Toad Invasion

Well the other night, when i was sleeping in my room, mommy came to get me to get ready for bed like she always does. I sat up and said Hi Mommy, and then Mommy goes
"Oh My Gosh!"
and then she goes
"Sarah and Pat, come quick! There's toads in here!"

I looked, and she was right- toads everywhere in my room.
Mommy grabbed my collar so i couldn't eat any of them (don't tell mommy, but i'm pretty sure i ate at least one).
There were dozens of baby toads just hopping everywhere. Mommy leaves my room door open so i can go outside whenever i want (which is why i never have accidents inside), and it was raining, so all of those baby toads must've come hopping in to get out of the rain. I was sleeping and dreaming about birds, so i didn't even HEAR them come in.

Sarah and Pat grabbed up all the baby toads and put them outside, but they must not've gotten all of them because the next morning we came in and found 2 or 3 baby toads that had died overnight in my room. Mommy was kind of sad that they didn't see those ones to rescue too.

I was sad also, but not because they were dead, but because if they were going to die, at least i could've eaten them, right?

Ciao for Now
Tula

I'm a Graduated Pup

Well, it's official. I graduated Puppy Kindergarten. Everything I'll ever need to know in life, i now already know.

What's that mommy? You say that there's plenty of more classes where that came from? Like Hunt Trails and Agility Courses?
I don't think i need any of those things.

Here are the things i know:
Sit
Down
Stay
Wait
Come
Paw
Leave It
Off
Watch Me
Touch

Some of those things are fancier than they sound. Like Wait- mommy makes me sit and Wait, and she walks way far away and then i come when called. Or Stay- mommy makes me stay as she walks in a circle all around me. Or Leave It- i'm not allowed to eat the treat on my paw until mommy gives it to me.

Mommy uploaded some pictures from vacation (the last 3)- check them out!
Ciao for Now
Tula

Things I Did on Vacation

Went wading in the weeds
Went swimming
Chased Birds
Chased Moths
Ran Away from Home
Played with Yvie
Played with Penny
Avoided George
Ate an entire bag of Dog Food (with Penny)
Ate some bones
Sniffed Mushrooms
Saw ducks in the water
Pointed at Birds in the trees
Learned to chase little critters
Ate food left out for Raccoons
Rode well in the car
Drove home through a tornado warning
Slept

Mommy's still getting photos sorted from the cabin, but hopefully she'll have some posted soon

Ciao for Now
Tula

A Bird in the Bush = One in my Mouth

Oh My Dog, i found the Best Thing Ever the other day.
I was outside playing in the yard by myself, and found this Thing, and was having a blast playing with it. Then mommy and Sarah came out and saw that i had the Best Thing Ever, and they wanted to see what i had. I'm a generous girl and am willing to share, and of course i wanted to show it off.
I pranced over there so proud of myself. Then mommy says
"I see you have a dead bird"

That's right baby! This Bird Dog had her very own Dead Bird!
Mommy asked where i got it, but i wasn't telling. She also asked if i found it alive or dead. I was SHOCKED that she didn't think i could catch a live bird on my own. Mommy said it was a juvenile Blue Jay- probably too young to fly, and so if it was alive, i probably didn't have to try too hard to catch it. I sniffed and decided to ignore her.

But then mommy wanted my Best Thing Ever.

No way! I had plenty more fun things i could do with this Dead Bird- i hadn't even gotten a chance to shake it yet- i was too busy tossing it and carrying it. Plus, there was some plucking i wanted to try.

Mommy tried to take it from me, but i've got jaws of steel.
Then Sarah was sneaky- she brought me a couple pieces of kibble in exchange for the bird. Now, i know that the bird was the Best Thing Ever, AND i had already eaten breakfast this morning. But i am not above accepting payment for said bird, and 4 pieces of kibble seemed like a good exchange. So i politely gave mommy my bird and Sarah gave me my kibble. Then mommy praised my hunting prowess at such a young age.
I told her she shouldn't be surprised- I'm kind of a big deal.

Ciao for Now
Tula

But I Don't Wanna be a Computer!

