Mama L. was really excited about her new body lotion until we kept following her around trying to lick it off her legs. We can’t help it! She smells like a coconut cream pie!
But that’s not why we are writing this post. The Mamas said that today is your birthday and we just want to tell you we love you!!!
I needed a short vacation since I’ve been working so hard at these celebrity interviews. I am now rested and refreshed, and ready to go at it again! Recently, I got a chance to catch up with Ruffles – a real-life celebrity – whose Mommy and Mama L. used to work together. Here is his story!
Don’t Shop, Adopt
Hello Madeleine,
My mommy helped me write up responses to your questions; it’s so hard to get on the computer with these huge paws of mine. I think that you make an excellent journalist. Mommy and I read your blog all the time and we love the probing questions that you keep asking. 🙂 We really want to come out and meet you in person sometime soon. Maybe we can even skype sometime.
We’ve attached some cool photos. Hope you enjoy them. I sent one from summer camp last summer and then another of me right after I got groomed and I was looking especially handsome, one of the time when cousin Anne Magaret caught me hiding between the pillows on mommy’s bed (while she was at work, although I knew I wasn’t allowed in the bed), and another of the bumper sticker on mommy’s car. She’s so happy that she adopted me, although it feels like I adopted her. I love my forever home here in Annapolis, so I sent a picture that we took when we went out for brunch this weekend.
Ruffles Sleeping On Forbidden Bed
Madeleine Bartel: Ruffles, for the record, can you please tell us how old you are? Do you know when your birthday is? How do you celebrate?
Ruffles Larson: I’m 6 and three quarters, I’m going to be 7 on November 7th. Everyone says that I look great for my age because I’m so full of energy. I’m also the fastest dog at the doggie park. I run circles around the other little guys. Mommy always gets me my favorite treats and takes me to Brusters for a doggie sundae for my birthday.
MB: Now, what are you exactly? My BFF looks like a cocker spaniel but her Mama said she’s a Cavalier.
RL: My vet says that I’m a Lhasa Apso Terrier mix. The terrier part of me gives me my long legs and makes me super fast so the other doggies at the park can’t keep up with me.
Clean Ruff
MB: How often do you get groomed? Do you like it or is the whole ordeal pretty traumatic?
RL: I get groomed every three months or so. Mommy has Dave the groomer come to the house and he trims me in the kitchen then washes me in the tub. It’s really not that traumatic and I love being pampered. And whenever I get groomed all the girls pay attention to me when we go to the doggie park. I love the ladies. 🙂
MB: I understand you made headline news recently. Are you enjoying your stardom? Has it gone to your head yet?
RL: I’m a simple, humble guy so I’m dealing really well with the fame. Muddy Paws dog wash where Mommy takes me sometimes put a copy of the newspaper article up on the bulletin board and they even gave me a free wash the last time that we went in. I’m so glad that Mommy got something out of my fame (I know that I’m a little expensive). 🙂
New Life Jacket
MB: How do you feel about your Mama naming you after a potato chip?
RL: I love my new name, the people at the shelter called me Rendari but I didn’t know what it meant or where it came from and it just confused me a lot. I love when Mommy calls me Ruff, it makes me feel all grown up and it makes the big doggies respect me. I love potato chips and I love my new name too. 🙂
Ruffles Out Sailing
MB: Do you have any advice for dogs like us who want to try their paws at boating?
RL: I have to be honest Madeleine, I was very nervous about getting in the canoe but Mommy stayed close to me and helped me to feel safe. Plus with my new life jacket I knew that I’d stay afloat if I fell overboard. I think that every doggie should give boating a chance, your Mommy will love it as well, I promise you.
Tired After Agility Course
By the way I have my own email address so feel free to email me direcly if you have any follow up questions. Have a great night!
Dear Grandpaw Dwight,
The weather has started to change, and we are now noticing how much sooner it starts to get dark outside. There’s a bit of a chill in the air the last few days. We can almost smell autumn coming. Mama L. had to unpack her sweaters that she had just put away. This morning she put on sweat pants instead of her usual shorts to take us outside — you know she is not too happy about that. There’s been talk of moving to some place called The Tropics.
We apologize for not having written sooner. The truth is we have been so doggone tired from all the activities that have been happening since August, and there is no sign of them slowing down. Mama L. said that our social calendar is completely booked through the middle of November. They have been going from one bridal shower or birthday party or wedding or a brunch to the next. This weekend we are all heading up to Truckee to celebrate Auntie Julie’s birthday!
