What are you saying Liam?

A BARKING LIAM IN MOTION

It is incessant. And loud. And directed at me. And passersby. And human, animal and inanimate moving objects. And sounds, both distant and near.
It is excessive barking.

BARKING WITH STATIONARY HEAD

Is it more frequent and louder and longer because of the weather and length of days?
Or is Liam (who retains his puppy look) getting cranky and intolerant and needy with age? Or am I?
Probably all of the above. More folks out, more often, starting earlier and staying later.

Excessive barking

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
The article begins with the situation of a dog barking at passersby. Yes, from a window.

LIAM LOOKING

Liam has an assist from the couch which provides a perch. We have posted Liam looking from this spot before.

COME ON, TRY TO PASS ME BY

What to do? Make the barking location inaccessible in some way.

Daddy Paul took action. 

Fake Liam was installed.

Liam did not like it and barked and howled and groaned. He tried to edge fake Liam out

MOVE OVER

Tried being his friend

Tried ignoring him

Got angry and threw a tantrum

TAKE THAT!

And finally gave him the heave ho.

NOT A PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE

We will keep trying.
Woof, Woof

Tale of Two Hydrants

LIAM AND HIS HYDRANT

Liam has a favorite fire hydrant. It has to be as it is the only one he passes on his walks. It is in front of the corner house that is adjacent to ours. He tries to add his DNA to it but I hurry him along. Not wanting to be part of the clichéd dog lifting his leg on the hydrant routine. Here is why dogs do it.
http://animalfair.com/truth-territorial-marking/

TAKING SOME SNIFFS

I now have an unfavorite hydrant. It is in Manhasset. This aggressive hydrant reached out and pulled the bumper off my Ford Focus. Never heard of such an interaction? I am sure you all have heard of drivers backing into a hydrant. Well this would be the tale of a proactive hydrant. Possibly practicing "the best defense is a good offense." It saw me coming and took the initiative to strike first. Or maybe it is sick of dogs stopping by.

Here is the story of the "Hydrant Attack" night

Date: Tuesday June 2, 2015.
Time:  7:30 PM.
Place: North Hempstead Town Hall, Manhasset.
http://www.northhempstead.com/
Mission Show support for the resolution to allows dogs on leash in several North Hempstead Parks. Tully Park is ours.

We arrive on a side street. Town Hall at the end of the block. I know how to get there as I had learned from a previous "lost" episode see blog story http://liamlicks.blogspot.com/2015/03/lost-late-last.html
that I must be sure where my destination is; this time I am. The day before, guided by my iPhone GPS, I have done a test run. What I am not sure of are the parking rules. The lot behind the Town Hall has scary signs threatening all parkers who do not work for the "Town" with everything short of life imprisonment. And on the opposite side is another lot where only commuters are welcome. Many parking spaces but I do not fit any category of parking eligibility. Weather is miserable. We have had little rain this spring but this night we have torrents. And the temp has plummeted to 53 degrees after a high of 88 two days before. I see a spot on the street but pass it by. Minutes later, with no other options, I decide to back up into it. At some point there is a clicking sound.
(I do not hear it) but my alert passenger says "I think you are attached to the fire hydrant." Or something like that. I pull forward to get away. Oh my. My bumper is detached from my car. Yikes. Let's get out of here! I escape into the forbidden lot. The extent of my bumper damage is amazing.
But we have business. Our resolution about allowing Dogs on Leash in our Tully Park is up for a vote and we have to get into the Town Hall. I have to put my jumbled feelings away. I do.

Transgender Resolution
I am helped to "get in the moment" by a passionate vocal contingent of petitioners wanting the transgender category added to the Town's anti-discrimination law. There are empty seats around us and they fill in with transgender petitioners. Their resolution is first. The anti-discrimination measure passes unanimously. The petitioners exhort those in the room to support the cause and stand. I stand. I observe we are being filmed by many iPhones. Videos, panoramics, photo bursts. Steve Jobs would be proud. I expect we will end up in a You Tube somewhere. This is the day after Caitlyn Jenner's announcement. The group then exits, hands raised in victory. I have never attended a town meeting and now understand that after one's resolution is addressed and acted on that you may leave. And are expected to.

