Where Are You?

  Yesterday evening, it was already getting a bit dark when the old dog and I took our last walk for the day.  He meanders the marsh line hunting for the "perfect" spot then does his business.  I tag along to keep him out of trouble and also help him when he stumbles.  Mr. PJ is a good dog and has adapted well to living on the Bayou with one exception.  He has still not learned that the marsh can be a dangerous place and, under no circumstances should one go traipsing about the place.  There are far too many critters that reside there that can potentially hurt someone (even if that someone is a dog).  Yesterday, he was bent on entering the marsh.  It was all I could do to prevent that from happening.  We struggle to make the meeting of minds a nice situation but having a hard-headed dog makes it difficult.  I was just about to give up and let him fulfill his dangerous wishes when something else stepped in to give me a helping hand.  About twenty feet out in the marsh from the dog, a goose started calling.  The noise was exceedingly loud!  So loud, in fact, that it startled Mr. PJ and sent him running back up the hillside.  The goose in my new hero!  

  Again this afternoon, the geese were calling but this time they were overhead instead of in the marsh,  A dozen or so nice geese were leaving my cousin's house and made a large loop over house.  Mr. PJ could hear them but could not figure out where they were.  While nervously searching for the geese, he became a bit disoriented and promptly plopped himself down to wait for me to come to his rescue.  I have never seen a dog so happy as when he finally focused on me.  His tail started wagging and he trotted up to me with wild eyes.  Hearing those loud yells but not being able to find the birds caused him a bit of worry.  He sure was happy to hear me call him to come inside!

Of all times....

  Mr. PJ, the old dog that has come to live with us, has been a perfect jewel the entire time I have been ill.  I think he understands that I am under the weather and has not wanted to aggravate me in any way.  I can open the door and let him go do his business far down the hillside without worry.  He has not tried to leave the Bayou.  Actually, that would be nigh on impossible with his aging legs and arthritis anyway because of the sheer distance but it is a relief that he has not ventured far off his given track....until today.  Today...today, of all days, he decided to raid the compost pile which is far down behind the house near the canebrake in the opposite direction of his usual roaming spots. 

  While this would have been aggravating enough, he would not return when called.  Ugh!  This meant that I had to don a jacket and head out to retrieve the dog.  Still not bad except for the fact that there was pea-soup thick fog and a fine mist falling.  Still...not the end of the world...except that I have the flu.  Added together, the events deemed troublesome enough to rile me a bit.  As I traipsed through the drizzle to fetch the dog, I kept calling.  He was not even paying one iota of attention to my yells.  As I rounded the corner of the shed and he was in view, he darted under the small deck on the back of the storeroom.  Now what??  It was all I could do to control the temper that was welling up inside of me.  Two things....one...he knows the compost pile is off limits.  Has been ever since he first started to visit the Bayou some ten years ago.  Second....he should know that going under decks, sheds and the house are a no-no.  He has been reprimanded enough to know better.  So, his infractions kept piling up.  

  After I finally persuaded the runaway dog to reenter the Little Bayou House, a foul odor hit me.  Ugh.  Yep, he reeked to High Heaven!  Obviously, he had not gone for the fresh orange peels, mushy banana or anything recent.  HE had to wallow in something that had been there for a while!  By this time, I did not even have the energy to fight him into the tub. The bath would have to wait for another day.  Darling Daughter had given me a bottle of "doggy perfume" back when Ms. Ez was with us so that came into play.  A few spritzes later and I could breathe.  I looked at the old dog and his tail started thumping on the floor.  Big, sad, puppy dog eyes glistened up at me as if to apologize for his misdeeds.  Oh, geez, Pup! You were grounded...were...ok, I still love you.  Now to get the wet clothes off, brew a mug of herb tea and try to stop the shakes.  Of all the times in the world for you to choose to go on an escapade, this was probably the worst.

The Most Caring!

  I am not sure if there is anything more caring than a critter.  Folks tend to malign animals as being without the ability to understand but I wish to take these folks to task!  Critters seem to have more heart than people give them credit!  Take Old Mr. PJ, for instance.  I rarely get sick to the point that I am bedridden but this crud is something else.  You literally do not want to even think!  Today, with me being as lazy as a sloth, the dog did not know how to react.  He was accustomed to our thrice daily hikes about the hillside and my being in bed was confusing to him.  He was concerned about me and stayed by my bedside.  It seemed that his understanding that I was not up to par was clear.

