<?xml version="1.0"?><!-- generator=" Dogster feed generator/0.1 " -->
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
<channel>
<title>Life With Sharon, or, How Much Can a Dog Take?</title>
<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take</link>
<description>Dogster diary for the dog Patch</description>
<language>en</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2013 by Patch &amp; Dogster</copyright>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 21:47:51 PDT</pubDate>
<generator>Dogster Pet-o-matic Gennie - http://www.dogster.com</generator>
<ttl>360</ttl>

	<item>
		<title>Good-bye</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/825808</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 5 May 2013 15:40:25 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/825808</guid>
		<description>Mom's typing this for me as her tears flow, but she wanted to help me say good-bye to all my pup-pal ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom's typing this for me as her tears flow, but she wanted to help me say good-bye to all my pup-pals. I'm tired. I can't stand without falling down, and can't walk without stumbling. I can't hear my mom when she says she loves me. I'm embarrassed when I try to pee and end up lying in it or when I try to eat and the food won't go into my mouth, so Mom has to feed me with a spoon. I mean, is there any dignity in that? When we go for a walk, I can't control my direction and I have no interest in good smells any more.I used to enjoy riding in my stroller and looking out at things we pass, but now I just lie down and don't notice. I'm tired of acupuncture and chiropractors and osteopaths. I'm tired of having to do strengthening exercises and pills for pain. I sleep during the day and wander at night and wonder where everybody is. Sometimes I think Mom has left the house when she really hasn't, but I go and wait at the door for her until she finds me there.

We didn't have a lifetime together - only four years. But they were the best years of my life and my mom says the same. We were there for each other through thick and thin, good and bad, happiness and sorrow.We loved each other unconditionally. Now I want to go to the Rainbow Bridge where I hear that I'll be able to run again, and hear other dogs barking and the smells in the grass will be enticing again. And, I hear, someday Mom will come and find me and we'll be together again. I know her heart is breaking and at first the memories will be painful, but they will sweeten with time.I'm just too tired.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Thenk yew, thenk yew verra much!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/819580</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:23:13 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/819580</guid>
		<description>Thank you, pals, for your congratulations. I wish I felt like I had done something to deserve it. It ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Thank you, pals, for your congratulations. I wish I felt like I had done something to deserve it. It's all a mystery to me.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>I'd Like to Thank...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/819308</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:05:22 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/819308</guid>
		<description>the dogster.com academy for bestowing upon me the honor of being one of the Daily Dogster Picks. (Wh ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ the dogster.com academy for bestowing upon me the honor of being one of the Daily Dogster Picks. (Who are they, anyway, and how does this happen?)

Mom left me with my sitter all weekend and went to a two-day dog show. No, she did not come home with a dog. Why would she - she's got one?]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Give Me Your Opinion</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/818724</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 5 Mar 2013 17:45:04 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/818724</guid>
		<description>This is a question for all dogs aged 12 or over: How would you like it if your mom adopted another d ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This is a question for all dogs aged 12 or over: How would you like it if your mom adopted another dog? Not a puppy, she said, an adult dog.I mostly eat and nap.I don't like to be held or petted, but I do like to be at Mom's feet wherever they might be, and I don't like to be pestered. How about you? What do you think?]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>ZZZZZZZ</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/818408</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 2 Mar 2013 19:38:19 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/818408</guid>
		<description>When you're an old guy, sometimes you have trouble peeing. Sorry if that offends you, but it's just  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ When you're an old guy, sometimes you have trouble peeing. Sorry if that offends you, but it's just a fact of life; hey, guys - am I right? So the vet, after making sure the bladder stones hadn't come back, gave Mom some pills that were supposed to help. I'll spare you all the graphic details and medical terms, but it was a kind of tranquilizer. Well, I was as tranquilized as a wet noodle for three days. Mom was scared to death, because she couldn't wake me up. My eyes were unfocused and my tongue was hanging out. She tried to rouse me with the smell of a pill pocket which I kind of tried to eat without opening my eyes, but I couldn't make my mouth work so I just licked the blanket. I spent two days at the vet with a needle stuck in my leg and fluid dripping into me. Mom brought me home at night and slept with me so she could check to make sure I was still breathing during the night. When she got up in the morning I still was a limp noodle so back we went for another round of fluids. I'm at home now and I'm still a little sleepier than usual but wa-a-y better than I was. Gettin' old is not for the faint of heart.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>I'm On The World Wide Web!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/814943</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 4 Feb 2013 19:49:38 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/814943</guid>
		<description>Hey, guess what! Mom made me a web page of my very own! And so far it's only taken her two full days ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Hey, guess what! Mom made me a web page of my very own! And so far it's only taken her two full days - I've been bored out of my mind because she's been fixated on getting this done. She's only taken me on two very short walks (short in distance, long in time) and then she went back to the computer. That thing sure monopolizes her time! Anyway, it's done and if you want to see it go to http://sharonlbrune.wix.com/patch-in-paris. It has cool buttons that take you somewhere else; one even takes you here! Hope you like it. Oh, and my book might be coming out on Amazon.com. Cross your toes!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Where in the World is Patch?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/813431</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:23:17 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/813431</guid>
		<description>On our drive up the California coast, supposedly on our way home to Washington, Mom passed several t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ On our drive up the California coast, supposedly on our way home to Washington, Mom passed several turnoffs from Hwy. 101 to Mendocino and each time she would say, I wish we had time to go to Mendocino, Patch. It's one of my favorite places. So when it was about 4:00 and we were a long way from a nice hotel, she impulsively turned off 101 onto the last exit which put us on a road with hairpin curves for 27 miles. It was dark by the time we got there and we needed a hotel. And I needed dinner. I get a little cranky when I'm hungry and I was hungry! Mom started getting a little cranky when she was looking for a hotel in the dark and I was urgently telling her it was dinner time. Well, with a little advice from the owner of two other shih tzu, we ended up in a great place with every amenity a mom could want including a fireplace and every amenity a dog could want including other dogs! This place caters to dogs! I got to go into the breakfast room with Mom, and since I'd already had my breakfast, I was not cranky. The only bad thing is the slick hardwood floors - I can't stand up, let alone walk. My muscle tone isn't what it used to be. But good old Mom was even prepared for that - she had brought along several carpet runners that we use at home to give me traction so I have pathways where I can walk from my bed to my bowls (very important) to my pee pads. Last night I fell out of bed (my own bed with bolster sides) and got stuck in the corner. The floor was too slick for me to get up, but luckily Mom heard me scrabbling around and woke up to help.
It's raining here, but it's raining at home too, so Mom says we might as well stay here and enjoy the change of scenery. I don't care. I'm happy wherever she is.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Is This Really Necessary?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/812332</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:23:46 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/812332</guid>
		<description>I had to have a bath today. We've only been here 10 days and I already had to have a bath. Who knew  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I had to have a bath today. We've only been here 10 days and I already had to have a bath. Who knew the desert would be so dirty? If I weren't built so low to the ground, I could have gotten away with a foot bath, but Mom said my belly was dirty too, so in the tub I went. I decided to sit down so my butt got washed,too. In fact, both of us got wetter than was in the original plan.
We saw a roadrunner today. No, not the cartoon one, but a real one. He acted just like the cartoon one, though. He ran a bit and then stopped and his tail went up and down. Then he ran another bit and his tail went up and down again. I can see why they made a cartoon character out of him.
I'm vacationing with a golden retriever named Annie. She's very polite and I've found out that she doesn't mind sharing her dinner. Last night Mom heard a crunch, crunch, crunch, turned around and caught me eating Annie's dinner while Annie stood watching me. It's nice to know that I can still throw my weight around, even if I am a little up there in years. So I probably packed on a couple more pounds. Hey, I can't hear, I can't run, at least I can still eat.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>It's a Long, Long Way to Palm Springs</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/811874</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 9 Jan 2013 21:34:11 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/811874</guid>
		<description>We drove for three whole days to get here. I was beginning to think the van was my new home. Staying ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ We drove for three whole days to get here. I was beginning to think the van was my new home. Staying three nights in a new, strange place each time was kind of unsettling. At least I always had my familiar soft crate which comforted me a little. We had three days of great weather and easy travel until we got to Southern California. Then Mom got a little tense. Between Santa Clarita and San Bernadino she was pretty quiet and I think I saw a little sweat bead on her forehead. When we finally stopped at a rest stop after about two hours,she had a little trouble prying her fingers off the steering wheel. She muttered something about bumper-to-bumper traffic going eighty miles an hour, and then there was something about having to cross five lanes of traffic to get to the right exit. I don't know what it was all about - I was napping in the back.

It's a lot sunnier here in Palm Springs than it is back home in Washington. We can take walks without getting wet. There's a dog park here that we visited but I wasn't too interested in playing, so I just walked around a little and returned some salutations. Most of the dogs here seem to be blends of two or three different breeds. There are a lot of shelters in S. Cal. so I think that's a good thing. A lot of homeless dogs are finding their furever homes. 

Today we were walking in a park - well, Mom was walking and I was in the stroller because I don't walk very well any more - and a bunch of "old guys" were sitting around a picnic table at the tennis courts and they started laughing at my transportation and making rude remarks. Mom laughed,too, but then she said, Don't laugh too hard, you'll be riding in one of these all too soon! Then they really laughed (but I wonder if they really thought it was funny).

It's nice to have a back yard to walk around in again, but the sun is very bright. Mom wants me to wear my Doggles and I did for a little while, but I'm still not convinced that they're worth the annoyance. Oh, I know I look cool, but what good does it do to look cool in your own back yard?
I might wear them downtown. There's a film festival going on and maybe people will think I'm a movie star dog in town for the Golden Canine Award. Or not...]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Happy Holidays</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/809079</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:24:02 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/809079</guid>
		<description>MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY PUP PALS: WISHING YOU GOOD HEALTH AND LONG LIFE IN THE NEW YEAR. ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY PUP PALS: WISHING YOU GOOD HEALTH AND LONG LIFE IN THE NEW YEAR.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>International Travel</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/806442</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:19:46 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/806442</guid>
		<description>Mom got out our suitcases again the day before Thanksgiving. I was a little worried when I saw her p ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom got out our suitcases again the day before Thanksgiving. I was a little worried when I saw her putting stuff in her suitcase, but then I saw her packing up my stuff, too, so I started to get excited instead of worried. When I saw my dog food being packed I knew that was a very good sign, because she never takes me to a kennel. So we got in the car, picked up her friend and went off to spend Thanksgiving in Canada. We didn't have far to go - we live only about 30 miles from the border and then we drove another hour or so until we got to Harrison Hot Springs. This is a resort in the mountains where there are mineral springs that smell funny and people in bathing suits sit around in steamy water. We walked around the edge of a park and lake and then I had to go in my stroller because Mom and her friend wanted to shop. We went into one store where there were two ladies buying expensive art and when they saw me in the stroller they laughed and exclaimed over me! And guess what they were speaking - FRENCH! So Mom talked to them a little bit in French and a little bit in English - just like in Paris!

I had to stay in the hotel room that evening when Mom went to a fancy dinner at the resort. She thought she probably wasn't supposed to leave me, but wasn't really sure what to do with me. I didn't like being in a strange place alone,so I complained. Loudly. And when Mom got back, the hotel lady told Mom that someone in the hotel had complained, too. About me. Oops.

The next day when we got up, I was limping and so was Mom. She said she wrenched her knee dancing and wanted to know what I did to hurt myself. I didn't tell her. We both had to take pills for pain. :(

In January we're going on a longer trip to Palm Springs, CA. That will be a really long car ride. Even longer than going to France on the plane. At least I won't have to be in a tiny carrier.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>17 Needles</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/799050</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:47:14 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/799050</guid>
		<description>I reminded Mom that I had promised to write about my acupuncture experience. She hadn't decided whet ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I reminded Mom that I had promised to write about my acupuncture experience. She hadn't decided whether or not it had helped me, so she was putting off declaring success or failure and then she forgot about it. I wish I could say that I was walking steadier and faster,but I'm really not. I'm very stiff and can only take little steps. Sometimes I trip and kind of fall over. So it didn't do what Mom and I had hoped. But it did do something. It made me relax and get calm in the vet's office. Now nothing has ever had that kind of effect on me. As soon as Mom opens the door of the car, I start to shake - even my whiskers tremble! I'm so scared I don't know what to do - I want to sit on Mom's lap and then I want down to hide under the chair. I usually pee or poop on the floor, even if I've just done that outside. When I was up on the the exam table I tried like anything to get down - Mom had to hold me or I would have bailed off, never mind how far down it was. Then it started - the vet started putting these thin little needles in me. But I didn't even know she was doing it! I didn't feel it at all. Some of them came out because I was squirming so much, but most of them stayed in. Mom thought I looked a little like a porcupine with blue quills. By the time the vet had put in the last one, I was lying very RELAXED on the table. I wasn't shaking, I wasn't struggling, I was just calm and a little sleepy. Isn't that funny? So now, five days later, Mom keeps checking me for any signs of improvement. She thinks maybe I seem a little more active, a little more engaged, a little happier (my tail is wagging more), so we're going back for another treatment in a week. At least  she feels like she's doing something to help me and that makes her feel better even if it isn't really helping me. But don't tell her.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>DDP</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/798247</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 22 Sep 2012 09:23:31 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/798247</guid>
		<description>Hey, I was one of the Daily Diary Picks today! Who knew! I don't write much any more so maybe this w ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Hey, I was one of the Daily Diary Picks today! Who knew! I don't write much any more so maybe this was a vote of encouragement. Anyway, thanks Dogster Diary Folks. I'm h-h-honored.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Slowin' Down...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/797939</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:34:41 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/797939</guid>
		<description>I'm gettin' old and slowin' down. Trouble is Mom doesn't want to let me do it, so she keeps thinkin' ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm gettin' old and slowin' down. Trouble is Mom doesn't want to let me do it, so she keeps thinkin' of stuff to torture me with. I'm taking pain pills for my arthritis (which I don't mind because they come in FOOD), she took me to the chiropractor (boy, did I HATE that!!) and made me swim (not my favorite thing either) and now she's trying some really weirdo stuff - she's going to take me to a doctor to have NEEDLES STUCK IN ME! She calls it acupuncture. Can you believe that? Would you want to get punctured? Have any of you been tortured like this by your moms? I just want to lie in my soft bed and snooze, getting up only to eat or potty and she just won't let me alone. I do enjoy my twice-a-day walks around the block as long as I don't have to hurry and I get plenty of sniffing time. So my steps are getting shorter and my balance is a little off - my nose still works and that's where all my news comes from anyway. Oh, she tried massage on me, too, but I didn't like that much either. I'm not a cuddly touchy-feely dog. Give me the occasional ear rub and let me sit nearby, but don't mess with me. My appointment to be punctured is Monday. If I live through it, I'll let you know how it went.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Under the Knife...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/787462</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 4 Jul 2012 20:12:38 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/787462</guid>
		<description>Stones are not good things to have in your bladder. They hurt. When an xray showed that I had some t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Stones are not good things to have in your bladder. They hurt. When an xray showed that I had some there, Mom had to put me on a special prescription food that was supposed to dissolve them. The worst part about this diet was NO TREATS!!! After three months, they were still there. So I had to go under the knife. After the operation Mom came to get me and I thought we were going home, but instead she took me to another hospital where I had to stay overnight. I protested very loudly even though she left my green bunny with me. I was so loud they had to put a towel over my cage, but that didn't stop me. Now it's five days later and I'm starting to feel a lot better. Mom had pee pads all over the house, because I felt like I had to pee all the time, even though I couldn't. I could only pee a few drops of blood. That's getting better now, but I'm taking a lot of medicine - about 10 pills a day, which is a good thing because Mom gives them to me in little balls of dog food. I have a really cool scar on my belly - it's about four inches long and shaped like a fish-hook. Mom was really worried about the operation because I'm an older guy and don't do well with anesthesia, so she was relieved when I was awake again. My Dinah went to stay with some greyhound friends because when she gets excited sometimes she steps on me and sometimes I get excited too and Mom wants me to stay quiet. A couple more days and she won't have to worry about that anymore.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Old Age</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/773157</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 1 Apr 2012 12:30:53 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/773157</guid>
		<description>Old age is not for the faint of heart. It's a good thing I have a good attitude and always look on t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Old age is not for the faint of heart. It's a good thing I have a good attitude and always look on the sunny side, because things are getting harder. Back xrays showed that some of my vertebrae have lost their cushioning and are rubbing against each other - guess that's why I don't want to walk very fast anymore. Of course, I don't mind - slow walking is all the better for sniffing. When Mom and Dinah want to walk fast, I go in the stroller. Dinah doesn't like that so much because Mom has her attached to a short belt so she doesn't get to sniff.

