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.

Mostly Offbeat: Still Being A Bad "Momma" To Reilly While Waiting For A Clear Answer Re A Certain Matter, Etc..

"Momma", so to speak, seems to have beaten a dead horse re a certain matter. Nonetheless, it involves a kind of heartbreak and confusion which "Momma" has not been able to get over for almost three years now, especially if there's a possibility that she may be right about whom a certain person is in regard both to her and to Reilly (and wanting an answer straight from the source isn't bad, is it?). Besides, she's already said that "the tall guy", for example, is simply a family friend and not at all whom she thinks is her helpmate and Reilly's "Daddy". Also besides, he also wants an "uncle" for Camille and to be a better "Auntie Nicole" to her.

She's pretty sure that especially other pet owners who have disabilities can relate to this, by the way. After all, for instance, don't they want to be able to do more that they can't do for their pets alone? Also for instance and incidentally, "Momma"'s pretty sure that other pet owners can relate to that she almost fell off of her stool when Reilly barked within the hour, and "Momma" (like other pet owners with disabilities would like to be around for their pets) would like to be around for and not killed by Reilly because she fell due to a myoclonus flareup. 

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!

Mostly Offbeat: Something That "Momma" Still Wants To Know

(Just not to embarrass anyone, by the way, "Momma" is going to use abbreviations and letters re certain places, etc.)

"Momma" still wants to know who is in the No-Ro area, though she thinks that she knows. Meanwhile, she's pretty sure that she knows who's in the Ph.-A.C. area. She wants to know for two reasons:

1. They seem to be Reilly's biggest fans.
2. She wants a clear answer re a certain matter for her and Reilly's sakes, especially as she is trying to be a better "Momma" to Reilly and feels impeded in being a better "Momma" partly by not having a clear answer.

Pets can be affected by matters like this, especially if the matters affect other matters that impede the pet owners; and Reilly is certainly affected by, e.g., "Momma"'s OCD/Anxiety flareups that not having a clear answer is affecting.

Update On Reilly Re Her Ear Infection

Reilly just had her left ear cleaned out and treated with a saline solution by "Mom-Mom". According to "Mom-Mom", the vet had told her to do that first should another infection occur. Meanwhile, "Momma" has yet to hear back from the vet.

As for Reilly, at least she's acting normally—including by barking like a klipeh, and thus setting off "Momma"'s myoclonus (which, incidentally, caused a trigger point to flare up yesterday). She also tried to shake out the saline solution, which is also normal for her. This, by the way, convinced Camille to want to go back inside and hide in her crate—she thought that "Mom-Mom" was going to clean out her ears next, and she also doesn't like getting her ears cleaned!

Thanksgiving Was Okay Until Reilly Got An Infection In Her Left Ear 😞

Poor Reilly's been through the ringer, as has her "Momma"; and "Momma"'s and Reilly's worries only increased when Reilly's Thanksgiving Night culminated in a left-ear infection (to which she as a Matrilineal Poodle is prone) 🙁. In this case, it's "the life of Reilly" like that old TV show in the Baby Boomer's Generation—the life of Reilly in not so good of a way.

At least "Momm.a" was able to leave a message for the vet's office, and (God willing) Reilly will have her ear checked in the morning or afternoon.

The pobrecita perrita was both taking her evening nap and feeling ear pain.

Mostly Offbeat: "Momma"'s Getting More Impatient & Anxious For Her and Reilly's Sakes

Even on days like Thanksgiving, "Momma" gets impatient and anxious for her and Reilly's sakes. Not having a clear answer regarding a certain person still keeps "Momma" and incredibly-patient Reilly up at night, and "Momma" having exacerbated mental-illness flareups both during the day and the night. Not much has changed since last year regarding what "Momma" and Reilly want for Hanukkah and Christmas.

זאת לא העונה הזאת לניסים?

(Zot lo ha'onah hazot l'nisim?) 

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.

And The Thanksgiving Eve Barkfest Begins...

Just moments ago, Camille and Reilly began a barkfest when "Mom-Mom" sent Reilly downstairs after her evening nap. The barkfest unfolded as follows:

1. "Mom-Mom" sent Reilly down.
2. She called down to "Auntie Michelle" to let her know.
3. "Auntie Michelle" whinly: "Wha-a-at?" (after a long week, to be fair, and with an apology)
4. Camille began barking.
5. Reilly began barking.
6. "Auntie Michelle"/"Mimi" told Reilly and Camille that she had to go lay down for a while because they were causing her to a headache.
7. Reilly and Camille continued to bark for a little longer after that.

La vida y los momentos á la casa de Riley Rosalita y Camille Dominique, todavía interesantes—¡y Felíz Día de Grácias a todos, pueblo!

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.