Hall Monitor

Trudy's winter coat arrived today! It's from Tanner and Dash, a dog clothier recommended by Martha Stewart. My co-worker Kim tipped me off and she sure knows how to dress up her dog! (Thanks Kim!) Trudy tried it on after our walk today. She's a little skeptical, but I love it. Mostly I got this for its reflective quality because when we walk in the evenings you can't see Trudy! A lot of people think I'm just out in the cold by myself hovering around trees and bushes for fun.

mini me

This weekend we dog-sat for the black cocker puppy down the hall. She's so cute! She was only here for about an hour, but Trudy couldn't handle her puppy energy and couldn't wait her to go home.

Here's Trudy pleading with me to make the puppy disappear. Just kidding. But doesn't she say a lot just with that one eye and the way she cocks her head?

Roll with it

It's been a while since I last posted, but we've been hard at work. Here, Trudy shows off her latest trick:

Who is the pack leader?

Cassie has certainly become alpha in the family. She keeps a watchful eye at all times; here you can see her moving in for a closer look.

Here is Trudy taking over the old couch. I'm just glad someone likes this red couch. I'm pretty over it.

Trudy gets down (updated)

She's so smart.

We are all so thankful

I went to Thanksgiving dinner over at Ginny's and her daughter Sydney sent me home with a picture for Trudy's room. It says "Syd[n]ey C", "4" (because she's 4), and "L[o]ve" which at first she said she has for her mommy and then later said it applies to Trudy as well. It's hanging on the fridge now because the kitchen is Trudy's favorite room in the house. Thanks Syd[n]ey!

Cassie is here sleeping with her catnip fish that Marisa brought for her. It smells really good (apparently) and relaxes Cassie during an otherwise stressful time. As you can see, Cassie has chosen escapism as a coping method and is hoping that Trudy is all just a dream. Thanks Marisa!

Of course, Trudy is just waiting bedside for Cassie to decide she's ready to play!

This is bullshit

Why do I have to wait?

Tell me to stay then call my name? Confuse me?

o.m.g. i'm like i.d.k... SO BORED

Look lady, this is like the 4th take and frankly it's hard to "stay" sitting on this slippery floor. So, how .... wait... what was I doing? ... Why am I facing this way? .... hmm, let me think a minute... Am I "stay"? I have no idea.

"Come!" yeah, I know that one.

In the foxhole

Making progress already. Cassie has evolved her espionage:




After about 6 hours of careful observation from a safe distance, Cassie has emerged to get closer to her subject from a secure location behind the pillowed wall.

cock(er) it and pull it

Last night we welcomed Trudy into our home! Well, I welcomed Trudy. Cassie isn't really on board yet. Trudy comes from Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue and until last night had spent the week out in West Virginia with a foster family.

Cassie has been evaluating the situation from inside my box spring. She created this hideaway years ago for just these types of situations. Smart girl.

Things to know about Trudy:

• She only has 1 eye. She lost the other in a "traumatic event."


• Her remaining eye is blind from progressive retinal atrophy.
  

Things to know about Cassie:

• Her front paws have been declawed (not by me).


• The large majority of her teeth have recently been removed due to severe dental disease (that was me).


• She's 9 lbs on a fat day.


• She's scared of everything.

Can these two learn to live together? Will Cassie start to understand that Trudy can't see her and come out to join the family again? Will there be a stand off? I'll keep you posted.

Oh, here's Trudy: