Sancho's Story

The Week From You-Know-Where

First, let me start by saying that Thanksgiving, or Turkey Food Day, as we dogs prefer to call it, is with out question, my favorite day in the world. What am I thankful for? Food: turkey, dressing (no onions or raisins), ham, masked potatoes, gravy, giblets, casseroles, rolls, corn, cornbread, and the thing that makes my heart and taste buds howl: Pumpkin. Pumpkin Cheese Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Anything with whipped cream, and maybe a little sprinkle of cinnamon or cinnamon sugar.

The days leading up to Turkey Food Day were some of the worst we've had around here, ever. You know me, I try to make the best of every situation, looking for the food that goes with it and living in the moment.

It all started early Moday morning - we hadn't even eaten yet - with this yowling sound coming from the basement - where the cats & rabbits get to hang out at night. Since the Rabbit Incident, the only time I get to be down there is when there is a thunderstorm and I go to this steel kennel I can't escape from or hurt myself in. It's built under the stairs. I tore though the drywall, so mom had to get steel grates made specially to "keep me safe" as she puts it. It another story altogether.

Anyway, mom comes up the stairs, fast (for someone of her size and age) with Scruffles the cat who is yowling and having a fit of some sort. It was too early for the vet, so she got us our breakfast carrying that cat around, wrapped up tight in a blanket. I could smell that he was really sick and he is almost 20 years old, so I saw that the outcome might not be good. He ended up at the vets and is still hanging in there, but for who knows how long?

A few days later Schnooks and Luckie get in to this knock-down, drag-out fight. Have you ever seen two girls dogs go after each other? I just got the heck out of the way! Mom about had a cow and it was a mess - both of them got bit and bloody - Schnooks got the worst of it. Another after hours call to the vet. This is going to severely cut in to our treat fund.

Meanwhile, mom gets really sick. I could have told her it was coming on, but it caught her off guard until she had to run to the toilet...oh, I guess that is off limits. Let's just say, I smelled it coming. She missed a whole week of work - again, this is doing serious damage to our treat & toy fund. Scruffles came home, but both he and Schnooks had to go back to the vet for more emergency attention.

So, it is Thursday now. While mom is gone to the vet, Mocha (the Chocolate momma dog) gets this great idea to dig her way to freedom. I have had lots of experience with escapes and I could have told her they are fun, but you always get caught or hurt and that mom really didn't need this right now. Plus, the way she planned her escape, I couldn't go since I can't get under the gate anymore. What's the point of digging out if I can't go? Cinder would have been a good girl and stayed home, but Luckie, Tate & I would have liked to have gone. Mocha only thinks of herself, really.

Of course, Mango, one of her pups, followed her right out. Her other pup, Java was a good boy and stayed in the yard, but he was sure whining a lot. One thing Mocha didn't anticipate was that Mango would run off on his own. I could see the look in his eyes: freedom! They ran off and did some fun stuff, but then Mocha came back alone. I knew mom was going to have another cow over this. She did. And were not talking about the kind of cows that give milk or beef either. You know the kind.

So, mom looks all over town for hours and hours for three days - yes, she's still sick - and sort of neglects the rest of us. It was bad. Someone called her and told her that Mango got hit by a car and ran away.

Then our blind cat, Sprocket, escaped from the fence on Saturday night. The next thing I know mom comes back from somewhere and she's carrying Sprocket, only he smells different now. He's not moving and mom's crying. We all sniffed him over and gave mom kisses, but she's not happy. She loved that cat. He was a friendly sort of cat - liked us dogs a lot. I had some close encounters like that when I used to escape.

So, Mango has been gone from Thursday after until Sunday morning and when mom, Mocha, Java & Cinder finally hunted him down after someone saw him at the Golf Course. I never went there when I ran off. Mango came home that morning and he was a mess from the accident. Guess what? A Sunday visit to the vets. Are you keeping track of how many emergency, after hours or weekend trips to the vets we've had so far? Needless to say, I don't see extra treats in out near future. Plus, Mango got some bologna, like four pieces. The rest of us only got to share two pieces. I never got a reward when I ran away.

