BOOM ... WOOF!

Ciao miei amici!

I have been barking my noggin off for the past ora (hour) or so because there has been TUONO (THUNDER)! I am not quite sure what this thunder business is, but every time I hear a loud BOOM, I feel the urge to talk back.

What is that noise?!?!

La mia ragazza doesn't exactly try to pet or snuggle me when the thunder thunders because she read in some doggie libri (books) that making a big fuss over thunder will only reinforce my reaction to it, so mostly, she just tries to keep doing whatever it is that she's doing when the BOOM hits. I'm very curiosa (curious), everydoggie -- how do you handle thunder in your homes? If you all get cuddles and extra attention, I'm going to stage a big protest to la mia ragazza!

Now, while this thunderyness is not so great, I am MOLTO, MOLTO (VERY, VERY) happy to report that la mia ragazza's papa is home again and feeling much better after getting several rounds of Auntie Biotics these past few days. We will be spending some time with him this fine settimana (weekend), just to give him a hand until he's 100 percent back to normal.

On the go again!

Well, wait -- la mia ragazza is spending some time with him this weekend, but I, Lucia, am going to be spending some time with my beloved Auntie Beth. Why am I going there, you ask? Because Grandpa needs to rest a lot and -- giggle!! -- sometimes I bark too much at things I see in the yard. Birdies, squirrels, bunnies -- ah, I feel the need to converse with them all! The goooooood news is, Auntie Beth's vicini (neighbors) have a 5-month-old Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier that I may get to play with! Yayyy! We will try to get some fotografie (pictures) and will post them so you can see this dear pupster. I also understand from la mia ragazza that I have a cugino (cousin) in that area -- an Airedale Terrier who's from the same breeder that I'm from. Wouldn't it be fantastico (fantastic) if I ran into this doggie while taking a walkie with Auntie Beth?? Santa vacca (holy cow), I would be overjoyed!

La mia ragazza told me that we will try to visit everybloggie before we go because we have lots of catching up to do, but in the meantime, she wants to say [WAIT ... WHAT?? OK, OK, OK] ...Actually, she says she'll tell you in the PeeEss, so I'll sign off with ....

Tanti baci!

Lucia

PeeEss: Thank you so very much to all of Lucia's bloggie pals and their mamas and papas. Your prayers, good wishes and crossed paws (not to mention that wonderful Aire Zen!) for my father and my beautiful mom have meant the world to me. You all are so caring and so kind -- what an amazing community!

Lucia's Ragazza (Girl)

Un Favore

Ciao, miei amici!

I have a special favore (favor) to ask of everydoggie, kitty, hammie and hooman and hope you'll be able to help. Ieri (yesterday) was a hard day for la mia ragazza because it was the first Mother's Day she had without her darlingest mama. Some of you already know that la mia ragazza lost her mama in Dicembre (December), so even though she had intended to post something yesterday about mamas and how straordinaria (extraordinary) and speciale (special) hers was, well ... it just made her too sad. I told her that I completely understood and not to fret about it. Unfortunately, there WAS some fretting done yesterday over la mia ragazza's papa, who is not feeling well.

Here we are on our way to see la mia ragazza's papa. It was windy!

So, here's the favor part: could all of you keep your paws and fingers crossed that he'll be bouncing back soon? I, Lucia, would be especially grateful, and I know la mia ragazza would be, too.

Mille grazie (a million thanks) dearest bloggie pals! Mwahh!

Tanti baci!

Lucia

Senza Parole Mercoledi

Fotografie-less Passeggiata

Ciao, miei amici!

Even though I was esausta (exhausted) from the thrilling and splendid wedding festivities in Salzburg -- plus my performance with il mio caro (my darling) Busterigo in “The Magic Flute” – la mia ragazza decided a nice pre-dinner passeggiata (walkie) would be just the thing for us ieri (yesterday). So, off we went to the park for a four-mile hike that took us past a bello ruscello (pretty stream) along a path that cut through magnifici alberi (magnificent trees) and lots of wildflowers. Why are there no fotografie (photographs) of this, you ask? Because la mia ragazza FORGOT TO BRING THE CAMERA! Plllffffbbbbb!

Once we finished our walkie, we both sat on a grosso masso (big boulder) alongside the pretty stream, and many admirers came over to ask la mia ragazza what sort of doggie I was. I got lots of attention and many pats, and quite a few little hoomans wanted to give me ear scritchies, and naturally, being polite and amiable, I indulged everyone.

In lieu of fotografie (photographs) from the park – which, to remind you, are not available because la mia ragazza FORGOT TO BRING THE CAMERA – she snapped a few pikkies from our yard so you can see what’s currently blooming there. Mmmm … lille (lilacs)! What dolce profumo (sweet perfume)!

