Chlo: Name That Smell - Grilling Edition

 The weather is finally warming up even though a lot of the days are spent inside with the rain.  Windows are propped open letting those beautiful outdoor smells into the house.  This is by far the best time of the year.  Some say Christmas, I say the day the windows are opened.  With better weather, the best of all smells are found with warm weather grilling.  I can detect what's on a grill from at least a mile away!  Last night my mom did a grill!  I smelled that food cooking and started drooling.  I could tell from the moment that sweet smell hit my nose that chicken was for dinner.  I then identified onion, pepper, and tomato.  Most people think I am known for my ears, but I am also known for my nose, and my nose was able to also detect mushroom, and potato as well.  The tricky part of this particular grill was the marinade.  However, with time I came to the conclusion that it had to be Tuscan sun dried tomato marinade.  It looked so delicious when it came off the grill, but mom is a huge disappointment.  I only got a potato, because it went flying across the room while coming off the skewer.  Luckily my quick reflexes and eyesight got the rogue potato before Charlie, but it only made me miss the chicken more.  I will have to keep my nose sniffing for the next steak that is on the grill.  Maybe I can fine tune my tracking skills and invite myself over for dinner!  

  

Identity crisis: Little Lion or scaredy Chlo?

 I had a traumatic day on Friday.  I went to the dogtor for a check up.  Charlie went in first, and I was thrilled when he went inside.  I thought he finally found his forever family, but then he came back out with the biggest smile ever.  Then, the lady wanted me to go inside without my mom.  Charlie was happy, so I thought it would be fine to follow this nice lady inside.  I just found out this thing called secret treats and I was sure that this lady had them.  I WAS TRICKED BY CHARLIE.  I entered the room without my mom, and they did these checks to see how I was feeling.  Well if they just asked, I would have told them I felt just fine, but a little nervous without mom.  Then they wanted my blood.  I didn't know they were a bunch of vampires.  I like my blood inside my veins, so when they came towards me, I turned into a little lion.  Mom would be so proud that I didn't let them take even a drop of my blood.  The lady and dogtor were not amused, but Chlo the great came out on top.  They had enough of me, but I must admit I had enough of them and I really was a scaredy Chlo. I was panicking until my eyes found mom.  I did not get a secret treat or sticker, but instead they reported that Chlo the lion showed up and to come back again.  Mom and I have to have a conversation about this whole blood thing.  Mom did say I had to get my teeth cleaned, so I can give more kisses without people wanting to throw up.  I was rattled quite terribly and needed more love than normal, so I broke the rules to walk on the table and find comfort in the most unlikely places. 

Chlo the Lion

Chlo (e) and the Beast

Tale as old as time, 
Dog as old as rhyme, 
Chloe and the Beast

The beast and I were in our castle yesterday when mom came home and let us out of the dungeon.  She put us to work just like any other Disney movie.  Cleaning, moving, and vacuuming.  We all got really dirty reorganizing and putting away all of the items that Christian drug out to fix our castle.  I was really wishing my fairy godmother would show up and save me from this wretched spell my mom was under.  The cleaning process also wreaks havoc on my nose!  Give me the horse smelling poop my mom came home with from scooping poop over the scrubby bubbles that clean the tub.  I think she is trying to kill my sniffer or clean out my brain not sure which, but I wasn't thinking clearly by the end of our cleaning session.  Mom was on such a roll that she even thought the beast and I needed to be clean.  The horror of the bathtub was upon us.  Where is prince charming when I need him most to rescue me?  One thing I know for sure, the sorcerer who places spells on mom to clean should be put in shackles.   

