At first, the foos were not thrilled with their wardrobe for new year’s eve.
"Maybe if we close our eyes, this will go away."
The made some changes, and were much happier and ready to greet the new year.
"The proper colors bring out our fur tones."
As the day went on they danced…
"woohoo"
And drank…
"Some dogs can't drink champagne."
Eventually, it all caught up with Jada.
"ZZZZZZZ zzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
Ozzie will keep an eye on her.
"If we had a car, I would be the designated driver."
2011 was a year of new experiences for the Foos. They left their Massachusetts mountaintop and began to transition into pethood. There were many milestones along the way.
They starred in a Christmas card.
"Shouldn't there be some snow?"
They learned how to use their good looks to manipulate people.
"My vet doesn't want to stress me out, so she gets on the floor instead of putting me on a table. All because she thinks I'm too beautiful to upset. You can't make this stuff up."
They also learned about personal possessions for the first time.
"Touch the toys and you're toast."
They were given wonderful and new gifts, like the rawhide bones their petsitter gave them for Christmas.
"Someone should have told us about these long before now."
As 2011 ends, they are looking forward to racing into 2012, their first full year as dogs without responsibilities.
"I think we should ask for a pony."
Sometimes the Foos miss the limelight. They think there are many things that they could do that would take advantage of their good looks and versatility.
"We could go into politics. We look trustworthy."
They’re interested in the art world.
"What museum wouldn't want this?"
They would even consider more experimental art.
"If 'Blue Dog' can do it, why not us?"
They think they would be a fine logo.
"We could be the face(s) of an upscale brand."
But mostly, they want to act. They think they’d make great action stars. They even have their crime-fighting names picked out.
"Foo-Man Flash and FuzzE to the rescue!"
Although Ozzie is not really a big fan of exercise, he sometimes likes to run a race.
He prepares by psyching out his opponent.
"I am the fastest fluff on four feet!"
Jada prefers a moment of quiet contemplation.
"0ommmmmmm..."
Jada likes to fake Ozzie out by pretending to lounge as the race begins.
"Heh."
But her strategy backfires this time.
"Dammit."
No matter how heated the race, the Foos always remember their dignity. No panting and lolling tongues for them–they may be the only dogs in the world who can run with pursed lips.
The Foos never learned much about “sit” or stay” when they were show dogs–they mostly worried about their posture, their gait, and their hair. So now they’re working on house pet basics. They’re getting pretty good at “stay”:
"This is easy. Just hanging out..."
"Is there some sort of point to this?"
"We're not liking this much. Do you know who we are?"
"The biscuit is now uncomfortably far away."
The Call of the Biscuit gets them every time.
Ozzie and Jada both enjoy being fashionable. Sometimes they practice posing.
"It's a walk-off!"
"I can do it better."
They like dressing for holidays–for Halloween, they got new t-shirts.
"These are nice, but I think we deserve something a little more upscale."
"This is more like it."
Being fashion-forward means taking some risks.
"Maybe not."
Between holidays, they focus on accessorizing.
"Does Anna Wintour know about us?"
They’re getting ready for Christmas now, with matching party outfits.
"Color coordination is so important."
They have their limits, though. They do not appreciate exploitation of their resemblance to reindeer.
"We know where you sleep."
The Foos typically have a very busy schedule.
Fitness is important to Jada, and she begins her day with a run.
"Those greyhounds have nothing on me."
Ozzie is more concerned with selecting his outfit for the day.
"An ascot is the perfect touch. I don't know why they've gone out of style."
After her run, Jada takes a quick shower…
"la la la la....laa...la la."
…and then they run their errands.
"We prefer organic kibble."
Then it’s naptime.
"We need to get a king size."
After their nap, they might play…
"I hope we get more toys for Christmas. This sharing thing gets old."
…or read.
"Let's read the new Stephen King."
Bad choice. Now they need to sleep with a night light.
"What was that noise??"
Every morning, the foos spend some time in their outdoor pen before being let out into the big yard to play. Getting out of the pen is their favorite thing.
"Set us freeeeeeeeeeeeee...."
When this doesn’t happen fast enough to suit them, they try various techniques to get their way. They try persuasion…
"Let us out. It'll be fun."
…demands…
"You. OUT. Now."
…and enthusiasm.
"barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkBARKBARKBARKbarkbarkbark. Barkbark."
This last reminds me of old movies when a bunch of people were going fox hunting and someone in tweed, on a horse, would yell “release the hounds!” and a pack of frenzied dogs would charge through a gate. Except a hound is defined as “A domestic dog of any of various breeds commonly used for hunting, characteristically having drooping ears, a short coat, and a deep resonant voice.”
"We don't identify with that community."
Ozzie and Jada wanted a name that acknowledged their persistent and insistent natures but was more representative of their fluffy selves.
"Foofoo hounds works, but our friends just call us The Foos."
Jada returned to her family home to visit with her nephew and ask him to come to her new place.
The discussion went well.
They arrive at their new home and frolic in the backyard.
"Yayyyyyyyy!"
Jada is especially thrilled.
"My hero."
Suddenly, Ozzie realizes he has no idea what he has gotten himself into.
"Uh-oh."
But he’s not much of a worrier, and recovers quickly.
Jada smiles. They are a pack.
Jada began her new life as an only dog in the spring of 2011. Her family was sad to see her leave.
They waved goodbye.
Her new home was imposing.
It was lonely, and too quiet.
Her bed was too small.
"Really?!"
And the decor was alarming.
"Sacrificial altar? Or just bad taste?"
She was not happy.
")(*&^%$#%^^^!!!"
thefoofoohounds 