Dot | Darlene Foster's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Dot’

Merry Christmas from Dot and Lia

Posted by: Darlene on: December 20, 2022

In: Christmas | Dot
81 Comments

It’s Christmas!!! You can sure tell around here. Mom is busy decorating, baking, buying gifts, sending out cards and singing Christmas songs. Dad has gone mad with his outdoor lights. Mom says that you can see our yard from space. In fact, Mom is so busy she asked us to write the Christmas blog post. She gave us some pictures to include and said, get to work. Lia isn’t much help as she just runs around and knocks things over so it is mostly me, Dot, who is writing this. It’s tough being the big sister.

Some of Dad’s outside lights. He does a great job.

Mom’s inside job. She even hung up our stockings. I hope there’ll be lots of treats in them on Christmas morning. As long as Lia behaves and doesn’t get us into trouble.

We were surprised to see the esplanade at our favourite beach decorated this year.

Mom wanted Dad to take our picture but we wanted to run and play. Isn’t that what beaches are for?

Look how beautiful it is at night. We aren’t allowed to run around on the beach at night.

The mall is very pretty with all the decorations.

Even a Santa playing the piano

And a cow. We barked at it but it wouldn’t move.

And a huge tree!

When mom was visiting Prince Edward Island, without us, she saw Christmas trees made of lobster traps and buoys.

Photo by Jamie MacKay of Murray Harbour, PEI

Then a friend sent her this picture with the tree all lit up and reflected in the water. The friend explained that there are a number of them in and around the Atlantic provinces, they are pretty but also significant to ocean communities as the buoys commemorate fishermen lost at sea. That’s very nice, don’t you think.

We have to go now, Mom is doing more baking and we need to do a taste-test! Wishing all Mom’s readers a very Merry Christmas or Feliz Navidad as we say here in Spain! Be good and we hope you get lots of treats and love for Christmas!

PS Mom said to be sure and buy books for Christmas gifts because a book is a gift you can open over and over.

Tags: Christmas, christmas decorations, Christmas Newsletter, Dot, Lia

Pets on My Travels

Posted by: Darlene on: November 28, 2022

In: animals | Dot | Family | Travel
90 Comments

As much as I love to travel and visit my family and friends, I always miss my two doggies Dot and Lia. Fortunately, there are pets at many of the places I visit. Here are a few pictures of the pets I spent time with while in Canada in September.

Brandy, a Golden Labrador/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. A real sweetheart.

Brandy in her yard playing ball.

Come on, throw the ball.

Grandpuppy Petite on Mudge Island

Grandkitty, Bimbay on Mudge Island

Lexi, the oldest of my Granddaughter’s pets, enjoying a sunny day.

Mandy the Newfoundland dog. A big cuddly teddy bear.

Mandy, the guard dog.

Roni, another of my granddaughter’s pets. Those eyes!

Me and my buddy Roni

And there are many cats as well. This is Earl Grey. The coolest cat ever and I love his name.

We can’t forget the goats. Did I mention my granddaughter loves animals? I didn’t get pictures of all of them either.

Beelzebub, my grandson’s newly acquired pet who seems very happy with his new home.

Lola, my son’s family pug. Another cutie.

Willow, an Australian Shepherd. A special dog for a special girl in Vancouver.

Well, not really a pet, but my great granddaughter’s badger Halloween costume.

How about an awesome cake that looks like a pet?

So you can see I had many pets to keep me company until I came home to these two.

Tags: Canada trip, cats, dogs, Dot, family, goats, Lia, pets

A Christmas Letter from Dot and Lia

Posted by: Darlene on: December 21, 2021

In: animals | Christmas | Dot
60 Comments

Hi everyone. Dot here. This is my sixth Christmas in my forever home and I’m looking forward to it. At least Mom hasn’t tried to put those silly reindeer antlers on me again. Mom decorated the tree and put up stockings for me and the little terror, I mean Lia. I’m trying hard to be good so that Santa brings me something nice. I hope he remembers I don’t like squeaky toys. I like bones to chew but sometimes Lia takes them away from me. (Even though she has one of her own) That’s crazy little sisters for you.

Dad put sparkly lights outside. We like Dad. He takes us along for coffee and if it’s cold we wear our coats.