The xrays I had also showed bladder stones - four of them,all in a neat little bunch. So now I have to eat this food that looks like gray school paste and nothing else - did you hear me? NOTHING ELSE! NO TREATS! OF ANY KIND! This has to go on for at least two months. Fortunately for me, I don't mind the taste of it, but it would be nice to have a little variety and some crunch once in a while.

Next week I have to start swim therapy again. Punishment on top of pain! See what I mean about old age? Phooey!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Why Does My Head Feel Funny?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/764664</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:01:40 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/764664</guid>
		<description>I had a broken tooth extracted today.  My brain feels fuzzy 
and ... I keep ... drifting... huh? Wh ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I had a broken tooth extracted today.  My brain feels fuzzy 
and ... I keep ... drifting... huh? What was I saying?  Oh, yes, my tooth... It had been causing me occasional pain which I tried to rub out on the floor, but Mom didn't know what was making me do that, so we went to the vet who checked my whole face and found a broken tooth that was loose. So today I had to have it out. When Mom picked me up from the vet this afternoon, I made a big show of running out and acting lively, but by the time we got home Mom had to carry me out of the car like a limp noodle. I managed to eat dinner even though I nearly fell into my bowl, and now I'm kind of in and out of consciousness. 

Dinah has so much to learn. She's afraid to go down the stairs of our building, which is not good in case we have to evacuate. Today (while I was under the anesthesia) Mom made her practice going down our stairs. It took a lot of persuasion, praise and patience, but in the end she was able to go down two short flights of stairs and back up. Mom was able to sweet-talk her into stepping down two steps with her front feet, but she left her back feet up at the top. She didn't seem to know what to do with them, so Mom helped her move one of them down one step and that got her momentum going. Mom told her what a brave girl she was and what a good job she had done, but she didn't want to do the rest of them. It took a lot of petting and praising and encouragement before they were back up where they had started. Mom decided that would do for today - more practice to come.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>What a Surprise!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/762793</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:42:35 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/762793</guid>
		<description>Living on the West Coast and not being an early riser, I'm always the last to know everything.  Imag ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Living on the West Coast and not being an early riser, I'm always the last to know everything.  Imagine my surprise when Mom opened my mailbox this morning and it was full of wonderful messages and prezzies!  Thank you all so much and thank you Dogster for the honor that brought me all the attention AND a new pup pal. This has been quite a week for me!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dinah, Part Deux</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/762515</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:05:13 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/762515</guid>
		<description>Dinah is sleeping. She must be dreaming. Her cheeks are puffing in and out like she's running hard a ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Dinah is sleeping. She must be dreaming. Her cheeks are puffing in and out like she's running hard and her feet are twitching.  Her eyelids open a little and then close again. Did you know that sometimes greyhounds sleep with the eyes open? She went to a greyhound run today and joined in with a gang of seven to chase the dog that was chasing the ball.  Most greyhounds aren't interested in balls because they just sit there and don't run, but one of the hounds was obsessed by a ball. One of the humans threw the ball, that hound chased the ball and all the hounds chased him. And the game was on!

Dinah has the cutest smile!  If you didn't know, you might think it was a snarl because she lifts her lips, crinkles her nose and shows all her teeth.  But she does it when she's happy and excited, or glad to see someone.

Dinah was in a foster home for about six weeks before she came to us and before that she was at a Texas track. She was sent from the "halfway house" to the Northwest Canadian Greyhound League and then to her foster home. She was a racer and quite a good one when she was younger.  She ran 40 races and won, placed or showed in about half of them.  Usually, if she didn't place, it was because she was bumped. Racing can be very dangerous for greyhounds. If you go online you can find out what horrible accidents can happen in a race.  Dinah was lucky that none of her "bumps" seriously injured her. When she retired from racing, she became a brood mom and had two litters of puppies.  Some of her offspring became racers and some did not. We hope that the ones that did not make the grade were adopted out.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dinah</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/762383</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:17:20 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/762383</guid>
		<description>She's here and we like her!  Dinah arrived yesterday and we liked each other at first sight!  She's  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ She's here and we like her!  Dinah arrived yesterday and we liked each other at first sight!  She's reservedly friendly - just the personality type I like.  Someone who's not too much into my business.  We've even shared the same bed and I think we'll get closer as time goes on.  She reminds me a little bit of Tanner, but a more feminine, dainty version. She has the most wonderful wide,toothy smile that makes her nose crinkle.  It makes Mom laugh!  We had kind of a rough night last night with three in the bed.  Mom says we may have to work on different sleeping arrangements tonight. Mom is very excited that she learned to use my potty right away.  It saves lots of trips downstairs. She's settling in pretty well, but isn't totally relaxed yet.  I'm trying to help her with the elevator - she's pretty skittish about it.  It is pretty confusing when you go into a little room,there are strange noises and then you come out in a different place. I'm an old hand at things like elevators - all kinds of transportation, actually. So I can help her with a lot.  Like when we go outside, for example.  She's a little nervous and has to stop and look at things a lot.  I show her there's no need to be nervous - I just show her where the good sniffing spots are. She didn't want to eat at first, so I shared one of my favorite treats with her - cottage cheese.  That whetted her appetite so she started eating dog food.  We have a couple of things to work out, but she's fitting in pretty well.  I'm glad for the company and the increased activity.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>By Popular Demand</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/760611</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:37:13 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/760611</guid>
		<description>My pals Coco Rose and Puff requested an update on what's been going on here - your bark is my comman ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ My pals Coco Rose and Puff requested an update on what's been going on here - your bark is my command!  Actually, not much, which is why there hasn't been a recent diary entry.
Thanks for asking about Poochini. She's back on all four feet again and feeling fine.  She and her mom are back to their usual long, brisk walks.  She doesn't seem to have any PTSD which is amazing.

We have snow, ice and northeast wind here and Mom had some virus after Christmas for a couple of weeks, so I haven't been out much. I persuade Mom to play bunny a couple of times a day, but that's the extent of my exercise, ergo, I've packed on a couple of pounds. Now Mom is rationing my food again; hope I don't have to go swimming again.

Mom tells me someone is going to be joining our family next week.  She's a retired greyhound named Dinah.  She's already buying beds and other things to get ready for her.  I've been enjoying the bed in the meantime - it's HUGE! and I really like it.  I don't know how I'll feel about giving it up.  Maybe she'll share it with me. Mom thinks I'll like her - she remembers how much I loved Tanner and how much I missed him when he went to the Rainbow Bridge. Dinah is the same age that Tanner was when we lost him, so it's like life continues. Mom will post a picture of her when she arrives.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Sign Language</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/754909</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:20:36 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/754909</guid>
		<description>I've noticed lately that Mom can leave the room without my noticing it.  Sometimes she's been in ano ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I've noticed lately that Mom can leave the room without my noticing it.  Sometimes she's been in another room for some time before I wake up and see that she's gone.  Then I have to race around from room to room to find her.  Also, there are times when she has to say my name really loud before I hear her.  She's noticed this too, so when we do my tricks she's started adding hand signals.  I can sit, lie down, turn around, high five, high five with the other foot, stand from a sit, do push-ups, and wait.  Now I can do all those things without words, just signals.  Today we were practicing come, sit, wait, repeat - just with hand signals.  I get it pretty well, but wait is always the hardest for me.  Mom says I have trouble with impulse control.  So much trouble that she always has to grab my harness before she opens the van door or I would bail out onto the concrete way, way below.  ouch.  Well, even if I can't hear her very well anymore, I can still feel her hugs and caresses.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Merry Christmas!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/754719</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:56:38 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/754719</guid>
		<description>This is our first Christmas in our new condo. Because it's pretty small, Mom wasn't sure whether she ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This is our first Christmas in our new condo. Because it's pretty small, Mom wasn't sure whether she wanted to put up a Christmas tree or not, so she went looking online to see what the choices were in artificial trees.  She was shocked to see how expensive artificial trees are, so that made this decision even more of a problem. But after hours of looking she found a quirky little silver, pre-lit tree that was just the thing.  It's just right for our space and its off-beat look fits right in with our non-traditional style.  We don't have a fireplace, so my stocking is hung on the storage closet door with care and all my favorite things are in it.  I know because they fell out of the sack before Mom got them home and I nabbed one.  There's also a mystery present - a silver box with a gold bow.  I wonder what it is because it doesn't smell like food. Hmmm...will I like it if it isn't food?

Speaking of food, have any of you had a cow schnozz before?  OMD, they are good!  Mom bought it for me and gave it to me, but then before long she TOOK IT AWAY!  She said it smelled like I was chewing on the other end of the cow!  She was afraid she'd never get the smell out of the house.  I thought it was the best thing I'd ever tasted!  She even made me have a whisker bath.  Then I smelled like a cross between cow schnozz and coconut shampoo.

My friend Poochini will have a happy Christmas after all.  She's had her stitches out and is healing well, but she still isn't using her hurt leg much.  It doesn't slow her down though - she's a tough little mutt.

Merry Christmas to all pups!  Hope your Christmas stocking if bursting with goodies!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Poochini vs. the Pit Bull</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/751434</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:32:58 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/751434</guid>
		<description>Something terrible and scary happened yesterday!  My friend Poochini was out with her mom taking the ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Something terrible and scary happened yesterday!  My friend Poochini was out with her mom taking their morning walk and a pit bull rushed out of a back yard and attacked her!   Her mom tried to pull her up out of the way but the pit bull latched onto her front leg and ripped at it.  Fortunately the owner was able to get the dog to release Poochini from its grip and a passerby took Poochini and her mom to the vet in his car.  At the vet, they rushed her in and hooked her up to an IV to stabilize her until they could assess the damage.  Then her mom called my mom and we rushed over there.  We had to wait for hours to find out how bad the wounds were and if Poochini would be all right.  Poochini is a yorkie-poo and weighs less than five pounds, so we were all worried that she wouldn't survive this attack.  When the vet finally came out to tell us the outcome this is what she said:  The bite extended from her chest underneath and around the front leg and back up to her shoulder - the leg was almost ripped off. The lung wasn't punctured which was good, but the muscle was severely damaged and a bundle of nerves was exposed. The bone wasn't broken but only a strip of skin on the front of the leg was holding it on.  The vet had to piece together the muscle and skin and stitch it up.  She tried to clean it out as much as possible, but so much hair and matter had been chewed into the mangled flesh that it was impossible to clean it all out.

Poochini will live, but it's not certain that she will recover the full use of her leg and we have to wait and see if there will be nerve damage.  Hopefully there won't be any infection.  She'll have to go back to the vet quite a few times.  The owners were stand-up people and are doing the right thing about paying the bills and they are very apologetic, which makes things a little easier for Poochini's mom.  But there will be difficult days ahead.

When will people realize that pit bulls are dangerous dogs?  All you pit bull fans can say whatever you want, but these dogs were bred to fight and kill, and as mellow as they might seem around family, they are dog-agressive. They are hard-wired to attack what they view as prey and can do so unexpectedly, and when they do there will be disastrous results.  Their muscular jaws exert a vice-like grip that can't be broken once their instinct is engaged.  Their unpredictability is what makes them so dangerous because no one knows what will set them off. People who own high prey-drive dogs need to ensure that their dogs are ALWAYS under their PHYSICAL control and/or muzzled, and they (the owners) should be educated about properly socializing their dog.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Let's See,</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/750572</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:45:52 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/750572</guid>
		<description>what have I been doing...Not much, with bad weather here to stay for a looong time.  Mom and I took  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ what have I been doing...Not much, with bad weather here to stay for a looong time.  Mom and I took a very chilly walk down by the bay one afternoon.  It was sunny but very cold.  All us dogs had our warm coats on and I had my mesh harness on over my fleece coat.  Mom wanted me to wear my Doggles because the sun was very bright, but I haven't gotten used to them yet, so I kept trying to rub them off.  I still don't get the purpose of them other than another way to torture me.  Apparently the eye doctor told Mom I have an eye condition that keeps my pupils from contracting in bright light, which is why I squint so much, but I haven't noticed that the Doggles help and I feel stupid wearing them.  Mom thinks I'll want to wear them when I go in my bike trailer to keep the bugs out of my eyes when the top is down, but I don't think that will be a problem - she can't ride that fast.

I like having my teeth brushed.  At first, I didn't like it at all and wouldn't stand for having to open my mouth, but then I tasted the toothpaste.  It tastes like PEANUT BUTTER!  Mom let me lick it off the toothbrush and then gradually she started putting it farther into my mouth so I started chewing on the brush.  Now I'll not only let her brush my teeth, I beg to have them brushed.  When she gets out her toothbrush to brush her own teeth, I put on my pleading look and wag my tail really hard. Then I get my teeth brushed, too.  Yum!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>New Wheels!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/747901</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 6 Nov 2011 18:51:28 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/747901</guid>
		<description>I have a new ride!  Mom bought me a trailer for her bike and now I get to go wherever she rides.  It ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I have a new ride!  Mom bought me a trailer for her bike and now I get to go wherever she rides.  It's just the right size and fits me perfectly.  I didn't have any trouble getting used to it - as a matter of fact, as soon as she took it out of the box, I got right in.  Before the wheels were even on.  It's lower to the ground than my stroller, and, although I can see Mom, I'm behind her and she can't talk to me so easily, but I like going where she goes.  Today we rode on a trail through the woods not far from our house.  In order to get to the trail, though, we had to ride through a congested shopping area.  Mom's still a little nervous on her bike, but it all went smoothly.

