I'm funny

Guess what - I learned Lay Down! FINally! It's really hard for me to "get" things sometimes when there's foodz involved. It's like, I know it's mine, gimme it already! But no we must play silly games. But Lay Down is easy; I thought they wanted me to do something harder!

Mom thinks it's funny when we work on tricks, because my wee-wee pokes out. I just get really excited about foodz!

I've been making Mom and Dad laugh a lot lately. I discovered family love recently - that's where Mom and Dad are kissing and hugging, and then I insert myself between them and we all kiss and love each other. Mom says I'm starting to get more kisses than Dad, so Dad said he would have to give me more kisses then. They say my head is so soft and spongy and kissable. Last night they gave me a new nickname: Spongehead Squarebutt. They burst into giggles every time they say it, and Mom has even started singing it to a cute tune. It starts like this: "Ohooooo whooo lives in a bungalow far from the sea? Spongehead Squarebutt!" She says she's working on more lyrics.

BAYL diary friendz!

These are a few of my favorite things

Hi diary palz! Not a lot of new things for me this week. Mom says we need to quit being lazy and start my real training. 

I've been with Mom and Dad for a little over a month now, and here are my top 5 favorite things so far:

1. My most favorite thing in the world is going for a walk. I love walking so much! Even after a long walk, when I'm tired, I still want to go on another walk.
2. My second most favorite thing is riding in the car. Particularly in the back of our SUV - I can stretch out and have lots of windows. Sometimes when we get back from a ride, I don't want to get out!
3. Number three is getting a ham bone. I love slurping the leftover bits of meat and digging out the marrow. Nom nom! 
4. Dad coming home from work. It's my favorite time of day because I miss him so much and I love having Mom and Dad together. He always plays with me and loves me hard and Mom joins in too. I bounce all around between them with my tail swishing and a giant goofy smile on my face - I can't help it!
5. My last biggest favorite thing is brushingz.  My brushes live in a basket and when Mom pulls out that basket every day, I start to melt. Brushingz feel soooo good!

Of course, there are other little things in life that I love too: dozing on the porch in the wee hours of the morning when it's cool, getting bits of food for tricks, having my eyes cleaned by Mom, and I always feel SO good after I make poopz. Haha!

Car rides rock!

What have I been up to? 

Well, Sunday I went on a super long walk with Mom and Dad to get our cars. Then, Dad took me on a super long car ride to his sister's house to celebrate his niece's birthday. She was a nice little girl and petted me lots! Everyone loved me and there were LOTS of other dogs. But they all stayed outside or in the bedroom. That was fine with me because some of them growled at me and seemed a bit antisocial! I was happy to hang out with the people and food.

Then Monday, Mom took me to her work meeting at a restaurant. We sat outside with a lot of other girls and a couple of other dogs. I already knew Happy - I like her! But I got to meet Auntie Colleen's dog, Africa. She was really laid back like me - I like her too. 

Finally, yesterday Mom took me with her on work errands. I got to meet some other nice people she works with, we took long rides in the car, we took potty walks in strange places, and I got to eat French fries. I was having such a good time, that when we finally got home, I didn't want to get out of the car! Mom sent Dad a picture of me, and he laughed and said "portable crate." Mom said, "world's most expensive!" 

Friday bath & pizza!

Yesterday Mom took me to get a bath. It was so fun! This time they gave me a red Indian bandana to wear. I was looking and feeling great! Then Mom and Dad took me out for pizza downtown (Z Pizza - our favorite!) and after that I got lots of brushingz. 

Today Mom considered taking me to the dog park, but it's raining, plus, I just had a bath. So not sure what we will do... Mom says we're definitely working on more crate training, and that she wants to put up Halloween decorations outside despite the rain. Maybe she'll let me hang out on the front porch again!

Separation anxiety

I'm glad yesterday is over. They left me in my crate for the first time all alone in the house! I love my crate but only when Mom or Dad is home. 

Dad had gone to work and Mom had to leave for two hours. I saw her getting ready so I knew she was about to leave me, and couldn't settle down. She then took me on a long walk (I peed lots) hoping to tire me out but I was still onto her game. She gave me a treat in my crate, rubbed my belly and shut the door. 

I was fine for a few minutes - until I heard keys. She was leaving me! NOOOOO! I called for her to come back. "MOMMM! MOOOOOMMMM!" But she didn't come back! I tried and tried to get out - I tested the door and all the corners - but only succeeded in scooting my cage away from the wall. What if she never comes back? I felt so lonely. And scared. I'm still just a pup after all. I stood trembling in the crate and suddenly, I felt a warm rush down my back legs. Pee! Oh noes. Pee soaked all through my soft pillow bed and there was nowhere for me to go. I cried and finally had no choice but to lay down in my own mess. 

The next thing I knew, Mom was opening the crate door. I stumbled out feeling like a tortured prisoner released from the tank... Mom hugged me but I didn't even care - I was parched all of a sudden - I ran straight to my water bowl and drank it all. Then I drank all of the cat's water from their bowl. Then I drank all of the water from the back porch bowl! Whew. I felt so much better and was so exhausted from the stress I laid down to rest. 