  All day, PJ stayed by my bedside and at times was reluctant to leave when Son took him outside for potty breaks.  Say it is because I am usually the one to give full care to the dog but I like to believe that a bond has formed between the two of us during his short time of being on the Bayou.  I like to think that he cares. It has often been my belief that my critter friends are the truest.

  After downing copious amounts of Bayou Fire, it seems that the crud has come to the understanding that it is not welcome here.  This evening, I feel much better. The fever has subsided, headache and body aches are minimal.  Hopefully by tomorrow, I will feel up to venturing outside at least for short periods of time.  Fresh air has healing powers and, with the old dog by my side, I am positive that things will be ok.  Friends!  They are good for the soul.  Where would we be without them even if they are of the critter sort?

From Royal Pain to a Perfect Prince

  Yesterday, I must have not been the only one having an off day.  It seems that perhaps Mr. PJ had either picked up on my vibes or was in a fickle state of his own.  We seemed to clash at every step.  The normally placid dog was as contrary as can be.  If I said "Go", he stayed.  If I said "Sit", he walked.  If I said "Come", he walked in the opposite direction.  Grrr!  He was pushing my buttons and all in the wrong order.  I finally coerced him back into the Little Bayou House and left him to ponder what he had done.  Not that it mattered.  He was perfectly happy to be on his cushy bed.  Yesterday, was just an all around irritating day.

  Today, however, the old dog woke up acting like the perfect prince he is.  He was eager to go on our hikes, excited to play with Ms. Nycto, the cat, and as sweet as pie to everyone.  What a change!!  Since he was being a sweetheart, I encouraged him to stay outside in the lovely weather.  A bit of sunshine would do him good.  He had cabin fever about as much as I have so we did yard work together.  Well, I raked, weeded, dug and hauled.  He snoozed in the bright sunshine.  At one point, my raking came to an abrupt halt when the dog decided my leaf pile was his new bed.  I let him have it.  If he was going to behave then small pleasures would be granted.

  I think the bright skies and warm temperatures did the two of us the world of good.  Yesterday, I had a bad case of the doldrums.  Today, a billion and one projects are whirling around in the brain.  Everything from outdoor garden rooms to stained walls in the living room made the list.  Things need to be done!  I have no time for these low spirits!  So...my Royal Pain of a dog returned to the Perfect Prince he normally is and helped lift my spirits tremendously.

He Remembers

  There are folks who claim that animals have very limited, if any, memory.  Being around animals a good bit for a long time, I can attest that sometimes it does seem that way.  With several pets in the past, trying to teach basic commands seemed to fly right out the window.  Just when you think they've got it...they do just the opposite.  Perhaps that has nothing to do with memory and a lot to do with being obstinate but, at least, there seems to be hope with dogs.  Dogs seem to have long-term memory, if nothing else.  I cannot say whether this is true with all dogs but most of the canines that have lived at the Little Bayou House have great long-term memories.

  Since my son and daughter-in-law moved their little family to an island far, far away and since I am keeping their dog, PJ, I have been sending them a daily photograph of him.  This was a request from my little granddaughter, Mary Ruth.  She said she was going to miss her dog and asked for the pictures.  I am trying hard to live up to my word and not miss a day.  After she received today's photo, she made a video (with the help of her sweet mom, Joanna!) and sent it "for PJ".  

  Mr. PJ was sound asleep when I played the video.  As soon as he heard that little girl, he jerked awake and turned toward the sound.  He had the happiest look on his face as he intently watched the screen of my computer.  HIS little girl was talking to him!  HIS little girl said "I love you, PJ!"  The old dog seemed young again, even if it was just for a few moments.  I replayed the video several times for him and, finally, he climbed back on his bed.  He was content.  HIS little girl still loved him!  He misses Mary Ruth and my grandson, Mark Charles.

  PJ definitely remembered that tiny girl and her sweet message was just what he needed.  Tonight, he will sleep soundly and have happy dreams of Mary Ruth and Mark Charles, I am sure.  Dogs do have long-term memories...this proves it.  It did my heart good to see the old dog so happy.

