Did you know that bumblebees might be endangered? 

To me, bumblebees are one of the best parts of summer. When I am let out, one of my favourite things to do is lie in the shade of the maple tree and watch all of the activity in the nearby garden. The morning glories practically grow before my eyes! All of the flowers open and close in their designated times. Ants trundle about, avoiding the spiders. But bumblebees are by far the best.

Big and fuzzy, the bumbles glide from flower to flower. As they sup from each blossom they allow the magical process to begin that turns flowers into fruit. They aren't choosy. From tomatoes to zucchini to sunflowers to eggplant, the bees glide.

I can't imagine the summer without bumblebees. I look forward to them in my old age. I want to rely on their comforting buzz throughout my time and I want to know that they continue to flit around the garden even when I'm not around to watch.

Endangered is a frightening word. I think we can all help out... Gardening without chemicals is supposed to be healthier for both nature and those who consume from the garden. With many families making a few small changes, maybe we can all be confident of having bumblebees during sunset in the garden.

Holy cow!!! Did you know that they have a dock at the lake JUST FOR DOGS at the dog park?!?!?!

Mom and Dad took me today. There were a couple of doggies playing ball with their dads so at first mommy wouldn't let me off lead. Instead, she took me to the marshy areas so I could dip my feet. Ha! My feet... I launched my whole body in there and came out looking like one of those two-toned classic cars. I was still totally white on top, but my legs and underneathy bits were black!

Mom decided that I couldn't get back in the car like that and, since one of the ball-playing doggies had left, mom decided to let me loose.

That is all I was waiting for! I bolted for the dock and ran down its length like a greyhound. I didn't so much leap when I reached the end as I just kept running. Hitting the water was a surprise...  water really give way, doesn't it?

As much as my mom tries to stay in shape, she just couldn't keep up with me. I'm lucky that the other dog (a lovely German shorthaired pointer, rrrrowf) was still playing ball with her dad. He was a nice fella. After I got done being a submarine he helped me find the ramp to get back on the dock.

While mom (panting from trying to keep up) thanked him, my dad just laughed at me. Eva just looked at me and grinned. After all, she wasn't silly enough to go in the water.

So, I have this brother that I don't talk about much. Oh, you have one in your family, too?

My brother is a Betta Splendens - more commonly known as a Siamese fighting fish. He is pale pink with red trim and his name is Boo.

It is hard for me to identify with him which I suppose is why I don't talk about him much. We don't have any of the same interests. I, for instance, love a good game of "steal the sock". Boo has never played! I also really enjoy going jogging in the morning. Boo just sits in his tank, blinking (well, sort of; he doesn't have eyelids) at his aquarium light.

But I guess we do have one thing in common. We both dance at dinner time! First all of the kitties get fed. This excites both Boo and I so that we can't stay still. While I wag my tail and do my favourite trick repeatedly (circle - in which I spin in a circle, go figure) Boo sashays and zig-zags and frills his gills in quite the display! My little finned brother and I share a love of food in common and I guess that is enough to make us family.

He often gets fed before me. Does that mean his dance is better?

It has long been conjectured that my house might be haunted. From the time my parents moved in there have been bumps in the night, shadow people in the day and things that just seem a little supernatural.

Then my parents adopted a hedgehog.

The first night that the hedgehog was here, Daddy and I woke to the sound of the faucet running. Under that sound was the additional noise of whispering voices - two of them - in a cadence which seemed to indicated a disagreement of some kind. Thinking that someone had broken in to the house, Daddy got out of bed and was ready to confront the intruders. The noises lasted until Daddy was outside the room where the hedgehog lives. Then, all was quiet. Daddy entered the room and found nothing.

Isn't it funny how in the day, when the sun is shining, nothing seems so serious?

The following night Eva woke Mom with some quiet growling and little muffled barks. As Mom struggled out of sleep herself, she reached out for Eva thinking that Eva was dreaming and needed comfort. Eva was wide awake. Mom noticed light coming in through the bedroom door. It was just like as though the light in the hedgehog room was on! And instead of whispering voices, which seem to carry so well in the dark, the voices were merely lowered an a close conversation.

Eva could take no more - she barked and ran from the bedroom. As the light went out, Mom followed her into the hedgehog room where she found... only the hedgehog.

There hasn't been any activity since. Maybe our ghosts were just surprised to see someone awake in the night with them? I guess we'll never know.