Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon – They are right when they say the eyes are the first to go. These days, I’m having to wear glasses just to get around the neighborhood.

I know other dogs make fun of me and it kind of hurts my feelings. What should I do? Signed Four Doggy Eyes

Dear Four Doggy Eyes – Hey guy, if it helps you to see I wouldn’t care what other dogs think about it. One day, they are going to experience problems as well. They are being doggy bullies and you know what.

Bullying is totally unacceptable in any form in any way – humans or animals.

Hold your head up high my friend. Wear those great looking glasses with pride!

---

Dear Bacon – Around these parts, they call me Sheriff Groucho. I love protecting my house and yard wearing my outfit. Sometimes, the humans even walk me through the neighborhood and so I can protect and serve other animals in the hood. It’s what I do. Signed Sheriff Groucho

Dear Sheriff Groucho – Hey, I like the look. I think it’s great that you are taking care of your neighborhood like that. If only other animals great and small would take charge and take back their own neighborhoods, it would be a wonderful place to live. Almost like Mr. Rogers neighborhood. I could see me living there.

Keep up the great work my friend. I think you deserve a pat on the back and a good job well done!

---

Dear Bacon – You talk about your mommy reading you bedtime stories all of the time. I like to read my own. I especially like Dr Seuss Go Dog Go. Have you read it? Signed Smart Pooch

Dear Smart Pooch – I haven’t heard of that book. I’m going to have to get mom to get a copy so she can read it to me one night. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I love how you hold your book. I only wish my hooves could accomodate that move.

---

Dear Bacon – You know riding a hog is just not for the humans – no pun intended. Sometimes on nice days outside, I like to jump my bike and ride. I like to feel the wind going over my body.

Do you like to ride? Signed Harley the Frog

Dear Harley the Frog – I like that bike. I absolutely love the color. Your legs are a tad bit longer than mine. I have short legs unfortunately.

It would be fun to feel the wind blowing through my hair though. I may have to see what I can do about that. Keep riding my friend and stay safe.

---

Dear Bacon – Some days, it doesn’t pay to even get out of bed. On this day in fact, I went from on top of the bed to under the bed. I just passed out and slept until the world was nicer to me. Do you ever have those days? Signed Pooch in Life

Dear Pooch in Life – I do have days where I go back to my bed until I feel better. It’s not every day. It just seems like some days Mother Nature is out to get you and throws lemons at you. Instead of passing it on to the humans, I sleep it off as well. I don’t have the back sleeping going on like you do but it looks comfortable!

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon – You talk about having your own room.  All 8 of us have to share a room and this is our kitty bunk beds.  It gets kind of crowded and you really can’t stretch out… let alone snuggling up to any kind of a blanket or pillow.  We even heard that the kitties at the Hotel Thompson sleep in a ‘real’ bed.  Is that true??  Signed Eight is Enough

Dear Eight is Enough – WOW – that is a tall kitty bunk bed there.  I would think that stretching out on the floor would be more freedom than confined to that little compartment.  Is it first come, first served or is everyone assigned their ‘bed’?  Make the best out of it my little purr things!  Enjoy the moments in life where you can.  P.S.  Yes the purr things here get to sleep with mom and dad on their select comfort bed.  Rotten aren’t they?  … like I don’t know nothing about being rotten… snort.

---

Dear Bacon – I hear the “V” word… you know “vet”.  I tried to hide but the master found me like this.  What do you think I should do next time?  Signed Hide N Seek

Dear Hide N Seek – Well first of all, next time hide under something that you can actually ‘hide’ underneath.  Just because you can’t see your master doesn’t mean your master can’t see you.  Follow me?  But hey on the other hand, that is really a cute picture of your captain quarters – snort – LOL.

---

Dear Bacon – Sometimes the best things in life are when we sit back, relax and reflect on life.  You know, don’t sweat the small stuff.  I have a favorite rock that I like to sun myself on and reflect.

It helps me to keep stress free and ponder my life in general.   Signed Pondering Ribbit

Dear Pondering Ribbit – WOW – Well you do look relaxed my green friend.  I tried meditation in my bedroom.  I just couldn’t get my mind to quit focusing on running and eating though.

Perhaps I will try again.  Stay green my friend.

