Opposites

As I sit at our still-extended-from-Christmas-Day dining table and enjoy my last little slice of heaven, also known as white bread toasted with my Aunt's homemade strawberry preserves, my mother calls me from the local Military base shopping center and tells me that Thurston is sick. Oh lord. Now, my mother, God love her, is one of the biggest non-homo drama queens I know. I have learned to pick and choose which of her dramatic monologues of certain situations that invariably will crop up in her life are actually important, and which ones are just dramatic monologues for the sake of having a dramatic monologue.

The poor little guy didn't eat yesterday, wouldn't drink, didn't bark at all, and wouldn't go outside to do his thing. Sunday morning, he threw up on their bed... a bunch of black dirt, as she described it, and constantly "licks the air." Hmm. She says he may have eaten too much dirt and has gotten a splinter in his throat. He kept my mom and stepdad awake from 1:30am to 4:00am this morning, which if it were me, I would have just medicated him and put little Thurmador in the dang closet! (Nothing interferes with the sleep of Dr. and Mrs. Harrell, mind you, which is the precise reason why we are perfect to have canine children, instead of real children.. we'd be put in jail for putting them out on the patio to sleep. haha.)

Well, needless to say, the decision was just made for me to make the 50 minute drive to my mother's house to pick up Thurston and bring him home. If I know him, (and I do !) he just wants to come home. They keep their home very cold in the winter.. and we do too, by comparison, but he is also chilled for some reason and keeps shaking all the time. But I think he's putting on a show to come home. Wouldn't that just beat everything if he gets home and he's fine?? *Chuckle.*

Maybe he is sick. Maybe he has pneumonia! But... he hasn't been coughing... just licking. Why would someone lick the air? I know!!... I need to call Julie and ask her, since my doctor-nurse hubby seems to be of little help. His suggestion is to look in Thurston's little throat and see if there's anything in there. How can we do that without him gnawing off my hand? And what the crap difference would it make if there WERE something in there? Heimlich?

Well... looks like I'm going to Covington today!

Will post what the outcome is in the following edition...

Holiday Craziness

Greetings to you all from the Harrell Household!

Christmas has come and gone once again and all the hustling and bustling is now over. It is the third day after Christmas, and it brings me great pleasure to announce that we all are relaxing and doing a whole lot of nothing this week.

November and December went by very quickly as Brad and I both were SLAMMED, with a capital S, with school work, work work, church work, and everything else - work.

During all the crazy holiday business, Thurston took his normal retreat to the Chastain plantation in Covington, and sweet Jack was left to his kennel. :( .. until the day we came home to a shredded $200 shock collar and an almost collapsed great dane-sized kennel. So... we called up the newest doggie daycare in town, Camp Bow Wow, and registered him up for camp!

Camp Bow Wow is great! It is VERY convenient - only a 4 minute ride in the car to the next interstate exit, and Jack is off to the races all day long! Our little Jack now has a girlfriend who is a Husky named Lyla. Since he takes after his mom and dad though, the girlfriend came at a price! He STOLE her away from Diego, Lyla's other boyfriend... they had to be separated one day for "fighting" over her ! hahah!

Last week for Christmas, Jack even got to go and play all day on Christmas Eve at Camp while Mom and Dad had to cart themselves all over West Tennessee for Christmas family shindigs. Jack does seem to frequently pose problems in scheduling family events, especially when heading up to visit folks who have anti-dog-in-the-house sentiments. So while I was busy working my magic at the Christmas Eve worship services at the church in Covington where I work.. (yes.. services... plural... one was at 5:00pm, and the other 10:30pm!...) Brad was home all alone on Christmas Eve with sweet Jack. I think I finally arrived back home around 12:45pm.

Christmas Day was a joyous time of my family coming, coralling dogs, tons of food, laughing, talking, LOTS of talking.., and presents. I was VERY sad and disappointed that my litttle sister could not come home for Christmas this year. She was alone at her apartment in Odessa, Texas with her broken knee and little Christmas Tree. Daddy was able to send her presents though, and we all skyped with her while she opened them. It was nice to get to see her - even through a computer screen.

Mom and Don wanted to have more "Noodle" time with Thurston. (Thurston morphs into another Shih-tzu named Noodle when he visits them... ) And so he went back to Covington for an extended Christmas vacation visit.

Jack, Brad, and I are just chilling this week with our bud Julie and her Rodesian Ridgeback named Romy, and her Bull Mastiff named Argus. They are all sweet and we love them. Off to the park later this afternoon, but first... I think another nap is in order!

Sleepover!

Brad and I had the amazing opportunity to go over to East Tennessee for three days this week. We left Tuesday morning, October 6 and drove ALLLL DAAAYY in the pouring down rain over to Sevierville, TN. It absolutely would not be a Harrell car trip without pouring down rain. Hmm. oh well.

