Category: Dogs

Zumi Tye, the Other Love of My Life

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Zumi Tye Walking Towards Its Food. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I cannot quite put into words just how much I love my tortoise. ZuZu does not require much. It eats, sleeps, hides in its hidey-hole, and tolerates my daily antics. Jernee gives it a bit of attention occasionally, but overall, she could not be bothered with it. It is amazing watching it grow and enjoy the simple life it has. I am in awe of its presence and am glad to be its mom.

Below is a short video of my second love as it was walking to its feeding post . . .

Zumi Tye, my Red-Footed Tortoise Walking Over to Its Feeding Post.

As I stated above, it doesn’t take much to satisfy ZuZu. It is happy as long as it has enough leafy greens, fresh fruits (in moderation), cucumbers, freeze-dried shrimp, and fresh water. I cannot wait until it gets big and old enough! I will take Zumi back to the Reptile Zoo to have it sexed. I am eager to find out if Zumi Tye is a boy or a girl.

I believe I will be able to do this in the next few months; probably before the year is out. I will be happy either way, but in my heart of hearts, I’d love for it to be a girl. I have a feeling it is not, though. LOL! And that’ll be just my luck. I always hoped this home would be all women/female, but I will allow one male (if it occurs this way).

I am also certain Zumi will require a bigger hidey-hole by the end of this year. Not too much bigger, but just a hair. It spends so much of its time in that thing that I’d like for it to have more than enough room for comfort. I will keep you all updated.

I hope you enjoyed the video! Happy Sunday!

Two Things Thursday #20

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1. Three Sisters. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. Jernee Timid, the Princess. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

1. Three Sisters is a photo of my laptop wallpaper featuring my best friend’s three dogs. The puppy, Riley-Blu (she decided to go with “Riley” instead of “Misty”) is the newest addition. I love this photo of all three of them watching the Amazon delivery person drop off their mommy’s package.

Because there are now three of them, I had to change my laptop wallpaper to feature them. When I launch my laptop and enter my password to get to my main screen and their little bodies are sitting/standing before me, I cannot do anything but smile. You are looking at (in this order) Riley-Blu, Bella-Rue, and Stacey-Lou.

Baby girl is already feisty. My best friend sent me a video of her playing with her oldest sister, Stacey-Lou, and she was holding her own. LOL! Stace was trying to pin her down at one point, and I heard my best friend’s voice sternly say, “Stacey, don’t do that. Get off her.”

And Stace hopped up and backed away quickly. That little one, though?! She lunged toward Stacey like, “Um, don’t back away now!” LOL! I cannot wait to see her and shower her with treats and gifts!

I’ll probably take a day trip to see them in the next two to three weeks. And of course, I’ll share a few photos and maybe a video, too.

2. Jernee Timid, the Princess is a photo I snapped of Jernee while she relaxed in my new chair! Now, for those of you unaware, I purchased this chair for me because Jernee insists on commandeering my other chair and sitting in it. This DIVA likes this chair, too. She has a whole couch and my other chair in which to sit, yet she wants this one as well.

I cannot win for losing with this Little Monster! I told one of my friends about it and showed her the picture and she calmly said, “Well, what’s yours is hers anyway, so what’s the problem?” LOL! I guess she has a point!

I just go on over to the other chair (my first favorite chair), sit in it, and keep it moving. Happy Jernee Timid, happy life. LOL!

Two Things Thursday #16

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1. Wicker Papasan Chair & Footstool (Different filters & angles). ©2024 Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. A Wednesday Outing. ©2024 Tremaine L. Loadholt

1. Wicker Papasan Chair & Footstool are the newest additions to our home. You all know that Jernee commandeers my favorite chair ALL THE TIME and has laid an indefinite claim to it, so I purchased the above Papasan chair & footstool.

Prayerfully, The Little Monster will leave this one alone and let me have a space to fully relax without her taking over.

My best friend was here in March and Jernee hopped right in my chair just before I was about to sit down and my best friend said, “I don’t know why you just don’t get her another chair.” I said I wouldn’t. I even said Jernee has plenty of places where she can park her hind-end, and lo and behold, I’ve bought another piece of furniture, but solely for myself.

