Patches' Gotcha Day and Barkday are both coming soon!

Hi every buddy! It's me, Patches! I am getting soooo excited because one week from today, May 24th, is my first gotcha day! It will be one year since I entered the witness protection program and moved here, to Airedale Heaven! And then, just a few days later, on May 27th, it will be my 6th Barkday! I just have to say...I sure have had loads of fun, this past year. I've gotten to go on lots of rides in the Aire-mobile with Mom!

I have also learned a whole bunch of stuffs! Like how to live peacefully with 2 other 'dales, how to go outside without a leash and the most impawtant thing I've learned is not to think that every meal might be my LAST! I know, now, that there is always more food and more treats!

I did hear some disturbing news, though! On Wednesday, I have to go see the dogtor. No, nothing is wrong...I just have to have all my yearly shots. Until I came here, I wasn't getting my vaccinations on a regular basis, but now, my mom wants to make sure we keep up with them. I sure hope they don't stick that nasty thermometer up my fuzzy butt!

We wanted to show you some of our mom's beautimous Peonies! Several years ago, she moved them from the back yard to the front, right along the side of the driveway. It took them a few years to start producing nice flowers, but this year, they have made up for it!

Here's a really pretty pink one with a white furry center.

This one is called Parfait something or other. We can't remember the exact name. Since Mom took these pictures, a few days ago, we have two more that have bloomed. They are a gorgeous dark pink color. One of them has like a gazillion blooms! We haven't got a picture of that one yet.

Remember our Bluebirds from last year? Well, we think they are about to build another nest in the Bluebird box on our deck. They were a little too late to use the box earlier in the season. It was taken over by Tufted Tit Mouse birdies. We never did see how many puppies they had, but we could hear the babies peeping when we went outside! Last night, Mason and Mena (the Bluebirds) kept looking into the nesting box, but they were having a hard time getting inside. Finally, our mom realized that the Tufted Tit Mice must have fledged, so she and our dad went out and cleaned the old nest out of the box. Just as soon as they were done, Mason and Mena came back again. They kept going in and out of the box. We hope Mena starts building a nest today!

Oh, and last week, our mom discovered a Carolina Wren that had nested behind our hose reel! She went to use the hose and saw a whole bunch of leaves and stuff on the ledge, behind the hose. When she looked in to see what it was, she saw 2 baby birdies! She ended up not using the hose because she didn't want to disturb the babies! One of them ended up leaving the nest that same day and a few days later, the other one flew away! Our dad removed the nest, so now, Mom can use the hose again!

Well, everybuddy, I'm off for my second trip outside and then I think I'll have a little nap. I need to be all rested up for the celebrating I will be doing next week!

Aire-hugs,

Patches (and Poppy & Penny too)!