SO - what to do with Jack, 115 pound growing Great Dane? Luckily, we have fabulous friends! Cynthia, one of Bradley's oldest friends, said she would be happy to keep Jack while we were away. Perfect. Just so happened that the days WE were going to be out of town, she also had a work related trip she had to go on too. Oi. So she said.. no prob! My son can take care of Jack. Perfect again!

Monday night at 9pm we drove the 1 mile to their house and left Jack there. He had two 11 year old Goldens to play with for three straight days! I can only imagine what went on for those three nights and three days. They have a fenced back yard... we heard Jack wanted out multiple times that first night only to run laps in the yard. lol. I'm sure he was thoroughly confused about going outside, still in the city limits, without a leash attached to him. But I think he got over that real quick. I can just see him cavorting around the back yard, laughing and throwing slober absolutely everywhere.

The older dogs go to the back of the yard to poop. Jack - you know, since we have no yard and only a patio, he goes straight out our front door, on his leash, and poops. So thats what he did over there. He walked straight out the door, off their patio and pooped. Needless to say, the older dogs showed him what was more proper, and the next time he had to take care of business, he did it at towards the back of the yard. Cute.

He slept well, didn't eat anything he wasn't supposed to have, didn't kill anyone or anything, and didn't tear up anything - which is whats I was afraid of. Everything was fine.

We went and picked him up before getting home from our WAAAAYYYY too long trek across the state, got him home, farted around for an hour or so.. and then I took him outside before going to bed. I put his leash on him, and he dragged me out to the yard and which point he usually squats and pees. He did not squat. He, very wobbly of course, lifted his left back leg and peed all over his front two legs!!!

WHHHAAATT?? My little baby... lifting his leg?!?!?!? When did he grow up to be such a big dog? Wait a minute... he learned this from those two Goldens!!! HAHAHAH.... isn't that funny!!

Mother Nature's Symphony and its affects on Jack

So.. I'll admit it, I suck. I officially suck at writing and keeping up a blog. Not really sure what I'm trying to accomplish by writing this blog.. I guess maybe to entertain someone who has nothing else better to read.. but.. seriously, its been.. like, a month.

This week in September has been very rainy. Usually I love rain, and I have this week too.. but poor Jack has an extremely high intolerance for rain. Thunder and lightning he can handle, but not rain falling on his body. No way, Jose. I think its a lot like me loving orange juice, I mean.. the flavor I love.. but I absolutely without a shadow of a doubt cannot handle pulp in my orange juice. Yes, it tastes the same and even may taste better and more fresh, but .. its totally a consistency thing. I just don't like that crap on my tongue! BLAH!

So, two nights ago I come in from teaching the longest piano lesson in the history of the world,.. and of course, its pouring down rain. I went right in to greet my little (or big) man and I got the umbrella and we trek outdoors. He's on a short kennel leash, and I am juggling a huge umbrella and the poo poo pan. I tried so very hard to hold that $&*%* umbrella over his &$&% body, but the moment he felt that rain, he bolted and took with him me and everything I was holding and wearing into a deep and watery mud puddle.

Perfect. I was home alone too, to make matters worse. Not that if Brad were home, it would have made any sort of difference, because I'm not allowed to be like a "country girl" and holler out for him from outside the house. (Done that. Got grounded.) Hahah.. just kidding about the grounding. But you know... you can take the girl outta the country, but...

Anyway, Jack got a spanking and I took my happy tail to the computer and pouted until Bradley came home from his nursing function.

Joys of parenthood.

Flippy-floppies

I was sleeping sooo soundly this morning when all of a sudden I heard the flippy-flop of a pair of large and floppy ears flopping and flying around. Jack always does that. Who needs an alarm clock when they have a dog with floppy ears? One would not think the sound is terribly loud, but the sound of this dog's flip-floppin' ears totally awakes the entire household - well..., except for Thurston - he sleeps through everything!

But really... it was 9:30 on this Saturday morning... I wanted to sleep more! Brad can't stand the sound of those ears! He has considered duck taping those ears to the side of poor Jack's head..., but that probably wouldn't be such a great idea..., then he wouldn't be able to hear anything - I guess. Maybe we should've gone on and clipped those babies - but he's sooo cute with the long ears!

We spent the day by having a late breakfast at Dr. Harrell's favorite breakfast joint, then spending 2 hours running around with Jack at the dog park at Shelby Farms, then coming home, doing a little cleaning, taught a piano lesson, then went to a women's prison to help lead a worship service.

We've been working on trying to get Jack to swim in the ponds at the dog park, but he's scared! Any ideas on how to get a 90 lb dog out in the water without scaring him to death? We tried sitting by the water side, throwing things in there for him to "fetch," and even throwing him in - which really didn't work and just made it worse. :) hhahha.

It is now 10pm, and since I work in church music, tomorrow morning comes fast and early. Dr. H is at his computer, I at mine, Jack is currently scratching his head, and little Thurst went on a vacation with his grandmother tonight.

