From The Reading Group Guide For To Fetch A Thief
A CONVERSATION WITH SPENCER QUINN
You have a very strong online presence: www.ChetTheDog.com, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Do you feel that the internet allows you to have closer interaction with your readers?
Yes, there’s no question. But in a way, since the blog and Twitter are both in Chet’s voice, it’s partly that Chet has the interaction with readers.
Having embraced the internet as a communication and promotional tool, what are your thoughts on the increasing number of book reviews posted online by bloggers?
Well, why not? Everyone has a right to an opinion. Some of the amateur reviews – and I mean that in the sense of being unpaid – are very well thought out and written. There’s also a love for reading often apparent, too – an emotional investment you don’t sense as much from the pros.
Your fans leave an exceptional number of comments on each of your blog entries—a quick count reveals an average of between seventy and one hundred comments for each post. People also seem to love writing in as their dogs, posting photos, etc. Is your blog more popular than you expected?
I had no idea what to expect. That a whole community has formed, a community with real fellow-feeling, is just amazing to me. Chet posts about all kinds of things, and also reports on conversations at HQ, with regular appearances by Admin, Spence, and Bernie. There are also serial mysteries, involving some characters from the books and others who may appear later in the series. And don’t forget the occasional pop quiz, with prizes. There are many great photos of dogs (and not just dogs) in the Friends of Chet section.
Do you ever meet your fans in person? If so, what is the most valuable or helpful aspect of being face-to-face with them?
I do meet readers at signings. It’s just so encouraging to realize you’re giving pleasure to a lot of people.
Your writing highlights a keen perception of the mind of a dog as well as a fully fleshed, realistic relationship between Chet and Bernie. Do any particular factors in your own life inform these memorable characters?
We’ve always had dogs – or they’ve had us. The rest is just osmosis.
Is Chet based on your own dog? Do you have a Chet-and-Bernie type relationship with her?
I couldn’t have written this series if I’d been dogless, but Chet came into my head pretty much as a fully-formed character, based on nobody. Audrey does have an independent streak like Chet’s. And she’s very, very enthusiastic about treats.
The Chet and Bernie mysteries are a bestselling series, garnering extensive critical praise. Are there any challenges to following up such early and strong success?
I never think about things like that. With Chet and Bernie, I’ve stumbled into a fictional world that seems more and more full of writerly possibility.
What prompted you to write about illegal trafficking of exotic animals?
Partly because of this series, and the preparational thought required, I’ve grown more interested in our relationship with animals in general. Also, the illegal trafficking business in exotic animals is huge, and for me much more interesting as subject matter than yet another crime story about drugs.
Particularly memorable in To Fetch a Thief is the contrast between Chet’s appreciation of beauty and the simple joys of life and the violent situations and hopelessness surrounding some of the human characters in the book. Are you making a comment on the different outlooks of dogs and humans?
A comment is definitely being made, but not overtly. I’ll let the thematic stuff speak for itself.
What are you working on now? Will any aspect of Chet’s blog make its way into a new story?
Yes, some blog material will flow into the books. There are some blog characters like the art expert Muriel Breit, and the troubled family of Colonel Bob from Thereby Hangs A Tail, whom we will see again.
Tags: To Fetch A Thief
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 8:30 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
3:36 am on July 8th, 2010
"People also seem to love writing in as their dogs."
So dogs can't write? Not so! I can write and I'm a dog.
What a stupid thing to say. Huumph!
4:26 am on July 8th, 2010
Ahhh!…. I like how he called us a community…snort!… “That a whole community has formed, a community with real fellow-feeling, is just amazing to me.”… aww shucks Spence!… I think he likes us just a little bit…heh!
5:06 am on July 8th, 2010
Rio: You've been a big part in forming our community.
Sam: Not only can you write, but we'll be seeing you in the movie!
This was such a cool interview. Thank you Spence, et al. Where is it from?
5:23 am on July 8th, 2010
You know, this explains a lot…. 😀
5:30 am on July 8th, 2010
What do you mean that Chet doesn't write the Blog? I'm not telling the Newf Pack!
"exceptional number of comments" (snicker) You know the person didn't read them or they would have seen most were play by play of the Rockies' games!
So we now know that T-FAT is about illegal trafficking of exotic animals. . .
soon Wöökie will know all soon.
Just think, we've met some of the characters in books yet to be written.
We are totally cool.
