Chessie Smile

Giving Thanks, Dog Style

The Family was all here last Thursday. Mama, Dad, James, and a bunch of other people who were related to them. Plus another dog! He didn't like me very much, though. He growled and snapped at me. What the heck! This is my house, you jerk! I just ignored him for the rest of the day. He was no fun anyway. He just wanted to lie there and do nothing.

There were the most wonderful smells coming out of the kitchen all day. Mama was cooking up a storm. There were bowls and plates everywhere. Things bubbled and sizzled on the stove. The oven door opened and closed like 20 times. Every time I crowded in to see what was in there Mama told me BACK! BACK! I guess she didn't want me to burn my nose.

Then everyone sat down and ate all the wonderful smelling food. I stayed in my spot on the rug and watched carefully for any stray crumbles flying through the air. You never know! But no one dropped anything.

I guess it was this big People deal called "Thanksgiving" when everyone gets together and eats a lot of food and then talks about how much food they just ate. Something about remembering something from a long time ago and being thankful for what you have. Or something. People are weird. But I tell you what, I know what I'm thankful for!

-My Family, Mama, Dad, and James
-Darwin and Bouhaki, my kitty friends
-Having a warm place to lie down
-Two meals a day, guaranteed
-Toys!
-Dog treats
-Going for walks
-Playing fetch
-Hunting with Dad
-Ice cubes

I know I'm a lucky dog. There are so many other dogs out there without warm places to sleep or food to eat every day or nice Families to love them. There just aren't enough homes for all those poor doggies. And some people that have doggies aren't very nice to them. I will think good thoughts about all those other dogs who don't have nice lives, hoping they might find good homes someday, and I will be thankful for my Family who has given me a nice life.

People can swim, too?!

Woah. Let me tell you THIS one. It's been really hot here lately. Saturday, Sunday, and boy, especially yesterday. On our morning walks those days I got very hot and Mama was sweating, too. But she always made sure we stopped by the hose in the cemetery to give me a drink. And sprinkle water on my head. Which I didn't mind at all. ANYWAY...Sunday evening Mama took me to Mill Lake for some bumper throwing and swimming. That was fun. Then last night, we went somewhere new called Crooked Lake. THIS TIME, Mama got in the water with me and SWAM. She threw my bumper with a "Mark!" and "Fetch!" and I motored out to it, and when I turned back, THERE WAS MAMA right next to me! I was so surprised I almost let go of the bumper and snuffled water up my nose. Mama cruised along with me all the way to the shore. We stayed there for almost a half hour swmming. It was so much fun. Sometimes Mama would hold me in her arms so I could look around. Sometimes she went under the surface and didn't come up and then she came up far away. Sometimes she made me follow her by holding the bumper and waving it around. I think a couple of times I got too close and scratched her with my paddling feet. Oops. Well, I was getting tired so Mamaand I got our of the water and she dried me off with a towel, boosted me into the Jeepster, and we went home. I can't wait to go swimming again!

Puppy Kindergarten!

So for the last four weeks, I've been going once a week to this thing my people call "Puppy K." First we go for a CAR RIDE. I really like the car ride. Mama opens the windows and there are all kinds of neat smells blowing in my face. Dad sits in the back with me so I don't get lonely.

Puppy K is at this place called the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club. I know this because I've heard Mama say it a few times. When we get to the AADTC, we go to a grassy place where I think I'm supposed to go BATHROOM before going inside, but usually I'm too excited because I know that shortly I'm going to be seeing all my FUN PUPPY FRIENDS!

There's Gus, Zoe, Stella, Maya, Holly, Clifford, Dixie, Jasmine, Womper, and Sophie. Stella, Clifford, and Zoe are Golden Retrivers. Dixie is a Border Collie. Womper and Holly are Chihuahuas. They're so tiny! Sophie is a Boxer. Jasmine is a Wheaten Terrier. Maya is some kind of shepherd-retriever mix. She's got Golden retriever fur but perky shepherd ears. Gus is...well, he's some kind of terrier. He's my best pal. When he came in last night I could hardly stand it. Dad had me laying by his side and when I saw Gus I just got SO excited I kept trying to stand up but Dad was doing "step on the leash" and kept me down. I whined, though. Mama said, "You get to play with Gus later."

So Puppy K is all this listening and sitting, staying, down, walking, coming, stopping, and lots and lots of TREATS. I eat so many treats I'm usually not hungry by the time we get home. I'm also terribly distracted. There are so many wonderful smells all over the floor and of course, all the other puppies. It's really hard to stay focused. I try, though. I'm learning. I am very good at SIT and I'm getting better at STAY and COME.

Mama practices my Puppy K Homework with me at home. I do much better at home than at the AADTC. I can STAY for almost a minute!

Puppy K sure is fun.

Scary Big Dog

Boy, it's been a long time since I let everyone know what I was up to. Well, the last month has been a good period of adjustment and getting even more comfortable with my Family. I love them all so much. Mama, Dad, and that little guy who comes around sometimes, James. I finally figured out BATHROOM, and I think that made Mama and Dad very, very happy.

We go for WALKS all the time now. Every day after Dad and I come home, we all go for a walk. Usually we go down the street to this big grassy place and Dad throws a ball around for me. On weekends we go for longer walks through the cemetery, which is full of neat smells.

