Memories & Chicken Lickin'

Hey mom and dad! (sorry, old habit!)

Just a quick note to say that I smell like a combination between some stinky work socks and saltine crackers right now. I'm nugglin with my new mom and that's the best translation I can come up with for what she's sayin'. It's sounds like this... "Mama Queen LaTica, you mell like tinky socks-n-saltines! I lub you tho, Tica. You is a beeby and a bobby. That is just what you are. Mama Beeby."

That's what I translate from that crazy talk, anyway. She loves me... (Lord do I know that! Her youngest started kindergarten and guess who fills in the gaps for lovins??? :) ) But I suppose it's true. I stink, not that I can bathe myself or anything. Just sayin'.

Anyway, I so loved seeing you this summer and licking your faces!!

Here are some fond memories that I would like to share at this time...

Cute little family portrait, don't you think? Good times... good times indeed.

Well, here's what I've been up to lately, because I know you're dying to know that amidst all your starting of school hooplas, but even so...

I pulled another muscle somewhere in my body. Thats right!! Can we say repeat?? This is me on my bed after my mom drugged me (with those oh-so-handy pain meds ya'll got when I did this last time) and placed me ever so gingerly onto my chair. I laid ther for 3 hours, then miraculously I was fine. This is a bizarre condition indeed, but don't I look so sad and uncomfortable?? Pity me please! That is so very important in my overall healing...

In other news...
When I regained my full strength again, I was able to lick the beaters after my mom made a chicken dip. It was so tasty! And would ya look at how skilled I am at getting into all the twists and turns? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! This was a really good treat, since I pulled a mysterious muscle and all.

So that's about the extent of my news, oh weel except that all my boys have gone away to "school". They all leave in a mad rush every morning after breakfast and don't return until late in the day. The only plus in this factor, is that my mom is here and often is able to squeeze in a nap with me. She always starts off "reading" but quickly falls asleep before she knows it. It's fabulous! It lessens the blow of how much I miss my Wilby. :(

Well I'm off to beddie-bye. Dad's kicking me out as we speak. But here's the latest lounging shot for your enjoyment...Oh, Mom... Mom & I have been reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, well right before we fall asleep in the mid mornings, but anyways we think it would be worth your read. :)

I love you both so much!! Thank you for giving me to a loving family. I don't know what I'd do without my 3 boys!! My new mom and dad think I'm pretty spectacular too.

All my heart,

Tica-Lica (your little stinker)

Just Doin' What I Do

Dear mom & dad,
Just a quick note to remind you of my fantasticness in nature. And as you will see while scrolling through these photos below, I have become quite skilled in a few new activities. I'm posting only 5 so as to not give so much away that I'm a bore when you return home. ;) Enjoy!

#1. Helping with the new porch. Wait, actually I'm just waiting for that pizza crust to fall to the ground. But either way, working hard.

#2. Waiting patiently for my cookie jar lid to open. It's full of delicious "cookies" that I get when I'm awesome, which is pretty much always. I have noticed a trend, however, that when I go to the construction sight and get into concrete and red mud that cakes into my fur, I don't typically get to go to "cookie town". Maybe this revelation needs some more thought put into....

Oh, and I know I cant read, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this sign says something that indicates I'm rotten to my very core. But rotten becomes me, don't you think?

#3. Laying on my new bed. I was not happy about this decision. Between us M&D, just because they got a new bedspread, doesn't mean I wanted one. Quite frankly, I prefer our people bed to this doggie "pillow thingy". It makes me feel, you know, like a dog! *Please refer to the sign in the previous photo for my argument. I rest my case.

Nevertheless, I'm still cooperating, even if with a manipulatively depressed expression on my sweet hairy face. Obedience is how I roll! :)

#4. Taking candy from a baby. These are actually Cheerios, but they taste like candy to me! And Sara is my favorite person ever... so giving and selfless. She'll leave NOTHING for herself and feed everything to me!! I'm learning to hang with the little people. And the smaller the better!

#5. Taking a naps with Wilson. If you'll look closely, you'll notice that he is fast asleep but my eyes are open. His mommy wanted him to take a nap and he asked if he could lay with me. He made his little pallet on the floor (while I was on my "bed" atop the furniture. Eh-hem.) Then he covered me with a pillow. How could I resist this? I stayed very still and played along with him until finally I too drifted off to sleep alongside my biggest bud.

I'm an awesome dog. But you already knew that. Can't wait to see you!!

