Casinos and Malls

Not my photo. Borrowed from public domain stock.

The local newspaper had an article about half a dozen stores closing at the nearby mall. My family went, hoping to catch some going-out-of-business deals only to find that most of the stores were already closed. They said the mall was a sad, empty place and that they did not want to go back.

Supposedly the casino that is negotiating for space in the mall is really happy about what is going on. I am not sure why. When the casino had been first proposed, one goal was to bring traffic into the mall complex in order to keep retail businesses alive. Now that two of the four anchor stores are gone, I can’t imagine that anyone will want to remain paying over-inflated rent there. I expect the few remaining store to close soon, too.

I am glad that last year I tried to stock up on everything I could to last me the rest of my forever. There are some items I simply do not trust to online purchases, and the local teeny-tiny Walmart doesn’t carry.

I am sad to see the days of in-person shopping gone not only for nostalgic purposes but for those who can’t afford phones for online shopping and payment.

My boys aren’t worried, but maybe they should be. What happens when PetSmart is online-only? Where will they go to catch up with friends and meet potential new siblings on Adoption Day?

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Eau de Alpo

Paint peeling from a wall

And you thought I was kidding. Seriously, these things are lethal.

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Learn more about how this phenomenon came to be when you read Poopiter. Poopiter tells the illustrated tales of Geordie (Bitey Dog) and Toby during their first year together.

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Mr. Boombalatti Hides the Evidence

Dog dish half hidden under carpet

To Toby’s great dismay, I have had to put him on a diet for Lent. Geordie’s pickiness over food has given Toby ample opportunities to become roly-poly by eating his brother’s leftovers. The other day I found this going on in the kitchen. In the background, I was pretty sure I could hear Shaggy singing, “It wasn’t me…”

Dog photobombs picture with dish and toy in background

I’m telling you, it was Blue Puppy who ate all the food!

As you can see, Toby clearly blames his little blue puppy for getting into the dishes and then trying to hide the evidence under the rug.

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Lenten Diocesan Appeal

Today I am using Bitey’s blog to vent my own frustrations. (The views here are the author’s alone. Bitey Dog does not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed in this rant.)

The local parish decided to start their Lenten appeal by bringing in a speaker to address three reasons why everyone should give more money. With the first reason, I could find no fault. They discussed building repairs and maintenance. Every building needs maintenance. In the past several years I have seen no extravagant building expenses: no problem there.

The second point they addressed was the neighboring county where 75% of parishes closed due to parishoners “not giving enough money”, therefore we need to give more money. What?!? (I need a needle-on-record screeching sound.) I am sure you are familiar with the diocese next to ours. It has made the news many times in the past two years for sex abuse scandals. The reason those churches closed was that parishoners’ money was used to pay lawsuits and legal fees for church leaders doing horrible, illegal things. Don’t put the blame for closings on members for not giving enough money.

Lastly members are supposed to pay for an expensive private school in the area. Reportedly attendance has declined by 50% over the last 30 years, yet costs are something like 4X what they used to be per student. I know that there is a tech element that was not present 30 years ago, but surely school administrators can find a way to adjust education costs to keep them more reasonable rather than expect others to pay the bill. Home schooling is very, very popular in this area. It is done on a shoe string budget, but the kids come out with superior educations. Why not learn from their example?

Cairn terrier sitting with marigolds.

I realize that this isn’t my problem and that I shouldn’t care. I am not a member of the parish. Whatever they choose to do with their funds and resources is their own business. The boys and I support the church because we like to visit the outside.

So, little church, we trust that you will be well in other’s hands. The boys and I will still pray for you.

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Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed?

Puppy sleeping in the back of a kennel.

I had to do a double take the other day. Geordie was sleeping near the window, and Geordie was sleeping in his bed. Wait, what?

While this is Geordie’s bed, the usurping Toby likes to make it his own whenever he gets the chance. Sometimes Geordie will cry until the little one leaves. Sometimes he gives up and sleeps outside the door. One time he tried to paw the puppy out.

I don’t know if Toby feels safer sleeping in his big brother’s bed or if he just likes to put his stank on the blankets so that Geordie can never escape him. Either way, it is adorable.

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The Biscuit Battle

Happy smiling Cairn terrier sitting next to flowers.

Last year when my beautiful Geordie was diagnosed with cancer, I was devastated. The vet said my vibrant, active boy had only a few weeks to live so I made it my mission to make him the most spoiled, happiest terrier in all of history.

Geordie has surprised us all by continuing to live a full life despite his illness. I am thrilled to have my puppy with me for far longer than expected. What I hadn’t counted on was just how spoiled a little dog can be when he gets everything he wants.

For the past few weeks, he has been positively insufferable. I have had to cut back on treats and special attention and put him back on the schedule he had before that fateful vet visit. It has been a difficult decision for me because I realize that I may lose him at any moment. What kind of a pet parent am I if I deny my puppy his final wish of Marro Bones? Good or bad, I did it anyway.

Geordie hasn’t given up squawking for treats, but I have noticed that his eyes seem brighter and his tummy isn’t rumbling as much. He even decided to take me for a walk today. It seems like an obvious solution to keep a pet on a strict healthy diet, but it is difficult to do when the pet is getting ready to leave.

Geordie insisted that he have a say on today’s blog:

First, I have to tell on Toby. He went to sleep in my bed, and he didn’t get in trouble at all!!

