Mom took this pic while she was out for a walk with Hershey on a beautiful morning... She thought that it was quite 'artistic'. Initially she only wanted to take the shadows of Hershey and herself, but silly Hershey was too eager to proceed with the walk and kept pulling ahead.

They came across some pretty flowers and mom wanted Hershey to pose nicely next to the flowers. Unfortunately, the 'model' was not in a co-operative mood at all. ('Pssst Hershey, I think mom wants you to pose next to the flowers, not INSIDE the bushes!!') After like a dozen or so failed attempts and getting numerous pitying looks from some people who were out for their morning stroll, mom surrendered. All the pics were of a 'headless' Hershey with half her body inside the bushes...

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We are here to shamelessly solicit for votes again. If you haven't already voted for October's Awesome Blog Award, you can vote for me (or the very handsome Max from South Africa) over at The Bone Zone.

The polls will end on this Saturday, 31 Oct (only 2 days left!!). Your vote will mean a lot to us, so please go over there now! **muacks**

Hershey and I had to shake mom out of her misery into typing out this post for us. We are still going through a rough patch here and mom is still pretty leaky on most days. She's spending a lot of her time swimming, reading and basically just trying to keep herself and her mind occupied.

It was all getting pretty bleak UNTIL we received a message from sweet Opy!! We almost couldn't believe it when we got the message from Opy that we have been nominated for the October Awesome Blog Award!! Ok, yes, I know we have only been nominated and haven't won anything yet, but the honor of being nominated is a joy in itself!!

We are totally flattered that someone thinks so highly of our humble blog.. and I must add that this is one of the greatest achievements since we started blogging 3 years ago... (other than making all the new friends of course because nothing can beat that!). If you like our blog, please do go over to the The Bone Zone to cast your votes for us! We are up against Max, a handsome Golden Retriever in South Africa... We just visited him on his blog and it is totally awesome! You can visit Max here...

To those who have already voted for us, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts right to the tip of our little tails. THANK YOU... **muacks**

Before we go, I leave you with a (freaky) photo of Hershey... It's titled 'Look Ma, No Eyes'...

Ohhh ok.. and mom says we got to be 'play fair', so here's a humiliating photo the still very nekkid looking me. It LOOKS like I am sniffing my a$$, but I assure you that I wasn't. I just happen to be in the latest Doga position. Humans... what do they know right? (And I bet they can't do this pose...LOL).

My spy told me that the little monster hijacked my blog last week and was pretty shamelessly telling the world the nice things that she did for mom, so I told myself I have to regain control of my blog before she wrecks even more havoc.

Oh and Mango Major commented on the last post by Hershey that I should 'come out of the closet and get over myself already.' Hmmm.. do you think this is what he means?? And how did he know that I was hiding in the closet at the first place?? Eeekkkkkkss... he's a psychic doggie!!

Ok I am outta the cupboard now but sad to say, my fur still hasn't gotten any much longer.

****** Notice ******

We'd be taking a hiatus and not be blogging for a short while because the assistant/ typist/ the one with the opposable thumbs aka Mom, had applied for 'annual leave'. Tomorrow is supposed to Chloe's due date and mom is having a hard time coping with the fact that there's no baby coming home. She's not in denial, but just having a hard time dealing with 'what should have been'. It is a very difficult time and we want mom to do whatever that she feels comfortable with.

Before we go, here's a tribute to our dear, sweet Chloe. Always missed, forever loved.

Shane here: Initially when we found out that I was pregnant, Mark downloaded an application onto his iPhone which contains a list of baby lullabies. We'd sometimes play it to Chloe in the quiet peacefulness of the night before turning in. I had always thought that this application will be handy when Chloe's born so that we can play those lullabies to her no matter where we are. Little did I know that although it served the same purpose (i.e. lullaby for Chloe), it was under a very different circumstance.

On that faithful afternoon on 26 June 09 when I was lying in the hospital bed holding Chloe close and trying my utmost to memorize her tiny, perfect features, Mark whipped out his iPhone and played 'Brahm's Lullaby' because he wanted Chloe to listen to the song that she had been listening to when she was still in her mummy's tummy. He wanted her to depart this strange, new world with something familiar so that she would not feel so alone or afraid... and she'd know that her parents are right there beside as she takes her tiny, wobbly, baby steps to join her big brother Lucas.

The doctor and all the nurses had left us alone in the room so that we could spend some personal time as a family with Chloe. The eerie silence in the delivery suite was broken by the sweet melody of that song and my sobs... It was a near 'perfect' family moment for us, it's only 'near' perfect because Lucas was missing from it and Chloe would soon be leaving us to join her brother, leaving behind her heartbroken parents.

