How Mom Chased the Supermoon

It all started in July. Mom told me she’d been bitten by a bug.  A photo bug, to be exact. I’m sure the bug was hanging around the birds she always shoots in the nature reserve. Anyway, she ordered a new camera. I was wondering why she was wasting money when the old one still was in one piece. It wasn’t broken. She said she wanted to get closer to everything she shoots. That sounded less than safe. Think if she wanted to take pictures of a snake! Or a lion when she travels to Africa! How dangerous is that?

tripod Dolica

The tripod…

So the new camera arrived. But mom still wasn’t happy. She ordered a tripod. I had no idea what that was. Anyway, when the package arrived, I saw it was very small. About my size. But then mom shook its legs and it became very tall, almost her size. Exactly like the other three-legged tower I’ve seen in the walking closet on my house inspection tours. Why did she need another one? She said the first one was dad’s and too heavy for her to carry! How can that be?  She can carry a 15 pound dog! Sometimes mom doesn’t make sense to me.

The osprey nest in July…from our terrace.

Soon I saw mom put her camera on the top of the new tower and spend lots of time on the terrace. She said she was trying it out to get good pictures of the supermoon in August. But she took pictures of the osprey nest in the nature reserve! She showed me the “close-up” of the nest, but that also didn’t make any sense to me. The nest was empty! She knew that the baby bird had grown up long ago and the whole family had moved away for now. I couldn’t figure it out, but if she’s happy, I’m happy.

bumble walking mom

I’m walking mom…

Fast forward to last weekend. On Friday we went for our last walk for the day around 9 p.m. Mom took a picture of me with her iPhone. You can see it was dark. She was looking up and looking up. I was getting worried she might step into something undesirable. She said the moon was behind too many clouds. And that she was afraid she couldn’t get any pictures of the moon this weekend. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had bought the wrong camera. A good one should be able to see the moon anyway, right?

Then, on Saturday night we came out just after 9 p.m. But we didn’t go for a walk! As soon as I had done my first item of business, just around the corner of our garage, mom wanted to go in again. The moon was visible every now and then between the clouds, and mom wanted to get her camera! So out we came again with the tall tower in tow. And the camera clued on the top. I did my second item of business. Then we walked on the grass and mom planted the “thing” there. I had to sit next to it.

largest supermoon monocrome Aug 2014 by AHK

Supermoon as seen in Florida…

Then mom started shooting. The camera lens was pointed all the way up to the clouds. And the moon, when it made a few  short appearances. I saw the moon too, but to me it looked just like it always does. A bright ball in the sky. Nothing super about it. But it was super hot and I started to get sweaty!  Finally mom said we needed to move a little bit so she could get the moon from between the trees. Now I started panting. We had just parked under the trees where I used to chase squirrels, when it started raining. Phew! Mom grabbed the tower under one arm and me under the other and in she ran! We made it into the garage just when the huge drops hit the ground.

largest supermoon Aug 2014 by AHK

Supermoon Aug 9, 2014

Luckily it was cloudy on Sunday. I got my evening walk again. Everything was back to normal. I hope it’ll be long before mom wants to chase the supermoon again.

Keep well now. Love, Bumble

 

Born and raised here…

Dear All,

Mom twisted my paw in the form of  a smallish piece of chicken, to get me to write a guest post on her blog for Independence Day. I ate the chicken and now I hope you’ll check it out.

Have a great weekend. Love Bumble

 

 

A Decorated Rescue Dog. Stitches Galore.

Life is hard sometimes. As my readers know, my teeth are not in the best shape after I was given so much candy in my first house. So once every year, in June, I have to go to my doctor’s to get my teeth cleaned. This time it was harder than usual. Let me explain.

After the nice technician took me from mom and brought me to the operating room, I was soon asleep. I was dreaming…swimming with dolphins…chasing squirrels…pleasant dreams. For the longest time. Then I slowly woke up. My gums were hurting. But I didn’t feel any new holes where a tooth would be missing. I guess they were all good this time.