So, at this point Sprocket is gone forever (like my Dogster bones), Scruffles is still ill, Mango is healing and mom is a mess. She still gave us Turkey Works today, but she didn't cook it. She still owes us a turkey that she makes in the house so we can go crazy for hours smelling it and have leftovers for days, but I can wait a while longer. As I mentioned, it was the week from you-know-where!

I did have some lovely pumpkin pie with whipped cream though (not enough, but some).

Tagged by the Juster - My Turn to Chase!

Juju was tagged by her pal Tinkerbelle and Juju and I are BEST FRIENDS FOREVER IN THE WORLD, NOT JUST AMERICA, so she tagged me.

The Question was:

What is your favorite treat?

Is this a real question? I mean, I could write an entire book on this subject. I like: MEAT, any meat, pig ears, turkey, sausage, turkey sausage, macaroni, chocolate, soft dog treats, Blue Dog Bakery Treats, Three Dog Bakery Treats, apples, caramel apples, chicken soup, beef soup - you get the idea here? Any good food and plenty of non-food items, too. The more "disgusting" the better.

Now I need to tell 7 things about myself.

1. I was born in upstate New York, of questionable parentage, sent to a no kill shelter in Cooperstown, NY, adopted by an a**hole who was abusive to me and ended I up in Nebraska. So, you decide: am I a good boy?

2. I have a best friend named Juju who chases Iguanas (and I am going to help her catch one as soon as I learn to drive & can find my way to Florida, but she has a map on her belly, so we are good), farts out loud (like that in a friend), chews up baseboards, eats turkey sausage and who saved her mother's life from a Giant Green Hissing Iguana.

3. I make Marley look like a well-behaved dog (see my diary).

4. Juju and I are going to write a book together about our adventures. She's also my editor and, did I mention, Best Friend in the Universe (even though we have never met)? Yet.

5. I founded a rather large (4 of us so far, plus the silent majority - you know who you are) group called, "United Dogs for Forever Bones" who want to keep their Dogster Bones, well, Forever, not just for 14 days (see my diary).

6. I currently have over 3000 Forever (in my mind) Bones.

7. I saved my humans life from an Igu...no, wait a minute. That was Juju. Um, oh, yes. I once performed the Heimlich Maneuver on my person, Carol, when she was choking on a piece of jerky. She should have chewed. She tells the story the other way. People. Always bragging.

I will tag:

No dog : ) Let the tag stop here. I don't even know what tag is. I thought it was a game where you chase things?

Good Boy vs. A Bad Boy*

This is not a definitive list and I am working on more "good" things about me.

* "Bad Boy" is a relative term. All of the items in this list could be said to be what makes me a good boy, depending on your perspective.

I am a good boy because:

I have 2584 bones to keep forever.
I was born that way.
I keep squirrels out of the yard.
I recycle things.
I run fast.
I greet people who come to visit.
I am a Service Dog (sort of).
I am cute.
I am handsome.
I help people who are sad.
I have long legs.
I have gold eyes.
I am a good kisser.
I am funny.
I do dishes.
I help with the trash.
I can sit.
I make my mom laugh.
I am friendly to strangers.


I might be a bad boy because:

I destroy things.
I ALLEDEGLY bit my person (but there were extenuating circumstances).
I run away.
I am rude to other dogs (sometimes)
I bark loudly & often in the car.
I don't come when I am called (without proper incentive)
I chewed up my mom's military ribbons.
I chewed up the photo albums.
I steal things.
I take food from people's plates.
I growl at my person (if needed).
I snarl at my person (when necessary).
I am stubborn.
I ignore my person.
I chew up stuff...all sorts.
I pee in the house (if needed or if scared).
I snap at the puppies (when I need to).
I won't let Tate on the bed.
When Tate was a pup I was mean to him (now he's huge).
I lick "places" and then lick people (in the face)
I am sometimes mean to little critters.
I bark right behind my mom's head & scare her.

