MOMMY AND DADDY LOVE US!

Last weekend, mommy and daddy were in the back territory all day. They let us come out and hang out with them. Then mommy went and got us a treat. She said this was the other half of Santa's present. We got to chew on them all day long.
Max wouldnt lay down. Mommy finally had to take him out to the grass and make him sit and lay, then give him his treat again. Then we discovered our own water bowls. We dont even have to stoop to drink the water. And it is always running. I being the princess, prefer fresh running water over that icky stale sitting water... umph!

While I was content to continue to enjoy my treat for hours, Max got tired of his, and went exploring. So I took his treat and worked on that too.

Daddy is still digging. He dug a hole and put in some white long things, then filled the hole back up. Max likes to go into the hole and eat the grass growing out of the side. Daddy told him that soon there will be water in it, and he will have to swim around in the hole.
4 hours later, and I am still content with my treat! There is not much left, but I want to get all the yummyness out of it.
Note from mommy: The next day, Sasha went out to go potty, found the bone and refused to come back in. She stayed outside by herself for over an hour, continuing to chew the bone. Now THAT is dedication!

WHAT A BOY HAS TO DO!

The other night, mom & dad had lots of hoomans in our lair. They put us away in our safe places, cause they said we were so big, we may scare the new hoomans. We just went to sleep until they came and got us. But when we came out, the furniture had been moved around, and my bed was hidden behind something. After dad fed us, I wanted to go to my bed to meditate. So I just squeezed between the furniture and layed down on my bed. Mom thought it was just "adorable" how I squeezed into the small space to go to sleepeez. Of course she had to pull out that dumb flashy thing to show everyone.

Today mom is working in her "off limits" space, but if I come back slow enough, with my head down and quiet, she will let me stay there for a little bit. This time she was working with some sticky papers. When I put my head on her lap for a pet, this is what I got instead.

But hey, if it gets some more lovins, I will do anything! Even tolerate stickies on my face!

PAW! Max the Dude!

HALTI STRIKE and OTHER THINGS

BARK! First I want to apoligize for my bad mood the other day. Mango was right, I did have a burr in my back side. Let me tell you why... Tuesday mommy and daddy and gramma were celebrating St. Paddies day. Now doesnt that sound like something we doggies should be part of? After all, Great Danes, have Irish Wolfhound in them, so we have every right to eat that corn fed beef too. But did we get any?

Noooo, all daddy did was put a little on his well fed belly, and let us sniff for it. Just enough to tease a good doggie. Look how clean his plate was. He didnt save ANY for us!During the night, I dreamt of beef and green stuff. Then all those crazy human things ran across my dreams and I got real peeved and had to paw them onto the 'puter. Mommy said I sounded awfully spoilt, and I had better tell all the other doggies that I really dont feel that way. I was just barking out my frustrations. So I am sorry! Sasha the Princess

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PAW! Dudes and dudettes... thank you so much for supporting my Gentle Leader halti strike. You all told mommy exactly how it is. Last week my neck was a little bit sore, and when I saw how mommy and daddy were giving me so much attention, I decided to get as much as I could. But I didnt expect them to quit walking us for so many days. Then when mommy started feeling bad herself, I thought I had better end my strike and start being normal again. But guess what...? It worked. On the next walk, mom didnt put on the halti. She slid the marteen dale around my neck, and let me walk on the other side of her. I was so happy. I decided to show her what a good boy I could be. So I stayed calm (except for that one mutt that I have to announce my presents to) and walked beside her and hardly pulled. Mom was very proud of me and told Dad I was very good, so I got even more attention. Wow, who would have figured- PAW- Max the Dude!

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BARK- Sasha here again. Mommy said since I was a good girl and apoligized to all the doggies and all, then was good for mommy, she let me lay on the couch with her. It felt so good, I fell to sleep and started dreaming of running free. I was so caught up in my dream, I didnt even feel mommy get up to snap the flashy thing... Oh man, here we go with the annoying things again!

BARK! Sasha the Princess!

OUR PET PEEVES ABOUT HOOMANS

'1' Blaming your farts on me..... not funny... not funny at all !!!

'2' Yelling at me for barking. I'M A DOG FOR HEAVENS SAKE!

'3' Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

'4"Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose. Stop it!

'5' Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

'6' The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

'7' Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

'8' Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

'9' Dog sweaters. Hello ??? Haven't you noticed the fur?

'10' How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth. You're just jealous.