Though Chet the Jet is the coolest. And Bernie is right up there. And I guess Spence and Admin and Peter too.
5:41 am on July 8th, 2010
Lexi on pizza: Watching Megan eat that "nice, warm, cheesy, meaty slice of pizza." Such ardor! If Megan is going to eat it in front of you Lexi, I think you should be given a few bites.
🙂
Hi Melanie. I know you've been up quite a while.
5:47 am on July 8th, 2010
Lexi!… Were you referring to Stover’s comment or to the ‘Post of the Day’?…. heh!heh!… when you said this explains a lot?…snort!
5:50 am on July 8th, 2010
Melanie!…All you have to say is “ I’m sick of hearing about baseball dammit! ”… sniff!…and I will cease and desist all further comments along those lines… grunt! 😐
5:51 am on July 8th, 2010
WOW!! That is a great interview. Thanks for posting it. It was very nice of Spence not to mention that sometimes the Chet fans get carried away with the Rockies games in the evenings. I'm glad that T-Fat is going to adress the illegal trafficing of animals.
5:56 am on July 8th, 2010
After the great comments by Rio, Stover and Melanie, there really isn't much to add. This has become a very special place, and the credit for that is equally shared on both sides of the blog. It was a really nice interview and it is good to know that Spence shares in the special feelings that I think the rest of us have about this place. Just one minor bone to pick (heh!) with Melanie, there is absolutely nothing wrong with play by play coverage of the Rockies, especially after their incredible comebacks the last two nights. Although if they do make it to the playoffs, Rio will be insufferable (in a good sort of way). Wookie
6:00 am on July 8th, 2010
Wookie!… What a pal you are to me for sticking up for my Rockies!…heh!…Say, did you get that last email I received for you from the Carnival Guy?… snort!
6:00 am on July 8th, 2010
Me too, Melanie…I will cease and desist, but before I do…RIO, Your friend witnessed history being made at that Rockies game. A team coming from that far behind in the ninth inning has never happened before in the modern era. I'm glad she was there to be a part of it.
6:22 am on July 8th, 2010
And you guys thought I was sensitive? Hah! Can't you take any kidding about the baseball games? I love them but it's much more fun to tease you. See how you get all worked up? Tee hee.
6:25 am on July 8th, 2010
Hmmm,
Yes I liked the interview a lot. I agree, we are a community. Heh heh heh. But do they mention KATS??? NO!
Humph.
I think someone needs the eye.
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1278602731-small alice.jpg[/img]
Älice Johnson
6:26 am on July 8th, 2010
Sammie!… All kidding aside, the baseball commentary will continue for as long as the Rockies are in it!… snort!…And they are innit to winnit!…heh! … The Community has spoken!….grunt!
SiberH!…What kind of pizza are you getting for tonight’s game?…snort!… Ubaldo against Carpenter (I think that’s his Red Bird name?) … snicker!… No contest!
6:27 am on July 8th, 2010
I'll help you Alice!
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1278602832-abbie surprise.jpg[/img]
ÄbbietheKitty
6:29 am on July 8th, 2010
Alice!…. HA! He dissed you good!…heh!… “There are many great photos of dogs (and not just dogs) in the Friends of Chet section.” … was the closest he got to saying “Kats”… snort! …That just made my day!
6:35 am on July 8th, 2010
Humph!
Anything to make you happy Riö. Are you skipping yet?
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1278603284-george.jpg[/img]
George says…"KATS RULE!"
Alice Johnson
6:49 am on July 8th, 2010
Oh you poor "and just not dogs." That's a terrible put-down. I think you should demand an apology.
7:00 am on July 8th, 2010
Hi, y'all, I got the puter when mom went out with Aunt Belle. I usually would never give up a chance to go out, but I just could not miss a chance to blog on all by myself!
I'm sorry, I didn't tell you who I am. I am the first born of Macy the Min Pin Princessss. I am the one who keeps things lively around here. Mom and Aunt Belle are real boring. At least Aunt Belle will play tug with me sometimes. Mom acts like she is too cool to play. At the "time of the week when Dad doesn't work" My sister Biddie comes over with Aunt Holly. Me and Biddie go out and really tear up some grass, while the old ladies sit around and watch. Borrrringg. I hope I don't ever forget how to play.
7:06 am on July 8th, 2010
Nice of you to post a photo of lunch, Alice
Rio, we will be having cheese pizza. My folks can be very traditional,(boring) but I love all pizza.
