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Tucker's Toybox

The Nut

Turns out, for a small dog, Peanut is a big-time bed hog! Eventually, I just moved to the couch.

I wonder if Peanut is more than a little confused. This morning, I found her humping Max. Mom was mad about that. She yelled, "Peanut! You are not allowed to hump Max!" Maxie is a pretty easygoing kitten, but the look on his face was clearly: "That the HELL are you doing!!" Then, he sprung to his feet and starting bathing immediately. I guess he felt violated.

My Buddy

Lotsa news . . .

1) Mom and TJ left me for another week. Their second trip this year. In February they just had to get away from the long winter, so they jetted off to Florida. Don’t they think I get cold too? Wouldn’t it be nice if I could lay on the chaise lounge by the pool?

Apparently not.

Last week they zipped off on a Caribbean cruise. And, I don’t feel bad mentioning that they didn’t bring me a damn thing. Not so much as a Milkbone. I was hopelessly depressed when the suitcases came out and summer clothes were strewn all over the bedroom. [Max seems to enjoy the packing ritual. He has been crazier than ever.] However, to their credit, Mom and TJ left me in good hands. Jen (Veda’s mom) stayed at the condo with me. First off, Jen is waaaayy cooler than Mom. She took me to see my biological parents and my brother Apache (didn’t much care for him!) She arranged playdates and taught how to smoke cigarettes. We went for walks and she gave me a bath. I cried for her when she went home. She’s my buddy. Since then, Mom has been trying to get back in my good graces with chicken. I think I’ll milk it for a while.

2) On their trip, TJ asked Mama to marry him. She showed me the sparkler on her finger. This means two things: TJ is going to live with us and he is going to be my daddy (complete with adoption and name change.) Perhaps there will be a backyard in my future.

3) Mama quit her obedience training job at Petsmart. It’s both good and sad. We both miss seeing the pups, but now we also get to spend more time together—especially on the weekends.

4) My friend Peanut is spending a couple nights with us while her mom and dad go out of town. It’s very exciting because I don’t usually get to have sleepovers. Hope she doesn’t hog the covers—that’s my job.

To Serve & Protect

I was nearly called into action yesterday. As you may know, Mama teaches obedience classes at Petsmart. Therefore, I consider the store—the training center in particular—my property. Now that I am three, I am truly coming into my manhood. I am just a touch more territorial, protective of Mama and a lot less interested in rude, ill-mannered puppies.

Last night we were at Petsmart for a private lesson (two yellow labs named Emma and Wrigley). They’re good pups, just a little handsy. I was chilling with their mom, Pastor Kathy as the lesson was beginning. A talkative onlooker approached and started commenting on Emma and Wrigley. Something was odd about him. I thought maybe he was a few sandwiches short of a picnic. As he weaseled in to the training area I felt Kathy tighten up on my leash. His words sounded funny—kind of mushed together. He said I was very good and I indulged him—even allowed him to pet me. Mama kept one eye on him while she led Emma through a figure eight pattern in heel position.

I let him know with a deep, clear growl when I’d had enough. He had taken to hovering over me and patting me obnoxiously on the top of my head—you know how people pet you when they don’t know any better? I hate that. He wouldn’t back off. Not even after Mom said, “Excuse me, you’re making him nervous.” She literally grabbed him by the jacket and pulled him off me. He said, “I’m not scared.” Well, he oughta be. I thought I sounded perfectly ferocious. Eventually, he stumbled away and Kathy said he was drunk.