The dog with a conscience . . .

 Chick has proved to be an excellent dog. She only barks when there is serious concern. Don't try and hurt her family and there could be much biting and regret for the person trying to be offensive. Chick also always admits when she had sone something wrong. If she some to the door with dirt all over her paws and nose and we just say, "Chick?", she immediately takes us to the scene of her crime. If we aren't around to confess to, she will sit by the back door and wait.

Yesterday, my son noticed Chick sitting by the slider door with her face turned away from him. He knew something was up and called to her. She just dipped her head down in shame. He called to her more firmly and she slowly turned her head and there were bird legs hanging out of her mouth under her very woeful expression! My son removed the bird from her mouth and it looked like it had already been deceased and Chick hadn't killed it. He disposed of the decedent, told Chick that it was okay, and life went on for the happy dog. Wish I could have gotten a picture of her face with the bird legs!

In this picture, she is anxious for someone to come out and play and is hopefully looking in the window to see if anyone is around to see her need for exercise.

Asian Cuisine Weekend!

 Since we discovered a great Asian market in the area, I have gotten out my Chinese cookbooks and gotten interested in making our own 'fast food' at home. This weekend, we had a different Chinese meal each evening. Last night was the finale. I made chicken egg rolls, pork pot stickers, and pepper-fried shrimp along with egg drop soup.

Asian cooking isn't difficult. It is all the chopping, mincing, and preparation that takes the time. While we were cleaning up the kitchen, I mentioned to my son that I will be glad of a break from cooking Chinese food. He looked at me with some concern and said, "You mean that you are taking today off but tomorrow we will have Chinese food, again, right?"

The elderly cat that has come to stay . . .

 The old orange cat still haunts our doorstep but exhibits much energy if the front door is left unguarded. One time, I raced into the house, shut the door, and turn to find the cat already behind me inside the house. The first picture was the attitude I got when I kindly asked him to exit the house. I caught the old guy sleeping on our window sill this morning. Not to worry, he get a meal twice a day because we have soft hearts and equally soft heads!

The cat's favorite ploy to avoid dismissal from the house is to flop down on his side and go limp. No amount of prodding or persuasion will budge the old fellow. Yesterday, my son ended up sliding him across the kitchen floor, rolling him up on the the entry way step, and then 'pouring' him over the entry way to the porch. The cat never gets angry. He just looks miffed and you can see him recycling his thoughts on how to beat us at the game next chance he gets.