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Tag Archives: Spring

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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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 ❤

 
2 Comments

Posted by on March 7, 2026 in Cats, Dogs

 

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DogDaz Zoo: A Tail of 2 Doggies and Bugs

 

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 ❤

 
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Posted by on May 10, 2025 in Animals

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: Spring Today and Yesterday

Spring Iris and Azalea are wonderful backdrops to the zoo. And I can’t forget the pink snow.

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on April 24, 2024 in Dogs

 

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Caturday: In the Pink

Nine here: SPRING has sprung. The world outside has turned PINK. I hate pink.

I cannot imagine a life without cats!

Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on May 1, 2021 in Cats

 

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Wonderful Wednesday: DaffyDillies

 

Year after year the spring flowers around the neighborhood start to pop-up in April. It is a wonderful time to walk around and see spring in action. But, Mom is not allowed to walk dogs yet so she is going back through some memory photos to enjoy her time with us in the sunshine. Soon she says, very soon she is hoping that she will get the OK to saddle up and walk 140 lbs of dog weight. We promise we won’t pull you down Mom, unless we see a squirrel, or another dog, or a fox, or….. oh, I guess that is why you are only allowed to walk 17 lb Charles.

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
7 Comments

Posted by on April 14, 2021 in Dogs

 

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Caturday: 1st Day of Spring ’21

And Boom!!

The windows are open, the air is clear, the birds are flying, and spring is here!

I cannot imagine a life without cats!

Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
2 Comments

Posted by on March 20, 2021 in Cats

 

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Wordless Wednesday: Vogue

Mr. DeVille, I am ready for my close up!

Thanks, Peanut for such great shots.

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
3 Comments

Posted by on April 29, 2020 in Dogs

 

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Black and White Sunday: Bright Sunshiny Day

Somedays that bright sunshine comes through the big window and it makes me feel so warm and cozy.

I like the sun, but I don’t like spring.  It makes me sneeze and it makes my eyes run.

I like the flowers, though. They are really fun to walk through. And I like the sun.

What part of spring do you like?

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
2 Comments

Posted by on April 26, 2020 in Dogs

 

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Caturday: A Spring Window

I cannot imagine a life without cats!

Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
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Posted by on April 6, 2019 in Cats

 

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