Things are Better

Well, getting there. We went for a long car ride to see all the lights- at least Mom is feeling better. Yeah, that was a hard one. I wonder if humans get sad, then doggies can, too.
We can sense it.
All feeling better now, Thank Dog. She's still planning on WSPA's next trip, this time, got a very special offer from Virgin Air- sooo, hope she makes a decision soon.
Funny how we doggies can tell if our human is sad or depressed.
We can! She said to tell all that she wishes she had a million zealies, to give all the doggies a prezzie.
I looked at her. and "Mom. be real"- but she's going to try.
Every Doggie, every child, everyone needs someone, somewhere, to know that they are loved.
Merry Christmas, all.
Love, Sammy

Happy Labor Day- Already?

Been gone so long.....Yikes. Mom kind of jumped the gun, so to speak, about me getting right in to the doggie boot camp. First, it took about 2 weeks to get a return call from the service dog trainer at that place. He said: "Sorry for they delay in getting back to you. We've been so busy..." was on answering machine.
Then Mom called back after another week, and was able to ask questions about the program, but the trainer (They have different ones, one for guard dogs, service dogs, police dogs, etc.)who left the message was away on vacation. Sigh.. then it was one thing after another- when it rains, it pours. One of Mom's C.C. accounts was hacked, and the company sent out an email: "Sorry about that, someone got all email addresses, but no personal info, don't worry." Then Mom's email was FLOODED with HUNDREDS (yes, hundreds) of spammmy emails- on top of that, she got: "Message couldn't be delivered" Emails, someone had been trying to send emails in her name! Contacted internet provider "HEY! Someone is using my email address!" They told her just to change password. SIGH! Well, at least THAT worked!
Just had to change settings for SPAM- it took forever- so frustrating!
Then, a weekly Dogster newsletter! Click. 100 sled dogs killed.
Read. Depressed. logoff. Delete more spam. OH! Another Dogster newsletter. Click. Child rode my dog, now dog's crippled for life. Read. Disgusted and depressed. Logoff.
What the heck ever happened to "Fun, Friendly and Informational?"
Sorry, doggies, but to be completely honest, when we first joined Dogster, it was a port in a storm. A haven. A little small town made up of dogs and the humans who loved them.
It's changed. A lot. Only reason I'm writing this is because email is finally under control- but Mom hasn't even been on the computer for over a month- finally, because to pay bills, check important stuff, she saw that our Dogster Plus membership had expired! And my sister Casey's barkday was last month! Yikes!She got a few prezzies.
Well, she wanted to say thanks, but it was over a month ago. We'll find ya!
Just found out that today's my barkday/gotcha day. Completely forgot. Mom thought it was around the end of Septmember.
Don't worry about prezzies- we've missed lots of Birthdays, DOD and DOW...Mom renewed our membership, and we looked up lots of our pals, to see what's been happening with everyone.
I think if Mom just avoids the bad stories on the DogBlog (makes her so sad), we can still catch up with the pack on here.
We really need to update our pages, too!
I'm still planning to get my training- Mom called again and was told, I'd have to be "evaluated" first.
I suppose that's standard. You know, like to see if a doggie is adoptable, not food-aggressive, or vicious or fearful or stuff like that.
It's just taking longer than I expected. Gee, I hope I'm not TOO set in my ways. BOL!
I don't think so. Anyway, Mom's been on the computer all night, trying to sort things. Maybe we can be on more often now.
Mom's going on a trip with WSPA (World Society For the Protection of Animals)next week to London, then Romania, to visit the Bear Sanctuary. She's planned it since early this year. For a week, then WE'LL be doing some travelling with her.
But first, she'll set up an evaluation for me, and we'll go from there.
Warm wishes and Big Husky Hugs for all.
Love, Sammy

Yikes! Doggie Boot Camp!

Well, the momster has decided: MORE TRAINING! I happen to be a few light years away from my CGC.
Okay, she's not a professional dog trainer. (DUH) However, since I am so sweet and talkative, she just knows I'll get a true certification IF I go to the boot camp. It's some $$$$, but I really need to LISTEN and not be distracted so easily.

