Home Boz & Gracie Boz and the Makeshift Whoopee Cushion

Boz and the Makeshift Whoopee Cushion

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Boz the bulldog

Boz, the face I can’t seem to say no to.

Anyone who’s ever spent a minute or two reading my blog, can see (at least I hope) how much I love my pups, Boz and Gracie. As personalities, I’d have to say Boz is more Gary Cooper or Cary Grant, a dashing man of action, while Gracie channels Greta Garbo and a little Aunt Clara from Bewitched. Glamorous yes, quirky yes, but she really prefers to be alone. To Boz the world is a stage and no twig, bee or deer is too small, agitated or bossy (respectively) to thwart his interest or investigation.

When I first adopted Boz he would follow me behind my mower, as if on an invisible leash. I’d stop to empty the grass bags; he’d stop, awaiting my resumption of this seemingly inane exercise. Recently, I was on my tractor down in the front field. It was five o’clock, dinner time, and Boz bounded off the front porch, pushed through the unlatched gate, bombed down the hill with serious intent, and planted himself right in front of my advancing tractor. Brakes on, throttle down, stunned at his bravado, or more likely love of kibble, I knew I would not win this Tiananmen Square standoff, so I acquiesced and headed back to the house to feed my ‘poor starving’ dogs.

English Bulldog Gracie

Gracie is a bit camera shy, but oh so photogenic.

Last night Boz chose 3 a.m. to charm me once again. Returning from the bathroom (getting old ain’t for sissies), I stood in the dark at the foot of my bed. My CPAP machine didn’t sound right. Usually just a steady din, the compact air pump had a laboring sound . For the un-initiated, CPAP  stands for continuous positive airway pressure therapy. It helps those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily during sleep. Here’s the sexy part ( as sexy as sporting a hockey mask), the sleeper must wear headgear to equalize the pressure. And while I mock this marvel of modern science and medicine, I am beholden to it for a fine night’s sleep.

After stubbing my toe on the foot-board, wading through a pile of laundry to find the light switch, I could see  Boz was wide awake sitting up, sandwiched between two pillows like a happy sultan. Donning my glasses, I followed the air hose from the machine to the bed to under Boz’s bum. My beloved bed-mate was sitting on the nasal mask, apparently enjoying the sensation of a cool breeze where a soul would be hard pressed to find one. I whined, “Oh Boz-man, Buddy that is not what this is for.”Without budging, he remained on his new-found whoopee cushion, and looked away as if not seeing me would make me disappear.” I later had to laugh, Boz was having a little Marilyn- Monroe-in-The-Seven-Year-Itch moment. (Uh, well maybe it’s not quite the same.)

dog and cpap

Gracie, “Don’t look at me…I was minding my own business at the other end of the bed.

Needless to say my feigned admonishment and surly tone fell on deaf furry ears, so I returned to the bathroom with mask and hose in tow for a little disinfecting, make that a LOT of disinfecting. Back in bed, Boz barely missed a wink of sleep and Gracie snored through the whole ordeal. Ah, you take the good with the bad and the unexpected, and you love them nonetheless.

Sweet dreams.

24 COMMENTS

  1. I have chuckled about this all afternoon. As someone who understands the CPAP personally, this is even funnier!!! Love those puppy dog faces.

  2. Thanks for sharing this personal story with so much humor and candor. It’s always fun to have a peek into the doings of the Tom, Boz, and Gracie family unit.

  3. Very funny….
    My 4-legged friend, Wilma (no not Flintstone, Rudolph-the Olympic runner) is very expressive as well. Matter of fact she’s looking at me right now saying it’s time for a run…
    Thanks for the posts, I especially love the food/recipe posts.

  4. Ah, You should enter him in the McLendan’s Hardware pet contest. You’re right, – they are both very photogenic. But, my Mr. Hollywood (aka Morris) will win the big sassy cat category. lol

  5. …sad to say… I didn’t learn from your last post…coffee thru the nose AGAIN!
    Your darlings are gorgeous though, Tom.
    I was interested to read about the CPAP thingy – and that you get a good night’s sleep while wearing the mask. My Rick has sleep apnea, and because he snores so bad, I don’t get a good sleep either! But, he is reluctant to try the machine… I’ll tell him about your experience – thanks 🙂 XO

  6. Oh lord, you’ve done it now. The neighbors surely think I’ve finally totally lost it….I have a very “hearty” laugh. Love the photo’s of the kids, love the story and you’re oh so right about getting old.

  7. Hello, Tom:

    I found your site while looking for images of stick trellises (I’m a new gardener), then discovered you are living my dream – so cool!

    My sister in Louisiana recently adopted a bulldog pup and is head over heels for the little fella, whom she named Mack. Then again, what’s not to love about those endearing faces and personalities?

    You have a good site here, and I very much enjoy you’re writing.

    Best wishes!

  8. There’s nothing better than bully breeds. Well, them and their excessive gas. 😀
    Sharing a funny story: After a humidly long walk we were finally back to our jeep. Charlotte, my lil’ Pit-girl [being the princess that she is] just stood and watched her moronic ‘brother’ jump into the rear cab with ease. She gives my DH a look, ears back, which prompted him to go on and lift her onto the back of the jeep. With that she gave him a present.

    A little gas – from both ends.

    Oh how I love my bully breeds. ♥

  9. Clarence,
    Sends his hello to Gracie and Boz. Our beast sometimes rests his head at unusual places/spots. It looks awkward but to him is comfort. Like at the corner of the coffee table, on shoes or on the steps walking up the stairs.
    Very cool,
    H

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