Mom laid down with me and loved me hard. She kissed me all over and scritched all my favorite places. She stroked my face until I felt my worry wrinkles relax, and I felt warm drops on my nose - her face was peeing on me - ew! Then she washed my feetz with a warm wet towel. I passed out with a smile on my face. All was well again.

Later Mom told Dad what happened and he loved me hard too. They said they would never traumatize me again and they were so sorry. They said they will work on a plan to make things better, whatever that means. I hope it means they never leave me again! 

I did have one new fun experience yesterday. After all the drama, Mom took me out and clipped me to the front porch while she worked in the flower garden. I got to lay on the porch and watch all the people going by on the street. I loved it and hope we do it again soon! 

Just settling in...

Hi palz! Today is Thursday - hard to believe it's been almost a week since my last update. Not much new around here. I've been a little lazy, getting really comfortable with my new house, family, crate, and routines.

I'm starting to think that this really IS my furever home, like they keep saying. I play more - usually after a poopz or when Dad comes home from work. I don't necessarily have to follow Mom from room to room - she usually comes back to the room we started in. And I've started protecting the backyard from stray cats - except sometimes, I forget that the old gray one, and the black one that jingles, are MY cats, BOL (bark out loud). I go bounding after them on high alert then stop short when I realize who they are - it's a bit of a let-down! But there are other, neighbor cats to chase off. And yesterday on a walk, I saw a new weird cat - it LOOKED like a big cat, but smelled like a dog - I really wanted to check out that new cat but Dad wouldn't let me. He said "Boston Terriers are NOT cats."

As for what's coming up... apparently I'm not smelling as fresh as Mom and Dad would like, so they're scheduling me for another bath soon. Hmph. But it's cool, I like baths, plus, the weekend is almost here and that means fun adventures - I can't wait!

Friday Funday and crate is here!

Notes from yesterday:

1. Mom and Dad took me on lots of walks and rides. Dad even took me downtown where I helped him hang pictures, and I played with a little boy, and lots of strangers spoke to me.
2. I got yucky Marley kisses again.
3. I learned how to climb and lay on a bench in front of the living room window when I thought I was alone.
4. I showed Mom how gentle I can be cleaning food from her fingers.
5. Mom showed me how to get in the SUV through the side door using the side steps. It was easier than I thought, and much easier than having to jump in through the back. Plus, Mom says this method costs a lot less than a special ramp.
6. My new crate came! It's the biggest I've ever seen! I've gotten in twice and laid down to test it out, once while munching on my bone. I left my bone in there but decided not to sleep in it last night. I might check it out again today.

Hope all my palz have a good weekend!

Mom says I need a travel ramp...

Yesterday I went on lots of walks and even took a ride with Mom and Dad to eat pizza while sitting outside downtown. I love pizza! Also I got petted by several people. 

But Mom is concerned. It's a little difficult for me to jump in the back of the SUV, and yesterday I stumbled and Dad had to pick me up and help me in. Mom says we either need a ramp or stairs to keep in the truck. She is looking into options!

Also, Mom wants me to let my friendz on here know that she has been using her mobile lately but as soon as she gets back to her laptop she will respond to all the nice comments! BAYL!

Rain go away!

Today's Wednesday already?! Hopefully the weather will be better than yesterday - it rained hard most of the day. I had a funny adventure with Mom - I let her put a rain poncho on me and we tried to take a walk between downpours, but we got caught in one, my poncho slipped around and got tangled in my pawz, and we got SOAKED as Mom helped me with it and we dashed back inside. I hope no one was watching as I'm sure it was very comical!

Later Mom had to go to work and due to the storms, was gone longer than she planned. Dad was at work too so I was left all alone - and guess what? I was GOOD! I didn't like it one bit but I waited by the door until I heard Mom come back. Then I was so happy I pranced and whimpered with joy! And Mom gave me giant hugs and tons of kisses because she was so happy to see me too.

Later when Dad was home the weather cleared a bit and he took me for a long walk with Mom and that red-head girl dog Marley. She kisses me all the time but I haven't kissed anyone yet.. Mom doesn't know if it's my breed or personality but I just don't give kisses! I DO snuffle, however, when I wake up Mom and Dad from bed in the mornings and when they come home from work.  They say they love my "big old doggy nose" so I continue to do it. :D

A new collar?

Good morning pals! Nothing new around here... I've spent tons of time with Mom and Dad over the past few days going on walks and rides, being petted and playing, eating and sleeping. My new crate shipped yesterday and should get here soon! 

Meanwhile Mom has been shopping for a new collar for me. I love my current collar - it's soft, 1" wide, made of cotton and hemp, and I barely know it's there - but it's breaking the furz around my neck. Apparently something called a "rolled collar" is better for long-haired dogs like me. But they seem to only come in leather, and Mom prefers something more lightweight. There's one exception: this nylon collar from Spindrift. 
http://www.bigdogboutique.com/productcart/pc/v iewPrd.asp?idproduct=20828
I can't decide which color I like best!