Another Chihuahua on the Scene

Well after being the princess of the house for five years, something happened today to rock my world: my mistress acquired another Chihuahua.

It all happened on our daily walk around the block. The weather was nice so we took a longer route past a house that’s been on sale for a while. Turns out new owners had just arrived with two tiny Chihuahua puppies. And the next thing you knew they were offering them to Mary.

Well at least she had the good sense to take only one of the two, over my master’s strong objections. But wouldn’t you know it, as soon as we got back to the house the little minx began courting Lewis, draping her tiny self all over him. By the end of the evening, he was smitten.

But it’s not all bad. First, I’m still being treated in the royal manner I’m accustomed to (even though she's pedigreed). Second, now there’s someone half my size to lord it over. And third, it is kind of an entertainer being around a young ‘un. So far so good...

Lighting the Fire

Well I’ve missed walking with the Wednesday group two weeks running. Last week my mistress forgot to take me. Can you imagine? Then today she wimped out and didn’t go due to the cold. As it turned out, all but one stalwart skipped.

Fortunately, I’ve had plenty of good walks in at our country place. Weekend before last, I walked down Williams Creek with my mistress’ grandchildren. Last weekend I walked up Williams Creek with my big doggie buddies, Chigurh and Townes.

The next day, we made our way through a field where the grass was so high I had to jump along like an impala to see where I was going. (Being small can be a drag in situations like that, but mostly it’s an advantage given that humans always make over me as if I were a puppy.)

The high point for me was the après walk time, when I got to watch my mistress’ son, Maverick, light the first fire in our brand new fireplace. It didn’t get hot enough for me to lie in front of it, but we found later that that was because the damper (who knew they were adjustable?) was set so that much of the heat went up the chimney.

I’m really looking forward to lying in front of it next time, when it puts out more heat. After walking, of course.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

My master was confounded when I refused to walk in the cold on Monday. As soon as we stepped out the door I simply turned back into the house. Then my mistress did virtually the same thing today, when she and her fellow Wednesday Walkie Talkies decided not to hit the streets on the coldest day of winter (so far).

Now I'm sure Vermonters would scoff at folks who won't go out on mid-20-degree days, but this is sunny San Antonio, Texas. As one of the WWTs, Susan Gragg, put it: "I guess we're fair weather friends." Amen, sisters.

Good Eats, Good Prognostication

I must say I loved every minute of the holidays. That’s because I had the best table scraps ever. On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day there was the obligatory turkey. Then, on New Year’s Eve, my master and mistress went up to their Hill Country place, Los Piquines, to celebrate with champagne and a fancy four-course meal at Mac and Ernie’s Roadside Cafe with son Maverick and another couple.

I had to stay back at the house while they feasted, but when they came back I got some luscious leftover filet mignon with lobster béarnaise sauce, thanks to my good buddy Ann McMullan. The next morning, everyone had an extended walk up both creeks and through the fields. It was a cold, clear day—glorious both for man and beast.

It was a propitious beginning for the new year and my intuition tells me 2011 is going to be a great one. As my vet likes to say, “Trixie’s Momma didn’t raise a dumb dog.” That being the case, I hope everyone--both men, women and beasts--will take my positive prognostication to heart and make it a Happy, Happy New Year.

Next week the Wednesday Walkie Talkies will resume their weekly walks and I'm sure I'll have more news to relate. Until then be happy.