my former canine friend. In fact as the phrase *double double * suggests it will be a twofold puppy world as both Dawn and I are expecting our 8 week old love bundles of energy . I know my cat Redford who himself fell into a bit of feline depression ,will make sure the new arrival knows just who is the lion in the house . Sometimes in life you just have to follow your own heart , your own instincts , and your own dreams in order to get back to who you are .
.oh , and the legacy Dakota left for me ? ..simply said .....unconditional loving .