I can tell Cookie is feeling much better already after only two days of taking the medication. Her toe is not swollen or red, she has not been licking her paw, and she has that peppy spring in her step once again. Not to mention that rosy glow in her cheeks.

So, there you are. We are once again tiptoeing through the tulips just in time for Chinese New Year.

Much health and happiness to you and yours in this Year of the Dragon. Above, Cookie sports her lucky red raincoat as we commute to work in The City. Gung hay fat choy!

It’s taken me awhile to post because I have been waiting for Cookie to do something interesting. That thing happened last Monday.

Tim and I were minding our own business, making my dad’s famous green chile for dinner. While we were waiting on the chile, we decided to take Our Girl out for a brisk walk. Soon, after we left our house, Cookie tripped while she was crossing over the neighbor’s curb. This happens sometimes. If anyone has seen our video holiday card, Little Twinkle Toes gets going pretty fast when she is excited. Anyway, we went around the block and had walked back into the house only to notice that Cooks was tracking bright red blood everywhere. Surprisingly, I did not lose my $H*t.  Upon calmly inspecting her front right paw, I saw that her pointy, punk rock (half black/half white) toenail was gone! I have no idea how it happened. I think she either got it caught in a crack on the curb, or she may have bent the nail backwards when she tripped. Either way: OWWWWW!

Poor thing. We bathed her paw in peroxide and warm water. She didn’t even know that it happened. But, you know I am a crazy dog mom so I had to retrace our steps outside with a flashlight to see if I could recover the nail. I probably would have just put it in my scrapbook had I been able to obtain it, but I couldn’t. Here is what the paw looks like now:

There is just a little hole where the nail used to be. She seems no worse for the wear. Of course, we know that English Bulldogs are known for their silent, stoic nature. So, even if she was in pain, I doubt that Cookie would cry out. For now, she is periodically licking it and she does seem extra sleepy, but that could be because of the rain.  Anyway, the toe is not bleeding at all and we are keeping it clean, so I guess we’ll just wait for it to grow back. Cookie sure is a tough cookie. Today I’m working from home with her while she convalesces.

As I lay next to her on the living room floor, this is the view I have of her rather bulbous chin and floppy flews.

In other news, The Captain and Tennille owned two bulldogs (Broderick and Elizabeth)! This tidbit, (which I’ve known for a while) has always made me love them even more. [A married cabaret singing duo? A fashionable female bowl haircut? A hit variety show? What's already not to love?] Ever endearing, Daryl and Toni also wrote and recorded a song called the “Broddy Bounce”, a musical tribute to their beloved Broderick. The dogs also appeared regularly on their 1976 TV series. I kinda love that. Ah, but I digress. While I listen to the quiet snore of my little Muskrat Love, I am reminded to be thankful for all we have, including, but not limited to:

17 toenails, 9 teats, 39 teeth, and 2 lady balls.

Cookie, you might never get to be a show dog, but you will always be the picture of perfection to me.  And did I really just connect Captain and Tennille to a story about Cookie’s newly absent toenail?  Happy New Year, everybody!

The happiest holidays to you and yours.

Why does this cute little guy have a red mohawk? Why is he dressed like a punk rocker? I don’t know, but I like it. Just a little something by December Diamonds to add to my Bulldog themed ornament collection.

I found this treasure while I was perusing Pinterest.com, my new favorite cyber vortex (Thanks, Brooke B!).  I was actually using the word “gold” as a filter in my search, so, imagine my excitement when this GOLD BULLDOG DOOR KNOCKER popped up. Two of my favorite things in one adorable item. Okay, it’s actually brass, but still, the serendipity of it all! And, would you believe that this is sold at Home Depot? Check it.

I’m also a big fan of Etsy.com, where I found this fun t-shirt by MisNopalesArt. It’s really too cute, and one can never have enough t-shirts (you can ask Miss Fashion Plate Cookie about that!).