Here are the beginnings of the peonies. We’ll have to wait a little while longer until their beautiful pink fiori (flowers) bloom.

And here are some hydrangea shoots, just waking up in time for spring …

… and some bambini (baby) clematis …


… and the feathery red leaves of the Giapponese (Japanese) maple tree.


And here is a rare gingery-colored Airedaleus Lucius (Lucia the Airedale), freshly clipped from the groomer. La mia ragazza says it is her most precious fiore (flower) of all. Awwwwww ….. I may have to give her an extra-big smoochie for that!!



Tanti baci!

Lucia

Senza Parole Mercoledi

Santa Vacca! Awards!

Ciao, miei amici!

A abundance of awards has dropped into my beautiful universe, all from my amato (beloved) bloggie friends. Clearly, I am the luckiest Aire-girl ever!

This is the Kreativ Blogger Award! Mille grazie to theBUSTER, Ms. Sephie and Ms. Bailey Blue for sharing it with me. Mwah! Here are its rules:

1. Post it on your blog and link to the doggie that gave it to you. 2. List sette (seven) things you love. 3. List seven blogs you love. 4. Email or comment on the blogs you love to let them know you've given them an award.

Ok, hmm … I had to think about this a bit, but here are seven things:

1. I love my bloggie amici (friends)!
2. I love to go for rides in the car, and especially love going through the car wash. I enjoy trying to bite the water when it hits the window. This sets la mia ragazza off into fits of risate (laughter), but being a natural and gifted comedian, I’m always up for making someone giggle. (Giggle!)
3. I love sneaking onto il divano (the sofa), even though I’m not supposed to be up there. I am obsessed with the pillows on the sofa and like to bury myself under them and then bark really loud.
4. I love beautiful Italia and looking through all of la mia ragazza’s fotografie (photos) from her visits there.
5. I love chewing on things – ‘puter cords, glasses, shoes, my new bed – they’re all delicious! My trainer said this is because I am very “mouthy,” which, apparently, is an Airedale trait. La mia ragazza calls it something else, but I can’t tell you what that is perche (because) this is a G-rated bloggie. (Heeeeeeeee!!!!)
6. Amo scavare (I love to dig). OMD, do I ever love to dig. I dig holes in the yard, holes in the giardino fiorito (flower garden) and holes in the planters – I even paw at the carpet when I’m attempting to bury a biscotto (biscuit) that I’m not quite ready to devour.
7. I love going for long walkies in the nearby parks with la mia ragazza. And I reallllllly love it when I meet nuovi cani amici (new doggie pals) or little hoomans along the way. I am incredibly sociable! (Note from Lucia’s girl: she’s like the Pied Piper of Hamlin …)

Now, as for bloggies that I love, well, the truth is, I love ALL of my friends’ bloggies because each is unica (unique) and meraviglioso (wonderful) in its own way, but since I can only pick seven for this award – sigh!! – here they are:

1. Naturally, I love Persephone, Buster (mwah, mwah!) and Ms. Bailey Blue’s blog. Frankly, la mia ragazza consistently falls to the floor in fits of giggling apoplexy over it. Somebody throw a bucket of water on her, already …santa vacca (holy cow)….!
2. I love Dennis’ Diary of Destruction because Dennis, Tucker and Trixie are always encountering strange and fascinating life forms (gophers, ninja hedgehogs, giant stuffies , bees, email bankers – you name it, they stumble onto it) and there never seems to be a humdrum day out there in Sandy Eggo.
3. I love Digsby’s bloggie because he is just so adorable. If you haven’t seen the post about his first aire-cut, run right over there now and take a look – it is very, very funny.
4. I love Deetzy’s bloggie because … awwww, who doesn’t love Deetzy!!?!! He’s a darling ragazzo (boy) with a huge and gentle cuore (heart).
5. I love Paco and Milo’s bloggie because they’re such beautiful, smiley goldies … and they live in the part of Italia that la mia ragazza loves the most.
6. I love Stanley and Stella’s bloggie because without their encouragement, I might not have a bloggie, myself, or have met so many of you!
7. I love my dear friend Rambo’s bloggie, because he is unfailingly sweet and because he barks Italian to me.
8. I love … wait … [WHAT?? NO WAY, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE!] La mia ragazza just reminded me that I am only supposed to list seven bloggies … plllbbbb! Well, to all my bloggie pals who didn’t get mentioned in this pathetically and tragically short list – which I have no control over! – please know that I love all of your bloggies, too!

I think some of you already have this award but I'd still like to pass it along to Nelly, to Bobo and Meja (they already have one Kreativ Blogger award, but this version looks different!), to Digsby, to Clive, and to Sally and Paddy. Mwah!


