Giving Thanks, Year 5

Posted on by klgf
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Well folks, we’ve had a long year here at PB&C.  We fell off our posting but picked up an instagram (@zozobeanfinley), but it’s just not the same.  We can do better.

Of all our posts over our years blogging, our Thanksgiving posts are our favorite (1,2,3,4)  It feels good to give back, especially after you’ve given so much love, enthusiasm and encouragement to us.  We weren’t going to drop the ball on this.  And Mother Nature really demanded it.

Beginning November 8th, three California wildfires caused massive destruction, injury and heartbreak; the most destructive season on record in California.  Over 10,000 pets have been displaced by the fire, and the impact to other animals and wildlife is as yet untold (but devastating).

This year, we’re making three donations.  All three organizations are taking in displaced, evacuated animals.  They’re working to reunite families who were separated from their pets.  They’re providing emergency veterinary care to wildlife.  They’re making room where room is not available, working around the clock.  Will my contribution make a big impact?  Absolutely not, but we’re definitely in “every little bit helps” territory.

Humane Society of Ventura County

Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation

Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA

Here’s what I know: there are plenty of local rescues and shelters in and around Malibu that could use your help.  I picked these three because their resources cast the widest net in terms of services provided.  I speak with no authority that these are the right choices for everyone, but they’re the right ones for us.  If you consider donating, I know you’ll pick a deserving individual (so many gofundmes right now), organization or foundation that’s best for you.

I hope that you and yours are having a warm and wonderful holiday season.  Take care of each other, and give thanks for what you’ve got.  We’re certainly thankful for you.

XO,

Team PB&C

When dad’s away…

Posted on by klgf
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By Zozo

Here’s what mama and I did today:

Woke up! I was so excited for our Best Day Ever that I jumped on the bed and sat on Mama’s head. She “did not appreciate it.”

Had breakfast. I had kibble and she made gross coffee and had a cookie because she’s a grown up and there’s eggs in there somewhere.

Yard works. We weeded and weed whacked and mowed and trimmed tree branches and dug in the mud and ate grasses and maybe/maybe-not ate cat poop.

Showers and baths. I was muddy and she was sweaty and everyone had a rinse.

Thelma and Zo-ise road trip (mama said not to call it that). We took the scenic route to drop off old paint cans. The men were very complimentary of how many cans we fit in mom’s mini-suv. I burped at them.

Home for a rest and then pizza. I love pizza crust.

Couch time.

Best. Day. Ever.

Who doesn’t like new things?

Posted on by klgf
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March 2018

Two years ago, we bought a new mattress.  It was an ordeal, trying to determine fill, firmness, pillow-top or not, size, etc.  Although the weekend spent reclining around mattress showrooms was both entertaining and creepy.

This year, we were in the market for a new mattress, but for the grumpy old man who lives with us. Same ordeal, less test-driving: what fill, level of support or cushion, to bolster/bumper or not to bolster/bumper, etc.  After much looking (an Orvis isn’t in the budget right now), we settled on the PupLounge Memory Foam Orthopaedic Bed from Treat A Dog.

 

What we like:

  • The Tempurpedic foam holds its shape, which is good for Zo’s aging joints
  • It doesn’t slip cross the floor
  • It’s waterproof and tear-proof, and machine washable.
  • The price point: we bought this on a steep mark down (60% off and free shipping).  If it had been original ticket price, I may be less enthusiastic.  It feels like it’s more durable and better craftsmanship than something you can snag at a local, big box pet store.

What we less-than-like:

  • As the video mentions, we bought based on his weight.  I suppose I could have pulled out a tape measure to confirm the dimensions, but I assumed (I know, I know) that a bed for an 80 pound dog would be proportional in size to weight.  That’s on me. Next time, we’ll go for the extra large bed.
  • The sound of his nails on the cover is irritating, but that’s a #dogmomproblem more than anything.

 

So far, so good.

Barkselona

Posted on by klgf
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February 2018

James and I had the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, Spain with Atlas Obscura. It was a magnificent, once-in-a-lifetime trip.  As with any humans-only trip we take, we miss Zozo, who was on his own adventure first on a mountain and then at our usual boarding spot.

What we didn’t know about Barcelona was just how dog friendly a city it is.  Dogs on the subway.   Dogs in (some) stores.  Off leash.  On leash.  In arms.  Wearing sweaters.  This town is Dog Friendly.  A good quarter of the 600 pictures we took are some pups out and about.  Here are a few of our favorites!

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Wordless Wednesday: one trip, two stops!