7:08 am on July 8th, 2010
Oh brother, I am never leaving the computer on when I go outside again. Sorry the little squirt got into things.
Ms And just not dogs> there have to be some standards or before you know it there will be squirrels on here *shiver* I suppose Chet may have a few Kat friends, but I personally never met one that I would want to hang out with. All that washing, washing, washing…How dirty can one get while laying around all day. Oh, sorry that sounded specist. I am not really like that, it must be the muggy weather that has me off balance.
7:10 am on July 8th, 2010
How strange– Annie's post just disappeared???!!!!
7:21 am on July 8th, 2010
Macy, maybe Annie's post is being moderated.
7:22 am on July 8th, 2010
"And not just dogs" was not an insult to cats.
7:22 am on July 8th, 2010
Rin Tin Min Pin!…Are you losing your pin-head mind or are you just being Moderated?…heh!heh!
7:25 am on July 8th, 2010
Sam and Macy,
You guys are making me laugh. Love that the littlest ones have the biggest attitude. You are probably the only dogs on the blog that Alice is larger than.
Thanks for the laughter,
Just remember:
Kats are Number ONE!
Kats are Number ONE!
Kats are Number ONE!
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1278606273-narrow abbie.jpg[/img]
ÄbbietheKitty
7:27 am on July 8th, 2010
Slammed!…Kats didn’t get any mention in that interview with Spencer. ..snort!…But neither did Guinea Pigs or Hamsters or whatever else is out there on Friends of Chet!…heh!…Just us Dogs!…skipping! I'm skipping!…snorkel!
7:31 am on July 8th, 2010
What?
It wasn't an insult?
(deep thought)
Oh.
OK then.
um, disregard our previous 4 posts.
But I do like seeing all the pretty non-dog pictures up on the blog. Of course if Melanie wasn't so busy she could post Puppy pictures. But today is a busy day for her and our thoughts and prayers are with her and Dan and Zoe too.
(But cats are number one)
heh heh heh
7:44 am on July 8th, 2010
Fair!… In all fairness …snort!…the next interview he has and The Blog is brought up…sniff!…he should mention us all by name and all the joy we bring into his life….grunt!….It’s only Fair!
7:46 am on July 8th, 2010
My favorite picture on Friends of Chet is the one of the dog and cat together. At some point I'll look it up to see who they are…unless someone knows already.
Of course, Alice, you are one of the most beautiful cats in the world.
7:49 am on July 8th, 2010
I like the thought that Annie is being moderated. I certainly can't get her to be moderate in anything, especially not in tearing the stuffing out of everything. Belle had a beautiful new bed, but could Annie resist? Of course not. Now there is bed stuffing to go along with pillow stuffing, new-quilt stuffing, old quilt stuffing, and squeaky toy stuffing. The peeps are getting pretty fed up.
Rio–I would love to see you skipping. Hard to imagine that pudgypug body on two legs. Then you might look like the Kat above, on two legs. Who ever heard of such a thing. The Kats are getting quite uppity, IMHO. Oh, drats, that was definitely specist, sorry. *hiding head in shame*
7:54 am on July 8th, 2010
Pudgy!… hmmmphf!…Did you get a good look at AbbieTheKat?… snort!… Now that’s Pudgy! I’m just Stocky…grunt!
7:58 am on July 8th, 2010
I am not pudgy. I am fluffy!
ÄbbietheKitty
8:03 am on July 8th, 2010
AbbieTheKat!… If you are fluffy, then I am Flipper!… snort!
8:09 am on July 8th, 2010
Macy: What is IMHO? Also, what is "specist"?
8:11 am on July 8th, 2010
Rio, I don't think Spence could remember all of us if he tried to mention us by name. He would get in trouble then for forgetting some of us. I think he is smarter than that.
Can't you see me trying to remember all of us by name. I would fail miserably.
Of course, he could write our names all down beforehand and just refer to his notes in the interview. That would work.
I have never seen a slim pug.
8:14 am on July 8th, 2010
Well, ten minutes ago I had a really good post, about two certain someones not have a sense of humor about play by plays, and Kats and other stuff, I'm not remembering.
We had a brown out and the computer quit on me.
Bummer. If I remember I'll let you know. Running around since 4:45 am.
8:21 am on July 8th, 2010
Who us? Me and Rio? Melanie, I thought your remark about the Rockies games and this blog was funny.