So mommy brought me to her work the other day. Sarah and Pat came along too. There were a BUNCH of people there eating food and playing sports, but that's not why i was there.
I was there...
...to get a microchip!
I told mommy i didn't want to become a computer, that i am fine just staying a puppy thankyouverymuch.
But she just said too bad, that everyone is microchipped in this family. That way if i ever get lost i'll find my way home.
I told her that i don't get lost- i stay in the backyard.
Sarah pointed out that yesterday i got out of the backyard and the neighbor had to bring me home.
I sniffed and said i didn't remember that.
Then i found a great excuse to not get a chip- Penny doesn't have one, so i don't need one either!
Just then Penny arrived.
Mommy made me go first.
I was shy (as usual- i'm good at faking people out), and then when the volunteer poked me i cried and cried and cried.
And then i cried some more.
Mommy said i was a big baby, but i told her it HURT!
Then Penny went and didn't even squeak in protest.
Show off.
Mommy says to not worry, that i'm still a puppy, but i'm not too sure about that...
Though she may be right, because i've never seen a computer bite the way i can.

Ciao for Now
Tula

Might as Well Graduate me Right Now!

Well i started puppy classes. I don't know why i need them- mommy and me already do training at home- i know how to sit (i always have to sit before i get fed) and I'm learning how to target.
But mommy says i have to take puppy classes for 'socialization' with other puppies. I don't know what that is, but if it involves other puppies, no thanks!

You may not be able to tell through my musings, but i'm actually a little shy when it comes to meeting new people, places, and dogs. I really like people- i always wag my tail and ask them to come see me. But then when they do sometimes i cower and pee a little bit (just a little). Also, when i see other dogs (except George, Yvie, and Penny) i growl a little bit to tell them not to come too close.

Well, off we went to puppy class. First thing that happened- i was mauled by another puppy.
Me and mommy and Sarah were standing patiently waiting to go into class, when this other couple walks up with their rottie x puppy (named Jack). Well, for whatever reason, they just drop the leash and Jack comes running over and barges right into me. I get so scared i'm trying to run away and hide behind mommy, but he just wouldn't leave me be, so i started to cry.
Jack's stupid mommy and daddy finally get his leash back on him and take him away, but still, i was scared and they were very rude.

Jack was supposed to be in my puppy class, but get this- he's three months old and doesn't have a single vaccination! Mommy couldn't believe it- she's all for less vaccinations on adult dogs, but i already have 2 sets (3 as of this writing), and i'm only 10 weeks old! She can't figure out where they would've gotten him that he didn't get at least one vaccination.
That meant that the trainer lady said he couldn't come to class (mommy said he shouldn't even leave the house for his own safety). She said that he can come to next week when he has his first shots, but i say good riddance.

Then there was supposed to be a 3rd puppy in my class, but he was a no-show. So i got a private lesson. Which i thought was great, but mommy said we're here for socialization first and training second. The trainer lady said she'd bring her other dog to class if no one else comes to class, or she'll see if some puppies from the other classes can come and play.

The trainer said i'm really smart and class is going to be a breeze- i learned 'off' and my name (which i already knew) and 'watch me'. Class was going to be an hour, but i learned everything in 40 minutes, so i got to go home early. I like the trainer lady (her name is Angela) and she even knew my song from the movie Bugsy Malone, so her and mommy and Sarah hit it off really good.

But i told mommy, if i'm so smart, might as well just graduate me now and then i can avoid the other puppies forever.

Ciao for Now
Tula

I Will Have my Freedom!

So i may have mentioned that i have 2 different rooms- my daytime room (in where Aunt Sarah works and i get fed and can see the birds and the guinea pigs, and Mommy writes my diaries for me), and my nighttime room where me and mommy go to sleep. These rooms are seperated from the rest of the house by baby gates- a short traditional one in the daytime room, and a tall, fancy metal one with a built in gate in the nighttime room. These are there for 'my own protection' as mommy puts it as they begin to work on managing George's 'issues' with me.

Well i am sooo clever. Recently i discovered that i can climb out of daytime room. So anytime i wake up and am alone, or come in from outside and i can hear everyone watching tv without me, well i just pretend i'm a cat and climb right out. Mommy then usually lets me watch tv with them (as long as George and i are both wearing our leashes).