Hey, why don’t you buy yourself or your fellow Bulldog owner friends and family members this cute refrigerator magnet? It’s a good stocking stuffer, and it’s for a good cause! With each sale of this magnet or sticker, $5.00 will be donated to the participating non-profit Bulldog rescue of your choice. Of course, BCA Rescue Network is near and dear to our little Bulldog hearts. And giving feels great.

Lastly, may I present to you these limited edition original items from Pottery Barn. Why, just the other day Tim was saying that he wanted a pouring spout for his olive oil. What a coincidence, as I was saying that I wanted another martini! Behold…the beauty of the Bulldog. (I ordered my shaker engraved with the letter “C” for Cookie, not “Crazy Dog Lady.”)

Happy Holidays, you guys. We are working on a special holiday greeting card for you all. In the meantime, stay calm and stay tuned.

Tim was busy in the kitchen making my dad’s famous Chile Verde.

Yum!

After the game, once Cookie stopped pouting about our loss to the Packers, I sent her outside to gather some fall leaves for our table centerpiece. Simple and pretty.

To accompany our “Very Mexican Thanksgiving” meal, I made spicy corn, a citrus salad with a cranberry vinaigrette and pine nuts, and P90X margaritas. Tony Horton would be proud!

Everything was so delicious (not to mention fat-free!) and even Cookie got to have an appetizer of sliced turkey deli meat and a dollop of canned pumpkin in her dog bowl.

Yes, we are blessed and have a lot to be thankful for this year. Cookie wishes you all a very safe, peaceful and happy holiday season. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Between being fawned over and spoiled by her Gramma Brigitte, Cookie enjoyed laying on the patio.

That’s the prettiest dessert I’ve ever seen!

Three generous scoops!

Going…

going…GONE!

Of course, I carved my jowl-o-lantern in Our Girl’s likeness.

Meanwhile, up in Washington state, Cousin Winston masqueraded as Super Dawg. Even though I got him a size large bodysuit, I guess the legs were too tight. So this get up only lasted a few comical minutes. But, I understand that the little caped crusader enjoyed the evening’s festivities and wiggled the night away. He can’t help looking cute -  it’s his super power! We hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. And, thank you, Dad and Brigitte for letting us spend an awesome weekend with you guys. Next stop, TURKEY DAY!

I took this snapshot just after a barking fit, followed by a nose crinkling incident upon her catching a smokey whiff of our rustic blaze. I don’t know how it is possible for a bulldog to wrinkle her nose at something she finds “distasteful,” but let me tell you, Cookie does it. All the time. Especially around smokers. It’s very embarrassing, but, as you might suspect, she is a rather refined lady bulldog.

Here she is trying to “make the best of it” and grab some shut-eye.

And another where she is seemingly annoyed at the distant chatter of our neighboring campers.

Pouting by the tent.

And lastly, shielding herself from the elements under the folding camp chair.

We had reserved our camping spot for two evenings, but Cookie threw such a drag, crying and pacing the whole time, that, rather than stick it out another sleepless night, we decided to cut our losses and drive the short 17 miles back home the next morning. I wish my camera hadn’t run out of juice because then I would be able to close this posting with a serendipitous photo of Cookie SITTING IN MY CAMPING CHAIR WITH HER LEGS CROSSED. Which is exactly what I saw when I returned from the latrine. Yes, that sums it up: my lady of leisure. Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

My little funny face.

I am I because my little dog knows me.

-Gertrude Stein

We won a festively decorated tin bucket full of prizes: two free admission passes to the track, some dog biscuits, a lint roller, a rawhide and a rope toy!

I don’t know about you, but I would love to open my front door to see this special bundle of love grinning up at me.

Stay tuned this week for more posts regarding Cookie’s closet full of costumes, and Happy “Jowl-o-ween” to one and all!

I imagine that Cookie’s topic included something about adding more fresh fruit on the common grocery order or some such food related matter.

Looks like the speech went well. Cookie comes back out for her encore! Brava! Brava!

Being a public  figure has a few drawbacks, however. It seems the paparazzi has caught Our Girl with a mysterious stranger in her boudoir! Despite what our sources say, it looks totally innocent. Never let ‘em see ya sweat, Cooks!