Panzie

Don't Take My Bones Dogster HQ!

I am a good boy!

I am loved!

I am RICH!

We are going to have to get a bigger yard.

I need to have a party!

I have 1071 bones!!!!!!!!!

Meaty bones!

I want to keep them forever. Please don't take them away Dogster HQ, please! Give me a chance to bury them.

What does "virtual" mean? Mom says they are "virtual bones" and that I need to calm down. She's a virtual idiot! Those bones are mine & I have every reason to not be calm.

Either way, I gotta bury them!

Panzie Boy

Bones, Pumpkin Cheesecake & Turkey Day Warnings

Arthritis and all, I had to write about this. I have 574 bones on my page! I have to get them buried before some dog in this joint finds them. Speaking of joints - I dreamt of a joint of meat the other night. Grammie was gnawing on it and I just stood there thinking, "What is wrong with this picture? That joint of meat should be in my mouth!" You should have seen my Grammie clean that bone. I was speechless. She must have some canine blood running through her veins! She didn't even share. I drooled all over her, but it didn't work. What a piggy woggy. Next time, since it is my dream, I want to be on the one gobbling down the meat. Come to think of it, that was actually a nightmare.

Speaking of gobbling, Turkey Day is fast approaching. This year, if mom doesn't make a turkey, I am going to organize a sit in. No, a Pee In. Fair warning. I also want some pumpkin pie with whipped cream, dressing (no raisins or onions - mom and I agree on that) ham, cheesy rice casserole, some kind of beef, maybe some liver pate, some potatoes, squash, some type of fish dish, meat balls, some nice rolls and maybe just a little itsy bitsy bit (or more) of chocolate something and some pumpkin cheese cake. Oh, I and I will do the dishes.

Here's a recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake I promised Lexi's mom:

1. Go to Sam's
2. Walk to the freezer department
3. Get samples as you go, especially meaty ones, savories & desserts
4. Look in all of the Freezers
5. Sniff a few unsuspecting butts (just to prime your sniffer)
6. Look for the words "Cheesecake Factory" and "Pumpkin"
7. Sniff. Find the cheesecake.
8. Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake
9. Get a few other flavors to broaden your tastes
10. Leave with the Cheesecake
11. Eat it.

That's all you do! You can also rip up the box. If you wait until mom gets it ready, you will only get forkfuls or small bites. This way you get a more satisfying experience.

My mom also wanted me to put this in here for Lexi. My way to get Pumpkin Cheesecake is much easier. Mom's never made it, but I think she should.

Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham crumbs
5 Tbsp butter, melted
1 Tbsp sugar

Filling:
3- 8oz pkgs cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice

Whipped Cream

Mix crust ingredients together, just untill coated and crumbly. Press onto the bottom and 2/3 up the sides of an 8" springform pan. Bake for 5 min. at 350. Set aside.

Combine cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl, mix until smooth with an electric mixer. Add pumpkin eggs, and spices, beat untill smooth and creamy. Pour into the crust. Bake for 60-70 min. or until the top turns a bit darker. Remove from oven and allow to come to room temperature, then refrigerate. After it has thoroughly chilled, remove the pan sides and cut. Serve with whipped cream.

Set on floor for dogs.

Eat Cheesecake. Fast.

Ok, well, for now the pumpkin treats mom got for us are going to have to tide me over. On T-Day it better smell like turkey in this house, or it is going to smell like something else ; ]

I just want to help, that's all

So, she's gone all day, no explanation and comes in smelling strongly of other dogs. I smelled two Rat Terriers (not fixed), a Basset Hound, two Lab mixes - some Beagle in there, and one Scottish Terrier mix - male. Plus, she ate some chicken McNuggets & fries. I know two of those dogs personally, so that means she saw Rachael, who gives good kisses. Then I smelled something else on top of all that: kittens (7) a lactating female cat (i.e. milk), a Jack Russell Terrier, a Dachshund cross, Mary Jo and VELDON (he has a pickup). She saw three of my favorite people without me. She also stepped in another dog's poo (another black Lab - big guy!).