However, nighttime room presented a problem- the gaps are all vertical and there is nothing to hook my toes into to climb out. It's also a lot taller than daytime gate. Normally this isn't an issue, because i like going to bed with mommy. But sometimes they use nighttime room when they leave the house since they know i can't escape. I try and i cry, but there was no way to get out...
Until yesterday that is.

Mommy and the rest of the family left us dogs in the house all by ourselves. Well, i wanted to be out like George and Yvie, so i set to looking real close at that gate. And then i figured it out- i was able to completely dismantle the gate and free myself from the clutches of nighttime room. The gate lay in 2 seperate pieces, and i jumped right over them.
And then i had a blast.

I peed at least once and maybe 2 times (who can remember?) on the wood floor. Then George and Yvie (i think she was invlovled) joined in and each of them had a good pee too. Then i pooped in the dining room. Then i found the planter material sitting in the dining room and tore that to shreds. Then...get this...i figured out how to get onto the kitchen counter (all you gotta do is jump onto the back of the couch, step through the pass through and then you're golden).

Well, that's how mommy found me. Yvie yelled "They're back!" and i turned and looked, and there was mommy in the doorway. Boy was i excited to see her. She was mostly shocked i think.

She did notice that i had three little owies on my right front arm that look suspiciously like a George bite, but George said if i tell mommy what happened he'll bite me again, so my lips are sealed.
Aunt Sarah said at least if he did bite me that he let go and didn't proceed to kill me- I can't tell if she's joking or not.

All i do know, is that I will have my freedom, please and thank you.
Ciao for Now
Tula

Ear Pierced?!

So i know i got really big floppy ears. I mean really big. So big, that they get wet when i drink water.
Anyway, yesterday mommy was coming to take me out of my nighttime room (i've learned how to climb out of daytime room, so sometimes i get put in nighttime room during other times now too). Mommy was trying to put the leash on me (so i don't accidentally wander too far into George territory), but i was so excited to come out, i just wanted to run right by. She barely got it clipped on as i dashed towards the couch.
But then, once i was on the couch, i realized something was wrong. Something felt wrong with my glorious ear- i started pawing at it and crying a little bit. Mommy tried to see what was happening, but i had started to panic a little bit and she couldn't see. I tried to run away from the problem, but just then mommy unclipped the leash and the problem went away. That's when i realized what had happened- when clipping the leash onto my collar, mommy also clipped the leash onto my ear. I mean, i know it's a long ear and it gets in the way sometimes, but mommy really has to be more careful with these things.
I have lovely ears and they don't need to be pierced
Ciao for Now
Tula

Diary of the Day?!

Holy Timberdoodles! I'm Diary of the Day! I can't believe it- i've only been on dogster now for a few days, and have hardly written anything at all! Needless to say, I'm very touched.
Thanks to everyone sending stars, and i'm excited to have some new Pup Pals out of this experience.
And don't worry, i'll keep on writing too.
Ciao for Now
Tula

My Canine Brother and Sister

Let me tell you about George and Yvie.
They're french bulldogs. Already i am taller than Yvie, and mom says that i'll probably be bigger than Penny (which is hard to believe, since she's just so...much...dog...).
Yvie's ok- mostly she ignores me and i ignore her. Sometimes i try to boss her around by punching her in the face or stepping on her. I also like to cut her off and bug her during walks. Sometimes she grumbles, but she's all bark and no bite. Mommy says i need to be nice to her, and maybe if i invited her to play outside that she would play chase. We'll see...
Now George... he's all bite and no bark. Well, actually, he's a lot of bark too, just not when it comes to me. I think he hates me, and mommy hasn't told me otherwise. When i'm inside i have to be extra careful if i'm not in my night room or day room. George has to stay on his leash, and i have to watch where he is at all times. If i get to close to him...BAM... he gets me.
But i gotta tell ya... even though George hates me and i'm afraid of him, i just KNOW we'll be friends if i try hard enough. When we're outside together i just invite him to play over and over and over again. Some times i grab his leash and play tug with him (even though he's not really playing). George doesn't accept my invitations... yet... but i'm gonna keep on trying. Mommy says that George hated Penny at first too, and now even though they're not friends, he doesn't really hate her anymore.
But that's not how it's going to be with me. We're going to be friends...I just know it!
Ciao for Now
Tula