My Buddy Roxie

She has amassed a collection of rawhide chew sticks, many stolen from Doppler. As a dachshund, she is uncontrollably driven to bury them. She pushes some into corners then uses her nose to cover them with imaginary dirt. It’s strange to watch.

roxie-on-her-side

Stef is here for a few days. Roxie’s here too. This is like having grandchildren come to visit, right? Except it’s easier.

Having Roxie and Doppler together is fun because they’re so different. Don’t get me wrong. They’re both good–team players.

Roxie is more playful and needy than Doppler. She chases toys. She snuggles. She gets on her back with her paws up asking for a friendly rub.

She has amassed a collection of rawhide chew sticks, many stolen from Doppler. As a dachshund, she is uncontrollably driven to bury them. She pushes some into corners then uses her nose to cover them with imaginary dirt. It’s strange to watch.

She like being involved. She lays down close to the action, even when more quiet places are within easy reach.

Usually Roxie and Doppler go for a walk together. When Doppler goes out alone, Roxie jumps off the sofa and runs downstairs at the sound of a bag of treats opening. She’s knows our ‘house policy’ of always rewarding them together. Her ears are attuned to food.

Stef says Roxie looks forward to her trips here, sitting up erect in the car as they exit the freeway. The feeling is mutual.

Spa Treatment For Roxie

I shampoo with the discount stuff from the store. Roxie uses Wen.

spa-treatment-roxieStef sometimes comes to Orange County with a list of errands she needs done. Today’s list included a bath for Roxie. I’m the dog wrangler.

Bath here is used in the most general sense. Roxie (accompanied by a bathing suited me) headed to the master bath shower. She had never been in one before!

I turned off the main shower head and began gently wanding rain on Roxie’s back. She was good with it.

I shampoo with the discount stuff from the store. Roxie uses Wen. I had to play chemist and mix the proper strength before we could get going.

Roxie’s fur is a lot thicker than Doppler’s. It took more to get her clean and much more to rinse her thoroughly. We were left with small hair clumps on the shower floor.

As of this hour Roxie is the cleanest dog in Orange County.

I’m told she did not like the blow dryer. I wasn’t there. My shower followed Roxie’s.

Tail Tales

Doppler, Roxie and I are holding down the fort this afternoon. Helaine, Stef and my Cousin Melissa have disappeared to points unknown leaving us to fend for ourselves.

We’ve been in SoCal long enough they know each now. Doppler still doesn’t want to be cornered, but other than that they’re cordial. At one point this afternoon they were both licking my left hand. Cool moment.

I was down in the kitchen a little while ago. Quietly, I asked Doppler if she needed to go out. From the floor above I could hear Roxie jumping from the couch. Take one, take all! She was waiting when we got to the door.

They dart out of the house and up the grassy strip at the curb.

Shhhh. I carry a leash, but they’re never on it during daylight hours. We’re only a few feet apart. Both respond to my voice when needed.

Roxie needs to be in the middle of the action. Doppler favors her bed in a corner of the kitchen.

Roxie plays with toys. Doppler can’t be bothered.

They are different as the color of their fur. And yet, like children, I’d be hard pressed to consider picking a favorite.

Tallulah Eats! (video)

If we’re going to compare year-to-year speeds there’s going to have to be some sort of handicap factored in.

“She’s eating slower,” I said to Helaine. Next to her long, thin shape Tallulah’s Hooverish devouring of food is her most recognizable feature!

Tallulah hasn’t changed. Her food has. With a healthier homemade diet in place her food forms smaller clumps.

If we’re going to compare year-to-year speeds there’s going to have to be some sort of handicap factored in.

She still cleans her plate!

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Talluah–Dog As Still Life

As dogs go Tallulah is the world’s easiest to deal with. She doesn’t bark. She doesn’t prowl. She specializes in resting.

To my left Helaine is sitting on the sofa. Her laptop is showing the Phillies game. She is audibly reacting to every pitch, ever play.

To my right UCONN is playing Vanderbilt on the TV. UCONN is down by one though it feels like Vandi is manhandling them.

Between me and the TV is our house guest, Tallulah.

Tallulah doesn’t seem interested in baseball or football. Maybe she’s waiting for something more dachshund appropriate. Is there a soccer game on? Is Bayern Munich playing?

As dogs go Tallulah is the world’s easiest to deal with. She doesn’t bark. She doesn’t prowl. She specializes in resting.

Here’s a little sample of Tallulah’s still life.

Who’s The Birthday Puppy? (photos)

We expected Roxie to be a miniature dachshund. Uh… not quite. Love trumps all.

Stef’s puppy Roxie turns two years old today. She is still freakishly long. She is still a pretty lady. She still dries like a ShamWow.

We expected Roxie to be a miniature dachshund. Uh… not quite. Love trumps all.

Here are some photos from Roxie taken during recent dinner theater tour of “Jaws.”

Wish They All Could Be California Dogs (photo and video)

If it’s possible for a dog to smile then Roxie’s smiling… broadly!

Is there anything on the Internet more powerful than the ability to send photos and video through the air? We just got an email care package from the Fox Family West Coast Bureau today in Marina del Rey.