Hope all is well with Dan.
9:02 am on July 8th, 2010
Dan's surgery is now. Open heart. They finally found the problem late yesterday afternoon. He has an aortic aneurysm and we are lucky he is still with us. He loves the fact that Chet's blog community is rooting for him. I hate the waiting. I was looking at some of the things he has written and thought I would share this.
I sip my scotch and watch a tiny but no larger than a period flying on wings so small that their flutter blurs the shape of its minuscule body. Does it have any idea where its urgent beating of wings will take it? How does it even have room in that microscopic head for a brain to instruct its flight? Yet, somewhere in that weightless gauze of a body is the same quality of life that invigorates and vitalizes the puppies. It’s the same life quality that oozes out of the mud down by the river and produces a thousand species of green plants. I turn in my chair and look back at Deer Hill to the east and see the bowers of foliage laid one upon the other like light and dark green pillows piled at the head of a giant bedstead. The quantity and profundity of all these vessels of life’s essence fills me with awe.
9:14 am on July 8th, 2010
Thanks Melanie for sharing that with us; it is a truly beautiful (and quite profound) observation. Paws crossed and prayers abound for successful surgery and Dan's speedy recovery. Wookie
9:25 am on July 8th, 2010
Wookie has expressed my feelings completely Melanie.
9:39 am on July 8th, 2010
Melanie!… I am saying some mighty Pug Prayers for him right now….sniff!…His writing is wonderful.
10:20 am on July 8th, 2010
Stover!… Is ” writerly” a word?….Spence just made it up I think when he said, “I’ve stumbled into a fictional world that seems more and more full of writerly possibility”.….heh!… After re-reading this interview something important dawned on me!….growl!… Someone besides ME and Wookie has read To Fetch a Thief already!….grump!
10:38 am on July 8th, 2010
Riö and Wöökie, You guys are the IMPORTANT ones who get to read T-FAT. We can not wait for your reviews.
As Spencer said, "Well, why not? Everyone has a right to an opinion. Some of the amateur reviews – and I mean that in the sense of being unpaid – are very well thought out and written. There’s also a love for reading often apparent, too – an emotional investment you don’t sense as much from the pros."
10:51 am on July 8th, 2010
Yes, writerly is a word. It's one of our adjectives ending in ly (which, of course, usually applies to an adverb). Some dictionaries label it as an adverb, but I consider that incorrect.
It occurred to me that someone else had read TFAT immediately. I looked up The Reading Group Guide and it is apparently an online association that recommends books to reading groups. It also provids questions and discussion topics for those groups.
10:54 am on July 8th, 2010
Here's the definition of writerly from my nifty new electronic dictionary:
"Of, pertaining to, or typical of a writer."
10:59 am on July 8th, 2010
Odd!… And maddening! That this Readers Group gets first crack at the book before it is even published… crap! … and is already spouting off about it while no one (but me and Wookie) will be able to read it until Sept. 28th….grunt!…Or is this whole date thing a myth?? …. OR Does everyone in the world have a copy Except Me and Wookie???… grump!
11:03 am on July 8th, 2010
Rio: ARCs are given to reviewers before publication specifically so they can write reviews. This particular association recommends books to book clubs also and, consequently, needs to know about books ahead of publication. Patience my dear friend.
11:07 am on July 8th, 2010
It just dropped 18 degrees here in less than an hour. It rained. Of course, the humidity is 94 so it doesn't feel very cool (relatively speaking).
11:57 am on July 8th, 2010
Today's post was a lot of fun! I wonder who was asking the questions? I'm betting it was Admin.
Melanie – I am praying for Dan also. I wonder if he is part Kat and has greater than nine lives? He is an amazing writer, by the way.
I'm sure that Spence knows that us dogs ARE posting in his blog. But if he were to mention it a few months before the new book hits, it might affect sales. So he just has to pretend that it is people pretending to be dogs. We know the truth.
11:58 am on July 8th, 2010
I wonder what show Abbie is watching today? I prefer Animal Planet myself, of course.
12:18 pm on July 8th, 2010
Well, if Dan is part Kat it would surprise me. He certainly seems like a dog to us here. Surgery should be over around 10 pm. Whew. Glad I'm not a heart doctor. That's a lot of hours on your feet.
The Pack is outside barking at Salsa, the chow across the street. Salsa is 14 years old and deaf. Her greatest joy is barking on the front porch and watching the whole Pack come out to the gate. She can't hear them barking, but the rest of the neighborhood can.