Now lay off me on some of these things. We both know who's boss here! You don't see me picking up your poop do you?
EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY. A DOG ALWAYS OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. CATS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT

BARK! Sasha the Princess
PAW! Max the Dude!

MOMMY MONDAY

Praise the Lord... Max is back to normal. Being his usual goofy spaz self. As soon as he came to, I was hit hard with the flu/cold/ sniffles... whatever it may be, so they have not been on their walkies for 4 days. Dad promised to take them out tomorrow to give me an extra day to rest. I have been in bed since Friday night, with the exception of a few commitments I had to take care of over the weekend. I finally crawled out of bed tonite to scrounge up a few crackers and butter, so I guess that means I am on the upswing... not tired, but hungry-- HAH!!

Sasha has been very good during this whole routine upset. While Max was down, she stayed calm and didnt try to rough house with him at all. And she didnt snap at him either, which she sometimes does when he yelps or shows weakness. As soon as she started to roughhouse with him, we could tell he was back to himself again. Amazing how dogs know just what to do sometimes. While I was in bed, they both came and gave me nose snugglies. That can always put a smile on my face!

I miss my walkies, hopefully I will be back to them on Tuesday morning!
Sasha & Max's mommy-- Mindy Lu

WHATS WRONG WITH MAX?

The past couple days Max has been moping. Mommy and daddy were real worried. I left him alone so he could rest. But that meant mommy and daddy were giving him more special attention. Mommy said he was acting scared and scat-ish. I dont think he is acting like a cat at all. But he didnt seem like playing much. Note from mommy:

Max was acting odd last couple days. However he is eating and taking care of business as normal. We couldnt figure out what was up. He would lay down at our feet, sometimes looking scared, and sometimes almost seeming defeated. Normally he paces around bumping into us, his head high. But he has been walking about with his head low (like a horse) and just stopping in a spot and staring at the floor. We have rubbed him everywhere to make sure he isnt hurt, but no noises come from him. Last thought was maybe during his walk, the gentle leader was tugged a little too hard, and his neck was sore. This morning he woke up with a little more punchiness, so maybe he just needed rest. Can anyone let me know if they have seen this in their big doggies?

Sasha and Max's mommy!

FETCHING WARS

This weekend Daddy was working out in the yard and he let me help him. We were pulling up green things. Mommy came home and brought out the flashy thing. She called dumb Max to pose on top of the hill, but he was too dumb to know what she meant. So I came running with Daddy, and we posed. I love when Daddy lets me help!
Then mommy pulled out the Big Red Dog and tossed it for Max. This usually gets him all excited. But he doesnt know how to catch in the air. He just chases after it, then runs around with it in him mouth.

But I showed him how it is done!

BARK! Sasha the Princess!

MOMMY'S DAY

Mommy brought home the weird floaty things again. They dont have a smell, so we cant figure out what they are.

Her and daddy just kept kicking them around the lair.

It upset me a bit, so I had to tell daddy to stop. But that just made him toss them around even more.

Dumb Max didnt like them at all. He kept trying to hide behind mommy, but daddy chased after him.

Finally I got hold of one, and put it in its place. But it made a real loud bark, which really upset me and I told daddy to make them go away!

Daddy finally put the floating barking things away, so we could go back to meditating.

BARK! Sasha the Princess!

UH OH!

We cant help it. We were bored. We want to play more. This thing was close to my bed, so I thought it was interesting enough to chew on. I didnt know they had something to do with the brightness in the room at night, and the box that mommy and daddy stare at sometimes.Mommy says we will have to stay in our safe places whenever they are not home.

Im sorry Mommy-- BARK! Sasha the Princess

WE'RE STILL HERE

Mommy has been so busy lately, we havent been able to get to the 'puter to update. We have been begging her to get us on, so we can see the other doggie happenins.

Last weekin, mommy said it was valintins day for lovers. We figured we would get some lovins. After mommy and daddy drank out of the tall bottle, they got all happy and started asking US for lovins! What's up with that. Daddy asked me for a kiss. I didnt want to kiss him, but he kept trying.

Then daddy puckered up for dumb Max.

And dumb Max fell for it.


Mommy and daddy got all excited that the dumb boy kissed daddy. I dont know what the big deal is?! I kiss mommy all the time.

This weekend daddy hasnt come home. Mommy said he went away for the weekend to a confrence. I dont know what that means, but mommy said she feels real safe with us watching over her. So we are taking turns sleeping in front of the door to the lair until daddy comes back home.

Come home soon daddy! BARK! Sasha the Princess!

