Farewell Percy

Our dear Percy (Perseverance) left us early yesterday morning, December 17, 2019.  Ir was not unexpected but he was a great loss.  Not only because he was greatly loved, but because he was the last of the original Funny Farmers.  The house seems so quiet.  Even Marcus the Mouth is subdued.

Back around 2003 - 2006, the FFs arrived here, one by one, from a variety of sources.  They grew old and passed away, one by one.  Each one is missed, as is Percy!  I was greatly blessed to be able to have them in my life.  They were a handful and a lot of work, but they sure could make me laugh.  I hope they have given you some smiles and laughs over the years, too..

Marcus, Micah and Taylor started arriving about 2013.  That's a big age gap from the original FFs.  They are just as precious and loved.

I, too, have aged and sitting at the computer to type or to visit has become harder and harder because of back and neck pain, especially this year, 2019.  That's why there have been so few posts and visits from us.  I don't know what 2020 will hold, and I seem to have lost the "voice" of the FFs.  Oh, there might be an occasional post.  "Withdrawal" is tough! 

Buddy started blogging in early 2005 when he wasn't even 2 months old yet,.  I'm grateful for the few who have kept in touch despite our absence. 

We did post on Marcus's birthday and Taylor's Gotcha Day earlier this month because Ingrid sent us a lovely graphic for it.  Mom Ingrid, Pipo, Dalton, and Benji also sent a beautiful graphic for Marcus' Gotcha Day, which was December 11.  We are late posting it.  Thank you, Ingrid. 

Marcus BDay and Gotcha Taylor

It's time to do a little celebrating again, and as usual we are late posting on it.  Yesterday, Wednesday, November 6th was the big day.

Marcus celebrated his 6th birthday.

Taylor celebrated her 4th Gotcha Day with us.

Many thanks to Mom Ingrid, Pipo, Dalton, and Benji for the lovely graphic.  This is the largest it will post here, for some reason, but hopefully if you click on the graphic, it will enlarge in a new window.

We are thrilled Taylor is part of our family. She is such a quiet girl, although she did find her voice and started a screaming, howling riot when Jan took her and Micah for their rabies shot a month or two ago.  Sometimes we're not too sure about Marcus.  He hasn't slowed down or quieted down in the least.  They have totally opposite personalities.

This was a happy occasion, although overshadowed by sadness. You might not remember but Taylor spent the first five months of her life with Miss Teresa.  (Happy Marcus and Taylor Day)  Mr. Doug just happened to deliver Taylor here on Marcus' birthday.

Miss Teresa was family!  She and Mr. Doug were very close.  She died unexpectedly last Friday, November 1st.  She is very missed!

Percy Turns Fifteen

It is so hard to believe dear Percy turns 15 years old today.  He was so tiny when Merci rescued him.  I thought he was a bird.  He chirped for a time, so he was temporarily named Birdie.  If he had not persevered until I believed Merci was correct and that chirping in the bush was actually a kitten, he would never have been rescued.  Perseverance was the perfect name for him.  Percy for short.

Happy birthday, from all of us.  You are still the same sweet, persevering cat we've always known to you be.

We were quite worried about you when you kept falling off the air conditioning unit, landing on the floor below, and determinedly going right back to lay there until you fell off again.  It was such a relief when you finally realized there is now an old desk by a front window where you can enjoy watching people and traffic without getting hurt.  We love you and hope you will have a good day lounging on your desk window perch. 


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Our last post was in January and it was a sad one.  I was sick with the flu and a high temperature the day Cyndi left for the bridge and for the last months have been having back and health problems.  I have no energy.  But Percy is the last of the original Funny Farmers and he deserves a celebration post.

Some sweet bloggers sent cards for Cyndi and have never been acknowledged.  We would like to do so now.

                                                          By Ann of Zoolatry.

                                               By Pipo, Dalton & mom Ingrid.

                                           By Alasandra, the Cats and the Dogs (atcad).

Thank you, ladies, for the lovely cards in memory of our dear Cyndi.  We apologize for being so long in sharing them. 

Farewell Barkley

Cyndi:  Farewell, Barkley.  Most of you guys won't remember remember him.  He was before your time.

