Mini Cooper hasn’t changed much in 2 years. She is still chatty and cuddly. Well, maybe she’s a bit ornery at times.
Happy 12th bday! We all love you (especially Bearnard).
Just another CatDaz morning at the DogDaz Zoo.
Category Archives: Dogs
DogDaz Zoo: The High Ground
Bearnard: “PoleCat… we’ve discussed this. If Mom catches you on the good pillows again, none of us are getting treats.”
Jolie: “Stay very still. Maybe she’ll think you’re decorative.”
PoleCat stuffy: “I regret nothing. I have claimed the high ground.”
Bearnard: “Honestly, your survival instincts are terrible.”
Jolie: “Shhh. Mom’s not feeling good. We’re on cuddle duty.”
PoleCat: “Then I shall supervise from my throne beside Mona Lisa!”
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
DogDaz Waits
The house has been extra quiet today. Jolie, Bearnard, and their beloved stuffy, PoleCat, have a whole lot of waiting for Mom to feel better. 🐾 Mom got a new left hip on Tuesday.
PoleCat, a stuffy who looks like a cat on a pole body, has been guarding carefully. The couch patrol has been constant, and every little sound gets hopeful ears perked up. Dogs may not understand everything, but they always seem to know when someone they love needs extra comfort.
Mini Cooper, the cat, has decided she is better than an ice pack, and is directly providing support on Mom’s lap.
For now, the mission is simple: stay close, keep watch, and be ready with cuddles when Mom needs them most. ❤️
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
DogDaz Zoo: The 3 PoleCats
Did we tell you about Bearnard’s new best friend? Oh, buckle up—this is a story.
It all started innocently enough.K8 gave C a PoleCat (PoleCat #1) for Christmas. Totally festive; wholesome. My girls love cats.
C and PoleCat #1
Then, in what can only be described as a bold escalation, K8 gifted V another PoleCat (PoleCat #2) for her birthday in January. And, she liked the cat so much, she bought one for herself (PoleCat #3).
The PoleCats were … multiplying.
Enter Bearnard.
Bearnard and his bff, PoleCat
Somewhere along the way, Bearnard claimed PoleCat #2 as his own. No paperwork, no formal adoption—just vibes. One day, he was a single guy. The next? He was in a committed, sleep-every-night-together relationship.
Now, for context: PoleCat is a stuffed animal with very short arms and legs. Sound familiar? Yes. It is essentially Bearnard in plush form. A tiny, floppy doppelgänger (but as a cat). Honestly, it’s a little uncanny. We’re not saying Bearnard has found his emotional support twin… but we’re also not not saying that.
Beary loves PoleCat
Papillons, as you may know, have the daintiest, most delicate little legs and feet. Bearnard is basically a walking collection of twigs and fluff. Adorable, yes—but also clearly someone who appreciates a companion of similar… structural integrity.
Beary loves PoleCat every day
Of course, where there is joy, there is Jolie.
Big sister, Shih Tsu, Jolie has made it her personal mission to monitor—and, if possible, confiscate—anything Bearnard loves. She is the self-appointed Fun Police. If Bearnard is enjoying something, Jolie is immediately on the scene like, “I’ll take that, thank you.” She is bossy. She is relentless. She is deeply committed to being in charge of everything, including objects that are not hers and have never been hers.
Jolie, the PoleCat, stealer
Jolie guarding PoleCat
But here’s the twist: Bearnard does not care.
Despite Jolie’s best efforts, he remains devoted to PoleCat #2. He sleeps with her and generally behaves like he has found his soulmate in stuffed form. It’s a love story for the ages. Or at least for the living room.
Bearnard just loves PoleCat
Who knew Bearnard had this kind of emotional depth? Certainly not us. But we support him. And his tiny, equally tiny-limbed companion.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo: Wet Paws, Fashion Crimes, & My Formal Complaint to Spring
Someone said spring is coming. I’m not totally convinced, because just last week the yard was still full of slushy, squishy nonsense. But I have noticed the air feels warmer. Warmer usually means rain and fog… which I do not approve of.
Let me be clear: I hate rain. I hate wet paws. I especially hate the post-walk towel ambush where Mom rubs my feet like she’s polishing furniture. Highly undignified.
And don’t even get me started on those ridiculous coats. Yes, they’re “cute.” Yes, they’re “practical.” No, I do not enjoy waddling around sounding like a crinkly snack bag.
We are tired of the cold.
We are tired of the wet.
We would like to file a formal complaint with the Weather Department.
Most of all, we want our yard back.
Where are my bushes?
Where are my flowers?
Where are the good sniffing spots that aren’t buried under icy mush?
Slush Paws
Sleet and sslush
JoJo ZZZzzzzz
Picture perfect
Beary ZZZzzzz
Bluebird and sparrow
Having fun
I’m so cute
Walk Please
Spring means sun puddles on the porch.
Spring means long walks without shivering.
Spring means squirrels to supervise and birds to politely bark at.
Spring means grass that smells interesting again.
So yes, I am ready.
Ready to zoom.
Ready to sniff.
Ready to roll in things I’m probably not supposed to.
Dear Spring:
Please arrive soon.
Your friend, Jolie, the thirsty for it to warm up, Shih Tzu
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Wonderful Wednesday: Bearnard’s Weather Report
Hey, it’s Bearnard!
What is going on with this wacky weather? One day it’s cool and comfy, the next it’s brrr—freezing! I don’t mind the chill, but it’s sneaking in fast. Jolie has to wear her sweater because, bless her heart, she’s got hair like a human instead of a fancy fur coat like mine. I’ve got my awesome triple coat keeping me toasty, but Mom still makes me wear a jacket when it’s below freezing. Us littles just can’t keep the heat like the big dogs do!