BAD NEWS... GOOD NEWS...

BARK!! Bad news...

Mommy is gone almost all the time now. She went back to something called "wurk". Then at night she comes home for a little bit, and then goes out again to something called "Bi-blue stud-ee". We greet her each time she comes home and give her tail wags and slobbers. Don'b get me wrong, she does show us love before she has to run away again. But we are sad to see her gone so much.

BARK! Good news...

Mommy can take us for walkies again. She is so happy about this, that it more than makes up for our sadness that she is gone soo much. She even wakes up before us, drinks the stinky dark stuff, then takes us out in the dark to explore the territory. She is putting those things in her ears again, and seems to walk faster and with a smile on her face. We have even heard her make happy noises sometimes too. She told daddy it is fun to wear the things in her ears, cause they make her want to "seeeng". Sometimes she even takes us out for a walkie before she has to run again to her stud-ee. We are working real hard at being good doggies on the walk, so she will keep taking us out.

Last week, that big, bad mean dog behind us started teasing me again behind the fence. So I had to go give him a few words. As I was giving him the paw, the fence board came loose, and he gave me the paw in the face. After daddy got done yelling at me, he saw the owie on my nose and cleaned it up. When mommy got home, I got more special loving too. It is ok now, but my nose is not so cute anymore. But mommy still kisses it. So I guess I wont need dogstic surgery.

Bark- Sasha the Princess with the flawed nose!

ANOTHER ONE ARRIVED...

A big box arrived again. Mommy got so excited. She invited us to help her open and investigate. It doesnt smell like doggie stuff... wonder what it is?
Max got right up into it and tried to find the yummies

Mommy took the stuffing out of the box and wrapped it around dumb Max. He is so gullable!

It doesnt look like there is any doggie stuff in there. So I dont know why mommy is so excited!

Mommy tried to convince me that it really was something for us, but I did not agree in the least bit!

Hmm, this smells interesting. Can I have a taste?

What the heck? Mommy tried to grab my nose with those pointy things. That was NOT nice!

Dumb Max sat down so she had an easier chance to grab his nose. What a dumb boy!

Mommy said these are for flipping meats when cooking. Now put some meat on the end of those sticks, and I will gladly sit like dumb Max!

Well, there were not doggie goodies for us in the box, but mommy was nice enough to get some out of the smelly room, and reward us for helping her unpack the reward SHE received. There are some benefits for helping mommy open boxes!

BARK! Sasha the Princess!

MOMMY'S MONDAY

As I was being prepped for surgery a couple weeks ago, the nurse commented on my biceps. He said they were impressive for a girl. At first I was confused, as I do NOT work out! Then, at the same time, my hubby and I laughed as we told the nurse that I walk about 240 lb's of dogs a day. He was so impressed, he was continued to talk about it, as he wheeled me into OR, sharing it with my Dr, waiting behind her mask, ready to put me under and get on with her job. So my last memory as I went under, was of my pups.

This is when it hit me, I had been instructed not to lift more than 5 lbs for the next 4 weeks, that includes 240 lbs worth of dog! Just when I was getting the hang of walking them together, with my iPod blasting 70's music and keeping us all calm. So I can honestly say, the hardest part of healing is not being able to spend time alone on a walk with my babies. Oh, I get to love on them in the house, but it is not the same as fresh air, pee-mail and just the excitement of being outdoors together. Seeing things through THEIR eye's (or should I say noses?). I am sure my husband would let me walk with him, but I havent quite gotten back in the routine of waking at the crack of dawn with him.

However, as I prepare to return to the work force this week, I am saddened even more by spending even less time with my babies. Just before being laid off, my drive home was full of anticipation of getting home to a walk with the kids. Just me and one or both of the babies. It lifted my spirits. I have 2 1/2 more weeks to go with no mommy and doggie time.

I need to look back at this reflection in 3-4 weeks, when I am back to waking up at the crack of dawn to get a morning walk in, to remind myself, that I was missing this! I am sure my hubby will gladly remind me, as I sleepily drag my behind out of bed, while it is still dark, grab onto my cup of coffee, curl up in my recliner and slowly awaken to 2 dogs staring me in the face, waiting for that morning migration. Oh how I miss it now... but just wait...

Sasha & Max's Mom!

AWWW, THIS IS THE LIFE...

Mom is feeling better and starting to move around a lot more lately, leaving the lair for longer times away. The other day she left for almost the whole day. We are not sure how much we are going to like this. So we are trying to show her how much we need her here, with us.

