Dogster

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Diary of a Lap Princess

The Nose knows everything

The whole time I had sight in my eye, I never led with it like it was my only eye. I always looked straight ahead. Everyone thinks I was so dependent on my sight that I hardly used my nose. Those two things together caused some concern among the humans regarding my navigational skills. So my foster mom played lots and lots of nose games with me to get me to focus on using my nose. She thinks she had her first dog ever with no knowledge of the power of the nose. Silly human. I needed her to learn more about the incredible dog nose. And hey, it was fun teaching her and getting all those treats.

Now I'm such a nose expert that I get called, simply, The Nose. You can't fool The Nose. I know where you've been, what you've been doing, and that you had a dry treat in that pocket one time twelve hours ago. If I say that a crumb of kibble got knocked way underneath the furniture, you can bet a hundred bucks that it's true. Sorry, you'll have to raise the furniture and get it out because I'll keep reminding you. See, told ya. Thanks!

The other dogs only know when the neighbor is out behind the trees when he makes noise. I know when I smell his cigarette. I used to run up to dogs who joined me in the yard and sniff them to make sure they were boys, 'cause boys are allowed. Now I know who it is from a distance. If I'm being carried past a dog I don't trust, no matter how still and quiet she is, I know her location exactly and will keep my nose pointed right at her. I get called in sometimes to help find lost stuff. Finding edible stuff is pretty fun.

One time I kept telling my foster mom that I really, really wanted something on top of the seven-foot armoire. She thought I was wrong because I was giving the "cat bark" and the cat wasn't there. She finally came to see what was on the very top of the furniture and it was a little plush cat toy that still had kitty slobber on it. See, told ya. The Nose knows everything.

The Window

Did I tell you that I'm now totally blind? I didn't? Well, my little window finally got completely covered with the cataract and now I can't see anything. That last bit happened kinda fast. At first I stayed in my bed for two days, but then I got some flower essence stuff and felt lots better.

It turns out it's not that bad to be blind. It's just dark. My foster mom was a much bigger baby about it than I was. We dogs are more adaptable and resilient than most humans, so I just wait until the human catches up, you know.

I think I like this better than the window I had before. It wasn't a clear window. It was really shadowy and it seemed like stuff just showed up -- bam! -- all up in my face. Now that it's dark all the time, I don't get so aggravated at other dogs. I still don't like two of the females in my foster home, but other dogs moving around is not a big deal to me anymore. I even wag my tail a bit more often.

I'm still the cutest snuggle bunny who ever warmed a lap. Can't change that!

Laptop

I love a nice warm lap. I love laps so much I'll hang onto my spot even if the lap starts moving. Sometimes I make my piglet grunts when I have to move with the lap. Not yet, I'm still napping!

Laps that stay still are my favorite. If your lap also includes gentle hands to softly ruffle my fur and stroke my neck, all the better. It's okay if you want to whisper how pretty I am. I can always go back to sleep.

My favorite lap position is with my head oriented toward my person. I will tuck my nose between your arm and body or lay my head in the crook of your arm. Snuggling is the best.