Just how??

  I realize that critters are a bit different than we are but not in so many ways that it should be hard to understand their actions.  To be honest here, I do understand critters far better that I do humans so perhaps this misunderstanding is a human thing and not a critter thing at all.  I am referring to Mr. PJ the old dog that has come to live here on the Bayou for a while.  He needed a home so I provided it.  He is welcome to stay here for the rest of his life (or mine, if he outlives me).  My previous doggy friend was easy to understand.  She and I could communicate with each other on a more personal basis.  Perhaps it was because Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog came here at a mere five weeks of age and stayed until her passing.  But we understood each other and could anticipate what the other was doing even without words.  Mr. PJ, on the other hand, came here late in his life and, while we are making extreme progress acclimating to each other, I still ponder a few things.  

  One of the most unusual things that the old dog does is fall in a deep sleep in the most unusual positions.  Yesterday, Mr. PJ fell asleep on the pier.  I do not blame him.  The warm sunshine, the sound of the waves gently rolling under the pier and the knowledge that both of us were there together, made the place comfortable.  It was his position that made his slumber confusing.  The dog was on the pier with his front feet extended and his head upright yet he was in a deep sleep.  How do I know?  He was snoring, for goodness sake!!!  Just how/???  My head bobbles all over the place if I dose while sitting upright!  Not him! He was quite magestic looking sitting there in the bright sunshine!

  Mr. PJ and I have adjusted well into our new friendship.  In fact, we have become best buddies and feel lost without each other nearby.  I am glad he is here and I think he is just as glad to have come to the Bayou.  This is going to work out just fine.  I might remain a bit confused with his antics but it is going to be just fine.

I'm Thinking!

  Back a long time ago, Pop used to tell me to "Use you head for something besides a hat rack!"  Usually, this statement came when I would do something impulsive that resulted in not so favorable consequences.  Pop was full of such sayings that made a whole lot of sense if you just stopped and thought about them for a while.  Most of the time, that was the whole of his reprimands as it took a lot to rile the man.  That is not to say my siblings and I did not get our share of swats on the rear but, more oft than not, he would sit us down and make us think about what we did.  Today, I used my head for more than a hat rack.  I thought and carried out a chore without making a bigger mess.

  The chore in question was brushing Mr. PJ, the old dog that resides with us.  He is shedding something fierce at the moment so the Little Bayou House seems to be growing its own fur coat for the winter.  Regardless of how many times I run the vacuum cleaner about the place, there always seems to be fluff puppies scooting about under the table.  This morning at daybreak, the dog and I made our way to the pier.  I had thought to bring his brush along with us and that proved to be one of the brightest ideas that I have had in a long while.  As PJ watched a grebe that decided to become friends, I brushed out all of that loose hair!  I had dog hair flying all about the place!  What a relief that I did not have to worry about where it was landing.  No vacuuming all the nooks and crannies again today.

  In the few short years since Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, left us, I had forgotten just how much hair a dog sheds each day.  Contrary to what I had been led to believe, their shedding is not seasonal.  It is daily!  Now that I have discovered the pier doggy salon, things will be much easier.  Brush and let the wind carry it away!  Yep, I'm using that brain!

Just Not Sure

  Sometimes it is really hard to teach an old dog new tricks.  Mr. PJ has come to stay with us on the Bayou while his family is on a tropical island somewhere out in the middle of the ocean.  The old dog was not allowed to go so the next best place seemed to be here.  I do not mind.  He is a good dog and I fully enjoy his company.  He is just not a Bayou Dog.  He is working on it but is just not there yet.  Maybe these new tricks are a tad too much for him at his age. 

  While he loves being able to run the hillside and take snoozes in the sunshine on the pier, the critters of the Bayou have him befuddled.  He is familiar with squirrels and rabbits but throw a nutria or otter in the works and he does not know how to respond.  At least, he has not had to come face to face with either, as of yet, but he has seen (and heard) them in the marsh.  His response is one of curiosity but also a bit angst.   Yesterday, Mr. PJ was introduced to a mullet. The fish was caught in the net along with four of its siblings.  They were flopping about the pier while the old dog slept.  One mullet flippity-flopped a bit too close to the dog's nose when he suddenly jumped to see what was making all the racket.  I guess he was still a bit dazed from his nap because, of all things, he decided to lick the fish.  Well, now!  That brought a look of disgust to the dog's face!  Not only was this thing noisy, rowdy and slimy, it tasted funny!  

