Tag: Finding My Way Home

The Drawer, Box, or Closet

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

Sometimes the most ordinary places hold the most unexpected memories. A drawer, box, closet, trunk, or storage shelf can hide old photographs, letters, keepsakes, recipe cards, or little treasures we had almost forgotten. This week, I invite you to write about something you discovered in storage and the memory it unlocked. What did you find? Who or what did it remind you of? Please share your story through the link, and I would be honored to feature it on my blog as part of our growing collection of family memories and life stories.

The Muttley Crew Chronicles

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

Complaint:
The bowl was empty for nearly seven minutes. Emotional damages are obvious.

At approximately 4:42 p.m., the plaintiffs approached the food bowl and discovered a shocking lack of dinner.

Max immediately alerted the household by standing beside the bowl and staring at Mom with deep disappointment.

Mitzi joined the case by pacing dramatically and checking the bowl from several angles, just in case food had appeared while no one was looking.

Finally, Mitzi moved into action, flipping the bowl over to grab Mom’s attention.

The defense claims dinner was not technically late.

The plaintiffs disagree.

Seven minutes in dachshund time is equal to three years, two winters, and one abandoned hope.

Requested Settlement:
Immediate dinner, one apology treat, and a written promise that this injustice will never happen again.

Final Ruling:
The court finds in favor of Max and Mitzi.

Sentence: Mom must fill the bowl and provide compensation in the form of snacks.

Court is adjourned.

The Object I would Save

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant1 Comment

Some objects carry more than their shape or purpose; they carry the people, places, and memories we never want to lose. A keepsake, heirloom, recipe card, letter, quilt, piece of jewelry, or everyday item can hold a whole story inside it. This week, I invite you to write about an object you would save and why it matters to you. Please share your story through the link, and I would be honored to feature it on my blog as part of our growing collection of family memories and life stories.

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
If your pet could talk, what would be the first thing it says?
View all responses

Max and Mitzi’s First Words

A Very Short Tail


Caption: Before they became the Muttley Crew, they were just two tiny pups with big eyes, little paws, and very important opinions.

When Max and Mitzi were tiny puppies, they did not say their first words right away.

First, they tumbled.

Then they wiggled.

Then they chewed on things that were definitely not toys.

One morning, Max lifted his little nose into the air. He sniffed once. Then twice. Then he looked up with his big puppy eyes and said his very first word:

“Snack?”

Mitzi blinked, crawled onto the softest blanket in the room, tucked herself in like royalty, and gave a tiny puppy sigh.

Then she said her first word:

“Mine.”

And that was that.

Max became the official snack inspector, crumb detective, and cheese expert.

Mitzi became queen of blankets, cuddles, and getting exactly what she wanted with one sweet look.

Together, they learned one more important sentence: “Mom, we’re hungry… and also adorable.”

And maybe that is where the tiny crew really began, not just with snacks, blankets, and puppy mischief, but with two tiny hearts finding their way home.

From the very beginning, Max and Mitzi brought laughter, love, and a little bit of chaos into every day.

They were small enough to fit in my arms, but somehow big enough to fill my whole heart.

And from that day on, life was never quite as quiet, never quite as tidy, and never quite as ordinary.

It was better.

The Muttley Crew had found their furever home.

The Muttley Crew Chronicles

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

Max and Mitzi’s Rules for Life
Tiny dog wisdom from the Muttley Crew

Rule #1: If Mom stands up, follow her. She may be going to the kitchen.

Rule #2: If Mom says, “I’ll be right back,” do not believe her. Escort her personally.

Rule #3: If a blanket exists, burrow under it. If Mom is using it, burrow harder.

Rule #4: If someone opens the refrigerator, report to duty immediately.

Rule #5: A treat broken in half is still one treat. We cannot stress this enough.

Rule #6: If Mom is trying to work, sit on her lap. She clearly needs supervision.

Rule #7: Bark first. Ask questions never.

Rule #8: If you hear a crinkle, assume it is snacks until proven otherwise.

Rule #9: The best seat in the house is wherever Mom was about to sit.

Rule #10: When life gets hard, find a blanket, demand cheese, and look tragically underfed.

Sincerely,
Max and Mitzi
Small dogs. Big feelings. Strong opinions.