Mille grazie (thanks a million) to Jake and Fergi and to Piper, Carrleigh and Lilly for this splendid Proximity Award! Here is its description: This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award. (All this prize requires is to pass it on!)

Well, many, many of you already have this valuable award so instead of passing it along to eight specific bloggers, I think it’s better to say that if you don’t have this award, I invite you to pick it up here and post it to your bloggie!


And now for Neno’s Award! Mille grazie (thanks a million) to Tula, Jake and Fergi and to Piper, Carrleigh and Lilly for bestowing this upon me! Here’s why Neno’s Award is given, followed by its rules: As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

To seek the reason why we all love blogging.
~Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it. (Oopsy! My bad!)
~Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
~Answer the Award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
~Tag and distribute the Award to as many people as you like.
Remember to notify the awardees and put their links in your post.

It’s simple: I love blogging because I get to meet so many friends from so many places – and amici (friends) and famiglia (family) are the most precious things in the world. (Well, and so are treats….but that’s a separate bloggie post!) For any who don’t yet have this award, please help yourself to it here!

Tanti baci!

Lucia

Snackalicious Sabato

Ciao, miei amici!

E’ molto caldo (it’s very warm) here today – at least a thousand degrees, I’m pretty sure – and tira vento (it’s windy). La mia ragazza had to run a few morning errands to places that allow doggie visitors, so she put me in the car with her and off we went. First stop: the garden center to pick up some grass seed. We need erba (grass) seed because --ooopsy – I have burned out some areas of the prato (lawn) due to my eccellente (excellent) and molto (very) efficient, um, fluid processing system.

Next stop: the pet store – land of free snackies at the check-out counter! What delizioso (delightful) surprises did I stumble upon there, you ask? Well, here I am checking out some huge bags of succulenti spuntini (succulent snacks). I love these lower shelves – they're just right for sniffing out the best items.

I pointed to these ...

and la mia ragazza obligingly put them in our cart. Mmmmm … peanut buttery chewies. I will devour each delicate finger of nutty goodness in a mere due secondi, forse tre (two seconds, perhaps three). Giggle!!

I also pawed at these, and she put them in our cart, too:

And look! Busy Chewnola!

Although I enjoy them very much, la mia ragazza is over la luna (moon) crazy about them because it takes me a long time to gnaw through them (long time = 10 hooman minutes), meaning I am prepawcupied for a bit. She says it gives her enough time to write one paragraph of an article, or wash her hair, or empty the dishywasher, or check her email -- all in relative peace. Per carita (puh-leeze)! I am truly not THAT annoying ... it's just that I enjoy heaping her with lots of attention!

And I got some of these because they remind me of my sweet azzurro ragazzo (blue boy), Busterigo. Mwah! Just look at his magnifico (magnificent) face on the cookie box. Honestly, girls, isn't he just da morire (to die for)!?!? E' cosi' figo! (He's such a hunk!)

Anyway, about these biscotti (cookies): are they ever megagalattica (awesome) -- simply la fine del mondo (out of this world)! La mia ragazza says they look and smell just like “people” cookies. She had better not get any ideas…!!

Here I am doing a quick review of rope toys:

I, Lucia, usually have several rope toys at my casa, but I so gleefully shred them in no time flat – leaving meraviglioso (wonderful) wads of damp thread all over the floor for hoomans to enjoy – that we are in a constant state of restocking my inventory. La mia ragazza calls this phenomenon, “Rope Toy Flux.” (Which is kissing cousin to "Stuffie Flux," and a distant relation to "La Mia Ragazza's Shoe Flux." Heeeee...!!!!) But as for those rope toys, once I start the shredding process and make any sort of respectable headway, la mia ragazza throws away the frazzled toy because it makes a big mess. Pllbbbbblll!!

On the way home, we dropped by my groomer’s place prendere un appuntamento (to make an appointment) for an aire-do next Wednesday. La mia ragazza wants the groomer to strip my sella (saddle) so it stays black, and my furnishings and face need a little work, too. I, Lucia, have never been stripped before but the groomer said that I am “blowing my puppy coat” (fffwwooooooo!!!!) and said stripping would quickly tidy up my darlingest good looks. I guess la mia ragazza changed her mind about cancelling my spa day due to the chewed-‘puter-cord expense, but I think that’s because it’s getting warm here now and she doesn’t want me to be too hot in excess gingery and black furs. It's good that she's a girl, like me. We have an understanding when it comes to the subject of beauty.

Hope you all are having a fabulous fine settimana (weekend), miei cari amici (my dear friends)!

Tanti baci!


Lucia