Lambiedog

Year-end wrap-up

        I spent last night at the bar with my drinking buddy, reviewing the past year's ups and downs.

 It was a good year overall.  I solidified friendships, controlled my seizure disorder, and honed my connection to the bluffs.  We got a new president, and he got a new dog.

 Yes, there were some disappointments, notably in the squirrel department.  But, as my friend reminded me, in toto it was a banner Year of Lambie.

 No one can know what the coming year will bring, but tomorrow I may come up with some resolutions to guide me going forward.  

So, until next year...have a safe and happy New Year's Eve, dear Readers!

Anthropomorphized

    This guy Pepe or Paco always arrives at the bluffs in a carriage.  His owner pushes the stroller up to the curb, and then Pepe/Paco steps out like a pasha.  

    We get along fine but I secretly look down on the way he is pampered and infantilized by his owner.

    I would never put up with that.

Malibu

     There's a puppy named Malibu at the bluffs.  I find him very interesting.

  He still has that puppy tendency of leaping onto those around him.  As soon as he does the leaping, his owner swoops in and restrains him, and they depart.  Which usually means that he is restrained seconds after he arrives at the bluff, and that he is only at the bluff for seconds before he leaves.

    So my sightings of Malibu tend to be of him departing.

 

Holiday gift leads to uncomfortable revelation re increased girth

 

    I received a holiday present from some East Coast cats I know.

    They sent me a most thoughtful gift:  a faux-sheepskin coat from LL Bean. It is very cozy, with a nice warm collar.  And the color complements my fur beautifully.

    Unfortunately however, while the coat they sent was a size Small, it appears that I am now a size Medium.

 The Velcro straps could not make it across my chest unless pulled very tight.  The neck strap does make it around my neck, but just barely.

    

Perhaps we will sew on some extra Velcro to extend the stomach closure a bit.  Or maybe I should just enjoy the garment as a cloak rather than a coat, in which case there would be no need to fasten the stomach ties shut.  

I am sure that Buster, Myra, Arnie, Flash, Blackie and Ruff would be mortified if their gift caused me any body image anxiety.

Ho ho ho

 

        I paid Willy a holiday visit.

    Kim greeted me warmly.

    Then Willy came out to join me and my family for a walk around the block.

    When we dropped him off at his house, I watched wistfully as he walked inside without a backward glance.  Apparently, he's not as sentimental as I am.

    

In need of a Christmas miracle

 

Things are looking grim for Thomas' computer.  He cracked the screen a few days ago, and ordered a new one from eBay.

 Today Charlie got out his tools to install the replacement screen and carefully, taking hours, took everything apart, only to learn that that we'd been sent the wrong screen, which won't work with Thomas' computer. Then, while he was putting the computer back together, he dropped a screw into the computer's headphone jack.  He and Thomas tried everything, but they couldn't get it out.

 While Charlie worked on a communication to the eBay seller, Thomas took a quick nap on the sofa.  

Perceiving that they were both dejected, I tried to lend support.  

I wished I could do more.  Why couldn't I be a helpful techie when my brothers needed me most?

It's terrible to feel impotent to stop the suffering of those you love.  

Secret of my success

    People sometimes ask me how it is that I am so attuned to bluff goings-on.

 

    I don't want to brag, but the answer is that I have super-sensitive ears.

Joyous reunion

 

We were just one of many families in the scrum at the airport. But our reunion was very special to me, even though it took place surrounded by a multitude of people standing around waiting for their loved ones and luggage.

  

It's in my genetic code

 

 When I saw Sisi running after her ball I felt the primal urge to herd her.   

 I wonder how she feels about this buckaroo side of me.

Consolation prize

 

 I had hoped to be invited to light the tree at Rockefeller Center this year, but the call never came.  

Although I had been told that Aretha Franklin was going to condition her involvement upon me being included, apparently she forgot. Perhaps her handlers talked her out of it.

 In the midst of my disappointment, I was mollified to at least receive a local tree-lighting invitation. "Lambie," I said to myself, "Remember that there's no place like home for the holidays."