Dogs on Leash Resolution
We are next up. Our committee leader speaks as do others. Our resolution passes. We are not filmed and do not cheer, but we too march out in a victorious manner.

I then have to face my hanging bumper and drive by the giant fire hydrant. I wonder if it has chewed on any other vehicles while we are at the meeting.

I have to get the bumper fixed. And that is the Claims part.

Part of the procedure of filing an insurance claim is filling out the accident report for the Motor Vehicle Department. There are 8 choices for accident descriptions. See pic below. None fit mine.

THE ACCIDENT POSSIBILITIES NONE OF WHICH FIT MINE

There is an option offered where you may draw your incident. So I do. I believe the proportions are accurate. That is the way I remember it. I am vehicle #1.

MY DRAWING OF THE HYDRANT ON STEROIDS

You see how the hydrant is menacing my tiny car as I carefully and slowly back up. It is leaning into the street. We were lucky we were not impaled by its appendage. My bumper did its duty and sacrificed itself for the greater good. I am tempted to go back to see it in daylight but fear another attack. And it may have grown larger, feasting as it does on unsuspecting parkers. 

I have a 2015 Dodge Dart rental. I adore it. It has the new car smell. Liam is not allowed to ride in it. Part of the renter's agreement. No pets.

MY DODGE DART 2015 RENTAL

My Focus has 2170.90 worth of damage. It is recovering in Great Neck. I did not take a photo. I could not bear to record it. Use your imaginations. Look at that hydrant. You can visualize the dismemberment.

It was all worth it though to see two measures passed. The park you see in the Liam hydrant pix is our Tully Park. We will be in there soon.

Later On
It is now Thursday, June 18, 2015
We still have no "dog" access to Tully Park.
I got my fixed car back yesterday.
I miss my rental.
Oh and it was legal to park in all the lots that night. After 7PM the day rules do not apply. Next time I will have to add "find out about parking rules" to my trip prep.

If anyone comes across me in a You Tube let me know.  

LIAM LOOKING AT HIS HYDRANT AND TULLY PARK BEYOND

Woof Woof

Food for Dogs

FRIDAY POPCORN

Liam, himself, talking.
Mom calls this type of blog post photo driven. She takes a pic and then thinks of the story that might grow out of it. This story starter was a photo of me eating my Friday popcorn with Daddy Paul. His share would be out of sight on the table. That is his beer, though, not mine. She snaps a lot of food photos. I am often nearby trying to participate in the photographic event.
So we had this popcorn pic. I think what made it special was the Sam Adams up top. Popcorn is okay for me, beer is not. But you knew that. And coffee not but foam is. My parents are kinda strict about human food. I have heard that other dogs have ice cream. I have heard other dogs are given leftovers. And so on.

Turkey (Healthy Choice deli thin slices only) peanut butter, blueberries, cheese, okay
and link to tell you more

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/Dog-Approved-People-Food
Grapes, raisins, chocolate, wine, not okay
and a link

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/foods-are-hazardous-dogs

HIMSELF WITH HIS LATTE

As you may have noticed I can have lots of latte licks. I like yogurt licks also. Only Greek.

but not human dinner food...well actually all the items on that plate are okay for me if they are bare but they have spices and sauces and oils

but not this

Mom's idea of a still life...was amusing while it was being filmed; but sort of dopey when she looked at the iPhone the day after.and she gave me a lick of the Black Forest cake...I am okay a taste is not harmful to me
no after dinner drinks though

I am safest with my Kong Bone

we had this photo driven blog story written and then other news happened and it cannot wait till next blog day

on Tuesday Mom attended a North Hempstead Town Hall meeting with other New Hyde Park K9 Advocates. We won the right to walk in our Tully Park on leash. Tully is across the street. The New Hyde Park K9 advocates are now one step closer to our dog run. The "No Dogs Allowed" signs soon to come down! We are now in Park, people! If you are on Facebook, visit and "like" our page, New Hyde Park K9 Advocates.

