Life With LuLu – All That Jazz

Posted: February 19, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Laughter, Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."

LuLu has become quite the jazz music fan.  Often times we leave the local jazz station on the stereo playing while we’re away at work or just running errands.  Last night while Bonnie and I relaxed on the couch listening to that very station and mapping out our direct future LuLu was right there beside the two of us.  As I walked around blowing out candles and tossing the wine bottles into the recycling LuLu was realizing her night was about to come to a close.  She showed her objections only after we reached the upstairs bedroom.  Nice.  Just like a woman, right?  Okay LuLu … what’s up?  Want to go outside?  Sure enough … I think (hell, I know) she’s got that little bit of “last word-ight-is” in her. You guys had fun all night drinking wine, eating homemade tortilla chips & PAULSA®, now it’s my turn.

I came downstairs and let her out.  We have certainly learned a lot about each other these past five months and she’s such a worry free soul.  Feed me, walk me, and allow me to live in your house where I will comfort you.  That’s a bargain for anyone, wouldn’t you say?

What will she weigh today?

This morning (yes, it’s still raining) I made a quick call to our friends and Fit N’ Furry and they immediately returned my call.  So my two errands this morning was to take all the recycling to the Petaluma Recycling Center and then drop LuLu off at the spa for her monthly grooming.

For those of you who read the Lu-dog’s page on a regular basis you’ll be happy to know there were no “accidents’ in the back of the SUV this morning!! The crew at the recycling center loved her (who wouldn’t?) and when I walked LuLu into the spa the girls at the receptionist desk were all “LOOOOOO – LOOOOOO” … we’re taking bets on how much she weighs.  We made a standing monthly agreement for LuLu this morning.  She just loves the pampering.

Our predictions:

  • Logan: 67 lbs
  • Bonnie: 75 lbs
  • Papa: 81 lbs

I’m hoping Logan wins.

Well … it’s been an hour and Fit N’ Furry just called.  She’s ready for pickup.

A happy day for the Lu-dog.  We’re hoping your day is full of love as well.

Peace,

Papa

P.S. We’ve since returned and the results are in: … Lu tipped the scales at 84lbs.

© P.E. Cheney and Life With LuLu, 2010-2011.  All Rights Reserved.

Life With LuLu – A Global Presence

Posted: February 17, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Laughter, Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

No shovels required 🙂

Good morning from the rain drenched valley of Petaluma!  These rain systems remind me of days gone by when my feet pounded the pavement (I didn’t own a car until I was nearly 28 years old – another story altogether) in places like Kodiak, Alaska … Bellingham, Washington, and the incredible neighborhoods of the University district in Seattle, Washington where I proposed to my wife in a crazy little nightclub on 45th Street known as Goldie’s Tavern. Yes champagne splits all around.  I remember that night as if it was yesterday …

You’ll see a new addition to LuLu’s page on the right hand side titled “Lu Knows!” … this widget offered by Word Press will count the visitors and apply a flag to the state and or nation the visitor is from.  Updates to the counter take approximately forty-eight hours so we’ll see next week how well the new service is working.

I really didn’t see this coming when we started the adoption process for this bundle of bully.  I think it’s safe to say I didn’t see a lot of things coming with regards to how loveable and valuable our dog has become in our lives.  There are days when she’s all we talk about and since I’ve been sharing with you the events which most of the time are amusing, it’s nice to watch the statistics counter each day to witness how many of you enjoy reading this Life With LuLu blog.

Soon this blog will be featured across the services of the local Press Democrat here in Petaluma … still waiting for the staff at the online department to contact me and each day I wonder what I’m going to write about.  The pressures of the journalist, right?

This morning as Bonnie and I were wrestling with the realization our day was about to begin we heard Lu’s toenails walking about downstairs on the hardwood floors.  I love hearing those sounds in the morning, particularly after her recent bout with the depression she was going through after the trip to Sacramento.  I pictured her walking around downstairs, checking her water and food bowls, making the first decisions of her day … “Do I go back to bed, or should I wake the humans?” …

Then the barking began.  For those of you that do not own an English bulldog (I highly recommend it) I’ll let you know this bark is rather comical – it’s a bark for sure, but there’s very little fierceness to it.  Upon hearing her bark this morning I commented “this is a good sign” and then another good sign developed … our youngest got up and out of her bedroom.  Like a little volunteer fireman she was taking care of business which allowed me to comment again “that’s even a better sign!”

