Dog Days and Jerks

I've had a busy couple of days. Mom and I went to meet Zeus and his mom yesterday. They sat and yacked, like always. Jolanda's mom sent a funny picture of Jolanda into Mom's phone. Zeus and I wound up with coffee and tea and a cookie right in front of our noses while mom took a picture. She sent that off and got another one back. By then, they were totally silly, took a picture of themselves and sent it back. Mom was laughing so hard.

Then we went to the park and played for a little bit. After Zeus left, we went over to practice for our demo on Saturday. We did great! All of us were almost perfect in our routine.

Today, Mom and I went out to the pharmacy to get some allergy stuff she sprays in her nose. I watched her do it and shuddered. Can you dogs imagine how awful it is to spray something into your nose. Blech!

Then we went to the store. When we were standing in line, some stupid woman pushed her cart into my butt. I jumped sideways. Mom got mad. It turned out that woman was with a man who has harassed Mom about me before. He got ugly at Mom which put her into one of her attacks. It was all such a mess. I was not sure what to do. Mom got us home as soon as possible and I was able to help her come around.

Then we went to school. Lisa wasn't there. The boss was tired, so instead of standing up in the middle of where the dogs are working, she stayed in her chair to watch every body while Mom ran the first 20 minutes of the class. This makes her SO happy. Later, the boss said she did a great job.

Before we left, they talked about the puppy the boss and Art want to get--one of my cousins. It turns out a new litter was born 4 days ago. The boss called the matchmaker and is now in the queue for one of the pups. She's excited. Mom is too. I'll have a cousin to mentor, show the ropes to. what fun!

I Got IT!

Mom likes to make up new things for me to learn. Lately, when we get to school and start up toward the big lawn, Mom says in an excited voice, "Where's JoAnn?" and "Go find JoAnn!" Okay, I know "Where's your donut?" and "Go find your ball." They are two different things, both are round, but one is flat and has a whole in the middle. But, "JoAnn"? What's a "JoAnn?"

Today, she said it again, "Where's JoAnn?" I knew it wasn't a ball or a donut and I looked around. The boss was walking toward her chair and saying, "hey Rethy!" I started running toward her and Mom said, "There's JoAnn! Good girl." OOOHHHHHH!!!! The boss is a JoAnn!!!! That's what the humans call her. I get it.

Since I first met her, she has been the one who tells everybody what to do. She tells the people and they tell their dogs. She says it, then everybody does it. I figured that out a long time ago. I even skip the part where Mom tells me what to do. The boss says it, I do it. Sometimes she spells things so Mom has to tell me what to do. Everybody knows she's the boss, but people don't call her that. Now when people say "JoAnn" I know what they are talking about, like when they say "Ellen"--that's Mom or "Lisa"--that's Lisa, or "Blitzen".

You guys may think this is silly, but it's a big deal for me. Now when Mom says "Where's JoAnn?" I know I'm not looking for a what, but a who.

Fun day????? Mmmmm, not so much

Mom was looking forward to today. We went to the AnimalSave event. We were going to work with the CGC test I took last year and help give that to other dogs. Then we were going to do the demo we have been practicing for.

It was a hella hot day. Mom was the only one around when the lady giving the CGC gave the instructions about registering and paperwork. Mom tried to say Lisa was going to do that and she needed to know about it, but the lady didn't listen. Then Lisa came over and said she knew what to do. Mom and I helped with the test--Mom was in the "crowd" and I was the "friendly dog.

Lisa kept messing up the paperwork, so the lady would tell Mom and Mom would try to talk with Lisa, but everything was so chaotic, Lisa didn't listen. Mom got anxious and got that confused look she gets. Mom made a face at Nancy who was the supervised separation person and JoAnn came to see what the problem was. Mom told her so Nancy and Mom switched places. Nancy walked me as the "friendly dog" until she could go get Lovey. Mom got what she needed--some supervised separation.

She was hungry so a guy came and took her place for the last test before lunch while she went to get a sandwich. We had 1/2 hour before our demo, so we sat with Lucille and her mom to eat lunch. Mom threw her sandwich wrapper away and someone yells, "Ellen! We're on!" It was only 12:15. Art didn't have Mom's camera and everything was all messed up. But guess what? I did everything right--there were so many distractions, so sometimes Mom had to say "yoo-hoo, Rethy" but I did what I was supposed to do and Mom laughed at my space-outs.