Hey, check this out, I have 153 bones on my page!

Then she comes home with an orange little kitten. This kitten is crying - loud - and I just wanted a sniff or two. OK, a small taste - I'm a tactile kind of dog - jeeze! You'd think I was planning to eat the kitten or something. She's still holding a grudge about the rabbit incident a few days ago. The rabbit is alive, missing a little fur, but alive. I am already being punished for that - can't go downstairs and help clean cages anymore. Back to the kitten.

This kitten is teensy - maybe three weeks old. She found it at the recycling center. Right. She always "finds" animals, like she found the momma dog & the two puppies who are driving me crazy. They are STILL here. I don't think they are leaving. She named them. Anyway, get this: she LEAVES again, without getting my dinner. She went to get milk replacement stuff, which I would like a small taste of, for the kitten. So she gets back, feeds the kitten and finally us. She did share a small bit of her ham sandwich with us. I'd like one of my own. Sharing with eight other dogs and a human isn't my idea of a meal, even if it isn't mine.

So I found out she was driving dogs from one place to another, handing them off to another person and they are going to a rescue, whatever that is. She's done it before. Takes off on a road trip, meets up with other dogs who leave their smell in our Jeep, goes out to eat and then comes home, acting like nothing happened. Something - several things - clearly happened. So I asked her and she gave me this story about transporting for a rescue group. I'd like to go, to meet the other dogs, go to these windows where they give you all kinds of food, bark and sniff and just go for a ride. She says no dogs are allowed to volunteer for rescue transport trips. Convenient. She says we are fostering dogs & rabbits and that I can help that way. She says I haven't been a great help with that. She said that, after I helped her clean up after the rabbits.

Meanwhile, Mocha (the foster momma dog) and Java & Mango (the foster puppies) are befriending this kitten. They are washing it, licking it (you know where), snuggling with it. So, I try to introduce myself to the kitten, maybe take it in my mouth, nicely, like I did the rabbit. Mocha gets all up in my stuff (not The Stuff) and gives me the Momma Dog Look so I backed off. Don't ever mess with female dogs when they give you that look. I never did get to get a little taste of that milk stuff - but the Chocolate Dogs (as they are Chocolate Labs) all did. They licked it right off that kitten. Also, I am the REAL Chocolate Dog, not them.

Anyway, I was feeling kind of left out all day and today that kitten is still here, crying, purring, eating all of the time. He or she - didn't get to check that out either - is going to foster care tomorrow. I probably never will get to taste that milk stuff.

Cheeseburger versus Turkey Sausage

Tell me what you think. My friend, Juju, did something really important - saved her person's life or something - and she was promised (in her mind) turkey sausage. Her mom ate ALL of the turkey sausage (!) probably right in front of Juju, and in one sitting (I would have) - for sure she smelled her mom eating it. Then she (mom) gave Juju a half a cheeseburger.

I say mom still owes Juju the turkey sausage.

Now, the way I see it (black & white - maybe some browns & blues) Juju has some tough choices to make. Letting this go is not an option. Everyone knows that cheeseburgers are on the dollar menu, but TURKEY SAUSAGE? Come on! You don't not give a dog some turkey sausage, ever.

So, I suggested Juju try to retrain her mom. I am sure she's a nice mom, but this is a serious breach. There are so many training methods for humans, but Juju really needs to make a strong statement here. In my vast experience in training humans, I have found that peeing somewhere in the house is very useful in effecting change.