12:34 pm on July 8th, 2010
Thanks for all the prayers. Jesse, our guy who comes and helps out twice a week, has been here since 10 am. He's done everything AND helped me with the pups.
Did I tell you one of them got their head stuck in the gate? That was unbelievable.
Well, Jessie and I went out to the place they will be let outside and puppy proofed it. Whew, that took awhile and will have to be that way for about a week. Then their heads will be too big to go through the fence. But now, Zoë can get them out when she comes back from Boston.
Feeding twelve Pups:
Seagull flock noise from whelping box.
Call Gracie in and let the puppies nurse.
Feed Grace a can of dog food and ice cream.
Laugh a lot as Grace starts walking around with twelve pups attached and chasing after her.
Take a two handfuls of puppy food and mix it with a little water in the blender.
Get Gracie out.
Get six pups into the kitchen, slide gate shut.
Put 3 bowls of food on floor.
Get out of the way.
Pick up poop.
Pick up more poop.
Pick up more more poop.
Pick up more more more poop.
Start changing the linens in the whelping box.
Laugh at loose pups chasing shoelaces, pants and helping to pick up poop.
Take loose pups put them in a basket.
Change out the pups that have eaten.
Make more food.
Take basket pups and put in kitchen over gate.
Put more food down.
Pick up more more more more poop.
Laugh a lot.
Finish changing linens with help from pups holding on to linens.
Play with pups.
Clean up dishes.
Play with pups.
Put pups in whelping box.
Watch them go to sleep.
Wash linens.
REST!
12:35 pm on July 8th, 2010
She finally left the computer on. It drives me woofy that she doesn't seem to care if I get my chance to "talk" to someone other than Belle and the brat.
IMHO, sorry, my facebook life seeped over, In My Humble Opinion.
And specist,I am not sure is a real word, but I like it anyway. Specist is to species, as racist is to race. Hence, dissing the Kats is somewhat specist.
Rio, I must admit that a slender pug would be somewhat Pugnacious, or at least odd to look at.
All of Grandma's Kats claim to be fluffy, but believe me, I have seen Funny Face wet and that Kat is faaaat! He is diabetic and Grandma has to get him up on the chair every morning to give him his insulin shot and he does not help at all.
B. Stover where are you that the temp just dropped? It is getting very dark here in North Texas and we are keeping our paws crossed for some rain, and especially for some relief from the heat.
12:36 pm on July 8th, 2010
Our very best goes out to Dan and Melanie and Zoe and the pack right now. We're with you!!
I would like to hear ten Newfs bark all at once.
12:41 pm on July 8th, 2010
Oh, Melanie, that brings back such memories, and I only had 4 pups. I was so glad when Mom started feeding them puppy mush. I only wished at the time that they would get tired of nursing faster. Now I miss those days, sometimes I get melancholy, especially since my only boy, Dougie, passed away a couple of months ago, and nobody has heard from Carly for quite sometime. Luckily, I still have the brat, Annie, and Biddie comes on the weekends to play with Annie.
12:42 pm on July 8th, 2010
Macy: Thanks for the info on the words. I'm in Michigan. It's still cloudy here and is now 78.
12:48 pm on July 8th, 2010
There are lots of things in today's blog, but mostly I just want to hear that Dan is okay. He observed, felt, and then wrote so beautifully.
12:51 pm on July 8th, 2010
B. – Last time I was unhappy with you for sending weather. This time is your chance to make it up to me. Send away, dear B.
12:58 pm on July 8th, 2010
Mollypop: It's on its way.
1:22 pm on July 8th, 2010
Hurry!
3:20 pm on July 8th, 2010
Cool!…. Hey! I am not sending anyone any cool weather from here!…snort!… I am enjoying it so much! I can breath better and everything! …sniff!sniff!… It’s been so nice and cool and rainy-like since Tuesday afternoon – the Rockies Historic Day!!…gruff!… I will never forget that day!…heh!…So no way are you getting my cool weather. If I cannot have the ARC, at least I can be cool about it…sniffle.
3:26 pm on July 8th, 2010
Rockies!… Will be starting soon! Life is good!…snort!…SiberH! We here do not have pizza because someone ate ice cream today at the busy place and got a very, very bad stomach ache…crap!…So she decided she could not handle any pizza tonight!…Hells-Bells!…What about me!? Me! Me!… grump!… I wanted pepperoni, black olive and mushroom pizza!… sob!… I was looking forward to it all day long dammit!… sob!sob!…She doesn’t care about me at all!…sniff.