Love, "the lil stinker"
Tica

Happy Squeaky Easter!!

This struggle is brought to you in the name of wishing you a very Happy Easter!!

Aahh. There we go. "Happy Easter"!! Is there anything you'd rather have than an Easter basket full of me?? I didn't think so.

And please don't miss the very convenient and oh-so Eastery cross in the background. Oh! And don't miss me praying either, "Dear Lord, please bring my mommy and daddy home soon. And help me to forgive them for staying another year in Taiwan. Amen."

Well now, don't go thinkin' just because we're Christians that we don't get a visit from the Easter Bunny! I got a new squeaky ball!! See??

And not just any ball, mind you. This one looks like a globe so I can "find you" while I'm playing and chewing. Actually, I don't have the slightest clue where you are on this ball (and neither does my foster mom if we're being honest) but I know you're not here and you're quite far across this blue and green squeaky sphere. It helps me think of you even so.

I wasn't sure what to think of it's shrill whining noise at first. So I ran away...

That thing scared the crap out of me! But after some encouragement and coaxing, it gained my trust. I am now one with the earth, so to speak. (On a side note, my foster mom was hoping this was Asia facing forward, but foster dad corrected her and said it was actually Africa, to which foster mom quickly replied that she loved Africa as much as Asia and "who really cares what continent was facing forward anyway"! Then she secretly wondered if Africa and Asia were continents or countries... because since she's had kids her brain feels like mush. Or mayonnaise.) But none of this is really the point.

The point is that I will be thinking of you in Taiwan while I play with my new ball over here in America! I can stop anytime and try to find you on my little globe and wish you home. I will be clicking my hairy little back feet together 3 times wishing you back to the Ham...

Don't ever forget that "Home is where your dog is"!

Happy Easter mom & dad! See you soon! (It's getting closer!!)

Love, Tica-Lica

Peeps and Sleeps

Dear mom & dad,

The above picture is of me needing to go pee. I just didn't want you to forget the feeling of having to take me out to do that. I miss that time together! I'm sure you miss that too, so I just wanted to give you a taste of what it used to be like.

Moving on...

I wanted to write you a short note to let you know that I am growing increasingly anxious to see you!! The time is drawing near to our reunion! I miss you alot. But let me just say that I am not mad at you for staying another year in Tawain. I have 3 young people here that I have grown very fond of. When my foster mom says, "Where's Bubby & Ell?", I know exactly who she's talking about! And as for me & Wilson? Well we're big buds. He gives me lots of people food that I'm not allowed to have and tells his mom he has a "clean plate". This is my kind of dude! Therefore, we have become quite close. We play together and he gives me lots of cookies, even when I don't do any tricks! I typically end up sleeping with him at night because, well let's face it, you never know what hour one might produce a treat, am I worng??

Here we are trying to settle in... the camera makes me be like, "what the???"

But then I recognize my foster mom, so I settle...

But it seems a tad cold at the end of the bed, so I adjust my position...Aaaaawww, yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about. ...Nice and nuggly!!So good times here at the Gores. I will warn you though... we have rearranged the rooms a tad. The guest room (i.e. your room) has been relocated to the upstairs guest room(the boys' old room). The boys and I are now downstairs in the old guest room and office. I may feel rather torn when you get here, btw. Just a warning in case it hurts your feelings if I leave you in the middle of the night to snuggle with the Wilb!! :) Either way, I am so excited that I get to see you soon!! I love you so much and can't wait to lick your sweet faces!

My foster mom would like for me to say right now that she is also very excited to see you, but is not so much looking forward to licking you in the face. That part was exclusively me (Tica) talking.

Your little stinker,

Tica-Lica

Snow Day

We got snow!! I'm sure you heard, but I thought you might be interested in my particular dealings with it. So here's a little play-by-play for your enjoyment!

My foster mom let me outside on this day and to my surprise was some foreign, very cold mind you, matter on the ground. I flew down the stairs as usual, only to immediately put on the brakes and run back onto the porch to make peeps, as I had to go quite badly from the night before and sure as shootin' wasn't going out there! With that, foster mom got quickly dressed and went outside with me to explore the foreign ground cover. This is what came of that...

I wasn't at all sure about this stuff at first. So naturally I did a lot of sniffing and investigating.

This went on for some time, until the tree in mimi's yard, where I "tree squirrels" each day, caught my eye. And for the first time since I've been here, I didn't sprint in pursuit of them. I just couldn't risk it in these curious conditions. But soon enough I was off exploring a bit. I looked very much like a deer or an antelope at first, as I wasn't so sure about the snow sticking to my feet.And soon I began to feel unexpectedly frisky and wild and I couldn't help running!!!