Tomorrow I have to go to the eye specialist.  I'm not seeing very well out of my right eye.  My vet didn't know if it was old age sclerosis or a cataract, so we're going to find out if something can be done about it.  I still see well enough to play with my bunnies, though.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>New Potty</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/744508</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:19:57 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/744508</guid>
		<description>Mom is ecstatic!  And I'm pretty pleased, myself!  She was tired of having a pee pad with wet spots  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom is ecstatic!  And I'm pretty pleased, myself!  She was tired of having a pee pad with wet spots on it right inside the door where it's the first thing anybody sees when they come in.  Personally, I thought it was better than having random wet spots all over the condo, but she thought it was "unsightly."  She looked at the trays at PetSmart that have fake grass in them, but thought that the area looked a little too small, and she wasn't sure I would use it after she spent $40 on it.  One of my complaints about the pee pad on the floor is that it slips away from me and I end up doing the splits before I'm finished.  One of Mom's complaints is that I track "wetness" onto the wood floor when I walk away. So Mom decided she would make something herself that would be cheaper, just in case I didn't take to it. She found a 2' X 2' plastic tray meant for rabbit droppings and 2 feet of artificial turf (which came in a nice beigey-brown color like the floor). Then she stacked several layers of pee pads in the tray (for convenience and easy removal) and put the artifical turf on top.  When I pee, it goes through the porous top layer onto the pee pad below. The tray keeps the layers from moving around. When the pee pad is saturated, Mom removes it and throws it away and she can hose off the artificial turf in the shower when it needs it.  It doesn't smell, it doesn't track, I like it because I can keep my footing, and Mom says it's much more attractive.  WIN ALL AROUND!  And it only cost half as much as the commercial one.  Mom says she loves it when things work out as planned.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>You CAN Teach an Old Dog New Tricks!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/743660</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:06:56 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/743660</guid>
		<description>This posting was not my idea.  I'm too modest to brag about my accomplishments, but Mom said I had t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This posting was not my idea.  I'm too modest to brag about my accomplishments, but Mom said I had to write it.  She's teaching me tricks.  Her idea is not so I can perform for an audience, but it's a bonding activity, she says.  Like I could be bonded any more tightly than I already am.  Anyhowl, I have learned to "turn around."  It still needs a little finessing, but I do go around all the way... slowly.  In a BIG circle.  Mom calls it "going around the block."  I'm starting to catch on that the treat will be waiting for me where I started from.  Sometimes I forget and look for it on the way around my circle.

I'm also learning to "high five."  This one was a little hard to catch onto. Mom showed me a couple of times how to do it, and then she showed me the treat and said "high five!"  I wasn't exactly sure what to do so I had to sit and think about it for about a minute.  Mom said she could see the wheels turning in my head.  Finally, I figured out she was waiting for me to move my foot, so I lifted it a little way off the ground.  OMD, she got so excited!  She praised me and hugged me and patted me all over.  Well, I thought, that must have been it!  So the next time she said "high five," I was a little bit faster to respond (but not much.  I still have to process it slowly).  She told me how proud she was of me, and next time we're going to try for a little higher - apparently I'm doing more of a "low five."

Update on Maddie:

Maddie won't be coming to live with us after all.  She came to meet us and I actually didn't find much to dislike about her. Mom thought she was very sweet, but she's really a special needs dog.  Her dry eye was very severe and would require much care.  Mom discovered she needed dental work very badly, she had not been treated for fleas and her ears were very dirty.  She hadn't had any blood work done and she drank copious amounts of water.  She really needed a lot of health care.  Mom felt so bad that she couldn't keep her that she offered to pay for the dental.  The foster parents took her right to a vet who estimated the cost to be about $900!  Whoops!  A little more than Mom had thought.  So the foster parents went back to the shelter vets who told them they could apply to the Angel Fund for the cost of doing her dental.  They agreed to pay it all, and we are all so happy that she's going to get the care she needs.  They truly are Angels!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>YOWEEE!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/741528</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:40:49 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/741528</guid>
		<description>Today I was stung by a yellowjacket - right in my own house!  How he got there, I don't know, becaus ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today I was stung by a yellowjacket - right in my own house!  How he got there, I don't know, because we live in a third floor condo with screens on all the windows.  Mom had her back turned and heard me scrabbling on the slick floor.  When she turned around to see what was going on she saw me holding up my left front foot with a puzzled and distressed look on my face.  I didn't even know what had happened, but she saw the yellowjacket crawling across the floor.  She grabbed some paper towels and grabbed it and squeezed it to death and then grabbed me and called the vet.  They said to give me antihistamines which she did and then she put a wad of white stuff (baking soda poultice, she said) on my paw pad.  I didn't want her to do it and wiggled and complained, but it did help my paw feel better.  My poor paw was trembling, it hurt so bad.  I'm glad I'm not allergic to bee-stings, but it still hurt for a long time all the same.

Mom is thinking about adopting a sister for me.  (Sorry, Teddy)  She's at Old Dog Haven, where I came from and she's a shih tzu, too.  She's 11 years old and mostly blind, but she can see shadowy shapes.  Our condo is small, so she could probably learn her way around pretty fast.  I might like her because she wouldn't be able to see my bunnies and steal them.  She might also be kind of low key and not get into my business.  If she couldn't go on long walks, that would be OK because I don't like to go on long walks either.  I'm not sure how I would feel about sharing my stroller with her - we'd have to work that out.  At least she'd be better than Rudy!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Ho-Hum.</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/740816</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:52:23 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/740816</guid>
		<description>Life has been pretty boring lately.  Ever since we got back from Paris, not much has been happening. ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Life has been pretty boring lately.  Ever since we got back from Paris, not much has been happening.  All I do is lay around all day waiting for my next meal.  As a result, I'm starting to put on the pounds again.  I blame Mom for this.  Before we went to Paris she was really putting me through regular workouts and now I'm barely getting a few short walks a week.  Something's got to change or I'll be in my old, bad shape again.  Maybe we need a new goal.  Yawn.  Think I'll take a nap...]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Oh My Dogness!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/739683</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:48:02 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/739683</guid>
		<description>I'm a Diary Pick of the Day!  Woo-hoo!  Thanks, Dogster Dudes!I'm honored and humbled. ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm a Diary Pick of the Day!  Woo-hoo!  Thanks, Dogster Dudes!I'm honored and humbled.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Three Barks for Chiropractors!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/739135</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:39:20 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/739135</guid>
		<description>Time will tell, but after yesterday's adjustment, today I felt a lot better.  We went for a walk - a ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Time will tell, but after yesterday's adjustment, today I felt a lot better.  We went for a walk - a REAL WALK, not "sniff-and-stroll" - for twice the distance as usual and I kept my tail up the whole time.  Well, almost.  It did sag just a little at the very end, but the improvement was pretty impressive.  Mom is always super-happy when expensive treatments actually work.

Today I think she's going to leave me alone.  I saw her putting peanut butter in the Kong toy and loading my kibble into my "shell game."  Only problem is that I finish all my treats before she gets to the car.  She has to get a little more creative to make the fun last longer.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>A Real Adjustment</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/739071</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:12:54 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/739071</guid>
		<description>Today I went to the chiropractor.  I didn't like it.  At all.  My mom keeps thinking up these ways t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today I went to the chiropractor.  I didn't like it.  At all.  My mom keeps thinking up these ways to torture me.  Because I'm a shih tzu (almost) I should hold my tail up over my back, but sometimes I don't.  So Mom thought I might have a problem with my back. Ergo, the visit to the chiropractor.  She poked and prodded and pressed and pinched every joint in my skeletal system. Sometimes it really hurt.  There was a spot on my back that was very uncomfortable and I really protested when she worked on that area.  I also didn't like it when she worked on my elbow joints where I have bone chips.  She did say that she thought that I seemed to be a younger dog than Mom was told, so we both thought that was very good news.  I have to go back for a follow-up in three weeks to see if there were any benefits to my adjustment.  Then maybe I'll need to go back about twice a year.  The vet also thought it would be a good idea for me to do my swim therapy again from time to time.  Boy, I didn't know it was such hard work being a dog.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Ow.</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/738321</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:25:56 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/738321</guid>
		<description>I may have mentioned that I have a problem with impulse control.  I know what &quot;Wait!&quot; means, I just  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I may have mentioned that I have a problem with impulse control.  I know what "Wait!" means, I just have a really hard time doing it.  I also have pretty poor depth perception and NO FEAR.  Today Mom opened the back of the van just to get something out, and, not wanting to be left behind, I tried to jump in.  It was too high for me and I fell back and hit my head on the pavement.  I hit so hard that Mom actually heard the crack.  She had made a grab for me, but had her hands full of stuff and wasn't quick enough.  I was a bit dazed for a few seconds but shook it off.  Mom's afraid I might have a concussion so she's been watching me like a hawk.  She gave me a Tramadol for my headache, and I'll probably have a big goose-egg.  She told me, "Now I know how you got your broken jaw and missing teeth!"]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Aaah...At Last!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/737315</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 7 Sep 2011 13:17:41 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/737315</guid>
		<description>I had an itch attack on Sunday.  I went crazy wild, biting, scratching, chewing - I was frantic from ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I had an itch attack on Sunday.  I went crazy wild, biting, scratching, chewing - I was frantic from the itch and chewed hotspots on my legs.  Mom couldn't catch or hold me as I ran and struggled to find relief.  She only had one Predisone which she gave me, but it takes time to work and the ointment that usually helps didn't.  So she got out the aloe and oatmeal shampoo and gave me a bath.  I had to soak for 10 minutes while she massaged me and talked soothingly to me.  I instantly felt better and by the time the bath was over the Prednisone was beginning to work.  Mom couldn't call the vet until Tuesday because of Labor Day and then she found out she shouldn't have given me the Pred because I also take Rimadyl - not good for my stomach.  So she went in and picked up some antihistamines instead, but so far I haven't had to use them - the aloe and oatmeal bath is still working.  This time of year seems to be my itchiest time - must be something related to my allergies.  Do any of you guys have trouble in late summer/fall with itch?]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>My Games</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/736683</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 3 Sep 2011 22:44:27 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/736683</guid>
		<description>Mom bought me a game to play for when she goes away and leaves me at home.  I'd rather go with her,  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom bought me a game to play for when she goes away and leaves me at home.  I'd rather go with her, but I LOVE the game!  It's a bone-shaped board that has holes in it.  The holes have lids that slide off or can be knocked off.  When I uncover the holes, guess what!  There are treats inside!  I've learned to do it so fast that sometimes I'm almost finished before she's out the door!  I've noticed that she gets all her stuff ready to go before she puts my game board down and then she says Bye-bye and scoots out the door.  She has another toy that she gives me sometimes that I also LOVE!  It's a round rubber ball that has pointy things on it and four holes in it.  Mom puts PEANUT BUTTER in the holes and lets me lick it out.  It takes a very flexible tongue to completely clean out the holes, but I don't give up until even the peanut butter smell is gone.

The other day Mom and I went to PetCo to look for a harness for me.  She didn't see the kind she wanted, but she needed poop bags so she went to the counter to pay for them.  While she was waiting there, I happened to see some pretty tempting dog biscuits right at eye level.  I figured they must be for me, so I picked one out.  It was a swell biscuit - about ten inches long - and I stood there patiently holding it while Mom was paying for the poop bags.  Then she turned around and looked at me behind her and said to the man, "And I guess we're getting one of those "Big Bites," too."  So he came around and aimed his reader at the bar code - I didn't even have to let go of it - and I carried out to the car, very pleased with my selection.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Patch in Paris</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/735732</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:31:08 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/735732</guid>
		<description>You can see my finished book online at the address below.  For those of you who followed the blog, i ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ You can see my finished book online at the address below.  For those of you who followed the blog, it's pretty much the same with a few additions and deletions.

<a target="_new"  class=bodyTextRev target=site  onClick="alert(\'Dogster Alert: You are about to visit an outside link that was submitted by this pet owner.\');" href="http://www.blurb.com/books/preview/2435932?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget"></a><a  class=bodyTextRev target=site  onClick="alert(\'Dogster Alert: You are about to visit an outside link that was submitted by this pet owner.\');" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/1941152/e4c83fb90813a7d0846079b96f82aa52419e8147?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">Patch in Paris by Patch Dixon</a> | <a  class=bodyTextRev target=site  onClick="alert(\'Dogster Alert: You are about to visit an outside link that was submitted by this pet owner.\');" href="http://www.blurb.com/landing_pages/bookshow?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">Make Your Own Book</a>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>I'M BACK!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/735626</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:21:45 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/735626</guid>
		<description>I wonder if I have any pup pal readers left, I've been away from Dogster so long.  Mom finally got m ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I wonder if I have any pup pal readers left, I've been away from Dogster so long.  Mom finally got my book printed so she says she'll have more time to type my diary entries now.  Yesterday we went to the Dog Days of Summer at the lake, which is a fundraiser for dogs who need homes.  There were contests like "Best-tail-or-body Wag," and "Bark 'n' Howl."  There was a doggy fashion show and a training-your-dog demo.  That one turned out to be a definite benefit for me because Mom decided when we got home to teach me to TURN AROUND.  You know what that means - TREATS!  We also visited the Meet-and-Greet greyhounds for old times' sake.  There was one guy who looked a lot like Tanner. Greyhounds are the only other dogs I like, 'cause Tanner was my BFF.

We had a weird night last night.  Mom couldn't sleep and kept getting up and down and I was really restless, too and moved from place to place on the bed.  Finally, Mom suggested that I get down off the bed.  Well, I thought, as long as I can't sleep, I may as well make the most of my time, so I went into the tv room and guess what I found?  A big bowl of salt-and-pepper potato chips - my favorite!  Guess what Mom found when she got up?  AN EMPTY BOWL!  BOL!!!  She kept waiting for me to throw up today, but I fooled her.  I ate 'em and I'm keepin' 'em down!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>&quot;Voeux&quot; from Paris!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/719661</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:29:06 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/719661</guid>
		<description>Happy Easter to all my pup pals from Paris!  Thanks to all of you who have sent good wishes and gift ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Happy Easter to all my pup pals from Paris!  Thanks to all of you who have sent good wishes and gifts!  Mom says she's not going to have time to keep up my Dogster page AND my Dog Blog, so I hope you keep up with my experiences on www.patchinparisdogblog.blogspot.com.  She said she would try to put some new pictures on my Dogster page though.  All those weight-loss pictures are history.  Keep things going in the states while I'm abroad.  
Love you all,
Patch]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dog Blog</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/716755</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:39:55 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/716755</guid>
		<description>For anydog who's interested I've set up my DogBlog, although there's not going to be much on it for  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ For anydog who's interested I've set up my DogBlog, although there's not going to be much on it for awhile.  But if you wanna check it out, go to www.patchinparisdogblog.blogspot.com and you will recognize my happy face.  You also can see on the map where I'll be living.  AdHV  (That's BOL in French for all you non-French barkers.)]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>The Bunny Runway</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/716589</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:17:12 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/716589</guid>
		<description>Mom felt really bad that it was so hard to play bunny on our slick new floors.  When I slid and scra ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom felt really bad that it was so hard to play bunny on our slick new floors.  When I slid and scrambled around chasing the bunny, it hurt my legs and I'd start to limp.  So she bought me some carpet runners to stretch from our t.v. room, where we spend a lot of time, out into the kitchen.  Now she can throw the bunny down the "runway" and I can chase it without sprawling all over the floor like Thumper on the ice.  It's my favorite thing to do, even more than going for a walk, so I'm really happy to play bunny again.

