Camille Didn't Get the Concept Of the Bird Ornaments On the Tree Until...

"Mimi" took her over to "see the brides on the tree", as "Auntie Nicole" asked her whether she did earlier. She kept looking out the window and barked at first when she thought that she saw birds, despite that "Auntie Nicole" kept telling her that they were "on the tree over there".

"Mimi" eventually had to take her over to the tree, and she looked over "Mimi"'s shoulder even then at first.

As for Reilly, she got that the "birdies" were "on the tree over there" when "Auntie Michelle" took her to it right away.

Of course, neither Reilly or Camille get that the "birdies" are ornaments, and "Momma/Auntie Nicole" wanted to take an ornament off the tree and show them "the birdie" to see how they'd react to it for that reason. "Auntie Michelle"/"Mimi", though, misheard and thought that "Momma/Auntie Nicole" was being "sadistic" by tricking them about a "burglar" being around. "Mom-Mom", on the other hand, understood what she said and thought that she was being mean overall.

Update [12:45 AM EST on Monday, December 4th]: "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" finally got to show Reilly and Camille two of the ornaments to see how they'd react. Though Reilly actually saw both and Camille saw only one, their reactions to each were essentially the same: curiosity and desires to sniff-vestigate. Reilly also, however, licked her lips after she sniffed the cardinal ornament, so she may have wanted to eat the ornament—then again, she had been distracted by Camille's reception of treats from "Auntie Michelle"; so, she may have been licking her lips for treats!

Post-Grooming Appointment Photoshoot

After an earthquake two days before and other happenings within the week, Reilly and Camille had an additionally-busy week when they had their grooming appointment yesterday. Of course, their week became busier when "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" took quite a few photos of them (and besides, "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" needed something to cheer her up):

From New York To Philadelphia To Baltimore, Although...

Reilly and Camille probably felt it, despite that "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" and "Mom-Mom" didn't feel it. The "it" in question was a NY-NJ- and DE-PA-MD-Areas earthquake that probably explains why Reilly and Camille were barking unusually continuously before or at 4:45 (probably closer to an hour within their usual naptime—like 3:00—since the sun set at around or after 4:45, and it wasn't dark when they were barking unusually continously), not to mention moving from the family room to the kitchen and back at one point. Of course, "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" is worried for some people (including a certain one) and both surprised and unsurprised that they could electromagnetically could detect a Baltimore-affecting earthquake all the way in Howard County, Maryland. Then again, since they were born at Ole Field Farm, so "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" thinks that they could've both electromagnetically detected the earthquake and had a canine sense that something was amiss at Ole Field Farm, which is in Carroll County and closer to Dover (where the epicenter of the earthquake was) than any city in Howard County is.

A Short List Of What Gets Reilly and Camille To Ring the Bell On the Backyard Door

1. When they want to bark at someone or something
2. When they want to go sit outside for fresh air
3. When they really have to "go potty"
4. When they (and especially Camille will) pretend that they have to go potty in order to go eat "bunny beans" and other "nasties" (and this despite that "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" has taken a friend's advice and told them that "Santa's watching" when they eat "nasties" and behave badly otherwise)
5. When they want attention (and especially Reilly rings the bell to get attention)
6. When they want to go "night nights" (As far as "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" knows, Reilly has done this while Camille has not picked up this trick. In the meantime, Reilly has picked up Camille's tricking trick.).
7. When they have to "go potty" for a second time in order to get another treat (and only Camille has deliberately held in her "peedy" to "go potty" twice and thus earn two treats, as far as "Auntie Nicole" knows.)

Incidentally, Reilly and "Momma" have another list—namely, a still-unfulfilled Hanukkah and Christmas list (Can't Reilly at least behave if "Momma"'s sake if not her own, "Momma" wonders? Besides, any of Reilly's misbehavior that is a reflection on "Momma" may get God to decide not to perform any miracles.)

#MemoryMonday and #MaltipooMonday: By This Point...

Reilly and Camille know that "the tall guy" is a family friend and the driving instructor of "Auntie Michelle"/"Mimi". All that they care about, though, are the treats (one of which Camille is able to get) and attention (all of which Reilly still tries to block Camille from getting)—and, even though they get upset when "the tall guy" and "Auntie Michelle"/"Mimi" leave, they care about only when Auntie Michelle"/"Mimi" will be back (They know that "the tall guy" has to go to his own home after the driving lesson, though especially Reilly is of course hopeful that anyone who gives her treats and attention can stay for as long as possible.).

Two weeks ago, however, was only of the second time that they met "the tall guy". Meanwhile, "Auntie Michelle"/"Mimi" stated that, "It's like they know [exactly who's at the door when the doorbell rings on the weekends at about 5-6:30]." So, they now have an expectation that he'll be there every weekend (and of course may notice if he isn't.