Mom studied up- there's the Cesar Milan app. : Blocking, calm, assertive, etc. Then there's Victoria Stilwell, who also blocks, but give treats and uses the clicker. Hmmmmmm...

Nonetheless, off I go for 2 weeks! Then, I get a date for my CGC test. And then... And then. I should be shipping off next month. Oh, I'll just be 20 miles away. Gotta do it! All I need is some tough trainers! The paitents at the VA need me! I'm a BIG dog, and they can pet me and pet me, and feel better.
But not if I get distracted, or jump at any noise. I can DO this! ARUGH! I'm a Husky, I need to work! Keep ya updated!
Love, Sammy

P.S. Momster has a story about a veteran at the VA who brought his non-trained doggie- Vinnie will tell you that. It was sad.

The Blue Screen of Death

It's okay, doggies, that means when a 'puter goes toes up. WELL!!
We won't mention any computer names (H.P.) but WOW, such shabby customer service. Mom's 'puter worked barely, and then: poof!
Done with HP, went to Geek Squad online. That's why we haven't been able to bark. The geeks fixed all the bad stuff- FREE! Even before Mom tried the Pawsome pages, she could only get a sentence done and, poof! again. Blue screen, and shutdown.
Geeks helped and fixed it.
Thank Dog for the geeks.
We missed Dogster terribly.

"A New Day"
All in the town were still asleep
When the sun came up with a shout and a leap.
In the lonely streets, unseen by man,
A little dog danced, and the day began.
-Rupert Brooke

Got "puter" back

Feels like we've been off forever- mom got a compaq presario or something- didn;t work too well- finally, all fixed and better, got her better one back- took forever- yippee.
Oh it only took her a month or two and a million calls, (Phone bill will make her faint-haha)
makes one wonder about these companies.....
Well, she's perked up! It feels like can't get by without one anymore. Which is strange. but she;s happy she;s got the good one back.
We're getting a roterissi chicken for dinner tonight!
My favorite!

'Rac Attack!

Hey everypup. Good news and good news!
Mom got us a new groomer! Best by far- no names, but the "chain" stores were getting terrible, and I was tramuatized last time, and wet!
Oh, and what a biggie, we get racoons and possums and such, and one Rac got into our backyard! Well, we had just gotten home from the store, and Mom lets us out the back, as usual. And minutes later, she hears, "YOWL!" and grabs a flashlight, bolts out the door, and sees that me and Vinnie got us a Racoon cornered in the backyard!
She yells at all of us, (of course), and I was the only one wanting to play with the critter! "SAMMY!" "What?" The Rac makes a run for it. Up the fence to the Pine tree. I run after it, and grab the tail, mom is frantic. "SAMMY!" "What?" Oh, darn, then the Rac gets away, up one of the trees! Almost had'em!
According to Mom, thank goodness no one got hurt or bit- we all have our Rabies shots- couple of scratches, but Vet said no worries, just Neosporin. HA! I almost had a new toy!
Well, he looked like a toy. Mom made sure he was okay, too. She called Wildlife Rescue just in case he was hurt. But he was okay, and went back to his den. All is well.
Love, Sammy

Delight At The Dog Park

Hmmm..! Weel, now, it seems like other humans had the same idea our mom had- which is to take us late (Casey is a doggie-aggressive type, ya know), to take us to the doggie parks (s), and every other big section is full of other dogs!

I don't know who went more crazy, Casey or me!
Run, run, run, until we're all out of breath, running the other fencelines- WHEW!

Casey ran her big butt off so much, that she could barely walk when we finally left! BOL!!!! HOWL!!! TOO funny!

Oh, but we saw so many other doggies! Hey, mom's paranoid about fights- she had other doggies who were attacked, and is still so scared that a fight or scuffle will happen, she just tries to keep things low-key.

But what fun, anyway! I just LOVE other doggies. I'm a lover, not a fighter. That's just how I roll!

Sammy ( Let's, go!, Let's go! Down to junior's farm)

Bunnies , House Hunt and Food

Since it's not Easter anymore, I can tell you about the bunnies I was going to bring home for dinner!
Okay, mom has taken us lots further on walkies, over some big roads, and past the Fire Station and such, and (sadly) we've seen many bunnies not make it across the busy street.