However, Juju is a little girl and I have heard many people saying only boy dogs pee in the house for behavioral reasons. I have living proof that this is NOT true and her name is Bethany and she is a black Lab cross - yes, I said SHE. However, I digress. Getting back to the issue, well two issues:

1. Withholding Turkey Sausage
2. Baiting & Switching with Cheeseburger

I believe Juju is prepared to let the getting the cheeseburger part go, but the level of deception here is, well, sneaky. Also, did she get part of the bun?

I also suggested clicker training for mom, but many dogs find this a not very handy way to train people. People are so desensitized by the keyboard clicking they are constantly exposed to that they just ignore the clicker sounds. I know I do. Unless the click is followed by a liver treat, then I hear it, oh, yah!

So, for sure, it needs to be humane training, but also decisive. We're back to the pee, aren't we?

Do you think Juju's mom has destroyed their trust? Should she rush out and get more Turkey Sausage and then will things be the same? I think this is one of those cases when there will need to be let LOTS of turkey passing from hand to paw before this situation, no, this relationship is ever repaired.

Hang in there, Juju, and follow your gut instincts on this. Or follow mine and go pee somewhere.

Sancho "Panzie" Boy

Grrrrrrrrrrr

You know how they say, "You can't pick your family" and "Adopting a dog (or cat) is the only time you get to choose your family"? Well, they say those things for a real reason, many real reasons, and here is one of them. It's a true story. True crime.

Tonight I heard, (second hand - just like second banana) well, OK, overheard this conversation:

mom: "Sancho has a journal that he writes in." (Good, and true, so far.)

EX-aunt: "You mean, a journal YOU write in FOR him?" (Wrong in SO many ways, on SO many levels.)

Mom: "No, I mean a journal that Sancho writes in." (She gets a treat, but not a hotdog.)

ex-ex-aunt: "Snort. Right." (Takes on porcine qualities.)

Mommie: "I can send you a link to it. He's really enjoying himself." (me: pant-pant)

ex: Yawns ostensibly. "Well, I am going to bed." (me: leg lifts....)

Mommie Dear: Retracts Offer: "Well, Sancho only lets his friends, like Juju, read it anyway." (hehe.)

x: "I didn't say I didn't want to read it."

Mom: "Well, goodnight." Hangs up. Does not send link to X.

I mean, talk about taking the juice out of a dog's...steak. I used to like her. I thought she liked me. I didn't realize, until just that moment, what a poor judge of character I was. Wait a minute...come to think of it, I did still try to please that mean guy I used to live with. Hmmm, can dogs be Co-Dependent? Well, not THIS DOG! CoDOGpendent, NO MORE!

When my editor, Juju, PTG, and I publish my collected works, SOMEBODY - we won't mention her name anymore - she will not be given a signed copy of the book, or books, or even a complimentary copy. Nope, she will have to buy her copy and then I will refuse to sign it. I mean, dogs can't write, can they ex-aunt? If I do sign it, I'll use the Juice.

Ok, gotta take a nap now and have a nightmare and my nightmare now has a name.

Shocked and Annoyed, Sancho

Juju, the Pinky-Toed Grrrl Tagged Me for Howl-o-Weenie

I've been tagged by Juju, a great and CUTE friend.

This is about HOWLLOWEEN! And Treats.

1. What Costume?? Your pawrents are taking you out Trick or Treating! They're both ready in their costumes, but you're still stuck in your room choosing yours! Gotta hurry! What do you do?

a. Just grab a random costume and put it on! Who cares?? You know you always look good in any outfit!
b. Take your time and just find the purfect costume! Mom and Dad can wait, can't they?
c. Run to your pawrents and go trick or treating without any costume at all! Anyways, still got my fur.

Answer fur me: D: Destroy all costumes, ripping them to shreds. Join mom for treat-o-treating. Eat the treats as she gets them, wrappers and all, quickly.

