Tag: dogs

Legacy Writing 365:70

This is Cousin Ruth. We’re at my Uncle Gerald’s house (Gerald was her uncle, too–he was a brother to both her mother and mine). Ruth’s petting our dog Dopey. It wasn’t this visit, but it was a visit to Uncle Gerald’s house when the Terrible Turtle Incident happened.

I know I haven’t really shared a story here, but probably I should get permission for this one. Meanwhile, enjoy a glimpse of the Best Dog in the Entire World, Dopey Dan Cochrane.

Legacy Writing 365:58

I’m pretty sure that you could search the planet and not find two better human beings than Tom’s sister Katie and her husband Michael: compassionate hearts, great senses of humor, pleasant dispositions, impeccable manners. I mean, if it weren’t for Katie’s strange choice of graduate school (Auburn) and Michael’s bizarre enjoyment of running in marathons, I’d call them perfect.

For a while in the 90s they lived in Dallas, a distance close enough that we could see them occasionally. Of course, when they came here, they had to endure the company of the single being who wasn’t impressed by all their fantastic qualities: Pete.

Pete didn’t like most people, but he did have a “Tolerate” list, and most of Tom’s family made that list. Katie, however, did not. We can trace their first run-in to a visit at the Tom Family Home, when his brother held Pete toward Katie, expecting what, we’re not sure. But certainly not expecting Pete to be willing to take a bite of all that sweetness. From then on, Katie and Pete kept their distance from each other. Including a 1999 visit, when Michael got to enjoy his round of Pete adventures. While Michael sat on the couch, Pete would jump up and stretch out next to him. He’d even let Michael pet him.


Proof.

Then, for no apparent reason and without warning, Pete would become his bitter enemy, growling and otherwise threatening him. As Michael wrote later, “With Pete, it is always a new experience.”

Katie fared much better with Stevie, who, much like Katie, was always ready to be a good friend.

Today is Katie’s birthday, and I hope it’s filled with Stevies. And if there’s a Pete or two, I know Michael will run interference. Happy birthday, Katie!

She’s not sure


Recently, Margot has taken to periodic shivering. Since we haven’t really had much of a winter this year, I don’t think she’s cold. It doesn’t happen only when it storms. She just had her semi-annual checkup and everything appeared to be fine. I think she’s simply getting more neurotic as she ages. Or else this is her way to express rage that she can’t have cornbread three times a day, every day of the week.

I found this Martha Stewart sweater at the pet store the other day for less than five dollars and figured we’d give it a try. Margot’s not sure it’s a good thing.

Legacy Writing 365:49


Friday, when I was sewing and needed some navy thread, I reached for this old wooden spool. It’s been with my sewing supplies for a long, long time. Note the creative chewing that’s been done on the spool. That was the work of this fellow:

I don’t talk about my dog Hamlet much. He was with me during some of the most tumultuous years of my life. When I got him, he was pitched as a “dachshund.” I even saw his mother, who was indeed a dachshund. But Mama clearly fooled around with some sort of terrier or terrier mix, because Hamlet ended up looking a lot like a wirehaired dachshund but was basically a mutt.

It’s not Hamlet’s fault that he was along during the years I made most of my worst decisions and bad mistakes in judgment. In the long run, he was a better friend to me than I was to him, but I did love him very much. I managed to grow up in spite of myself, and the things he taught me have benefitted every dog who’s come into my life since.

It wasn’t all sad and bad times. Hamlet was sweet and a lot of fun. He earned nicknames from everyone who knew him: Hambone, Hamhock, Omelet, Giblet, Gimlet, among others. Here’s one of my favorite photos of him. Lynne is holding her friend Doug’s dog Chris, who looked like a giant version of Hamlet. I always loved seeing them together.

I can never go back and fix my stupid choices from the worst years of my life. I’m glad Hamlet was with me, and naming Keelie’s hamster Hamlet in A Coventry Christmas was my thank-you to a loyal companion.

Legacy Writing 365:41

When she was four and her mother told her that Tom and I lost both of our dachshunds within five days of each other, she wanted to do something to make us feel better. Her mother went online and found dachshund illustrations to print so she could color and send them to us. She came up with the stained glass effect on her own. The coloring she used on the dogs makes them look very much like our pups, and these drawings have been displayed in our house ever since.