We did the demos too early so the announcer said the demos were starting just as we left the ring. The CGC testing started right up again. Everything was all messed up. My friend Lucille took her CGC test and passed it, though! I'm proud of my bff.

Mom did not have much fun today, except when she and Lucille's mom took us over to a photographer, put hats on us and took our picture. I'll put it on my page tomorrow. We went to our favorite cafe and slept while the humans yacked. I was bushed

I'm glad to be home, freshly bathed, brushed and ready to go to bed.

Big Work Day

I had a long day! It started out normal--park, ball chase, then drive. Mom stopped at the bank for cash...I should have known something was up.

We went where Mom and Zeus' mom drink coffee and yack for hours. But this time, after a few minutes, we loaded up in Zeus' car. I sat between Mom's feet, a little unsure at first. Then she put me on her lap--boy howdy! I've never seen cars and stuff from that angle. Usually, I just see the sky and trees whizzing by, but there are cars out there, too!

We wound up at this HUGE store, the kind Mom doesn't like. She seemed okay. We followed Zeus around. Mom put stuff in the cart. We wound through the aisles for a couple of hours. After she paid, Mom sat down at some plastic picnic tables. When she looked up, she started getting swimmy-headed. I was under the table, so she just stared at me so she wouldn't get too dizzy.

The humans had lunch and we left. They loaded their stuff in the back of Zeus' car. Thank goodness Mom took me to pee because it turns out we weren't done shopping!

We headed into another big store. We started following Zeus and his mom around again. After a few minutes, Mom had to sit down. We found a bench. The other two kept shopping. I looked at Mom and thought, uh-oh, I'm losing her. She gave me the paws up signal, so I hopped on her knee and stared at her. She needed a full-on body press. I stood up tall on my hind legs like I do so she can put her arm around my butt and lift me onto her lap. I pressed against her chest and kept checking her face--wasn't good. I licked her nose. She was all pent up and quivery. I leaned against her and panted to help release that energy. She rubbed my chest and said, "thank you Rethy." She helped me turn around so I could put my paws on her shoulders and get right next to her face. That's what brought her back. After a minute or two, she put me down. We walked around until Zeus' mom got back.

We got home late. Belle and Kermit were worried about us. Belle was relieved when Mom started our dinner. When Mom gave me my bowl, she said, "You earned your kibble and then some today, Rethy!" Yeah, she's lucky she has me. Good thing she knows it.

It Was MOM'S Fault!

What a bum deal. Mom did something really bad today. She thought she was doing something good--throwing the ball for me. It was like any other day. She threw the ball, I chased it and brought it back. Sometimes it happens that I don't see where my ball lands and kind of have to look around for it. That happened, but no big deal.

But THEN....

Mom throws the ball, I run around the tree to get it and blop! it goes right into the water. The ducks squawked and flapped their wings, but did they move? NO. They just sat there while I stared at my ball bouncing in the ripples they made.

Mom walked down to find me trying to get my ball. I don't mind water, I just don't like to take my feet off terra firma.

Anyway, here's what happened:
Here is what happened

Mom did make it up to me though. We went to the car where she had a back up ball. It's not my favorite, but...

Here's the worst part. I had to get a bottom half bath when I got home. She kept saying, "you stink, Rethy." Well, she threw my ball in the duck pond! She has to get better aim.

Lots of kids and getting warmer

Yesterday, we went to the park for a ball chase, like usual. There were SO many kids there...everywhere, running, throwing balls at each other, clustered in little groups. They go this way and that way. You just can't tell what they are going to do next. A couple little girls asked Mom, "Can I pet your puppy?" Mom said, "not right now, but thank you for being so polite to ask." Later Mom let some girls pet me, but only after I had chased my ball.

She threw the ball a few times. Kids passed by, but I don't care. If my ball is somewhere, it doesn't matter who is in the way--kids, ducks...well, ducks aren't my favorite. Did I tell you they are ball thieves? Okay, I'll get over it.

