It's all about the Meat!

Well, about 13 weeks ago I went RAW! It's going really well. I LOVE my meat. I kind of think that organs suck, but Mom's trying to find creative ways to get me to eat them. I get to each chicken, turkey, beef, pork, fish, and sometimes lamb. It's all really yummy!

I have lots of energy (not that Beardies need more energy and bounce than they already have), and my teeth look fantastic!

My kitties are getting raw food too! If they don't finish their meals, I like to sneak into their room when Mom & Dad aren't looking and steal their leftover food.

I'll write more about it all later.

TTFN,
Baelin McBarkster

I almost gotz them!!! [Guest Diary Writer]

My buddy Storm is staying with us till this weekend. He wanted to tell a story, since his Mom doesn't let him log into his Dogster account unless she's with him. So, my Mom offered to let him post his story here with her help. So, here's Storm...

"Hi everyone. This is Storm. I'm having a good time at My Friend Baelin's house. His People are taking good care of me. But, I wanted to tell you about the little creatures that They have hiding in the back of the house.

Baelin's Mom calls them Loki and Thor. She says they are cats. But they don't look, smell, or act like any of the cats I know. My Cats are wild mean cats that attack me when My Sarah takes me for walks in our complex.

Whatever they are, they are GOOD to chase! Baelin's Mom got smart last time I stayed with them. She had a door added to the hallway entrance. Now the cats have half of the house and Baelin and I have the other half. Baelin's Mom calls it the cat's "Safe Zone". I don't know what she means, because our half is pretty safe too... ?

One morning last week, the sketchy little orange one (called Thor) decided to escape the "Safe Zone". He darted out through the door. So, I HAD to chase him! Wild kitties should NOT be allowed to run free! Someone had to stop him. After a few laps around the living room and dining room the fast little bugger ran between all of the kitchen chairs where I couldn't get him. Baelin's Mom put me in my crate, moved the chairs, and then took the now orange and white poofball back into the "Safe Zone".

Then, when Baelin's Mom & Dad were having brunch on Sunday in the living room, the other cat tried to escape the "Safe Zone". Did you know that even though a cat's head is pretty small, their brains are still big enough to figure out how to use a door handle? One of them hung on the handle and unlatched the door. It swung open...just for me! So, ran in to try to find the cats and chase them around the back part of the house so that they could not escape to the front half. Baelin's Mom ran in and took me out of the "Safe Zone". Darn! I had the grey one (called Loki) pinned on a table in the corner of one of the rooms. He sounded like a leaky balloon - all hissy. He also kind of looked like a balloon, if balloons were hairy and poofy.

So, I still haven't gotten myself any cats. But, I'm sure it's just a matter of time. I have 3 more days until My Sarah gets home. That should be enough time. Wish me luck!"

Trying to stay cool

Storm is staying with us for about 2 weeks while his Mom is out of town.

It's been a very hot week in Southern California. Today was over 101 degrees (F). Mom and Dad have had the air conditioning kick in mid-way throught the day. So I'm usually hanging out inside on the couch. Storm gets to stay inside to, since he gets crated when Mom & Dad are at work.

Today, Mom & Dad went swimming in the pool. I hid inside the house because I HATE the water (besides, it was nice and air conditioned in there). Storm wanted to be by my Mom (he's such a Momma's Boy!), so he stayed outside with her and hung out in the shade most of the time.

He finally got up enough courage to step into the pool and came down onto the first step on his own. A few times, he went into the pool and swam towards Mom.

Mom said that the pool kept her cool enough to make it through the day. I think they're all crazy! Why would anyone voluntarily get all wet? It doesn't make sense at all!

Storm is totally tired this evening. (Hmmm, maybe he should have just stayed inside the house and relaxed with me this afternoon). Right now, he's passed out on the couch on top of about 3 pillows. A little bit ago he was on his back with his feet in the air and it sounded like he was snoring! What a goofball!

TTFN,
Baelin McBarkster

A Date with the Clippers

I knew something major was going to happening today. Not only did Mom stay home from work this morning, but sometime after breakfast, she asked if I wanted to go for a car ride. A CAR RIDE? In the morning? Wow! I normally only get car rides in the afternoon or evening? What's going on?

Mom took me to my vet's office (which is also a groomers and a kennel). I LOVE that place. All the nice people at the front desk always come talk to me, and let me kiss them, and tell me how handsome I am. I feel like a movie star!

But, then I started to panic a bit. WAIT! Why is Mom leaving without me? Why is she taking my leash and collar? Why won't you let me go with her? I tried calling out to her, but she just kept walking!

(Mom calls me a Momma's Boy, what does that mean? And, is that a bad thing?)

Eventually I calmed down. Some nice ladies washed, dried, clipped, and brushed me. It seemed like the day lasted forever! Finally Mom came back to get me. I was SOOOO excited to see her! She said I looked beautiful!

Now I look kind of nekkid. Mom keeps talking about how long my legs look, and how skinny I look. Personally, I'm just glad that I don't have to spend 4-5 hours a week getting brushed anymore!

By the way, my buddy Storm is coming to stay with me again. This time, he's staying for 2 weeks! He gets here next Tuesday. But, I get to see him this weekend for a Beardie Bounce! I LOVE Bounces! It's one of the things that us Beardies are best at - Bouncing!

TTFN,
Baelin McBarkster (McHairless)

It's nice to have a brother around

My buddy Storm stayed with me for a week. We had a good time hanging out. And, I even let him get butt skrittches from my Mom and cuddle with my Mom (because then she doesn't force me to cuddle with her...yuck!).

