Monday Muttivation with Maxine

Sure, I look innocent—but what if I told you this strawberry patch holds the juicy secret to my great escape (and an even greater snack heist)? Keep reading… 🍓😏

🐾 The Great Fence Fiasco

So, life at the company yard isn't all sticks and snuggles—there's real stuff to be careful about: trucks, machines, wild critters like coyotes, porcupines, groundhogs, and the occasional aerial villain (looking at you, hawk guy).

At first, I was a good girl. Stayed close to the office RV. Kept it professional. Dug only approved holes.

Then I discovered the hill. Woods. Smells. Adventure. I couldn't resist.

And I found this amazing secret tunnel (okay, crawlspace) under the office. Every time Mom or Dad called me, I'd pop out from underneath all innocent-like, pretending I'd been napping there the whole time. Flawless performance, thank you very much.

But apparently… they noticed.

A few days later, I went for my usual hill hike, came back when called, and boom—there it was.
A shiny grey metal chain-link fence. Like, all official and secure. No tunnel. No shortcut. Just... betrayal.

I tried everything: pacing, pawing, full-head tilt confusion. I even threw in my signature "Is this a prank?" side-eye.

Mom and Dad? Crying laughing.
Me? Bamboozled.

It's been weeks, and I still haven't figured out how they managed to block my perfectly engineered escape route.

I'm not mad. Just... impressed. And also currently accepting blueprints for my next move.
🐾😏

This is my kingdom of chill. All paws and all pause.

🐾 Midweek Melt-Down (Literally)

By Wednesday, the sun was blazing, and honestly, I wasn't about to keep up with anyone's hustle—not even my own. I declared my play rug the royal sunbathing throne and sprawled out like the queen of chill. Tongue lazily hanging, eyes half-closed, tail thumping in slow motion. The only thing missing was a tiny fan and a cold drink with a little umbrella. Mom keeps teasing me, saying I'm channeling "Hollywood diva vibes." Maybe she's right. Or maybe I just know how to live my best life.

Dad and me at the Oak Bay Snack & Dairy Bar, and trust me—I was giving him the “hurry up” eyes because when pup cups are involved, patience isn’t really an option!

🐾 Pup Cups & Pickup Trucks

Let's talk hydration, shall we?
Because—woof—it was hot. So naturally, Dad and I made a much-needed pilgrimage to the holy grail of refreshment: the Oak Bay Snack & Dairy Bar for a pup cup. One pup cup coming right up! I wasn't posing for photos—I was telepathically screaming "HURRY UP, HUMAN, HAND OVER THE CUP!" Forget the photo op, I just met my soulmate in soft-serve form. And let me tell you, when that soft serve hit my tongue? Life. Changed. I moaned. I melted. I might've levitated. I definitely licked the cup clean. No regrets.

Speaking of rides…
I've developed a serious crush on sticking my head out the truck window—but only at a reasonable, classy speed. 30 to 40 km/hr is my sweet spot. Anything faster and I'm retreating to safety. Slow cruises let me soak in all the smells and sights while the breeze fluffs my "mystique" fur just right. Total glam moment.

Started with a sniff, escalated to a dig, and before I knew it—I was halfway to China. Garden security has since been… tightened.

🐾 Garden Inspector Gone Rogue

Alright, let me spill the beans on the pea patch caper. Dad had planted some peas a few days earlier, but none of those little shoots were showing yet. Naturally, I wondered, "Hmm… why aren't these peas growing?" That soft, freshly-turned soil was just begging for a paws-on investigation.

One sniff turned into a full-on excavation project. I was mid-dig, snout smeared with dirt, paws deep in the hole when Mom caught me red-pawed. I threw her my best "Who, me? This hole? No idea what you're talking about" look.

Spoiler alert: Mom was not buying it.

But hey—was it worth it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? You better pea-lieve it.

Oh, and between us?
Mom still doesn't know I ate the first ripe strawberry.
I regret nothing. 🍓😏

We locked eyes. It vibrated. I growled. Game on, citrus chaos agent.

🐾 The Orange Menace (a Love Story)

They gave me a new toy this week. A small, innocent-looking, bright orange ball. Cute, right?

WRONG.

This thing moves on its own. It vibrates. It rolls around the floor like it owns the place. It stops, like it's thinking about something… and then starts again out of nowhere like it has a mind of its own.

At first, I didn't trust it. I barked in my deepest, most intimidating Big Girl voice — the one that says "I am in charge here." I even jumped back a few times, just in case it decided to lunge. You never know with these rogue spheres.

But it didn't back down. So neither did I.

After a few rounds of intense staring and dramatic side-eyes, I decided to engage. I gave it a cautious paw. It vibrated. I jumped. It rolled. I chased.

Game on.

Now? Oh, we're best frenemies. I toss it. I chase it. I strut around with it in my mouth like I just wrestled a wild beast into submission. Sometimes I pretend to ignore it, but the second it buzzes to life again—I'm BACK, baby.

You know what they say…Keep your friends close, and your unpredictable, vibrating, self-rolling orange ball even closer.

My first trip to Keith’s Building Supplies in St. Stephen was a total win: Garth helped Mom find paint, gave me behind-the-counter access, AND handed over a giant cookie. Five stars, would sniff again. 🐾

🛒 First-Time Shopper, Full-Time Charmer

Whew, pup—what a way to wrap up my week! Saturday I made my very first visit to Keith's Building Supplies in St. Stephen, and let me tell you… I crushed it.

The place was bustling with customers and staff, but I trotted in like I owned the joint. A lovely lady spotted me right away and couldn't resist dishing out the pats and praise. Naturally, I danced around her feet in delight—maybe tangled my leash around her legs a little. Oops? Worth it.

Then Garth showed up like the MVP he is, helping Mom and me sniff out the perfect paint for our project (yes, I offered my professional opinion). At the counter, he sealed the deal with a giant cookie—which I inhaled with zero shame—and invited me behind the counter for a quick tour. He said my manners were top-tier and that I'm welcome back anytime. I even posed for a pic with him—gotta keep the fans happy, right?

Not bad for a first-timer. 🐾