Mom had lunch and we went to the store. She was looking for something in the frozen food aisle, going up and down, stopping, turning around. A lady who was watching us said, "Wow, your dog is amazing." Mom smiled and said thank you. She has had a lot of training. As if it was just the training. Sheesh, Mom tell the truth. I'm a smarty pants. They talked for awhile about my breed, etc. and the lady said, "no I don't want a dog LIKE that. I want your dog." Mom said, "Several people are waiting for me to kick the bucket so they can have her. You'll have to get in line." Kick the bucket? Whatever that is, I don't want to go to that lady, or anybody but my mom.

Two other ladies stopped to talk to Mom about me. She gave all 3 of them fliers. She told me the nice ladies make up for that jerk who said I cause problems.

We went to class later. It was "down" week for the basic obedience class so JoAnn had Lisa and Mom show Blitzen and Me off. Art took a video of us.

Blitzen and Me

Mom doesn't like the video so much because Art taped a lot of her butt. Hey, it serves her right. She takes movies of my butt, too. All in all we had a really nice day.

Hot, Boring Day

Hey Pals, I'm one bored pup. Well, today, anyway. Yesterday was fun. AGILITY! That can never be boring. Mom took pictures and some movies. She decided to slow me down on her computer so she could see me jump. I guess I go too fast otherwise.

Agility Day

There are videos of other dogs and some pictures in here too. The one of me going slow is blue and says "slow that puppy down." I didn't really slow down, it's a camera trick.

Anyhoo, I had fun yesterday, then slept most of the rest of the day.

TODAY has been a lot of damn nothing. For me and Belle, anyways. Mom put us outside for a long time. We have this cool den Mom made for us on the porch and a house downstairs that's really cool for these warm days. I wanted to stay on the porch to see what Mom was up to. She ran that machine she pushes around on the floor. It seemed like she was taking forever.

Finally, the door opened. Everything in the house was different! She had moved all the furniture around. Even Kermit's cage was moved. Here's the cool thing. My toy basket had my favorite ball back in it--it's like a tennis ball and it squeaks. I threw it around for awhile and it rolled under a chair and then further back under a desk. Sheesh! That didn't last long. I guess the good news and bad news about a ball is that it rolls.

I went to Mom and then to the door, Mom, door, Mom, door. She got up to let me out. I looked at her and said, "No, let's go to the park!" She said, "Sorry Rethy. It's too hot. We'll go later."

LATER? When is later? So far it's not later yet. I'm just lying here waiting for later. I hope later is soon.

Big Blue Things and a Butt Bath

I should have known it wasn't going to be a regular day when we got to the park and a man with a big gut and a straw hat was riding around on a noisy machine that threw grass every which way. Mom found a shady area that was already mowed so I could still do my morning ball chase.

We went to the pet store and the natural food store and then to have lunch. Mom had her computer with her, so we were there for awhile. We drove over to the post office where Mom parked in the shade so I could stay in the car. She came right back out, tearing open a package. She gave me a big smile, handed me an antler out of the package and said, "Something for my good girl." YUM.

We weren't done, though. Mom drove to KMart and bought a big round blue tub. She struggled to get it crammed into the car.

We STILL weren't done. Mom took me to the grocery store and walked around, reading her list, talking to herself and tossing stuff in the basket. A couple of times, ladies stopped her to talk about me. Mom gave them both fliers. She was patient today, pretty nice. She isn't always as gracious.

When we got in the car, that big blue thing was looming over the back seat, right above my head. Sure enough, the first time we stopped, fwoop, it slipped right down in front of me! It didn't hit me, just made a blue den over my seat. Mom tried to hold it up the rest of the way home. That didn't work well. It's a good thing we live close to the store.

Mom filled the blue tub with water and played with me in it for awhile. Then, after dinner is so silly. After dinner, she brought out every tennis ball we have.

The Big Blue Thing

If that wasn't enough, when she was brushing me tonight she said, Hoooeeee! your butt stinks! Mom swooped me up and headed to the bathroom. When she got done with my butt bath, she thought I looked so funny that she took a picture. It's on my page. I bet before my butt dries, I'll be asleep.