While Logan was downstairs letting the Lu-dog outside, I jumped out of my bed and jumped into hers … Logan does not have an older brother so sometimes (ok – all the time) I make the substitution.  When she came back into her darkened bedroom her surprise provided an early morning blast of laughter.

So … LuLu – thank you for starting our day with laughter and silliness.  Your body clock appears to be back in full service, your barking tells us it’s really good to be here and we – every one of us at Chez Cheney and everyone reading this blog is happy to know … the adoption really was a grand success.

I really believe we are the ones who made out in this deal.

Thanks again LuLu.

Peace,

Papa

© P.E. Cheney and Life With LuLu, 2010-2011.  All Rights Reserved.

Life With LuLu – Did Nike Call?

Posted: January 13, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Where's LuLu's endorsement?

My walk with LuLu yesterday afternoon started off in the same manner as usual.  She gets very excited when the collar; still with a Christmas ornament hanging onto it, is brought to her.  Once it’s clipped around her neck she is up and ready to go, full speed ahead as it were, but she always heads for the garage door.  Always.  I never use the garage door to take her outside, so I am still a little puzzled as to what or why she reacts this way.

Once outside the excitement begins to wane, practically immediately.  No worries though – LuLu and I, and Logan too are onto her little tricks.  LuLu looks at a set of stairs and basically says to either of us “carry me” … aaah no.  At nearly 80 pounds now the only time we’re carrying her is when we put her in the back of the SUV for transport to Fit N’ Furry.

We’re down the stairs, we’ve walked the path along the house and here we are world … we are walking!! We walk ten yards and LuLu slams on the brakes, actually it’s like she has this perpetual emergency brake that’s engaged when she just refuses to walk with you.  Our trick is to get behind her and bump her behind and away we go for thirty yards or so.  This happens about three times in the afternoon walk until she’s on a free gate and she’s submitted to the idea.

It must look like I’m walking the elderly.  There’s a leash of course and at the end of the leash is this all white stubborn bully who walks about as fast as the line moves at your local DMV.  We walk, we talk and we observe.  I observe that neighbors are still expecting Halloween visitors based on their current house decorations, and I witness the U.S. flag all wrapped around the staff on another house.  I also take in the fact that should a Nike representative walk or drive by – the chances of LuLu endorsing any line of Nike products based on her speed and agility is highly unlikely.

On our return walk yesterday it was nice to see a set of young parents walking their child in her wagon.  They took one side of the sidewalk as I walked along the other when doesn’t the young woman say “she’s got pink toenails!!” while pointing at our LuLu.

Busted! C’mon LuLu … let’s get home.

Aaah well … there’s a first time for everything.

Her yard has been cleaned, she’s been fed and walked this morning, and she’s now resting comfortably by the back door.

Peace,

Papa

© P.E. Cheney and Life With LuLu, 2010-2011

Life With LuLu – A Screenplay

Posted: January 12, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

Opening Act

  

(footsteps heard coming down the stairs in the early morning hours)

 

Cue lights over breakfast bar

 

Papa: Good morning Lu … sleep well?

 

LuLu: Good morning mate , yes slept well.  I hope you forgive my barking in the middle of the night.

 

Papa: Yes,  no problems. Certainly glad Logan responded to your need to head outside and take care of business.  Anything special I can get for you this morning?

 

LuLu: Aaah, let’s talk about special requests a bit later shall we mate?  What I need right now is for you to open that door and allow me to stretch these legs of mine.

 

Papa: Certainly young lady.

 

(back door opens, flood lights come on, LuLu exits)

 

Act One

 

Papa in the kitchen while LuLu conducts her daily search pattern around the well lighted back yard.

 

LuLu enters from the yard and walks halfway from back door to kitchen, takes her stance and eyeballs Papa.

 

Papa recognizes LuLu with a wave and goes back to business making the morning brew, fixing sandwiches and LuLu’s breakfast.

