Remiss-mas

I’m feeling a tad bit guilty. So much has happened in the past two weeks that it’s all a blur — just like the photo to the right. All this busy holiday stuff — shopping, packing for our trip, our trip, coming home — has sent me into a tail-spin (pun intended) and has thrown me off my normal routines. In fact this morning, when I looked at the photos still waiting to be uploaded I cringed. “How am I ever going to catch up?” I asked Gretchen.

“You begin,” was her simple answer.

Still, I feel remiss since I know there are people out there reading my blog (which to this day, astounds me!). So, I shall begin though even knowing when to begin is daunting.

We went skiing. This was way before Christmas day, but I want to start here because I LOVE TO SKI and it was kind of the start to the blur. But before we went skiing, Jessica and Quillette spent the night and while this may not seem important to you, it was extremely important to me. I love my Jessica and Quillette is kind enough to share her with me, as you can see.

My moms are always surprised that when Jessica comes to spend the night, I sleep with her. Not sure why they are surprised…I’m just being a good host to some of my favorite guests.

But then we went skiing. Jessica had never really been cross-country skiing, but she caught on quickly. And despite the snow boots, Quillette and I did too!

And then we had a very short work week…

I know I should write lots and lots of pithy stuff about Monday and Tuesday, but frankly, I only remember tidbits of those two days.

I guess that’s part of the blur effect brought on by too much holiday excitement and not enough normal routine.

Luckily, I have the photos to remind me…

Of Tyson and Rosie on a cloudy Monday…

Followed by Gemma, Oshi, and Perrito in the rain…

And finally Saber to end the day…

And then Tuesday, which turned out to be a very light day but a very monumental day since we took Rosie out with Saber. They’ve never met and both of them were pretty darn excited to meet each other. Luckily, Ann came with us to help with the excited leashes and to take a photo as well as be the subject of a few!

Yes, Saber has a powerful tongue and yes, I just came from the groomers (in preparation for the holiday) and yes, it was a short, but fun work day!

And then we were off…we drove a long way but met up with Grandma and Grandpa and then ending up at my Uncle Paul’s and Aunt Patti’s house.

Where the humans ate a birthday cake that was as rich and decadent as anything I’ve ever seen…

And then, to my surprise, my doggie cousins — Hope and Ringo — were whisked away. I was a bit taken aback because I usually hang out with them, but before I could say, “Get off of me!” they were hauled away in the car and driven to…(dramatic music!) the vet’s office!

Whew…I am so glad I didn’t have to accompany them, but from the photos, it looks like Ringo was wishing I was there to help deflect the inevitable…

While Hope was the good girl and behaved herself…

When they returned, Hope did what she always does…found a lap to sleep on…after posing for a holiday photo…

And Ringo curled up and went to sleep, which is kind of rare for him…

You see Ringo, as adorable as he looks here, is kind of bossy. Gretchen tells me it’s the breed, but I’m beginning to think it’s really just Ringo. He likes me very much and follows me around everywhere, but he also likes to pick fights and since I usually don’t back down, well, we can get into some mighty tussles. You, of course, only get to see the sleeping shots, which is probably for the best. Here’s even one of me…

But Ringo and I also like to play and after much cajoling on my part, we raced around the yard and had a grand (albeit blurry) time!

While Hope watched…and Uncle Paul took a hot tub…

And if that weren’t enough…

…we decided to forgo a ski trip (bummer, bummer, bummer) and find a place where we could take a nice long walk with my human cousin, Lindsey…

…only where my Uncle’s family lives is kind of odd. It’s all farmlands and orchards and hilly vistas and vineyards with nary a place to walk. We had to drive along windy roads and through weird little towns to find a park where we could run free and even then, Hagg Lake was muddy and filled with plants that covered in burrs that clung to my Velcro fur like you wouldn’t believe. Still, it was fun and beautiful…

As you can see, I didn’t mind the mud or the burrs though later I paid a price with a bath and a combing…still, you’d think a place as beautiful as this…

…would have a lot more places to walk without problems of trespassing or highway walking.

So instead of too many hikes, hung out at the house and I watched as the humans cooked…How many humans does it take to cook up some pork?

And I snickered a bit when Ringo was put outside and I was left inside…

And then we all sat around as everyone exchanged gifts…or course, Ringo and I found our gifts right away…

And I snuck into the family photo…don’t worry because my Uncle and Aunt and human cousins LOVE me to pieces just as much as I love them.

But when they opened all the presents, I must admit, I feel asleep…

And the humans did more cooking and carving (with the help of some online advice on how to carve a turkey…notice where I am!)…

And then we all laid around — our bellies full, hearts even fuller — and counted our blessings. Okay, the last part — counting our blessings — isn’t a blur at all. In fact, it’s probably the part I’ll remember the most of these past two weeks.

Until tomorrow,

Rubin