Stef spent the afternoon bike riding… with Roxie! This was Roxie’s first trip in a wicker basket and according to Stef she loved it! As you can see from the accompanying video Roxie was perfectly happy to sit and stay.

If it’s possible for a dog to smile then Roxie’s smiling… broadly!

Click the picture to play the video.

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Tallulah: Here Comes Weiner Cottontail (photo)

Tallulah will be visiting next weekend. This photo makes us wish it was sooner.

Here at Casa del Zorro we love puppies. We don’t have one in our immediate family now (Roxie being a California dog), but I suspect that will change by the beginning of summer. Probable breed: cute! Probable name: Doppler&#185.

In the meantime when friends or relatives bring dogs by or email us photos we immediately say “Awwwww” and start thinking about administering belly rubs and scratching behind ears!

Tallulah will be visiting next weekend. This photo makes us wish it was sooner.

&#185 – My friend fellow meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan already has a dog named Doppler. I will provide Ryan with a list of potential new names for his dog.

Postscript: I should have mentioned this earlier. Helaine and I fully intend on rescuing a dog to join our family. – Geoff

Tallulah Is Relaxed

She spent the night under-the-covers as a wedge between Helaine and me. As with her sofa time she was mostly in a state of suspended animation.

If you’re wondering how Tallulah is doing during her visit to ‘la casa Zorro’ the answer is great! She has claimed her side of the sofa and sees little reason to stray. Think Ambien with legs.

She spent the night under-the-covers as a wedge between Helaine and me. As with her sofa time she was mostly in a state of suspended animation.

Tallulah is a rescue dog (as Tracey mentioned in an earlier comment). When she first came to Connecticut she was skittish and warily defensive. No more. Except for her habit of ‘speed eating’ she shows no sign of anxiety or fear. Tallulah understands Tracey’s commitment to her.

There is one more activity Tallulah speeds though–going! In the three times I took her out yesterday she hardly hit the tiny piece of our lawn not covered by snow before she began to do her business. Impressive!

We’re glad Tallulah is visiting, but we know even though this sleepover is a favor to Tracey it’s more a favor to us. Dogs make people happy.

Tallulah’s Back!

Tallulah eats at a speed which suggests she thinks a meteor is headed toward Earth and she’d better hurry.

We are dog starved! That’s why when Tracey called to ask if we’d watch Tallulah her adorably docile mini dachshund, we asked if she’d like to stay two nights instead of one!

Tallulah has arrived. She’s on the sofa right now.

As dogs go Tallulah is very easy. She has toys, but she doesn’t play with them. She’s content to lay on the sofa comfortably enveloped by the softness of her blankets. If from time-to-time your hand reaches over and gently massages her back that’s fine too!

Tallulah eats at a speed which suggests she thinks a meteor is headed toward Earth and she’d better hurry. I’ll have video of that later.

Dogs are calming and soothing. It’s a trait they get by emulating Tallulah!

It’s possible by the time Tracey returns we’ll have packed up with no forwarding address.

Roxie And Friends: A Dog’s Life (photo)

Because she works long days she needs someone to care for Roxie. That’s where Laura comes in. Roxie will now spend most days with her friends at Laura’s.

I really haven’t written about my daughter Stefanie much recently. She’s in California working for a production company. She lives and works in Hollywood!

Because her days are long she needs someone to help care for Roxie. That’s where Laura comes in. Roxie will now spend most days with her friends at Laura’s.

Here’s a photo of the gang earlier today. If this is a dog’s life I’m jealous!

Tallulah Goes Home After I Take A Few More Photos

It seems easy to be a dog. You eat. You rest. You poop. You piddle. Tallulah’s mastered all of those.

Tallulah’s gone. Tracey was here around 1:00 PM to fetch her.

There are high maintenance dogs. Tallulah’s not one. She’s was as tough to deal with as the afghan she lounged on.

“She’s much easier than you,” Helaine added.

It seems easy to be a dog. You eat. You rest. You poop. You piddle. Tallulah’s mastered all of those.

Speaking of those last two Tallulah might have some horse or possibly elephant blood in her! Need I say more?

Here are the last of my photos. She’s still a great model.

Tallulah: Speed Eating Dog! (video)

In case you don’t already know, Tallulah is the speed eating dog!

Tallulah has already participated in two still photos sessions and now she’s on video! In case you don’t already know, Tallulah is the speed eating dog!

Tallulah’s Afternoon Photo Session

She’s calm. She’s patient. She’s photogenic.

As photo models go Tallulah is great. She’s calm. She’s patient. She’s photogenic. She’s here for the weekend!

Tallulah At Her Most Expressive

We miss having a dog around the house. We don’t miss the responsibility that comes with dog ownership. Babysitting works just fine.

Dogs have individual personalities. Some are hyper. Some are licky. Others are perfectly content to be perfectly content. That last description applies to Tallulah, who we’re babysitting this weekend.

Tallulah is VERY laid back. She is a Xanax with paws.

We miss having a dog around the house. We don’t miss the responsibility that comes with dog ownership. Babysitting works just fine.

Here she is front and profile… in case the police ever need a wanted poster.