Yes, I did want that lullaby to lull my precious baby to sleep one day, and she'd wake up contentedly from that sleep, look into my eyes and give me a sweet, toothless smile. However, in real life, although my darling baby did go to sleep listening to that song, she'd never wake up from it.

Chloe sweetie, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite... (please tell Lucas that we haven't forgotten him and that we love and miss him so much too).

Hi friends... It's me, Hershey!! Huskee is still too preoccupied with trying to milk all the attention he can from the humans with his bad hairdo, and he is trying even harder to grow his fur back in the shortest possible time. (If he finds the secret to accelerate hair growth, he should share his secret formula with our dad too.. LOL!! Oooops... I've said too much!)

Since I hardly get any blogging time as Huskee is the 'Master Blogger' of this site, I am glad I have this chance to correct everyone's misguided conception of me. I am NOT the destructive, hyper-stimulated pup that Huskee had made all of you believe. I am really a sweet, docile and very well-behaved pup. Well, most of the time anyway...

Mom's been feeling moody and a bit low this week because next week would have been Chloe's supposed due date. As a family, we had been counting down to 14 Oct since early Feb when mom told us that she's expecting a little playmate for us. There's no baby to bring home and there's no playmate for us. Things have changed and there's nothing happy to look forward to next week. I have been learning some tips from Huskee on how to cheer mom up (since he's too concerned about his own nekkid-ness to be of any help now).

Now it's Hershey-les to the Rescue!! Mom gave me this nickname... cos dad and her ALMOST got me a little brother and wanted to name him 'Hercules'... fortunately, sanity and common sense took over so there's no little brother for me, but I am now stuck with the nickname 'Hershey-les'.

So far I have taken mom done all the below (and more):

1) Take her out for walkies

2) Watched out for her while she swam

3) Give her my kisses (mom calls me a 'Kiss on Demand' Machine.. anytime, everytime!!)

4) Keep a CLOSE watch on her... and I mean C.L.O.S.E

Mom walked into the kitchen last night to get a drink of water and saw that someone did this to her bananas (and Hershey's toy). She looked suspiciously at dad and he swore it wasn't him to did it.

So, who did this?? (It's noooot me!!)

It's been 3 whole days since I last posted my (almost) nekkid pic and unfortunately, it does NOT seem to me like my fur has grown at all over the weekend. Take a look and let me know what you think...

The one thing that hasn't changed is that I am still moping and feeling sorry for myself. I might as well milk it for all it's worth... and I got to say that I am getting pretty good at it cos I have been getting more new toys and treats because when I put on my sad puppy face, the humans just go 'Awwwww.... poor Huskee', followed by one or more of the below actions:

1. Pats me on the head
2. Gives me tummy rubs
3. Gives me a kiss (or two... sometimes maybe even three)
4. Dispense treats
5. Gives me a new toy

Ok, you can all start laughing now... Yes, it's me, your friend Huskee Boy.. with a funny hair cut done by a over zealous groomer (actually the mom was the one who asked for a shorter 'do for me cos the weather now is really humid and they want to prevent my itchy-scratchy hotspots from coming back).

I was really against mom posting a pic of me with my current strange, disastrous hairdo, but well, seems like a lot of you wanted to see how I look like now, so I guess I'll have to oblige. While I am not exactly (**clears throat**) nekkid, I am as close to being nekkid as you can possibly imagine.

From the pic, it's clear that I am not exactly happy with the new look... not one bit. And the pic makes it look as if my ears have been chopped off (I assure you they are still very much intact!)!!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend... Excuse me now while I try to grow some fur.

Dad went on (another) business trip again and after Hershey's previous failed attempt to help mom pack his bags, she's not giving up and is offering her 'help' once again. As Dad is bringing lesser stuff this time round, there's more empty space in the bag, meaning that Hershey was able to add in more of her toys this time! LOL!!

Look at the proud and happy smile on her face... she seems pretty pleased with herself.

*** In case any one is wondering why there hasn't been any pics of me post grooming, I/ mom have decided not to show you how I look like now cos we think the groomer was over-zealous and ummm... got carried away. So now my fur is REAL short and I/ she thinks I look **cough** 'strange'.

It's a true catastrophe... we have not only missed one of our dear friend's birthday, we have missed TWO birthdays!! **slaps forehead and hangs head in shame**

The first birthday we missed was little Mango's and the second was sweet Asta's!! Sorry guys.. we have no excuse for this except that the secretary we hired is not very efficient indeed. Once we realized the big boo boo, we have given the above-mentioned secretary a stern talking-to and warning. Your pressies will be on their way to you when the secretary stops Facebooking for long enough to leave the house to go to the post office tomorrow.