Percy:  I remember meeting Barkley.  He was a pup trapped inside a local mill being torn down.  The building was inside a locked gate, but the foreman at the time helped Jan rescue him.  She brought him home and the local Humane Society helped with his vet bill.

Cyndi:  And then Jan found him a home.  He had a large fenced area to run and other dogs to play with. 

Percy:  Jan used to visit him occasionally, but after her old car died, she had no way to go by.  Mr. Doug would often see him, so she was aware of how he was doing.

Cyndi:  Mr. Doug called today to tell her Barkley died this morning.

Percy:  He did have a good life.  I'm sad for his loss and also because at that time the Funny Farm was in it's heyday.  You and I, Cyndi, are the only funny farmers left from that era.

Cyndi:  Do you remember how jealous angel Sam was when Jan brought Barkley home?  He was so afraid she would keep him.  Sam always had to be the center of attention.

Percy:  I understand Barkley was a good dog.  He once lived here for a few days, so it's only right he should have a memorial post.

Cyndi:  I know so many believe in the Rainbow Bridge.  We don't, but if we did, wouldn't it be ironic if Sam was the one to meet Barkley and show him around?  


Jan:  Sorry, we're still on hiatus.  I have been unable to do much of anything for a while and need more time to get back on my feet.  

Thanks From Angel Rusty

Cyndi:  We want to thank all of you who have left a message regarding Rusty - on our blog, on Facebook or in an email.  We appreciate each one.  We want to respond but haven't accomplished much this last week.  

Percy:  Last week we posted that Rusty left us on Wednesday.  (Farewell Rusty)  Two days short of a year since Buddy passed and three days short of three months since we lost Merci, and later we realized it was almost to the day when Rusty came to live with us twelve years ago. 

Cyndi:  His death has sobered things up around here.  The other day devoted enemies Percy and Micah met at the kibble bowl and touched noses instead of trying to kill each other. 

Percy:  It has sent Marcus deeper into separation anxiety.  We're not sure if he's afraid he is going to disappear next or if Jan will, but he is not just "under her feet" and tripping her any more, he is actually under her feet and walking under her feet.  When she sits down, he crawls between the chair and her feet and when she walks she can't always avoid stepping on his paws..  He will not go outside by himself and Jan has to go with him. 

Cyndi:  I can't blame him.  He will turn 5 years old in November.  In the past 3 1/2 years of his life, five of our crew have left - Cameron, Sam, Buddy, Merci and Rusty.  He wasn't around for the other past members.

Percy:  That's what happens when nearly all the crew grows old at the same time.  It means extra  work for Jan.  You and I are the last of the old timers and we've slowed down.  Oh, and Jan.  She's an old timer too. 

Cyndi:  I hope if something happens to Jan, we won't be expected to bury her.  She couldn't even make a dent in the dry ground and she has opposing thumbs to handle the tools.  Mr. Doug offered to take care of the burial (THANK YOU, Mr. Doug!) and Rusty now rests near Merci.

  Percy:  This card is from Mom Ingrid, Pipo & Dalton.

 Cyndi:  And this graphic was made by Ann of Zoolatry. 

Percy:  The Eastside Cats honored him with a post.   (https://eastsidecats.blogspot.com/2018/09/farewell-angel-rusty.html)

Cyndi:  As did Loulou.   (https://www.livingwithloulou.com/adieu-rusty/)

Percy:  Thank you, dear friends.  We'll return soon.

Cyndi:  I hear Jan trying to coax Marcus outside again.  Let's go watch the show.

Percy:  No, I'll pass.  I hate re-runs. 

Farewell Rusty

Our sweet, gentle giant Rusty (Russet) left us early Wednesday morning.  He had been "winding down" for some time so it was not unexpected, but we are heartbroken.  He was a big cuddle boy and loved to snuggle.  His one bad habit was getting overly excited about being brushed and nipping. 

We have mentioned a number of times Jan originally adopted him from the local shelter for her mother (whom we called Miss Mother) with their Thanksgiving dinner funds.  He was the best holiday investment they could have made.  He had no fear of Miss Mother's wheelchair and fit right in with our crew after her death. 