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Negotiations

Posted on by klgf
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December 20, 2017

or literally any day after 3pm

 

 

 

Giving Thanks, Year 4

Posted on by klgf
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November 23, 2017

Year 1, we asked you to click.

Year 2, we asked you to share.

Year 3, we asked you to pay it forward.

This year… well, 2017 has been tumultuous in so many ways.  Just getting up and going to work has been tough when it feels like the world is falling apart.  At work, we’re having to “do more with less.”  Sometimes you have to find something to brighten your day.

Meet Eddie.

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Eddie is a handsome, golden 8-year old.  He snores and he sheds and he gives slobbery kisses.  He goes on walkabout when his person is attending a “no dogs allowed” meeting and he gets bored.  He’s sweet.  He’s the most popular being at the office.  You see his face and it just makes you feel happy.

Eddie has a very important job as a guide dog for Q (not his real initial).  They are world travelers, happy hour partakers, and together they’re living their best bachelor lives.  They’ve been together for 6 years.  Q says it’s maybe taken that long for them to really get used to each other.

[Let me be clear: I understand what is or is not appropriate behavior between service animals and not-their-people.  I have read enough stories online about people distracting service animals and tragedy striking.  There are boundaries, and I respect them.  Everyone at work respects them, and we asked Q how we should or should not acknowledge Eddie when they joined our office.  I also asked Q’s permission before taking these pictures of Eddie.]

At 8, Eddie is starting to slow down.  His walking pace isn’t what it used to be, and he’s stopping for rests at times that may not be convenient or safe for he and Q.  Eddie is otherwise in good health, but he’s aging, like the rest of us.  In late September, a rumor went around the office that Q would be retiring Eddie and getting another service animal.

All hell broke loose, and that’s not an exaggeration.  There were shushed hallway conversations.  People asked Q what his plans were, what Eddie’s plans were.  Q wants Eddie to be able to be a dog in his twilight years.  No fewer than five coworkers offered to adopt Eddie when the time came (I was one of them).  Q is Eddie’s entire life.  Would he understand?

Yesterday was Eddie’s last day at the office.  He’s spending the holiday at a friend’s house and then heading off to his new home with X (also not his real initial).  I stopped in qscucIIzRXiBo4y1FOw1AQto see Q today, because he leaves right after the holiday to meet his new guide.  He’s nervous and excited.  I asked how he’s feeling about letting Eddie go.  The good news is that Eddie will be living with a family that are good friends with Q.  They’ll see each other.  He’ll get updates.  Q’s looking forward to meeting his new guide dog, but there’s so much that needs to happen as they bond and adapt to each other; it’s going to be a busy December for them. I cried a little when I said bye to Eddie, getting one final sloppy kiss that left a slime trail on my sweater (worth it).

While Q adapts to life with a new guide dog, Eddie is beginning a transition to civilian life.  He’s going to be living with a family with small children.  He’s got a yard and extra room in a house.  But he won’t be hopping a plane for a jiu-jitsu tournament or heading down to a local pub for a young professional’s meet up.  Not often, anyway.  Suburban life awaits him.

We wanted to do something for Eddie, because he deserves to be rewarded for doing his job so well for so long, and to celebrate this transition to retirement.

This year, we’re happy to give Eddie a 6-month subscription to BarkBox.  Zozo loves his BarkBox and seems to know that the blue and tan box is for him when it appears on our porch each month.  The treats are good quality and the toys are fantastic and durable.  Our hope is that Eddie will enjoy these special deliveries, too, that are just for him.

Zo-cial media

Posted on by klgf
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Momma has not been writing a lot about us recently because of human reasons.  BUT I got bored and figured out her computer password.  I am on instagram and twitter now.  Follow me?  I will follow you.  We can sniff each other!

insta: @zozobeanfinley

twitter: @pbncheez

zozo’s log: Lost River, WV

Posted on by klgf
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August 2017

summer in washington, dc can give you the blues.  i told mom and dad we should get away for the weekend: enjoy some fresh air, disconnect, commune with woodland creatures.  and so here we are, on a trip to lost river, wv.  i was promised adventures and all the sniffs.

friday, august 4

mom and dad furiously finish packing.  i packed the night before [okay, mom packed for me because 1) i do not have thumbs and 2) i am not allowed to counter surf].  we all exercised this morning and ate a good breakfast so that we’re not “wiggly monsters” in the car.

11:15am.  finally in the car.  i am a road warrior; they are a mess.  see?

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why we can’t take a normal family picture, i will never understand.

we like to travel together and listen to podcasts and sing along to showtunes while we drive.  dad steals my harmonies.  jerk.

