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DogDaz Zoo: Spring, Snacks, and Suspicious Cats

19 Apr

Hello, dear friends. It is I, Bearnard—small in stature, quiet in presence—returning to keep you properly informed.

Since we last spoke in March… well. Life has been a lot. Let me bring you up to speed.


🧸 The PoleCat Saga (Victory Is Mine)

You’ll be relieved to know I have successfully regained control of PoleCat*—my beloved, slightly questionable companion. We are once again inseparable.

small black dog with gray stuffed cat toy

Bearnard twinning with PoleCat

(*PoleCat is a gray stuffed toy with a cat face, that is long like a pole. For more info go to last month’s blog.)

There was an incident. Jolie, in a completely unprovoked act of aggression, launched PoleCat off the couch in what I can only describe as an attempted assassination. Fortunately, Mom intervened, rescued PoleCat, and restored her rightful place among the pillows.

Gray, brown, and white fluffy dog with a gray stuffed toy

Jolie tried to take possession of PoleCat

Order has been reestablished.

Small black dog leaning on gray stuffed cat toy

PoleCat is my bff


🌸 Weather, But Make It Confusing

Spring arrived… but not in a normal way. One night: snow. Next day: summer. Honestly, it feels like we’re living inside a strange Ursula K. Le Guin novel set on a chaotic planet.

Little black and gray and white dogs with a daffidil

Spring has sprung

And the pollen. Oh, the pollen.

Here by the Chesapeake Bay, everything is covered in a thick yellow dust. The humans call it pollen, but I call it betrayal. Instead of seasoning things with Old Bay, the world is now seasoned with what I call Old Yellow.

a pool cover with polen and maple seeds all over the top

Pollen and Maple helicopters on the pool cover

Mom has us on tiny pink pills—Benadryl—which allegedly help with sneezing. I remain skeptical but slightly less sniffly.


🐱 The Reign of Mini Cooper

Mini Cooper (the cat) has entered what I believe is her villain era.

She has claimed Mom’s recliner as her throne and now requires us to approach with what can only be described as respectful submission. Eye contact is risky. Proximity requires permission.

Gray cat and a black dog and white and gray dog

We bow to your greatness, Princess Mini Cooper

We are monitoring the situation closely.


🍪 Holidays = Betrayal (Again)

Mom was very busy cooking for Passover and made something called macaroons.

macroon cookies with chocolate

Mom’s coconut macroons with dark chocolate

Everyone loved them.

We were denied access.

We received apples.

I trust you understand the injustice.

Then came Easter, which, as usual, involved large quantities of human-only candy. K8 was here (Peanut was away), and there was still an Easter egg hunt because apparently humans never outgrow joy or baskets.

2 little dogs with bunny ears and an easter basket

AI generated: We would never allow such an embarassment

Frankly, I respect that. I, too, believe in year-round treats.


🤫 My Secret Life (Do Not Share)

There is something you should know, but you must keep it between us.

I am… a closet toy player.

I never play in front of humans. It’s a private art. But somehow, my toys mysteriously appear all over the house. No explanation.

My favorites:

  • The blue ball that releases cookies (a masterpiece)

  • My snuffle mat lunch situation (highly refined)

Small black dog surrounded by dog toys

Fun time

Again—this stays between us.


🚶‍♀️ Enter April (Best Dog Walker Ever)

Mom isn’t walking well right now because she’s getting a new hip soon (honestly, bold upgrade), so we have a dog walker named April.

After breakfast, I wait in the foyer for what feels like years.

2 small dogs waitng at a door

Where is April?

Then she arrives.

And I become… speed.

I run. I spin. I zoom between rooms like a highly trained athlete. When we get home, I sprint upstairs to Mom, then back to April, then back again. Sometimes I add couch-jumping for flair.

Jolie, meanwhile, strolls in calmly and lies down like she’s better than me.

She is incorrect.


🚗 Adventures in Car Riding

Because of the whole hip situation (and also our deep suspicion of the cane and the wheeled walking contraption), Mom takes us on car rides instead.

I prefer the front console—close to Mom, excellent visibility, superior vibes.

2 small dogs in a car

Field trip!!

Jolie enjoys the window.

Sometimes we are buckled into the back seat, which we strongly oppose, but Mom insists it is “for safety.” I suppose she means well.


🐱Stella Update (Very Important)

Our dear Stella, the cat—who, as you know, has GI Lymphoma—is doing well.

She had her annual visit with Dr. Sims (which she loudly objected to), but overall, things are stable. Her medications—Prednisolone, Cisapride, and Miralax—are helping a lot.

xray of a cat abdomin

Xray of Stella’s insides

Also, she is 14 years old, which I believe qualifies her as wise and slightly magical.


🌧️ Final Thoughts from a Small Philosopher

Today it is stormy. The little helicopter seeds are spinning down from the maple trees like whirly birds… or perhaps tiny dancing fairies. I haven’t decided yet.

Mom’s surgery is coming up in May, so updates may be delayed. But rest assured—I will continue to observe, report, and protect PoleCat at all costs.

Until next time,
Bearnard 🐾, the Brave

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
2 Comments

Posted by on April 19, 2026 in Animals

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

2 responses to “DogDaz Zoo: Spring, Snacks, and Suspicious Cats

  1. Genevieve Petrillo's avatar

    Genevieve Petrillo

    April 19, 2026 at 13:52

    Things are staying interesting over there, B. Great update! We wish your mom a speedy and total recovery from her surgery. She will feel SOOOO much better when it’s all done and she’s up and running (walking) again. Meanwhile enjoy your walks with April.

    Sloppy kisses,

    Delilah

    Liked by 1 person

     
    • DogDaz's avatar

      DogDaz

      April 19, 2026 at 14:17

      Thanks, D. Mom will walk as fast as she can once this is done. Stay well and keep up those sloppy kisses – Jolie and Bearnard

      Liked by 1 person

       

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