Mom even worked from home one day to keep us company. We both stayed nearby to keep an eye on her. That day, a bunch of guys in uniforms came in and replaced all the inside doors in the house. She says that's why she worked from home, but I know that she really just wanted to hang around with us. Mom put a gate up across the entry hallway, so that we could watch and monitor the unformed people going in and out all afternoon.

Most of the time, Storm and I usually do our own thing. Yet, one morning, Storm and I thought it would fun to play with each other. We chased each other all around the backyard and around the pool. We also had a face-to-face tail-waggin' fun "bark-off". Mom tried to get some video of us, but we kept running behind plants, and she couldn't get much of a clear shot.

Storm is supposed to come stay with us again next month when His Person has to go out of town again. I kind of like having him around. It's nice to have a brother - even if it's just for a week every once in a while.

TTFN,
Baelin McBarkster

Up, Over, Across...

Well, Mom has been really busy lately with work and other stuff, so she hasn't had time to type in my diary entries for a few months. I finally was able to corner her on the couch today and convince her to take a few minutes to let you all know what I did this weekend.

My local Beardie club had their annual Fun Day yesterday. We met at a dog training/agility facility nearby our home. Mom and I spent about an hour getting to try all kinds of agility equipment.

I really like the dog walk and the A frame. I wasn't sure about the tunnel, but once Mom went to the other end and I could see her face I wasn't scared anymore and I even went through it after they curved it and I couldn't see through to the other side. At first, I didn't understand the tire thing and kept trying to just go around it. The teeter totter was a little wierd and kind of scared me when it started to move. And, the jumps got boring after a while - they're SO easy, so why do we have to keep doing it over and over again?! When I stopped jumping and started just walking right through them and knocking the pole off, Mom knew I was ready for a break.

I got to see some of my bestest buddies that I haven't seen in months - like Storm and Lili! And we even got to run around for a few minutes until we all started barking (I think I started it, he-he!).

Well, Mom says she has to get back to her housework now. I really don't know why she bothers to clean every weekend. I mean, she knows that I'm just going to lay in the leaves and then bring them all inside and get it all dirty again? I really don't understand why she tries so hard, it seems like a waste of time.

TTFN,
Baelin McBarkster

All Clear!

I'm "All Clear" to return to my regular activities and see my pals.

With the medication, I stopped coughing within the first 2 days. But, Mom said I still couldn't be around other dogs for another week or more. So, I couldn't go to the dog park, or herding, or anything. And then Mom got sick and couldn't take me anywhere anyway.

So, I've missed herding for 2 weeks! But, she did have enough energy to take me to the dog park late last week, before the all-weekend-long rains started.

So, we're finally back to our regular routine this week, yipee! Good thing too, because I've had to fill my time with chasing my Cats, and Mom & Dad keep getting mad at me and giving me time-outs.

Oh, and Mom talked to Storm's person, Sarah, last week. Sarah said that Storm is feeling fine and didn't seem to catch it from me. Yea! I would feel sooooo bad if my friend ended up getting sick from me!

TTFN,
Baelin McBarkster

The Eye of the Storm

Hi all,
It's almost New Years. It's been very busy around here. My Dogster Pal, Storm, came and stayed with me for a week and a half. His person was going out of town to see her family for Christmas. My Mom asked if she wanted Storm to stay with us. And, she said yes. So, I had a friend to play with for a while. I liked having some company around here (my Cat's don't count as company).

We had a lot of fun!!! We chased each other around. We got to go to my Dog Park a few times. I even let Storm play with my Mom sometimes. I just didn't like it when he chased my Cats. I'M the only one allowed to chase my Cats!

Mom said I was really a really good boy and was a good host to my guest. She also said that we probably untrainined Storm a bit (since we haven't been the most consistent with our obedience this year). That's ok, Storm's Mom likes to train. So, re-training Storm will give her something to do for a while. Hehehe

But, the last day Storm was here, I started to occasionally cough. Mom took me to the vet the next day. They think I picked up Kennel Cough from someone at the dog park. So, now I can't see any of my friends for a while. And, Storm's on "Storm watch", to see if he ended up picking it up too.

Sorry, my friend! But, thanks for staying with me! I hope you had a good time, and hope to see you again soon...when I'm all better.

TTFN,
Baelin McBarkster

The Holiday are a crazy time of year

It's that time of year again. So much going on that I can hardly keep my head on straight. Lots has happened since my last diary entry.

I got to go to a fun herding day with a bunch of my Beardie friends, and get all muddy.

I got to go to a fun play day at My Dog Park with my Beardie friends, and then out to lunch with them afterwards to Lazy Dog Cafe.

Mom & I went to a herding trial one weekend (but, we didn't do so good....).

Mom & Dad took me with them for their Thanksgiving trip to see their family. It was a nice 4+ hour car ride. And, I got to play with the family's dogs for a few days. (and My Cats had to stay home...HA HA HA).

And, Mom & Dad have a lot more on their schedule for the next month or two also. I heard them talking about a Beardie Holiday Luncheon back at the Lazy Dog Cafe, and Mom & Dad's birthdays, and a Christmas Eve thing at our house, and more. Whew! It's going to be a busy month.

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

(yawn...) Got to run around with my friends yesterday and herd sheepies. We worked on some new things. It was hard to learn. I used a lot of brain power. I was exhausted by the time we got home. I slept all evening and all night, like a rock.

We just got back from our dog party today. (yawn) I'm sooooo tired! Lots of fun, running around with my friends again. But I'm exhausted. (yawn...) Need to sleep. Tried to sleep on the couch, but the cat's kept making noise. Going outside to sleep in the plants. Must sleep... (zzzzzzzzzzz....)