A Photograph Speaks

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant1 Comment

Old photographs have a way of whispering stories back to us. A faded face, a familiar porch, a handwritten date, or a place we almost remember can open the door to memories we thought were tucked away. This week’s prompt invites you to choose an old photo and look closely. What do you see? What do you remember? What do you wish you knew? Please share your story through the link, and I would be honored to feature it on my blog as part of our growing collection of family memories and life stories.

The Muttley Crew Chronicles

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Things My Dogs Would Put on Yelp
Review by Max and Mitzi

The Vet’s Office
⭐️

Suspicious smells. Cold table. No snacks waiting at the door.

We entered with hope in our hearts and left with questions.

The staff was friendly, and one very nice lady did call Max handsome, so we are willing to add half a star in our hearts, but not on the official review.

Mitzi did enjoy the cuddles and personal attention. She found the soft voices comforting and appreciated being treated like the delicate queen she is.

However, we would like the record to show that we absolutely did not like the vaccines. Not even a little. We were brave, of course, but we would have preferred cheese, applause, and a formal written apology.

Max would also like it noted that certain procedures were highly unnecessary and deeply personal; he specifically did not like having his temperature taken.

Our biggest complaint: everyone kept saying, “You’re doing so good,” but no one followed that statement with a cheeseburger.

Final rating: One star. Would not recommend, unless you enjoy being weighed, inspected, complimented, vaccinated, and betrayed in the same building.

Sincerely,
Max and Mitzi
Small dogs. Big feelings. Strong opinions.

The Friend Who Sat Beside Me

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant1 Comment

Some friendships become part of the way we remember growing up. Maybe it was the friend who sat beside you in class, saved you a seat at lunch, walked home with you after school, shared secrets on the playground, or made you laugh when the day felt hard. Sometimes the people who helped us most were classmates, teammates, neighbors, or quiet friends who made us feel less alone. This week, I invite you to write about a school friend who helped make growing up a little easier. What did you share together, laughter, trouble, encouragement, or unforgettable memories? Please share your story through the link, and I would be honored to feature it on my blog as part of our growing collection of family memories and life stories.

The Muttley Crew Chronicles

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

Pupdate: Guess who started walking last night!

She may still be a little wobbly on her feet, but there is no more scooting along. She is walking, wiggling, and wagging her tail again!

It may be small steps, but to us, it feels like a miracle. Max and I are so proud of our brave little girl. Mitzi is on the mend.

The Muttley Crew Chronicles

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

The Dachshund Daily

Special News Release: Mitzi Is Showing Her Fighting Spirit Again

For Immediate Release

The Muttley Crew would like to report that our sweet Mitzi has had another setback with her back injury. Recently, she woke up partially paralyzed again, making this her third round of this difficult journey.

While that sounds scary, and it is, Mitzi has proven before that she is one strong little girl. Each time this has happened, she has worked her way back with rest, medication, care, and a whole lot of love. We are hoping and praying that this third time will bring another recovery.

The good news is that after rest and medication, Mitzi is improving every day. Her vet is optimistic, and thankfully, she is not in pain.

Even better, her feisty disposition is still very much intact.

Mitzi still loves viewing the outdoors from the patio, keeping watch over her yard like the little queen she is. She still enjoys time outside when the weather is cool. She still loves cuddles, attention, and sleeping in “her” bed at night because, of course, it has always been her bed. The rest of us are just allowed to share it.

Max has been the most incredible brother through all of this. He stays close, watches over her, and makes sure her favorite toy, Lamb Chop, is nearby whether she is resting by the patio door or settling in for the night.

There is something tender and beautiful about the way he looks after her. He may be silly, dramatic, and highly suspicious of empty food bowls, but when it comes to Mitzi, Max knows exactly what to do.

One of the sweetest signs of Mitzi’s determination is that she still scoots to the door to greet me when I come home from work. She may be moving differently right now, but her heart, spirit, and love are as strong as ever.

So today’s official Muttley Crew update is this:

Mitzi is resting.
Mitzi is improving.
Mitzi is loved.
Mitzi is still bossy.
And Mitzi is not giving up.

We are taking this one day at a time, with medicine, rest, hope, patio views, cuddles, and Lamb Chop close by.

More updates will come as our brave little girl continues her recovery.