In three weeks we leave for Paris.  Today Mom spent a lot of time deciding what to bring along.  I've been practicing staying in my airplane carrier and I do pretty well - I don't complain or scratch or try to get out, but I can't really relax in there.  I just keep waiting for the time when Mom unzips the door.  I really think the airlines are unreasonable to make us dogs sit under the seat the whole way, when they allow babies and little kids to wail and scream and annoy everyone.  If I could sit beside my mom I'd be a really well-behaved, quiet gentleman, and I wouldn't kick the back of the seat in front of me, either.

I have my doggie passport ready to go with my health certificate, and my new microchip (European approved) has been implanted.  Now that I have two - American-style and French, I can be identified on two continents.  I also have a new id tag with my Paris address and phone number on it, but I don't plan on getting lost.  I'm a velcro dog - I stick pretty close to my mom and never let her out of my sight.

I think my book is going to be too long to put in my Dogster diary, so I'll probably do it as a blog  and put a link to it on my Dogster page for anyone who's interested.  Soon as I get over jet lag.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>It's About Time!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/714734</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:32:02 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/714734</guid>
		<description>Mom has been so busy with the move lately that she hasn't had time to type for me, but now that she' ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom has been so busy with the move lately that she hasn't had time to type for me, but now that she's down with a cold, I talked her into updating my diary.

We've been in our new condo now for about two weeks and I'm starting to feel at home.  Some of our routines are different and we're still trying to work out some things, but I've been "goin' with the flow" and haven't suffered too much stress.  I've made a few mistakes of the pee and poop kind, but I'm becoming more and more reliable.  Mom still has the new area rug covered with plastic but I haven't gone on it.  (I'm just waitin'...)

I didn't know I wasn't supposed to pee or poop in the hallway outside our condo, but I do now!  When we go out our door, Mom hightails it to the elevator with me on a tight leash saying, "Go fast, Patch!  Keep going fast!"

There's a girl dog who lives in this building that I met the other day.  I impressed her by peeing right in front of her.  She was pretty friendly after that - she wagged her tail in that quick way dogs do when they're really interested in meeting someone new and checked me out (if you get my meaning).  She's a Havanese - don't think I've ever met one before - and awfully hairy.  I think she'd look better with a tidy haircut.  But you know how some girls like long, tousled hair.  They think it looks sexy - I think it just looks messy.  Her mom said she's a retired brood mom.  I kind of got the idea she didn't really want to be retired.

It's a little more boring here than in my other place.  It's not as good a place for playing bunny because the floors are all slick wood and I can't get enough traction.  I'll be glad when the weather improves 'cause Mom said we'll go to the park to play bunny.

I got my new European micro-chip and another rabies shot last week.  Mom sent in the form from the vet to be certified.  Then I'll have to have one more health certification before we leave for Paris.  Mom says it's going to be a long trip - hope I can sleep most of the time.

We're doing some research for my book, "Patch in Paris."  It's going to be about living in Paris from a dog's point of view.  Mom wants to add little bits of dog history such as famous French dogs or dogs of famous French people.

Mom bought me a new bed for our new living room - she said the old one didn't match.  This one has zebra stripes to match the new zebra stripe chair.  I didn't think  that was necessary - I'm happy just sitting in the chair, but you know moms...

Speaking of which, mine says she's tired of typing and wants to take a nap, so I'll update you on the trip preparations later.

Au revoir!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Whew!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/713367</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 1 Mar 2011 20:09:35 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/713367</guid>
		<description>Whew, puff, puff!  Moving is really hard work!  Our new condo is at the end of the hallway from the  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Whew, puff, puff!  Moving is really hard work!  Our new condo is at the end of the hallway from the elevator.  I must have followed Mom back and forth a hundred times moving stuff in.  She told me to wait in the condo but no way was I going to let her do all that without me!  We've slept here three nights now and it's going pretty well, but Mom hasn't had a lot of time to play bunny with me - although she did stop at the pet store to get me a new one because my old one lost two of his feet.

Mom says I'm being a really good boy.  I haven't been needy or barked or anything, except when she was trying to put together some metal shelves and was making an awful lot of noise.  There were crashes and clanking going on and I got pretty nervous and wanted to sit on her lap, but she said, "Oh, Patch, I just can't have you on my lap right now - I've got to get this done."  I brought her my bunny and everything, but - except for giving it a little toss - she wouldn't pay any attention to me.  Later she was taking her clothes out of a suitcase and hanging them up in the closet.  I tried to be a little harder to ignore so I curled up in the suitcase - that got her attention.  She said, "Oh, Patch, you're so funny!"

She did tell me that I'm doing a really good job of peeing on the pee pad, though.  Except for that one time...  Dang!  I thought for sure that was a pee pad.  It was the same color as a pee pad.  How's a guy to know?

I have a little tiny balcony - just dog-sized.  I like watching all the people down below going about their business.  At our old house there was never anything to watch.  This place might work out... we'll see.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>U-urp!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/712588</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:14:01 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/712588</guid>
		<description>I finally got to scope out the new condo today.  Mom took me for a long walk around the neighborhood ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I finally got to scope out the new condo today.  Mom took me for a long walk around the neighborhood first where I anointed lots of spots to mark my new territory.  She thought that by doing this I would be less likely to pee in our new home on the first visit.  She was right - it worked.  Unfortunately, (I guess I must have had a nervous stomach) I vomited instead.  In the only room that was carpeted.  Mom had been prepared for pee by bringing along a pee pad, but she hadn't thought that something might come out the other end.  (snicker)  Sorry, Mom.  So she had nothing to clean it up with.  The real estate agent who had let us in was kind enough to run downstairs to get some napkins and newspaper because there wasn't even toilet paper in the condo yet.  Poor Mom was trying to clean up the mess with itty-bitty napkins and talk to the window treatment lady and listen to the instructions from the realtor all at the same time - not an auspicious beginning.

So, after a false start (moving day was supposed to be last Friday), our new moving day will be Saturday.  We're tired of camping out in our own house with everything packed in boxes, ready to be moved.

Lots of changes ahead - not only will we be living in a new place that you have to get to by elevator, but I have to change my vet.  I hope my new vet doesn't give shots or clean teeth - I hope she only gives dog cookies.  My old vet spoke softly and said reassuring things and then pinched me or poked me or took me away from my Mom.  I hope my new vet doesn't do any of those things.  Some dogs don't shake and shiver when they go to the vet - they must either be first-timers or stupid!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>BOR-RING!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/711199</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:13:22 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/711199</guid>
		<description>It's really been boring around here with Mom busy packing all day and not paying much attention to m ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ It's really been boring around here with Mom busy packing all day and not paying much attention to me.  We haven't played bunny for days and it's been too rainy to go for a walk.  I know a lot of you guys have had snow, but we've had so much rain that it's piling up under our house.  We had to spend a lot of money having a sump pump put under the house for the new owners.  The only interesting thing that's happened is that the workers found a really big 'possum under the house who was really upset with the ruckus everybody was making.  I guess it's not a good thing to have a 'possum under your house, because every one was making a very big deal out of it and they finally decided to set a trap for him. 'Possums aren't the high scorers of the animal kingdom on the Intelligence Quotient but so far he's been smart enough to stay out of the trap.

Mom took me back to the SPAW for a swim yesterday since I hadn't been getting much exercise.  It was good to see Melissa again, but I still don't like to swim.  We're going to go once a week for a few weeks, just to stay in shape.  Now that I've lost weight and have a waist, I have to be careful not to put the pounds back on.

Next Friday is moving day.  I'll finally get to see my new home.  Mom says I have to pick ONE place to pee and stick to it so she'll know where to put the pee pads.  I might have to try out a few places, though, to see which is the best one. 

Had my teeth cleaned this week - nice to have clean, shiny choppers again.  Mom got a discount because I don't have very many of them.  On Tuesday I have to go to the groomer again.  It sure is a lot of work keeping up a good appearance.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Where's My Couch?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/709670</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 1 Feb 2011 18:45:55 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/709670</guid>
		<description>It's quiet.  Finally.  No one's here but Mom and me.  It's been two weeks of chaos, starting with ev ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ It's quiet.  Finally.  No one's here but Mom and me.  It's been two weeks of chaos, starting with everything coming out of cupboards and closets and being "displayed" around the house.  Then people came - lots of people.  And we had to leave OUR OWN house every day, early, before the people came.  Now, it's quiet and we're home, but...THERE'S NO FURNITURE!  My couch is gone.  My steps up to the couch go nowhere.  The living room is empty (which is good in a way, because there's a lot more room to play bunny).  Mom says when we move into our new condo we'll have all new furniture.  She seems to think that's a good thing, but I liked the old couch - it smelled like me, and even a little bit of Tanner's smell was left on it.

I almost got to go into the new place, but I blew it.  Mom and I met the real estate agent there so she could measure the spaces and I was finally going to get to take a sniff around.  But just as we pulled up, I threw up in the console.  I guess I was just so excited that I couldn't help it.  Well, that little involuntary reaction caused me to have to stay in the car, so I STILL haven't had a chance to mark my new territory.  I'll wait till Mom gets the new furniture moved in.  ;)]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Aarooo!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/707997</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:55:13 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/707997</guid>
		<description>WHAT IS GOING ON?!  Every day now Mom is moving our stuff all around.  She's taking it out of cupboa ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ WHAT IS GOING ON?!  Every day now Mom is moving our stuff all around.  She's taking it out of cupboards and closets, putting some stuff in boxes, putting other stuff on card tables - our house is looking more like a store with all the stuff lined up and out on display.  Two ladies have been helping her and I don't like strangers moving our stuff around.  Mom says we're going to have a moving sale because when we move to the condo we're going to get NEW stuff.  WHAT'S WRONG WITH OUR OLD STUFF?!  She'd better leave MY stuff alone!  I've been following her around carrying my bunnies so they don't go into a box or get sold at the sale.  All this activity and strangers in the house have made me very nervous and I've been peeing all over the place.  Mom understands what I'm going through, but her patience is wearing thin.  She told me that just because she's going to have the carpet cleaned when we move out doesn't mean that I have to see how stinky I can make it before.  At least she's leaving the corner where my beds are untouched for the time being.

Hey, Teddy and Casey, if things get too bad here can I move in with you for awhile?]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Happiness Is a Warm Home - Wherever It Is!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/706874</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:06:26 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/706874</guid>
		<description>Today Mom got a phone call and when she hung up she went crazy!  She was squealing and shrieking and ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today Mom got a phone call and when she hung up she went crazy!  She was squealing and shrieking and laughing and hugging me - she was so excited that I got all excited and I didn't even know what we were excited about!  All I know is there was a lot of BOL!  BOL!  BOL! going on.  I was just so happy that she was so happy!  Then she told me why - she SOLD OUR HOUSE!  Without even asking me!  I don't know how I feel about that.  We're going to live in a condo. (What IS a condo, anyway?) Will I like living in a condo?  It will be smaller than our house, but we only stay in one room at a time anyway.  It won't have a yard, but I don't like to go out in the yard anyway.  I'll still get my dinner, I'll still have my bunny, and I'll still be with Mom - I guess it will be all right.  Might take some getting used to.  She says it's on the third floor, so I'll get to look out the window and watch what's going on - I might like that, but usually I'm more interested in Mom than anything else.

I don't really think about the future and not even too much about the past.  The past stays with me in feelings more than memories.  But I have a feeling that my "present" is going to be a whole lot busier in the future.  Sorting, packing, moving, unpacking - and THEN...PARIS!  It's enough to make a dog want dig a nest in his blankie and not come out!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Christmas 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704846</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 25 Dec 2010 18:22:13 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704846</guid>
		<description>This is Mom's and my first Christmas without Tanner and Grandma. so we were a little sad, but our go ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This is Mom's and my first Christmas without Tanner and Grandma. so we were a little sad, but our good friends stepped right up and gave us the Christmas love that we needed.  We spent Christmas Eve with Krysta, the person Mom picked out to have for her "daughter" and her family.  They especially invited me to come too. Their daughter Jia, who is even cuter than I am, wants to be friends.  I'm kind of shy, so I'm still getting to know and trust her, but I wanted her to know that I like her and I want to be friends too, even though I'm not very brave, so I gave her a green bunny just like mine! We played together with it - sort of.  They had a Christmas tree with TONS of presents under it.  I loved walking under it and around and over the Christmas presents; once I came out with lights on my head! Mom really laughed at that, but then I had to stop going under the tree.

They have two cats and two rats.  One of the cats came in and looked at me and then went out. Then Krysta brought in one of the white rats.  I checked it out briefly but didn't see anything special about it so I went back to sleep.  The rat (who is named after me)kept bobbing his head and twitching his whiskers at me.  That's all he did.  I didn't see much point to him.

Then today, on Christmas Day, Mom went over to Aunt Connie's.  She advised me to stay home because there would be lots of people and LOTS of kids, and twice as many feet to dodge.  I wasn't thrilled about being left home, but I'm glad Mom got to spend part of the day with Aunt Connie, Poochini, and their family.  I waited at the door to the garage, as usual, till she came home.  She's finally remembering to open the door slowly so she doesn't bump me with it.  I like to be the first one to greet her when she gets home (not that there's anyone else here).

So, all in all, it was a pretty nice Christmas!  I hope everydog out there had a grrreat Christmas, too!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERRA MUCH!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704624</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:28:45 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704624</guid>
		<description>What can I say - one of the Diary Picks of the Day AGAIN?  I think the voting button must be stuck.  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ What can I say - one of the Diary Picks of the Day AGAIN?  I think the voting button must be stuck.  But I'm pleased to share the honor with my new pal, Rocky. (We look a little bit alike, but he has front teeth.  I'm jealous.)]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>You Lookin' At Me?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704099</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:12:04 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704099</guid>
		<description>I like looking at my Mom.  I do it all the time.  If I'm not eating or sleeping, I'm looking at my M ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I like looking at my Mom.  I do it all the time.  If I'm not eating or sleeping, I'm looking at my Mom.  Sometimes she says, "Why are you looking at me?  I gave you your dinner.  We've played with your bunny.  We went for a walk and for a ride in the car.  I'm just sitting here watching t.v.  What do you want?"  She doesn't know that I'm doing what I want.  It's my favorite thing to do.  I can sit and look at her for a half hour at a time without blinking.  She says it's unnerving.