(As Reillly and Camille demonstrate, puppies are indeed creatures of routine, no matter whether they're pre-adult, adult, or senior puppies!)

When Reilly Went To A Pet-Friendly Hardware Store As a "Guinea Pig"—And Camille Couldn't Go

"Mom-Mom" and "Mimi"/"Auntie Michelle" were testing out Reilly as a "guinea pig" to see if she would be the kind of "'well-behaved'" pet that the hardware store allows. Needlessly to say, "Auntie Nicole"/"Momma" was upset that she couldn't go with Reilly while "Mimi"/"Auntie Michelle" would stay home with Camille this week and go with her next week, and Camille was upset about not being able to go with "Mimi". Both "Auntie Nicole" and Camille were also upset that Camille missed a positive car-ride experience.

Camille, meanwhile, just looked out the window waiting for them to come back, waited in between the kitchen and the hallway gate looking at the door, etc.—she wouldn't even let "Auntie Nicole" give her scritches more than once or get her harness and leash on her to go sit on the back porch with her. (Incidentally, "Auntie Nicole" knows how Camille feels in a different way and regarding a different matter, and she knows about waiting patiently and nonetheless frustratedly and confusedly—thus part of why she could sympathize with Camille, and called "Mimi" and "Mom-Mom" to let them know  how much Camille missed them.)

As for Reilly, "[s]he was an instant hit" with the store employees and customers, "Auntie Michelle" told "Momma"; and she apparently didn't even try to eat any stray wood pellets (which she tries to eat at home) or mulch that might've dropped!

What Gets Reilly and Camille Barking...Or At Least A Short List Thereof

1. Neighbors whom walk by the windows or are otherwise outside
2. Fellow puppies of theirs
3. Cats such as Mochi
4. Guests such as family friends such as "The Tall Guy"
5. When guests and others have to leave
6. Noises such as lawnmower noises during the day
7. Strange noises at night
8. Squirrels (particularly Camille) and rabbits
9. When "Mom-Mom" comes home

They also have unique barks for certain occasions. For example:

1. When "Mom-Mom" comes home
2. When Camille sees squirrels. Reilly doesn't have a unique bark for that.
3. When they want to go on a walk.
4. When they run upstairs and run back downstairs.

Meanwhile, Reilly and Camille were being bad and barking just as "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" was typing a few moments ago.

Thanksgiving 2017 Card From Reilly and Camille

PS Flash ended up being too much. However, "Mimi" liked this picture of Camille, and "Auntie Nicole" got the "eyes...aglow" idea from it. Also, Cam really did try to steal Ri's treats and had to go into her crate until Reilly's separate photo was taken, and she got an extra treat for getting into her crate as "Auntie Nicole" asked her to do while Reilly got an extra treat for finally cooperating with "Momma".

You Don't Mess With The Ri WhereIn Belly Rubs Are Concerned

Toys with Camille are one matter. Belly rubs with Reilly are another. As "Auntie Michelle" learned and "Momma" saw earlier tonight, Reilly will even point to her belly with her paw when she wants a belly rub or wants a continuation of the belly rubs that she is receiving.

That is all for now. "Night nights" from "Momma" and Reilly, meanwhile.

You Don't Mess With the Cam, Part Two

Messing with Camille's favorite toys is one matter. Trying to...if you will...dominate Camille while she is sitting on "Mom-Mom"'s lap and doing absolutely nothing to you is another matter, especially if you try to dominate her and then later get near her while she has a favorite toy. However, you're not exactly to learn this lesson if you're stubborn-headed alpha¹ Reilly.

One, then, need not try to imagine too much what happened this evening. Not that Cam is nice to Reilly when she comes near her when she has a favorite toy, anyway, by the way. Nonetheless, Cam was understandably mad after Reilly had already tried to jealously dominate her, and she was not going to let Reilly even get near her toy even if she was just in the vicinity of it and had no plans to steal it.


¹ "Alphess" (which it apparently is)? "Alphemale"? "Alfemale"? 

When "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" Saw A Twitter Video, She Had The Following Reaction

Lion feeding🦁🍖 pic.twitter.com/nSNSSj2AE8

— Nature is Scary (@Natureissoscary) October 22, 2017

The one's like Reilly and Camille, though especially Reilly: Reilly will try to steal Camille's treats, licks her bowl when she's emptied it, and (nonetheless like her) chokes when she gets excited over food!

(Incidentally, on a figurative level: Reilly wanted to eat up "Mom-Mom"'s affection; so, she literally bit "Auntie Michelle" and tried to bite Camille just a few minutes ago!)

You Don't Mess With the Cam

"Mimi" just learned a lesson the hard way: you do not mess with Camille when she has a favorite toy. If you do, you might have her growl at you. In fact, you don't even try to kiss her on top of the head, let alone pick her up to hold her and show her affection.