---

Dear Bacon – I’m the sheriff here in these parts.  Bark Bark – you think I fit the part?  I may be small but I’m a force to be reckoned with!  Signed Walking Small with a Big Bark

Dear Walking Small with a Big Bark – I think you can possibly get away with it – you are just too cute with that hat on!!

And those big brown eyes, yeah, I would let you arrest me.  Snort.

P.S. I’ve seen some political people on the television.  I think you have a shot just like everyone else!  Be firm but be fair – that should be your motto.

---

Dear Bacon – My master is always telling me, “Safety first”.  Every time we go on a road trip, she straps me in.  Other dogs don’t get strapped in.  Signed Wanna be Free

Dear Wanna be Free – If all of the other barky things jumped off a cliff, would you?  If they all got taken to the doggy jail…AKA pound… would you want to go too?  Your human cares for you with all of their heart and doesn’t want anything to happen to you.  I say go with it little man.  Enjoy the extra treatment.  P.S.  I’ll try to hide this picture from my mom.  The next thing I know, she will be buckling Houdini into a carseat like this.

 

Travels in the South

Welcome back friends to another edition of Travels in the South.  We have been talking about our visit with our great friends Bill and Jean from Canadian Cats.  If you have missed the previous editions, please check them out here:  Red Lobster; Fogo de Chao; Stately Oaks; Spa Day. World of Coca-Cola Part I, World of Coca-Cola Part II. World of Coca-Cola Part III, The Varsity, Gone with the Wind Part I, Gone with the Wind Part II

Hello friends – welcome back to our continued tour of Jonesboro, Georgia in Gone With the Wind. Today, let’s talk about some of the gorgeous homes in downtown Jonesboro.

This is the Ashley Oaks Mansion that was built in 1879 by Leander Hutchenson.  Ashley Oaks is built from over over 1 million hand made bricks. Each exterior home wall is 12 inches thick and each of the four large rooms downstairs stand on its own independent foundation.  I guess they are right in the saying, “They don’t make things like they use to.”  And Leander Hutchenson – he was actually the Sheriff of Clayton County several different times throughout the years:  01/18/1860 – 02/02/1862; 09/07/1868 – 02/06/1871; 01/31/1877 – 01/07/1879; 01/08/1887 – 01/08/1891; and 01/06/1893 – 10/17/1896.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to see someone in politics take office this many times these days?

This house is the Crockett-Blalock house that was originally built in 1879.  It has been under reconstruction over the years with rooms added on and now is currently a Wells Fargo bank.  The home originally though belonged to Mrs. Hanes.  Mrs. Hanes was a tough lady.  In the middle of the Battle of Jonesboro taking place outside her doors and windows, Mrs. Hanes was giving birth to her baby.

And her husband was Alfred Blalock.  Now Alfred was a prominent heart surgeon and was the first to ever do open heart surgery.  But we found out something more about Alfred Blalock that mom found fascinating.  Alfred Blalock was also the developer of plasma for the treatment of shock.  Isn’t that totally awesome?

And you know what they say about growing up on the wrong side of the tracks.  Does that really take place?  The tracks run straight down Jonesboro.  So, depending on who you ask they will tell you which side is the right side – snorts.

But don’t worry because all streets lead you back to Gone With the Wind.  And in the end, I guess you can say in some ways that Scarlett and Rhett will always be linked together..if only in street signs 🙂

My friends, I hope that you enjoyed our tour of Jonesboro, Georgia.  Stay tuned next week to find out what additional trouble the foursome (Mom, Dad, Bill and Jean) get into.

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon,

They are right when they say the eyes are the first to go. These days, I’m having to wear glasses just to get around the neighborhood. I know other dogs make fun of me and it kind of hurts my feelings. What should I do? Signed Four Doggy Eyes

Dear Four Doggy Eyes,

Hey guy, if it helps you to see I wouldn’t care what other dogs think about it. One day, they are going to experience problems as well. They are being doggy bullies and you know what. Bullying is totally unacceptable in any form in any way – humans or animals. Hold your head up high my friend. Wear those great looking glasses with pride!

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Around these parts, they call me Sheriff Groucho. I love protecting my house and yard wearing my outfit. Sometimes, the humans even walk me through the neighborhood and so I can protect and serve other animals in the hood. It’s what I do. Signed Sheriff Groucho

Dear Sheriff Groucho,

Hey, I like the look. I think it’s great that you are taking care of your neighborhood like that. If only other animals great and small would take charge and take back their own neighborhoods, it would be a wonderful place to live. Almost like Mr. Rogers neighborhood. I could see me living there.