Guess what I'm doing right now.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>I'm So H-H-Honored!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704035</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:03:54 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/704035</guid>
		<description>I'm one of the Dogster Diary Picks of the Day!  For the second time!  I am h-h-humbled and h-h-honor ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm one of the Dogster Diary Picks of the Day!  For the second time!  I am h-h-humbled and h-h-honored.  How does this happen anyway?  Does anydog know?  Is there a Great Dogster Wizard  behind the curtain who bestows these honors, or is there a jury of fellow dogsters, or is it a random occurrence?  Anyhowl, I really liked the big, splashy CONGRATULATIONS sign on my dogster page!  THANK YOU!

In other news: the green bunny lost another leg.  Mom was proud that it was not the one she sewed on.  She has not decided if she's going to sew this one on.  She says it's just like everything else these days - planned obsolescence. If it didn't break, we wouldn't have to buy a new one.  What would happen to the economy?]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>The Tale of the Leg</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/703333</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:31:50 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/703333</guid>
		<description>The leg of my new green bunny (the one you can see in Santa's bag in my Christmas picture) came off  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ The leg of my new green bunny (the one you can see in Santa's bag in my Christmas picture) came off when Mom and I were playing TUG.  Mom said she was going to MEND it.  Now this is a big deal because Mom has always said, "I DON'T DO MENDING."  But this time she said she was not going to throw away a brand new bunny whose leg had already come off, and it just isn't right for a bunny to have only three legs.  So out came the shoebox with the needles, thread, and a lot of other stuff in it that must have had something to do with sewing but which we couldn't really identify.  Some of it seemed to be sewing machine parts, but Mom doesn't HAVE a sewing machine, feeling about it the way she does.  Before the bunny could be mended, the sewing box had to be cleaned out.  If she didn't know what it was, out it went, along with the extra buttons from clothes she didn't have any more and couldn't remember ever having.  Finally she got around to the bunny.  She didn't have any thread that matched, but I don't discriminate colors very well anyway, so she didn't think that it would matter.  Thankfully, the new bunny now has four legs again, even if one of them looks a little like it was put together in Frankenstein's lab.  Mom told me I'd better ask Santa for a new, stronger toy for playing tug, that bunnies were for chasing, not for playing tug.  Maybe so, but I think it's kind of FUN when they COME APART! Heh-heh.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Eat Your Heart Out,, Kyrstie Alley!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/702608</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 8 Dec 2010 23:35:15 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/702608</guid>
		<description>Since last January I have lost 5 pounds!  That's HUGE!  Since I agreed to eat vegetables, Mom adds b ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Since last January I have lost 5 pounds!  That's HUGE!  Since I agreed to eat vegetables, Mom adds beans, peas, or pumpkin to my dog food to help fill me up and I really LIKE it.  She also gives me carrots for snacks instead of dog treats.  Have you ever seen those charts in the vet's office that show obese dogs and normal sized dogs?  Now I've got a WAIST like the normal sized dogs.  It hasn't been easy - I spend a lot of time foraging for crumbs.  If Mom isn't looking I like to get into the waste basket and pull out cookie wrappers and lick the smell off them.  Today the vet said I could still lose one or two more pounds, so it isn't over yet.
Mom is also giving me enough supplements I could probably live forever without food (don't tell her I said that!) I get Ocu-glo for my aging eyes, glucosamine, chondroiton and MSM, cinnamon, fish oil, dental powder for plaque and to prevent gum disease, and Rimadyl for inflammation of my joints.
In addition to all that, she puts me through my vigorous workout program every day and we walk a mile if it doesn't rain.  We're both wimps in the rain.
Mom's only complaint is that now that I have all this energy, I want to play bunny ALL the time.  I don't know why she doesn't like it as much as I do.  I guess she needs her own fitness program.  ;3]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Workout Video</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/701162</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:27:50 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/701162</guid>
		<description>Just thought you might like to see my performance at the rehab center.  Today I warmed up on the Pea ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Just thought you might like to see my performance at the rehab center.  Today I warmed up on the Peanut Roll - I have to balance on it.  It's pretty hard.  Mom has to act like training wheels so I don't fall off.  It helps my balance and strengthens my muscles.  Then I had to do the wheelbarrow, which I'm finally getting used to - it's a little embarrassing so I didn't put it in my workout video.  I'm supposed to do a cross-legged stand which is really, really hard!  I'd like to see YOU do that!  Finally, I get in the pool and do the underwater treadmill.  The cute girl you see is my therapist, Melissa.  I really like her.  She tells me what a great job I'm doing and gives me treats.  After I'm pretty tired out on the treadmill, I still have to do my free swim.  This is the part, as you know, that I really don't like.  Melissa puts a "swim cap" on me so I won't get water in my ears and then tries to entice me into the pool.  Sometimes I'll start swimming on my own, but when I've had enough, she has to get a little more persuasive.  But when I've finished, she praises me, gives me a treat and a good rub-down.  I love the rub-downs!  I wiggle and squirm with delight and then run all around the room in excitement!
If this work-out video goes viral, I might try to market it.  I'll keep you posted.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Progress Report of Another Kind</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/700285</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 20 Nov 2010 14:11:01 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/700285</guid>
		<description>I hate to brag (well, not really) but I learn stuff so fast!  I don't like almost everything at firs ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I hate to brag (well, not really) but I learn stuff so fast!  I don't like almost everything at first, but after the second or third time I'm a pro!  Right now I'm talking about my travel carrier and how I'm getting used to being in it.  I have to be in it for about 10 hours when we go to Paris next spring.  I don't know how long that is, but the practice sessions seem long to me, so if we not there yet, it'll probably seem like a really long time.  Anyway, I dogress; I'm up to about 15 or 20 minutes now.  My Mom throws my very favorite treat into the back of the carrier and then gives me another one when I turn around and lie down.  She tells me to WAIT, gives me a carrot and zips up the door.  I used to want out as soon as I finished my carrot, but now I've learned to wait until she exclaims, "What a good boy, Patch!", unzips the door and gives me another one of my favorite treats.  These treats have become the "carrier treats."  The only time I get them is when I go into the carrier and stay there for a while.  

I've even stayed calm when Mom carried the carrier to the car and took me for a little ride (three blocks, she said).  I've even stayed calm when she put the carrier on a little trolley and wheeled me around the house.  Soon, she says, I'll be ready to ride to the airport and get used to the plane noises.  I'm becoming more and more confident that this might work out all right!  I hope I can sleep on the plane.  Mom hopes so, too.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Progress Report</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/699772</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:53:26 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/699772</guid>
		<description>I hate to admit it, but all this working out is paying off - I'm really a lot stronger, leaner and m ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I hate to admit it, but all this working out is paying off - I'm really a lot stronger, leaner and meaner than I was!  Now when Mom and I go for a walk, I'm the one out in front.  And I'm TROTTING instead of dragging behind!  And Mom can hardly keep up with me!  I feel like a new dog!

I've had five physical therapy sessions, which includes swimming (!), my most UN-favorite thing and Mom has really been working me hard at home.  The latest thing was setting up a series of hurdles for me to step over.  The agility dogs have a fancy name for them that starts with C, I think; I don't remember what it is.  But Mom, being something of a cheapskate, decided I would never enter the professional world of dog agility, so she would make them.  After shopping around for something that would do the job and not cost much, she saw a worker in a craft store throwing away large pieces of styrofoam.  Hmmm, she thought to herself, (she told me this later - I was waiting in the car again) I might be able to use these in some way, so after asking permission, she went dumpster-diving for the styrofoam pieces.  Having scored big there, we went to that big store that starts with W and there she looked for anything that might work for poles.  No cardboard tubes available, but... wrapping paper has cardboard tubes inside it.  Since the cardboard tubes at the office store were $2.89, she was looking for a price that was lower than that.  Aha, wrapping paper for $2.50 a roll - but let's see if we can beat that.  It was starting to turn into a game show!  In the Christmas department she found Christmas wrap for $5.00 for a 4-roll pack - now we're getting somewhere!  But wait!  At the end of the next aisle were $1 rolls!  Way to go, Mom!  So she piled ten rolls into her cart and we had the makings of our C-poles.

When we got home, she put each roll of Christmas wrap between two chunks of styrofoam to make a low hurdle and then set them up in the hallway so I would have to step over them instead of around them.  I caught on right away what to do, except that I wanted to do it really fast like the border collies, but Mom wanted me to do it slowly, so I had to learn CONTROL.  Don't you think CONTROL is a really hard thing to learn?

Thanks to George for the yummy cupcake!  I won't tell Mom because I'm on a diet, you know.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>One, Two!   One,Two!  Pant, pant!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/697685</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:15:56 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/697685</guid>
		<description>We've been working out for four days now - yes, I said WE.  I'm not doing it without Mom.  She's com ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ We've been working out for four days now - yes, I said WE.  I'm not doing it without Mom.  She's complaining but it's good for her, too.  

Here's what I like:

the obstacle course
push-ups
backing up with my bunny
walks

Here's what I don't like:

high fives
digging for a treat (I like the treat, but I'd   rather burrow with my nose)
army crawl

I also don't like it when Mom stretches my front legs, and I don't like ice packs.

On Tuesday we have to go back to SPAW for therapy which means doing a bunch of stuff I'll HATE!  Really, all I want to do is eat and lay around - what's wrong with that?]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>SPAW Treatment</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/697130</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:40:30 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/697130</guid>
		<description>So much has happened since my last diary entry, I hardly know where to begin.  Mom has been spending ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ So much has happened since my last diary entry, I hardly know where to begin.  Mom has been spending most of her time putting my book together.  It's almost finished.  It's my diary entries illustrated with pictures of me and my friends and our adventures.

I had to go to the vet last Friday for a lot of x-rays to see why I was limping.  I went to sleep for a while and I don\'t know what happened while I was out but I sure was sore when I woke up.  And it took me a long time to wake up.  I was still kind of groggy on Saturday, so Mom, being the worry-wart that she is, called the vet to see if that was normal.  He said that often OLD DOGS take longer to come out of the sedation.  I was pretty miffed at that, but Mom said to get used to it - she gets that a lot.

Well, the x-rays showed just a little arthritis, nothing really serious, so the next day we went off to the SPAW where I was evaluated for a hydrotherapy program for weight loss and muscle tone.  When we got there I wasn't sure where I was - it didn't really smell like a vet's office but it sure wasn't somebody's home. Melissa, who will be my therapist, took us into a back room and asked Mom a lot of questions about me, including when was my birthday.  We didn't know the answer to that one, so we just made it up - it will be my adoption day, July 5.  Soon the doctor came in and he was a BIG MAN.  You know how I feel about men, and this one did nothing to endear his species to mine.  He grabbed my back legs and pushed and twisted me around like a wheelbarrow!  As soon as I could get loose I ran under the bench Mom was sitting on and hid behind her legs.

Next we went into the hydrotherapy room and looked at the exercise pool.  Do you know what it had in it?  WATER! I don't like water!  I'll have to walk on an underwater treadmill and swim against jets.  Don't you think that's going too far?  But they think I should still lose more weight and get stronger so my legs won't hurt.  I thought I had done pretty well by losing three pounds, but they weren't impressed.  So this is my program: walking on the treadmill in and out of the water, swimming (my favorite thing - NOT!), a variety of muscle-building exercises including crawling, high-stepping, digging, push-ups (yeah, right), and some stretches that Mom will help me with.  In fact, I'm not doing any of this without Mom.  She told me she thought I should do the work and she would sit and watch, but let me tell you, a little activity wouldn't hurt her either.

So we started today.  She gives me these miniscule liver treats (crumbs, almost) when I work hard.  But the aroma of them drives me on.  Part way through I had this great stroke of luck - the phone rang!  Listen up, all you pups, when your mom is on the phone, you can get away with ANYTHING!  I walked up my exercise steps onto the sofa and found the rest of the training treats!  I got a scolding when Mom was off the phone, but it was totally worth it!  But now I have to work without treats for the rest of the day.  :(

Give me a month and I'll look like a doberman pinscher!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>No &quot;Snooze&quot; Button</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/695719</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:13:25 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/695719</guid>
		<description>Sometimes my Mom is really hard to wake up in the morning.  I'm ready to get up and I want my breakf ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Sometimes my Mom is really hard to wake up in the morning.  I'm ready to get up and I want my breakfast and Mom just lies around in bed pretending she's sleeping.  Well, nobody sleeps when I'm awake, so I lick her eyelids and then her face and then her ears, and if she tries to roll over and ignore me, I lick her hair.  If that doesn't work, I climb on top of her head so I can reach her face again.  I know if I kiss her right on the mouth I'll get a reaction: "Oh, Patch, that was really a wet one!"  She calls me her furry little alarm clock and wants to know why I don't have a "snooze" button.  Finally she gives up and starts to get out of bed; then I belly-crawl across the bed so she'll give me a good all-over scratch before we start the day.

On our walk today, Mom got really excited and said, "Patch, there's a fairy ring!"  I didn't see what all the fuss was about - just looked like a bunch of mushrooms in a circle to me, but then she told me about the book, Summer of the Monkeys, and how rare and special a fairy ring was.  She said this was the first one she'd ever seen after looking for years and years. It was a double row of mushrooms in a perfect circle, large enough for me to walk around inside, so I did - Mom said I was supposed to make a wish, so I wished for CHICKEN!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>10-10-10</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/694829</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:48:17 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/694829</guid>
		<description>Today is Mom's Golden Birthday (10-10-10).  Happy Birthday, Mom! ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today is Mom's Golden Birthday (10-10-10).  Happy Birthday, Mom!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Are You My Mother?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/694739</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 9 Oct 2010 16:04:59 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/694739</guid>
		<description>Life is so confusing.  Just when you think you have it figured out, somebody changes it on you.  You ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Life is so confusing.  Just when you think you have it figured out, somebody changes it on you.  You have to remember that I'm a rescue dog and have had to get used to many new "homes" and many new "moms."  So when my mom left me with Lamoine, my dog sitter, a couple of weeks ago and didn't come back and didn't come back...Well, I have to go back to that day and tell you how it all went down.

I told you that Mom had been putting things in the suitcases and that made me nervous right there.  Then Lamoine came early the next morning and we all went to the place where the really big, long cars with lots of windows in a row stop and people get on and off.  Mom and Lamoine took her suitcases out of the car and LEFT ME IN!  A man took Mom's suitcases and put them in the bottom of the big, long car; then she came back to me, gave me a hug, told me to be a good boy and said the dreaded word: BYE-BYE!  I watched out the window as the big long car opened up and swallowed her!  I watched as it took my mom out of my life.

Lamoine was very nice to me - we played bunny and took walks and she took me almost everywhere in her car.  We did everything together for a long time, until I started to forget about Mom.  After a while, I got to feeling like she WAS my mom.  Then one day this strange thing happened - we went back to the place where the really big, long cars stop and got out and waited until one of them stopped in front of us.  It opened up and out came a person I didn't know.  She called my name and was really excited to see me, but she had on clothes that smelled strange and when she bent down to hug me, I got frightened.  She said, "Patch, don't you know me?  Have you forgotten who I am?"  I was really confused and didn't know what was happening.  By the time the suitcases were loaded in the car, I was beginning to remember, and started to wag my tail - it was starting to come back to me that this person was familiar.  I tried to get closer to check her out, but I was stuck in the back seat.  By the time we got home and she started playing with me, I knew it was my mom, but she had been gone so long that I had learned to love Lamoine, too.  Now Lamoine was leaving and I didn't know what I was supposed to do.  I wanted to go and I wanted to stay.  Mom loved me up and then we both watched out the window as Lamoine got in her car and left.  Mom told me how much she'd missed me and that she was sorry she'd been gone so long.  She said she understands that I love Lamoine, too, and that we'd see her again soon, but just for a visit. 