We are not suppose to come into the "stay away" room unless invited, but I had to show mom I love her so much. So I very slowly stepped in, and kept alert for her energy. She seemed calm, so I crept forward, head low. She looked back, and watched me. Then instead of pointing for me to leave the room, she signaled me over, and let me put my head in her lap as she tapped on the table and stared at the square box some more. Then she couldnt resist any longer, and had to start tapping the table with one hand, while the other hand gave me the masage I was begging for.

But dont you know it, The Princess had to interupt. Just standing at the door waiting to be invited in, didnt work for her, so she ran and got the Pink Bone.


NOT THE PINK BONE!! It gets 'em every time! Dad walked in at the same time, and the whole quiet mood was gone. The Princess became the center of attention again!

Personally, I think she is pretty mean with that darn Pink Bone, but mom and dad think she is adorable with it. They say it has lasted longer than any of her toys.

What's a Dude to do?

PAW! Max the Dude!

WHAT THE HECK...?

BARK! I was just laying the floor meditating, when my paw-dar sensed something moving near me. I jumped up to investigate. I couldnt smell it, but it was moving. Something was up! I kept trying to get mommy and daddy's attention, but they just kept staring at the square box. Then they started laughing at me! Can you beleive it? They laughed at ME! The PRINCESS! Mommy ran and grabbed her flashy thing again, and took a picture of the moving thing. I was very alert, and made sure it didnt make any sudden moves on her.
Then mommy was so brave. She let it move onto her hand. She told me it was a "Pill Bug" and I didnt need to worry. She was so glad I didnt eat it, and let it be. Then she took it outside and let it go free.

Then I went back to mediating! BARK!

PS-- My friend Mango reminded me that he is from Master-chew-sits. I think mommy was watching a little too much of that MA, PA, Laura bunch, and got confused and all!

Sasha-- The Princess!

AN EXCITING WEEK

Mommy says it has been an exciting week.

First she got news of a new job and they were nice enough to let her stay home with us for a little bit longer, before making her leave us during the day again.
Then she went to a day trip away and had some stuff done to her that will make her feel better each month and that means she can walk with us all the time now.

Then the nicest thing of all, we got an award from not one, but TWO of our doggie friends. Waldo and Gus from OH HI! O and Mango and Pee Wee from Minnie Soda. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

Mommy had to look up what that "self-..."word meant. I think it means something about showing off or bragging. Nothing that any of us doggies would EVER do! So I would like to pass this award to:

Dog mum for being the inspiration to get started with the doggie bloggie

Our Porto Rico friends for showing us the other side of the world.

and mommy wants to give to:

Big Honey Dog for making her eyes leak each time she see's the dance

The new wife for making her laugh each time she reads her funny stories ( I personally think she needs to let her doggies on the 'puter more!)

We know it says to send to 8, but we wanted to make it extra special for some.

BARK! Sasha the Princess!

LAZY DOG DAYS

Mommy went to the pawspital the other day. When daddy brought her home she was real sleepy and we had to stay away from her. But gramma and grampa were here too, so we got lots of petting. Daddy slept in the big room with us, and was he loud!
So we have been good doggies and laying around with mommy all day, making sure she is ok. Dumb Max gets too close to her tummy, and daddy has to make him go lay down a lot. But mommy gives us her loving eye's from her chairbed. She has been staring the square picture box, which she usually never looks at. I hear the same voices coming from it over and over. There is Pa, Ma, Laura and some others. Sometimes mommy's eye's leak too. Then she points that long thing, and it starts again. I dont know how much longer I can stand those voices, but it sure seems to make mommy happy.

Mommy said when she is feeling better, she is going to fix our paw nails for us. Max's nail is so sharp it cut mommy awhile back, so she came home with this box. I dont know who those are on the front cover and I dont know if I am going to like it.

BARK! Sasha the Princess!

MOMMY DID A DANCE!

The energy has been a little different around here lately. Mommy has been talking about going to the pawspital, then she said she will be laying around with us for a couple days. She told us not to worry, it is going to be something good. She also said we wont have to worry about any little hoomans showing up to stay for good.

Then yesterday, the hooman bell rang and after mommy put it back on the wall, she started jumping around. At first I was a little confused. I got excited too, but didnt know why.

Then I started telling daddy what mommy was saying. She said now she could get us new beds and maybe we would even get a special bone soon.