Still NOT Tired

We had a big day. Mom threw my ball for me this morning and then we were off to Sacramento to visit a friend of hers who is very ill. I have never met him before. He is sad and sick. Mom took me into his house in working status because he didn't want a dog "jumping" on him--not that I would do that. Mom just had me lie on my mat. That was fine.

We were there a long time. He and his partner talked and talked about the Mayo clinic and blood transfusions and chemo and not eating and depression and throwing up. I finally stretched out and went to sleep. Mom was relieved when we left.

We went home to see Belle and Kermit. Mom rested for a few minutes and we were off to school.

Now that the agility equipment is up, Mom works with me before classes. She is sending me out farther from her to go over or through--whatever. She has me go over a jump in one direction then back over it in another and then through a tunnel and back over a jump again. I have to pay attention to her, because I don't know when she's going to whip out my tug and let me grab it. She worked me over dog walks and A-frames, the teeter and through the tire doing the same back and forth stuff.

It was graduation night for the basic class. They get to play through a tunnel and over a jump. Mom was helping the graduating dogs which got me excited. I sat next to Art and barked at her because she was SUPPOSED to be playing with ME!

Finally, the graduates left. Then Blitzen, Cammy and I got to run around, through the tunnel, over jumps, chasing each other. Mom was kicking a ball for Blitzen and playing soccer with him, trying to kick it around where he was blocking. Mom would jump side to side and Blitzen would jump, too. They were funny to watch. Cammy is a tough little beagle. We usually don't play because she's a little rough for me. I'm getting more confident and muscular, so tonight, I held my own with her. She can turn faster than I can, though, so it was hard to outrun her.

Mom thought I'd be tired when I got home. Nope. After she fed us dinner, I started rolling around and wrestling with Belle. Now Belle and Mom are both worn out. I might as well give it a rest myself.

So Much Happening!

Mom has been keeping me too busy to write in my diary. Here are things I can remember

We have been going shopping with Zeus and his mom. She tells Mom too much stuff about what I need. If I could, I would put my paw to my lips and whisper "ssshhhh!" when they start talking about seat belts and shoes and things.

Because Mom saw how Zeus' seat belt works, she got me one, too. Sheesh, one more thing strapped around my middle. If it's not a vest, it's a seat belt. At least my belly can breathe when I'm wearing my vest and my back can breathe with the seat belt. Actually, it only took me a few minutes to get used to it. I got the point the first time Mom stopped really fast and I didn't have to put on my own brakes to stay comfortable in the seat. You know what else I like? When Mom puts it on me, she kisses me on the cheek.

This week, Mom and Auntie Jeanne started talking about shoes. Humans wear shoes, dogs don't, right? What's the matter with humans anyway? I understand it is to keep my feet from getting burned on the asphalt. Okay. Whatever. Mom thought it was so funny she made an instructional video out of it. Ha Ha, RIGHT!
My Shoe Shopping Nightmare

The good thing is, after I played with Belle for a few minutes in my new shoes, walking in them was no big deal. Actually, I couldn't feel the sharp gravel in the driveway. Hmmmm, maybe shoes are okay. I'll get back to you guys on that.

Mom is also getting ready to go someplace. She tried to roll up her sleeping bag twice already. It's pretty funny. She kneels on it and rolls it REEEEAAALLLY tight. She's doing great until right at the end when POOF! some part pushes out and messes it up. Finally, she got a strap for around the middle. Now it looks like a really fat person with a belt 5 sizes too small. I'm sure she'll figure it out.

Today, we went to a surplus store that has all kinds of military and camping stuff in it. Mom got a little stove for our camping trip and also looked at duffel bags for our plane trip in August.

Also this week, we went over to look at a place Mom might move us to. It was pretty cruddy looking outside. There was a nice tree in the yard though, great shade for Belle and me. We couldn't get inside the house to see it. Mom said it has new paint and carpet. Also, Mom can have a washer and dryer in there. The best thing is that Belle wouldn't have to struggle on the stairs because there aren't any. Here's another good thing. Mom knows the women who live next door. One of them works in JoAnn's grooming saloon. They are nice ladies and they have a teen-age daughter.

We have done lots of other stuff, too, but I forget. That's enough for now. We're in bed and Mom is getting ready to turn off the light. Nitey nite everyone.