I received the below email from a nice 'David Howell'... he claims that I have a parcel that contained a cheque worth US$450,000 waiting to be delieverd to my doorstep. Wow.. I don't have enough fingers and toes to figure out how much 450,000 is... so it MUST be quite a lot.

Boy I am one lucky pup... I have been thinking how I should use this money... but one thing worries me. What do you think Mr Howell will say or how do you think he'd react if he found out that I am underaged? I am only 10 years old, you know... shouldn't I be at least 18 to qualify? Oh and on top of that, I am a dog, I don't have US$80 to pay him for the delivery charges and taxes... you think he'd mind if I paid him in salmon treats and raw hides? He can also take the Border Collie if he wants.. I am sure mom won't kick up any fuss if I give her half my winnings to 'compensate' for the Border Collie.

Once I lay my paws on those money, I will fly around the world to visit all my lovely friends...

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On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 2:33 PM, davidhowell wrote:

FedEx Nigeria Head Office 70 International Airport Road Mafoluku, Lagos. Tel +2347035527547

Attention: Dear Valued Beneficiary,

CLAIM NOTIFICATION. This is to notify you that your parcel is still in our possession, this parcel contained an International Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque worth the sum of $450,000.00(Four Hundred $ Fifthy Thousand USA dollars)only and it is ready for delivery to your door step.

Meanwhile, before the delivery or shipment will take place, you are advice to send to us the following data’s mention below:

1. Your Name

2.Address

3.Telephone

The above requested information’s will enable us deliver your parcel correctly without any mistake or delivering your parcel to a wrong person. Further more, you might be asking yourself how comes this email, cheque or draft, Anyway, your cheque was brought to this office by a Lottery Fiduciary Agent Or Claim Agent, signifying that you are a rightful winner to their Lottery Award selected randomly from 10 lucky email addresses which your email address is one of the lucky email address.

FedEx courier service company mailing you as per your parcel that was brought to this company to be delivered to you by lottery groups, along the delivery process that brought a misunderstanding between you and the lottery claim agent and in regards of their request as per their insurance certificate cost, tax fee and lots of other universal cops and drug searches which happened to be the course of your parcel being pending for the past months/one year.

Meanwhile we are hereby happy to inform you that the FedEx Company has finalized and resolved the whole issued with the legal offices like the International Monetary of Funds(IMF),and the Internal Revenue Service(IRS) office, the company organization has also listed 24 valuable parcel’s to be intact in their office after the released of the parcel’s from universal cops and drug searches.

We are happy to inform you once again that your parcel that contains the sum of $450,000.00 is among the 24 parcel’s listed which is now in our office and also with your name as the receiver despise that we lost your private residential address’s, which is an indication that you can now re-send your residential address, telephone as stated above back to the FedEx company where your parcel can be delivered to you without hesitation.

Meanwhile remember that the sender of this parcel to you that’s the fiduciary agent still owes this company the sum of $80 before the incident occurs, Note that this fee is not just for delivery but with the immigration and customs stamp duty, this company has spend out of their incomes in the process by the recovering back your parcel? so dear customer we once again appreciate your patronage in our favor.

Without hesitations you are to pay for just the balance left by your sender since we have lost his contact. this payment have to be via western union money transfer with the below payment information so that your parcel can be delivered to your residential address before it accumulate a demurrage after one week only,as you know your parcel is not just an ordinary parcel but with a huge amount and I think you understand what I mean by accumulating a demurrage? Which you will not allow that to happen to your recovery parcel that almost gone if not for the love that the good God have for you by favoring you with his favor because it was God who did it not by your power but by the spirit say the lord. We assure you that your parcel will arrive at your country in two days time and it will get to your door step the third day as soon as this company receive the balance left by your sender and the tracking number of your parcel will be sent to you via e-mail immediately so that you can track it yourself to see your parcel coming on the way and you will also know when it will arrive at your country because we operate in trust and loyalty in your favor. And also the FedEx Courier Service Company hereby inform all their customers through this media by eradicating all their communication with the scam mails that are going all-over the world be careful with their e-mails so that your parcel will not be in danger with their evil planes. FedEx provides access to a growing global market place through a network of supply chain, transportation, business and related information services.

PAYMENT INFORMATION FOR THE IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS STAMP DUTY CHARGES BEFORE DELIVERY EFFECT, FIND BELOW: Receivers Name: Mr Patrick EzeSenders Name: ------------?Text Question: BEST COLOURAnswer: WHITELocation; Maitama Abuja Nigeria.MTCN Number... ??? Amount to be sent: $80 us dollars.Please you have to send the full payment information including the MTCN Number for we to fully proceed on your delivery FedEx is one of the world's great success stories, the start-up that revolutionized the delivery of packages and information. In the past 30 years, we've grown up and grown into a diverse family of companies as FedEx that's bigger, stronger, better than ever. Call me now: Tel +234-7035527547Update Us With The Payment Of $80 dollars for the Customs and Immigration Clearance and Stampt Duty So That We Can Proceed With The Delivery Today.