I tried to stop mom to tell her- (once she stopped because we were all sniffing)- and she said "Come On!", and looked back, and saw the poor bunny.
At first, she said, Oh, poor little guy, and then tried to walk us onward, then looked back, and saw ME carrying the bunny in my MOUTH!


The screetch heard around the world! She said: "Ahhhhhh!!! Drop it!" Well, I dropped it. But, dang, that would have been a good dinner! Fresh kill!

I'm just trying to do my part here.
Late though it is, we're going on another walk, and whenever we go on a certain way, we see another bunny or racoon that didn't make it across the road.

SO many bunnies here. Must be spring! I reckon they are food for the coyotes.

Oh yeah, and mom's still looking for a house to buy- one with lots of room/land, so we can save/foster/adopt other dogs and horses, cats- even cows and llamas or goats! They would all have names, and have dinnertimes.
Mom's not PETA, but she wants all our furry friends to be treated HUMANELY- the farm animals. We were active in Prop. #2- and that got passed! Yay! ( Room for chickens to spread their wings, calves to move around, pigs to have room to have their litters.)

*SIGH*
Well, I've seen so many bunnies- and - we have seen some coyotes up close- (not THAT close-they look!! and then run off), but it would be a dream come true to have a place to run free, and other animals could call it home, too.

Best wishes to all our doggie pals.
Love, Sammy

Shake, shake, shake.

You know how chickens "molt", or lose their feathers? Or a snake sheds it's skin?

Yeah, well, about twice a year I get into my molting stage, big chunks of my fur just stick out and you can grab handfulls! Literally. Maybe mom should save all my fur and make an afgan or something. If she knew how to knit, that is.

Fur, fur everywhere! You can brush me for an hour, until your arm gets tired, and fill up two pillowcases. That's when mom goes to the professionals. They have the "blowers" and stuff and the fur flies! When this is the case, I get taken to Nick, my regular groomer, when the molt starts- he's a big guy who can get all the fur (well, the excess) off.

Mom has a fur van, a fur house, and fur on all her clothes from me. (She buys the fur-fighters, fur rollers and sticky rolls- the vaccum only gets so much-heh..heh...)

My favorite thing to do (especially if it rains), is wait until after a ride, when we're ready to get out, and shake all my fur, just so I get the van as full of dog hair as possible. Also, after a good walk, I'll wait until AFTER I get in the house, then I have a REALLY good shake after she takes my leash and harness off, to ensure I get as much fur on the carpet, curtains, etc. as I possibly can.

Mom says: "NO! Not in the house! Outside!" But of course, I ignore her. What is "No shake!", anyway? I don't know what that means. I don't speak human!
To me, I listen for tone, and look for gestures (and a treat, if she has one), and when she yells "Nooo, no shake!", it sounds like the adult voices in a Charlie Brown cartoon. "Waaa-waaa-waa. Maa-wa-wa."
I know the basics. Sit, down, stay and all that good stuff, so what's the big deal?

She doesn't really mind it that much, though. I think she's going to save my fur for the doggie DNA and have me cloned when I'm gone. Until then, she has more than enough of my lovely fur than she can handle.

Gotta hand it to her. In the big scheme of things, what's a little fur? She says: "Don't sweat the small stuff." Well, in that case, I'm sure she won't mind if I get up on the bed when she put the clean laundry on there to fold, then leaves it there, and I get to it first! BOL!

I'm sure many doggies will agree. There's nothing like a pile of laundry or blankies to paw and spin around in and make a nice nest out of to sleep on. Right? Right!

Love,Sammy (the dog in eternal training)

The Great Escape!

Uhh....I've been kinda grounded for awhile..heh. I'll tell you the story.

"It was a dark and stormy night...." but seriously, folks, take my leash, PLEASE! I hate my leash sometimes. Okay, a couple of weeks ago, we had some pretty big storms here, and if I'm lucky, mom will slip and I can break free! Guess what?
She did, and I did!