We’ll see how long it stays mine and only mine. Lol!

2. A Wednesday Outing is a quick photo I took of myself walking down our building’s stairs to get to my optometrist’s appointment. I took the day off to take care of my eyes and had my last therapy session with my therapist who is retiring.

My shirt (one of the very many my best friend bought . . . I rarely buy my own shirts. She loves to shop and whenever she buys something for herself, she gets me a ton of stuff, too. I’ve ceased arguing with her and telling her not to buy me anything, she’s going to do it anyway. Ain’t no need to waste my good energy. Lol) says “Loved.”, which I am.

It’s also in one of my favorite colors–red. I paired it with a white long-sleeved (I’m always cold while indoors) shirt, dark gray sweatpants, and a pair of red & black sneakers. My crossover purse is black as well.

It was a good day. And I am somewhat partial to this photo. I’m not really cheesing, but I’m smiling enough to show that I am happy, and I was having a fantastic morning.

Two Things Thursday #14

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1. Abstract African Woman
2. My doggy nieces: Bella-Rue and Stacey-Lou. Photo Credit: M. Monique Steele

1. Abstract African Woman print via artist, Digital Prints ArtRO is a stunning representation of bold art. I love the colors, the stoic look on the subject’s face, and the ensemble the subject is wearing. When I look at this art piece, I smile. I feel moved and empowered. Enlightened and awed. I think it’s an exceptional masterpiece.

It’s a bit pricey to me (as a print, and I literally have no wall-space for it), but that doesn’t stop me from admiring it from afar.

I may end up getting it anyway!

2. My doggy nieces: Bella-Rue and Stacey-Lou. They are two years and one year old now. They were a bit younger in the photo shown above. The two are my best friend’s puppies. She used to have Nala and Reese and they both died. They were also Boston Terriers.

It is no secret we miss both Nala and Reese, and we always will, these two are in no way replacements, but they have helped to fill a void for my best friend when Nala passed away nearly 3 years ago.

I am so attached to them and I love them with a love that is sound and gargantuan. They have become Jernee’s little cousins who listen to her and abide by her rules. LOL! I am so happy they are a part of our family.

We will probably get another little one soon! My best friend is looking into a litter from their mother & father, and she also wants another female. I asked if I could name her and she said, “Sure! It has to be a two-part name like theirs!” I had a name ready and I shot it to her rapidly: “Talulah-Bell” and she declined. LOL! I came back with, “Misty-Blu,” and she approved.

So, if she really does get a third Boston Terrier female, she will be “Misty-Blu.” I will keep you guys updated!

I Mother No One

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Jernee Admiring Her Reflection. ©2024 Tremaine L. Loadholt


I have not given birth to anyone, but I have mothered some; auntied others. I am my dog’s world and my tortoise’s favorite human.

I am a nurturer by default, a giver by God, and a sound and whole lover. I know what I know because I’ve seen what I’ve seen.

To the mothers who have mothered without rest, haven’t had a decent meal in hours, hustling throughout the day from school drop-offs and pickups, and home to make dinner before the streetlights come on.

To those mothering, because they’ve been shoved into that role, forced to take on someone else’s children, eager to adopt the motherless & fatherless. And to the big sisters, big brothers, aunties, and uncles.

To those of you grieving a mother. Crying without sound. Worried if you’ll feel whole again. Living without your mother or mothering human, yet still hurting and longing for their presence, I see you. You are loved and I hope today doesn’t burden you too much.

To mothers of pets cradling their fur babies or singing with their feathered friends or being envious of their reptilian or amphibian creatures. You aren’t lost on me. I know what it takes to keep a pet (s) healthy and not lose your sanity in the process.

To all of you doing what you can, however you can, and whenever you can . . . I hope this Mother’s Day will be a blessing and not a curse. Joy and not sadness. Holy and not evil. And I say that with a love that has no words and cannot be fully described.

You are, every one of you, cherished and admired, and my highest thought of you is one of complete and total adoration.

Peace and blessings.