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DogDaz Zoo: Spring, Snacks, and Suspicious Cats

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 ❤

 
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Posted by on April 19, 2026 in Animals

 

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DogDaz Zoo: Happy Mew Year!

Wishing all our fur-friends and their humans a pawsome New Year!

Get into some good trouble (but try not to get caught… like I always seem to – like walking on the coffee table the other day (below)).

Take lots of naps – preferably in inconvenient places. Stick with your friends through zoomies and sad days alike. Always share the sunny spot on the stairs (unless you get their first).

And whatever you do, don’t bother Mini Cooper, the cat, too much… she’s cranky, she knows it, and she’s waiting for an excuse.

Scenes from 2025

May 2026 bring you peace, health, and lots of fun things!

Love – Jolie, Bearnard, Stella, Mini Cooper and Mom (the DogDaz Zoo)

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on December 30, 2025 in Animals

 

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DogDaz Zoo: Solstice/Yule/Hanukkah/Christmas

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and Happy 2026 – from the DogDaz Zoo. 

and Stella too!

This is a very old picture (maybe 9 years ago) when she was still out and about with Queen Noel.

Those are V’s Xmas pickles in production.

We wish you a very furry holiday. Everyone has been very busy. Stay warm dear fur friends.

See you in 2026!

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on December 12, 2025 in Animals

 

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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!

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 ❤

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2025 in Dogs

 

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DogDaz Zoo: Falling Fast

The skeleton crew of DogDaz Zoo is taking over the feed. There is so much going on. One day it is hot, then cold, then windy, then raining. Mom says, it must be fall. We love October and the spooky times. Not a lot of houses have fun decorations yet this year. Maybe it is because here in the US people are just not in the mood to smile. We like to smile and play though.

fake skeleton sitting in chair with 2 little dogs jumping on it

 

We got our fall hair/fur cuts. Mom says we look great! This is our 2025 ‘school’ picture. Does your Mom make you take photo ops? We don’t usually sit for very long. She has to catch us when she can.

.Shih Tsu gray and white dog and black and white papillion dog on couch with halloween pillows

Next stop – Spooky Towne, then Turkey time! See you in November. Stay well and keep licking!

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on October 21, 2025 in Animals

 

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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 ❤

 
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Posted by on September 23, 2025 in Animals, Dogs

 

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Thankful Thursday: Welcome 2025

We wish sunshine and happiness to you all. May you find that special sunspot in the year to come. We know where the good ones are at our house.

Happy New Year!!

2025

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2025 in Dogs

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: Holiday Time

Things have been crazy here at the DogDaz Zoo in the last several months of 2024. Mom has not been able to post often and misses it. We know that you love to keep up with our antics so here is a holiday rundown:

  • Miss Stella is doing alright considering she has GI Lymphoma all year. We are amazed at how well she is doing as long as Mom and V continue to monitor and tweak all her medications. She is a sweet girl and continues to enjoy her snuggles, tunnels, and toys.

  • Mini Cooper is her needy, catty self. She loves to push the pups around and makes a habit of throwing them off of Mom’s lap so that she can have her own quality time. She is addicted to a laser toy shaped like a mouse (we tried some other shapes and she said ‘no’). She demands that the mouse come out every night (to the horror of the dogs) for a good 20-minute run around the living room.

  • Jolie now has a gazillion sweaters in her winter collection. Mom went crazy at Chewy on Black Friday for a $6 sweater sale. Dogs with hair, not fur, like Jojo, get cold when the temperature is under 45 degrees (or so Mom thinks). We tried the sweaters on Mr. Furball, Bearnard, but he hates them. More fashion for the princess!

  • Bearnard is his happy little self, as long as no one new is in the house, there isn’t a delivery driver at the door, or someone or something isn’t passing by (within a mile or 2). He loves to roust Mini as he runs around playing with his stuffies. The interesting thing about Beary is that he will only play with his toys when no one is watching. You come up the stairs and there are a whole bunch of stuffies out of the basket, scattered all over the floor, but you rarely see him in action. The Secret Life of Bearnard the Papillion.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

May SantaPaws bring you all the treats and toys you dream of.

May 2025 be filled with wonder and joy!

 

 

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on December 11, 2024 in Dogs

 

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Thankful Thursday: Mini Turns 10

How incredibly lucky we are to spend our life with Mini Cooper. She is such a precocious playful bundle of fluff. Over her 10 years, she has had some really wonderful adventures, especially with her best buddy, Mr. Nine. Mini has become the only cat in the general population with the dogs, Jolie and Bearnard, since Queen Noel, the Christmas cat, passed over in January. As you know Stella, the lone cat, has her own room, but Mini and Stella ‘play’ and hiss at each other through the door occasionally.

Mini Cooper stay as kittenish as you always are. We love you.

Happy 10th birthday, Kitten. 

 

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on May 30, 2024 in Dogs

 

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Thankful Thursday: A Busy Week At The Zoo

May is a busy month at the DogDaz Zoo.

  • The humans opened the pool this week! It wasn’t its usual black algae color. That is probably thanks to a new cleaning crew.

  • We found a little bird egg on our walk that fell from its nest but Mom could not see the nest high in the elm tree, so she had to leave it. At least it wasn’t a baby bird yet.

  • The cherries are starting to turn red. That means pie soon.

  • Jolie was sick with some strange unknown stomach thing and got so dehydrated that she had to go to the vet for fluids. Mini had some tummy thing too. And then the humans got sick. (Are all these things related? We don’t know but it wasn’t fun around here.)

  • Because of scary climate change, and since we live on a peninsula on the Magothy River (a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay) and often lose power, we now have a whole house generator. Mom says it will keep us cool in the summer and warm in the winter, even if we lose power. I am not sure what all that means, but if Mom thinks it is good, it must be.

  • This was Navy Commissioning Week at the US Naval Academy (which is here in Annapolis, MD). That means the Blue Angels, the US Navy flight demonstration squadron, flew over the house during their air show for 2 days. It is always very loud but amazing.

  • Mom did not make that Cat Pizza, but she thought it was cool and wanted everyone to see it.

We have so much to be thankful for. Have a wonderful Memorial Weekend. Remember those who paid the ultimate price so that we can be free.

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on May 23, 2024 in Dogs

 

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