monsoonmartin

In two short weeks, The Bunk will turn two years old.  In the "dog years" formulation, he'd be starting high school, battling acne, and starting to dream of getting his learner's permit.  But, unlike most teenagers, The Bunk just gets sweeter and sweeter, showing none of the mumbling aloofness of the typical freshman.

So: Happy Birthday, Bunk.  Here are some pictures to brighten your day, as he does ours.

The Bunk gazes longingly into the backyard. Perhaps he is thinking about barking at the family of chipmunks that has emerged from its home under our neighbor's shed. Perhaps he has discovered the meaning of life, but is keeping it to himself.The Bunk sleeping in the "splayed" position, which he only wangles himself into when he's feeling utterly secure and content. Sweet dreams, my boy.The Bunk, pensive. Or, sleepy.The Bunk after a brush, so his fur is at maximum poof. Isn't he just the cutest dog in the whole, wide world? Of course he is. It was a rhetorical question.The Bunk vs. Homer Simpson. This is a doll--stuffed body, plasticene head--that was given to Bunk by Monsoon's parents on a recent visit to Norristown. Note the ferocious and merciless tactics of The Bunk in attacking Homer. Soon he will go into his "death roll," in which he grasps the unlucky Simpson in his paws and shimmies around on his back while gnawing on Homer and growling menacingly. I can't resist: D'oh!Monsoon 

Hey friends,

Thought I'd give you all an update on the sweetest dog in the world.

That would be Bunk, for those new to the weblog.

He just turned 22 months old and continues to love life - and we continue to love life with him.

The boy was groomed today and it occurred to me that I haven't shared pictures of him in quite a while.  So here are some pictures.

Enjoy!

The Slumbering Bunk. After a long day at the office (aka the Bark N Barn, his utopian daycare retreat), The Bunk likes to curl up with a pillow and get some richly deserved shuteye.The Slumbering Bunk, worm's eye view. Those great paws led us to think he might grow quite large, but The Bunk is actually small for the breed.The Bunk out the window, taking in all the sights, the sounds, the smells - and probably a bug or two - as the wind blows through his mane, while (I am) driving through Lancaster County. Note: this photo was taken in exactly the way you think it was taken, which was not smart. I promise I will not repeat this action.The Bunk, captured here in early June after a brushing, looks down imposingly from the stairs. Yes, imposing. Seriously! He will mess you up! Have you seen his teeth? Oh, alright.The Bunk asleep on Monsoon. If I look really happy here, it's because I am.The Bunk, newly groomed, sits pretty earlier today. This act of obedience earned him a "Gooood siiiiiit!" and a treat. Alright, two treats. This is one of those moments when Mrs. Monsoon and I look at each other and say something like, "He is so cute, he doesn't even look real." And you know what? It's damned right.Monsoon 

Stay tuned after the weather update for brand-new Bunk content!

The weather...

Weather narrative: We’re going to see the fickle vicissitudes of early spring over the next couple of weeks.  After today (Sunday) we can bid a fond adieu to the 70-plus temperatures and “spring fever” of the past few days.  Monday will bring in a cold front, and with it some rain and plummeting temperatures.  Look for the bulk of the rain late Monday afternoon and evening, perhaps lingering into Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday it gets back up into the low 60s, but a stiff wind will make it feel more like autumn than spring.  On Friday we get cooler again with showers possible on that day and on Sunday.

Next week (the last week of March) is looking rather cold and rainy, with the possibility of frozen precipitation early on Sunday the 28^th and Monday the 29^th.  This will just be a little dusting or coating – a reminder of what we’re leaving behind, and what we won’t see around these parts again until year’s end.

Beyond the forecast: As we get into what is, for many of us, an abbreviated Spring Break, I’m seeing temperatures rebound into the low to mid 50s (closer to normal for this time of year) with drier conditions generally.

And now, as promised: The Bunk.

I’ve been remiss in providing you updates and pictures of The Bunk here in the New Year; I was a bit preoccupied with the snow, the snow, the snow.