Keep up the great work my friend. I think you deserve a pat on the back and a good job well done!

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Dear Bacon,

You talk about your mommy reading you bedtime stories all of the time. I like to read my own. I especially like Dr Seuss Go Dog Go. Have you read it? Signed Smart Pooch

Dear Smart Pooch,

I haven’t heard of that book. I’m going to have to get mom to get a copy so she can read it to me one night. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I love how you hold your book. I only wish my hooves could accomodate that move.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Dear Bacon,

You know riding a hog is just not for the humans – no pun intended. Sometimes on nice days outside, I like to jump my bike and ride. I like to feel the wind going over my body. Do you like to ride? Signed Harley the Frog

 

Dear Harley the Frog,

I like that bike. I absolutely love the color. Your legs are a tad bit longer than mine. I have short legs unfortunately. It would be fun to feel the wind blowing through my hair though. I may have to see what I can do about that. Keep riding my friend and stay safe.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Dear Bacon,

Some days, it doesn’t pay to even get out of bed. On this day in fact, I went from on top of the bed to under the bed. I just passed out and slept until the world was nicer to me. Do you ever have those days? Signed Pooch in Life

Dear Pooch in Life,

I do have days where I go back to my bed until I feel better. It’s not every day. It just seems like some days Mother Nature is out to get you and throws lemons at you. Instead of passing it on to the humans, I sleep it off as well. I don’t have the back sleeping going on like you do but it looks comfortable!

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon,

You talk about having your own room.  All 8 of us have to share a room and this is our kitty bunk beds.  It gets kind of crowded and you really can’t stretch out… let alone snuggling up to any kind of a blanket or pillow.  We even heard that the kitties at the Hotel Thompson sleep in a ‘real’ bed.  Is that true??  Signed Eight is Enough

Dear Eight is Enough,

WOW – that is a tall kitty bunk bed there.  I would think that stretching out on the floor would be more freedom than confined to that little compartment.  Is it first come, first served or is everyone assigned their ‘bed’?  Make the best out of it my little purr things!  Enjoy the moments in life where you can.  P.S.  Yes the purr things here get to sleep with mom and dad on their select comfort bed.  Rotten aren’t they?  … like I don’t know nothing about being rotten… snort.

————————————————————————————————————————

Dear Bacon,

I hear the “V” word… you know “vet”.  I tried to hide but the master found me like this.  What do you think I should do next time?  Signed Hide N Seek

Dear Hide N Seek,

Well first of all, next time hide under something that you can actually ‘hide’ underneath.  Just because you can’t see your master doesn’t mean your master can’t see you.  Follow me?  But hey on the other hand, that is really a cute picture of your captain quarters – snort – LOL.

———————————————————————————————————————–

Dear Bacon,

Sometimes the best things in life are when we sit back, relax and reflect on life.  You know, don’t sweat the small stuff.  I have a favorite rock that I like to sun myself on and reflect. It helps me to keep stress free and ponder my life in general.   Signed Pondering Ribbit

Dear Pondering Ribbit,

WOW – Well you do look relaxed my green friend.  I tried meditation in my bedroom.  I just couldn’t get my mind to quit focusing on running and eating though.  Perhaps I will try again.  Stay green my friend.

————————————————————————————————————————

Dear Bacon,

I’m the sheriff here in these parts.  Bark Bark – you think I fit the part?  I may be small but I’m a force to be reckoned with!  Signed Walking Small with a Big Bark

Dear Walking Small with a Big Bark,

I think you can possibly get away with it – you are just too cute with that hat on!!  And those big brown eyes, yeah, I would let you arrest me.  Snort.  P.S. I’ve seen some political people on the television.  I think you have a shot just like everyone else!  Be firm but be fair – that should be your motto.

————————————————————————————————————————

Dear Bacon,

My master is always telling me, “Safety first”.  Every time we go on a road trip, she straps me in.  Other dogs don’t get strapped in.  Signed Wanna be Free

Dear Wanna be Free,

If all of the other barky things jumped off a cliff, would you?  If they all got taken to the doggy jail…AKA pound… would you want to go too?  Your human cares for you with all of their heart and doesn’t want anything to happen to you.  I say go with it little man.  Enjoy the extra treatment.