Dear Readers,

What a fun day! When Momma had a little kerfuffle with my normal grooming provider, she dug deep and came up with a great idea — a mobile grooming company that came right to our doorstep. The company is called Love 4 Paws Mobile Grooming, the owner is Karen and she did a terrific job, even doing her best to ignore some of Momma’s more far-fetched instructions. (No fragrance please, we don’t need a bandana, Lina is small so it will not take long to bath her, I don’t think she needs her ears cleaned — all with an eye to keeping down the price — how well I know Momma.)

And get this — Momma was golfing so she wasn’t even there to micromanage. Luckily Auntie Talla was available and came over to welcome the groomer and make sure things ran smoothly. And the grooming was wonderful! I feel like a new person, er . . . dog! Here are some photos of my mobile spa experience. Thank you Karen and Talla! Note that Karen did give me a pretty little scarf which I love!

Winter Updates

As I mentioned earlier, Momma stumbled across a display of my books the other day at Keep In Touch gift shop on Marco, but realized their inventory was woefully low. (Momma had of course approached them previously and asked if they would sell my books, and she was pawsitivly overjoyed to see them on display.) Now she is thinking of suggesting a book reading to generate interest. Guess I better hang on to that little pink scarf. Here is our replenished display.

Also, we had a nice surprise the other day when our friend, Rita, emailed Momma an article from Rita’s and my favorite newspaper, The New York Times. It was on dogs learning to communicate their feelings and wishes by pushing buttons. The article is entitled “Do Our Dogs Have Something to Tell the World?” Apparently, it’s all the rage on TikTok and Instagram. Momma is looking into it, but personally, I don’t know what good it would do me, as I already “Tell the World” my thoughts on an ongoing basis, no button stepping necessary. Just woofin’.

So, for example, I do not need to step on a button to say “outside,” I just give a little grunt and Momma jumps to attention. I don’t need to step on a button to tell Momma to pet me, I just bat her in the face with my paw. I don’t need to step on a button to woof “I hate water” — I just refuse to go near it unless I’m on Momma’s paddleboard. I don’t need to step on a few buttons to make a sentence (as we’ve read that some dogs have been taught to do) saying “It’s time to go home, Momma” or “It’s time for our company to go home,” I just give Momma the look. Actually Momma usually thinks of that one first so I don’t have to bother with the look.

See what I mean? But if you want to look it up, click on the link below and hope the NYT will let you in free. Thank you Rita! https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/magazine/dog-buttons-animal-communication.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nk4.xD4x.IcmoG7K2ZDNt&smid=url-share.

Then there was the Norgaard invasion a couple of weeks ago. Actually, it wasn’t all bad. We played ball and went for walks and they gave me treats. I especially like the kids — Gunnar and Addie — they are usually the adults in the room and pet me endlessly. I did notice that Momma made Uncle Chris take me out for potty a few times which was a bit of torture because I had to show him where to go and pull him along to my favorite spots (again no button necessary) and it took forever. Here are a few pictures of the fam.

Next up will be my health checkup on Wednesday. Momma says not to worry, they will just give me a little physical and also check my blood to see how it’s tolerating the chemo. I have now been on it for three months and I feel pretty good. Paws and fingers crossed.

Lina, Still Fighting (but don’t confuse this with “Fight, fight, fight!” please)

WOOFDA!