But there was something else. I felt miserable. I tried to sleep on my left side. It was hurting. Then I tried the right side. It was also hurting. The only way I could lay down was on my tummy. So that’s how I stayed until mom came to pick me up.

Sleeping on my tummy...

Sleeping on my tummy…

She took me into her lap in a soft towel. But it hurt! Everywhere. I heard mom saying to my doctor that I looked really funny with this stitches galore. Yeah right, that’s how I felt too. Funny and achy. And when we came to the car, I noticed some bare spots with black thread on both of my front paws as well.

At home mom explained that while I was sleeping and getting my teeth cleaned, the doctor had also removed many skin tags or masses. She said it was good for me to get them removed so they wouldn’t grow to something bad. Then mom gave me medicine that made the hurt go away. I could run and lay on my side again.

The doctor called today...and my tail is wagging.

The doctor called today…and my tail is wagging again.

So today the doctor called mom and told her all of the masses were benign. I don’t know what that means, but mom smiled and hugged me tight, so that must mean something good. And she told me that we’d go back to my doctor’s to get the black threads removed tomorrow. I don’t mind them. They don’t hurt anymore. I see myself in the hall mirror every time we go out, and I think the black spots are quite decorative. But I guess it’ll be easier for mom to brush me when they are gone and my coat grows evenly again.

So I’ve recovered and life is good again. Mom says I’m a trooper, whatever that means. I hope troopers get extra treats. I think I’ll ask for some shortly. I wish you all a great summer. Love Bumble

I Was “Mister Magician”

Just a short message to tell you that we’re preparing for the Open House at “my” Pet Hospital. It’ll be a great event on Saturday afternoon. Many people will come by, I hope, to check out the facilities and meet the nice staff. The tickets will be one dollar and benefit the same Humane Society shelter mom and I support.

I’m going to talk about adopting a pet and mom will help sell my book. All monies we get will go to Humane Society’s shelter and to the Hospital’s own charity. So that less privileged pets can get good care and find a home. I’m so excited! It’s going to be exactly as I dreamed when I wrote the book!

In case you are curious about the place, below is a short excerpt from my book. I hope you enjoy the story about my inpatient visit last year. I promise to tell you all about the Open House next week. Now I’ll need to get a bath so I’ll be representable on Saturday. Love, Bumble

At the Hospital

At the Hospital

   “I have to tell you that I’ve been away from home for the first time on non-vacation. I’ve been in the hospital! I got sick one morning. I had to run to do my business all the time, and it was difficult for me to make it out on time. I started feeling like I have to go soon, then I immediately felt like I have to go now, and then I felt like I should have gone a long time ago. You see my dilemma. I made lots of work for mom in a few hours that afternoon – completely without any fault of my own.
Then, to avoid embarrassment, I had to stop eating and drinking completely. That made mom worried, and I have to admit I started to get worried too. Life was not pleasant, and my tummy was really kaput. Out-of-order. I was tired, and could hardly get up on my feet.
So mom took me to the hospital the next morning. I had to stay there for two days. Two days of IV treatment and antibiotics. You know, I had to lay down with lots of wires running to and from me. I was stuck, in pain and uncomfortable, but somehow I remained calm. I’m proud of myself.
Mom says it was pancreatitis, whatever that means. But I can tell you it was a complete tummy failure, and it wasn’t pleasant. First I was tired and snoozing away most of the time. Then slowly, slowly, I started to feel better. On the afternoon of the second day I felt a bit hungry and could actually think of tasting some food. I was offered a small portion of some new kind of soft food. I sniffed it carefully first, and then I ate all of it! It was not too bad. Soon I felt my strength returning little by little.
All the vet technicians were girls – and they loved me! He is so cute, they said. I pretended to sleep, but I heard them. They also gave me a nickname, Mister Magician!
I must admit I did a few tricks. Among other things, I got out of the IV drip and other wires completely by myself! Then I wandered around examining the place and saw some interesting things, like how they clean your teeth while you’re sleeping. It looks funny with all those buzzing, noisy machines in the patient’s mouth while he’s dreaming away. So that’s how they do it when I go for my tooth cleaning appointment. Interesting.
I think I finally succeeded in my invisibility trick because nobody stopped me. I have practiced it quite a bit at home, but mom always says she still sees me. It’s been a bummer – until now. So I walked around the hospital in peace and quiet for a while before the girls discovered I was no longer in my bed. No wonder they were impressed. No other dog had managed to do that. Ever.
When mom came to take me home I couldn’t help overhearing what they told her about my magical abilities. Such a clever dog…he’s a magician. But I’m trying to remain my humble self, Humble Bumble. Nurses have to be nice to patients, boost their confidence, right?”