I still dont understand completely what is going on with mommy, but I am happy she is happy. And if she is going to be laying down with me, I am even happier- BARK! Sasha the Princess

MOMMY MONDAY

~~~Reflections~~

Last night we went to a desert celebration, which was a "Who Done-It" theme. We were invited to dress as our favorite detectives. Naturally, I thought of Scooby-Doo's mates, Shaggy and Daphne. It was fun and VERY easy to dress the part (even with a "ho-hum" hubby dragging his feet). Since we couldnt really bring our own Scooby-Doo, I printed a few pictures to pin to us, as a hint of who we were.

As I perused The Princess's library of photo's, I was struck at the progression of her aging. Although she still has the energy of a puppy when she sees a squirrel or cat, her face and sleeping habits reflect her true age.

When we first adopted her Christmas of 2005, she was very skinny. She had previously been taken by another family, but after chasing a visitors cat, she was returned within 2 weeks. The home jumping stressed her enough, to cause her to loose a lot of weight.

This picture was taken shortly after we brought her home, she was just starting to get the white around her muzzle. She was 5 1/2 years old. The rescue said she still had the energy of a pup, and she quickly proved that. It took her almost a year to quit being so interested in my 15 year old cat, who did not want ANYTHING to do with her. You can see her spine and rib cage very clearly in this photo, reflecting how skinny she was.

The below picture was taken within the last year. She has almost lost all the color on her face and muzzle. I just called her to me and looked closely, and all color is gone from her eye's down. She has the infamous old lady neck, with quite a bit of sag. You can definatly NOT see her spine or ribs anymore. She has filled out so much, that she has a body style of a Mastiff (Yes, mango, she is your girl!) than the thinner frame of a GD.

After recently seeing the new movie Marley & Me, it was a reminder that a day WILL come that I may have to make that same tough decision. Oh, how I dread that day. My sweet pretty baby girl is getting older. She is now almost 9 years old, which I know is up there for a Dane. However, we continue to pray that her active lifestyle (daily walks or runs), food choice and being an indoor dog, is prolonging her retirement from this world.

Well, after wiping a tear from my eye, I now have to go love on my sweet pretty baby girl!

My Sasha, the Princess!

WHAT? NO PICTURES!

BARK! Sorry, mommy has actually been pretty cool with the flashy lately, and not pulling it out for every thing we do. She has been in an awefully good mood lately. I heard her talking to daddy about an enter view she was going to. And then she came back happy. We could tell, the energy was all around her. She is still at home a lot, so not sure what is happening.

Then she did something new. The other morning, she took me AND dumb Max for a walk, together. Just her, daddy didnt come. But before she put the ropes on us, she put some things in her ears, with a thread hanging out. I dont know what it was, but her energy changed and she was very calm. Even hyper Max felt it, and calmed down a bit. He still whined, but not as much. And mommy didnt seem to hear him.

Then after we left the lair, she was walking faster. She was almost prancing like me! She was smiling, and her mouth was moving. Not sure what was going on, but we liked it. She even unhooked us from each other (we are NOT oxen) and let us smell all the pee mail! Since she was so happy, we were very good doggies and just had fun with our pack.

I like when mommy has things in her ears! I hope she does it all the time now. It gives her good energy. BARK! Sasha the Princess!

WHATS THIS??!!

Mommy said she got an unexpected bone S, so she went shopping. She came home with a big box and daddy got it all set up. Im not sure what happened, but I can no longer get my pickens out of the can in the smelly room.

Try as hard as I can, I cannot get it to pop open like before. Mommy thinks it is so cool, and daddy smiles a lot, since he doesnt have to hide it in the garage at night anymore. Im not so sure I like this new con trap shawn!

BARK!!! Sasha the Princess

I DIDNT DO IT!

I swear, mommy, I didnt do it. I woke up this morning, and there was snow all over. Mommy doesnt beleive me, as she saw me chewing on the stuffy rather intently the past couple days.
I do not see any Sasha prints on the evidence, so I plead "NOT GUILTY!"

Wait, where did that paw come from? It is not mine, I tell you, not mine!

BARK! Sasha the Princess

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

My mommy's sister got a better picture with me and my cousin Brittney. She was so pretty. I just kept looking at her in her face. She reminded me of mommy so much that I listened to her very carefully and did what she told me to do.

Then mommy and daddy asked me to show off to the family. Using my favorite mommy voice she asked me to show me her tummy. I was so excited to get a belly rub, I bared it to all. Mommy's sister uses her flashy even more than mommy!

It was a fun day, but there was so much going on, I hardly got to sleep a wink.

BARK! Sasha the Princess