This is Lia. I’ve never written a Christmas letter before. They tell me to be good because if I am, some guy named Santa will come and bring presents. I don’t know anything about this Christmas they keep talking about. Dad brought a tree into the house and Mom hung shiny things on it. I didn’t think trees belonged in a house, but this one doesn’t smell like the trees in the forest. I like living in a house. It’s cosy and warm and there are three blankets on the bed for me to cuddle up in. I guess one is supposed to be for Dot. The bowl is full of yummy food and I get to run on the beach with Dot. I’ve made other friends too when we go for walks. I used to bark at them until I realized they weren’t going to hurt me even if they are much bigger than me. I hope there will be treats for Christmas, whatever that is. Dad gives all of us treats if we are good. Maybe he is like this Santa Claus they keep talking about. I’m trying very hard to be good. Honest.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope you get many treats and lots of cuddles!

Here is something from all of us. Well, Lia wouldn’t sit still long enough to be in the video.
https://www.jibjab.com/view/make/feliz_navidad/478d81d8-b35e-4789-b9ca-1714d6aed07e

Love, Dot and Lia

Tags: Christmas, Christmas letter, dogs, Dot, Lia

The Love of Pets

Posted by: Darlene on: October 16, 2021

In: animals | Dot | Family | Travel
98 Comments

I missed my two fur babies while I was away, but they were safe at home with hubby. Fortunately, everywhere I went, pets were available to cuddle, play with and walk. My granddaughter has a menagerie of animals at her place. Here’s a few pictures of the pets I spent time with.

Lexi and Roni at my granddaughters place

Timothy, an elegant old man helping out in the office

She even has goats to play with.

Goat love. Granddaughter with her goats.

I got to walk my friend’s granddogs too.

But I was very happy to come home to my two girls.

Dot and Lia waiting for Mom to come home

Tags: Alberta visit, cats, dogs, Dot, Family visit, goats, Lia, pets

Ani’s Advent 2020! Dot (and Darlene Foster) on The Year of the Pandemic

Posted by: Darlene on: December 4, 2020

In: animals | Christmas | guest posts | Writing
25 Comments

Dot is a guest on Ani’s blog today where she talks about the pandemic from a dogs point of view. Enjoy.

The Small Dog

Dear Santa,

I have my friend from Spain over today. We haven’t actually met, but then, she lives a long way away and although the two-legses usually get to gallivant all over the place, they don’t seem to like it if we wander off on our own…

But, this year, even the two-legses have been kept on a short leash, so we’ve had them at home a lot more, which is good for us, even if they’ve not been too happy about it.

They do seem to be getting a bit peaky though. I’m sure mine is starting with kennel cough from not getting out enough. And she is definitely in need of more exercise… I think maybe we should all just ask you for an end to all this staying at home malarkey…

Mind you, I have to wonder about you, Santa. You get out and about plenty… a…

View original post 1,263 more words

Tags: 2020, Ani's Advent Calendar, Christmas, dogs, Dot, Dot the dog, guest dog, pandemic, Sue Vincent

Dot Turns Five!

Posted by: Darlene on: November 9, 2020

In: animals | Dot | Spain
94 Comments

Hi Readers! Dot here. I just turned five years old. I had a little party and got two of my favourite bones and a cup cake. I´m one lucky dog.

I have a good life here on the Costa Blanca of Spain since mom and dad adopted me. I thought I would share some of my favourite things with you, because mom said I could.

I love the beach and playing with my friends at the beach

I love going to the park and chasing squirrels

Sometimes I make friends at the park. I love my warm jackets for cool winter days too.

I really love playing with my best friend Patch. I´m so happy I´m smiling.

I love ice cream and wait in line patiently when the ice cream lady comes every Monday. She told us last week it would be her last visit until March. I don´t know if I can wait that long!

I love the children who come to visit and play with me.

My chair is a good place to watch for Dad to come home. You can see why I´m called Dot.

Sometimes I sneak into mom and dad´s bed and have a really good sleep.

It´s Remembrance Day on Wednesday and I hope everyone remembers those who gave their lives so we can all have a good life.

Thanks for reading about me and my good life.

Dot the Dog

Tags: beach, Birthday, dogs, Dot, park, pets, Remembrance Day, Spain

Ani’s Advent 2019! Fish, bullies and a letter from Darlene Foster’s Dot…

Posted by: Darlene on: December 19, 2019

In: Christmas | Dot | guest posts
19 Comments

Dot´s letter to Santa Claus is featured on Sue Vincent´s blog today, where she admits she hasn’t always been good. Dot and Sue´s dog, Ani have become blogging friends. Dot is helping Ani out so she doesn’t have to wear the awful reindeer antlers this year. Check it out. Merry Christmas from Dot and everyone at her house. Woof woof!

Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

Dear Santa,

I’ve been wondering what my two-legs would like for Christmas. I mean, there are loads of things that would be nice for her, but she says there’s not much she needs.

But, today I heard her muttering. And I’ve found something!