 

LuLu: It’s nice to see the rain has stopped out there.

 

Papa: Yes, a dry morning, but I suspect more rain is in our future.  Sorry Lu.

 

LuLu shrugs her shoulders as if to say – “like I give a hoot, I’ll be indoors all day.”

 

LuLu: So what is that drink you brew every morning? It does not look like the English tea I am more familiar with.

 

Papa: Sorry LuLu I thought everyone was familiar with coffee.  I brew the morning pot each morning as you know.  It’s a highly caffeinated beverage, served hot or cold. Nothing at all like the English tea you’re accustomed to. Some people drink this straight black, some add sweetener, and Momma enjoys her coffee with just a little milk and a hint of sugar.  During the holidays Papa will even pour in a little Bailey’s Irish Crème as a sweetener, but that’s probably more information than you need.

 

LuLu: Yo mate, any idea when those food bowls are going to be filled and placed down for my inspection?

 

Papa heads into the garage with the dog bowls – LuLu waits patiently at the foot of the stairs.

 

Papa: A little chicken broth, a little warm water, your medicine … here you go young lady.  Breakfast is served.  Try to be neat this morning will you?

 

The only thing heard from LuLu in the next ten minutes is the lapping noise coming from the area around her dog bowls. 

 

Papa returns to sandwich making and enjoys the first cup of coffee of the day.

 

Act Two

 

Papa: By the looks of things Lu you really enjoyed your breakfast this morning.  I hope you enjoy the rest of the day.  Is there anything else I can do for ya?

 

LuLu: If you could be so kind to turn on that jazz station when you leave please? I do love the smooth sounds of the station from Sebastopol.

 

Papa: Of course.  Enjoy your nap.  I’ll be back down after my shower.

 

LuLu retreats to her bedding by the back door, settles in nicely, head buried … she has assumed the position.

 

Closing Act

  

Papa: Take it easy LuLu.  Off to work. 

 

LuLu: See you soon there big man.  Thanks for the breakfast and the quick lesson on your American coffee, but do you have time for that special request we talked about earlier?

 

Papa: Of course. Name it.

 

LuLu appearing a little confused, and trying her best to choose her words carefully …

 

LuLu: It’s a minefield out there in the back yard mate.  Not sure if your daughter has stopped picking up after me but would it be possible to have her get to work on the “dumpers” that have taken over the back yard?

 

Papa flips the lights on, takes a quick look and immediately understands LuLu’s concerns.

 

Papa: I’m on it LuLu – rest assured things will be clean as a whistle this afternoon.  Enjoy your jazz music today.  Ciao!

 

Peace,

Papa

© P.E. Cheney and Life With LuLu, 2010-2011

Life With LuLu – Salsa is a BIG NO-NO!!

Posted: December 28, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Bonnie and I spent a wonderful post-work afternoon un-trimming the tree yesterday.  The girls were out – one was being herself in town, and the other was skating at the Charles Schulz Ice Arena up in Santa Rosa.  LuLu watched and waited for a piece of bread, cheese or sliced pepperoni hit the floor, and wouldn’t you know it … one piece really did hit the floor.  Intentional or unintentional is really not the issue here, is it?

All the ornaments were stowed for next year’s unveiling and the tree itself was lifted outside and above the retaining wall so all could see – mainly so LuLu does not knock it over in the dark and become disoriented.

Last night’s light menu included chicken strips on the grill, seasoned with salt, pepper, olive oil … and Bonnie’s extra special baked potato.  The title to this blog became evident well after we ate last night but the ingredient responsible for today’s blog has not yet arrived.

We make our own salsa.  We’ve been doing it for years … it started way back on the Cape  a couple of years before I retired so I’d say 1996.  Anyway the salsa itself is known as PAULSA®, a trademarked brand named item after its creator.  Of all the ingredients you’d expect in a salsa it probably has, except one; the tomato.  Yes, this is a tomato-free salsa.  Plenty of other vegetables and good for you at the same time.