This evening, Mom took me out to pee. After we came inside, Toby said he had to pee. (Never at the same time, right?) While they were outside, I very kindly helped Mommy open the jar of biscuits in the closet and eat them. You can tell she likes Toby best because I got yelled at and he didn’t even though he was the one who got caught with the lid in his mouth. Harrumph. Why even have biscuits if you are not going to give them to me?!?

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Conversation Hearts

Box of tiny conversation hearts

For years these little candies have been a staple of Valentines Day. (Made, as some say, of ear wax and chalk.) My Dad decided that he wanted to get some for my Mom as sort of a joke since she doesn’t like them but he does. Imagine our surprise when no one could find these little hearts at the store. I guess couples these days prefer candies that actually taste good as opposed to ones that spark conversations.

Tiny box of conversation hearts.

OK, so I did finally find some for the Fogies to share. What shocked me was the teeny, tiny size of the box. I could hear maybe 8 candies rattling around inside. For shame, Brachs.

My boys, on the other paw, were pretty creative with their gifts. Geordie wrote one of his special messages for me. This was the closest he has ever come to saying that he likes me.

Heart shaped poo

I kid you not: it was shaped like a heart.

Poo shaped like the Chinese character for "fire"

Toby’s was the Chinese word for “fire”. (Perhaps he has a more ardent personality than I give him credit.)

So, if you have ever wondered what the most romantic day in the year is like in Bitey’s world, this is it.

To everyone, we wish you a Yappy Valentine’s Day!

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Kitty, Puppy or Fox?

Since Geordie’s cancer diagnosis, I have found it difficult to write about my boys or even draw and post silly pictures of them. Instead I write about Toby and me going to visit the fallen tree. It is my way of coping. We have had some really good days lately, though, and I want to hold onto them here.

On Saturday, Geordie surprised me by waking me up an hour early to tell me that it was sunny and cold out. He was so excited that he wanted to leave for a walk right away. When I told him I needed to get dressed first he stormed off in a huff and threw himself down on the kitchen floor.

After a few minutes for my morning routine, I got the boys dressed in their harnesses, and we headed out. I was totally stunned at how far my little boy was able to go. We wandered for over a mile together as my two marked everything they could reach. I could see a difference in Toby as well. He really loves walking with his brother. The two of them were calm and cooperative. It was a joy to be with them.

The day ended well with two pups who ate heartily and slept soundly. When you have a sick puppy, those simple things are so significant.

While Toby behaved with Geordie nearby on our Saturday walk, he did not do well when he and I were together. It is my fault. In most things he does so well that I don’t train him as often as I should. This evening I decided to try some training like I used to with Geordie.

To start, I grabbed three of Toby’s toys: a puppy, a kitty and a fox. I brought some treats, then I asked him to touch the animal I named. Geordie heard us having fun and came over to join in. Geordie always loved doing tricks like this. He knew so many words and instructions that it was spooky. He and Toby played this game until we ran out of snacks. It was the happiest and most engaged that I have seen Geordie in a long time.

I was so excited about what we’d accomplished that I wanted to play again, but I know you can only teach a pup for a few minutes at a time. I feel bad that I haven’t been doing this more with Geordie over the past year. His diagnosis was hard on me, and I treated him as a delicate little china dog instead of a guy who liked puzzles and games. I hope there is still time to make up for that. I want his memories of this lifetime to be happy ones. Two Cairn terriers sitting in the grass.

We got off to a rocky start, but we like walking together now.

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The Possibility of New Life

For several weeks I have been trying to avoid working on the sideways tree since it affects my allergies. Having a temp of -5 also might have contributed to me staying home, but only a little.

What is left of the sideways tree

The Sideways Tree

Since so many of the trees in this wooded area are elderly and falling down, I have been looking for ways to encourage new growth. Not only does it look nice, but I am hoping it will keep the hillside from eroding.

Winter is the wrong time of year for seed production, so I haven’t been able to harvest any fallen ones…except for these guys.

I borrowed this picture from Tree Pictures Online.com .

Like a lot of people, I mistook the trees for maples and attributed these nasty seed pods on the ground to some other source. Turns out they are from a plant that wears a lot of names. Around here they are called Sweet Gum, but they can also be called Liquidambar, Storax or Alligatorwood. They are often used in reforestation projects because they grow quickly.

There is an abundance of these seed pods on a neighboring street, so Toby and I have been gathering them up on our walks. We take them to the area around the fallen tree and lob them into the woods. To be honest, I have no idea if the pods have viable seeds or not, but I still fee like I am helping to bring the possibility of new life to the area.

These seed pods are so strong and spiky that they can be used around the garden to discourage interlopers. They are hard enough that you can puncture a tire if you run over them. By now, Toby and I must have tossed a couple hundred of these pods into woods. If nothing else, maybe they will discourage some of the animals that travel the pipeline up into out back yards.

Two cartoon deer dying

Aagh! Avoid the spiky seed pods!

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The Adventures of Bitey Dog

Uncategorized

Casinos and Malls

Eau de Alpo

Mr. Boombalatti Hides the Evidence

Lenten Diocesan Appeal

Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed?

The Biscuit Battle

Conversation Hearts

Kitty, Puppy or Fox?

The Possibility of New Life