The Bunk is 19 months old now (or he will be, on Wednesday), and remains, believe me, and absolute gentleman.  Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the very card or calendar of gentry.  [Someone help me: we finished Hamlet a month ago, and yet I cannot stop quoting it.  It is not, nor it cannot come to good.  See?]

Anywho, he’s a delight.  Yesterday he seemed to have finally understood the concept of “fetch” while we mucked about on the tennis courts, but only fleetingly: when he became more interested in a far-off sound, an intriguing smell, or a passing dog, the game was over.  He has a formidable bark whose depth and apparent ferocity belie the mildness and poofery of his appearance.

Here are some snapshots of The Bunk being The Bunk, in his own inimitable way.

The Bunk maintains his dignity despite being clad in Christmas-themed garb - Boxing Day 2009 Lounging happily betwixt two pieces of furniture, his body on the chair and his head on the hassock, The Bunk takes both malleability and adorability to new heights - January 2010 DFW: Down for Whatever - January 2010 The Bunk, plastered to my side, some idyllic weekend - February 2010 The Bunk breaks his own previous record for malleability, wedged into the chair in the sunbeam, fast asleep - February 2010 Fully splayed, looking like an albino Grover - February 2010 Who's a sleepy boy? You are! You are! - March 2010 The Bunk, at play, yesterday - March 2010

Monsoon 

My good people,

After the forecast, I’ve included New Year’s tidings from The Bunk, who wanted to be sure to thank his fans for their love and adoration over this past year or so.  (His muzzle is shorn in a poodlishly arresting way to address some matting in the area.  But we already know that, whatever the state of his coiffure—    puff-out, buzz-cut, mop-top, cornrows, or high-top fade—he is, now and forever, The Bunk.  And thanks to Jon and Lori at Total Dog for taking such good care of his coat, even when we don’t.)

Thu 12/31 - after this morning’s snow showers, which gave us two or three inches (and about which I intended to send a forecast update yesterday, but forgot—honest!), we’ll have snow and flurries developing in the evening and continuing overnight, accumulating an additional inch or two.  Please be careful driving, as conditions may deteriorate right around when revelry may be at its peak.  Low tonight 29.

Fri 1/1 - overcast with widely scattered morning snow showers.  Temperatures becoming colder throughout the day with gusty winds, but the precipitation and winds should not cause travel difficulties.  High 38, low 25.

Sat 1/2 - partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance of passing flurries or snow showers throughout the day.  Very windy for the duration of the day.  High 30, low 17 with single-digit wind chills.

Sun 1/3 - partly cloudy, still quite windy, and even colder.  High 28, low 14 with wind chills dipping down toward zero.

The week back to school - highs in the low to mid 30s; lows in the upper teens.  Other than a chance of a passing snow shower or two on Monday 1/4, not much this week in the way of winter precipitation.

Next chances for winter weather - things are looking interesting for 1/11 and 1/12, and again on the 14^th and 15^th.  Generally the pattern is setting up nicely for some winter weather in mid-January.  Stay tuned!

"We'll take a cup of kindness yet, / for auld lang syne." Happy New Year, y'all!

Monsoon

...thy patience is unending.

In honor of the 16-month anniversary of The Bunk's birth (and the eve of Christmas Day), we decided to create some memorable photos involving the dog, a Santa outfit, and a reindeer headband.  In the course of this photo shoot there was much laughter, commotion, confusion, repeated commands, frantic hand gestures, and biting of the wardrobe items.  But finally we came up with a couple of really sweet shots of long-suffering Bunk in his holiday finery.  Also included is a shot of The Bunk frolicking in the snow following last weekend's Nor'easter.  Please to enjoy.

Before I present the photos, though, I need to send a special yuletide shout-out to those of you who came through in fine style in response to my "wallet calendar" plea a few posts back: Sue, Brent, and especially Phyllis--who not only printed a page of the cards, but also endured the disapproving glares of some Hallmark store workers as she nabbed several of the coveted giveaways.  My dad will be thrilled with the bevy of ways in which he'll be able to tell what day it is.

  Snow-loving Bunk gambols happily round the Grove Santa Bunk, up close and delightful The Bunk, clad in festive garb, sits for a portraitHave a happy, safe, and healthy holiday!

Monsoon