We have lost several of our own over our blogging years.  Each one has been rough!  Friday, September 28th, it will be one year since we lost Buddy.  Merci left us this year on June 29th.  It's been a hard year.  We apologize for not keeping our word to post the answer to the mystery of Locked Door Motor Running tomorrow, but we are going to take a break for a few days and will post it when we return.

Remembering Merci

As we posted previously, our sweet Merci died June 29, 2018 at age 17.  (Farewell Merci)

It was a pleasant surprise to recently receive an email from the blog Alasandra, the Cats and the Dogs (ATCAD) with this lovely graphic letting us know they would be doing a post remembering Merci on the 22nd.

We're grateful we aren't the only ones who remember Merci.  Thank you, ATCAD, for caring.  We're not sure what time they are posting, but we will be on our way over to visit them as soon as we can get online today.  We hope you will drop by there too.  Just click here.

It's hard to believe that there are only two of us Funny Farmers left (Cyndi and Percy) who remember the days when Socks, Sassy, Asta, Momo and many other blogging friends allowed us to participate in their adventures.  We had such fun!  Asta moved from New York to Budapest and now has a brother.  Socks, Momo, Sassy and so many others are now at the bridge with our other original siblings - Cotton, Crystal, Buddy, Cameron, Sam, and Jenny.

Our little red-headed sister will live forever in our hearts.

Update:  It's been a bit rough since Merci left and we temporarily forgot that today would have been Merci's 15th Gotcha Day and her assigned birthday.  

There's A Snake Where?

Percy:  Hey, Marcus, remember this picture of us from a couple of years ago? 

Marcus:  Yes, I remember.  I still had pointy ears then.  I got such a shock yesterday, though, I almost had pointy ears again.

Percy: What happened?  You get chased by a squirrel?

Marcus:  No, silly!  Jan and I take the same route on our walks.  We walked Monday morning without any problem.  In the evening, we set out as usual at a fast pace.  Not fast for me, fast for Jan.

Percy:  I know you didn't trip her.  She returned in one piece.

Marcus:  We didn't get very far before we heard a male voice yell.

Guy: "Ma'am, there's a snake up there!"

Jan:  "There's a WHAT WHERE!"

Guy:  Just ahead of you.  It's a big ole black snake."

Percy:  He was kidding, right?

Marcus:  The guy was sitting in a pickup truck in a turnaround ahead of us on the other side of the street.  Jan and I hotfooted it across the road to the truck.

Guy:  It was over there slithering in the grass beside the sidewalk.  I can't tell from here what it is, but I saw you and your dog coming and I didn't want either of you to get bitten."

Marcus:  Jan's old eyes couldn't see anything in the grass from that far away, but that area of the mill is overgrown and the grass by the sidewalk needs a good mowing.   She really wanted to see and take a picture of that snake, but no way was she going over there.  Whatever it was, she knew it could move faster than she can.  She thanked the guy before he drove off slowly, watching that side of the road.  It was really nice of him to stop and wait so he could warn us.

Percy:  So you turned around and came home?

Marcus:  No, we took our walk on the side of the road with no sidewalk.  I think we're going to be walking on that side for a long time. That really gave Jan a scare.

Percy:  And you?

Marcus:  Not me!  Nothing scares me!   ** leaps onto the swivel chair**  EEK, it's a snake!

Percy:  I thought nothing scares you!  That was Taylor dragging a shoelace through the room. 

Marcus:  Oh ... er, I was just showing you how Jan would have reacted if she had seen the snake.

Percy:  Uh-huh.  Nice try.


I would like to thank everyone who left a comment on our blog (Farewell Merci) or on Facebook, or emailed us.  Merci's passing was not a surprise.  She was 17 years old, blind, slightly deaf (wasn't the least afraid of the vacuum cleaner any longer), and had dementia.  She'd been "in hospice" here for a while.

I nearly lost her last September at the same time Buddy died but she rallied.  I coped these past months by doing what I could for her and not talking about how she was.  Even if we think we are prepared for a death, we actually aren't.

 Thank you, Ann of Zoolatry, and

Ingrid, Pipo & Dalton from Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs

... for the lovely graphics.

Farewell Merci

.