I think Mom's feelings were a little hurt, but that's what she gets for leaving me.  I know that next time, she'll pack MY suitcase, too.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Uh-oh! Mom's Packing Her Suitcases!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/691841</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 18 Sep 2010 22:49:52 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/691841</guid>
		<description>I'm nervous.  Mom has the suitcases out and she's been filling them up all day.  I keep bringing her ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm nervous.  Mom has the suitcases out and she's been filling them up all day.  I keep bringing her bunnies to try to distract her, but she only talks to me and isn't enticed to play.  Once in a while when I get desperate enough to actually drop the bunny, she would give it a perfunctory toss, but I could tell her heart wasn't really in it.  Yesterday Lamoine, my dogsitter, came over - I thought it was just a casual visit, but now I'm thinking it might have had a more specific purpose.  If you don't hear from me for a couple of weeks, it's because my secretary is gone.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Angel Wings for Grandma</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/691336</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:04:05 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/691336</guid>
		<description>I went to my Grandma's funeral today.  Mom thought it would be only right for me to be there, since  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I went to my Grandma's funeral today.  Mom thought it would be only right for me to be there, since I was with her right up until the end.  The service was very nice, just what Grandma would have wanted.  All the ladies got roses and everyone came up to Mom and told her what a special person Grandma had been, and what they remembered most about her. We're very sad and will miss her a lot, but we know that her pain and fears are gone and she's with the angels in heaven.  Tomorrow we will bring flowers to the nursing home where she used to live.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>A Long Vigil</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/689947</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:33:30 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/689947</guid>
		<description>Today we left the nursing home for the last time.  Grandma had a heart attack yesterday morning, so  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today we left the nursing home for the last time.  Grandma had a heart attack yesterday morning, so we went over there right away, at 5:30 in the morning.  There were a lot of people in the room that were helping her, testing her blood pressure, oxygen level, and pulse.  She looked pretty bad and she wasn't able to reach down and pet me.  Later in the day she was feeling a little better and reached her hand down so I could lick her fingers.  Mom said we were going to spend as much time as necessary at the nursing home, so we brought my bed, my rug, one of my bunnies, and all Mom's electronic stuff - e-book, laptop, cell phone, so we could stay connected.  We slept there overnight in Grandma's recliner and tried to help her feel better, but she just got worse and worse.  Finally, about 6:00, she passed away.  I hope she meets Misty, Mack, Duffy and Buttons at the Rainbow Bridge on her way to heaven.  Mom and I will miss her a lot and I won't get to visit all the grandmas at the nursing center any more.  Well, maybe, Mom said, we could go back occasionally and visit some of the grandmas who really liked me - I made their faces change from sad to happy when they saw me.  Today one of the grandmas hugged me tight and pressed her face against mine.  I like making them smile and tell me how much they miss their old dogs.  Old dogs and old people ROCK!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>&quot;Too much of water hast thou, ...&quot;</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/688998</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:15:07 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/688998</guid>
		<description>Rain, rain, rain...Mom has had trouble getting me to go out today.  It's 6:05 p.m. and I've only bee ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Rain, rain, rain...Mom has had trouble getting me to go out today.  It's 6:05 p.m. and I've only been out once because I don't like to get WET!  But now I'm getting a little full of you-know-what. And not only has it been raining ALL DAY, but I had to have a bath!  I've been getting pretty itchy (happens about this time every year)so Mom decided to bathe me with my special shampoo that takes the itch away.  I'm very good in the bath - I'm always good in every situation - but I'd rather not have one. The good thing about it is that Mom massages me for 10 minutes while the shampoo is doing its stuff - who doesn't like a good massage!  But it just doesn't seem right that I have to get wet whether I go outside or stay in.

Happy Birthday to my pal, Teddy!  I hope you don't have to have a bath today!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Eh?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/688584</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:20:02 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/688584</guid>
		<description>You know you're in Canada when you hear &quot;eh?&quot; at the end of every question, as in &quot;Arf, arf, eh?&quot;  T ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ You know you're in Canada when you hear "eh?" at the end of every question, as in "Arf, arf, eh?"  That's where we spent this afternoon, having lunch in Vancouver, B.C.  Traffic was beastly because of road construction, so what is usually a 55 minute trip took an hour and a half.  (That's 10 hours in dog time.) I was VERY happy to finally get out of the car and stretch my legs a little.  We looked for a restaurant with tables outside, since Canada is not as forward-thinking as Paris and does not allow dogs inside the restaurant, but we were very surprised to find out that they don't allow us inside the enclosure around the sidewalk tables either!  So I had to sit on the OUTSIDE of the railing while Mom sat on the inside and ate her lunch.  I put on my sad face and she felt so bad that she kept slipping me bites of her lunch through the railing.
After lunch we strollered along the area called Gastown and even went into some shops.  Riding in the stroller is really cool, because I get to go (almost) everywhere Mom goes.  We looked at expensive clothes and expensive furniture and nobody told us we couldn't come in.  In fact, everyone was very furiendly and thought I was just adorable!  (One person said, Isn't that just the cat's pajamas!"  I didn't get that - there weren't any cats in my stroller and I wasn't wearing pajamas.) 
After shopping we strollered along the promenade along Burrard Inlet.  Mom could see that I was just itching to get out and stretch my legs, so she let me walk and greet other dogs and their people.  We met a French bulldog, two Chinese Crested wearing warm sweaters(they're bald, you know) a couple of chihuahuas, a gorgeous, tall black and white poodle (I especially admired him) AND two dachshunds in their own stroller!
I'm becoming very relaxed in my stroller - not much bothers me, not even the loud noises of a city.  I just sit and watch all the fascinating goings-on around me. Mom says I'm becoming quite the sophisticated little traveler.

What an amazing world I've been missing.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Just a-Strollerin' Along...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/687525</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:09:28 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/687525</guid>
		<description>Today Mom asked me if I wanted to go along with her to the Bite of Bellingham.  Well now, anything w ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today Mom asked me if I wanted to go along with her to the Bite of Bellingham.  Well now, anything with "bite" in it sounded pretty good to me, so she loaded our "new" stroller in the van, picked up Aunt Connie and Poochini and off we went.The Bite consisted of a lot of white tents with all different kinds of FOOD!  There was pizza and Indian food and pork sliders; there was creme brulee and custard tarts and carrot cake - why, oh why does she do this to me?  She did give me a bite here and there, but I noticed she kept most of them for herself.

The new stroller worked great!  At first Mom thought we wouldn't need it, but after dodging feet and fending off agressive dogs, she changed her mind and we went back for it.  It's very comfy - I can sit (forwards or backwards)or lie down, and it has a convertible top that not only provides shade, but has a porthole so I can see Mom through it.  Mom liked it because people made way for us - just like the parting of the Red Sea, she said.

You'll never guess what we did next!  Aunt Connie wanted a pedicure, but it was too hot to leave Poochini and me in the car, so she asked the lady at the desk if we could come in too, and the lady said Yes.  It was a very strange place, all these ladies sitting around with their feet in water, and the smells weren't nearly as good as at the "Bite."  In fact, I didn't like them at all - they tickled my nose.  But I was very well-behaved, as usual.  I lay quietly beside Mom while a lady rubbed her feet and legs and then painted this red stuff all over her toenails!  She asked me what color I would like, but I wasn't having any of that!  I do have my dignity, you know.  Poochini was making a fool of herself, as usual, barking and jumping around.  At one point she lost her chewstick in her mom's footbath and when the lady saw it she pulled her hands out of the water and said, "What's THAT?" But it was only a chewstick.

Finally, Mom and Aunt Connie were finished having their legs rubbed and feet massaged and toenails polished and we got to leave.  They didn't even give us anything to eat.  Although, I have to admit, I did score pretty well today - a buffalo chip, a Cruisin' Coffee biscuit, a chewstick from Aunt Connie and a few bites from Mom's lunch - better than the average day.

So, after the smelly place we got to go home, right?  Wrong!  Then Poochini and I had to stay in the car, which had cooled down by that time, while our moms went shopping.  We waited and waited and waited...I was so happy to see Mom when she finally came back that I had to pretend-attack her and squeal.  She always squeals back and tells me she's excited to see me, too. Gotta love my mom!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Success is Measured in Small Steps</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/687398</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:07:52 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/687398</guid>
		<description>Hey, Teddy!  I went to the vet to be weighed yesterday and I had lost a whole pound!  BOL!!!
If I c ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Hey, Teddy!  I went to the vet to be weighed yesterday and I had lost a whole pound!  BOL!!!
If I can lose a pound a month, I should be fit and trim by Christmas!  I'll still be fluffy, but not extra-fluffy.   Mom says weight-loss is a life-long challenge and that we both would be healthier with less belly fat so we're in this together.  I have noticed, though, that it's easier for her to cheat than it is for me.  She's in control of the can opener.

Last week, Mom bought me a stroller for $5 at a garage sale.  I'm not sure what I think of that yet - on the one paw, it's a lot more comfortable than the walker.  It's padded and it's just my shape and size when I'm lying down.  It's a reasonable color - blue and green plaid - at least it's not PINK.  On the other paw, however, I feel a little silly in it, and, to tell you the truth, I think Mom does, too.  At least it hasn't come out of the bedroom, yet. I think she plans to take me on our usual walks, because I do need my exercise, and just use the stroller for long distances.

Oh, boy, it's time for bed!  I LOVE bedtime because I get a SNACK of cottage cheese and then some cuddle time, which includes ear rubs!

Nighty-night...]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Arts, Crafts, and Greyhounds</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/685633</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 8 Aug 2010 20:55:12 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/685633</guid>
		<description>On Furriday, Mom, in her on-going effort to socialize me, decided to take me with her to the arts an ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ On Furriday, Mom, in her on-going effort to socialize me, decided to take me with her to the arts and crafts fair in a town far, far away.  She knew that I would not be able to walk a long time and also that I'd get tired of looking at ankles and dodging feet all day, so she took Grandma's wheeled walker out of the garage and fixed it up for me to ride in.  It has a basket and a seat, and although the basket is a little too small for all of me to sit in, it worked pretty well to sit my bottom in the basket and put my front legs on the seat.  Mom had the basket lined with a comfy cushion so I wouldn't get grid lines on my derriere.  When we were practicing with my new mode of transportation, I got nervous and bailed out a couple of times, so Mom put a harness on me and fastened me to the bar.  I got used to it pretty quickly and was able to relax and enjoy the ride.  We were quite the attraction at the arts-and-crafts fair - everyone thought that Mom had a great idea and that I was very spoiled - NOT!  Sometimes I'd get tired of riding and Mom would let me get out and walk for a while.  There were so many people and dogs to look at and the food smells...I wish Mom would stop taking me to these places if she won't let me eat the food people drop on the ground!  All in all, it was pretty successful; I really am feeling much more relaxed in new situations.

Good thing, too, because the next day there was another new experience waiting for me.  (Where does she come up with these things?) We drove very far again, this time in the opposite direction, to a birthday party for greyhounds!  Mom took me along as an honorary greyhound because we had lost our Tanner last May.  I was the shortest guy there (and the furriest) among all these wasp-waisted, needle-nosed really-tall hounds who all wanted to get to know me at once.  They recognized that I was an outsider right away, and I had to put a couple of them in their place.  (Good thing they don't know I'm missing too many teeth to be much of a threat.  My snarl is so scary it's all I need.)  
There were greyhounds of every imaginable color and lots of different sizes.  At first they were running in packs and chest-bumping each other; after a while they slowed down and each kind of did his own thing.  Some dug holes in the sand and lay in them, others napped on one of the beds or just strolled around getting acquainted.  There was a LOT of peeing going on. 
A dog psychic was giving readings; I was very skeptical about her abilities, especially when she kept calling me "she" and "her," (if she can't see what's right in front of her, how is she going to "see" what I'm thinking?) but she did say that there was going to be a BIG EVENT in my life (Paris?) and asked Mom if she did any writing (my book?)  That was a little spooky...  And she also said that she "saw" a lot of wings, a lot of angels' wings hovering over me, protecting me for the time that Mom would come and get me.  I kind of liked that.

The two best things that happened were that I got a BIG piece of liver cake with cream cheese frosting and an ice cream cup!  I was actually given two pieces of liver cake, but Mom took one away and said one was enough - bummer!  Then, the lady who gave the party gave me my own T-shirt with Pooh Bear and birthday balloons on it!  I was one happy dog!  Socialization is GOOD!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>That's Why We Love Her!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/684694</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 2 Aug 2010 14:34:46 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/684694</guid>
		<description>Aunt Connie felt so bad about my fall from the shopping cart (in reality, it was a jump, not a fall) ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Aunt Connie felt so bad about my fall from the shopping cart (in reality, it was a jump, not a fall)that she brought me a gift and a card to say she was sorry.  The gift was my FAV treat - cheese-flavored hearts in an edible, apple/oatmeal bowl.  I got to have one right away, even though I'm on a diet!  Then she gave me a TUMMY-RUB!  I think I forgive her - in fact, maybe I'll take another dive if it'll get me more treats!

Mom was very touched by the message on the card, although, if I'm honest, I have to say I liked the treats better.  Mom read it aloud to me; it said:

Dear Patch,
    I wanted you to know how truly sorry I am for your "crash landing" on Saturday.  You are a true friend to Sharon and I am her friend, too.  We are all inter-connected, so then, by extension, when you hurt, we all hurt.
                          Sincerely,
                          Aunt Connie

Aww.  Thanks, Aunt Connie.  You're the best!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Mom Knows Best???</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/684562</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 1 Aug 2010 18:27:45 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/684562</guid>
		<description>OMD!  I thought humans were the high-intelligence mammals!  Let me tell you about the last couple of ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ OMD!  I thought humans were the high-intelligence mammals!  Let me tell you about the last couple of days when the decision-maker in the family apparently had a bad case of brain-fade.

On Friday we went to Starbucks for Mom's mocha fix and it was too hot to leave me in the car, so she thought no one would notice if she just casually walked in with me, and no one did until I peed on the floor in front of the counter while she was ordering her low-fat very berry coffee cake.  Then when the man in front of us stepped in it, well, it all hit the fan!  Mom was unbearably embarrassed, there was a lot of uncertainty about who was going to clean it up and then...the manager came out.  To her credit, she kept a smile on her face all the time she was explaining about the rules of the Health Department, and someone FINALLY came out with a mop bucket, and we paid our bill and skedaddled out of there, apologizing all the way.  (Later we gave them a big tip.)

Problem was, Mom forgot to let me relieve myself before going into a strange place - she knows how nervous I get.