  Seeing the reaction of PJ with his first encounter of a mullet made me giggle.  He is not a Bayou Dog, just yet, but is sure trying.  Our old dog, Ms. Ez, would have made short work of any fish if we would have allowed it.  Her favorite snack was the live menhaden that we use for bait.  She could hardly contain herself when she would see a net full of the minnows being hauled onto the pier.  If I said the word, she would jump on the chance to dine upon a few dozen of the little fish.  Yep, she was a true Bayou Dog!  Mr. PJ has a way to go yet.  He is just not too sure of some of the things around  here!

Not There Yet

  Mr. PJ has been around the Bayou on visits over the past decade or so.  My son and daughter-in-law brought him along on their visits so he is pretty much used to the place...as far as the layout, rules and attention.  He is not used to being a photographer's (and I use that term loosely) dog.  While I may not be the best with the camera, I do enjoy photographing the wildlife here.  The Bayou, woods and hillside offer so many opportunities.   For years now, I have had the camera handy at all times.  When Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog, (rest her soul) used to take hikes with me, she knew the routine.  No matter where we were, what she was doing or when it was, she knew if the camera was turned on, she was to freeze in step.  As soon as she heard the button activate, she was as good as a statue.  Many a time, she was in mid-step but would never even put her paw to the ground.  Ms. Ez was a wildlife photographer's dream dog.  Never once was an animal frightened.  Never once did she give chase.  Never once were critters hiding before I even saw them.  She was good.

  While Mr. PJ is well-behaved, he still has not mastered the "statue".  He just keep lumbering along at his same pace.  Earlier this week, a gorgeous egret stood on the mudflats.  I eased my way to the edge of the marsh, turned on the camera and prepared to photograph the bird.  Mr. PJ had not learned the routine so he did what we always do.  He headed down the pier.  While that was not wrong and I could not scold him, it did put a kink in the picture-taking.  The egret saw that big dog and took flight before his second step on the pier!.  I am not even sure PJ saw the bird.  He just kept walking like a dog on a mission.  Granted, I had not asked him to "wait" nor given him the command "stay".  I was so accustomed to Old Ms. Ez automatically knowing that it never occurred to me that I needed to do such.  PJ and I have a lot to learn.

  The next day, a lone pelican sat on a pier post.  As many photographs as I have of pelicans, they are still some of my favorite subjects.  Again, I turned on the camera, pointed it and got a sort of sad picture of the bird in flight.  Mr. PJ just kept lumbering down the pier.  I HAVE to learn to tell him to wait!  My pelican will be back so PJ and I need to practice!.

  This morning, the same thing happened.  I forgot, PJ did not know and another missed photograph.  A small rail was chattering in the marsh.  I got a bit excited as I recognized that call!  This was a mother rail and she had her little ones somewhere nearby.  In my rush to get a good spot to get pictures, I once again omitted to inform Mr. PJ to stay.  I settled in on the old skiff to wait for the family of rails to make an appearance.  PJ, on the other hand, had spotted the otter pups and excitedly made a beeline for his usual otter-watching perch on the pier.  I caught the tailend of the mama rail. 

  Both PJ and I need to get better at this deal.  Teaching an old dog some new tricks is not easy.  Soon, though, I will learn!  I will remember to give the command!  He will soon start to associate my command with the tinkling sound of the camera and will automatically become a statue.  He is just not there yet. I am just not there yet. I was spoiled by Ms. Ez's ability to learn these things on her own without any coaching from me.  Still, even with all of the missed shots, I adore this old dog.  It is great having a hiking buddy again.

Mr. PJ

  I am fostering my son and daughter-in-law's dog for a while since they are being transferred and cannot take him with them.  It was a heartbreaking decision for them to part ways with the pup since he has been a part of their family since the start.  PJ has come to visit the Little Bayou House often over the years and it only seemed natural that he come to stay for a while. He is familiar with the place so there is no big change other than not having them here.  He looks for them often and if he hears their voices, he starts to whine.  He misses his family terribly so I try my best to dote on him.  Not that this will ever replace their love or his love for them, but perhaps it will make the transition a bit easier.  Personally, I have adapted well to having another dog in the house and can see no reason why this shall not work.  Hopefully, once this move is over, they all can be reunited and be one big, happy family again.

