Where to begin...

Ya know being a dog has it’s advantages. {{{tapping paw to head in thought}}} we get all kinds of attention around my house. Why just this morning mommy fed me and Storm canned food from a fork. It was sure yummy and a nice treat from having to bend over a food dish on the kitchen floor. Even tho somebody {{{throwing a glare Stormy’s direction}}} has food allergies now and we don’t get chicken or beef cooked for us every day… we still eat pretty good. Mom reads every label on everything {{{rolling eyes}}} before feeding it to us, does she know we could starve while she reads??? I don’t have any food allergies but miss priss does so I have ta eat what she has mom says. It’s not sooooo bad.

My arms are healing up really good, I have a little bit of a scar but mom says that gives me character… whatever that is while daddy says I AM a character {{{looking confused}}}! Mom watches me constantly go up the ramp but sometimes she doesn’t see me when I leap from the top of my ramp into the snow…{{{heh heh heh, I still got it}}}

OH! The snowplow guy just drove by our house… {{{THANK YOU SNOW PLOW GUY}}}!! It has warmed up to the high 20’s now and the ice is forming what daddy calls “daggers” ice cycles down the sides of our house and slippery on the walkways… we have ta be very careful not to slip… mom did the other morning and she fell so I got to spend the day with my head on her lap cuz she couldn’t walk very well. I love those kind of days!

So on that note I think I’ll go hold my daddy down on the couch so he can’t move and watch sci fi on the tv.
{{{{he gets scared and I protect him from the monsters, grrrrr}}}

I wish all my pals a very happy new year and may all doggies on the planet have warm homes and all the bones they can chew!! See ya in 2009!! Arrrrooooo

Wow THANK YOU!

Thank you to all my pals that sent me emails at home and thru dogster sending me get well wishes and to get better soon. You guys are just the bestest ever!

When mom came home today from work I ran to her wagging my tail and all happy to see her. She was shocked! I'm not supposed to be running... so I kinda got in trouble with lots of hugs and kisses too!

Then daddy helped her change my bandages and I got to see what my arms look like... I think that my vet is a GOD!! I could hardly see where the big gash is and there was no more blood!! It's amazing! So we wrapped up my arms again with all new fresh bandages and I'm kinda sore from all that activity and stuff. Plus peroxide tastes really nasty... {{{{ick!}}}

So thanks again everybody for all the well wishes - I luv ya!!

Take a word of advice - DON'T JUMP OUT WINDOWS!

Sunday me Stormy and Lucy are in the house watchin TV and all of a sudden I heard this really mean bark! {{{GASP}}}} That dog was barkin at my MOMMY and DADDY!! {{{GRRrrrrrrRRRR}}}

NOBODY talks to my mom and dad like that!! So I took a run at the kitchen door but was a little high and I went thru the window instead of opening the door.... uh oh... I cut myself up pretty bad...

My left - arm - as mom calls it cut all the way to the bone and I may have a real problem with the tendon that was severed. Time will tell my doctor says. But my right - arm - has a couple of cuts that just took a few stitches, not as serious as the left. I guess I lost allot of blood from cutting the vessels too. So I got to have a pedialite type drink to help restore my blood and fluids.

Mom slept on the living room floor last night holding me cuz I really hurt and was still kinda rummy from the surgery. I would cry then she would cry... Stormy laid close by keeping an eye on both of us.

So now I have a cool new ramp off the deck cuz I can't use stairs and we have a new wood grain window in the door. I get my stitches out in 10 days but can't do ANYTHING until after New Years... that's a long time. I can't put much weight on my left foot but I can gimp outside if I have to go... you know... "potty".

