MaggieMoose: The Orange Ball Caper

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself."

Henry Miller

  It all started with the rumblings from the other room. I'm busy doing non-MaggieMoose stuff. The noise was reminiscent of Maggie throwing her toys out of her toy box. I know she's seeking that one special toy. I continued on doing my own thing. Suddenly, there she is, the orange ball is in her mouth. Maggie looks at me longer than comfortable as if it's suppose to mean something. The next thing I know she's on her Scooby Doo towel. I think, oh OK. I continue on.

Before I can say BOO Maggie has moved to the couch. Oh no. Darn her. I know what she did. I didn't pay attention to that orange ball in her mouth and now it's under the couch. This means I have to get up off my chair and retrieve that dang ball. This is Maggie 101: How to Get Attention. Quietly roll the ball under the couch so, the human has to get up and get it. I've played this game many times. It's Maggie's personal favorite game when people come to visit.

OK, I'm here Maggie. I get on the floor and look under the couch. SURPRISE. Orange ball. I retrieve. Maybe I was a Golden Retriever in another life? Except my tail isn't wagging in this life.

I give Maggie the ball back by throwing it down the hallway. OK, she's happy I threw the ball. Maggie saunters back with the ball in her mouth. I turn away for a quick moment. I look back. Oh no. Her look tells me she's put that dang orange ball under the footstool. It didn't roll by itself. I know my Maggie. She's behind this caper, this orange ball caper. 

SURPRISE.

Heavens to Betsy. Maggie me thinks, you're genius, you could do your own advertising campaign. Want Attention? Add Maggie. Maggie got her little play time with reluctant me. Life is funny how paying attention to one thing can give it so much magnificence it becomes a world unto itself. Life's a BALL! Maggie goes back to Scooby Doo, her elk antlers, and her twig toy with the orange ball laying still in front her. Visible to the world of MaggieMoose.

MaggieMoose: Old Dogs Rule

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"Everyone is the age of their heart."

Guatemalan Proverb

  Last Friday Maggie went to the groomer's. It was her bi-monthly trim. English Springer Spaniels get longish hair with feathering on their legs. I prefer to keep Maggie's hair short.  She's not a show dog, just an everyday dog. A short hairdo cuts down on dog hair around our place. It also keeps outside seeds of burrs, foxtails and more from attaching to her. Maggie told me last Friday was "old dogs rule" day. We met a Golden Retriever in the tub waiting to get a scrub a dub dub. Our impression was he was like the old, sage Shaolin monk referred to as "the blind Master Po" in the Kung Fu TV show. The show starred the actor David Carradine who was referred to as Grasshopper. This old dog just had that Master Po vibe. Next to the Master Golden in the tub were some old dogs chilling on the bench with the fans on to dry them. They might have been old, but they were youthfully curious. Who's the kid? Maggie, I think they mean you Grasshopper.

Maggie walks in the back. The old dogs must have recognized Maggie. They went back to their comfortable positions of laying prone. Maybe they had more to contemplate or perhaps banter between the two of them? These old guys knew the grooming drill. It looked like they took it in stride like a day in the park. Nothing to shake their tail feathers like it might a young buck or lass.

Time went by. I think while I was gone Maggie had a few sage lessons from Master Golden on mental and spiritual power. 

Maggie shared with me that although bodies may slow down, everyone is the age of their heart. I think Maggie must be a toddler. Her wiggle butt was full throttle and she completely forgot her manners. She was about to open the door herself. Patience Grasshopper! 

Wanna gsee retro TV? CLICK: Kung-Fu TV Show Compilation: Wise Sayings

Happiness: Spa Day & Canine Conversation

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"True happiness arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self, and in the next, from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions."

Joseph Addison

  The other day Maggie had her mani/pedi. No polish for her, just a nice filing and cuticle removal. Oo la la, this mani/pedi came complete with a scrub-a-dub of aloe & oatmeal shampoo. She loves getting a bath, having her nails done and chatting it up with her canine friends. Spa day! When I went to pick Maggie up one of her friends, the Golden Retriever dog was relaxing under the dryers. Some dogs shiver and shake when they enter the dog grooming building. They are usually the smaller dogs, but not always. The big dogs just prance in like they own the place. The look on their faces shows me they aren't bothered. Who cares if they're left for a few hours while getting fussed & gussied up? Maggie tells all. This pack of dogs chilling underneath the dryers or in the tubs are there to catch up with each others' lives. It's like a secret canine society us humans are clueless about. The password for entrance is WOOF WOOF. It's a different kind of day for canines who otherwise wouldn't get to see each other. When I come home after dropping Maggie off the house feels empty. I do things previously left undone and run errands. Before I know it, it's time to go get Maggie. Her groomer brings her out. She's all wiggles & giggles. I read her mind. Let's go! I want my treat! I'm handed the baton treat. We're off. Another fine day spent with a few select canine companions. It makes for a happy MaggieMoose girl.

Vacation Time with Laughter Across The Miles

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

Laughter is an instant vacation."

Milton Berle 

Maggie's green gator

  Today I head out to New Orleans. Maggie will be on her own "doggy" vacation with some animal buddies coming over. A Golden Retriever and a Yorkie mix. They're coming to play and go do fun things with Maggie while I'm gone. Maggie tells me she'll be unavailable by email, but I'll be checking in. I will be posting some fun stuff from the New Orleans, LA area. French Quarter first stop. Honey Island Swamp won't be missed either. I'll be traveling with my college graduate daughter. I haven't spent much time with her these past 4 years while she was away back East. It is going to be great to have the special time together. I know Maggie is in great hands when I leave. She and I will be laughing across the miles. We know how to vacation even if apart. While I'm gone I'll be doing some "gator" research for the MaggieMooseTracks' children's book series. Maggie likes that. She loves her gators & loves to share her adventures. See ya soon MaggieMoose!

Woof Woof says MaggieMoose!