This all started off with the Mamas’ anniversary mid August, and Mama L’s birthday at the end of the month. They had decided that we would go back to the Glass House for a long weekend. We had been there before and we loved it (except for when the Mamas tried to drown us in the lake). Charissa and Chip and Lisa and Charlie came too, along with Madeleine’s BFF Tara. We all had a really terrific time! We still went for those really long hikes, but this time the Mamas knew better than to force us to learn how to swim.
Then there was Mama M’s 40th big birthday celebration, and Grandmaw and Grandpaw B.
were here, along with Uncle Dennis Jr and his girlfriend Jen. We only got to hang out with the Gramps for the first day because right after that we got shuffled off to the kennel. The Mamas said there were going to be drinking and dancing and swimming and too many people around. Plus, dogs aren’t allowed in the house they were staying in. We think that was a bunch of baloney — why would you want to stay in a place with no dogs — but decided that we needed a vacation of our own. We really like Citizen Canine a lot. They take such good care of us there, and there are always new friends to be made.
After Grandmaw and Grandpaw B. left, Mama M picked us up from the kennel and boy, did
we give her an earful! But that was alright since the next few days were a lot of fun since JR and Jen came back to the house and stayed with us. They gave us lots of attention.
Mama L. has been trying to design a website for her work, so we don’t really get to blog as much these days. But we would love to hear from you! Mama said you might be coming down to visit us soon. If you are, you’d better give us a call so we can fit you into their very busy calendar! We want to make sure we get to see you!
We asked Mama L to make you one of these for your birthday, but it didn’t last too long in this household! Maybe you can collect the next time you see her!
We love you more than all the laser lights and squeaky toys in the world!
You are the second smartest kindest prettiest bestest awesomest Mama ever!
We’re sorry for all the shoes we’ve chewed. Yours still taste the best!
You are the smartest kindest prettiest bestest awesomest Mama ever!
We love you more than all those amusing round hickies on Mama L’s back!
Dear Paws to Talk,
My Big Sis Madeleine and I are super close. I have always depended on her since the first day the Mamas brought me home as a wee pup. She is my role model — I learned everything from her. What she does, I do. But now it feels like I am always trying to catch up to her. It started with Madeleine having a No. 1 Fan. (She actually has two now.) Thank Dog that Auntie Peggy stepped in and saved me by being my No. 1 Fan. Then the other day Madeleine announced that Tara is her BFF. I thought **I** was her BFF. And now Madeleine has a new career as a journalist, interviewing celebrities.
Bella and DiDi, you always have good advice to give. What I should I do? Should I go get a BFF? Should I try to find a career? I’m not very talented like my Big Sis. I can barely twirl for a cookie. I need some direction in life!
Signed,
Gingersnap!
I’m going to follow Long Life Cats and Dogs‘ advice and interview celebrity dogs for a while until I hone my skills. I think my interview with Beatrice would have gone much better if I knew how to interview her like a real journalist. So today, I bring you Cousin Chester! Chester is Uncle Brian’s dog! Cousin Chester isn’t a celebrity yet, but since he’s my cousin I love him anyway! Even though he’s a boy and smells like one.
Madeleine Bartel: Chester, for the record, can you please tell us how old you are in dog years?
Chester Wozniak: I am 9 and a half in dog years.
MB: How did your human Dad discover you? Did he notice you right away?
CW: He found me at the Berkeley Humane Society. I had just gotten to the shelter and he came in that day and said right away that he wanted to take me home. I kept biting him because I thought he would like it, but I don’t think he did. We left the Humane Society we went over to Aunt Linda and Michelle’s house so I could meet my new cousins Madeleine and Gingersnap!
MB: Are there any daily chores that you have to perform? How do you feel about that?
CW: I used to have to stay in my crate all day while Dad was at work. It wasn’t too bad since I always had a toy and a nice soft bed to sleep on. Now Dad leaves me out in the living room. It is nice to have more space but every time he comes home and sees how I pulled new strings out of the carpet, he doesn’t seem impressed. I like hanging out in the living room better than being in my crate.
MB: Do you get to have any fun?
CW: We go for walks everyday and I LOVE playing with my friends in the complex. I used to play with Emil mostly but now Maki and I play together all the time.
MB: How do you feel about having me as your favorite cousin? It’s pretty awesome, isn’t it?
CW: Yes, you are a great cousin. I love running around and chasing you in your grassy yard. I love playing with Cousin Gingersnap! too. Yes, It is pretty awesome.
lounge lassies' world 