My parents are pictured on the page! Mom is excited she got in a photo. What a Leo!

And I am ready to go for a walk in the park.
Dogs Allowed
Yay

Woof Woof

Restless Legs are Back

LIAM ANCHORING HIS RESTLESS LEGS

The name is back, that is. Restless Legs Syndrome. Two years ago the name was changed to Willis-Ekbom. The idea I think was to give the disorder a measure of gravitas. If it had a serious name maybe it would be recognized as a serious medical condition worthy of attention, study and treatment.

HOLDING ON TO A FRIEND'S LEGS HELPS

And its name an honor to the two men who diagnosed the syndrome. Sir Thomas Willis was the first to write about the syndrome in a medical way. He did this in 1672. Then a few centuries later in 1945, Karl Ekbom wrote a paper about the disease and called it Restless Legs. Here is the wiki link...you'll see them referenced near the bottom of the article in the history section.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_legs_syndrome
Here is a photo of some restless legs in our home.

LEGS

What is RLS? Here is the organization's website for the full experience.
http://www.rls.org/
And it is what it sounds like. One wants to move to feel better; to alleviate an uncomfortable feeling...can be one leg, both and not only legs. Arms, hands, head. My right side is restless.
Here is a medical explanation.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/restless-legs-syndrome/restless-legs-syndrome-rls

This year the organization offered a canvas poster compilation featuring RLS words submitted by sufferers. Who would buy this creative yet quirky item? Me. I have it. I believe the money tendered went to something good in the RLS community. I have it up in my yoga room. Thought it a fitting place...you'll see the temporary name across the bottom.

Liam has it also. Many believe dogs twitch and run while sleeping because they are having "chase" dreams. No. In my opinion, it's restless dog leg. The advantage dogs have is that they can sleep first and the restless legs kick in. Dogs will curl and stretch and curve their bodies to achieve comfort. Hiding front legs under and back legs bent. I study Liam's positions to see how he finds relief.

I have hooded sweatshirts which I purchased on sale a few years ago. Maybe the impending name change caused their obsolescence but now they have validity once more.

I felt sorry for them as it seemed no one wanted to wear them.

The RLS logo is on right side in the photos shown, left side when wearing. Yes, that is Liam looking. He does not wear a jacket but likes to have them near.

 RLS is in popular culture. You may remember or are aware of the Seinfeld episode "Jimmy legs'' 

Jimmy Legs=Restless Legs.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2009-11-05/health/sfl-jimmy-legs-110409_1_deficiency-or-rheumatoid-arthritis-leg-and-juddering-populations-attending-medical-clinics

http://theseinfelddictionary.com/2009/03/14/jimmy-legs/

And trying different positions is part of the struggle with the syndrome...keep moving...

and then eyes open and start over again

Woof, Woof

Starbucks Stroll

DASHING LIAM

I received the notification via my Starbucks phone app. An April Star Dash. The challenge was to make a purchase at Starbucks prior to 11 AM on 15 days in April. If this was accomplished the reward would be 20 bonus stars. Here is the screenshot of the announcement.

Why would I want to do it? With every 12 stars you get a free drink/meal of your choice. So a latte and part of a latte would be my choice of prize. Extra free lattes always welcome. And I will be going anyway. Why not enter?

LIAM LOVING EXTRA LATTES

I had to be proactive and tap a few tabs to enter the race. I did. I joined. And the following screenshot shows the message I received.

My plan was not to plan.
There were 30 possibilities and I expected to garner my 20 stars by the 3rd week of April.

I did not anticipate earning my stars would be difficult. I am there before 11 am when I can be, which is 4-5 times a week. Certain days have scheduled appts. and activities which always preclude arriving before 11. I had no intention of manipulating my schedule to achieve the 20 bonus star goal. In my mind it had to happen naturally.
My plan was not to plan.
April 1 was a Wednesday and I started the dash with an earned star by arriving before 11.