Fly free, sweet Merci.  It was such a joy to have you with us for so many years - just one month short of 15.  Yes, you were adopted from the local animal shelter at about age two on July 22, 2003.

Thanks to Mr. Doug, you are now buried near your adopted canine brothers Sam and Buddy.  And you are missed! 

Squeaker Speech for Dummies

Marcus:  Jan took my red rubber ball and hid it.  (Red Rubber Ball)  She had better not take my dinosaur away too.  As you can see, I'm watching Jan!

Rusty:  It won't do you any good.  You destroyed that dinosaur not long after that picture was taken.

Marcus:  I did?  Are you sure?

Rusty:  You chewed a hole and tore out the stuffing to get to the squeaker.  Of course, I'm sure!

Marcus:  No wonder I haven't been able to find it lately.  Maybe Jan will buy me a new one.

Rusty:   I don't think so.  She mentioned just yesterday how nice and quiet it has been around here since the dinosaur was dissected.  You need to learn to take care of your toys before you run out of them permanently.

Marcus:  Oh, that will never happen.

Rusty:  You'll never learn to take care of them or you'll never run out of them?

Marcus:  Both.  My mission in life is to de-squeak and destroy.all toys in memory of Buddy, the best de-squeaker and toy destroyer ever - until me!  I just know I'm making him proud.

Rusty: I remember Buddy in his prime.  He used to squeak the toy, then he would stop and talk to it.  I never did figure out what they were saying but they evidently spoke the same language.

Marcus.  Don't worry.  You can learn the language when I finish the book Buddy was working on, Squeaker Speech for Dummies. 

Rusty:  I think you should rename it Squeaker Speech by Dummies.

Marcus:  What did you mumble?

Rusty:  Oh, just that I can't wait to read the dummies book.

We did a post when Buddy passed on Sept. 28th. (Farewell Buddy)  This lovely graphic was sent to us by Meezers Mews  & Terrieristical Woofs. We intended to post  it; however, we were upset about Buddy and other things happening at that time, so it was a good while before we posted again, so we forgot about it until yesterday.

Thank you so much to MM&TW (Pipo, Dalton & Mr. Jack Freckles).  You are so kind to do this for bloggers who lose a furry, and your memorial graphics are greatly appreciated.


We are joining the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal and Rocco, Basil the Bionic Cat and Barking from the Bayou.  At least we hope we are.  Last week we included this and our computer disconnected our internet before we could and we never did get to join.  

Biscuit at the Bridge

Two Fridays ago, at the end of a post, we mentioned our new friend Biscuit (Safe At Last).  His Mousebreath interview posted the same day.  It was different than the others we have done. He didn't have a blog and wasn't on social media, so he wasn't promoting himself.  He was a senior cat with an interesting story.

Two weeks later, on Saturday, June 3, he left for the Bridge.

As all of us who have lost a furry can imagine, this is a painful time for his mom Leslie.  Whenever there is a loss in the community, pet bloggers support one another.   Since Leslie doesn't have a blog for Biscuit, we thought we would do this short memorial post. 

Biscuit, you may not have had a lot of years in your new life with Mom Leslie, but you left a big hole in her heart when your time came to leave.  You were loved - from the moment she met you.

You can read his interview, The Story of Biscuit, on Mousebreath.

December Furry Friends

Sam:  Yes, it's me, Angel Sam.  I just dropped by to remind everyone to visit Our Rainbow Friends.  And while you're there, if you can, please leave comments; they mean a lot to the families. 

Tributes to the December 2016 furry angels - Treasure, Fiona, Sammy, Bhu, Bogart, Hunter and Emma - were recently posted.  Ann of Zoolatry always sends out the announcement on the 15th but she's enjoying a much-deserved vacation in Florida with family and friends.

Baking Invisible Biscuits

Buddy:  You look a bit disgruntled, Rusty.  What's the problem?

Rusty:  Jan is the problem.  Her and that flashy box she keeps aiming at us.  We don't have any privacy any more.

Buddy:  You want me to break the camera?

Rusty:  Oh, no!  If you do, she will complain until we want to shove her out a window.  Preferably the one with the long drop to the ground. 

Buddy:  I'm not sure if you're sleeping or crying in this one.

