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 ❤ 
Tags: Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, nature, papillon mix, pet blog, shih tzu, Spring, winter
Ten years is a very long time to be on earth when you only weigh 16 pounds. But since I didn’t come to live with Mom until I was 6-1/2, maybe I’m really only 4. Mom seems to like that math – and honestly, so do I.
I may have had a rough start in life, but wow… what an amazing “now” I have. When I first came home, I had my big brother Charles (the Pomchi). I loved him very much – and I’m pretty sure he liked me too. (Which is great because he didn’t like most things.)
Charles and Jolie Sept ’22
When he crossed the rainbow bridge to that big meadow in the sky, my little brother, Bearnard (the Papillion) joined the crew. Beary and I are the bestest of buds and partners in all things fun (and snacks).
And, let’s talk about timing – having a birthday on Valentine’s Day? That’s basically winning at life. Extra love, extra cuddles, and probably extra treats. What’s not to love?
Here’s to another year of wagging tails, happy hearts, and being Mom’s favorite little Valentine. – Jolie Olie, the amazing Shih Tsu
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: dog birthday, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, papillon mix, pet blog, pomchi, shih tzu mix, valentine's day
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 ❤
Tags: cat blog, DogDaz, dogs and cats together, little dogs, lorian lipton, papillon mix, Pet, pet blog, shih tzu mix, winter
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 ❤
Tags: autumnal equinox, cat blog, cat teeth, cats and dogs together, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, Fall, lorian lipton, papillon mix, pet blog, shih tzu
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 ❤
Tags: cats and dogs together, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, papillon mix, pet blog, shih tzu, Summer, summer solstice
It is already mid-May, WOW, time is flying, We want to wish you all the wonders that May flowers, pollen, and bugs bring, Yes, Bugs!! They are Bearnard’s favorite thing. Our annual cicadas are brooding. These are not the big 17-year cicadas (click link to read about them), but he still has a great time jumping and stomping. At night, he never wants to come inside because he waits for any movement on the ground, so he can bounce.
I can’t get a video of his antics because it is too dark at night to see them on screen, so here is a cute video of the tail-wagging Goofballs instead!
Enjoy your spring!!!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: bugs, cicada, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, nature, papillon mix, pet blog, shih tzu, Spring
There is a great deal that goes on at the DogDaz Zoo from month to month. We sleep; we eat; we walk; we nap; we find the sun rays; we eat snacks; we sleep; we walk – you get the idea. The wonderful thing is that we do it together. Yesterday was the IDES of MARCH. They say that you need to beware because people could be out to kill you. Being little, we think people and things are always out to kill us; I guess it was no different than any other day.
Today is Mommy’s birthday so we are giving her lots of hugs and love. She was born between the Ides of March and Saint Patrick’s day. Does that make her a Roman Mastiff or an Irish Wolfhound? Either way, she is the best dog Mommy in the universe. She gives us lots of everything and in return we cuddle and lick her endlessly.
Next week is finally SPRING. It has been a cold winter and we are done with it! We are ready to move on to the flowers and the bees.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day – let’s party like a leprechaun.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, Ides of March, lorian lipton, papillon mix, pet blog, shih tzu, St Patrick's Day
ACT 1: The Workout
Jolie here – You know that Mom needs help whenever she changes her bed. It is my responsibility to ensure that the mattress gets a good workout.
ACT 2: Bearnard the Useless
Bearnard is not very interested in domestic activities.
I invited him to join me, but he thought it was a photo shoot for a centerfold of DOG Monthly.
ACT 3: TEACHING the Mom How
I explained to Mom that she was doing the sheet thing all wrong but she won’t listen.
ACT 4: FINI
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Blog, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, papillon mix, Pet, pets, shih tzu mix
Bearnard here. I want to tell you the story of our vacation. Someone thought it might be a good idea to take us on vacation with the family this year. Mom had been training us for months to ride nicely in the car with seat belts in the back seat (the blue straps). The first leg of the trip was from Annapolis, Maryland to Raleigh, North Carolina. That was about 5 hours. We did great. It was not Mom’s fault that Hurricane Debby was traveling with us. It rained 80% of the way. But we finally took a break in the drizzle and smelled some new stuff in a picnic area. Then we got to Aunt B in Raleigh and met her and her cat, Gracie (who did not like us much). It was our first time in a hotel and Jolie was terrified of the elevator. Mom had to carry her in and out.
We also hated all the noise in the hotel and I especially went crazy when people were making noise in the hall late at night. Mom did not get much sleep because she had to leave the TV on all night to try and keep me calm. We really liked being on the back of the couch in the hotel room and we took turns looking out the window at the parking lot.
The next day we got back in the car for another 3-hour drive to Sunset Beach in North Carolina. Mom had a nice apartment for all of us to stay in and we took lots of walks around the property. However, Jolie started to get really sick after a day or 2. Mom emailed the vet who said to put her on the usual rice and chicken tummy diet and try some CBD chews. She thought it was stress. She had already planned for me to take more of my stress medicine (which I live on anyway) but she thought Jolie would be ok. Then V figured out it was the WATER. Mom drinks bottled water all the time, so why not us! Once we switched to bottled water, in 48 hours she was much better. Mom never brought us to the ocean beach because we were having so much trouble just on land.
After a week we were back in the car but this time for a 9-hour drive: it was horrible. About 5 hours in, I could not deal with being in the back seat any longer and needed to be upfront with Mom. Finally, Mom gave in and let me be in the front (against her better judgment). She always has the passenger front airbag turned off because she worries about us being in the front if there is a car accident. The airbags would kill us instantly she thinks.
Did you know humans cannot pee at the rest stops along the highway with their animals. They actually have guards sitting there to make sure that people don’t bring their animals in with them even in the 100-degree weather. So Mom has special signs for the car. She carries 2 car keys with her and locks us in with the air conditioning and radio on. She puts signs on the windows because she drives a hybrid and people can’t hear the engine and figure we are in trouble. (DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A HOT CAR – EVER!!!!)
Mom also downloaded an app for her iPhone called ‘iEXIT.’ This tells her where stores are off exits on major roads. This way she was prepared to stop at a PET STORE or HARDWARE STORE because they allow animals to be inside (so we could go to the potty with her). It is terrible that she can’t just go under a tree like we do.
Truthfully, we love being with the family, but can you leave us with a pet sitter next year. It was exhausting!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Blog, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, papillon mix, Pet, pet vacation, pets, shih tzu mix, sunset beach, vacation
DogDaz Zoo 