Tuesday Talk

It's Tuesday and we have some things to share:


When Mom was preparing Dakota's slideshow, she found a great photo that she wanted to enter in the Sugar-riffic Photo Contest. Before we came to live with Mom and Dad, they had a wishing well in their yard. Dakota loved to climb on it and one day this is how they found her.

Ding, dong, dell,
Husky's in the well.

Dakota was her name.
And fun was her game.

(Mom says not to worry - it had a false bottom - what's that mean?)

And Thunder thought he might submit his photo for the Rocky Creek Scotties Tongue Contest.


Lastly, we wanted to thank Tank for his latest OWAS Assignment. He has promoted Dakota to OWAS Regional Commander. She will be in charge of squirrel control north of the Rainbow Bridge. Knowing her strong distaste for those pesky critters, we are sure she is quite proud of her new role.

That's it for Tuesday Talk.

Woos, Thunder and Phantom

Monday's Hope and Thanks

NEWS FLASH: LASKA IS HOME - GO VISIT KHYRA FOR THE JOYFUL NEWS!!!


We received this comforting award from Dennis the Visla , the Never Give Up award for encouragement or help in getting through a rough spot. Thank you, Dennis, for thinking of us - we are doing OK, but we are still very sad. Dennis shared this award with a few other of our furiends who are having some tough times and we wish them all well.

We have fallen behind in thanking some very good furiends for some lovely gifts we have received. In the displays below of our lovely presents, we have showcased them on a beautiful gold pashmina scarf of Mom's to symbolize our hope for the safe return of Laska. The boys took turns modeling it for you.

First, we received a huge box of Happy Heart cookies from the Honorary Siberian Husky Huffle Mawson and her Mum. Look at all we got!!!

There was a big thank you cookie and three smaller ones personalized for each of us. Dakota didn't get a chance to have hers, but Mom is going to eat that one since these cookies are just so delicious. All of our treats in the box are the very yummy blueberry-banana ones.

A couple of the bags have squirrels in them. Since we don't get to see very many squirrels in our yard, we are thrilled to have a chance to sink our teeth into these.
Thunder can't take his eyes off this one.

And Phantom is checking this one out very closely, for some reason,
he doesn't think it smells like squirrel:)

Next are some treats we got from Eva and Brice for winning the contest to guess Bricey Boy's weight.

Mom has been very careful about rationing out all these tasty treats. You can bigify this photo to see them more closely. One bag is full of Plato Duck Strips and the other has Dog Nip - can you believe it? - Catch of the Day Pollock Skin Twists and Sushi with Sweet Potato - how yummy does that sound? C'mon, Mom, open the bags.

And last but not least, Ginger Jasper and his Mum sent us a package filled with wonderful things for everyone.

There was a beautiful and soft and cuddly blanket for the newest grandbaby Brady, a stuffed Husky key chainholder for Mom, and a fantabulous bag of beef jerky for us.
There were also two cards, one with a great photo of GJ himself, and another handcrafted one in celebration of the new little guy. Take a closer look below.

Such a lovely blankie.

And let us both tell you that this beef jerky is the BEST - we had never had any kind of jerky but this stuff is soooooooooooo good. We wish the bag was bottomless.

So much to be thankful for - great awards, beautiful pressies, and wonderful furiends. Once again, Mom sends thanks and hugs to ALL for your love and caring during this time. Please keep hoping for Laska to be found.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Our Howling Sunday Salute

Mason Dixie suggested we post a howling salute to Dakota today. Dakota was the champion wooer in our pack. Phantom isn't too bad but it is a rare occurrence. TD, on the other hand, makes lots of noise all the time, but it isn't always very melodious. And we had to coax him a bit to get it going. At the end of our video, we added the last woos we were able to record of Dakota, but we are sure she is serenading all her new furiends at the Rainbow Bridge and beyond and adding in some extra woos for Laska to come home.








