1 Hey Verdi! Why are all the cats hiding in the laundry room? Are you all scaredy-cats?

2 No, Francesca, being scared has nothing to do with it. We're all waiting for our turn to be groomed. This is more than just a laundry room, you know—it's also our salon!

3 Laura and Maria are brushing out Empress Tang right now and then it will be my turn.

4 I see there's a whole shelf of grooming products for dogs and cats. Wait, is a kitty salon really necessary? It seems like all you cats do is sleep and preen!

5 Yes, Francesca, it's true that cats need ample beauty rest and we do like to preen. But, we also need baths and grooming, just like you stinky dogs!

6 Long haired cats, like all of us, should really be brushed once a day to stave off mats, remove dirt, and distribute oil throughout our coats. Short haired cats need brushing, but just once a week.

7 Plus, when you have an experienced brusher, like these two ladies, it also feels really nice. Ah yes, that's the spot!

8 There's a whole line of Martha Stewart pet grooming brushes at PetSmart for both dogs and cats.

9 Long haired cats like Persians and Himaylans actually have three layers of hair called guard hair, awn, and down. The short guard hairs shed and can get tangled with the longer down hairs, causing mats, like dreadlocks!

10 Believe me, we cats hate when our hair gets matted, but we also know that regular brushing really helps to avoid mats altogether. We welcome our grooming sessions.

11 There, how do I look? Purrfectly gorgeous, no?

12 Empress Tang, I must admit that you do smell good and your that your fur is very soft! And thanks for the lesson about cat hair.

1 Who is that coming up the walk? Is that whom I think it is? Yes, it is!

2 It's my pal, Karen Tracy, who's here to pick me up for another dog show! Oh, I missed you too, Karen!

3 And Jan Kolnik, my handler! Oh Jan, I've been practicing! You're going to be so proud of what I can do!

4 Okay, Jan! I'm ready to go! What else do we need to get ready? Frenchies, can you help me?

5 GK, we're sure proud of your winnings, but I do get a little misty eyed when you pack up for your dog shows! We just love cuddling up next to you, especially on these cold winter days!

6 Oh girls, I always miss you when I'm off traveling, but it's something I've got to do! I come from a long line of show dogs. It's in my blood!

7 Sharkey! This is no time to get emotional! It's not like he's leaving forever! GK, we'll hold down the farm while you're gone. There, you're all packed. I put some extra special treats in this bag for you!

8 Okay Jan, I'm all set to go! Let's head out to the car!

9 Look, Sharkey! GK gets to ride with other dogs! See, you have no reason to worry about him! It looks like fun!

10 Hi! I'm Robin and this is Tiva! We're Cavalier King Charles Spaniels! GK, we sure had fun at the last show! I'm so glad we're traveling together again!

11 It's very nice to meet you two. I'm Sharkey! Can you promise to take good care of our dear brother?

12 I'm Francesca! I'm so glad you two are going with GK. Tell Sharkey not to be such a worrywart!

13 Goodbye, Frenchies! I'll write to you from the road! Okay, Jan and Karen! We're all set to go. Maryland or bust!

14 Gee, now that he's gone, I really do miss the big ole fluff ball!

1 Sharkey! I spotted some auburn fur outside! At first I thought it was GK, but he's fast asleep in the kitchen! Let's go to the brown room and look out of those windows.

2 Why Francesca, you're right! There's another dog on the property! I'll just stand here at the window and bark loudly and incessantly!

3 Who is that large dog? Did Martha get another without telling us? I can't imagine having to get used to another dog!

4 I don't think Martha would do such a thing. It is curious though...the dog appears to be a golden retriever. What do we know about that breed?

5 Golden retrievers were originally kept as companion animals by hunters. Hunters would shoot fowl and their trained dogs would retrieve the unfortunate feathered creatures, hence the breed name.

6 They are very intelligent and are often used as guide dogs. They are also very loyal to their owners. Let's look around, Francesca. Maybe this one's owner is nearby.

7 Oh Sharkey, now I recognize that dog! It's our pal Dodi!

8 Dodi is Alex's dog. Alex cares for Martha's house in East Hampton. Oh Franny, it's just been such a long time since we last visited! I miss those summer days by the beach.

9 Hey there, Frenchies! I've missed you two in East Hampton, so I thought I'd come visit you for a change! But, Sharkey, do you think you could stop your barking already?

1 Hi Vivaldi! I know our basket of Frenchie clothes makes the perfect cozy nook for catnapping, but would you mind if I grab our raincoats? It's wet outside and Sharkey and I have got to go, if you know what I mean!

2 Thanks for being brave around Vivaldi and for getting our rain jackets, Francesca! We need them on a drizzly, autumn day, such as this one!

3 We certainly do! Hey Sharkey, I think we should investigate that grove of trees over there. It looks like those conifers are losing their needles! Could they possibly be sick?

