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Tag Archives: Cats and Dogs

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 ❤

 
4 Comments

Posted by on April 19, 2026 in Animals

 

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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 ❤

 
4 Comments

Posted by on August 25, 2025 in 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 ❤

 
4 Comments

Posted by on January 2, 2025 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 ❤

 
4 Comments

Posted by on May 23, 2024 in Dogs

 

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DogDaz Zoo: Mommy’s Day 2024

We love our Mommy and would be lapless without her.


Moms are for napping on – Jolie and Bearnard

Moms are for sitting on and watching the world go by – Bearnard and Jolie

Moms are for laying on and having family meetings – Jolie, Bearnard, and Mini Cooper

Moms are for loving – Stella

Happy Mommy’s Day to the mothers of all creatures. Love the DogDaz Zoo

Mother’s Day 2012 – Louise and Sofie

 

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
4 Comments

Posted by on May 12, 2024 in Animals

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: Lap Wars Continue

Did you ever notice how everyone wants a piece of Mom’s lap? It is hard to get any space to get comfortable. Don’t they know that she is mine and I should have priority?

Mini Cooper is so rude. She has the nerve to sit on me because she wants the whole lap to herself. Cats can be so pushy, don’t you think?

Sometimes, Bearnard doesn’t mind being close to Mini Cooper as long as she lets him stay on Mom’s lap. I don’t know about you but she looks scary to me.

I give up. I am going to go into my kennel and let Bearnard and Mini Cooper figure it out. Nite Nite – Jolie Olie

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
6 Comments

Posted by on March 13, 2024 in Dogs

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: My Spot!

While the dogs were out for a walk, Mini Cooper was happily resting in the sunspot on the stairs.

But, then we came home.

And poor little Mini Cooper was rudely pushed out of her spot by the dogs.

Sometimes life is just not fair. But Mini can get up by the windows if she wants and the fluffballs can’t, so I guess it all works out in the end. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
2 Comments

Posted by on February 21, 2024 in Dogs

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: Now On To 2024

Noel, the Christmas Cat, here. I know you heard some stories about the stupid dogs during the holidays, but no matter what I put in their path (chocolate, garbage, and other dog-killing things) they seem indestructible.

I, on the other hand, had a wonderful holiday and Mom has started to give me some extra yummy wet food (I am not supposed to know that there is medication hidden in it). V calls me ‘Poodle Paw’ because the fur on my leg, where the IV was when I had my teeth cleaned, is finally growing back in, but really slowly. Since Mom realized that Jolie was sneaking onto the kitchen table and stealing my food, which has been solved, I get my full servings – though I always cry for more.

I hope that you got everything you wanted for the holidays. Even though I can’t get rid of those darn dogs, I will continue to remind them who is Queen.

Have an awesome start to 2024!

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
4 Comments

Posted by on January 3, 2024 in Dogs

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: Hanukkahs Past

Noel 2020

Charles, Louise, and Sofie 2017

Nine and Mini Cooper 2017

Stella and Noel 2015

Sofie 2014

Over the years the animals have enjoyed many holiday celebrations. This year, they will light the lights of the menorah to celebrate Hanukkah once again. Here are pictures of some wonderful holiday moments from years gone by.

By the way, there is no wrong way to spell, Hanukkah. You may have seen the holiday spelled like Hanukkah, Hannuka, or Chanukah… the list goes on. The most common version is probably Hanukkah, but all of the spellings are actually accurate. Because there is no correct way to directly translate the Hebrew sounds to English, it could be spelled in a variety of different ways, each equally correct.

Eat some doughnuts or latkes and enjoy the festival of lights for 8 nights.

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
6 Comments

Posted by on December 6, 2023 in Dogs

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: Move It, Dog!

Noel here:

Is there a reason that this new demon dog is in my spot?

Get out you darn dog!

How dare he think he can have the run of the place!

Pretty soon I am going to have to put this youngin’ in his place.

You better Watch out, BEARnard – Queen Noel rules the zoo (now and always).

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
2 Comments

Posted by on October 18, 2023 in Dogs

 

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