Busy, Busy – and Thank You!

Today has been a busy day! First thing in the morning I took mom for a long walk in the nature reserve. We saw many birds and I have to tell you that this time I couldn’t test if any of them could fly. You see, they didn’t walk on my path. All of them were in the marsh enjoying the morning sun.

Big white egret in the marsh

Big white egret in the marsh

Mom and I liked this big white bird! It was beautiful and I couldn’t help but wonder how it could be so sparkling white, not a single spot on its feathers. I guess it’s not playing around in the grass, like I do. Or maybe it’s taking multiple baths each day? I could never do that, but luckily my coat is brown.

Then we went for a car ride to get some food for me from the Smart Pet store. I love car rides, particularly when my ears flap hard in the wind! And I love to drive the car whenever mom lets me. And today she did! I felt like driving a Maserati, but of course it was mom’s old SUV.

I'm driving - an illustration from my book

I’m driving – an illustration from my book

When we came back home, there was a huge box at the front door! No, I was not a box of treats for me. It was something even better – a box of my books! You see mom and I have been invited to be contributors at an Open House at the pet hospital where I see my doctor.  And the nice girls in the reception. They liked my book so much that they want us to talk to the visitors about adopting a pet, and also to have my book for sale.

As soon as we opened the box, I inspected the books. I am so looking forward to the Open House where people can walk through the hospital and see all their facilities from the inside and also meet the nice staff. I have such fun memories from there…for example, when I did my magic invisibility trick for the girls! You can read all about that in my book.

I'm inspecting the books

I’m inspecting the books

I’m so happy we’ll have another opportunity to make money for the Humane Society shelter we support and for the hospital’s own charity that helps less fortunate pets.  My dream is becoming a reality, slowly but surely! I want to thank all friends who have already bought the book and I hope more of you will take five minutes do a review so that others will learn what you think!

And I promise to tell you all about the Open House later this month! Love, Bumble

This Morning’s Adventure!

Hiff there! This is Bumble again. I need to tell you something that happened this morning when I took mom for her regular walk in the nearby nature reserve. Those of you who have already read my book know that place.  Lots of interesting things always happen there. And again this morning I witnessed a drama! No, I’m not being overly dramatic, you’ll see.

Squirrel watching

Squirrel watching

First when we arrived there, I was reading my morning paper in the bushes. Small birds were singing and everything was peaceful. I was just resting under a tree after the long run and watching a squirrel when I heard a bird cry! It was a big bird’s cry, very loud. I almost hurt my neck trying to see where it came from. Mom pointed up towards the blue sky and I saw that there was a nest on a big platform. Mom said it was an Osprey family. She knows these things.

Mama and papa Osprey

Mama and papa Osprey

I saw the mama bird still crying and the papa bird just arriving to help her! Then I saw why she was crying. There was another big bird, very similar to them, circling around the marsh where the nest is! But it seemed to me it was hungry for fish as it soon flew down, its wings almost touching the water.

Big bird fishing

Big bird fishing

And then it just flew away. Mom and I went down to the water and guess what? We could see the fish, it was still there, just under the surface in the dark water. It got lucky this time!

The fish in the water

The fish in the water

Soon peace was restored and I could continue walking mom. When we left the park, I could see the papa Osprey flying away, maybe for a fishing trip in the bay. He was so big! When he passed right above us, I tried to walk very close to mom. I’m always on protective duty.

Papa Osprey flying away

Papa Osprey flying away

Mom told me the Osprey family is expecting baby birds. I want to come back later to see them getting flying lessons. That would be awesome!

