....And They Are Off!

Mama and Daddy did something on Sunday that some of our readers may not like.  We have debated rather or not to talk about it.  What did they do?  They went to a greyhound race track.  We know that not everyone approves of racing. We understand that.  We know that not all greyhounds are treated well and, of course, we do not like that at all.   Mama also knows that some owners treat their dogs very well and they make sure they have homes when they retire. We don't want to start a debate on racing here. They wanted to see firsthand what it was like for me on race day since racing is MY history. 

 The first thing they noticed was that the parking lot was nearly empty.  It was a HUGE parking lot and it was empty.  They were able to park right up front.

The inside was empty.  Mama was surprised.  Dad told her that it shows greyhound racing is definitely dying.  They were surprised this place was even open.  There was like five people sitting outside. 

Mama had hoped to see the greyhounds that were up for adoption, but she only saw one and he was in a locked office.  She also thought they might have greyhound items to purchase, but there wasn't anything like that.

They sat outside to watch the races.  If you sit inside, you can watch the dogs being weighed via TV screens before they come outside.  Mama said there was one that reminded her of me because he wasn't paying attention and he was looking all around.  Yep, that is me!

The track.

The dogs being brought out.

And, they are off!

Mama said it was bittersweet to see the dogs racing.  She knows we love to run, but after the race, we are sent back to the kennel and we just wait for the next race. She was also sad thinking that some of these dogs may not be adopted.  She was glad she experienced it, but probably will not go again. 

On a happier note, the folks ate a fun place before they went to the track.  They ate Armadillo Eggs!  Check out Mama's blog to see her review.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Happy To Be Retired

One Step Closer

Saturday, Mama said we needed to get up early because we had a lot to do.  Scout tried to help and got Mama up at 4:30 a.m.  Mama said she didn't mean that early. Mama fixed a big breakfast.  She fixed hash browns, sausage, eggs and country gravy.  She layered it all and topped it with cheese.  She said it was good. We were only allowed to eat egg.

The folks left around 9 a.m. and headed to the bank to have the house papers notarized.  Mama had thought about going to the UPS store to have it done since they could also mail it.  However, she called them to find out their fee and it was $24 to notarized the papers. She called Chase Bank and they said it was free since they have a credit card with them.  Mama was delighted when they pulled in the parking lot and a FedEx store was right next to the bank.  So, they had the papers notarized and then walked over to the FedEx store to make copies and put the paperwork in the mail.  Our part is now complete!  Wednesday is the actually closing date and then we will be house-less.

The folks then drove to the RV place to look at the motor homes they were interested in.  The motor home with the 1.5 bath didn't have enough storage space. Mama said even we would have trouble walking through the bedroom because it was so tight.  Another one that had a really good price had very dark cabinets and Mama just couldn't make herself like it as much as she tried.  The storage in the kitchen was less than what we have now.  There was another one that Mama liked, but it needed all new tires.  She was still holding out for the one she has been dreaming about for a week.  They looked at it and looked at it.  They decided to go to lunch and then come back to make an offer.  They spoke with a salesperson and he said the guy who owns that motor home has turned down nine offers so far.  It is now listed at a "Rock Bottom Price" which means he will not go any lower.  Well, he is listed above book value and Dad said he will not pay that.  The salesman agreed that he was asking way too much.  So, they left disappointed.  The salesman did say that the guy either has to accept an offer soon or lower his price.  The dealership is not a storage facility and they only allow sellers to stay there for 90 days.  Dad is thinking they might try to make an offer on Friday since we know the guy is getting kicked out pretty soon and maybe he will just give up and sell it.  If not, we will find another one.  The big RV show is on the 9th and more used RVs will show up on lots after that.  In case you are wondering, the one with 1.5 baths and the one that needed tires both sold on Saturday.  They sell fast there when the price is right. 

We really hope we get a new motor home soon.  It seems like our space it getting smaller and smaller.  BOL!

"Mama, he is touching me!"

What the heck is this?

It's a giant Armadillo, of course!  It is in the front of a restaurant that the folks have been trying to get into for weeks.  It is always closed for private parties.

 Check out Mama's Blog to find out about this restaurant.  Grandma, I know you are thinking this is where they had the "Armadillo Eggs", but that was another place.  Mama will talk about that later this week. BOL!

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Has Only Seen Armadillos In Florida And Dead Ones In Missouri, None In Texas - Strange!