Did I say “good for you?” … well, I scraped my plate which included a couple of pieces of chicken which was topped with PAULSA® into Lu’s dog bowl and I’d say somewhere around 30 minutes later, just as we all settled in for the remainder of the evening at the couch did LuLu hit us with the element of surprise!  The all-impressive blast zone infraction, and oh my oh my last night was one for the record books.

Bully owners beware – do not make the same mistake I did.  Not that you would, and how I didn’t see it coming is beyond me, but it would appear she’s got it out of her system as she’s been here with me for nearly an hour this morning and nada, nil, nero, nothing but snores and those adorable sleep sounds she makes.

It’s off to work for Bonnie and I this morning while we finish out another solid year here in Northern California.  The tree has been dismissed, the ornaments have been parked, and the lesson we learned today?

Salsa is a big bully no-no!!

Enjoy your day everyone.

 

Peace,

 

Papa

Life With LuLu – A Trimmed Tree(t)

Posted: December 18, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seriously Santa ... I have everything I need!

So we purchased a wonderful six-foot noble last night and it took about an hour from door to door, including a Starbucks pit stop on the way home.  The girls decorated it wonderfully and LuLu regularly inspects the lower lying branches and areas where she may be able to squeeze in to go behind the tree. NOT A GOOD IDEA.

The girls snapped multiple photos of her as the evening progressed which are all available on either Taylor’s, Logan’s and yes, LuLu’s facebook page.

The great thing about having a Christmas tree in the house is lighting it during the day.  Already there are gifts underneath and it does not seem to have invaded LuLu’s space at all.  So far … so good.

She has a scheduled pampering today at Fit N’ Furry, and the Weather channel says it would be good idea to stay at home today, but I think we’re probably destined for a trip into the city (SF).  Tomorrow’s blog will provide the details.

It’s still very wet outside and today’s forecast predicts a 100% chance of precipitation today, 90% tomorrow and the same for Monday.  Yes winter has arrived.

No issues for Lu though – she peeked her head out the front door this morning and quickly turned around and headed back to the living room.  Smart dog.

We’ll see who’s smarter by the end of the day.  Of course, there’s still only seven days remaining to fill Santa’s sleigh.  Yes, a week from today – let the madness begin!!  Nice thing this year, no Barbie doll houses for a guy with a number of drinks already in him to put together!! 🙂

Time to shower … so we can get Lu ready for her pampering.

Hope your day goes well.

 

Papa

Life with Lulu

Posted: October 27, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Day Five

I sense a rather strong connection being created between man and animal this morning.  It all started with hearing LuLu in her bed, scratching the floor as if to say “YO! Little help here …” so after looking at the time on my cell phone and realizing that thirty minutes earlier than normal is not all that bad I rose as well.  The fun started when I missed the bottom two steps, crashed to the hardwood and almost ate the kitchen table with my grill.  No laughter from LuLu, though I should expect some later from our youngest when she learns of her old man’s pratfalls.

Right outside she went this morning, and hustled back inside for the morning meal allowing Pops some time to conjur up a cup of coffee, get my bearings, rub my knee a little and grab a sweater as the temperatures here in NoCal have dropped Duluth-like.

Walking with LuLu this morning was most enjoyable. Our walk down the river was interrupted by something she sensed and I did not argue or contend her wishes to move any further down that unlit walkway.  I concurred with her judgment and turned things around, back up the ramp to where a bench resides for the children who play in the park during the day.  Our walk was only half of what it normally is, though I believe she’s building quite a sensory inventory during these walks.

I admitted earlier something about building a stronger connection with LuLu.  When all was said and done this morning and she made the climb up the stairs into the house as if she was ascending to the peak at Everest without a sherpa … tongue in cheek humor … anyway, we’re inside and just relaxing with each other and I started rubbing her down around her head and neck area.  After a momentary pause she pushed her head down under my hands as if to say “Pops, you’re not finished yet, and I’m enjoying this!”, so this continued and as I explained to her the World Series was starting tonight she began to emit a little gutteral groan as if to show her appreciation for the rubdown.  One I don’t believe she’s received in quite some time.

I made lunches for the rest of the family and realized my wife would not be able to meet me for lunch today so I left my lunch in the fridge where I will pick things up this afternoon and have lunch with LuLu a little later today.

Until then …

Papa