Rusty:  I was making biscuits.  The bed is so soft and warm.

Buddy:  And in this one, are you trying to look humble?

Rusty:  Actually, the smell of those biscuits baking wafting through the house almost put me into a stupor.

Buddy:  But you don't actually make biscuits.  You just knead invisible dough.  So there's no baking aroma.

Rusty:  If I can create invisible biscuits, I can bake invisible biscuits, and their aroma is heavenly!

Buddy:  In that case, can I buy half a dozen for a snack?

Rusty:  Certainly.

Buddy:  Here's some cash.  Will this cover them?

Rusty:  I don't see anything.  Your cash must be invisible. 

Buddy:  I'm buying invisible biscuits.

Note:  Our internet was broken AGAIN all day yesterday! Our ISP needs to get its act together!

Jamison from The Adventures of Noodle crossed the bridge Monday after battling for his life for two weeks.  Christmas the dachshund is hosting Purrs for Jamison Day today.  It is a day to pay tribute to Jamison and honor his life.  Mayor Arty has been kind enough to set up a blog hop for everyone to link to on Friday, so please click here to join the hop!

We did not know Jamison well but we know he is missed by his family and friends, so we are posting his badge and links.

On December 28, 2016 Blogville lit a candle to honor Easy theWeimaraner, one of Blogville's beloved, and to remember all the others Blogville has lost.  It was too close to Sam's 1 year anniversary and we didn't post it.  But we do now - for Easy and for all.








We are joining the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal and Rocco, Basil the Bionic Cat, Barking from the Bayou and Owned by a husky.

Farewell Cousin Andy

Although we try to keep the blog light as much as possible, sometimes life intervenes, as it has today.

Today's post is for Jan's brother Mr. Doug and Miss Teresa.  Cousin Andy lost his battle with lymphoma on Saturday. 

Run pain free, handsome boy.  You were sweet and greatly loved.

Some of you might remember Alex from Alexicon: A Kitty Kat's Life With His Hooman blog. After a long illness, his human  Nicholas Temple died in hospice on Saturday the 4th.  We're not sure where Alex is, but believe he is safe and in good hands.  Jan has been following his health trials on Facebook and it seems fitting that even though he hasn't blogged in a couple of years, his passing should be noted among the pet blogging community.

Remembering Sam

I would like to thank everyone for their kind emails and comments on our post Farewell Sam last week, as well as on Facebook.  I am also thankful for the lovely graphics received.

Today, I received the lovely graphic above from Pipo and Minko of WeBeesSiameezers and Barks from Mr. Jack Freckles and their human, Ingrid.  They made this as a memento and I love it.

And I can't forget the lovely graphic Ann of Zoolatry created and sent out when she heard the news.  She is so generous about doing this for everyone she knows or knows of who loses a furry. 

Since this is the second time in less than a year that I've had to deal with injuries while taking care of a sick animal, I am not rebounding well.  Sam was about 60 pounds heavier than Cameron and needed a lot of physical care.   At this time, I don't know when - or if - the Funny Farmers will return.

Farewell, Sam

Sam passed away last night, Tuesday, January 5th, one month to the day after having his first (known) seizure,  It has been a hard month for all of us here, especially for Sam.  He had a second stoke and tried but couldn't come back from it.  It hasn't been quite ten months since we lost Cameron.

Sam was a big dog, not a gentle giant, as he had no idea how strong he was.  But he was loving and fun - goofy even.  He loved treats and until the last few months he loved to be first to have his picture taken when the camera came out.  At one time, he and Marcus were always vying to be first to have a picture taken when the camera appeared.  He was a huge presence and I will miss him more than I care to consider.

Mr. Doug thought it funny to hear, "We froze last night trying to keep the house cold,"  but it's the truth.  We had to keep it cold until Mr. Doug could come this afternoon and pick up Sam's body.  Sam will be buried next to Miss Mother's Benji and Shorty and Mr. Doug's assorted dogs.

Merci, the sensitive soul, has been sick, too.  Right after Sam passed last night, she sniffed the covers I took off his body, wadded them up and lay down at Sam's feet.   She stayed there until I went to bed.  Then she came to sleep in her own bed in the bedroom.  As soon as I got up this morning, she was back at her vigil, which she kept until Mr. Doug arrived.

