Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Trying To Carry On

Greetings dear friends. This is The Daily Bone and I'm your doggie reporter Chester L. W. Spaniel. 


It's been four days since our sweet Joey dog left us for the Rainbow Bridge, and things sure seem different around here. But still, there are chores and duties to perform. 


I've been busy chasing the Evil Squirrel Cartel out of our yard. Look at this scoundrel trying to get seeds out of the birdie feeder. This feeder automatically closes the seed ports when something heavier than a cardinal sits on it. It worked great for those big bully bird grackles too. 

Duh.

There are two squirrels who've been hanging around our yard lately. I'm pretty sure they're not Fatty White-ears or alias Twinkletoes. Perhaps they're their offspring. Anyhow, they're not very smart.  We can't tell them apart, so we're just going to call them Dum Dum and Ditzy for now. 


These two nut brained miscreants have also been stealing pears from Joey's pear tree. But because of the hot dry summer, the pear crop is pretty dismal anyway. Most of them are small and misshapen. Ghostwriter picked up about two dozen of these from the ground that had either been picked and chewed on by the squirrels, or else were dropped by the tree. I picked up the biggest one for a snack.

Smells good.

Chomp chomp. Tastes OK. 

But something's missing.

Joey's missing, that's what.

I'm not sure what to do about the Double Doggie Homeland Security System now that there's just me. Not that I can't handle the duties alone. Perhaps I should put an ad in the newspaper for a new Special Agent. But not yet. I heard ghostwriter saying something about getting a puppy next summer …

Any mousies in there?

Smells like a stinky chipmunk was hiding in the wood pile.

Bark bark bark! Get lost, squirrels!

Now that I'm an only doggie, I can have rawhide chewies. Joey and I used to fight over these things. It was the only thing we ever fought over. 

What's this?

Hmmmm …

Oh, I remember now! Yum! 

I'm practicing my food watching technique too. 

Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and fresh tomatoes. Yum.

Chinese take-out. (How am I doing?)

Oh, and I have to say thanks again to the overwhelming outpouring of condolences, POTP, hugs and kisses and purrs, and tributes to our humble Mr. Joey dog. We continue to be amazed at how many pets and people are leaving comments about his going to the Rainbow Bridge. Some are writing entire posts devoted to Joey, while others are putting a link to our doggie blog from their post! Here's a link to Abby Lab's tribute with an amazing poem. thebookofbarkley  Here's a beautiful picture made by Mr. Jack Freckle's and Pipo and Minko's Mom. You can visit them at pipoandminkoandmrjackfreckles . Blogville and the pet blogging community are awesome! We appreciate all of you very much!


I kind of wondered about the squirrels in the picture. But then ghostwriter reminded me that doggie heaven is where all the bad squirrels go. Looks like Joey will have lots of fun chasing those guys around! Go get 'em Joey! 






Ghostwriter here. Chester seems to be doing OK after the loss of his best friend. He's actually become a bit better behaved. We think it's because he no longer has to show off that he's top dog. We're going to take this opportunity to do a bit of training with him. (He's also going on a diet!) It's good that Dad is retired so Chester won't be left alone in the house very much at all after I go back to work. Yesterday while Dad was out, and I was up in my office, I heard Chester calling: woowooo, woowooo, over and over again while he laid on the couch. It sounded like he was calling for Joey to come home. It kind of makes you wonder …



24 comments:

  1. Chester, Joey would want you to keep playing in the yard, chewing on bones, and having fun, even without him around, and I can see you're beginning to understand that. I'm sure he's playing with my angel sister Katie who crossed the Bridge in early April. If there's one thing you should remember, it's that those white hairs on Joey's face are gone, and now he's his young self again in a better place with the Lord. Chester, could you email me your address at submissions@pawprovince.com please? I want to send a card.

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  2. DEAR Chester,
    WE are SOOOOO sorry about Joey going over the Bridge... You are doing a good job of keeping the Squirrel Cartel under control...in his absence. We are SURE that he is over there Directing your work and Cheering you on. You are making him PROUD.. and we don't think he will mind that YOU are having ONE Raw Hide... we hear that there are 87 Bazillion of them... OVER THERE>..
    AGAIN... our Sincere Condolences.
    Run Free and FAST Joey.... GET THOSE SQUIRRELS.... GET 'EM....

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  3. Our angel Gemini mourned for our angel Loki, her BFF for several months. It broke my heart. Having said goodbye before, I understand your loss. I am glad you are all doing ok.

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  4. It is hard to adjust when someone we love is no longer under paw. We just have to remember that they are still in our hearts.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  5. Chester, we noticed in some of the photos that you look kinda sad. Joey is watching over you and loving everything you do. We miss him too.