2. Sugar Rush! Looks like you caught the eye of the person at the first stop! She thinks you're so adorable she decided to let you choose the candy you want! What do you pick?

a. CHOCOLATE!!! It may not be good fur pups, but it's so worth it!
b. Cherry Lollipops, makes me look sassy!
c. Bubblegum! I just wuv the bubbles!

Answer fur me: D: All of the above. Gobble down all of the treats & burp. Smile, move on to the next treat bowl.

3. Scary Monster!!! Oh noes! There's a huge scary monster on your front porch! Of course, you gotta protect your pawrents somehow! How will you do it?

a. Growl at the thing. Might be even be afraid of you!
b. Push your pawrents aside and run along with them! It's best that you're all safe.
c. Hide behind your pawrents. They're stronger, and not to mention braver, let them do the work.

Answer fur me: D: Sniff the monster (you know where). If he is good, lick him. Eat his treats. If he is bad, pee on him or hump him. If he persists, squirt him with anal gland juice, sparingly. Eat his treats. If time, recover tasty anal gland juice (it is an acquired taste).

4. Opinions?? So, what did you think about this game?

It is about treats, so I think it is good. Happy Howl-o-Weenies. I love weenies - Hebrew National are my favorite.

Sancho, The Trickster

No More Second Banana for Sancho P. Matthews

Ok, I love bon fires. I love everything about them. I love the people, the kids, the hotdogs, the marshmallows, the graham crackers, yes, the chocolate! I have been too many bon fires - OK, not invited, but just dropped in. I am always the life of the party! People love me.

Get this.

CINDER, not ME, and Carol went to - yes, you guessed it - a BON FIRE tonight.

I am speechless, and not just because I can't talk. I mean, she (may her name never cross my lips again - yes, dogs have lips) KNOWS that I, Sancho "Bosky Boy" Panza adore bon fires. So why didn't she take me?

Possible reasons I was excluded:

1. I steal food from unsuspecting people, especially little people
2. I sniff crotches - so?
3. I can be pushy
4. I ignore "her" sometimes - a lot
5. I pee everywhere - so?
6. I am a hog
7. I bark like a maniac in the car
8. I run away every chance I get
9. I am a rough kisser/licker
10. I have a history - ancient history, decades ago in dog years - of ALLEGEDLY biting her - just her

Many, Many Reasons I Should Have Gone:

1. I love bon fires
2. I am the life of the party
3. I clean up all scraps
4. I cover up other offensive dog pee odors
5. I am good at washing grubby little hands
6. I can detect gastrointestinal disorders in humans
7. I prevent people from eating too much
8. I keep coyotes and cats away
9. I love people, all people
10. I am a good conversationalist
11. I make good eye contact
12. I help people who might overeat
13. I am experienced with these events
14. If you get lost, I can show you the way home
15. People like -no- love me
16. I am funny
17. I am friendly
18. I am handsome
19. I am good company
20. I love hotdogs.
21. I wanted to go
22. Cinder gets to go EVERYWHERE
23. I am a good boy
24. I love to go places
25. I am tired of playing second banana - I don't even like bananas, unless they are dipped in chocolate

Ok, you see where I am going with this? There are many, many more reasons that I should have gone. I mean, I could list hundreds more.

All I can say is, NEXT YEAR IS MY TURN! That's SEVEN years from now in Dog Years.

Seethingly, Sancho

You won't believe what happened this weekend....

Well, it started out bad. Carol took my bed away. I am talking about a full sized, what they call "human" bed with head board, sheets and all. I sat on the bed and tried to make her stop, but she just kept on. I had that bed smelling all good - like me - and there she was, taking it away. She took my top mattress and she put it in the shed. I followed her and got in her way, but she drug it out there. Unbelievable!

Next, she pulled off the bottom mattress (people call them "box springs" - whatever - I call it My Bed.) I got right on top of it and laid there, dead weight, trying to stop her, growling and all. I mean, that bed is mine. Or, it was mine until she took it away & put it in the shed.