  In the meantime, Mr. PJ is learning to be a Bayou Dog.  My sweet pup from several years ago, grew up knowing what was to be expected.  Ms. Ez knew not to go near the marsh because of the dangers lurking therein.  She knew to stay near the house and not venture down the lane to the road.  She knew who was a friend and who was a stranger and let me know with a different bark for each.  Mr. PJ has a bit to learn but since he has been here many times before, he is aware of a lot of the "rules" all of which are for his own well-being.  

  One of the things that he did not have to learn was to appreciate the cooling breezes that can be found on the end of the pier.  After a long, hot day, he and I will make the slow walk down the board path to the end of the pier.  There we share a quiet time and a bit of breeze. It is comforting to me to have the old dog there.  I missed that after Ms. Ez passed.  Now sweet PJ is filling a void for me. 

  This afternoon, PJ was interested in the water.  The tide was far out from the shoreline and the waves were washing in with a gently slosh. Shorebirds were taking advantage of the low tide and were scooping up little shrimp.  A lazy nutria was gnawing on the marsh roots and two otters played under my brother's pier.  The old dog watched all with great interest.  He did not become alarmed but rather calmly observed.  He is learning to be a Bayou Dog and learning what is a danger and what is merely life of the Bayou.  Good Ole PJ!  I think he is beginning to feel at home here. We are going to get along just fine.  Mr. PJ and I are going to get along just fine.

Mr. PJ

  Well, I guess it is official.  There is a new friend on the Bayou and one that I am so excited to have here.  While the visit with my son, daughter-in-law and grandlittles was nigh on perfect, there was a bit of a bittersweet part to it as well.  They are moving and this move would not allow them to take their trusted friend/pet, PJ.  The dog has been with them since the start of their marriage so it was a difficult decision to make.  My part was easy.  PJ has always had a place in my heart, I just opened the door to let him have a place in the Little Bayou House.  He is familiar with the Bayou, with us and us with him.  

  I am sure the old dog will be lost for a while and will miss his family each day until they manage to come back but in the interim, I get to pretend that he is MY dog.  This is good at least for me. It has been nigh on two years since Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, made the journey to her next life and in those years, I was just not ready for another dog.  I did not feel that I could accept another nor accept the training that went along with another.  PJ is different.  He had been perfectly trained (by Joanna's sister, Diana!) and had already gained a spot in my heart with his years of visits.  Plus, since we are both...umm...old, we get along well.  The two of us are satisfied with leisurely walks, long talks, lots of petting and a slow friendship. 

  I will do everything I can to make the transition easier on the old dog and he will do everything to brighten an old lady's day. As I was giving his ears a rub this afternoon, I thought of how I missed having a pup lying by my chair as I write. Yep, this is going to work.  Thank you, Mark and Joanna, for trusting me with your loved one and for removing that emptiness that Ms. Ez left behind.  And, Folks, get ready to be bombarded by posts about this good buddy of mine!

They tolerated...

 Sometimes I think that animals have far greater wisdom than humans.  They also seem to have a greater sense of loyalty and even apparently of tolerance.  Take old Ms. Put, for instance.  The Bayou Queen has aged drastically in the past few months.  Her health is failing along with her senses.  She seems to be nigh on deaf, blind and may have even lost her sense of smell.  Here lately, she wants to stay inside more and more.  The cooler nights have found her hovering close to either the wood stove or a space heater.  This is all fine by me as I do not have to worry about her being attacked by the coyotes.  She is comfortable, warm and safe from any predators.  

  Her little kingdom was recently sent into a tailspin by the invasion of family.  While I knew she would not tolerate another cat being brought into the house, I was in hopes that she would warm up to the idea of kids bouncing around the house and would see fit to ignore the old dog, PJ, if he was not to her liking,  Ms. Put and old Ms. Ez seemed to be best friends before Ms. Ez passed.  She did well with the kids and eventually let Mary Ruth pet her.  All was good.  Then the last few days saw a big change of events.  Ms. Put tolerated not ignored PJ! 