3:50 pm on July 8th, 2010
My mom ate ice cream for lunch, at Baskin Robbins…can you believe that. Your friend and my mom were on the same wave length. Unfortunately, it did not give my mom a tummy ache, but she sorta deserved to have one… Baskin Robbins without me is an uncool thing to do.
We can wait to have our pizza, Rio, for the next special baseball game that comes along. Perhaps your friend and my mom can straighten up and fly right by then.
3:58 pm on July 8th, 2010
Querulous….isn't that a good, descriptive word.
4:04 pm on July 8th, 2010
My Mom gets Ben & Jerry's ice cream because it's made without bovine growth hormone. She gets Peanut Butter Cup which is real peanut butter cups in peanut butter ice cream. I can't have the chocolate but I always get a dish of yummy peanut butter ice cream.
4:06 pm on July 8th, 2010
Crap!… Did we miss the afternoon game!??… crap!crap!crap!… Someone told me it was on TONIGHT!…crap!crap!crap!…Well, it will be new to us because we have not seen or heard much about it…dammit!…That damn busy place screwed us all up…sob!sob!… SO DON’T TELL US THE FINAL SCORE or else!…crap!crap!crap!
SiberH!…Did you know about this and not tell me!???…sob!
4:12 pm on July 8th, 2010
Hmmmphf!…Suddenly ice cream is a no-no around here…snort!…She can’t eat it without being sick all day long… grunt!…This is a new thing and sometimes she forgets which really screws me out of some good treats…grump! ..Cuz that stomach ache lasts forever!…grumble!… No floor buffet tonight for the OLD ALREADY OVER WITH game!…good grief!… What else can go wrong today??? ..snort!
4:16 pm on July 8th, 2010
Poor Rio..I am watching our Rangers right now. They are playing some really bad birds, the Orioles. Rangers up 3-0 in the third. Does the cool weather cure your *snorkel*? That one always cracks me up!
4:17 pm on July 8th, 2010
Stover!…Regarding your word of the day!…Heh!…We should have one!… I am right now feeling very cantankerous, petulant confrontational and even a bit hot tempered… grump!
4:18 pm on July 8th, 2010
Macy!…No!
4:21 pm on July 8th, 2010
Wow!
Thanks for that special post today. We have a very close community of dogs, humans AND cats. Chet has made this blog a safe and skippingly happy place to frolic. It just doesn't get any better.
Melanie: Dan's musings bring a lump up from my heart and emotion to my eyes. Hey, wait! Is he talking about those little black flies that bite me and draw blood? I can't stand those things.
Still, may he glide through this day and recover quickly. (Dan, not the black flies.)
You have quite the schedule, Melanie. Glad there lots of laughter in there. You give us a lot of that laughter. That Salsa knows how to get the pack out.
Annie: Welcome. You're not a princess are you?
4:24 pm on July 8th, 2010
Retrospect!… After thinking about this ‘missing the afternoon game’ thing… snort!…We are starting to feel better about it, because we would actually like seeing the players play than some computer generated crappy software showing us what is going on in DELAYED TIME!… heh!…So we are psyched again for this game tonight!…gruff!gruff!…We do not know the outcome so it is all new to us!…Yippee!!!…UBALDO RULES!…heh!
4:28 pm on July 8th, 2010
Querulouser and querulouser….
4:31 pm on July 8th, 2010
What Rio??? It was an afternoon game? I checked the schedule today, and I would have sworn it was a night game. That is how I read it on the Rockies Website. It was the ice cream, something about the ice cream, that screwed our humans up, and somehow affected us. This is turning into a science fiction story. We missed the game!!!
4:35 pm on July 8th, 2010
Seriously!…That is what I thought too SiberH!… snort! … I have no idea what happened…sniff!…I have never missed a live game, but this is okay as long as NO ONE tells me what the final score is going to be!…grunt!… Is there anyway you can see/hear it again tonight?…sob!sob!
Stover!…What is the difference between those two words except for the Capitalization of one and not the other??…wheeze!
4:39 pm on July 8th, 2010
SiberH!… You do not get "MLB Baseball" on any of your TV channels?…Really?…That is so Un-American it is pitiful!..sniff!… They are replaying the game any minute now…gruff!
