RIP Bart Barticus Farticus

Bart, Mabel Lou's brother from other pawrents, passed away on 10/2/20. We recently learned Bart was 15!!! We found that someone else had him for two years before he lived with the neighbors for 3 and the bestie has had him for 10! 

He could not have lived with the neighbors long before he started running away to my bestie's, letting himself in through the doggie door and spending the day at her feet before he would amble home around dark. Years went by with Bart showing up every day to spend it with the nice neighbor lady before he finally returned home. 

 

About three years into this, I invited the bestie to dinner. She arrived. She was sad. Bart had been taken to a farm. There was a look of sheer horror on my face. She tried to reassure me. "He can run and roam and play.." More horror. "There are other animals... WHAT?? Why are you making a face?"

Knowing my friend was first generation American and not familiar with the lies people tell their children, I exclaimed, "That's what parents tell their kids when they're getting rid of their dogs!!!"

"No...it's a lovely farm..."

"NO! BART'S IN JAIL!!!"

I ran down the hall to my office and pulled up the website for the local pound... and THERE HE WAS! I screamed! The bestie came running in and saw him on the screen. "NO! What time to they close?"

I looked on the website as she looked at her watch. "Right now! I cried." 

She made a plan to be there when they opened. The question she most laughed at was his name...they encouraged her to change it! "No...his name is BART!"

She was actually concerned that Bart would go "home" at sunset as he had every night for three years. But, it turns out, he was just going home to eat! Once there was food at the bestie's house, there was no need to go to the place where he ate. Bart had chosen his Mom and his home and was just waiting for a good meal! Poor baby!

It wasn't long before I would pick him up most days when Mabel Lou and I hiked. They became siblings. Mabel was much bigger than Bart and would pick on him mercilessly. There were times I wondered why he even got in the car with us...she was just awful to him.  But, when any member of the larger dog pack tried the same, OH NO! Mabel was not having it! Bart was hers and hers alone. She could pick on him, abuse him, take the best sticks and toys but NO ONE else better dare to do that to Bart. And Bart seemed to understand this sisterly love long before I did. 

My favorite funny Bart story was the time there were the big dogs running around that we didn't know. Bart and found a dead rabbit and I'm certain he didn't want Mabel to have it. But he really didn't want those dogs to take it! As I was leaping through the tall grass, trying to leash up Mabel and find Bart, I hear the owner of the two dogs shout, "There's a dead dog over here!" 

Terrified either one of them had gotten hurt, I ran over and found Bart, playing dead! On top of his dead rabbit! 

It's so sad to me as Mabel's pack members die off. It's like I still get to see parts of her when I see them! But Barticus Farticus (stinkiest dog farts efur!!!), you were so loved! I know you and Mabel Lou are running a river in Heaven. 

 

It's My Barkday Tomorrow!!!

We gone pawty, like it's my barkday!!! Oh HI good pups and peeps of Blogville! Macy Blue here!

My momma has had her nose the computer for weeks working on taxes but... tomorrow is my barkday and Mom said we should celebrate a bit early cause all our peeps n pups aren't available at the same time! But that's ok.... more time for meeeee!

      Don't I look Happy!!???

This morning, I went out to breakie with my mom and my Auntie Rottrover. I gots pancakes and bacons!

Then, I got to go to SmartPet and pick out my barkday giffs! I got a smaller toy with the fantastic loud squeakers I loves!!! They are pawfect for when Momma talks on the phone!!! Teeeheee!! And Momma did not wrap it - she knows I don't like wrapped pressies! Good job Mom!!

I got some barkday cookies and Mom picked out a puzzle toy that I solved in like three minutes...but hey, whatever makes you feel good about leaving me Mom.... Seriously, any excuse for cookies is fine by me!

Later, we'll hike with Otto Rotto or, as Siri calls him: Auto Rado. He's getting a bath today so we probably won't get a swimmie...

Tomorrow, we are taking my pal Buster to the dog park. Bussie can't be off leash cause he won't come back for hours... silly boy. So, his mom wants to have us show her what the dog park is all about in hopes he can have some off leash time where he can't climb up a mountain!

Then, Mom is taking me out for ice cream! And later, I'll go for a swimmie hike with my buddy Barticus.

So...busy celebrations around here. Mom's doing her level best to make it pawsome but apparently she forgot what I really wanted: access to her Chewy.com account! That mean old Mom changed her password on me! Grumph!

Him Again

As I popped into the office of the high school to sign out today, I ran into this guy again. Remember how wonderful he was to me the day after Mabel Lou passed???

I learned his name is Harrison and he is always in the high school office on Friday afternoons. (Note to self: Get more high school gigs on Fridays!) He is there for anyone in need of doggy comfort, cuddles or a good game of tug!  He is going to be associated with Pet Partners when he finishes his training. His human sibs go to the high school... that's how we are lucky enough to get him!

I took total advantage of a dog that hugs and plays and had a great time loving him up!

I also stopped off to see Barticus Farticus on the way home... so I was given a thorough sniff and the stink eye by Macy Blue!

Her Life in Pictures: Eleven

I adore this first photo of Mabel and Bart (in the distance). When I think of being at the creek with my girl, I think of lying back on the levy with her nearby and how, when she was done, or wanting a pet or wanting to sunset watch with me, she would come and sit beside me. Or on me! So many of my favorite sunsets have her big old head in them!