Side note: the worship service at the women's prison was one of the most dynamic worship services I have even been in. I have never been anywhere where the congregation sang with such passion and strength; I completely had a wonderful experience. :)

Friends and Canines

I love telling people that I own a Great Dane. I'm sure the newness will wear off soon enough.., but still.. I'm somewhat of a social person and when I tell folks I have a Great Dane.. well, it sparks all kinds of good conversation.

One of the downsides of owning such a dog and not really getting him out that much, or not having people over is that when I do have a guest or a music student or.. anyone.. over, he goes completely insane. 

What Jack did today :

My BFF of 24 years (and we're 27!) came today in one of our rare chances to hang out - as in, sit in our bathing suits by the pool for 4 hours and chit chat about.. well... nothing. Lisa walks in the house and Jack goes nuts. Thurston goes crazy, but Jack really goes nuts. Its not in a bad, he's-knocking-her-on-the-floor-kind of way, but he's all excited and just really has no room to be. He's licking her feet, trying to sip her Sonic drink, putting his big rear on her, etc.

Lisa is like, 6 foot 11 - or something - is dark complected, has pretty long dark hair, and really could pass for a super model in her big ol pimpin sunglasses she likes to wear. I think Jack is really like that guy at Hollywood Feed - he just can't help it but act like a crazy moron when she walks in the room!

Typical guy!

So... we come in from the pool and take Jack outside - Thurston is watching from the front door. We're out there, still in our bathing suits, and Lisa decides she wants to take a picture with Jack. Mind you, I live in what is basically a retirement community, right on the street, in a condo. So I take Lisa's phone, and she tries to corral Jack into some kind of cute pose: he with his red collar and leash, and she in her bathing suit top and a white towel on. The pictures will surely be soon to come, but... basically we have 4 or 5 shots of Lisa and Jack, in motion, tongues hanging out, mouths open, body parts in mouths, towels flying, ears flying, and finally, Lisa lying on her back with a dog sitting over her in my front yard. Did I mention that there was a pooper scooper full of doo doo all right next to this?

My husband drives up - he's coming in from work. You can imagine what he was thinking as he rounded the corner and saw his wife with a camera, doo doo, Jack, and a supermodel lying in his front yard. :)

Welcome to the Harrells

My husband and I are in our late twenties - he informed me of this fact last night. When did "late twenties" happen? Anyway, we have been married for slightly over 4 years, own a condo in a (basically) retirement community in a suburb of Memphis, and are the proud parents of two children of the canine species.

Son number one was born on April 28, 2007. A precocious little black and white Shih-tzu, we named Thurston P. Harrell, III. We call him Thurst, sometimes Hunnie, and sometimes Pookie, but mostly its Thurst. My mom calls him Noodle - I don't know why.

Son number two was born on January 31, 2009. A very affectionate (and gorgeous, I might add) blue merle Great Dane, we named him Jackson Maximalin Harrell. Maximalin was his father's name. We call him Jack - so does everyone else, I think.

Not sure on how we came to have such two very different kinds of dogs, but it sure makes for an interesting life.

Daily schedule:
6:00am: wake up, iron Brad's clothes, take dogs out one by one, make Brad's breakfast and lunch.

7:00am: Have coffee, read magazine, or begin daily computer checking regimen. Begin on emails, church planning stuff, etc.

9:00am : take dogs out again, maybe together

9:30am: Back in for more computer stuff, practicing music, going through music, etc.
By this time, dogs are fully awake and running rampant through the house, Thurst practicing his usual soprano vocalises for the entire building to hear.

10:00am: Seperate dogs. Thurst in kitchen, Jack where ever I am. Must have peace.

Noon: lunch time. Let Jack in kitchen to eat - he doesn't. He just wants to torture Thurst. More soprano vocalises, but by now its mostly Mozart arias.

12:30pm: I am gettin g hungry - find something to eat, while mopping up drool that oozes from Jack's mouth each time someone turn the stove on.

1:00pm: Dogs out again. Possibly try to corral the both of the while checking the mailbox. They see a neighbor walking. Incessant barking takes place - full embarassment, dogs go back inside.

1:30pm: Finally. Go across the street to teach piano lessons. What a relief. Jack in his kennel, Thurst in the kitchen.

7:00pm: Arrive home to husband sitting in front of computer and dogs asleep on the carpet beside him. They notice Mommy is home. Happiness abounds. I love that.

7:10pm: Ask Brad if they've been outside recently? Not since you've been home? Take both dogs out. Jack immediately does #1 and #2. Thurston must sniff every blade of grass in community before doing either. Two hours later, arrive back at home; 3 microscopic turds in hand.

9:00pm: Too tired to cook. Heat up leftovers or drive to nearest fast food restaurant.

9:45pm: Eat french fries in bed. Try to keep dogs off of bed because of food.

10:30pm: Take dogs out one last time. Jack goes, Thurst does not. Good night!