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.
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.
Jolie tried to take possession of PoleCat
Order has been reestablished.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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 ❤
Comments Off on DogDaz Zoo: A Tail of 2 Doggies and Bugs
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.