We were just getting back from our walkies/jog- it was real early in the morning, and it was just a light rain-we had a little break in the rains- and while walking up to the door to unlock it when we got back, the walkway is much more slippery than the pavement or the sidewalks (you know what's coming, don't you?), so mom gets the door open and, being good dogs, she drops our leashes when we get to our front yard. (Vinnie doesn't need his at all, you know.)

So we go in, me, Casey and Vinnie. In the house. Mom, being gullible and lulled into a false sense of security that I have gotten past my urge to ESCAPE, and she TRUSTS me more now, haa-haa, leaves the door open for a few seconds, to get the broom she had out there earlier, to sweep the water away. Well, 'ol Vinster stands at the doorway, looking out- I was like: "DUDE! Why aren't you taking off?"

I saw my chance, buddy, and with collar, harness and leash still on, MADE A BREAK FOR IT! Mom saw me at the last second, just a flash of fur, which she tried to grab (unsucessfully, I might add), almost had me, but slipped on the walkway, and off I went!

Yahoooo, Yippee and Whahooo! I hadn't ran away in forever! Free at last, free at last..........I could hear mom yell, Nooooooo..Sammy! SAMMY! She walked out to the street, calling me, just to see me disappear out of sight. And she knows from past experience that if she tries to chase me, I just run faster and farther away.

So, she just opens the back gate and waits for me to come back. Honestly, I don't know why she gets so upset! I've ran away 4 or 5 times, and always come home. She said that day was a holiday, thankfully- it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day- so there weren't many cars on the roads, but there were still cars, and it was starting to rain again.

Well, I have to say I was already tired from our walkies, so I didn't go far. Mom kept looking out the window and watched me as I ran past the house up the block, then turned around and ran down the block again. It was about 6am, so the morning joggers and walkers were starting to appear, so I would follow them, as mom watched, in horror, as the people thought "YIKES!" "Big dog loose!" I was just saying hi!, I love people- but they didn't know that. Then I'd come back to the house again, up to the door, and mom opens it, "Ready to come in?", she says-

NOPE!!! and I run off again. She tried every trick in the book: the treats came out, the clicker, the bag of beef jerky nuggets, crackling the bag- that almost got me, but I wasn't ready to admit defeat!
And THEN, she sees me running across the street with a tan dog and goes, "Oh no, who's that?", and comes out to see that it's Casey! She came out the back gate, and I said, "Comon', Casey! Release that inner WILD DOG!"

But mom came out and called her, and she went back, so mom had to put her in the bedroom until I came back! Then, I tried to get Vinnie to come with me, and when Vinnie started to come too, mom put him with Casey! Spoilsport!

By now, I'm just roaming around the front yard, tired- one of those car-thingees had to honk at me when I crossed the street again. So I finally moved so he'd stop honking. I just know mom's pacing around with handfulls of beef jerky, looking, waiting...........

Okay. I'm thirsty and hungry but don't want to admit defeat, so this nice neighbor lady from 2 houses down sees me by her house and says, "I know you! Come with me..." But I growled when she tried to take my leash, so she walked up to my front door-(it's a heavy screen door)-and I walked up with her, and she rang the doorbell.

Mom comes to the door, the lady says, "I think I found someone who belongs to you." Mom whispers: "can you grab his leash?" Lady says, "He growled when I tried to." Mom: "can you step on his leash?" Lady steps on my leash. CAUGHT! Haaa-Haa!
Then mom opens the door and it's "GOTCHA!" She seemed sooooo relieved, she must've thanked the lady a dozen times. thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou.

My WILD DOG time had come to an end. Ah, me. But mom wasn't mad, though. She was just happy I was okay! Vinnie and Casey were let out of solitary, I had a long drink of water, we all had some snacks and then it was time for a nap.
I still don't understand all the worry and fuss when I escape- after all, that's what we dogs are born to do! Sniff everything, pee on everything, chase bunnies and birds........SIGH.

Mom says soon, pretty soon, we're going to move where we'll have lots more room to run, and not around so many car-things and busy roads- more out in the country-ish, is how she put it. She says she want to have llamas and horses and adopt more dogs! Almost sounds like that place in Utah......

Oh, and don't forget about the animals in Haiti- the people still need help, but the Animal Organizations are helping the dogs and animals there, too.

Take Care, Pups. Love, Sammy