The Starbucks app records the time of the purchase and I knew I would have an ongoing record to refer to all month. I also kept a tally on a wall calendar. Electronic and paper. Obsessive? Not to me, routine recordation. This month of April 2015 had some additional events and happenings.
April Dash Obstacles

These would be unexpected occurrences. The following are a few
Apple course-April 4

On a Saturday. No lattes allowed in the store. I decided not ask Liam's Dad to use my card for his coffee. He would have to get going early. Too much stress for the hubby's day off and too early in the month for me to panic. So a miss.
Long lines-April 5 and April 8

Twice I was in the store in what seemed like enough time but due to long lines and large orders by those on the long lines I was clocked in at 11:01 and 11:02. Thought of flagging down a barista and explaining my quandary but that would be tampering and my plan was not to plan. The month still had days.
Car Appt. 

Ordinarily in June but I am accelerated due to urgent reminders from Ford.
 Rhinebeck Trip 

Two days, taking out the last two days of April.

No Starbucks in Rhinebeck
Nail Appt.
moved due to Rhinebeck trip 
Snow Days
As a result of inclement weather reschedulings, yoga class from March 5 now moved to April 2...ends after 11.

I started off a bit slow. More like a Starbucks stroll than a dash. By mid-April I had accrued only 7... I had expected to be done. I had a good third week. No extraordinary efforts made to arrive by 11. 

By the fourth week in April it was obvious that I could make it. But anything might happen. Feeling a bit anxious on April 27, I gave Liam's Dad my card as I would be engaged all morning. I do that sometimes if he and I will have separate morning commitments. Not really a manipulation. We made it 15 on April 27!

Here the screenshot of the end of my dash. These last three stars are pre 11 AMs

On the way to Rhinebeck we stopped (this is a traditional stop, no manipulation) and I cushioned my star stash with an extra, making my total for pre 11am April Dash stars-16.
It's a wrap.
And I wait for the stars to shoot into my account.
May 1, May 2, May 3, May 4, Cinco de Mayo. Where is my email notification of my win? I had been apprised at the beginning that my reward might take until May 8th to show up. It is all electronic.Shouldn't it have arrived? I reread the first sentence on the screenshot shown above "Thanks for participating in the Star Dash! Look for an email by May 8 to see if you've won."
If, you've won? If????? A two letter word! Wait. There might be another interpretation.
Does that mean those who successfully completed the dash are now in another pool where a winner is selected from the universe of those who have earned the stars? I obsess about this little word "if"and its meaning in this context. If If If...over and over and over.

My plan was not to plan. Sigh...

Early morning May 6 (I have restless leg and its by-products and am awake) while perusing my phone activity, I notice a red badge on my Starbucks icon app. I tap and check.There it is! 20 stars... I win!!!!

And later that day, the official notification. See pic following.
Did everyone who earned 20 stars win? I don't know. But the wording says earned so I think so.

LIAM LAPPING A LATTE

Liam and I enjoyed our free latte today, LiamLicks day!  And have almost enough stars in the bank for another
Woo hoo
Win Win
Woof Woof

Cat in the 'hood

UH OH, THE CAT IS COMING

It must occur daily. The walk by of the cat. First in front of our house and then a turn up our neighbor's driveway. Our neighbor does not have pets. The cat must know this. I do not know if the cat has an owner in the 'hood. I don't see a collar. Liam knows the cat is coming before I do. The racket that precedes its walk by our window is chaotic and sudden and jarring. The noise all emanates from Liam. Each sighting is the same. Liam listens, then watches and finally explodes into an instinct driven chase, barking all the while.

He races to the window, frantic that he will miss the cat. Hooks his paws to the window ledge for the best view. The cat strolls by. And I mean strolls. The cat often pauses and they lock eyes. As the cat reaches the end of the driveway and is almost out of sight Liam bolts from the living room to the kitchen side door and body slams it. His poochie bells jangle. The string of bells hang on the doorknob and their sound is normally  my signal to release him to the backyard. Liam understands that being outside will give him a better chance of a close encounter with the cat. And the cat understands that as long as Liam is inside it will be safe.

                                                             I am not letting you out Liam. 

                                                                           So stop it.

Eventually the cat disappears into the shrubs of our neighbor's yard. A spent Liam stretches out. And we wait for the next time.

Meow, meow...Woof, woof