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  6. Hi, most of us out here in Blogville understand and know all too well the difficult times that you're all going through at your house. The loss of a family member will always be difficult and Joey dog was a very special boy, so it must be even more difficult. We're very sorry to learn that Joey has passed. My peeps still miss their other kids and it's been 12 years now. So we understand.

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  7. Oh, Chester I'm so sorry about Joey dog! I'm a little behind on blogging and just now realized he has crossed the bridge. I know you are all hurting, but he's in a wonderful place where he can watch over all of you. I'm sending you warm hugs and loving vibes.
    Grr and a Sorrowful Woof,
    Sarge, Furiend

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  8. you have a lot of work to carry on with = taking care of the garden patrol and also keeping your peeps in line :)

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  9. Oh Chester, you knows that I am thinkin' of you and your peeps everyday. I know it's so very hard when you miss your pal ~ just remembers that we are all here for you, and you are never alone in your quest to take down the Evil Squirrel Cartel...they are all overs the world, and we are in the fight with you! Joey and all the Angel doggies will handle the angel tree rats, and we will carry on with our fight here. Give your peeps some slobbery kisses from me (again, if you needs extra slobbers, you knows who to call...hehehe), and lots of snuggles.
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  10. When Greta died, Bailey and Hazel were both quiet for a few days and they both avoided her spot on the bed. Too mom's surprise Bailey seemed to get real depressed while Hazel tried to fill the void by becoming very silly. It took them a bit to adjust.
    Joey will always be in your hearts and the wonderful memories you share
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  11. Chester, you are doing a good job...you don't have to fill in the paws that were Joey's, just be yourself and it will be good. You must wonder why he doesn't come when you arrooo for him, or look for him to help you in squirrel and yard duties...This makes me feel sad too,and the petcretry feels watery floods in her eyes when she reads about it...
    Its too bad the pears are not the best this season, things started out so well, but then...too much hot and dry. The squirrels sure are taking advantage aren't they, BOL!
    It gives you a lot of work to take your mind off other things. I like that you can have 'chewys' now:)

    Sending lots of hugs, wuffs and the kitties here add a lot of loud meezer purrs.
    Joey will always have a most special place in all of our hearts and especailly your and your furmily.

    PS The link your ghostwriter provided is to an older blog we don't use anymore...
    we are now here:
    http://pipoandminkoandmrjackfreckles.blogspot.com/
    Maybe your ghostwriter can change that link when she gets some time.

    Woofs!
    Hugs!
    ((((( ♥ )))))

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  12. Dearest Chester, sending you lots of luffs and hugs, I nose its hard without Joey but I also nose what a big strong fella you, you'll get through this
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  13. We betcha that Joey is smiling down on your watching you enjoy your rawhide, Chester. Hugs to you, buddy♥

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  14. Our hearts go out to you in the loss of your sweet Joey. We are sure that he would have wanted you to carry on with your duties and taking care of the rawhide! Sending hugs to you all today. xo Chloe and LadyBug

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  15. the "new normal" doesn't seem right for a long time...hugs to you

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  16. So so sad about Joey. I am sure he is right there with you looking for those tree rats
    Lily & Edward

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  17. Chester, GW and Dad. We surely know what you mean about missing your Joey.
    We have always been a one cat family but it is amazing how quiet it can be. We 3 are firm believers in visits from our beloved angels. Somehow some way they leave subtle messages that they are well and not to worry. A week after Milky-way passed (16 years ago) mom was sure she heard digging in the missing litter box and she and dad both heard chomping at the food station in the kitchen. Of course it could have been they wanted to hear but never the less they heard.
    MW was a real digger in his box and he loved his kibble. They took it as a sign that all was well and he wanted them to know.
    Hugs madi and mom

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  18. PS we meant to say how beautiful the last picture is....with sunbeams coming in the window
    Hugs madi

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  19. Dear Chester, you have so many friends here in blogville that you are not ever really alone, please remember that. Do you feel my hug right now. Stella rose

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  20. Chester, it is so hard to lose a brother. Our deepest condolences to you, Ghost Writer and Dad. Sending you love,
    Louis Dog Armstrong

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  21. Chester, it is so hard to lose a brother. Our deepest condolences to you, Ghost Writer and Dad. Sending you love,
    Louis Dog Armstrong

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  22. So sorry for your loss & also sorry we didn't see the earlier posts. Glad that Chester is doing well, the last part of the post made us tear up. <3

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  23. I am sure it is going to take a while for him to adjust to the loss of Joey. Oskar mourned for more than 6 months when he lost Renn his best kitty buddy. It will be easier having Dad at home at least. Sending our luvs.
    Marty, Mom and the Gang

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  24. You're doing a good job, Chester, keeping up the security patrols and honing your food-watching skills. I know Joey is proud of you! Remember to make your pawrents laugh once a day or so. It's good fur the hoomans!

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