Cough, Cough, Cough

That's our Mama, "cough, cough, cough".  She has been doing that since New Year's Day.  She heard on the news that it can last up to three weeks.  It is getting better, so maybe it will be gone next week.

Mama talked to the title company yesterday and they are sending us our closing papers on the house today. They are going to email them to us.  We will print them and take them to a notary tomorrow and then we will send them back to the title company.  As of last night, everything was on track for the buyers to close on January 23rd.  The title company forgot that we would not be there in person for the closing.  It's a good thing Mama called them to make sure everything was okay.  

We had some new neighbors move in on Saturday.  We could see they had a lab when they opened the door, but we never saw him outside.  Poop bags would appear outside their door, but no dog was seen.  Mama started to really wonder about them.  Yesterday, we actually saw him outside.  He ran outside, did his business and ran right back in. It was less than a minute.  We are glad he is doing his business outside, but feel sorry for him.  He is not getting walked and he is fat.  Poor guy.  Dad said it would be nice if we were trained like that on rainy days. 

Scout looks like Jack in this photo.

Have you tried these?  Dad bought these and Mama tried them.  She was shocked at how much horseradish is in them.  They will burn your tongue!  At first, Mama didn't like them, but now she does.  She can't eat many at one time and we haven't been allowed to sample any.  She said she is going to see what other flavors they have at Target tonight. 

Our Emeals dinner last night was Shepherd's Pie.  Mama really liked it.  Dad wasn't thrilled with it.  Mama didn't tell him that she changed the recipe.  It was supposed to have chicken.  She put in ground beef and made her own gravy.

The folks are going to look at motor homes this weekend and they may put in an offer on one.  They found one last week that they liked, but three more came in this week that they are interested in.  One of them actually has a bath and a half.  They would love that, but gaining the half bath causes a loss of closet space.  They will have to decide if it is worth it.  That one also has a king sized bed and a stackable washer and dryer. Most of the motor homes have a combination washer/dryer.  Mama would prefer stackables.  She did some research this week and most people said they loved their combination washer and dryers.  They said they were definitely better than going to the laundromat.  That made her feel better.  She may have to do a load or two every day since the washer is small, but at least she doesn't have to go to the laundromat to do it.

The folks are really excited about getting a new motor home.  We have heard rumors that we may no longer have a bed like we have now.  We may actually have to get dog beds and we may be on the floor.  I am not sure how a new motor home is an upgrade for us if the rumors are true.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Wonders If A New Motor Home Is a Good Thing

The Weather People Were Wrong!

Yep, the weather people were wrong yesterday.  They showed a HUGE cloud with a little sun behind it.  They said it would become a partly sunny afternoon.  Guess what?  The sun was out at 8 a.m. and stayed out all day long!  We added a lunch time walk to our day!

 It was nice to lay in the sunbeam. While I was laying in the sunbeam, I started thinking.  Why is it that when I am served something on a paper plate, I am not allowed to eat the plate?  I am just trying to help Mama. Why I am not allowed to pee on a truck tire? It's not like they are clean. They drive over all sorts of things. Rules that humans have do not make sense to me.

Last night, our Emeal dinner was Baked Spaghetti.  Mama said it was pretty good.  It is a layer of cooked spaghetti mixed with eggs, olive oil and then Parmesan Cheese, then ricotta cheese, hamburger, tomato sauce and Italian Cheese Blend. Mama said she would like it better with more sauce on the spaghetti.

Baked Spaghetti

It looks like our closing is not going to happen this week.  It looks like it will happen next week which was the original date. We have our paws crossed that it happens. 

Mama finally tried the Starbucks' Hot Cocoa that she has been drooling over. She was surprised that you add milk to it and not water.  She was disappointed that she could not taste the salted caramel at all. It is a dark chocolate which she really is not a fan of.  She hoped the caramel would hide some of that, but it doesn't. 

Have you seen this?  Mama bought it to go in her hot cocoa.  She thought this might be better than buying a bag that would go bad.

They are little and are hard.  Mama put some in our frosty treats recently and we liked them.  Mama said they are good in hot cocoa, but probably not as good as the puffy ones.

Dad found a marshmallow behind my ear one day.  He asked what it was and Mama brought out the jar to show him.  He just shook his head.  Well, we had to try them, didn't we?  I guess I didn't eat all of mine and I laid on it.  It happens.

Joey,
The Greyhound Whose Weather Is Supposed To Be Sunny For The Next Week

Wordless Wednesday 1/16/2013

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Chattering His Teeth And Singing:

"The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way"