Invasion of the Lady Bugs

I know that "Invasion of the Lady Bugs" sounds like the title of a 1960s B horror movie, but it's really been happening here in GooberStan. Yep. I'm trying to flush them out from some of their favorite hiding places.

Forgive these photos. It is very difficult to catch swarms of lady bugs congregating together. What these photos don't show you is that the entire back of our house and shed were completely covered with the cute little menaces. They promptly moved on whenever the camera came out.




You're probably like everydog else, thinking lady bugs are as cute as they are harmless. Let's see what you think after they swarm and dive bomb you when you're trying to take a whiz in your yard.

Naturally, I was on high alert!




See how deceptively dispersed the lady bugs are here? Just seconds before, that side of the shed was literally covered with red and orange dots.

It's like she's mocking me... "Hey. I'm just out for an afternoon stroll across the back of the garden shed... not making any plans to torment the dog. NooOooo. Not me."

I had to pull Stella in on some strategy sessions. She had NO IDEA how serious the situation was.

We each went to our respective sectors of the backyard for lady bug patrol.

Now that Stella's part of the hunt, the lady bugs have mysteriously fled the backyard. (I wonder if the recent cold temperatures helped at all).

Love, and lady bug free for now,

Stanley & STELLA

T T & A

Look. I know what's going on around here. Stella thinks I don't have a clue about the BBTP (Big Brother Training Program) she's trying to run me through. I had gotten enough advice from other dogs on how to be a big brother that I was prepared for almost any contingency. (Special thanks to Wally for his DVD training series for new big brothers of sissies).

So, while Stella thinks she's running the show, we know who's really in charge here. The key is to know how to walk that gentle balance between lovable big brother and push over. And, you've gotta know how to handle T T & A ~ Tongue, Teeth, and Attitude. Whenever Stella's coming at me, it's with one or a combination of those three things bearing down on me!

If you enlarge this photo you can see how she's coming at me with her tongue, and this is just on the way out the door.

Now, we've ALL seen Stella's baby alligator teeth. As a one time attack, those teeth are no big deal. But when they are coming at you constantly, it's like she's trying to strip me naked, one hair at a time.

Most of the time she's out of her little house and I'm around, she doesn't just want to be near me, she wants to be ON TOP OF ME! (We got bored watching "Running With Scissors." The book's so much better anyway).

So, when this starts getting on my nerves and I need a little break...

I just bust out this face...

And I end up here in the car, or somewhere else alone with my girl for a little Stanley Time. This usually involves a really long walk, a road trip to get ice cream or to go to the dogpark, or we go to my new favorite butcher to stockpile meatables, bone-ables, and organables (they make this great mix of ground up beef heart, liver and tripe that is to-die for)!

Don't get me wrong. I love the little monster. She's pretty entertaining, and hey, she loves me! But one thing I've learned. When it comes to The Stellanator, I just have to pick my battles. So, I let her pull the Wubba out of my mouth after tugging for a little bit, I let her drag my nylabone away when I drop it to scratch myself, and I pretty much let her do what she wants around me most of the time. But when I want a break or really need some Stella-free time, my hooman girl allows me to tell Stella off or show her that I'm boss with a friendly little nip. You see, because my girl has noticed how sweet I am to my sissy most of the time, and because I really play up that pained expression I showed you above, she doesn't mind whenever I DO choose to stand up to Stella.

Now, who do YOU think's in charge?

Love,

Stanley

My Love Pug's Birthday

Today is the first birthday of my Love Pug, Suki!! (Isn't she gooberliciously bootiful?)

She has this cute and funky tongue that just won't stay inside her mouth.

See what I mean??

To celebrate the fact that she was born and that she is my Love Pug, I have written her a special birthday ditty, to the tune of "Jingle Bells." Here it is. (Start with the "Dashing through the snow" part).

Oh my Suki Girl
She's the sweetest pug I know
She's sassy and tuff
Just ask her brother, Joe.