The next day was even worse!  Because I've been a stay-at-home dog and Mom wants to get me used to new situations (e.g. Starbucks), she decided to put me in the shopping cart and take me into Big Lots with her and Aunt Connie.  I was doing my best to be brave and only shaking a little bit - Mom kept telling me what a good boy I was.  Then Aunt Connie, who is a little vertically challenged, asked Mom to reach a dog bed on the highest shelf for her.  Mom said, "Sure, but watch Patch for me."  Well, instead, Aunt Connie watched Mom take the bed down and I bailed out of the shopping cart!  I was surprised to find out how far down it was to the ground!  After I shook myself off, nothing seemed to be seriously hurt, but I sure got a lot of attention!  Good thing I have a little extra padding!  Mom was horrified, Aunt Connie was remorseful, and I was glad to get out of there!  I hope I survive Mom's mission to de-sensitize me to new experiences!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>SCO-O-O-RE!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/683866</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:12:49 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/683866</guid>
		<description>I'm sick of dieting!  No cookies, no bites off Mom's plate, no biscuits at the drive-up windows... ' ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm sick of dieting!  No cookies, no bites off Mom's plate, no biscuits at the drive-up windows... 'til YESTERDAY!  I had to stay in the car for a long time while Mom went to a meeting and when she came back she said that I had been such a good boy that we would both have a treat (I'm not sure why SHE deserved one).  So we went to Cruisin' Coffee where she ordered a mocha, but she didn't order anything for me, so I had to get on her lap and look out the window with my most appealing, expectant expression.  Nothing happened.  So, I put my feet on the car door and stretched out as far as I could, trying to attract some attention.  When the coffee girl came back she said, "Oh, do you want a biscuit?"  Du-uh.  She asked Mom if I should have a half biscuit or a whole one and Mom (LOVE HER!) said that I deserved a whole one.  YESSS!  Cruisin' Coffee ROCKS!

I know I should have savored it and made it last, but I couldn't help myself - I chewed it up and gobbled it down before Mom pulled out of the parking lot!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>The Rrraspberry Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/682228</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:50:05 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/682228</guid>
		<description>Woof!  Mom surprised me today!  This morning she went for a bike ride with Aunt Connie and was gone  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Woof!  Mom surprised me today!  This morning she went for a bike ride with Aunt Connie and was gone for a long time.  When she finally came home, she fed me dinner and then told me we were going to the Raspberry Festival in town.  Well, I don't know what raspberries are and I've never been to a festival, but I sure was glad I was going with Mom!  First we picked up Poochini and Aunt Connie, and then we drove for just a few minutes before we stopped and got out again.  I was ecstatic!  I didn't have to stay in the car!  We walked about a block and I started to hear really loud music and started seeing a lot of people and other dogs.  Some were walking around, some were sitting and listening to the very loud music (which kind of scared me at first) and nearly everybody was eating something.  The tantalizing smells teased my sensitive olfactory glands.  We sat on the grass and listened to the music - Mom said it was jazz.  All I know it was really loud!  Some little kids wanted to pet me but I wasn't feeling very secure, so Mom had to tell them I was too shy to be petted by strangers.  Poochini barked ferociously at everybody - human and canine alike -but I was quiet and sat behind Mom until I got used to things.  Pretty soon, when I saw nothing was going to hurt me, I let my tail come up and started to sniff around a bit for bits of kettle corn and hot dog buns.  

There were dogs everywhere - pug puppies, golden retrievers, really great danes, chihuahuas, oodles of poodles - even two shih tzus with haircuts that were really short except for their long ears and tail.  I never did like that look - reminds me of a mullet.

Mom kept telling me what a good job I was doing, being brave, keeping my tail up.  Soon we walked a block or two so Mom and Aunt Connie could get an ice cream cone.  Walking in a crowd is not my favorite thing to do - lots of shoes to dodge and wheels of all kinds: strollers, walkers, wheelchairs - it can be hazardous being only 10 inches tall.  On the way back, I was careful to walk behind Mom and let her run interference for me.  I was pretty happy to jump back in the van when we got there, but Mom was very proud of the way I had handled the noisy crowd and crazy antics of humans. She said I was going to do just fine in Paris.  Patch in Paris - imagine that!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Patch in Paris</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/681773</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:15:04 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/681773</guid>
		<description>Mom's been talking about Paris again.  The big challenge is getting me there.  After bringing home t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom's been talking about Paris again.  The big challenge is getting me there.  After bringing home the terriers in the cabin of the plane, Mom is re-thinking trying to squeeze me under the seat for nine hours.  Now she thinks it would be better for me if I traveled in a crate in the hold.  I'd have more room to stand and move around, and the hold is pressurized and temperature controlled.  Only thing is, we'd be separated and I know she'd really worry about me.  There's also the time before loading and unloading the baggage (me).  I wonder if anyone out there has faced this problem.  I know we'd like some advice from someone who's been through this before.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Feelin' Go-od, The Way That I Shou-ould...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/681290</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:59:46 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/681290</guid>
		<description>I'm getting back in form again.  That Adequan is just what the doctor ordered - literally - but it s ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm getting back in form again.  That Adequan is just what the doctor ordered - literally - but it sure has helped!  I can't say that I'm feeling NO pain, but my enthusiasm for playing bunny makes me forget about it.

Next week I have an appointment at the SPAW where my condition will be evaluated and a weight loss program will be set up for me.  Mom keeps telling me it will be a good thing, because if I eat the right kind of food, I can have more of it and I won't get so hungry.  MORE sounds good to me, so I'm willing to try it.  But then there's the exercise part.  I not only have to be on a diet, I also have to EXERCISE and, get this, UNDER WATER!  At the SPAW they have a treadmill that's under water and I guess I have to walk on the underwater treadmill.  I wonder if it will be better than swimming.  At least my feet will be on something solid.

Tomorrow my new Tibetan terrier cousins are coming to visit.  I wonder how that will go.  Aunt Cindy says that since they've gotten used to their new home they've become very ... well, "comfortable".  I think that's a euphemism for "naughty."  If they make a move for my bunny, I'm not going to like them.  Puppies are such a trial for us older, more dignified dogs.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>What a Difference a Year Makes...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/680331</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 4 Jul 2010 22:57:50 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/680331</guid>
		<description>It's the Fourth of July and firecrackers have been going off in the neighborhood for hours.  Fortuna ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ It's the Fourth of July and firecrackers have been going off in the neighborhood for hours.  Fortunately, for me, it's no big deal, but they're starting to get on Mom's nerves.  ENOUGH, ALREADY!!  

Tomorrow is a very special day for me - it's my adoption day!  One year ago Mom and I met for the first time and now it seems like we've been together forever.

I can't really say it was love at first sight, but she looked all right to me - I thought she'd do.  I had the right qualifications for her; I was a black and white shih tzu, albeit a little worse for wear.  I wasn't very happy when she put me in a crate in her van, however; I put up with this indignity for a few minutes, but then I started to get a little panicky and tried to scratch my way out.  Mom pulled over, opened the crate door and I burst out and covered her with kisses!  That was when the love began.  I never had to go in a crate again until it was my own choice.  Now I love my crate, but...it doesn't have a door on it.

We've been through a lot this year - swim therapy, losing Tanner, my scary "walk-about" and now my arthritis flare-up, but all this just brings us closer. I show her every day how happy I am with my wiggles, twirls and squeals.  She shows me how much she loves me with hugs, belly rubs and play-times.

Tomorrow I have to go back to the vet for another shot that is supposed to make my arthritis hurt less; the problem is that the shot hurts - A LOT!  And I have to have two a week for three weeks.  I've even heard Mom say that I might have to go to swim therapy again.  That was NOT my favorite experience.

The vet told Mom I should limit my activity for at least a week.  I keep trying to entice her to play bunny with me, but she just keeps telling me that we have to stay quiet and can't play for awhile.  I dangle the bunny's legs in front of her and whisk it away when she reaches for it; my eyes twinkle and I dance away, keeping just out of her reach as she admonishes me to "settle."  Rrrr, it's going to be a long, hard week.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>WOO-HOO!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/679960</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 2 Jul 2010 11:57:13 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/679960</guid>
		<description>BOL! It's a wonderful day!  Mom's home and so am I! Camp was fun for a while - I loved running with  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ BOL! It's a wonderful day!  Mom's home and so am I! Camp was fun for a while - I loved running with the big boys, but I forgot that I'm not a young pup any more and I sort of over-did it.  Now my arthritis is acting up and I'm limping badly.  My camp counselor was so kind as to take me to the vet when she saw that my limp was getting worse, and he took X-rays that showed arthritis aggravated by an old injury in my right front leg.  He also said I needed to lose weight. Grrr.  Mom says MORE VEGETABLES, but I HATE vegetables.  She says she does, too, but if she has to eat them, so do I.  We'll see.

Another thing to celebrate - my diary was picked as one of the Diaries of the Day!  I'm so honored!  Mom reads me other dogs' diaries sometimes and it's grreat to be in such good company!

I have new cousins!  Mom and Aunt Cindy brought home two Tibetan terrier puppies.  I'll get to meet them soon and I'll let you know if I approve.  At least they'll only be visiting and not living here. Heh-heh.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>The Big Day</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/678451</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:18:39 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/678451</guid>
		<description>This is it.  This is the day I go to camp.  Pretty soon now, Mom says.  We have all my stuff packed  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This is it.  This is the day I go to camp.  Pretty soon now, Mom says.  We have all my stuff packed except my bunny - I have to keep him with me.  I'm taking two beds - my hidey-hole crate in case I need to "get away" from everything and my lounging bed.  I had a bath two days ago, so I'm lookin' good.  I think I will make quite a good impression.

I won't be writing in my diary again for over a week, but I'll let you know how I liked camp when Mom gets back and I'm home again.  I was kind of interested in the other dogs when we went for a visit last week and I didn't really feel scared, but I did stand behind Mom until I felt comfortable enough to look around a little.  I know I won't like it when Mom leaves me but maybe I'll enjoy the company of the other dogs.  I'll let you know in my next diary entry.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>My Biggest Grrripe!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/678150</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:51:11 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/678150</guid>
		<description>Why can't humans be more like dogs?  If I want to do something, I do it.  Now.  Immediately.  Mom, o ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Why can't humans be more like dogs?  If I want to do something, I do it.  Now.  Immediately.  Mom, on the other hand, asks me if I want to go for a walk and when I look happy to show her I do, she asks me again - "Do you want to go for a walk?  Do you?  Wanna go for a walk?"  

You had me at the first "walk," you don't need to ask me again.  So then I feel the need to assure her that I do, indeed, want to go for a walk, so I pat my feet on the floor, spin around in circles and squeal with excitement!  Then she acts surprised.  "Oh, you do?  You really want to go?"  

Ye-es, let's go, already!  But, no, she's NOT ready.  She asks me where my collar is.  Well, she should know, she's the one who took it off.

"Where's your collar?  Where's your collar?  Want to go for a walk?  We've got to find your collar!"

She finds my collar, I'm squealing, I'm dancing, she's trying to put my collar on, and we're ready to go!  Right?  Wrong.  She has to find the leash.  I follow right on her heels, bumping her with my nose to remind her that I'm still here and what our plans are.

Got the leash!  Great!  Ready to go for a walk!  But, no, Mom has to get her jacket.  Got the jacket?  Good! Pant, pant, squeal, spin, let's go!  Whoops, forgot the poop bags.  Aw, Mom, can't you hurry up?  I follow right on her heels but when she makes quick stops and U-turns, I nearly get stepped on. I'm going to be tired before we even get out the door! 

If we dogs were this disorganized and slow to get going, the cat/squirrel/bird would be out of sight before we were ready to give chase.  Just sayin'.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>CAMP?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/677291</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:10:12 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/677291</guid>
		<description>So it's no road trip for me.  Aunt Cindy decided it would take too long to drive to Missouri and bac ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ So it's no road trip for me.  Aunt Cindy decided it would take too long to drive to Missouri and back, so she's decided she and Mom would fly there, pick up the puppies and drive back in a rented car.  That leaves me out. :(  Mom says I'm going to go to DOGGIE CAMP for a week, and that it will be FUN!!  I've never been to camp before, but I have lived with a lot of dogs and, as I recall, it's every dog for himself!  She says this will be different because it will be supervised and I'll be introduced to the other guests slowly and make new friends.  I won't have to fight for my food and I'll get personal playtime and treats.  Sounds good, but I'm not sure...  It means I won't see Mom for a week, and I'm pretty sure I'll get homesick.  She was trying to sound really upbeat and cheerful when she was telling me all this, but I sensed some sadness in her mood.  If I don't like this camp, I may have to give her the silent treatment when I get home.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Road Trip</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/676137</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 7 Jun 2010 20:04:57 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/676137</guid>
		<description>I'm gonna &quot;get my kicks on Route 66!&quot; thanks to Mom's latest BIG IDEA.  Actually, it was my aunt Cin ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm gonna "get my kicks on Route 66!" thanks to Mom's latest BIG IDEA.  Actually, it was my aunt Cindy's idea and Mom is just going along with it.  Aunt Cindy is adopting two Tibetan terriers that live in - are you ready? TIBET! No, just kidding.  They actually live in Missouri, but that might as well be Tibet as far as I'm concerned.  That's a LONG car ride!

So, they're trying to decide how to bring these pups home - fly? drive? fly and drive?  If they decide to drive, I'm going along.  It will give Mom and me a lot of together time and the exposure to new experiences will do me good, even though it might be a little scary from time to time, but as long as Mom's there with me, I know I'll be all right.  The worst part will be traveling home with two homesick little babies that cry all the way.  I hope they don't get any ideas for me to play "mommy;"  that's where I draw the line!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Say Cheese!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/675253</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 2 Jun 2010 20:44:38 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/675253</guid>
		<description>Today I had my paw-trait taken by a professional photographer!  My mom had to have her picture taken ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today I had my paw-trait taken by a professional photographer!  My mom had to have her picture taken for the church directory and she wanted to have me in it with her, so afterward the photographer wanted to photograph me by myself (sorry, Mom).  So I put up with this posing business for a few shots and then I'd had enough.  The photographer kept trying to get my attention with a BABY RATTLE, of all things - like I cared about anything that wasn't a bunny.  She wanted a few more poses, but Mom saw that I was getting sweaty around the eyeballs and starting to hyperventilate, so she called a halt to the photo-shoot.  I'm so photogenic, anyway, that one shot was all she needed.  So, Mom ordered an 8 X 10 paw-trait of me in the most expensive finish.  It's quite handsome, even dignified, I'd say.  When it arrives, Mom will put it on my Dogster page so everyone can admire it.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Going, going, GONE!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/674365</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 29 May 2010 18:26:48 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/674365</guid>
		<description>BOL! I'm an only dog again.   After my experience of last week, that's a good thing.  If only Mom ha ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ BOL! I'm an only dog again.   After my experience of last week, that's a good thing.  If only Mom had checked with me first, we could have avoided a very challenging week.  A five-month old toy fox terrier is NOT a good match for a ten-year old shih tzu.  Mom thought he was really cute - entertaining, she said.  Lively and funny, she said. She even tolerated his maniacal barking at himself in the mirror at 6:00 in the morning when WE wanted to sleep later.