Mom still cries and feels so bad cuz I hurt but there's nothing she can do. I do love it when she just holds me and talks soft in my ear. My entire family has been pretty awesome, my girls Jess and Kaylee, my human bro Jamie and his wife Sammy - she held my leg all afternoon to keep pressure on it and refused to leave my side even when mom asked to take over! She loves me too. I am a lucky dog,

Our first wood cutting experience…

So me and Storm got to go way out in the woods today to help cut firewood. We followed our neighbor Poozilla’s dad way up in the woods. Daddy said we were up to 8,000 feet elevation! We went to a place called “Gut Creek”… sounded kinda wierd to us but WOW was it beautiful! Wild flowers everywhere you look and even deer along the road. We stopped to say hi to them but they ran off. Just not very friendly I guess. The air was crisp and clean and mom packed our breakfast for us to eat while we were up there. She said she didn’t want any “accidents” on the road trip… what she meant was is she didn’t want us to throw up in the truck… chicken tastes really good when you’re out in the wilderness ya know. I stood guard for Stormy while she nibbled her food (she’s so picky) to make sure no wild moose, bear or tigers came and took it from her. So after what seemed like FOREVER I finally got to eat mine while she SAID she was standing guard for me… heck she was all over the place sniffin the wild flowers and exploring the mountainside! She wasn’t even payin attention to me! So I gulped down my breakfast and ran after her to explore.

We were doin just fine laughin and playin “tiger in the grass” when all of a sudden we heard this loud CRAACK!!! and SNAAAP!!!… then the ground SHOOK!! We ran for cover and mom came to comfort us and she explained that Poozilla’s dad just cut down a really big tree and that’s what it sounds like. Well we were scared cuz we just got over the fright from all the fireworks in our neighborhood so we were shakin and shiverin all over again! Mom sat with us in the truck till we calmed down and we watched Poozilla’s dad drag this big ol tree down to where we were so it could be sawed up and split - then stacked in the trucks. One whole tree filled three trucks! We were happy knowing that we are going to be warm and toasty this next winter!

We came home and my buddy Sam came over and took a nap with me on the couch - we were pretty tired after all the exploring we did… guess we’re going wood cutting again this next week. I’m a pro now!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED BY MY SISTER!!

Spring TAG!! WOW! Stormy actually tagged me! I can hardly believe it! Usually she doesn’t play with me!

The rules to this game are to put in four of the following and then tag four other pups! So here goes:

Name four jobs that you've had:

1. Stare down - I’m really good at staring you in the eyes till you blink… especially if you have a sandwich or something…

2. Fence line Inspector - I will run your fence line to be certain all is strong, safe and fit for a heard of elephants (mom says that’s how strong daddy built our fence)

3. Wild Game Chaser - COME ON!! Turn me loose let me at em! Deer, Elk, Moose, Bear, 3 legged cat… oops, not sposed to talk about that anymore…

4. Door Bell - ummmm mom - somebody’s here… {jumping up and spinning} MMMMMOMMMMM I SAID SOMEBODY’S HERE!! May have at do this a time or two before she gets the hint…

Four places you have lived:

1. Born in Carson City NV
2. Dayton NV
3. Paradise as mom calls it in the NW corner of Montana
4. Ummm…. I’m lucky I guess

Four places where you have been:

1. Poozilla’s house next door to play (and spy on the 3 legged cat)
2. Long drive from Nevada to Montana covers a few places…
3. To the dump in dad’s big truck
4. My daddy takes us all over the place and there isn’t enough room to write all those places down but I‘ll try- car repair place, post office, tractor store, Costco, Grandbabis Aiden and Morgan’s house, to mom’s work, sometimes to the gym with mom, Lake Kookanusa, Big Falls, see now I’m outta room… there’s much more! Daddy likes to socialize me and Storm… allot!

Four places you'd rather be:

1. With Kokoa
2. Chasing a moose
3. Lounging on my deck
4. Napping next to daddy

Friends I choose to play tag:

1. Dallas
2. Abby Grace
3. My Little Pal Rascal
4. Bobby

To My Beautiful Bride - Happy Anniversary

My dearest Kokoa Girl,

The day you said "YESSSS" and Tigger pounced me when I asked you to share sketti with me for the rest of our lives was the beginning of my life! You have made me the happiest dog on this planet and the best is yet to come my darling!

