What's a Squeegee?

Lots of people have remarked on my name. They say it's unusual, and they wonder how I got it.

Well, when I came to live here, my name was PeeWee. Mama and Papa didn't like it because, first of all, they felt that it was too typical for a small dog and, secondly, that it was too masculine for a very feminine girl like me. They wanted to rename me, but they knew it would be best to find one that sounded something like the old one. A few names came to mind -- Phoebe, Mimi, Beebee, etc. -- but none of them really fit me. So they waited, knowing that the perfect name would eventually present itself.

One day, my big brother Jesse stepped on my toes. It didn't really hurt that much, but I wanted to let him know not to do it again, so I let out a high pitched shriek. Mama looked at Papa and said "That's it! Squeegee!! She sounded just like a squeegee on glass!"

And that's how PeeWee became Squeegee. :-)

Friends Finally

Sandy and I really didn't get along when she first got here; she was really pushy and wanted all the attention, but she has come a long way -- just like Mama and Papa said she would.

She never tries to steal my food or my bed anymore, and she can even be really thoughtful -- like when we come in from a walk in the rain, and she gently dries me off with her tongue. I let her lay on my bed with me now because I know she'll be careful not to roll over on me. I never would have thought I'd say this, but I she's become like a sister to me and and I love her!!

Letting Off Steam

That new dog (Sandy) is driving me crazy! She's insolent! She has no respect for her betters and elders! She chases the cats -- not that I particularly care, but it does show a lack of class... She punches me in the ribs with her nose and pushes me around! It hurts! She tries to steal my cookies. She stands over me and tries to intimidate me. Worst of all, she's almost crushed me on my very own bed a few tmes! And it's not like she's a puppy -- I heard Mama say she was already over 3 years old!

My People always scold her when she does these things, but frankly, I think they're too lenient with her! She should be made to live outside and sleep in a dog house for a while -- like poor Tosha next door does. Then maybe she'd learn her place!

Oh, well -- thanks for allowing me to let off some steam. I know Mama and Papa would be very happy if I could learn to live with Sandy, and I really do want to! It's just that she doesn't make it very easy...

Squeegee's Lament

After Jess went to Rainbow Bridge last year, I really missed him. Sometimes I would go outside and look for him, or lay down in the places where he used to like to lay. I was very sad, but I had been an only dog before I came to live here and, after a while, it wasn’t so bad. Papa said I was depressed because I never wanted to go for a walk anymore. Mama said I slept all the time and was gaining weight. Personally, I thought they were overreacting.

Sometimes, a dog that belongs to one of Papa's friends comes to stay with us. Jake's a good dog -- very respectful of me and easy to get along with. I like him a lot and I enjoy going for walks with him. Because of this, Papa got it into his head that I am happier and healthier when another dog lives here, so he and Mama decided to get ANOTHER DOG! Now I KNEW they were overreacting!

One day they brought me to the Humane Society to meet a big, furry girl dog named Sandy. The smell of the place, and the sound of all the dogs barking in their kennels, reminded me of a place I stayed a long time ago. The dogs in that old place had barked and howled so loud that it made me very afraid. I was shaking all the time and couldn’t eat, and I got very sick. That's when Mama and Papa adopted me. Even though I knew this wasn't the old place, I was still afraid. Mama noticed me shaking and panting and said maybe it would be better to go outside, and we did. I felt a little better, but Sandy was looming over me, poking me with her big black nose. I knew she just wanted to play, but I didn’t feel like it.

Mama and Papa brought me home and fussed over me for a while, but then they left again. When they came back, they had Sandy with them. The cowardly cats disappeared upstairs, and I was the only one left (besides Mama and Papa) to make her feel welcome. It was really hard, because she has no manners. She was pushing me around with her nose and nipping me on the neck. Mama and Papa told her not to, but she didn’t understand them. And when I growled a warning at her, it only seemed to make her want to do it even more.

After a while, it was time for chow. Papa put my bowl down first, like always, and then gave Sandy hers. I eat slowly because I don’t have many teeth left, but Sandy gobbled her food really fast. Then she came over and tried to take MINE away! I knew I couldn’t win a fight against her, but I couldn’t just let her take my food! Papa separated us and held onto Sandy’s collar while I finished. The same thing happened the next morning, so now I get fed in the kitchen like always, and Sandy has to eat in the pantry, with a gate to keep her in there.

Mama and Papa have been giving me lots of attention. When they watch TV, they let me lay on the couch between them, just like I always have, and they make Sandy lay on her bed on the floor. Mama says that I have to give Sandy time because she was never properly trained to live in a house with other pets. I’m going to try to be friends with her because Mama and Papa want me to. But it won’t be easy; she’s so big and pushy!!!