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12pm: we detour to the woodstock brewhouse for lunch.  they have barbecue and a patio that i’m allowed to sit in.  dad had some pulled pork and sausage sliders.  mom and i shared some brisket.

one of the tricks to our travels is packing some extra towels.  sometimes, places allow pets but the area does not have any shade. mom and dad have gotten very clever at IMG_4192rigging tents for me, but i usually prefer to be out and about, looking at the people and letting them look at me.  i also like to flirt with waitresses.  i am a lady’s pup, after all.

1:15pm: we get lost so it takes us a little longer to arrive than expected.  someone needs to refresh her map-reading skills.  we rented the hideaway through airBnB.  it’s awesome, and very welcoming to pets.  they left treats for me, and there’s a dog bed and an extra leash and a ball chucker toy.  i spend two hours sniffing everything.

investigation in process
dad is starting to unwind

3pm: mom and dad leave to see what’s happening at the lost river general store.  i settle in for a nap.  i wish they had brought me because they said the people were very nice and there was ice cream.  i love ice cream and i only get to have it on the most special occasions.  vacation is a special occasion.

4pm: they return and we rest on the screened-in porch.  mom and i take a nap.

6:15pm: mom and dad leave to go to dinner at the guesthouse, which is just around the corner.  while they’re gone, a big, scary thunderstorm comes through.  i cannot believe they have left me in a strange place by myself during the apocalypse.  this is not the adventure i signed up for.

8pm: between rain drops, mom and dad come home.  they feel bad for leaving me during the storm.  we snuggle and i get to eat some apple because i was a good, brave boy while they were gone.

9:35pm: last pit-stop of the night.  i investigate for bears.  none sighted… yet.

saturday, august 5

8:04am: time to get up and start our big adventure day.  the big, scary storm took away mostIMG_4197 of the heat, and there’s a breeze on.  mom borrows a long-sleeved shirt from dad because it is chilly.  it is going to be the perfect day for a hike.  but first, breakfast.  i choose to dine al fresco this morning.

9am: after being a little lazy, mom and dad go out to get their breakfast at the lost river grill, and then they go to the farmer’s market without me.  this wasn’t the plan.  i was supposed to go, too, because it is dog friendly.  so much stuff here is dog friendly.  i love it.

10:21am:  we figure out which trailhead we will pick up, pack our backpacks, and head out for our big hike.  mom did not bring my backpack, so she has to carry my stuff.  lost river state park is over three thousand acres of wilderness and animals and campers.  we take the white oak trail up to cranny crow overlook.

11am: it is a four mile hike, out and back.  i lead the way and set the pace (doesn’t it look like dad is running to keep up?).  dad walks me up.  mom walks me back.  we encounter horses on the trail, which i think are either the biggest dogs i have either seen, or dinosaurs.  we also meet other hikers who tell me what a nice boy i am (duh).  while we walk, we sing songs and talk about serious things like what else is brown and sticky, other than a stick (answers: horse poop, mud, old bananas, the apple we left on the counter overnight, avocados that have been in the fridge too long.  you get the idea)?  at the summit, we stop for water and protein.  dad has a nut bar; i have cheesy treats.  it is a great hike.

1pm-ish: we are back at the car and i get a good brushing and pat-down to make sure i have not picked up any critters on the walk.  all clear!  the plan was to go to a pond next so that i could do some swimming, but i am too tired.  maybe swimming tomorrow?

1:21pm: back at the hideaway.  we have showers and snacks and a lazy afternoon.

4:42pm: mom and dad start preparing for dinner with the ingredients they bought from the farmers market.  i help dad man the grill.IMG_4219

5:30pm: we eat our dinners outside and i get to have a bite of steak because i was such a good boy today.

for the rest of the evening, we read books (mom) and comics (dad).  as for me, i am turning in early.  only one more day of vacation.  boo.

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sunday, august 6th

8:04am: i am a routine-machine.  the sun is awake and so is my tummy.  time for breakfast and morning hunting for bears.  it is still very chilly outside and today it is also grey, so i think we will not be able to do swimming.

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9am: mom and dad leave for breakfast, and i begin my end-of-vacation sulk.

10:09am: mom and dad come home.  they begin to pack up bags and wash dishes.  we finish digesting breakfasts by reading on the screened-in porch.  no one is eager to get on the road, least of all me.

10:57am: dad is loading up the car and mom is doing last checks.  i am buckled in to my flight suit and acting grumpy.  we lock the cabin and return the key to its hiding spot.  we will be visiting dad’s parents on our way home, which will break up the ride and delay the real return to reality.

best. weekend. ever.  until the next one.