4:39 pm on July 8th, 2010
No difference. The first was capitalized because it was at the beginning of a "sentence" which, of course, is not really a sentence. It's just a concise description of you and SH.
4:45 pm on July 8th, 2010
Ok, I know the outcome of the Rockies game now. I will say no more.
Macy, I'll root for the Rangers with you. They are American League, anyway, so I won't be disloyal to the Rockies. The Rangers are my next closest baseball neighbors. The Snakes in Arizona don't count.
4:47 pm on July 8th, 2010
Let me go check, Rio
4:48 pm on July 8th, 2010
Stover!…HA!HA!…snort!…Isn't Masterpiece Theater on tonight?…grunt!
4:53 pm on July 8th, 2010
Hmmm… SiberH is either hiding his feelings very well… sniff!sniff!…Or we have already lost and he is being quietly quiet so as not to make me feel bad!…snort! …sob!… I still believe! I still believe! …cough!sneeze!… I can change the outcome just by being here right now! …clap!clap! clap!clap!clap!… grrrrrrrr!… Its Ubaldo for pete’s sake!!!!
4:54 pm on July 8th, 2010
NOOOO!! I have the Reds and the Phillies on my MLB channel. I have Direct TV. What do you have, Rio?
4:58 pm on July 8th, 2010
Masterpiece Mystery is on Sunday. Beginning this Sunday through August 1 there will be new Poirot mysteries. This Sunday is Murder on the Orient Express. Beginning August 8 I think Lewis is back. Here's the site of the schedule….you have to scroll down to get to July.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/inde…
I looked up the score of the Rockies game….
5:21 pm on July 8th, 2010
I have all of Agatha Christie's novels….there is a uniform collection that came out monthly years ago. Great puzzles.
5:22 pm on July 8th, 2010
Dan has come through the operation. He is not out of the woods yet. There are complications from the first heart surgery from 4 years ago. His heart is now in better shape than it has been in years, but scar tissue and a problem with his sternum have made it more difficult for the surgeon. Dan's going to be sedated for a few days until his heart is stronger then a plastic surgeon will come in to fix the sternum.
I hate waiting. But as he himself has said, "The quantity and profundity of all these vessels of life’s essence fills me with awe." My dad is pretty cool.
Thank you for all the positive thoughts and prayers.
5:22 pm on July 8th, 2010
Rio, someone posted on the Rockies message board that they live 350 miles from Denver and Dish TV blacks out the Rockies games for them. I live 450 miles from Denver and Direct TV blacks out the Rockies games for me. This is nuts! I assume that it is the MLB that does this.
5:25 pm on July 8th, 2010
Thanks for letting us know Melanie. Our prayers with Dan. His writing is beautiful and meaningful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
5:27 pm on July 8th, 2010
Stover!… I saved your link in My Favorites!…snort!…Thank you so much!…sad!…We missed the special with David Suchet regarding this episode special – “With insight and charm, David Suchet leads viewers on a blissfully homicide-free excursion aboard the modern-day Orient Express.”… Baseball really takes its toll sometimes, but we have a choice and we chose what we chose…snort!
Boarding!…The Orient Express is one of her lifelong dreams…sniff!…It will happen one day….heh!… She will be a major character in a Murder Mystery Party coming soon!…heh!…This I can not wait to see!… (I will be there too! heh!)…gruff! …Back to the Past Baseball Game!….woooo!.. Rockies were ahead by 2 at this time earlier…snicker!!
5:33 pm on July 8th, 2010
Melanie!….I will be praying for Dan and his recovery… sniff!…I know these type of surgeries take a great toll and a lot of therapy to recover … cough!… But he will be okay and he will recover!… Do not worry! Take care of your Newfs and Puppy Newfs!… .sniff! …We love you Melanie! … snort! snort!
5:34 pm on July 8th, 2010
Great news, Melanie, in terms of Dan coming through the operation,and we will keep praying. Dan's strength will get him through this. Wookie
5:36 pm on July 8th, 2010
Thank you for letting us know Melanie. I hope that you and Zoe can get some rest tonight.
5:38 pm on July 8th, 2010
Rio: You can watch the Suchet special online I think. I'm going to tomorrow because I didn't see it last night either.
5:41 pm on July 8th, 2010
Yes, curiosity got the better of me too and I'm not even a Kat. I had to look up the outcome of the Rockies game.