She finally realized that he was not helping me feel better, so we drove all day yesterday to take him home.  It was a really long car ride, but totally worth it!  Now I'm much more cheerful and my tail wags all the time!  I think Mom has decided that I'll get used to being an only dog and we'll just make the best of it together.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Ru-dy, Ru-dy, Ru-dy!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/673463</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 24 May 2010 20:31:58 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/673463</guid>
		<description>Well, she did it.  Mom went to the dog show and came home with not just a dog, but a TERRIER!  What  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Well, she did it.  Mom went to the dog show and came home with not just a dog, but a TERRIER!  What WAS she thinking?  He's a pretty cute little guy, I guess, for a terrier - my size, my color, but he doesn't have much hair!  The worst of it is, he's only FIVE MONTHS OLD!  All along, Mom's been talking about finding me a friend who's mature and sedate, someone I can relate to, who's perhaps had some of the same experiences I've had, and what does she do but the exact opposite!  His name is Rudy, and he doesn't know ANYTHING!  He barks at every noise, puts everything in his mouth, and you should have seen his leash manners!  You should see him at dinnertime - he doesn't want to eat his food but he does want to eat mine and Mom has to lock him in the other room when she has dinner because he's in her plate!

Guess what was the first thing he did when he came into the house? He stole my bunny!  Luckily, I have two, but now one of them has terrier spit on it.  I show him very clearly what I think of him whenever he gets close to me.  I curl my lips and my whiskers quiver, and if that doesn't do it, I snarl.  He has the advantage of youth, however, and he can jump like a gazelle and climb like a mountain goat, so all I can do is threaten him with empty snarls.  (He doesn't know I don't have many teeth.)

I heard Mom tell her friend Connie tonight that he's not working out :) and he's going to have to go home.  Ha!  Maybe those snarls weren't so empty after all!  So that means another really long ride in the car, because he's from Chehalis, wherever that is, but it will be worth it to have him out of my life.  Maybe the next time she decides to get me a friend, I'll get to vote on it.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Spa Day</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/672963</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 21 May 2010 17:46:33 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/672963</guid>
		<description>I AM GORGEOUS!  I had to wait a long time for my grooming day after I ended up in the drainage ditch ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I AM GORGEOUS!  I had to wait a long time for my grooming day after I ended up in the drainage ditch - good thing Mom got most of the gunk off right away.  I have a lot of empathy for the animals caught in the oil spill!

Mom posted some pictures of me with my new haircut - LOOKIN' GOOOD!  I am so-o-o relaxed after my spa day, as you can see in one of my pictures. My pal Poochini had a hair day today, too.  Mom kind of shuttled us back and forth.  

Mom's thinking about looking for a friend for me, now that Tanner is gone.  I'm so afraid of riding in the car alone, but I do feel better when Poochini is with me.  I'd like a pal, I just want to be sure that I won't get any less attention with someone new in the house. 

I'd write more, but I'm still kind of sleep-y...]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Thank Dog for Rimadyl!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/671640</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 13 May 2010 22:02:22 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/671640</guid>
		<description>I'm finally starting to feel normal two days after my misadventure, but, boy, was I stiff and sore f ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm finally starting to feel normal two days after my misadventure, but, boy, was I stiff and sore from my very long walk.  I did a lot of sleeping and groaned a little whenever I had to get up or down.  I'm starting to recover my good humor and playfulness - it sure is good to be home!  Mom's trying to get me used to going in the car again - she takes me for short drives and sometimes lets me get out with her and other times leaves me in the car alone, but only for a short time and scatters treats around the car to take my mind off being left alone.  I'm gradually getting better, but I'm always REALLY glad to get back home again.  

Today we went to see Grandma in the nursing home; all the grandmas there want to pet me because they really miss their own dogs, so I try to be friendly even though it's hard.  They reach out their fingers and I lick them a little.  They talk to me in soft voices and I know I'm safe.  I especially like going there right after they've had lunch so I can help them clean up under the tables.

Tomorrow Mom says I can help her work in the yard while some strangers are working inside our house.  She says we're having an Open House on Saturday, whatever that is.  I'm a little concerned because if the house is open that might mean that strangers can come in.  Mom says we have to do something about my fear of strangers - if I hadn't been afraid to ask for help when I was lost, I might have gotten home a lot sooner.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Patch's Not-So-Excellent Adventure</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/671289</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 11 May 2010 18:43:42 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/671289</guid>
		<description>I'm OK!  But this is a day I won't soon forget.  Mom left me home alone this morning at 8:00 for the ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm OK!  But this is a day I won't soon forget.  Mom left me home alone this morning at 8:00 for the first time since Tanner passed away and I panicked.  I'm not sure what time it was when I found a way out of the yard and went to look for her.  I went to the park and a lot of people saw me and called to me, but you know how I feel about strangers, so I ran away.  Apparently they called the police, because Mom was able to track me (it just took her a dawg-gone long time to catch up to me!).  A lady told her she had seen me around the Heritage Apartments, but when she didn't find me there, she called the police again, and they told her someone had spotted me heading down the Hampton Rd. toward Northwood.  She was incredulous because that's out in the country!  She said, "Are you sure it was a LITTLE black-and-white dog?"  So she drove down the Hampton Rd. AND the Northwood Rd. AND back again, and stopped at two places to ask if they had seen me.  One said no and his dogs hadn't either, so she knew she had gone too far.  She drove way back to the park and started over again, this time stopping at a place where she saw some people coming around from the back of place that looked a field office.  A young man said, Yes, he had seen a little dog who was going down the road and then went into a raspberry field.  So Mom said she drove into the field and walked and walked, and the young man and his wife and brother helped her look for me.  I was lying in the grass, on the other side of a drainage ditch, too exhausted to go on after swimming across the ditch when I heard her call my name.  All I could do was raise my head, but she saw me and told me to stay there.  Like I could move!  The young man, our hero, whose name was DOUG DAVIS, took off his shoes and shirt and waded into the thigh-high muck, came across the chest-high water in the ditch and rescued me.  Mom and I were so happy, but I think we were both in shock.  We were also very stinky - do you know what's in a drainage ditch?  in cow country?  Among other things, fertilizer in its raw form.  I hope Doug was able to get all the stink off, but I know that I've had two baths and I still have something of an "aura."  Mom used a loofah on herself and threw away her shirt.  I don't think it smells that bad - I would have rolled in it anyway, but Mom's going to make an appointment with the groomer tomorrow.  

By the way, for dinner I got...CHICKEN!!!  in bed...by hand.

Well, Mom learned her lesson.  She won't ever let me out of her sight again unless she knows I can't possibly escape.  That's OK with me - my legs are tired and my pads are sore.  An eight-hour walk is too much for an old, fat dog like me!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Prince Tanner</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/671108</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 10 May 2010 16:44:15 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/671108</guid>
		<description>I wanted to share some pictures of my BFF Tanner in his better days, when he was feeling good and li ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I wanted to share some pictures of my BFF Tanner in his better days, when he was feeling good and liked to goof off.    He would also tear around the living room (hard to get a photo of that) in tight circles for about 5 minutes, somehow avoiding all Mom's precious decor.  I guess he was used to a circular track, but must have thought it was really compressed!

I went out to help Mom in the yard today - we pruned trees and pulled weeds.  I had to be on my leash (grrr) because I like to explore outside the yard and she doesn't want me to.  You know how Moms worry - but my yard is no fun.  I already know all the smells - I made them myself.

On Saturday Mom took me in the car with her friend and her friend's dog, Poochini.  Poochini didn't like me at first and wasn't shy about telling me so, but when the Moms got out of the car, all we had was each other, so we managed to work out our differences.  Mostly we just ignored each other, but it was nice to have company in the car again.  The Moms took us for a really long walk along the boardwalk to Boulevard Park.  I had very good manners meeting all the dogs that were on the walk, but Poochini growled and snapped at everyone.  Poochini weighs about 3 pounds, so most of the other dogs just looked out of the corner of their eye and said, "Yeah... right."  I like meeting other dogs, it's just people I have a problem with.  I'm not really sure I can trust them, so I'm very cautious at first... and second... well, actually for quite a long time.  I like to stand behind Mom when strangers are around.

I'm sending loving thoughts to Tanner, waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Goodbye...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/670409</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 6 May 2010 21:32:43 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/670409</guid>
		<description>This is a very sad day for me.  My BFF Tanner is gone and I am alone.  Today Mom could tell that the ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This is a very sad day for me.  My BFF Tanner is gone and I am alone.  Today Mom could tell that the pain was too great without any hope of getting better.  Dr. Jordan and a helper came to the house and gave him a shot which didn't hurt.  Mom sat with his head in her lap and stroked him and cried him to sleep.  I was beside him on his bed with my bunny.  I don't like the car rides so much now because I'm afraid of being left alone.  But I'm glad that Tanner is chasing rabbits over the rainbow bridge, free of pain and pills, but we will miss him so...]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>P'tooie!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/669244</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:49:04 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/669244</guid>
		<description>Sometimes a dog just has to be clear in his message.  Today, just before dinnertime, my tummy was a  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Sometimes a dog just has to be clear in his message.  Today, just before dinnertime, my tummy was a little upset so I threw up on the living room carpet.  Twice.  Mom had to get out her Little Green ProHeat Bissell carpet cleaner and said, like she always does, "Thank goodness for this little carpet cleaner!" and clean it up.  (I really like the L.G.P.B. carpet cleaner, too, because it always saves me from a scolding when I make a mistake on the carpet.)  Anyway, as I said, this happened just at dinner-time, so Mom decided I should just have DRY KIBBLE for dinner so as not to further upset my stomach.  What she doesn't get is that my stomach wasn't upset any more - that's what vomiting is for - DUH!  Well, I just took a big mouthful of that DRY KIBBLE, walked over and dropped it at her feet.  I think she got the message.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Wha' the ...</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/668892</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:58:12 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/668892</guid>
		<description>I'm worried.  Today Mom was busy, busy, busy.  Vaccuuming, de-cluttering, wrapping and putting thing ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm worried.  Today Mom was busy, busy, busy.  Vaccuuming, de-cluttering, wrapping and putting things in boxes, moving furniture... she hardly paid any attention to me at all, even though I followed her around all day looking very anxious.  She didn't sit down in our chair at all - something unusual is going on and I don't like the looks of it - too much activity is not a good sign.  There also have been strange people in the house recently and I don't like strangers very much.  I usually just go and lie very close to Tanner on his pillow when there are strangers in the house and watch them carefully from a distance.  

Tanner is not having a good day.  He's hardly eaten a thing, even when Mom tried to tempt him with liver pate.  He didn't want to go in the car today, and, even though I'm always excited to go, I don't like staying in the car alone.  I start to hyperventilate.  Mom spent a long time lying on the bed with Tanner, stroking him and rubbing his ears.  I get a little jealous when she does that, but I know it makes him feel better.

Mom keeps trying to encourage me to become more independent and not to rely on Tanner so much.  I know she worries about Tanner and also about how lonely I would be without him.  But I don't want to think about that...]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dog-gone too long!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/667995</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:40:39 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/667995</guid>
		<description>I'm pooped!  Who knew that one of my favorite activities would become an endurance test!  Mom asked  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I'm pooped!  Who knew that one of my favorite activities would become an endurance test!  Mom asked us (me and my BFF Tanner) if we wanted to go in the car today, but she didn't tell us how long it would be before we could get out again.  Between a couple of shopping stops where SHE got to go shopping and we got to WAIT and the long ride to the final destination, which was NOT a dog park, we had to be in the car for three hours, with only one potty break.  At least I got a really big dog biscuit when she stopped at Cruisin'Coffee - they give much bigger biscuits than the bank or the pharmacy - and when Tanner didn't eat his quickly enough, I helped him finish it.  Mom tried to hide part of one in the front door pocket, but when she was out of the car, I found it!  The smell of fresh crumbs on my breath was a dead give-away, though, and she told me I wasn't going to get any dinner!  I wasn't worried, though, I knew it was just a bluff.

Well, after more shopping, and driving, and shopping again, and one more potty break where there weren't even any good smells, we finally headed for home.  Thank Dog, she took us for a walk after dinner (I did get some), so we could get some of the kinks out.  Now I'm taking a nap, too tired even to play revolving bunny.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Travelin' Dog</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/667601</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:52:35 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/667601</guid>
		<description>Mom has decided she wants to take me to Paris with her.  I don't know...  that's quite a change from ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom has decided she wants to take me to Paris with her.  I don't know...  that's quite a change from living with a hoarder in a house with 80 other dogs.  Of course, Paris is a very dog-friendly town...  I'd be able to go with her almost everywhere.  But getting there is a challenge.  I'd have to be in a CRATE under a seat for 9 hours.  I may have mentioned that I'm no lightweight, so that's a pretty tight squeeze for me, not to mention my claustrophobia.  I can't decide whether it's worse to travel or if it's worse to be separated from her for three months.  I know it would break her heart to be without me for that long.

Mom thinks that I'll gradually get used to being in the crate if we work at it little by little every day.  She uses treats to encourage me, which I LOVE, but it's kind of counter-productive since I can just barely fit into the crate as it is.  I have a feeling that once I agree to this, it's going to be major diet and exercise for me until we leave.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>&quot;Exposition&quot;</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/667598</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:34:45 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Patch ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1130507/diary/Life_with_sharon_or_how_much_can_a_dog_take/667598</guid>
		<description>Mom's an Engish teacher; the exposition in literature is the necessary background the reader needs t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Mom's an Engish teacher; the exposition in literature is the necessary background the reader needs to understand the story.  Mom met me for the first time in a cemetery; I don't know if that has any significance or not - maybe it means "till death do us part."  Anyway, she sort of liked the looks of me and I went home with her - in a crate!  Well, I didn't put up with that for very long; I let her know that I had claustrophobia and when she opened the door to comfort me I burst out onto her lap.  Wiggles and kisses later, she was convinced - no crate necessary.

From the very start, I was determined to make myself indispensible to her well-being.  It was a little rough going at first till she explained clearly where I was supposed to go to the bathroom, but, even though I still have an occasional lapse of memory, we've now come to an agreement on that subject.  I show her how much I LOVE everything we do: I LOVE going in the car, I LOVE coming home to the same place I left, I LOVE going for walks, I LOVE my dinner and treats and marrow bones, I  LOVE my Salvador Dali bunny, and I give lots of nose bumps and kisses to show her how much I LOVE her.

The first night at my new home, she thought I'd sleep in a DOG bed in her bedroom!  I made it very clear that that was not acceptable, not even thinkable!  I jumped right up on her bed and snuggled up.  There was no further discussion about sleeping arrangements.  She did have to get me some stairs to get up and down from the bed, though.  Those deep pillow-top mattresses are pretty high for a short guy.

The only thing I would like more of is FOOD.  Just because I don't have a wasp waist, Mom thinks she has to ration my food.  I even took swimming lessons for twelve weeks to work off some pounds, but it didn't work.  So now I'm doomed to diet.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

</channel>
</rss>