We got our fences redone thanks to a wind storm and insurance...so our pal Chloe came over to hang out with her dad while he rebuilt them. Lots of fun times on the porch, in the yard and ice cream treats for the girls:

Mabel's beloved Baby went missing for a bit that summer... there was much happiness when she was found. (This photo made me cry.... I still sleep with Baby Lou! )

I took this photo for a contest for Frosty Paws we were hosting. A rare shot of her looking in the lens!! One my all time faves. Later I would win a free 9x12 print from a printing company and this one is in my bedroom so I wake looking in those eyes!

I haven't written a lot about Macy yet...but she is the MOST agreeable dog ever. I'm not accustomed to my dog being OK with everything I do. I'm accustomed to having to argue my point! Mabel had a freaking opinion about everything! And never hesitated to let me know her views! She was pissed at me here. Now that I don't have a dog that's pissed off at me several times a day, I find it so funny!

 

Another all time fave pic is from the priceless look on Mabel's face in this next shot. She was in the airplane with me when she suddenly realized this "car" was no longer on the ground and was in fact over the ocean! The look of wonder just makes me giggle!

 

Mabel still loved her tennie balls!

And adored her "cuddle time!" I could  work a 16 hour day and Mabel simply would NOT go to bed until we cuddled. I miss that SO MUCH!

Mabel's manipulation of humans did not stop with me. She refused to save this poor drowning stick until her auntie Rottrover was off her phone. She's making sure Auntie is paying attention here:

Hilarity ensued when Baby Lou fell off the bed.

And Summer started early...90 before 9 in the morning in May. Glad she had some water!

Her Life in Pictures: Ten

As our gotcha date rolled around in June 2011, Mabel was obsessed with the ducks!

Luckily, they moved on to Twinkie's house and our life got better fast! Except, Mabel Lou and I were fighting over the bed.... which led to one of our funniest posts!

Bart and Mabel were so enjoying their hikes together:

What wonderful times they had together:

It was an endless summer of fun:

Bart got his first taste of ice cream as Ms. Lou showed him what to do:

We also explored the upper area of the Arroyo a last time... the trails were still too damaged from the fire and the climb in and out was getting too much for the girl. The fence to this pond had never been opened before and Mabel had the best swim!

 

Mabel's newest nickname officially became Queen Bitch of Everything as she stole the party hats at Chloe's birthday party. This was a hilarious six part (!) post from October all titled Chloe's Pawty.

In November, working in the shop, I took one of my all time favorite pics of Mabel... the infamous "BaconHead" photo. I dropped in a pink background and it hangs over my sofa. This is the original:

The old jeepster needed a new tranny and Mabel, as always, was so happy when her Bessie got home! Whenever Bessie was sick and prevented us from creeking every single day, Mabel was simply thrilled to see her. She would often kiss the car!

For her 10th birthday, Mabel and Bart got a trip to In N Out Burger. She was SO happy!

The old girl still loved to run and play with her pals:

And while the ducks came back in the spring of 2012, Mabel had resigned herself to keeping her distance while keeping watch.

Overall, Ten was a pretty sweet year:

I Told You She Shares

My mom has been in town from Baton Rouge to celebrate her 91st birthday with Mabel Lou and I. My bestie and her sweet mother-in-law cooked dinner for us twice while Mom was here!

I didn't want the pups bothering the older ladies. Since the property is huge and Mabel is nosy and does not see fences as a boundary, I placed her bed in the courtyard and tied her to the table, knowing Bart would hang out with her.

But I didn't know he would steal her bed!

And my sweet girl didn't seem to care! 

Review: Nutrisource Salmon Treat

Hey Mom! Isn't is about time to review something wonderful from Chewy.com???


Mabel Lou, you don't know it's wonderful until you try it!

But everything they've sent me has been PAWSOME! 

But still Mabel, you have to taste it and give your honest review and... you promised you'd let Barticus come help you!

I did???? Why would I do that??? 

Because he's our friend and we LOVE him!

But Mooom... Bart's kindy picky! What if he doesn't like the treats??? 

Well then, your review will be super honest!

Alright Mom, wha'did Mr. Chewy send us?? 

I've been wanting to find a good fish based treat for you since your tum has been so finicky as you've gotten older, so Chewy sent us some NutriSource Soft and Tender Treats in a salmon flavor.

That sounds yummy!! What do you think about Salmon treats Barty boy???

Uh good good, those sound good! OpenemMom OpenemMom OpenemMom!!! 

Be PATIENT Bart! Chewy always sends the best treats and besides, my mom has to take the pictures with the flashy. 

O.k Bart, you're our company so you get to go first. 

Oh Geez Mom! You KNOW he eats SO SLOW!

Still waiting..... 

Nope... STILL waiting.... and.... HE LIKES IT! SCORE!!!

My turn!!! FINALLY!

 

As predicted, they are totally PAWSOME! Can we have MORE??? PLEASE???

Hey Mabel, it looks like you have my snooter in your mouth! Heh heh!! Don't eat me! Wait for the salmon treats!

Oh My Dog! I think I'm in love!  Thank you so much for letting me help you review them!

Welp, that's it folks... eight paws up from me and the Farticus! 

Creekhiker was not compensated in any way for this review. Mabel Lou was given a free bag of dog treats to eat - or not - by Chewy.com