Thanks, Mason Dixie and all our howling furiends.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Dedicated to Dakota

"Our Princess - Dakota - Our Beloved"

The music I selected for this presentation is "I Giorni", by Ludovico Einaudi, an Italian composer. The inspiration for the piece was a 12th-century folk song from Mali about a hippopotamus who was cherished by the residents of a nearby village but killed by a hunter. In his liner notes, Einaudi wrote that “The song is sung as a lament for the death of a king or a great person or for the loss of a loved one.” How appropriate for Dakota, so loved, so cherished, so missed.

I don't have the words to express the very deep appreciation the OP Pack and myself have for all of you. I am completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from so many. The comments just keep coming. And the beautiful tributes from so many on your blogs. I hope I will not miss any - I have been trying to read them all and comment. I know there are several more out there that I promise I will read. "Thank you" seems so inadequate to express what I feel. My heart is broken by the loss of my sweetheart but it has been so warmed and comforted by you.

Phantom and Thunder are left to carry on as the OP Pack but they will always carry the memory and love of Dakota n their hearts.

Hugs to all, Kathie

OUR PRINCESS DAKOTA
8/15/1997 - 6/24/2009

We will never forget you,
we miss you so much already,
and we will always love you.

Heaven's Doggy Door

My best friend closed her eyes last night,
As her head was in my hand.
The doctors said she was in pain,
And it was hard for her to stand.

The thought that scurried through my head,
As I cradled her in my arms.
Were of her younger, puppy years,
And Oh...her many charms.

Today, there was no gentle nudge
With an intense "I love you gaze,"
Only a heart that's filled with tears
Remembering our joy-filled days.

But an Angel just appeared to me,
And he said, You should cry no more,
God also loves our canine friends,
He's installed a doggy -door!

by Jan Cooper

Love forever and always,
Dad, Mom, Phantom, and Thunder

Our hearts are very heavy tonight, but we wanted to let you all know what has happened. We are so very thankful to all of your for your loving concern for us. When we are up to it, we will present a pictorial tribute to our beautiful girl.

Dakota Update

The OP Pack's Mom here. I know many of you have been asking for an update on Dakota. This has been a very difficult day here. Dakota managed somehow to get hurt in the yard yesterday while she was out for a potty break by herself. She was only outside for about five minutes. Normally she goes to the bottom of the deck stairs, takes care of business, and is back at the door looking to come inside. When I didn't see her there, I went out to find her. She was all the way on the other side of the yard and could not put any weight on her rear left leg. I think she may have lost her balance on the very small incline there and twisted the back end of her body which is very weak due to muscle atrophy. I brought her to the vet this morning after she continued to be unable to support herself with her back legs.

The initial evaluation from the vet's physical exam indicated a possible hip fracture. However, x-rays showed a badly torn ACL. In addition, blood work showed some major changes in her already fragile physical condition that is complicated by Cushing's Disease. She has also lost close to another three pounds in the past two weeks, continuing her recent lost of an average of three pounds per month, all of this despite her continuing to eat well with no restriction on my part as to the volume of intake. She is staying at the hospital tonight where they have sedated her to try to alleviate some of her discomfort. She is already on two different anti-inflammatory medications and so there isn't much more she can be given.

We are left to decide where we go from here. Surgery is the easy answer for the leg issues but given her fragile physical condition and the discomfort of the healing process, we are not sure it is the right call for Dakota. Our decision will not be easy but Dakota's best interest will be our guide. We are so very appreciative of all your good thoughts for our princess.

Kathie

Tag on Tuesday - We're IT!

Mollie and Bobo, some new furiends, tagged us to play a game. It sounds like fun so let's go.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to photo files....select the 6th folder.

2. Select the 6th photo in that folder.

3. Post the photo along with the story behind it.

4. Tag 6 of our friends to do the same thing.

So we checked our iPhoto files and found this photo.

Some of you may remember when we posted about our Sunday Escapade to the upstairs rooms. We are not usually allowed upstairs OR on the beds, but our brother Phantom served as sentry to warn us of the approach of any of our pawrents. Don't we look like we enjoyed ourselves?