Yours truly, 

The beauty

We'll Keep in Touch- Conquering Technology

 

I have been inspired to finally enter the 21st century by learning how to use a phone.  I usually enjoy spending all my energy enjoying hanging out with my mom, but now I think I want to keep in touch with Barnabus, Dalek, and Christian.  You would think that a blogger like me would have been on top of this technology, but I never had anyone I cared to call.  I also have never mastered how to dial with my paws or use voice commands with my barks.  I really thing they need to make phones more accessible to dogs, because what if there was an emergency and I needed a special treat.  I am still working on figuring out how to hold the phone with my paws, but until then, I am adjusting my head and ears so that I can hear well enough without getting blasted.  I do have big ears and sensitive hearing.  I am so overwhelmed when I hear voices that I forget to talk.  What can I say, I am a work in progress.

Other technology that I am learning to use is the Amazon Dot.  I was starting to get really jealous that my mom said Alexa way more than Chlo, but then I realized she was just asking it to do things.  I could hear most often the annoyance in her voice, but never the sweet, sweet voice she uses when calling my name, so I knew I had no competition from Alexa.  The same dot that plays the baseball games, and the music started playing my moms voice and she was calling out my name and laughing.  I couldn't find her, but the game was kinda fun while it lasted.  It is always nice to hear from my mom during the day.  I hope she calls me again soon until then I will be catching up on my snoozes.  

Big Legend- Big Chlo

Big Chlo has been studying the movie Big Legend.  It was  a suggestion from one of mom's students.  It was on our list of things to do for two years.  I was seriously inspired after I decided I wanted to be legendary.  I want to preface my movie review with this one fact.  I am much more beautiful than the Big Legend in the forest.  I believe the Big Legend was a bigfoot, but I didn't know the bigfoot had grey hair.  He had much more hair than I thought he would too.  It made him look even worse after he took out his own version of a bunny.  

So the movie was great.  It was suspenseful with a decent amount of action.  My favorite part was the growls coming from Big Legend.  I have been practicing those noises every since.  I was good at growling before the movie and now I am great at growling.  I can't wait to practice these noises on actual people and use them while hunting.  

Overall, the movie was a little gruesome and scary for my taste.  As much as I want to be big legend, I think I will do it only during the daylight hours and only if it is about 55 degrees.  I am sure at that temperature, I can be my best legendary self.  Until then, I will make sure to cuddle up in the arms of those I love as my other legendary self.  

I only have eyes for you mom... and maybe someone else

 

So, my obsession with my mom has been broken.  I have found a new replacement named Christian.  We are now on week 3 of our visit and he isn't so bad.  I have changed my routine and instead of hanging out and snuggling my mom before work, I run downstairs to see Christian, Dalek, and Barnabus.  I have even learned how to open the barn door into the bedroom.  It is a huge door, and I am a little dog, but if there is a will there is a way.  I hang out with Christian all day and he gives way more treats than Mom.  He also smells better than mom, because Christian and I are on the same shower schedule.  He plays more than mom and chases me around the backyard.  Sometimes I growl at him, because he doesn't know when to stop.  Best of all, Christian was supposed to be watching me and I did my very favorite thing.  I caught myself a bunny.  Christian really is the best.  Don't tell mom I said so!  

I also have a dog shout out to Pearl!  Everyone should welcome Pearl to the family.  I hope you are a cool cousin, but it is too early to tell.  She is still a tiny puppy that does a lot of chomps.  I can't wait to meet her!  

Chlo knows: The Delicacies from the great wild

 

The neighborhood is coming alive again with the wildlife.  Chlo the bunny hunter has been spying the different rabbits and waiting for my favorite delicacy baby rabbit.  I've been talking with my best friend Dalek and she agrees that nothing is better than a bunny brain.  Don't start judging!  Humans eat weird food such as frog legs, fish eggs, baby lambs, chicken gizzards, pickled pigs feet, spam, testicles, and Twinkies.  I just can't get over the texture of a Twinkie!  Compared to the human list, bunny brains seem almost normal and if I am really hungry I would eat other parts of the bunny too!  Dalek and I have scouted the area and tracked a nest of bunnies under  the deck.  I hope I can sneak past mom to try a few, but she has lost her mind the few times I brought the bunnies back to her.  Here are the top hunting trips to date.   

