Helper Doggie

Most of you recognize me as a helper doggie. For those who don't, I wear a helper dog uniform (as seen in the photo).

But perhaps you are not aware that my helper duties are many and varied. See several in this photo/music collage:





Here I serve as sou-chef, bed chamber maid and neighborhood guard dog. And these are but 3 of my many duties.

So next time you see a uniformed helper doggie, please give them the respect they're due. Their skills and talents, like mine, are extraordinary.

Note: you can also view the collage, full screen, by clicking HERE.

My Prince

Today is Father's Day. In honor of my Grandpere who insists on believing that I'm a boy, this video, titled My Prince:



Happy Father's Day to the best Grandpere in the Universe. Love, Murph

Qwiki & my pal Coco

I have a pal, Coco. He's a beautiful fellow, inside and out. He's a dog about whom the phrase "man's best friend" could have been written. Words that describe Coco: mellow, smart, open-minded, friendly, a lover of classic rock and film noir, a loving, kind soul.

Click on my link below to see my brief tribute.

click: Coco's Qwiki visuals with music

Secret Garden

There's an old street, Milledge Avenue, that leads to Athens' 5Points. It's studded with classic southern mansions and older brick homes, most but not all, now housing the sororities and fraternities of UGA undergraduate students. One of these spectacular brick houses appeared to be unoccupied. Original wavey, handblown (?) glass covered the windows, its heavy shutters would keep out the highest winds.

Next door? A secret garden. Bricked in except from the sides, Maman was reluctant to tresspass. Thankfully, one spring morning, I persuaded her.

We may have been among the final visitors for soon, heavy construction implements were rolled in & the secret garden was razed. Now there stands a tasteful but nonetheless brand spanking new mud-brick house, home to many college boys and with a spacious parking lot for their SUVs, Jeeps, and sporty BMWs.

The secret garden was dark and cool, almost magical in its offerings of pretty plants,  mossy rocks, winding pathways and near silence. What a refuge, right off Milledge Avenue, what Maman refers to as the "noisy street," Athens' central north-south through-way. And finally, we stumbled across a small marble seat, placed as if for us only. An oasis for us alone.

The brick house still stands but it seems to be an administrative structure, a house mother of sorts for the brand new frat house. The boys hire a service to keep up their lawn and landscaping, their cars are hidden from view and it's all a nice bit of urban planning.

But my ever lasting thanks to Maman for permitting me to survey the secret garden, now only a memory. In the photo above, you can see the pathway into our very own secret garden, my back yard.

Rumors or Facts

A quick google search of the word rumor unearths this definition: "A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth." You will be the judge of whether what follows is rumor or fact.

Maman and I enjoy editing iPhone photographs and we have downloaded many apps, searching for the greatest flexibility and the combination of apps that will yield photos that match our mental images: rumor or fact?

The photo above, like many photos taken by amateurs, professionals and artists alike, reveal truths that were previously hidden: rumor or fact?

Maman and I are exceptionally talented iPhotographers (still and audio-video): rumor or fact?

Existing in this black & white (blue tinged black) keeps us cooler on this hottest day of summer 2013: rumor or fact?

You be the judge(s).

View our photographs on twitter (Roushanzamir_Ad) and Vine (Elizabeth Roushanzam)

School's Out for Summer

Greetings Fans,

Last night I took a trip back through time. The year was 2006, the entry date of my first blog post. How small and insignificant I was and yet what chutzpa! To think that I would usurp the power of the keyboard from Maman, to give voice to my heretofore private thoughts and feelings in a forum of global, perhaps even universal, reach (and frequency). So on this humid May morning, let's reflect on past accomplishments, review the accomplishments of the past, and renew our (my) commitment to enriching the lives of all with whom I come into contact.

Your friend, Mercury Murphy

Dear Santa,

Dearest, darling Santa,

It's that time of the year, old friend. We've seen many Christmases, cheered them on their way with hot chocolate, sugar cookies, figs & dates, and beautiful gifts.

Anyway, here's my Christmas List, filled with all the things I most want to find outside the door of my loft on Christmas Day.

Rest assured, I've been a good (not bad) doggie, nice, not naughty, very little crying or pouting, and so forth. You know this since you see me when I'm sleeping and when I'm awake. I'm just reiterating the obvious just in case you've been distracted.

This list enumerates my Christmas gift wishes but I'd also like to hear from you. What present do you want? If you tell me, I'll do my very best to get it for you.

Mercury's Christmas List:

New home decor, preferably red
A doggie cam
Several small squeaky balls in assorted colors
7 chewy bones and a bag of greenies, large size
A pail full of doggy treats (big)
1 designer (Diamond) collar, pink or red
A TV of my very own
An Iphone 5 with ear buds
Please wrap it all with shiny crinkly Christmas wrapping paper and inside, wrap each gift in gold or silver tissue paper

As for Papa:

A black Mercedes, the E series
5 pair of comically colored socks
A British Air ticket to London (special deal with hotel included)
Also, a Chunnel ticket to Paris
A designer leather belt

Mama's list:

A 10ct diamond, Emerald cut, set in Platinum (she asked for it last year too)
Designer shoes with studs on them
A British Air ticket to London (special deal with hotel included)
Also, a Chunnel ticket to Paris
A large size silver bowl filled with caviar

Papa and Maman have been good enough this year to warrant the fulfillment of their wishes. They have taken good care of me (save that 1 time when they "inadvertently" locked me out of the house), they feed me lots of cheese, meat and ice cream, they take me on daily walks and weekends to the intramural fields where against all rules Papa lets me off my leash.

In sum, dear Santa, please visit us on Christmas Eve. You may come down the chimney but I'll also leave the side door open. If you want a gift from me, please write and let me know what you'd prefer. I can only buy you 1 gift because any more would be too difficult to carry home.

I love you more than words can express, my dear darling best friends, Santa.

--Mercury Murphy Roushanzamir