Thank you for all the prayers and kind words through this.  They have meant a lot.

Two days before Christmas I wore myself out tearing my bedroom apart to move and wash everything, so I could gate Sam in that one room to try to protect him as he wandered around.  In the early hours of Christmas Eve morning, the phone rang.  An early phone call is bad news, so I answered the phone in my bare feet.  It was the county emergency warning system, but in the dark I couldn't find the #1 to press to get the message - tornado warning (or watch).  As I walked back to bed, I remembered to move the gate aside, but I forgot the heavy toolbox behind it to keep any of the dogs from moving the gate.  I killed one toenail and injured my toes, possibly broke one.

Christmas afternoon Marcus leaped a rolled up carpet as I headed for the door to let the dogs outside.  He landed hard, smack up against the foot that was moving forward.  It stopped my foot but my body was still moving.  A doorknob stopped me from falling down but things started popping in my back and leg.  The next two or three days were spent screaming from the pain in my knee/leg every time I tried to sit down, stand up, or walk.   A couple of days later little Merci popped a muscle in my leg.

There were sick animals, everything was in the house was damp and covered with tracked in mud, Micah tried to kill Percy, all the animals were acting up, Buddy and Merci were refusing to go outside in the pouring rain ... And if anyone has ever popped their tailbone out of alignment, you know what happens.  Through all of this, I was caring for a sick 70 pound dog.  And, believe it or not, there were many days when Marcus was the well-behaved Funny Farmer! 

So, for those of you who have asked, you perhaps now have some idea of why I wasn't responding.  I could barely sit on a chair for five minutes.  Fast emails.  Get offline!  But thank you for caring about us.

Miss Suzanne, Miss Joanne, Miss Johnnie, Miss Cynthia - I am grateful for the meal you each sent or dropped off during the holidays.  I wasn't able to do much for myself and appreciated every bite.

I especially appreciate Mr. Doug's help with Sam's body; however, he injured his back carrying Sam the last yards to the van, and I am very concerned despite his protests he'll be okay.

Sam, I don't believe in the Rainbow Bridge because it isn't Biblical, but I can almost see you running circles  around the meadow, full of life, playing hard, and stealing treats. R.I.P., sweet boy.

Yente Ruby's Margaritas

Ruby and all those who have tried to view this post today, please accept our humble apologies.  We scheduled this for 12:30 AM but somehow it ended up as PM and we didn't get online until noon today to find you've all been looking for it and it wasn't here.  **sniff, sniff, Buddy wipes Merci's tears with a big paw**   We are so embarrassed.

MARCUS:  This is exciting.  We have another Blogville worker to interview.

MERCI:  Yes, we are enjoying these interviews, but there is some rather sad news we need to mention.. About a week and a half or so ago, we contacted Sasha, the official Chef of Blogville, for an interview and we were looking forward to meeting her soon.

SAM:  We won't get to meet her, though.  Sadly, she had to leave for the bridge Sunday and left her mom and all her friends very sad.

BUDDY:  Sasha was small in size but a large presence among the Blogville Administration and residents, so we will observe a minute of silence in her honor.

MARCUS:  Sniff, sniff. *wipes eyes with paw*  And now for this week's interview subject.

SAM:  The riotous Ruby the Airedale.

MERCI:  Straight from her latest performance at ... um, where was her latest performance?

BUDDY:  I have no idea, but she's here now, so ... Oh, wait, her last performance was on her Ruby the Airedale blog.

Funny Farmer Canines:  Please introduce yourself and your family.

Ruby:  Hey Blogville!!!  What up??!  My name is Ruby, and I am an Airedale Terror...um, I MEAN TERRIER.   I lives with my Ma (who doesn't give me enough cookies, in my opinion!  Just sayin'...)   My Gpa comes over to watch me when she is busy with non-Ruby stuffs.  I likes him cause he gives me LOTS of treaties that Ma never knows about....shhhhhhh ?

Funny Farmer Canines:  How did you come to live together? 