Now we would like to tag these six friends, but if you aren't on our list, we don't care about rules, so go ahead and play tag too.

1. Huffle Mawson

2. Steve and Kat

3. The Army of Four

4. Khyra

5. Tia, Sitka, and Cornelia Marie

6. Tommy, Tama Chan, and Sei Chan

We can't wait to see all of your photos.

Woos, the OP Pack

Pee Ess, Dakota hurt herself last night while out in the yard. She is not able to get her back legs under her very well and can't put any pressure on one of her back legs. She will be going to the vet today. Please keep her in your thoughts that this is not a serious injury.

*******Siber Alert for Missing Dog********

Please visit Khyra's blog NOW for some very important information about Laska, one of Khyra's Mom's most recent rescue transport. He managed to escape yesterday and is missing. Please check out the information and even if all you can do is cross your paws and say some prayers, please try to help.

A Monday Moment

What do you mean, Mom? I am NOT making a mess! It's just too freaking hot to be outside, what's a pup supposed to do?





Woos, Thunder

Saturday's Squirrel Story

With the arrival of the oppressive heat and humidity in Kansas, I now live under a self-imposed house containment (with Mom's stamp of approval). I spend 99.99999% of my time inside and don't go on any regular walks anymore. But I know that I need to remain a loyal and valued member of the OWAS ( Operationg-Whack-A-Squirrel. So I decided that I would take charge of keeping the homefront safe from those pesky squirrels.

What's that odor that is waking me up? Smells like Squirrel!!!

I'd better check this one out.

IT'S A SQUIRREL DECOY!!!

We may have to convene a meeting of the local OWAS chapter to question this critter on the whereabouts of our leader Tank. Meeting at our place at noon, maybe we can mull things over lunch.

Woos, Dakota

TD: "Hey, Dakota and Phantom, look what we got. It's a box for US and the postman said it comes from one land of Oz to our land of Oz."

Phantom: "Whatcha think's in this big box?"

Dakota: "See that red ribbon, it's a clue, I am sure of it."

TD: " I know I have seen that red ribbon before."

Phantom: "I hear some meow meow sounds in there."

Dakota: "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's see what's in there."

All: "Wow, look - our very own cat in a box for International Box Day!!!!"

"AND it's our furravorite kitty, the Honorary Sibe Herself, Huffle Mawson,
from the land down under."

HM: "Hi, OP Pack, it is so good to be here finally - what a long trip in that box!"

HM: " I think I might need to take a nap in this warm sunbeam."

HM: "Whoa, Phantom, what's up with these two?
TD is out cold on the carpet and Dakota got in my box."

Phantom: "No problem, Huffle, c'mon over here and share my window seat."

All: "Wasn't this a boxful of fun?"

Be sure to vist Maggy and Zoey too for more box fun.

Woos, the OP Pack and Huffle Mawson

Pee Ess, this is our 200th post, we can hardly believe it. We never dreamed we could have so much to share.

Getting ready for tomorrow

Tomorrow is International Box Day.

All photos courtesy of Ann at Zoolatry.

Looks like the OP Pack may be involved in some way. Check back tomorrow for all the fun.

Woos, the OP Pack

Walking Wednesday - Updated

Updated: Scroll down for a first glimpse of the new biped puppy.

Here is our first attempt to do a video via YouTube. Hope it works.




In other news, the OP Pack is proud to announce that there is a new little grandbiped in the family. Brady Chase arrived at 8:51 a.m. today. He is a little bundle at 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 17 1/4 inches long. Mom says she will post a picture when she has one. She went to see him at the hospital with his big brother Tyler but baby Brady was getting a bath and then going to be warmed. So she has to wait until later today. Baby Brady is the sixth grandchild for Mom and Dad, now at a count of four boys and two girls.

Update: Here is one pic that Mom got on her phone.