She needs fish.

Not just any fish, mind… special ones.

And not to eat (though I am partial to a bit of salmon or tuna…)

You see, we’ve got this fish tank and she looks after it all the time, but one of the fish is a bully. Well, two of them really, but one of them just dashes at everyone when it is feeding time. This one bullies its mate…and she is really not happy about that! I mean the two-legs, but I don’t think the mate is either.

The poor little female fishy is getting battered. And that’s no joke. So, she’s done her research…

View original post 1,475 more words

Tags: Ani, Christmas, Dot, letter to Santa, Sue Vincent

Dot’s Post on Fur Kid Friday

Posted by: Darlene on: November 3, 2019

In: Dot | guest posts
51 Comments

While I was away in Canada, Dot was a busy dog. She was a guest on Victoria Ziglar’s blog where she was interviewed by Lilie the Westie. I think she did a great job and I’m so proud of her. Here is the post, check it out and leave Dot a comment.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Friends Of #FurkidFriday: Dot

Hi everyone. This is Lilie the Westie.

I’ve got another friend for you to meet today. Her name is Dot. So, let’s meet her, shall we?

Hi Dot. Nice name… Short and simple. So, Dot, how did you get your name?

My name is Dot because I have a large dot on my back. I was called Dottie when mom and dad adopted me, but mom didn’t like it so she shortened it to Dot.

That makes sense. What species and breed are you?

I am a Bodeguero, a Spanish breed. I’m part Jack Russell and part Fox Terrier. We were bred initially to keep the vermin out of the bodegas (wine cellars). Now we just chase cats.

You sound like an interesting dog. Mummy says she bets you’re adorable. So, can you please describe your appearance. I know you also sent a photo – which I’ll share in a moment – but please describe yourself too, for the benefit of those who can’t see the photo, like my Mummy.

I’m adorable, at least that’s what mom says. I have short white hair, with a few black dots. My face is white, black and brown, my eyes are chocolate brown and I have brown velvety floppy ears. I have long legs and have the shape of a whippet but not quite as skinny. I can run very fast and jump over walls and fences like a gazelle.

Enjoy the rest of Dot’s interview here:

https://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2019/10/friends-of-furkidfriday-dot.html

I’m so happy to be back home with this clever little dog.

Tags: dogs, Dot, FurkidFriday, guest dog, guest post, Lilie the Westie, Victoria Ziglar

Mother’s Day

Posted by: Darlene on: May 13, 2019

In: Family | special occassions
61 Comments

Mother’s Day is celebrated on different days in various parts of the world but in Canada, USA, Australia and South Africa and possibly other countries, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. I love this day as I have been blessed with a very special mom. I wrote about her a couple of years ago here

I put together a little video of my special mom.

Of all the many jobs in my life, the best has been being a mom!! It wasn’t always easy but it was always worth it. I am so proud if these two.

and now I’m a mom to this crazy fur baby who knows how to relax

Wishing all mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers, aunts and mentors, a wonderful day as we celebrate motherhood in all its forms.

Tags: daughter, Dot, mom, Mother's Day, son

World Book Day and A Birthday!

Posted by: Darlene on: March 17, 2019

In: Books | Events | special occassions
68 Comments

World Book Day was March 7th this year which also happens to be my birthday. When I was asked to visit an International School close to my home in Spain on March 7th, I was delighted. There is nothing I would rather do on my birthday than spend it with Grade 4, 5 and 6 students talking about my books and writing in general.

To celebrate World Book Day the students created book spines of favourite books to display on a wall. I was pleased to see Amanda in Spain amongst titles by Roald Dahl, J K Rowling and other great authors.

I spent the entire school day presenting to three grades of about forty students each. The children were very attentive, enjoyed the PowerPoint presentation, listening to the readings and eagerly joined in the brainstorming activity. I always love the Q and A session because you never know what you will get. Every group is different. One young person asked me “How long does it take to perfect a story?” Wow! Usually, they ask how long it takes to write a book but don’t even think about perfecting it. That prompted a discussion on revision. Another clever student asked me if I knew more about my main character than was in the book. From kids aged 10 to 12, these were astute questions.

Because they knew it was my birthday, I was given a lovely gift of chocolates and hand-made cards. I felt very special.

My birthday cake was made and decorated by Cakes ‘n’ Bakes, the local Coffee Shop I held a book signing at last year. Isn’t it just perfect!!

Since I was busy on my birthday, we decided to have an open house party on Sunday, March 10th, a sunny afternoon. About twenty friends, family and neighbours dropped by. Everyone had a great time and I was so happy to be surrounded by people I love.