After "Mimi" tricked Camille by pretending to throw a favorite toy, Camille "got mad" and growled at "Mimi" for doing exactly that—that is, she did not let her come between her and her toy.

Meanwhile, "Auntie Nicole" just received confirmation that even "Mimi" does not come between Camille and her favorite toys.

"Under Pressure"...Literally!

Play the official live version of "Under Pressure" while "Mimi" is eating a sandwich, have Camille take it literally!

Another Visit From "The Tall Guy"

Reilly doesn't need a bandana to show her uniquely-MaltiJewish-American exceptionalism.

Somewhat Offbeat: "Auntie Michelle" Swears That "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole"'s "Mean" When She States That...

Reilly and Camille are going to kill her someday if their inappropriate barking causes her to fall due to myoclonus flareups that are their faults and/or loss of focus when—for example—she's on the steps and may trip.

On an incidental note: the Veterans' Day card, God willing, should be made by tonight or tomorrow.

WhereIn Blankets Are Concerned...

Camille does not sympathize with "Auntie Nicole".

When Camille Seemed To Sympathize With "Auntie Nicole" During An Argument With Somebody

Without going into details, "Auntie Nicole" will say that she was surprised by both Reilly's patience overall (as it has been for quite a while now) and Camille's seeming to sympathize with her after the argument (unless she just wanted to say "Night nights" and lick the albe-applied-for-hours concealer on her forehead wrinkles.

(Incidentally, especially "Momma" just seems to be getting and looking older—especially as she worries more for her and Reilly's sakes).

Mostly Offbeat: Since Reilly's Reacting To The Family Friend Whom She Knows As "The Tall Guy" Well...

"Momma" has hope that, God willing, Reilly will react just as well and perhaps even better when (God willing) she meets whomever is supposed to be "Momma"'s helpmate (especially if he is whom "Momma" thinks, or at least hopes, that he is)—after all, Reilly as a "dogter" has to love and be loved by whomever (God wills to be) her "Daddy", right?

By the way, here's a better version of the video from when "the tall guy" came over:

A Myoclonus Flareup That Was Actually Not Reilly's Or Camille's Fault, Although It Put Everyone At Risk

Even though they did bark and cause myoclonus flareups at some points today, Reilly and Camille did not cause the recent most-myoclonus flareup that "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" had (The noise of a spatula that ended up sliding off of the edge of a grill pan did and onto a ceramic stovetop did, surprising her.). Nonetheless, it put them and her at risk—since the coffee that she spilled is dangerous for puppies in general, let alone Reilly and Camille—and "Momma" had to tell Reilly to keep away from the coffee, since Reilly wanted to lick it up (She told her something like, "No-o! Stay away from there!" She definitely remembers the "No-o!").

If anything ever happened to Reilly and/or Camille, "Momma"/"Auntie Nicole" would probably be dead due to being unable to deal with what happened to one or both of them—if one or both of them didn't cause her to break her head by falling due to barking or leash pulling first.

By the way, even Camille misbehaved today—besides with the barking.

Reilly Was Not On Her Best Behavior Yesterday—Is "Momma" Partly To Blame?

The confusion and other stuff that "Momma" has endured of late has not made "Momma" a better "Momma" to Reilly, let alone the best "Momma" to Reilly. Reilly was perhaps, then, a little sleepy and thus not on her best behavior—and either way, she was not on his best behavior. For example:

1. She defied "Mom-Mom" and "Auntie Michelle" as they were coming back from their evening walk by barking and brazenly continuing to bark at (as "Momma" found out shortly afterward) a puppy whom apparently is a stranger as opposed to a puppy that she knows well enough or one of her friends.
2. She then proceeded to defy "Mom-Mom" by getting up to the window and barking, and then going back up to the window and barking after "Mom-Mom" told her to "Get down!" from the window—she also looked quite proud of herself after she got into trouble!
3. Later, she tried to bite and bit "Auntie Michelle" when "Auntie Michelle" would stop giving her belly rubs and would give affection to her own "dogter". She also acted jealously toward Camille multiple times.

Meanwhile, "Momma bets", Reilly will probably—for instance—try to give "Momma" persistent "night nights" kisses and lick her side of the pillow, even after "Momma" says, "It's night-nights time" and "Put your head on the pillow" (as opposed to partially under the bed cover or not all the way—or not at all—on the pillow—despite that "Momma" has even explained that she doesn't want Reilly to block her nose and not be able to breathe).

Reilly's name (which partly means "gregarious") definitely fits her.

 (By the way, "Momma" has tried to keep up her writing—which she does for, among other reasons, trying to provide for Reilly as much as possible for her own part—despite that she's enduring a mental-illness flareup—including that of OCD/Anxiety comorbid with Depression.).