WAITING TO READ YOUR E-MAIL. YOURS AFFECTIONATLY. FEDEX COURIER REMITTANCE DIRECTOR..MR.DAVID HOWELL Tel +234-7035527547

Reply to: mr.dvidhowell@live.com

Look at the pics and make a guess what happened over the weekend... I laughed at Hershey when she was being FURminated.. now she has the last laugh. **eyes brimming with tears** Tell me, why is it that she gets her grooming done at home while I have to go to the torture chambers every few months??

Mom can still clearly remember the previous time I went for my grooming session was in early May and she still had Chloe then. She remembers it because while waiting for me to be done, they walked around the shopping mall for hours and she had to sit down a lot cos her legs were aching. Now 4 months later, things have changed. Techinically she should still have Chloe in her tummy and we should all be eagerly awaiting to meet this new family member next month. Sadly, sweet Chloe has gone to join her brother Lucas in heaven.

Dad had to go on a business trip and while mom was helping him to pack his bag, some annoying and pesky pup (**points to Hershey**) wanted to help out. If you take a look at the picture below, you'll see what she'd so 'helpfully' added into the luggage.

Dad is coming home tonight so I hope he bought some things for us!! (For the record, dad removed the toy from his bag... what a bummer!!)

Does anyone recognise this torture equipment??

Lucky the poor 'victim' is NOT me!! Poor Hershey was 'FURminated' by the FURminator... LOL!! Dad LOVES this tool because it got rid of soooo much fluff from Ms Evil Teefies. I think the evil one liked it too cos she'll feel cooler (and perhaps lighter) in this sweltering heat.

Initially dad was skeptical when mom told him about it after it was recommended by friends, but now FURminator has got a loyal fan!! Dad is addicted to combing Hershey... you can see from the pics below on the 'results' of his hard work, and his model posing happily... silly girl!!

Our good friend, the ever so cute, pretty and charming Miss Africa tagged us to list 6 things that make us happy. Gee, that should be easy and pretty fun!!

If you have not played it yet, c'mon and join in the fun...

Huskee

- Blogging... Need I say more? It always makes me happy reading about the adventures of my friends

- Sleeping (with my best fluffy friend)

- Playing with my toys (especially if they are new)

HERSHEY

- Eating... **burp***

- Playing my favourite Tug game...

- Going to the park

I received a pressie from Maggie and Mitch for my 10th barkday!! Thank you very much guys... you are the best!

Here I am giving the human the 'evil eye' since I was made to pose for the obligatory photo shot.

I promise I will share some of the treats with Hershey... but one thing is for sure... I am most definitely keeping the blue lambie.. it's MINE, MINE, MINE... heehee...

And here's Hershey pouting and acting sorry for herself since I let her have her the blue lambie... Nope.. it ain't working at all!! (Hershey: Drats!!! I thought I had mastered 'THE' puppy dog look.. apparently it works on humans only...)

Hershey and her daddy were bonding over a soccer game on Sunday night.. Man U (her daddy's favourite team) was playing against Arsenal. Looking at them made me wonder wouldn't this picture be perfect if there is a little child (or two) sitting on his left and he's got his left arm wrapped over the child?

(It also makes me wonder when Hershey will start needing spectacles since she's sitting so close to the TV... Hmmm, can/ do dogs get short-sighted??)

Did you see how long Hershey's tongue is??? Even mom is stunned...

Mom didn't chicken out on her quest to get a tattoo and had it done 2 weeks ago. She started to source for a design online and when she first saw the pic, it just felt 'right' hence she ended up choosing the pic of 2 cherubs to represent Lucas and Chloe. It's on her lower back near the hip area and surprisingly, she claimed that it wasn't painful at all, just a little 'ticklish' and for next 2-3 days after that, there was a bruised feeling.

Dad was so inspired after mom had it done and he liked the design so much that he too went to do it the following week!! His tattoo is on his shoulder/ back area... now dad's got 2 angels on his shoulder! He also added the words 'Budded on Earth to Bloom in Heaven' beneath the cherubs (which mom also added eventually).

This pic on the right was taken right after the tatto was done, so it looks a little red and puffy.

Now dad and mom have matching tattoos and they are loving it totally. Although Lucas and Chloe will always be in their hearts and on their minds, now they have something 'tangible' to look at whenever they think of them or miss them.

Happy 10th Birthday to my darling Huskee boy... may you have many more happy years with us.