There is always something interesting to report from the nature reserve. This time I didn’t need to rescue anyone and I didn’t dig up anything valuable, but you can read about all those adventures in my book. I wish everyone a great day! Love, Bumble

 

 

 

100 Cents Minus One. How You Can Help Too.

I’m flying my book banner over the beach

Hi it’s me, Bumble, again! It’s been a wonderful spring-like week here at home and I’ve already forgotten all about the thunderstorms we had on Monday. I’ve been able to warm myself in the sun again! I hope you have also seen at least a few signs of spring where you live.

A castle of shells on our beach

It’s spring-break time and lots of people are visiting our area. Do you know what that means? Lots of kids are petting me when I take mom for her evening walks! I like that. They call me puppy! Can you imagine? And when I tell them I’m going on 14, they can’t believe me! That dialogue is a good icebreaker. So I can tell them about my new book and how it benefits homeless animals.

Here I’m inspecting the books

Also on Tuesday, mom and I went to the Humane Society’s shelter and donated a big box of books to their store. Mom says that such a box can bring many bags of food to all the dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals who are waiting for their forever homes. That kind of transformation is a bit complicated for me to understand, but I trust mom and the nice ladies at the shelter.

This is the shelter I support, the store is in this main building

And I have more great news to tell you! My book will be part of the Kindle Countdown Sale for three days only, from tomorrow Saturday until Monday. Everyone who has a Kindle or a Kindle reading app can buy it for 99 cents on Amazon.com! Now you can even gift Kindle books! And don’t forget that it is also available in Kindle lending library for Prime members to borrow for free. Every little bit counts in helping the big and little guys I saw playing outside behind this white fence. That’s how you can help too – one hundred cents minus one.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ♥ Bumble

Welcome! And How It All Started.

Dear reader, welcome to Firdemonte Press, a small newly established independent publishing house. Our first title will be available in February 2014, and two more titles later in 2014. Please join our mailing list to be the first to know about new releases and other exciting news.

Here is a bit of history on the first title:

OMG! He Did It!

Finally we are up for air, my writing partner and I. You see, last November right around NaNoWriMo time, Mister Bumble insisted that he wanted to write his story. He would call it ”Confessions of a Rescue Dog”. He asked me to type it since I’m a bit faster than him. When I hesitated, he went to his archives and brought me a quote. That did it.

Bumble borrowing laptop ed

The quote was written on a simple piece of white paper and it read: “Rescue animals aren’t broken. They’ve simply experienced more life than other animals. If they were human, we would call them wise. They would be the ones with tales to tell and stories to write… animals dealt a bad hand, but who responded with courage. Don’t pity a shelter animal. Adopt one! And be proud to have their greatness by your side.” -Anonymous

I thought his story was worth telling. In fact, it’s quite heart-warming and uplifting. So he started narrating and I started typing. And typing. For the whole month of November. Then came December and we both got busy with other things. I re-engaged in some income generating activities and Bumble concentrated on his work, namely protecting our home from shady characters. We made a few efforts towards editing the manuscript late at nights, but achieved little.

the manuscipt ed

The holidays came and went. The manuscript was covered by soft cushions in a corner of the sofa in my office. Until one day, when Bumble was digging there to make a bed for himself, it fell down on the floor. And I knew we had to finish the book.

We got to work. Reviewing, editing, reviewing again. Then one day great illustrations appeared in my inbox. My son had finalized the cover and several other images for the book. Now we just had to get to the finish line.

front cover framed (2)

So finally our joint labor is bearing fruit. 188 pages. Just before midnight yesterday, the book was submitted for publishing. Bumble did it! He wants to help other animals find loving forever homes so he committed us to donate a portion of the sales to the Humane Society’s shelter here at home. We have been there, seen all the dogs, cats and rabbits. It’s a large and well run no-kill shelter.

We’ll let you know when and where Bumble’s story will be available. When you read it, please remember not to take all his observations about me literally. While I think that he’s a fairly accurate analyst of human behavior, I have noticed that he tends to exaggerate a bit when I’m concerned.

♥ Helen and Bumble