That night was worth every mile I traveled to see your beautiful face! Do you remember that night I proposed to you? I was sooooo nervous and Kingy made me a verrrry strong drink and your dad gave me "that look" like "well she could have done worse..." he patted my head and said I could have your paw in marriage, whew! You and your mom flying down the stairs when you heard my bark at the door... you were so lovely in that silk robe and with those funny things between your newly polished toe nails... the way you sent me tumbling back down the front porch stairs and into the street...
I was okay, just shook it off and climbed back to the front door...

Our wedding day as I clinked and stumbled down the isle in my suit or armor... the way you looked at me with that beautiful dress... the smell of roses and doggy beautyshop spray in the air... how my brother Trace had to save the tux store hound when I found out my tux didn't fit... (thanks man). It was a glorious day, do you remember?

Winters at your house (it's warmer there by far), spring, summer and fall in Montana.... moose hunting, deer chasing, mountain hiking all just for you! The days at the doggy spa where you can maintain that beautiful bully body and have your paws perfectly manicured... again all just for you! Swimming (maybe just wading) in Lake Kookanusa or at Big Falls or up Therrialt Pass.... our lives are just beginning my love!

Happy Anniversary and many more happy years to come!!

All my love to my Kokoa Girl,

Your Max

HAPPY NEW YEAR PAW PALS!!

WOW! Can ya believe it? Another year has gone by...

As I sit up pretty and reflect on the past year I am amazed at the changes my life has taken and all the wonderful friends on Dogster that keep in touch with me. And especially for my beautiful girl Kokoa... she is the light of my life.

There were fireworks and all kinds of big noises in our neighborhood last night {{{{shivering}}}}}} It scared me and Stormy so we just snuggled up real close {{{{trying to get under mom's skin she said}}}} and mom held us close as we watched the new year ring {{{{BANG}}} in!

All is very quite this morning as the temperature dipped below zero {{{{{brrrrr}}}}}} overnight and it seemed like FOREVER before mom got the woodstove built up nice and warm. The ground is blanketed in pristine glittery white snow and all we see is our own paw prints as we zoomed out this morning and zoomed back into the warmth of our home. I was gonna throw myself on the snow and make dog angels but mom said “NO Max are you crazy? It’s -4 degrees!” {{{{Like I was really gonna do that??}}}}

Have a warm, food filled, fun and loving new year to all!

Happy Thankful Day! With or without Turkey!

Stormy is all “upset“ because we aren‘t having the traditional kind of turkey dinner today… what a prissy… I mean I love turkey as much as the next guy but I didn’t throw myself on the floor and throw a big fat fit!

No! I went outside and sat up on the hill and barked… in private… after all big boys don’t cry… big boys don’t throw hissy fits… big boys want their mommy to make them TURKEY!!!

In past Thanksgiving Days mom got up early and started putting together the most delicious feast you EVER laid your eyes on! She made gramma’s corn bread from scratch to make the turkey dressing with, she simmered giblets and turkey pieces and parts real slow to mix in the dressing, she made pies and cream corn and green bean casserole and…. Ohhhhhh! It was amazing!! All of us dogs were not allowed one little toe nail over the line to the kitchen… we didn’t care - we knew all this wonderful smelling stuff would be in our bowls too at dinner time! Sometimes we would tap a toe nail on the tile floor in the kitchen just for fun… mom would scold us and we’d just giggle and do it again… freak her out while she was cookin! HAAAAA!!!

So when mom got up this morning kinda early me and Storm looked at each other and whispered “YAY! She’s gonna do that big dinner thing!”

But then something happened… we didn’t smell the cornbread cooking or the turkey pieces and parts simmering… OH NO!! We smelled different stuff… there was some kind of meat cooking - there was onions sautéing with garlic - the wood stove was built up - there was a CLANK of cast iron!! What was happening??

We hurried out of bed, well I couldn’t hurry too much cuz I was wrapped like a pig in a blanket in my blankie… but when I finally got untangled I ran after the gazelle Stormy into the kitchen… hmmmm… something different is goin on here!