She's my sweety pug
I love her wrinkles and her eyes
If I could I'd smooch her face
Scratch her booty and her thighs!

OH........

Suki's One
Suki's One
Let's all celebrate!
She's the cutest puggy girl
I really think she's grea---ate!

Suki's One
Suki's One
And I want her to know
That I'm glad she's in my life
Because I love her so!!!!

Happy First Barkday, Suki Girl! You're the most smoochilicious Love Pug a goober could ever have!

All my goober love & truckloads of birthday smooches,
Your Stanny

Chi-Town Package of Love

Kirby, my bud from Chicago, was kind enough to send a few gifts to the House of GooberStan to welcome my new sissy, Stella. As you will see from the things he sent, he has an uncanny knack for picking out just the right things for the right pup. And, you have to admit. He's got one of the cutes juicy snouts of all time!

You would think he was my life coach ~ trying to get me organized, or the best personal shopper EVER. Look at this squeaky he sent for me!

Actually, now that I've personalized it, it is one of my most valuable possessions.

Is Kirby trying to tell me something?? (Does he think I'm some kind of player?)




I took one look at this, and knew immediately who it was for.




Naturally, the Stellanator gravitated right for the Chill Pill!




Now she carries it with her almost everywhere. (Wonder why... hehehe).




At this point in the package-opening we had to cage the wiley Stellanator for reasons which shall remain private. I proceeded to investigat the cool stuffy ball with miniature squeaky stuffy balls inside.

Had to do a little quality control testing before I allow my sissy to play with it.

Yep. Arrgghhh, arrrggh... it's completely safe for the Stellanator. It has the Goober Seal of Approval.

Stella absolutely LOVES this thing! She digs all the little balls out then kicks them around. She can play with this thing for hours! (THANK YOU, KIRBY!!!)

Deep inside the package we also found two rope knot balls ~ 1 large one for Stella (she gets high-centered on top of the ball trying to chase it & it just KILLS ME to watch her), and 1 small one for me. We also found these really moist mini treats, which our girl will use for us when we start obedience classes.

Kirby also sent the sweetest note welcoming Stella and congratulating me on becoming a big brother. Thanks, man. We love all the gifts, but your love & friendship means even more!

Extra Goober love & smooches,

Stanley

Kute Kirby, here's a tiny goober smooch from ME to YOU! muwah!

Love,
Stella

Training: Day 12

Hey, Stella here. They don't know I'm on the pooter, but I had to vent. Can we talk?

Seriously. Can we talk?

I know I look diminutive, and very innocent. I am. But, that's not ALL I am. See, I've been running Stanley through my BBTP (Big Brudder Training Program), and we're on day 12. He doesn't know anything about The Program. While he practices being "gentle" with me, I'm really training him & our girl to see things MY WAY! (*sweet grin*)

Check out these photos. The smaller photos show what looks like a potentially dangerous situation for a small pup such as myself. It alerts our girl to possible rough behavior by Stanley, and earns me major sympathy points. (See how fierce Stanley's big nasty teeth look?) (*winky wink*)

Upon closer inspection you will notice that I have Stanley ON HIS BACK, wrasslin' MY WAY, and he's barely touching me.

In this photo I look like I'm about to be swallowed by Stanley's jaws of death. OH NOOOOOO!





When you take a closer look, I'm standing over him while he writhes in agony at the thought of my wrasslin' prowess.





This third photo is one of my favorites. Unless you look really close, you can hardly tell I'm there. Am I right?

Upon closer inspection you see that Stanley is in my death grip, and he's not doing a thing about it. (I'm not called the Stellanator for nothing).

Now, please don't judge me or The Program. I'm just a wee mite of a pup, and the best chance Stanley & I have to make it as brother & sissy is for him to learn how I like things done. The key is for him to think he's the one in charge even though I'm calling the shots. See?

I guess you could say I already have him wrapped around my itty bitty paw. Awwww.

Thanks for letting me vent. I just HAD to talk to somedoggie, hammie or kitty! Wish me luck!

