First, I owe all of my DogDaz email subscribers an apology.
I accidentally published my last blog post before it was ready, and somehow a whole pack of spelling mistakes escaped into the wild. They have all been rounded up and corrected now, so if you click on the blog directly, you’ll find the cleaned-up version.
That was just plain embarrassing!
In my defense, I did not inherit the Spelling Gene. Without spellcheck, I am completely lost. Back in 2000, the brilliant Marilyn vos Savant even wrote a book about why spelling is so challenging: The Art of Spelling: The Madness and the Method. It really helped me understand my spelling challenges.
Thanks for overlooking my little publishing mishap. Now, on to something much more important…
Why Do Dogs Love to Bake in the Summer Sun?
Seriously…why?
Jolie & Bear Sunbarking
This HEAT DOME has been absolutely miserable, yet Jolie and Bearnard still think lying in the blazing sunshine is a wonderful idea. Are they trying to turn into baked potatoes with fur?
We go for our walks at 6:00 a.m., before the air gets sticky and the sidewalks become paw-burning hot. Even when the outside temperature is only in the upper 70s, asphalt and concrete can be much hotter than the surrounding air.
Here’s a simple test for all of our human friends: place the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s definitely too hot for pet paws.
Please keep your furry family members safe this summer. Walk early in the morning or later in the evening, carry plenty of fresh water, and remember that while dogs and cats (rabbits and other family critters) may enjoy soaking up a little sunshine, too much heat can quickly become dangerous.
Stay cool, everyone—and thank you for forgiving my little spelling adventure! – Jolie, Bearnard, Stella, and Mini Cooper’s Mom
Mom is doing really well with her new hip, but she still isn’t allowed to walk us or get in the pool. We don’t mind too much because we absolutely love our dog walker, April. In fact, we’ve started wondering if Mom’s ideal job might be feeder and cuddler. After all, we’ve pretty much replaced her with a younger model!
Me, protecting Mom’s new hip
Time seems to be flying by. One day it’s chilly enough for a sweater, and the next day it is hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.
Meanwhile, Harold and Maude, our resident ducks, have returned for another season and once again declared our pool as their pooping ground. Bearnard does his best to chase them away, but they simply waddle off, quacking with laughter at his efforts. Did you know that generations of ducks tend to return to where they were born every year? This is probably the 20th generation of Harolds and Maudes.
Harold & Maude
And then there’s PoleCat- the stuffed cat that looks like a pole. PoleCat continues to be the center of our universe whenever we are on the couch (which is like all day and evening). We stare at her, push her around, wrestle with her, and generally make sure she gets the attention she deserves. Some toys come and go, but PoleCat remains a member of the family.
Can you find PoleCat? She is with the Screamer.
Pillow or Pal? No matter what, Jolie wants PoleCat if Bearnard has her.
In the end, we know who always wins.
Summer is definitely keeping everyone busy. Mom continues her recovery, the ducks continue their mischief, and we continue to supervise everything from our favorite spots around the house.
We are all getting ready for bed now. You have a wonderful June. We will keep you posted on Mom and the endless fun we have with the PoleCat stuffy. – Jolie
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. ❤️
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.
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
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! ☀️🐾
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.
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!
DogDaz Zoo 