5:51 pm on July 8th, 2010
Thanks Husky for rooting for our Boys. They are playing a bad game against a bad team. Boooooo!
Annie is definitely NOT a princess! I know she is a teenager, but my golly she drives us crazy. Dad put on his Special Olympics shirt tonight and it had two Annie-shaped holes in it. Nothing is safe around here.
arrrggg…the Rangers just let the Bad Birds tie the game. They seem to play worse against bad teams.
Melanie..all of us here are keeping your dad in our prayers.
Rio..snuffle
Curiouser and curiouser!
6:12 pm on July 8th, 2010
Oooer!… The Suchet Special is online!?…snort!…I wonder if our OLD AS HELL computer can take that!?… snort!… She is “this close to getting a new one with a huge wide screen and tons of memory”… heh!…As if, she’s too cheap to get her sprinkler system fixed for gosh sakes! …grump! …. Rockies were up 4 – 1 at this time earlier bottom of the sixth!… snort!
6:20 pm on July 8th, 2010
B. Stover: Enjoyed querulouser and querulouser. Try saying that five times fast.
6:25 pm on July 8th, 2010
Thanks for everything furry and non-furry folks.
Zoe was able to see Dan (sedated) and says, "He looks a hell of a lot better than I thought he would!"
I love both my parents.
So she's on her way home, should be less than 3 hours at this time of night.
I'm with the pups until she gets here and then she will be with them.
She "says" she's gotten lots of naps and plans on sleeping all the way home. Luckily, my sister is driving.
Signing off, (I looked up the Rockies game too!)
6:38 pm on July 8th, 2010
Melanie!…Good news for now!… snort!…Glad Zoe is still spitting fire! I like her a lot!..heh!
Melanie!….Hmmphf!!!… It is top of the 8th in this time space continuum ball game… snort! …4-1… Which makes me nervous because the Rockies have won it from behind for so long now…yeep!
6:59 pm on July 8th, 2010
Melanie: Your family is amazing! Hope Zoe is sleeping right now and you get to sleep very soon. Go to sleep puppies.
7:04 pm on July 8th, 2010
Woooo!….Rockies Win a long time ago!!… But now we know about it!….heh!… Woooo! We were worried about Huston Street there for a few minutes….grunt!…But they saved the win for Ubaldo!…Yipppeee! …Who btw is 15 – 1 in wins now!!!
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1278648159-jumping.gif[/img]
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1278648174-clap!clap!.gif[/img]
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1278648185-happydance.gif[/img]
SWEEPT the RED BIRDS!…. Bring on the Padres!…snort!snort!..heh
7:08 pm on July 8th, 2010
Wooo!… My Winning Comment is being moderated because I have 3 count them 3 of Molly's wonderful emoticons jumping around …snort!…because the Rockies won! Again!…heh! All the way Rockies – All the Way!… snort!…Off to bed for us!…See youse all tomorrow at some point!….gruff!gruff!
8:11 pm on July 8th, 2010
Rio,BStover,
We saw the David Suchet Special about the Orient Express. It was great. He loved it. He looked so spiffy in his fancy suit going to dinner. They all came out to meet him at the beginning. Heh.
Melanie,
Our best to Dan and Zoe. Sending happy healthy thoughts your way.
Goodnight Dawson, everyone. See you tomorrow.
>^..^<
8:12 pm on July 8th, 2010
We loved it, not HE loved it.
Too late!
Goodnight all
10:04 pm on July 8th, 2010
Always believe, Rio, always believe.
No game tonight and I somehow think Rio’s friend and my mom are to blame.
sigh, I might as well do something productive and look up Stover’s word to learn what it means.
10:08 pm on July 8th, 2010
Direct TV!…And you do not get the Rockies baseball team!??… gag!… I can hardly believe my eyes!… sigh… We just have basic digital cable – comes with On Demand and costs a freakin’ fortune …!!&*(O((*… Apparently, we HATE Comcast and Qwest…both rip-off artists… grump! …I don’t care what we got just so I can see my Rockies play every single night forever! …heh!…She is looking into other more affordable stuff because she has “had it up to here” like Grampy…sniff!
Stover!…Thank you so much my dear for all that great information!…sigh!…Poirot! I love Poirot!… did I tell you the story about her having ALL – each and every ALL of the Poirot books since she was younger than Ingrid and on???…yep!
8:06 am on July 9th, 2010
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