Monte

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

We lost a dear family friend this week. He passed way too early, barely out of adolescence. For the last few months he had faced an illness which only seemed to get worse. Finally, the time came when we had to say goodbye.

Like those we love and lose, I will remember the good times most of all. As a youngster, he swam in our pool and chewed sticks in the front yard of my Alabama home when he visited. He flunked obedience training, but he was smart. He learned to go the door, indicating a need to attend to business best completed outside if you know what I mean. Then, he would pull the trick of stealing my spot on the most comfy chair before I could close the door.

His human mom and dad are sad and so I am.

Practical loses out to indulgent

Like one of my favorite bloggers, I don’t write about products for pay. Yes, I know there is a Google ad at the top of this post, but I don’t even bother to see if there is any money in my account, and I certainly have no control over what ads Google plops up there. Ads for Ann Coulter books, sexy singles, quilting supplies, the University of Alabama and of course kitchen sinks—they are all somehow related to the content here or at least Google seems to think so, although I still haven’t figured out the sexy singles connection.

So, this cute little Springer Spaniel stuffed animal by Douglas is not an ad. As a new grandma, I am prone to impulse purchases. Ogilvy, a Springer Spaniel plush dog, was one such purchase. I thought new grandson might like this much quieter liver and white spaniel to match the real life Monte version.

I know new parents would love more practical purchases, but sometimes a grandma just has to be indulgent.

A Dog Senses Danger

My son called me on his way to work this morning. “Did you hear about the earthquake?” he asked.

I had and was going to E-mail him later to ask if they had felt the quake in the west suburbs of Chicago.

My daughter-in-law had been awakened by a shaking house and had tried to convince my skeptical son that she wasn’t imagining things. Only after checking the morning’s news did he realize she was right.

Now, unlike the west coast, you don’t really hear too much about earthquakes in the Midwest, but according to the U.S.Geological Survey, "this region has more earthquakes than any other part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains." For example, the New Madrid Fault is one you might have heard about most. Back in 1811-1812, a series of earthquakes hit New Madrid, Missouri, and even changed the course of the Mississippi River. Today’s quake, which occurred in the Wabash Valley fault system, was centered in southern Illinois and was felt in St. Louis, Cincinnati and even as far as Canada. Because of the region's geology, earthquakes here tend to be felt over much greater distance.

But, what captured my attention was the strange behavior of grand-dog Monte as reported by my son. My son said that yesterday Monte was barking at the ground like he was terribly afraid. Monte's legs were trembling from fear. From past experience, I know dogs will bark at a lot of odd things--motorcycles, vacuum cleaners and especially items that are out-of-place; however, I am now convinced Monte is an earthquake-detector dog.

The National Geographic has an interesting article on the subject of animals sensing earthquakes. Next time, I think I’ll listen to Monte when he sounds a warning. I have a new level of respect for him.

How Could I Forget the Dog?

Here's granddog Monte, the exuberant one-year-old English Springer Spaniel. He’s a chocolate and white--okay he’s officially a liver and white, but Monte’s human mom says it should be changed from the liver, and I’m with her. And don’t write me all you liver lovers out there and tell me there’s nothing wrong with liver. Don’t wanna hear it.

He is fun and so full of life. Well, except for that morning he thought getting up at 4 a.m. was a good idea. Course, I didn’t have to get up. That’s the beauty of a granddog, isn’t it?

Anyway, here’re photos of the handsome boy taken over the weekend.

Monte’s Spa Day

Natalie sent me this photo of my granddog, Monte, after his first time at the groomers’ or as Natalie calls it, “Monte’s Spa Day.” That’s always the way I thought of it when Samantha went for grooming. For me, it was the doggie beauty salon.

You know how good you feel when you get a haircut yourself. Well, dogs are the same way. Sam would come home all frisky and full of energy sporting either little bows in her long Springer ears or a more fashionable seasonal scarf.

Notice, Monte is all ready for St. Patrick’s Day with the shamrock neckwear. Unfortunately, I heard that after a certain episode at the dog park, Monte required another bath. Just like a kid.

Animal Crackers

Monte loves the snow. Good thing. The Chicagoland area has had lots of it lately. Monte's dad says he looks like a hippie dog. Mid-winter isn't the time for your first haircut, but I think he's cute just the way he is.