Woos, the OP Pack

Tuesday Talk

Thunder reporting for the day:

A lot of our furiends have been posting shots of their skies and pretty clouds. We snapped a couple of ours while we were out for our walk yesterday in some very hot and humid temps. Here are a couple of pretty ones.

And this shot to the west forebodes what was coming overnight. We had pounding rain and ferocious winds. A tornado touched down in Drexel, Missouri, just southeast of us, with lots of damage. Mom was worried that her daughter's baby was going to decide to make his grand entrance overnight but luckily he made the right choice to stay tucked inside for a while longer.

So, back to our walk, here I was walking along with my brother Phantom, thinking we were going to have a great opportunity to do some squirrel patrol. We are crossing one of the trippy trappy bridges that leads us along the trail we usually follow.

We stopped to check out the creek to see if any of those pesky critters were looking for a drink when first thing I knew, Mom got that urge - you know, the pluck-a-holic one.

How embarassing - here I am stuck out in public with THIS going on!!!

And do you think she does it to Phantom??? Of course, not, she says he isn't ready yet.

And then HE has the nerve to give me this look - laughing at me is NOT nice.

Woos, Thunder Dunder

Garden beauties

"Da Vinca Boys"

"Day Lilies for Dakota"

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Woos, the OP Pack

Thunder's Thursday Torture

Look at what I had to endure today - the evil gold fusion pin brush - just look at all those pins that poke me! And then the purple monster is going to scoop all my beautiful thick fluffy fur away!!! AND this came just from my flanks - Mom says more torture later!!!!

Oh, but wait, maybe there is a silver lining to this abuse I have to endure - do I see the beginnings of a puppy factory in there?

Woos, TD

Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday Woos, the OP Pack

Tuesday's Talk

Today is a day for thanking. We not only received two wonderful awards, but Dakota got a special delivery from one of our good blogger furiends.

First, let's start with this award we received from the Army of Four. Thanks Stormy, Ammy, Dave, and Zim - so nice of you to share it with us.


The rules for the award are to post it to the blog, link to the blogger who gave it to you, then list 7 things and 7 bloggers you love.

Between all of us, we love blogging, visiting blogs, walkies, naptime, each other, yummy cookies, and our Mom and Dad - we could give you a lot more than 7 but we'll stick with these.

We have shared this award before with some of you and so this time around, it's fo all of you from us!!!

Our second award came from two of our favorite pups. Miss Fluffy Tail a.k.a. Khyra and Stella, a lovely pup who lives in Minnesota!!! MFT likes to refer to this award as the CheeryCherryPieLadyBug Award. It certainly does make our hearts smile. Thank you, Khyra and Stella.

Stella said she was sharing this award with "The OP Pack, Dakota, Thunder and Phantom, this is with special recognition to Dakota who makes everyone's heart smile just by keeping on." Her words really touched us because she is so right. Dakota just keeps fighting to stay with us a little longer.

Speaking of the Princess, she was quite thrilled to find a package arrive for her today - from none other than the very sweet and generous Mason Dixie.

Sniff Sniff

Thanks, pal.

It is from Farm Dog Naturals in Elmwood, TN and the bag is filled with Hardtack, grain Free, Preservative Free, Vegan made with bean flour, wild crafted apple powder, peppermint and flax. Healthy and tasty!

Now how do I get at them?

They sure do smell good.

Finally.

Mmmmmm, it is so good.

Can I have another, please?

Thank you, Mason Dixie.

Dakota was very sweet and shared her treats with her brothers. They are both busy now, here they are.

Woos, the OP Pack

P.S. from Mom: Once again I want to thank all of you for your sweet words for Dakota. She is one very sick pup but she is still as beautiful as ever and keeps hanging on. If you look at some of her pics in older posts and compare them to the more recent ones, you can see how much she is failing. Today's photos show quite well how much weight she has lost. It is very hard for me now because there is so little I can do for her. And so your kindness and thoughts are even more touching. Thank you so much.