4 I'm right behind you, Franny! We simply can't lose any more trees on the farm!

5 Look, Sharkey! The ground is covered in bronze feathery foliage from these trees! I'm confused - aren't all conifers evergreens? Evergreens are supposed to retain their needles and color all year round.

6 You're partially right, Franny. While most conifers are evergreens, there are a few species which are deciduous, meaning they shed their foliage in the autumn.

7 Ah, yes! It's coming back to me now. Upon closer inspection, I remember this tree from previous autumns. This is the Taxodium distichum!

8 It is a deciduous conifer, most commonly called the Bald Cypress. A pretty apt name, don't you think?

9 It isn't quite a member of the Cypress family, which includes both trees and shrubs, as they are all actual evergreens.

10 Franny, why is there fencing around the base of the trunks? Is that some sort of winterizing for the Bald Cypress?

11 You must remember a little problem I have with chewing bark? I actually think I can gnaw a tree, cause it to fall, and get the squirrel hiding in it. I'm afraid this fencing is more of a Francesca-proofing than winter-proofing!

1 Francesca, it seems like such a long time since we've seen our brother, G.K.! When do you suppose Karen and Jan will be bringing him home to the farm?

2 Wait, Sharkey! Is that them entering through the gate now? Is the champion finally back from his dog show victories?

3 Francesca! Sharkey! I missed you both so very much! I can't wait to tell you all about the shows! What do you think of this impressive lineup of ribbons?

4 We went to a few shows this last time out. It seems that I really have the knack for show life. Jan and I always keep our composure in the ring.

5 Some dogs don't like being in the ring, but I love all the attention! It makes me very proud to be a Chow Chow and to live up to the legacy of my family!

6 It can be very nerve wracking waiting for the judges' decisions, but Jan and I remain cool as cucumbers!

7 Jan also showed a couple other dogs. One was a ruby-colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, named as such because of their popularity with King Charles and other nobles from the 16th century.

8 I should also tell you that being on the road is fun! My cousin, Trinity and I stayed in the same hotel room, so I was never lonely!

9 My dear father, Maddox, gave me his favorite toy, Mr. Bubbles, to keep me company, as well.

10 At the end of each show day, I was exhausted! I was looking forward to getting back home for a while!

11 Wow, G.K.! It sure sounds like quite an adventure! Sharkey, can you believe all of these ribbons?

12 Best of Breed from the South Windsor Kennel Club in West Springfield Massachusetts!

13 Plus, the New American Kennel Club Title Winner!

14 Just look at all of these winning ribbons! G.K., you're really on your way to the top! Sharkey and I are so proud of you!

1 Sharkey, let's see what's going on in the stable today.

2 Hi Sasa! How's everything in your neck of the woods? Aren't you glad the weather has warmed up a bit after that horrific snow storm last week?

3 Why hello, Sharkey and Francesca! So good of you to stop by. I'm doing just fine, except for the shoe that came off my front hoof! Betsy was riding me and I was walking through mud and the shoe was sucked right off by the sticky goo!

4 Will you look at that! Why do horses wear shoes, anyway? We Frenchies get along just fine without shoes. And besides, I see that those things are hammered on with nails. That seems like an odd way to put on shoes.

5 Well, girls, while horses don't have shoes in the wild, it's something that many domesticated equine need. Carrying additional weight, like riders, can cause extra stress on our hooves and can be problematic.

6 But Sasa, don't those sharp nails hurt? Putting on a horseshoe isn't exactly like donning a pair of comfortable slippers! I mean, you don't hammer on a slipper!

7 Sharkey, my hooves are similar to your toenails. There aren't any nerve endings there, so horseshoeing doesn't hurt. Fortunately, Betsy found the shoe in the mud, so I can have it put on again.

8 Betsy already called Linda, our farrier, and she's coming tomorrow. In the meantime, Betsy could give me a hoof boot to wear or I could just take it easy until then.

9 Of course, Betsy knows what to do! She takes such good care of all of you. One of the reasons we like coming here is because she also knows how to give a good scratch! Ahhhh!

1 Even though the season is growing colder, there are still lots of lovely flowers blooming at the farm. These are anemone, a favorite among gardeners, as they bloom several times during the season.

2 Oh look, Sharkey! Anemones are growing by the greenhouse as well, and these are a lovely shade of pink.

3 They are a great flower for cutting as they can last up to nine days in a vase if they are cut right before the blossom opens! Of course, you must also change the water in the vase daily.

4 Speaking of cut flowers, why don't we check out the cutting garden and see what else is blooming?

5 Sharkey! Where did you disappear to?

6 I'm in here, Franny! Look at all of these blossoms!

7 Oh, I know what these are! They're zinnias! I remember them because they have such brightly pigmented petals. They make festive autumn arrangements.