Ruby:  Wells, I came all the way from the great state of Wisconsin!!!   That is where my furry Mother and Father lives.  Ma flew me out to sunny California to lives with her, cause she couldn't resist my FABulous  picture!   Though,  I do miss the snow!  It doesn't snow here!!!!  bummer.

Funny Farmer Canines:  Tell us a little about the area where you live.

Ruby:  I lives in the most MAGICAL LAND of the Silicon Valley!   Noes, it's not full of  women with ENHANCED chests ~ it's where all the computer magic happens!!!  We gots Google, Facebook, Apple right heres (just to name  a few!).  Butts, Ma doesn't have that kind of dough!  Nopes (sorry Murphy, we won't be buying that yacht anytime soon ?), butts I loves living here ~ the weather is FABulous (wells, unless we're in a drought, like now!), and the peeps are pretty cool, and the doggies are most amazin'!

Funny Farmer Canines:  What kind of mischief do you prefer?

Ruby:  Wells, I likes all kinds of mischief....the more the betters, ya know?!   Butts, I LOVES nibbling on Ma's plants.  So much so, that she had to put them in 'Jail", behind doggie fences, so I wouldn't eat them all! hehehehe,  She says that it's better than putting ME behind the doggie fences!

Funny Farmer Canines:  How long have you been blogging and what made you begin?

Ruby:  I've been bloggin' abouts  three years.  Which is amazin', since it's impossible to keep my ASSistant in line!   She is forever not doin' her duties, and posting my most FABulous adventures!   I thinks I need a new one....anyone wants the job??? ?

Funny Farmer Canines:  You are in charge of Yente services under Hiz Honorz Murphy and Stanley.  We're not sure what that means so we need to ask what are your duties?   

Ruby:  My duties as Yente, Matchmaker ExtraordinAire, is to find Dates for anyone in Blogville that wants one!   Nows,  I'm not sayin' that everyone finds THE ONE, likes Me and Murphy ? (my Stud Muffin ??), butts I will try and find you a Date that you can have a most FABulous time with!

Funny Farmer Canines:  You were the Squirrel Patrol Officer in the Blogville Pawlice Department under Mayor's Madi administration and also under Murphy and Stanley's.  Does this entail training squirrels to be model citizens of Blogville?   

Ruby:  I wish I could say yes, butts those *asterick*' tree rats are completely UNTRAINABLE!!!   I've even had some throw NUTS at ME!!!  (no...not THOSE nuts Puddles.....)   So I've resorted to keepin' them outta Blogville!  It's a tough job, and sometimes it takes lots of margaritas.  Every once in a while, one gets through, and all hell breaks loose!  That's where my BACKUP comes in....the most TRUSTWORTHY Blogville Pawlice Department!   We, together, can take down any critter that tries to cause chaos!

Funny Farmer Canines:  We understand you attend all Blogville Festivities with your own Margarita Truck.  Are you hired by the Administration or is this something you just enjoy doing on your own?  

Ruby:  Oh, my Margarita Truck is totally INDEPENDENT!!   I wouldn't want Blogville to be legally responsible for what goes on at the Margarita Truck. What happens at the Margarita Truck....STAYS at the Margarita Truck....

Funny Farmer Canines:  We understand your mom has you on a diet to lose five pounds.  You are the Gurlfuriend of  Mayor Murphy.  We would guess that Hiz Honor doesn't agree with your mom on this subject?   

Ruby:  NO.  No he wouldn't!!!!   Not only does he thinks that my vettie's scale is BROKEN, butts he thinks I am just FABulous just the way I am.   That's why I loves him!  And....why he sends me secret stashes of cookies....shhhhhh

Funny Farmer Canines:  If your mom were to describe what makes you special, what do you think she would say?   

Ruby:  Wells, as any Airedale owner knows, we are A LOT!!!!  What?  Oh.  Wells, I guess that's just ME.   Okays.  Whatevers.  Well, I thinks she would say that her life would be BORING!!!  without MOI.  B.O.R.I.N.G.   Who would wake her up at 3am to go outside and enjoy the fresh aire???  Who would make those purty pictures on her windows???   Who would pharts and make her run out of the room, so she could get some exercise???   Who is goin' to slobber all overs her hair????  (I mean, that is the cheapest hair product you can gets!!! ?)  Who is goin' to rub their hinnie all overs her pillow when she's not home????   Like I said...BORING!     And, she knows I loves her to pieces, and do zoomies every time she comes home!  And she loves my stinky, furry arse!!