Love & itty bitty goober kisses,

Stella

Virtual Puppy Shower

I've got to tell you, it's been raining puppy toys, puppy fashion accessories, and puppy treats around here ever since before my girl went to get The Stellanator. Too bad we couldn't have had a real snout-to-snout puppy shower to welcome her home. This virtual puppy shower is the next best thing, though. (And, guess who benefits from it as the sympathetic displaced older dog in the house? That's right. I've been getting goodies too).

The first puppy gift came B.S. (Before The Stellanator). It came from someone Wally talked about last week ~ an amazing hooman whose face we have never seen, but whose heart is bigger than the state of Texas. That woman is Peanut & Flash's Grammie. She is the most gooberlicious of hoomans, and adopted Wally and I as two of her "boys" (when we asked her to).

Here I am posing with the blankie she made me. It's an aerial view of GooberStan.

Look, she even monogrammed it for me!




It is the toastiest, coziest blankie EVER! You are the BEST, Grammie! Many gooberlicious smooches are coming your way!




Not only did she make me a blankie, but she made one for Stella too!




Stella REALLY digs her blankie!





Stella already has her shepherd's costume figured out for the GooberStanian Christmas play.





Then, not 2 days A.S.M.I. (After Stella Moved In), she found this on our front porch.

Look! Not 1, but 2 packages for the baby princess. (As if her head needs to get any bigger).

This multi-colored one was from Lacie & Scruffy!

It was her present, so I let her open it.

This is probably the MOST appropriate gift she's received so far ~ a squeaky pacifier. (She is still a baby, you know).

Lacie wanted to make sure Stella had some bling, so she got her a styling purple collar and matching leash.

They also graciously threw in a very cool red Wubba for ME, but we have no photo because it's whereabouts have been unknown since Stella ran off with it (as soon as she heard it was for me)! But, we do have a photo of the FAB magnet Lacie & ScruffMan sent of the two of them playing tug! (Aren't you jealous?)

Of course, the card was HIL-AIRE-IOUS! It had my fave photo of Lacie superimposed on a plastic-encased chair. Why the plastic Lacie? (It is on our cold eatables box right next to the L & S magnet).

Scruffy & Lacie, you are the best goober buds to me, and now to Stella. We love the gifts, and are humbled by your generosity.

Now, you may be asking yourself about that second package we received. Since I graciously allowed Stella to open the one from Scruffy & Lacie, I decided to open this one myself.

It was from my adopted Aire sissy, Faya ~ all the way from Switzerland!

I had a feeling there was something for me inside, but Stella (being the stalker that she is) had to "oversee" me while I was doing my investigative work on the package.

It was packed with puppy stuff for Stella! Look at her squeaky dumbbell. (You wouldn't know it to look at her, but Stella is one tough chica).

Faya also sent some tasty puppy treats. (I taste-tested them, of course. What are big brothers for?)

Faya also sent a bootiful chew toy on a rope (the rope went missing within minutes of this photo).

Ever the stylish pup herself, Faya also sent this very cute, Stella-sized collar and banana. Pretty cool, huh?

Here is the best shot I could get of The Stellanator and her Swiss stash of prezzies. See the card Faya sent? It's an aerial view of her city, Bienne.

Of course, Faya did not forget her Airebrother. She stuffed a nice juicy bone in that box just for me. She knows what I like.

Faya, you and your mama, Gooberique, are the BEST! Stella loves her toys, and she especially loves to prance around in her new banana and collar. Thank you for being so good to me & my new sissy.

Grammie, Lacie & Scruffy, and Faya, many gooberlicious thanks for your love and for your generosity. The Stellanator and I are blessed beyond words!

To all of you doggies, hammies, kitties, and hoomans out there who have sent puppy gifts, good wishes, congratulations, and funky limericks, thank you from the bottom of my and my girl's goober hearts! Stella would send her thanks too, but we're not quite ready to let her near the pooter. You will be hearing from her soon enough!

Lots of goober love,

Stanley