Leaf Beard
This morning, Jolie and I were having a fine time chasing the sun spots on the steps when Miss Bossy Pants herself—Mini Cooper—sauntered up and started pushing us out of the way. Seriously, who invited these cats anyway?
Anyway, I’m off to find another sunny spot before Mini does. Stay warm out there, friends—and remember, naps are best when your nose is toasty! ☀️🐾
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo: Equinox Blessings
Hi. Bearnard here, reporting for the DogDaz Zoo!
Fall came fast – and so did my allergies.
I love to walk in the crunchy leaves, but all that autumn fun makes me itchy. Then I start biting my paws, which makes Mommy worried. I had my Cytopoint shot last month, and take Benadryl every day, but Mom says it’s not really helping. I really hope I don’t need another shot.
Still, the fall plants are beautiful, and we’re enjoying our morning walks. Mom say’s she’ll take more pictures if she has a hand free (we’ll see about that).
Mini Cooper had a rough time with a bad tooth.
She had to have one of her canine teeth pulled. (Funny that they call it a Canine tooth when she is a Feline, right?). She is doing much better now.
She was yapping and yapping for a while, and we couldn’t figure out what she was trying to say. When you have a chatty cat, it can be harder to interpret their conversations.
The anesthesia – or maybe the painkiller shot – had her loopy for about 3 days. But once it wore off, she was back to being her usual Mini self. The photos above? That’s her yelling at Mom to start their daily laser tag game.
Fall is Mom’s favorite time of year.
Not just because Halloween is coming (her all favorite holiday), but because she loves the autumnal equinox too. She says it’s when the Earth “tilts to fall” here in the Northern Hemisphere and it marks the start of the new year in her heart and for her people.
It’s her time to count all her blessings, clean her slate, and start fresh. She says we get to start fresh too – more apples and honey for everyone! (Except me. I hate fruit. And I hate veggies. I am a pretty picky eater for a dog.)
Oh – and Mom went to the Maryland Renaissance Faire with Peanut
Peanut loves cosplay. She makes her own costumes and even her own chainmail. She is one of our other favorite humans.
Warrior Peanut 2025
When they came home Mom gave us new names.(Don’t ask, just roll with it.) Jolie, the Magnificant and Bearnard, the Brave.
Jolie, the Magnificant
Bearnard, the Brave
What’s your medieval name? Enjoy the fall.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Monday Mischief: We Slept Thru August
August came and went. Mom says we slept through August. It seems like we are always napping somewhere. There is a fight for the bed at the top of the stairs. Usually Mini wins, since no one wants to cross a cat. How was your summer?
For Mom it has been endless repairs and replacements since the lightening surge. The stove finally got repaired on Friday, so Mom can start making us chicken again. The fixer guy said he never saw a surge not only take out the electric panel but also the thermostat. Another TV died yesterday (so that brings it to 3 out of 4 that needed to be replaced). Mom said she didn’t realize that the surge could have such a delayed result and take out an HDMI port a month later, but now we know. We keep hearing her say ‘if the thunder don’t get you the lightening will.’
We are just going to hunker down here at the DogDaz Zoo and hope for a calm hurricane season. Wake us up when it is over! – Jolie, Bearnard, Mini Cooper (& Stella)
Stella turns 14 on Labor Day. We can’t believe how well she is doing considering she has GI Lymphoma. It is now almost 2 years since her diagnosis and she is still enjoying her life thanks to lots of love and modern medicine. Happy Birthday, Big Girl!
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo: July 4th – Keeping Your Dogs & Cats Calm
Inky & Stinky
We hope that you have a wonderful holiday. Remember that many animals (and humans) are afraid of fireworks, so keep everyone indoors and safe.
PREPARE YOUR DOG (& CATS) FOR LOUD NOISES!
The 4th and 5th of July are the busiest days of the year for animal shelters and emergency vet clinics as frantic animals break in or out of houses and yards. Early preparation for the Fourth can save you and your pet a lot of grief. Here are some articles to help you prepare your dog.
http://thebark.com/content/reducing-fear-your-dog#.T_JOd3hgggh
DogDaz: Keep Your Pets Safe
The 4th is Bearnard’s 4th Birthday!!!
Now that is something to really celebrate!
We love you Beary, Bo Bo Bear, Barkasaurus!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo: SummerTime
Hi. Jolie here reporting for the DogDaz Zoo.
I know that we don’t get spring anymore in the mid-Atlantic, but it seems like we went straight from freezing to boiling in one day. They say we are under something called a ‘heat dome’ this week and that the temperature will be hot-hot-hot. Mom thinks it is best to stay inside. We like to nap in the warm grass in the sunshine but she doesn’t let us do that for more than a few minutes at a time. She is especially afraid that I will get a sunburn because I have a short haircut and my skin is exposed. But even Bearnard, the black fur monster, loves to lay in the sun. Doesn’t he get hot?
K8 caught some pictures of me talking to Mom in her office. I like to get on the ottoman, right behind her desk chair, and paw at her to pay attention to me. Beary would not be so bold. I have to do it for the both of us. “Please, Mom. Stop what you are doing and play with us. Or better, give us cookies!!”
The summer is now upon us, as we have passed the Summer Solistice this week. These long days are confusing, as I want to go to bed but it is still light out. And, it is so hot in the mornings, that Mom has to walk us way early so our paws don’t burn. And also because we littles over heat qiuckly. The other day she had to carry me twice because I just didn’t want to walk any more. I am a delicate flower. Bearnard is too, but he refuses to admit it. When he gets home from a walk he drinks a whole bowl of water. Me? I just eat more cookies.
Stay cool – your friend, Jolie Olie
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo 