The Joys of Cleaning House

My human mom thought English Bulldogs didn't shed. (Whew, I am glad that information was communicated poorly so that I was adopted regardless of my salt shaker like daily existence. As you all know the couch is my domain and since it is brown the surface often looks like a sea salt sprinkled milk chocolate bar.)

When I was younger I used to bark at and attack the vacuum. After some scolding and squirts from a bottle labeled Doggie Detente I have pretty much curbed my appetite for the Oreck's plastic hose. (I do still revert at times of weakness or confusion.) Recently Mom decided to literally go to the source of the problem and  simply suck the hairs right off my back. Who knew this would be so enjoyable? Not me! It's like a massage! It's delightful! No one else was home when Mom did this so they didn't believe her when she explained that I allowed her to directly drag the hose onto my skin. When my human dad and siblings came home later and were given a showing of this spa-like experience they were shocked. (There are teeth marks on the vacuum hose so they had a good reason to doubt.) Once the evidence was in, I was videotaped displaying my pleasure at helping Mom "clean house."


Aren't you impressed with my calm demeanor?
(I don't understand why Mom is perturbed by the fact that I trail behind her as she cleans, licking her ankles and trying to get between the head of the hose and the rugs. Since she's cleaning up my hairs I figure, just go to the source! It just feels sooooo good!)

Summer has begun so my "digs" have expanded. 

I now get to go outside onto the deck patio and lounge.  Enjoyable!

Dad has made it very attractive with a jungle garden atmosphere. 

Can you see me?

This is my current "head shot" for publicity purposes. (Mary took it.)

I think I pull off a casual and yet distinguished look, don't you?

I hope your summertime pleasures include some time outside in nature. 

Recently the media has been espousing that one's creativity 

is increased through more connection with the outdoors.  

I don't mean to be disrespectful to the reporters, but, "DUH!"

Why do you think dogs insist on doing their business outside?

So get outside, PAWS, and let your creative juices flow!

~ Magnus Pym

For the record, freedom is a gift.

So Dad came up with this line: "Magnus lives in a gated community." 

For some reason I think that is supposed to represent a fancier lifestyle 

than my baby gate enclosure on the back patio.

At least Mom and Dad keep taking me to the beach 

because otherwise I would for sure start chewing on something!

Dad and I found this big honkin' machine on the beach the other day. 

Mom says she has a girlfriend who drives one of these! (Very cool.)

It made Mom think of the "Road Construction Ahead" video 

she used to show to my human siblings when they were younger.

Metaphorically this machine also made Mom think of the 

complete overhaul our family has gone through in the last year.

(And yet it's ironic that Mom is right back where she started,

listening to her bubble gum pop star records in her hometown.)

I am happy to report I have been to the dog park some more. 

But Mom goes to lots of places where I can't go 

and then she spends a lot of time on her computer 

sending photos of her adventures 

which makes me pretty jealous.

So I lay down on her computer charger cord so she will pay attention to ME.

I hope during this Memorial Day weekend you have been able 

to PAWS and reflect on where you have been 

and how your freedom to roam is a gift. 

Peace be with you,

Magnus

There's No Place Like Home

Dorothy had it right, "There's no place like home."
But where is home? Is it where you were born? (That's me trying to escape.)

Is home where you lived the longest?

Is home where you live currently?

Or do you hear the word "home" and think of Heaven?

(When my human mommy told her Bible Study leader the title 

of my next blog that's what she thought home was referring to.)

I have decided home is where I am.

(So basically home for me is the couch 

or the "lonely chair"!)

Another enigma I am dealing with after moving is, 

"Who are your friends?" 

Mom and I agree that the Girl Scout song, 

"Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold," rings true.

Mia will always be my BFF and girlfriend!

And Malley will always be my Antrim Park walk talk buddy.

(See the heron in the water?)

But they live in Ohio and I live in Illinois now!

So, I have made some new friends like: 

Max, Maggie and Cody, Baby/Winnie and Wesley, Zander and Missy, Katie and Bowser and others. 

As my mom's mommy says, "You have to bloom where you are planted!"

Last, PAWS and reflect on another classic phrase: 

"Home is where the HEART is!" 

Thanks for listening. 

~ Magnus Pym

I'm on Couch Rest for Spring Break

Textbooks do not make the best pillow, 

but that is all they will be for the next week.

I am actually on "couch rest" 

due to a sports injury. 

(Too much romping.)

March Madness is pretty crazy around here with four Ohio colleges making it into the Sweet 16. It's hard to get any peace and quiet around here. But my human dad is headed back to Ohio for the week and Mom probably won't even turn that black screen on the whole time.

I hope you are able to get some R&R during the next week! Find a warm shaft of sunlight and take a cat nap. 

Oops, I mean a dog snooze.

Especially if you can be at the end of a rainbow!

(It's hard to see - but it's there on my back and forehead!)

And then when you wake up 

be sure and 

strrrrrrrrrrretch out really well.

(I can downward dog well, huh?)

I do hope to get the "spring" back in my step soon but for now I will just take it easy!

Namaste,
~ Magnus Pym

March MUDness

Mom took me to the dog park during March MUDness!

This is the before picture... 

...this is the after!

I love hangin' out 

in the mud with my buddies!

THE END

Leap On It!

Are you gnawing on something?

My human dad noticed that I need a little bone therapy every once in awhile.

It helps me think clearly and feel calmer.

When you are agitated you need to PAWS and find something that brings you comfort.

When my human mom needs to meditate on something she goes for long walks 

- preferably to the beach. (Sometimes I get to go with her!)

And, no surprise, look who we found when we got there!

It's always good to go to God when we have a question. 

Often there are life opportunities that present themselves and we wonder if we are supposed to take the LEAP OF FAITH

and go... 

Well, I have some advice for you all on this once every four years day:

If you have prayed about it and truly feel God is calling you to do something 

LEAP on it with joy and GO! 

My human mom has been seeing and hearing signs from God about an experience she is considering LEAPing into.

Every time she tries to run from this "mark on her" 

(as someone else said they noticed while praying over her 

at a weekend women's church retreat) another positive sign has been shown to her.

Nothing is set in stone, but her heart is a "living stone" 

beating for Christ's cause and she's ready to

 LEAP with joy at whatever her next journey's mission may be.  

"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him will all my heart. 

He helps me and my heart leaps with joy..." Psalm 28:7

(Even if she has to leave me for a few weeks to follow God's call,
I will trust it will be the right choice.)
What's Jesus calling you to take a LEAP of faith about?
~ Magnus Pym
Leap Day, 2-29-12

Yes Sir, I say just belly up to it and relax!

This is Sir Magnus speaking. 

There is a time for decorum.

And there is a time to relax.

I know it's hard to know when to do which, but take it from me, you need both.

Recently my mother was in a setting where she had to wear 

what she calls "groan up" clothes. (She told me it was worth it.)

Ironically, while she was attending this event she was gifted a professional massage. 

(She says this kind of service is refreshing and healthy.) 

As shown by the photo below I prefer a good belly rub. The more hands the better. 

But, to allow someone to provide this kind of healing touch you have to be submissive. 

True, I have my ticklish moments. 

(I can't stop my back leg from shaking when that certain spot is hit!) 

Trust me, getting past the weirdness and vulnerability

 of the situation is worth it! 

Have you stopped and "PAWS"ed lately to treat yourself to something refreshing? 

I hope you will.

There will certainly be no belly aching from me about taking time to relax!

~ Magnus Pym