Mom had elk, carrots, taters, parsnips and other “stuff” all thrown into the big cast iron kettle… then to our amazement she put the kettle on the wood stove and then sat down with her coffee and started watching the big parade on TV! HEY! MOM! WHAT’S GOIN ON HERE!
She explained we were doin our thankful day a little different this year and guaranteed us we would still have good stuff in our bowls tonight and by the way do we like lemon meringue?? What’s a meringue?? We don’t know! But one thing for sure it’s gonna be good!

From our house to yours we hope and wish for all our doggy pals a wonderful warm and loving day - not just today but every day! And to those doggies that aren’t in a full time permanent home - you will be soon and you will be loved and warm in your homes just like me and Storm!

Have a Howlllling GRRRRRReat Day!

I've been tagged and now so have 7 of my pals!

Here are the rules:
Each player needs to tell seven random facts about themselves. Tagged dogs must post the rules in their diary and their 7 facts. Then choose 7 pups to tag and list their names. Let them know by pawmail or rosette that they have been tagged and to read your diary for the instructions on how to play

1. I was the 2nd puppy born in my mom's hands out of 8 pups.

2. I am madly in love with my girl Kokoa!

3. I LOVE to "GO" with mom or Den anywhere, especially the lake or the driveup window at the bank or to the post office or to the store or to the auto repair place or...

4. I am a bully stickaholic.

5. I hate to be left out of the attention loop.

6. I love when my kids come over so I can run and jump with them!

7. I am a "mommy's boy" even tho I may look tough...

The seven pups that I choose are Trace, Abby Grace, Hoss, Dusk, giant Billy, Diamond and my best pal Dallas!
Have fun pups and Happy Howloween!!!!!!!

The REAL Story about the C A T

Yeah so me and Stormy were just relaxin in our front yard and we knew mom was in the back cuz she put this little "child proof" gate up on the back door to keep us in... {{{yeah right! we could jump it if we wanted to}}}}

And I heard a noise in the house... like someone had just broke in... {{{{grrrowwllll - snarlllllll}}}} I was immediately on patrol - so I tippy-toed in the front door and down the hall and peeked around the corner to the kitchen…

****** OMADAWG!!! GASSSSPPPPPP!!!! SHOCK!!!!!****
*******THERE STOOD A REAL LIVE CAT IN MY KITCHEN!!! *****
*******OF ALL THE NERVE!!!!********

Well I was absolutely STUNNED!! That a cat was in MY house!! Did he not know we live here?? How stupid could he be??? He looked at me - I looked at him and I think he was as shocked as I was! Then he did that funny U shape with his body and the hair stood up on my back and I POUNCED on him!
{{{{ I AM the MAN}}}}

Stormy came a runnin and she started that loud {{{{ugh hurt my ears}}} screamin and I had to let go of the cat to cover my ears and the cat got away from me and he grabbed Stormy to try and shut her up I’m thinkin and he had a hold of her ear and the sides of her face and well I had to try and SAVE her ya know so I started pokin him with my nose {{{{OWEEEEEE that was stupid}}}} and he scratched my nose and pretty soon there was blood and EVERYTHING and what seemed like hours before mom finally came in the house to see what all the noise was about!!

She was as surprised as we were!! So mom grabbed that cat and took him out on the deck to check him out… he was black and white but the white was kinda red… WITH OUR BLOOD!! She turned him loose and ran in to see us and if we were okay. She washed us real gentle like and made those scratches from that mean ol cat all better… then we got a talkin to…

“How can a three legged cat get in our house and kick your behinds like this? I just can’t believe….”

{{{{WHAT???? I yelled…. A THREE LEGGED CAT???}}}}

OH MAN!! I just CAN’T believe a three legged cat came in our house and beat us up!! So now that cat who I find out is named “Tripod” sits across the street and grins at us… if he EVER steps any one of his three paws back in my house… well it won’t be pretty, I think!!