When she was twelve, after my mother’s memorial service, more than 30 adults and 12 kids gathered at a restaurant. The restaurant had set up a long table for the kids, and without being asked, she and my nephew Aaron (who was 14) took charge of the kids’ table, keeping them occupied with colors and conversation so the grown-ups could talk. They probably never knew that I noticed, but I did, and appreciated their thoughtfulness so much.

When she was fourteen and Tom and I got to spend a week with family in the mountains of Arkansas, I had the best time teasing her in the pool and having long conversations with her about books and school and whatever stuff popped into our heads.

She makes great grades. She donates her time to help other people. She’ll stand up for someone who’s being picked on. She has tons of friends. She loves to ride horses. She loves her dogs. She’s a kind, smart, beautiful young lady. Anyone would be proud to have her as a daughter, and Tom and I are blessed to have her as a niece.

We love her very much, and today she turns sixteen. Happy birthday, Toni!

In and Around The Compound


I know you’ll all be glad to hear that both my watches have been re-batteried and are up and running. The one on the right, by the way, is the one whose dead battery all those years ago prompted the purchase of the one on the left, as described in my previous post. I had the new batteries put in at Silverlust, one of my favorite shops in Montrose. I have a ring from there that Tom bought me, and another ring that my mother and parents-in-law jointly gave me one birthday. Not only does Herschel custom-make some incredible jewelry, but he’s a longtime donator of merchandise for Scout’s Honor’s silent auction fundraisers. I was lucky enough to win a silver pendant with a citrine stone (LOVE citrine) in 2010.

Several years ago when I took in the watch on the right (it was a Christmas present from Tom about twenty years ago) for a battery, Herschel also replaced some of the marcasite. He takes great care of his customers.

Another Houston place I’ve been meaning to talk about is Happy Fatz Cafe in The Heights. If you love hotdogs, you HAVE to visit this place. And if you don’t love hotdogs, be aware that one of the owners originally got into the food industry by making some TO-DIE-FOR desserts. You can visit their Facebook page for more information and to see their menu. They will substitute veggie dogs for their Hebrew National Kosher Beef dogs. Kathy S has treated me to great lunches there twice.


A sample of their delicious desserts.


Walking in to order at the counter.


Kathy S’s Lotus Blossom.


I like my dogs basic (mustard and ketchup); their scrumptious bread makes this a real treat.


Happy Fatz also supports local artists; I’m working on a series that I hope to hang there later this year.

Just off of Heights Boulevard on White Oak, Happy Fatz is the place for desserts and dogs.

Speaking of dogs, when my sister was here in November, we had a talk about foster dog Penny. As those of you with dogs and cats know, the annual cost of caring for a companion animal can be a little daunting. Tom and I budget for Margot and Guinness, and Tim budgets for Rex and Pixie, and it didn’t seem possible that we could make sure another dog would always have the care s/he needs. My sister told me that if we decided to adopt Penny, she would pay dog support. That was generous, but I still wasn’t sure we were Penny’s best option. All of The Compound foster dogs have gone to what I think were the perfect forever homes for their needs and personalities.

Then a few nights ago, Tom, Tim, and I were talking, and I said, “Seriously, who can offer Penny a better home than the one she has here?” She adores Pixie and Rex, and their level of play is just what she needs. She and Guinness are good napping buddies, and even Margot has almost played with her on occasion, which is HUGE. She has come a long way from being a dog of the streets, skittish around people and reluctant to accept affection, to being a full member of the pack at The Compound. She even plays with Sugar when she visits, lets Jim, Lynne, Rhonda, and Lindsey (her original rescuer!) give her affection, and happily curls up next to Kathy S for a good scratching.

So really, Tim’s post today just made it official.

And now Pixie has a true forever sister to cuddle with.


Pixie P. Lambert and Penny D. Lambert.

A birthday and a visitor

Today is Rexford G. Lambert’s birthday. That link will take you to his birthday photo.

In honor of the occasion, there was a special visitor to The Compound.


This is the closest thing to a smile I could get out of Hanley. She had a lot on her mind–especially the coffee date that was being delayed by my camera-wielding self.


Here, she’s intent on checking out the beaded embellishments her manny/tailor has added to her jean jacket. There are beads spelling out her name, “Upside down,” she explained.


Hello Kitty socks and pink-sequined shoes. As usual, to quote a favorite movie, Hanley is “my style guru.”

As they were leaving, I think I heard her call out, “Goodbye!” Or it could have been, “You’re fired!” Same/same.