Thank you Miss Jan for interviewing me for your Bloggie!   I am most humbled, and will send you  a pitcher of Margaritas as my Thanks!

BUDDY:  Wait, stop the presses, stop the presses, STOOOOOOPPPPP THE PRESSES!!!!!

MARCUS:  What's the matter?  I thought the interview went very well.

SAM:  The interview did go well.  It's the postscript that's the problem.

MERCI:  Yes, WE did all the work, but JAN is getting all the credit.

BUDDY:  AND a pitcher of margaritas!  You don't see the problem?

MARCUS:  Not really.  Jan drinks a pitcher of margaritas, takes a long nap, and we have the computer all to ourselves for a few hours.  Or days, depending on how big the pitcher is.

BUDDY:  Good thinking, Marcus.  Okay, roll the presses again.

SAM:  Be sure to visit Ruby and her margarita truck at the Ruby the Airedale blog.

Farewell Cameron

I had no clue I would be celebrating the first day of Spring by digging Cameron's grave. 

He has not been doing well since I had that bad fall in the beginning of February and we were recovering together.  Yesterday, Thursday, he ate well and was as affectionate as ever.  Last night, when I went to bed,  he climbed over the pillow and cuddled with me for a long while.  Then he went to sleep in the bed I'd made for him between the headboard and the pillow.

I had an offer of a ride to walmart today and he died shortly before the appointed time.  I bought a new shovel, thinking it would be easier to dig his grave.  It could barely cut the ground..  My old shovel worked better in this hard clay. 

I wrapped Cameron in one of my summer shirts.  All the Funny Farmers were given an opportunity to say good-bye.  Marcus bathed him. (He has been giving Cameron a good bath every night and several today.)  Buddy opened the screen door to come outside and make sure I dug the hole properly.  (I didn't. The ground is too hard for me and I can't dig a grave deep enough but there was no one to help.)

Cameron was born next door and moved in with us because he loved his best friend Merci and wanted to be an indoor cat.  He was the calmest of the group.  He never raised a paw or started a fight. His biggest annoyance was his habit of closing his eyes or turning his head when I tried to take his picture, so I have few decent photos of him.  

Farewell, my handsome tuxedo. I am going to miss you something fierce!

I Dare You

Flashback.  Cotton had tortitude, an I-dare-you-to-try-it glare.  She claimed this pet house Ginger Jasper sent us a few years ago and none of us dared argue with her.  She and GJ are both over the bridge now.  :(

 

Farewell Rocky & Jasper

Update: We are saddened to learn our old friend and the beloved UK blogging legend Ginger Jasper has gone to the bridge today.

graphic by Zoolatry

We send Mom Carol and Dad Barrie love and hugs.  Other than that, we have no words, only tears.

And now to our regular post for today.

Buddy, Merci, Sam

Merci: Since I've known Rocky the longest, I thought we should do a memorial post for him. Well, I've never actually met him. I would see him sometimes when I walked Jan. We always seemed to be walking our humans on opposite sides of the street and our humans would converse (translate as holler) back and forth.

Buddy: Yeah, it might sound like a strange way to get acquainted but it worked for them. Jan walked Merci, then Merci and me, and Rocky and Bailey walked their humans, Cindy and Joe.

Sam: Then I came along. Two or three years ago Bailey died and as Rocky aged and slowed down, his walks got shorter, but we still ran into him once in a while.

Merci: This summer Jan finally got to meet him when she watched him and his feline siblings for a few days, but we never did meet him face to face.

Buddy: Rocky's humans were good to us this summer. Cindy drove little Luke to his vet appointments while he was here and Joe mowed our weed field .. oh, sorry, Jan, I mean our lawn several times. We even got to meet Cindy up close and personal more than once.

Sam: We ran into Cindy as we were walking home last night. She said early yesterday morning, while sleeping in their bed, Rocky quietly and peacefully left for the bridge. He was fifteen.

Buddy:  Rocky had a long, happy life.  This post is for his mom and dad.