1)  Mom, Charlie, and I went to a 5 year old birthday party a few years ago.  Right away I caught the scent of my favorite appetizer and I was on my way.  Mom was distracted making sure Charlie didn't bite any kids and I was left to my own agenda.  I sniffed, snorted, and dug around and found the baby bunny.  The bunny only made one noise in protest.  For my big debut, I hopped out of the bushes to show everyone and of course to share!  In my horror, all the little kids started screaming and my mom was furious.  She took my bunny and put it in a bag.  I was kinda a messy eater and had a little bunny all over my face, so she took me immediately to the shower.  After that, she packed up and left!  We didn't even get to eat or have bday cake!

2)  My next encounter isn't as dramatic.  One evening, I caught my bunny friend and brought her to the house to share with mom.  Mom freaked out and stole her!  Maybe I shouldn't have brought her into the house.  She threw her in the trash.  I was so mad, mom was so mad, Charlie was clueless.  While mom was washing her hands, I remember that there were more bunnies!  I got another one and then decided not to share with mom.  I had a stomach full of bunny before mom caught me.  I slept good that night.  

Morale of the story.... Bunnies Are Tasty!!!! 

I regret none of it.  

Chlo the Bunny Hunter

On the Road Again: A few pictures from vacation

 

These are our happy faces.  Vacation means a new adventure to far away places.  Mom got out the dog hammock for our deluxe traveling pleasures.  It is like first class flying for dogs!  I actually cry a lot in the beginning, because I can't get to my mom, but then I curl up and enjoy the ride.  As you can see even Grandpa Charlie is a happy campy when we are leaving for an adventure.  Where are we going?  Let me tell you.  Over the river and through the woods to Christian's house we go.  We go to this place called Missouri where the sun is warm, and the armadillos play.  We did have a close encounter with some cayotes, but I did a howl and they were gone.  

When we are in Missouri, I have to expend a lot of energy.  The yard is bigger to protect which requires me to run around a lot more.  Barnabus and Dalek keep me on my toes.  Barnabus is a puppy and thinks that he has to play and attack at all times.  I think Christian is kinda shady and I have to protect my mom constantly.  Christian isn't allowed to make noise when my mom is sleeping in her bedroom.  I stay up all night just listening to those noises and making sure no one comes near.  During the day when my mom is reading, I have to catch up on my beauty sleep.  I prop my head up so I can watch mom, but then I let my eyes close.  The sun does wonders for a puppy's disposition.  Sometimes I have to sneak a nap in when the baby Barnabus is sleeping.  He is really cute when he isn't moving, eating, or have his eyes open.  When he is alert, I am just a growling thing.  He really does get on my nerves even though he looks incredibly sweet.  I do want you to take notice that I like him enough not to attack him for stealing my mom's lap.  I guess he really is growing on me.  

Take me out to the ball game

 

Baseball is back!  The cubbies are in action and mom and I are listening to all of the games.  I have been looking forward to this day all year.  It means sun, the radio, the back yard, and a happy Chlo!  Mom and Christian played a round of catch in honor of opening day.  I may have tried to catch the ball and it hit my side.  I am not meant to be a baseball player, but I can still love the game!  

Guess what!  Anthony Rizzo ( the 1st base cubs player)  has a dog that he loves.  His name is Kevin and he is a dachshund.  He went to support the cubs on spring training.  He is also the inspiration for Rizzo's cleats!  What a lucky dog that Kevin is.  Mom talks about how cute he is and I might just want to meet this Kevin.

Anyways, the cubs are doing well and have been winning.  They beat the Pirates 2 games to 1 in the opening series.  There were home runs, stolen bases, and some outstanding plays.  Cubs baseball signifies that spring is here and summer is around the corner.  We just need to have some cookouts and some family gatherings and I will be right as rain!  Tune in today at 6:40 to listen to the cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park!  I can hardly contain my excitement.