Then she started up that Ru-Ro-Room thing and took away all of the stuff I had under the bed, including my left over fur that fell down there & helped make the room smell like me.

A while later a really good thing happened. Veldon came to visit! He is a male person and he has a pickup truck - maybe more than one. I love that guy! Guess what? He brought me a NEW BED! It is huge, so huge in fact that the other dogs think it is OK to lay on it, too. I growl at them and they just get up there anyway. It is what people call "king sized" and that means it is my bed, because I am a king!

So, Carol & Veldon got it in the house somehow and set it up. THEN, I got to see Veldon. Oh, he scratched my back & I pranced around and it was great. I love that guy. He lives on a farm, with real cows to chase, I mean, look at and all kinds of great smells. Then he left, just like that.

Carol set up the bed with a mattress pad, a foam thingy and sheets and guess what? The black & chocolate dogs got up there - and played! I was just shocked. I growled & barked at them and they ignored me. I e-mailed Mary Jo (she lives on the farm with Veldon, but does not drive a pick up, but she cooks really good when she's not on a diet thingy.) Anyway, I e-mailed her & she came over and set the other dogs straight. It is MY bed, but they can sleep on half of it & not bounce around.

Even as I write this, I am alone - smack in the middle - stretched out on MY bed and I am a happy boy!

Tagged by Hershey

I have been tagged by my pal Hershey to tell 7 random facts about me. Here they are:

1. I used to live in upstate New York.
2. I have hip dysplasia & take pain meds for it.
3. I have a king sized (human) bed!
4. I love pumpkin cheesecake.
5. I am an excellent swimmer.
6. I am terrified of storms.
7. I ate chocolate and survived!

Bonus: I like anal glad juice (doesn't everybody?)!

Beginnings

I used to be chained outside in the back and I was a bad dog.

At least that is what that man used to tell me. He said there were good dogs and bad dogs, and I was a bad dog. He didn't teach me how to do stuff and I couldn't speak English because I was just a pup. When I didn't do stuff right he hit, kicked and yelled at me. When I dug in the dirt, he buried my head in the dirt. He was college educated, but he didn't know a thing.

The last time I saw him I shook like a thunderstorm was coming. When Carol saw that, she never let him get near me again.

Summer 2000

I was a foster dog at Carol's and my best girl, Kristen, was living there, too. I was a wild dog! The first thing I did upon entering Carol's place was lift my leg and pee. It was great. I met a really sweet dog, Cinder, and we became good buddies. I taught her to do all of the doggie stuff: dig, bark, escape...it was a blast!

My girl Kristen and her mom had just been kicked out of the house by that guy we used to live with. He left me tied up at the house and went off with a new girlfriend. When Kristen and her mom came to stay with Carol she said, "Where's Sancho?" She came and got me right away and I got to stay with her and Cinder, too. She even took their two cats, which I really like to chase, but I am not allowed.

Anyway, it was hard at first. Carol tried to teach me stuff and I didn't like it. I bit her really hard several times and she almost gave up on me, but Cinder never did. When Kristen and her mom moved on they said they'd come back for me, but they never could.

One day I really tore up the house while Carol was away...really did a number on the photo albums. You should have seen her. She was crazy - she lost it - screamed at me and it really scared me. I dropped to the floor and was shaking and drooling. She stopped right away and felt ashamed. That was the beginning of a new relationship for us. Carol called Kristen and got the whole story of how that guy had abused me. Kristen cried. Carol made a commitment that very day to adopt me and work things out no matter what. I did bite her a few more times, but she had a better understanding that I was reacting out of fear. We had lots of formal, expensive training and Cinder taught me a lot, too.

We adopted each other. We have been together 9 years now. I am a naughty dog, but I am a good boy. I try not to bite Carol, I don't fully trust, I am terrified of thunderstorms & fireworks, but I am loved. I am living in my forever home and I am a good dog.

Sancho