Puppy and Kitty

As you may or may not know, Tania and I have nicknames for each other:  Puppy (me) and Kitty (Tania).  There are many cute (and probably annoying) reasons why we call each other these names, but the most basic reason is that each of us have similar characteristics to the animal that describes us.  And what are those characteristics?  Instead of spouting adjectives and verbs, take a look at this, which perfectly describes who we are, and how different we are about certain mindsets.

The Dog's Diary

  8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
  9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
  9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
  1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
  3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
  5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
  7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
  8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

    My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

    The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

    There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

    Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

    I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...

Goodbye Friend...A Story About Stu

When I was studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain, in the fall of 1999, my parents came to visit and observe all of the studying I was doing.  One night during their visit, we stumbled upon a Tex Mex bar that I had totally never been to before, and we got my dad drunk for the first time in years.  During that completely coherent conversation, we raised the topic of getting a new dog because our current yellow lab, Herkimer (aka Herkie), was getting old and probably wouldn't be around for too much longer.  Once the argument between the dog lover and the dog caretaker settled, we started talking about a name.  Since it had always been a running joke in our family that a baby named "Askim" would be funny (say it out loud to yourself), the dog lover who never drinks (or curses) blurted out, "I'm going be so sick and tired of people asking me what his name is, I'm going to say his name is Shut The Fuck Up And Stop Asking Me."  Me, the lover of random acronyms, figured that the shortened name for this unfortunately titled pup would be STFUASAM, which obviously wouldn't work, so we quickly shortened it to STUFAM.  After the drunken haze settled, we then realized that name wouldn't even work, so we shortened it to Stu.  Fast forward a year to me pulling up to my parent's driveway in Phoenix with a 3 month old yellow lab puppy, the dog lover is crying out of excitement and the dog caretaker has a scowl on her face that would burn a hole in the sun.  Fast forward again 9 years to today, and we are saying goodbye to the best friend a family could ever have.  Stu was pure love and affection, and added a joy to that household that could never be described.  Stu was a friend to the umpteenth degree, even to those who never wanted him around (who also raised him better than anyone could have, Thanks Ma).  Sadly, Stu is being put down this morning because a battle with cancer is making his body too difficult for his soul to maintain.  He'll be in a happier place later today, and we will be left here to reminisce on all the good times we had with him.  The pulling and yelping while on walks to Squaw Peak mountain.  The morning run to grab the paper.  The endless moments of unwarranted licks.  And the never ending love that we shared with him.  Thank you Stu for being the best member of our family that we could have ever wished to have.  Safe travels, and we love you.