8 They aren't the most fragrant flowers but I'm picking up a little whiff of something.

9 I love this shade of fuchsia! It's so bright and cheery on an overcast day like today. Hey Sharkey, take a look at this one over here!

10 That is one giant bee going about its business of collecting nectar and picking up pollen. Don't disturb it!

11 Sorry, Franny, I got distracted by these velvety lamb's ears.

12 Lamb's ears are grown more for the texture and color of its foliage than for its bloom Why, if they were my color, they would look just like my ears!

13 And look at this pink sedum called Autumn Joy. These flowers add a lot of color to the late summer and fall garden. Hey! I have an idea. Let's get some clippers and cut some blossoms to make a mixed arrangement for Martha!

1 Yawn, what a nice nap. Say, are we there yet?

2 Hey, I'm confused! The car isn't running, but we're still moving. Franny, what's going on?!

3 Silly Sharkey! You're finally awake. Come on out of the car and enjoy the view with me!

4 We're on the South Ferry! This ferry moves passengers and their cars from Sag Harbor to Shelter Island! Then you drive through Shelter Island and get on the North Ferry, which takes you to Greenport.

5 These ferries save a lot of time and aggravation when you want to get from the South Fork of Long Island to the North Fork. You know how that Hamptons' traffic is - why it's just dreadful!

6 It sure it, Franny. This is a much nicer way to travel. You get the salt air, the nice breeze, and wonderful water views. Wait, wasn't G.K. napping in the car with me? Where did he go? He didn't fall overboard, did he?

7 Of course not, silly! He's in very good hands with Uncle Carlos!

8 Hmm, that sign over there says 'Crew Only' - You wait here, Sharkey. I have an idea.

9 I'm sure the crew won't mind if I join them for this trip. I know my way around a boat and I make an excellent look out dog!

10 Land ho! We're approaching the dock! All passengers return to their vehicles!

11 And everyone, please remember to take all of your personal belongings, such as totes, hats, Chows, and Frenchies!

1 Hey Franny, what do you have there?

2 It's one of our stuffed toys! It's nice and soft and doesn't hurt my mouth when I chew on it. Sometimes, when I chew it just right, it makes a squeaking noise!

3 Chewing is very important to dogs! Puppies chew when they are teething, but full grown dogs need to chew, too. We inherited a lot of our chewing habits from our relatives.

4 Dogs, like our non-domesticated wolf relatives, are pack animals. Often, we assert dominance over another pack member by fighting over the last bit of food. That's why we love biting and chewing toys!

5 I sure showed him who's boss!

6 Dogs are also avid lickers. You've probably noticed that's the first thing we do when we meet you! Sharkey, people don't realize that licking is a way for us to communicate with each other.

7 Pack animals use licking as a form of silent communication so as not to reveal their location to prey. Licking another dog's face and ears is a common greeting.

8 Licking is also a form of cleaning. We not only groom ourselves, but other members of the pack. Franny, you're such a good pack mate!

9 Sometimes, Sharkey, I lick your mouth to let you know that I'm hungry, just like a puppy will lick its mother's mouth!

10 Why, thank you, Franny! It's so nice to have my own personal groomer to keep me looking beautiful!

1 It's been thirty minutes since I last slept...time for a nap! Those silly Frenchies think cats sleep too much but we need to sleep 12-16 hours a day.

2 Cats conserve energy by sleeping. We are natural hunters and need to retain that energy to be able to sprint and pounce on our prey.

3 I need to find some higher ground. Cats like to sleep high up so they can maintain a good vantage point of their surroundings. Where is everyone else sleeping?

4 Vivaldi looks to have found a cozy spot on that couch.

5 Hmmm...this might be suitable for Vivaldi, but I think I need to find something a little bit more...private. Luckily, I'm not disturbing Vivaldi from his catnap.

6 The word catnap came from our ability to fall asleep easily and still be alert. Oh, is that Princess Peony? Maybe she can help me!

7 Well, Bartok, I often sneak outside and sleep in the shade so I can keep a lookout in the yard.

8 Thanks, Princess Peony, but it's a little too humid out for me. Considering that we cats don't sweat like humans and other animals do to cool themselves, I think I'll stay inside.

9 Verdi found a cozy couch to settle on in the living room. There's another couch in here for me!

10 But, I think I'd rather find a cozy spot so I can sleep until dusk...I'm not nocturnal, like many think. I'm actually crepuscular, meaning I am awake at dawn and dusk. That's prime hunting time.

11 There we go, a nice chair for me to snuggle in. Now to drift off and save all of this energy for playing, hunting, and chasing!

12 Cats, bah! Such lazy animals! We Frenchies only sleep about 10-12 hours a day! And on beds, like civilized animals!