Tuesday, January 24, 2006

The ZEN calendar said the blue sky and sunshine was a miracle and it wasn't kidding!

Mommy came down to visit rather early today and was very energetic and chipper. She told me that her Zen calendar said that the blue sky, sunshine, fresh air, et al. was a miracle. Naturally, I am skeptical about some of the things Mommy says as she can be a bit "lofty" at times. Nevertheless, she tethered me outside while she raked leaves down the hill and tidied up my outside space. (Mind you, the humans believe this to be their space, which is ridiculous. Anything they might choose to plant or install can be swiftly rooted straight up with my swiss army snout. Those humans - so silly!)

Well, this time Mommy was telling the truth. The outdoor conditions were most agreeable and inspired me to take a walk down the road with Mommy. We met up with the two new kids from across the street and their Mum. The small one wasn't too quick... he kept putting his wee hand periously close to my powerful jaws. His mother kept warning him, yet somehow his short term memory couldn't process this information of great import. Of course I wouldn't bite the child but I do need healthy respect with regard to my greater powers and intelligence.

I spent nearly all day outside and when I did go back indoors, Mommy left the window open so I could continue enjoying the fresh air. Funny that, it's January 24 and the weather was like a fresh spring day. Hmmmm....maybe there are miracles.

Maggie continues to increase her presence and proximity with each passing day. I alternate between these two emotions: 1) "I can't be bothered, grunt!" or 2) "Sniff, you aren't so bad after all. Maybe we *can* get along". Of course you, dear reader, know that the former is merely a scare tactic to keep healthy respect and alpha pig status intact. I do quite like her, actually. She's spunky, cute, has very soft fur and beautiful brown eyes. Oh, but that barking *must* stop. To say the barking is annoying is to give it credit. Perhaps as she grows older the noise will taper off. I am crossing my hooves.

Okay, it's been a long (yet wonderful) day and I am knackered. After Daddy takes me outside for my last potty duty I am going to trot right over to my pigloo, snuggle in and have a nice long rest. That is, until I get up to check the food area. You never know, right??

Sunday, January 15, 2006

It's 2006 already? Blimey!

Hello all! It's me, Mathilda. As you will recall from my last post, my life has changed dramatically since we last spoke. The canine, which the humans have named "Magnolia Mae" or "Maggie" for short, has been getting the lion's share of attention. Needless to say, I am miffed. I need to noodle around in this huge brain of mine to sort out why this might be happening. At the moment, I'm stumped.

On another topic, I did manage a trip to the vet last month, and was put under anaesthetic to aid in grinding my sizeable teeth and hooves down to a manageable size. The vet (Randy) did tell Mommy that she had been doing a good job with my health. He said I was a good weight (54 lbs.!) and that all systems were in perfect working order. After we arrived back at Chez MMMM, Mommy and Daddy gave me a shower which I have to say wasn't bad at all. My hair felt fluffy and clean and I had that porcine glow about me. I must say I do look quite fetching with a glow.

The pigloo continues to be my favorite place to hang out. Mommy, Auntie Anne, cousins Lane and Neal went to Ikea during the holidays to purchase some furniture for the area right outside my pigpen. They want to spend more time with me (how absolutely adorable!) so they are creating a more comfortable place in which to sit and chat with me while I'm eating. I don't think I need to tell any of you that talking to me whilst I'm ingesting any type of comestibles is a futile effort. I am single minded about food, and when it's around, I cannot be bothered with peripheral interruptions. I do know they are there, watching over me, and that is comforting. I just wish they would cease the dinner conversation! You know, "talk amongst yourselves!"

Maggie has been coming down to visit with more regularity these days. She is still quite small, but is growing larger. While she will never reach my buddha stature, she may be a similar height. I will always be the alpha pig...I weigh more (not to mention I am prettier and have a bigger brain). She has been sticking her wee head into my pen (near my food, mind you - very dangerous) and I am getting more used to her presence. Daddy takes her out for potty purposes with me and we are getting to know each other more each day. I am still suspicious, and intend to stay that way until otherwise convinced. Now, what I am about to tell you is a secret...strictly between you and me...I do like the idea of having a sister. I'm going to try and do my best to get along with her because I truly would like some company. But I am not going to let a soul know about this sentiment (except you, dear reader). We must not let the humans know!

December gift giving time was fairly uneventful at our house. Everyone received lovely gifts, (Maggie and I received matching red and green collars with jingle bells !) but I think everyone enjoyed each others' company far more. Aunt Annie, Lane and Neal stayed over a week this trip and it was much better having them round here for a longer time. They did miss out on a visit to the Andretti Speed Lab - Mommy called the house at 4am Saturday morning from the Emory Emergency Room...seems she had grabbed onto some razor wire in the dark. All the humans quickly raced to Atlanta to watch the drama unfold. Daddy and Aunt Annie said it was a mere flesh wound, but Mommy has been in pain and taking quite good care of her injury. Her hand was almost black at the beginning but it turned to purple and now it's almost back to its normal colour. She said she has to go to Atlanta tomorrow to have her stitches removed. I hope she buys more furniture at Ikea...I want my family to stay with me more! I'm lonely and I miss them. *Sigh*.

So until there is more news fit to print, I shall bid you all adieu. (Did I mention I am studying french in my spare time? Mais oui!) Au revoir, mon amies!