  It seemed that both the dog and the cat sensed that neither meant harm to the other.  While I cannot say that they were best of friends at least they did not squabble.  It was nice to observe how the two managed to get along well enough that they spent a good bit of time relaxing near one another. The big. old dog and the frail, little cat both tolerated...and did it well!

A Friendly Face

  It has been over a year since Ms. Ez left us.  Not having a dog has seemed strange in so many ways but I am still not ready to adopt another.  Several times, I admit, that I came close...so close but for some reason, it just never felt right.  Ms. Ez was such a big part of my life that her passing left a void that will not easily (if ever) be filled.  

  For the past few days as the family has gathered at the old homestead,  I have had the comfort of the friendship of another dog.  My son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren are here and have brought their dog, PJ.  He is a sweet old dog who was best friends with Ms. Ez.  They would romp together in the yard, snooze in the sun on the pier and chase every squirrel on the hill.  Time and distance could not tear them apart! Now, he is bringing comfort to me.  I happily let him sleep beside my bed or snooze on my feet as I sit in the rocking chair.  It feels right...not that I want another...but this just feels right.  Perhaps this is because PJ and Ez spent so much time together or perhaps is merely because I know this dog about as well as I did Ez.  Whatever the case, being able to reach down and pet him has made the holidays that much better.

  Thanks, PJ.  You are a good friend, indeed.  
 

Poopy Puppy..

My kids brought their pets with them when they came to visit the Bayou.  They are busy taking care of their new baby and really do not have a lot of time to care for the pets.  This will all even out once they get used to being parents and Mary Ruth gets settled into being in this world.  In the meantime, I am more or less pet-sitting while they are here.  I do not mind...most of the time.

Last night was one of those times that I had problems.  PJ, their dog, obviously decided to eat something that  did not agree with his digestive system.  This caused problems...big problems...BIG PROBLEMS!  I was up most of the night opening and closing the door.  It was about every twenty minutes that he had to go.  Geez! No sooner had he come back inside than the whining started.  I was up and out of bed to open the door.  He would bolt out the door and down the hill.  Five minutes later, he was back and in bed.  Alrighty now...this was not fun!  This "Jack-in-the-box" action lasted the entire night.  At three in the morning, I decided to quit trying to get any sleep.  There was just no use.  By morning, he seemed to be a bit better and was able to sleep a bit but I was already wide awake.  No sleep for me.   

About mid-morning, Michael and I took a walk to the pier.  Ms. Ez was with us but PJ stayed at the house. After a bit, Elizabeth and Robbie joined us...again, leaving PJ in the house.  At this point, I must relate that Mark and Joanna were upstairs tending their little one and had no idea that their dog was "home alone" in my living room.  Well..things went downhill really fast.  PJ's malady returned with a vengeance.  Oh, my poor Little Bayou House!!  When we finally returned from the pier, we were aghast at what hit us!  Even before we entered the door, we knew something was amiss..something terrible was wrong.."something wicked this way comes" type thing had hit the Little Bayou House and its name was PJ!  Yep..diarrhea..nasty, icky..SMELLY diarrhea.  PJ was in a panic as were the rest of us.  Trust me..it was not a pretty sight.  

Needless to say, the rest of the morning was spent cleaning. All of the furniture had to be moved and the rug had to be pulled up.  It was hauled outdoors to be cleaned.  Michael doused it down with the water hose and some cleanser.  As of now, it remains hanging on the fence. I started mopping the floor.  After a bit, my son, Mark took over and gave the floor a good scrubbing.  Elizabeth and Robbie threw open all of the windows and lit every scented candle in the house.  Ms. Ez retreated far down the hill and PJ hung his head sheepishly.  Not surprisingly, after being fed a good bit of pumpkin, the dog spent the rest of the day outside!

Tonight, PJ is still demanding out a good bit.  I have a feeling that once the rains stop, he will be...ummm..spending a good bit of the night out in the Rose Garden.  Perhaps then, I might grab a few minutes of much needed rest. I sure hope this is not contagious among pets and I sure hope that PJ gets over this soon...REAL SOON!

Bayou Dogs and ummm...Not Bayou Dogs!

