So this is Christmas!!!

One of Maggie's interesting albeit demanding traits is her vocalizing, "I want out; I want in; You're not paying attention to me; Let's play; I think that's you coming up the driveway but I'll assume you're a stranger and play the guard dog; Something is totally out of order here and needs attention immediately!!!" Now this last item is ongoing and rears itself whenever there is something new in or around the house. You have to appreciate she's now eight months old and has assimilated the day to day routine of this Pace family in good stride. And yet she feels somehow compelled to alert all within a three square block radius the impending doom that is about to befall us!!! This of course can vary as the perceived threat comes in many disguises!!!

This past weekend had such a happening, it being our replacing a washer and dryer after seventeen years of extensive abuse which included baby blankets and soiled clothing on through to muddied running shoes and paint ball smeared camouflage and everything else a family can produce over the years as fads and seasons pass and today's "gotta haves" become charitable "giveaways".

So, with Maggie securely in the backyard and the truck arriving in the front, the migration of old and new commenced!!! Ten minutes later, all was in order and with Sheila and I wishing each other, "Merry Christmas" and still shuddering at the cost, we had our new appliances!!!

Shortly thereafter, her highness uttered her command to return to her domicile and with patio door opened and the affront of paws being wiped and mostly cleaned, she proceeded to check out the remnants of scent that were not of our own making. As she rounded the hall corner to the laundry room, all hell broke loose as the latest attack on the Paces was being dutifully attended by our laughably vicious guard dog!!! Hackles at the ready, agitated movements to and fro, assessing the invaders intent, barking to the peak of her abilities complete with cracking pitch, a tentative lunge or two for good measure (would they chase her or would they stand their ground, protecting their acquired space???), fertive looks at us to see whether we would join the battle or at least defend her should the going get tough and only after repeated "Oh Maggie's" combined with the stillness of the washer and dryer, her nibs declared the house safe once more but was determined to keep a close eye on them should they get out of hand!!!!

Without delay, the washer was put to the test as Maggie's blankets and toys became the test subjects of the "sanitize" cycle and came through "dazzling"!!!!! :)