That was short lived because #2 called. This was unfortunate in that it not only interrupted an amazing energy sprint, but it caused me much stress in the dilemma it put me in. Where does one go in this fluffy cold stuff?? No amount of sniffing in the world can help me decide.

But soon enough it decided for me. When ya gotta go, you gotta go!

After standing in the snow for #2, I decided to remain on the rock walk for the warm comfort of my precious paws. But you never know who you might run into on such a path... like Cinco de Frio! And no matter the weather, some things never change. You just never know if the snow might make someone smell different, so I had to see. Whew! Same old Miles.

As it turns out, I wasn't the only one feeling frisky this cold, snowy day. Just look at him getting ready for the pounce!

But once again, it didn't go his way and off he went. When will he ever learn? he he he he...

Now at this point, I was beginning to get used to the idea of playing in the snow. As I stared off into the blanket of pillowy delight, I ask myself, "Should I?"

And decided to go for it! I made loop after loop, circling the tire swing. It was SO much fun!

Then I began to venture further out, making my rounds to include the entire circumference of the yard. Aaaah, the freedom of that run!! I even barked a couple of times for joy. Can you see me in this picture? Where's Tica???

Here I am grinning from ear to ear as I whip around the yard. "Cheese!"

Oh it was a glorious time. And when it's all said and done, one must always eat some yummy snow, right? I took several bites! It was quite refreshing, if I do say so myself.

But after awhile, you're forced to come in (by your foster mom) to thaw out and have a snack.

I can't seem to get that last little morsel... apparently it was in my snout somewhere by the looks of this shot! ha.

And it just wouldn't be a day with foster mom without dressing me in something appropriate to take a picture. My ears were not even the least bit cold, mind you, but I aim to please so I wore this head band thingy for a cozy shot, while foster mom said, "Aw Tica! Snuggle in the snow!" And then it was time for a looooooooooong afternoon nap. I can assure you it took only minutes for me to assume this position... I was pooped!! But oh what a wonderful day it was. I wish you could have been here. I miss you both like crazy. Our reunion is getting closer and closer!! I can't wait to see you!!

Love always, Tica-Lica (your little stinker)

Pretty In Pink

That's right... I'm PINK! In honor of Valentine's Day, my new mom dyed my hair. Aren't I simply the cutest??? She used something called "Kool-Aid", so it's safe for me and quite frankly smells deeee-licious!!

In fact, I have licked most of my cute color off over the past several days, but it was so much fun being pink! I smell like fruit punch, which is a real crowd pleaser with the kids.

This is my diva self from the side view.... oh yeah. That's what I'm talkin' about!

So here's how it all went down.... My mom bathed me in "fruit punch flavored Kool-Aid" (which did I mention I'm a huge fan of?... Oh that was a tasty bath!)

Then my new dad came home from work and said...

Oh Tica, I'm so sorry girl! My sweet girl.... mama made you look so crazy!

But I don't know of this "crazy" of which he speaks. Life, for me, is carrying on as usual...

I'm still hangin' with the Wilby Jones.

And wrestling him to the ground over nothing more than a simple...Taste of that yummy lolipop!!! Mmmmmmmm......

So whether I'm "pretty in pink" or "grandiose in grey", I'm looking ahead (refer to above photo) to the summer when I can see you again. I miss you so much! You will always be my first loves. After all, you rescued me from the maggots! Not everyone would be so loyal, given the details of that situation! And for that, I'm forever grateful.

You have my heart mom & dad, even though you've decided, w/out even asking my opinion mind you, to stay in Taiwan another year! Even so, you'll always have my heart.

However, in all honesty, I should let you know how I feel about that previous said decision....

I'm watching you!

But Happy Valentine's Day! And I would lick your faces off if you were here!! I'm looking forward to snuggling you all summer long, especially the nights that you can stay with the Gores!

Hope you're buying me some sa-weeeet Taiwanese doggie treats!

XOXO, Your little stinker,

Tica-Lica

Just poppin in...

Ok, so blogger wouldn't let my foster mom upload our b'day video.... so sad!! And I was all dressed up in my party hat too, just for you!

That being said, the hour is late, so I must be quick... just poppin in to say, stay tuned for Valentine's pics that will melt your heart!!

Love you!!
Tica-Lica