My son and daughter-in-law came to visit this weekend and as they usually do, they brought their pets.  I do not mind this as I like critters.  Mark and Joanna have a cat, Kiki, who stays in the spare bedroom so she won't get lost in the clutter of the Little Bayou House.  Joanna tells me that this is done so Queen Kiki will not ruin some of my "collectibles" but I think she is just being kind.  I do believe the cat might become lost in the clutter and not be seen for the next thirty years or so. Consequently, the cat stays in the spare bedroom and pounces on anyone that opens the door.  She is a very loving cat and demands that her subjects pet her at all times.  But this tale is about poor PJ, their dog.  PJ is a most friendly dog..he just about loves everyone!  He likes to be the center of attention which sometimes is just not feasible.  I am spoiled with Ms. Ez as she will lie around on the floor and watch more than intervene.  (Then, again, perhaps she is just lazy!)  PJ is a remarkably well-behaved dog which makes him even more welcome here.  He listens well to whatever I tell him and tries his best to obey.  I think sometimes he just becomes a tad confused with the different surroundings.  The Bayou is a different sort of life for him.

 Ms. Ez is a true bayou dog.  Over the years, she has learned to navigate around the hillside and pier. She loves being near the water and all of the critters that live there. She is not afraid of these critters and has actually befriended a few of them to the point that they no longer fear her.  She fits in well.  There are bayou dogs (which in other areas are called country dogs) and then there are the "not bayou dogs".  PJ is not a bayou dog..he is a city dog!  Mark and Joanna live in a small town but compared to life on the Bayou, they might as well live in New York City itself!  (Don't get me wrong..I have nothing against New York City and those that live there..it is just that I could not live there!)   Anyway, I noticed today that poor PJ is not cut out for life on the Bayou.  He does well with visits but would be like a fish out of water if he had to make this his home.  It would be like me moving to New York!  This morning, I let the dogs out to do their business.  They were directed to "go down the hill".  PJ looked at me with a bit of confusion but soon remembered from his last visit and dashed down the hillside until.....he met up with a flock of doves!  Ms. Ez loves her birds and they love her...the birds were terrified of PJ and, well, he was of them.  When they flew up not twenty feet of him, it so startled the poor dog that he immediately turned tail and ran back to my side!  Poor PJ!  He is not a bayou dog!  Then later, I left them outside to play but he wanted back in the house!  Ms. Ez kept bringing him sticks and balls so he would play but he sat on the steps and whined.  Poor PJ!  He is so not used to country life!  Why play with a stick when he could watch television?

Then last night, my heart just went out to this pup.  Ms. Ez was all snug on her bed and he was snoozing in his crate.  During the night after the fire died down in the wood stove, it began to get a mite chilly in the house.  A strange noise awoke me!  I listened..it came from near the dogs.  Hmmmm?  I could not see either of them in the darkness so I just told them to go back to sleep.  All stopped for about ten minutes and then..the noise started again.  Following my earlier method, I fussed at them to go to sleep!  This time a bit sterner!  Quiet!  Ten minutes later...aarrgh!  "Settle down!" I demanded!  The noise got worse!  It sounded a bit like someone was shaking the crate!  I grabbed a flashlight and searched for an answer.  I got it.  PJ was trembling with the cold!  The poor dog was literally shaking like a leaf!  I looked at Ezzy and found her still all snug under her blanket!  She will root around until she is completely under the small fleece blanket.  PJ, on the other hand, was on top of his blanket and freezing!   I opened his crate and spread the blanket over top of him.  "There Pup..go to sleep!"  He seemed appreciative and promptly dozed.  The shaking stopped as did the clattering of the crate.  I figured he was used to their central heating unit and the icy air of the Little Bayou House was just too much for him.  He would sleep well now!  Wrong!!!!  A half-hour later and he was out from under the blanket!  The clattering of the crate was strong with his trembling!  Again, I got out of bed to cover up a dog!  This happened four times during the night.  Finally at five in the morning, I decided to get up and build a fire!  After all of this, he still had not learned to stay under that blanket and had not learned to burrow back under if it slipped off during his sleep.  Poor PJ!  He is definitely not a bayou dog!  I have a feeling he is really thankful to be back in his own bed tonight!  I think he likes to come visit his country friend but is happy to get back to his city life!