Yesterday's walk, though...hmmm. I went out with Mama. We went a different way and I was nervous because there were more cars than usual and some strange dogs barking. After a while I picked up an old trail of my own smell and then I knew where we were going: the school playground! We got there and Mama threw my ball for me a bunch of times, and every time I brought it back to her I got a treat. Then we left the school and started home.

We were going along the sidewalk when all of a sudden this HUGE black dog came rushing up to me. I have seen this dog before, but only when he's in his fenced yard. He runs up and down the fence while we are on the sidewalk. Now he wasn't in his yard, he was coming right up to me, not wagging his tail or anything! I put my paws up in fear and this dog jumped on me and knocked me over. He snarled and growled and bit at me and I cried and tried to get away. He kept jumping on me even as I went around in circles. I think Mama was completely dumbfounded because she didn't say anything, and the smell of FEAR was thick in the air. Then there was a loud shout and this man came running up and grabbed hold of the big dog's neck and whomped him a couple of times and then booted him back into the house he came from. I was shaking and had my tail tucked under. Mama tried to lead me on and I was very nervous about passing in front of the big dog's house. I just wanted to go home. I made it past the corner and Mama said, "We never have to walk that way ever again." When we finally got home I was so relieved I had a big drink of water and took a big nap. I slept like a rock until Dad got home from his visit with James. Then I had lots of puppy loving. Mama told Dad about my encounter with the Big Black Dog and she said, "I was so surprised, I didn't know what to do. I should have kicked it, or screamed NO, but it just happened so fast."

Poor Mama. Well, when I get bigger, I'll show that mean old black dog a thing or two. He won't be able to pick on little old me much longer.

Walks!

A few days ago Mom and Dad introduced me to a new concept: the WALK. Mom put me into my spiffy blue harness and snapped on my spiffy red leash, and we all went outside and down the driveway into a new world full of neat SMELLS and blowing LEAVES and, unfortunately, LOUD NOISES. There were all these big trees that just smelled like a thousand other dogs, and I wanted to stop and sort out every single one, but Dad gave me a tug and said, "Hannah, come!" I tried to eat every leaf that blew by and sticks lying on the ground.

Mom and Dad made me sit down by the curb every time we had to cross the street. If there was a car coming they made me wait for an extra long time. After a while we got to a really busy intersection. There were lots of cars and loud trucks and I got kind of scared and backed up into Dad's legs. He made me sit down and then gave me a treat before me crossed the street.

People love to come up and greet me when I'm out on the sidewalk with Dad. Everyone just thinks I'm so cute! I wag and wag and try to give them puppy kisses. Lots of people think I'm a Chocolate Labrador. As if! I'm a CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER, and don't you forget it!

WALKS are fun. I hope I get to do one every day!

I'm starting to like this place

Hi everybody. So, I've been at my new home for a few days and each day I like it more and more. My Mom and Dad are very kind and love to play with me. I am getting used to being in my crate or being alone in the kitchen, because I know my Mom and Dad are just around the corner. Sometimes I can hear them but I can't see them, so I know they're still there. I was very anxious when I first got here because I missed my brothers and sisters, but I'm learning that my Mom and Dad are a good substitute!

I went with Dad a couple of days ago to a new place. We got up very early and went for a ride in the car. When we got there, my nose was full of new smells and there were all kinds of new things to see. I found out I have another crate, and different food bowls, and there were lots of people there to meet me. I got LOTS of rubs and treats all day. It was great! We went back yesterday, too! I was a mellow little girl yesterday and stayed quietly in my crate all day. Then when Dad and I got home, I was all fired up and ready to play, play, play! Dad and Mom played with me in the backyard for a while.

I wasn't so happy the other day when Mom took me to "the vet." I had things looking in my ears and on my sides and someone looked at my teeth and then I got a poke on my shoulder. But there were a bunch of people there who thought I was just the cutest thing ever. I knew that already!

What is happening? Where am I?

Wow, folks. The past day certainly has been exciting and scary and different. Just yesterday morning I was hanging out with my mob of brothers and sisters. Then these people showed up. I remember them from a couple of weeks ago. I played with my brothers and sisters for a while and then I was picked up and taken outside and we got into a car and drove away! I was tired out from playing so I fell asleep, and it seemed like forever but finally the car stopped and we got out and I had to pee so bad so the big man took me over to a spot and I went and then I got lots of pets and scratches and happy voice. Then I went inside this new house and there was a crate, and a soft bed, and a food dish and lots of toys. I was so excited and nervous I peed on the floor. Whoops!

I had a big afternoon of playing and napping and crying for my brothers and sisters. Where are they? I can smell them but they aren't here. I saw a very strange animal that my new people called "Darwin." I smelled another animal that my people called "Bouhaki." The Darwin creature, I think he's called a cat, actually came up and sniffed me! I sniffed him back. He didn't seem very upset. Maybe Darwin and I can play together. The Bouhaki cat wasn't so happy to see me. He made angry noises.

I was alll tuckered out and it was very, very late, so the big guy, my Dad, took me outside for one last bathroom break and then we went upstairs. There was another crate up there and Dad put me inside. I wasn't happy and cried a little but I was so tired...it was such a long day full of new sounds and smells...I just fell right asleep and slept for four and a half hours straight! I woke up and had to pee, and I rustled around a little and Dad heard me and took me outside. I got lots of happy voice and rubs and then we went back inside. I was still totally pooped so I just went right back in the crate and fell asleep for another couple of hours. Finally I thought, it's time to get up! up! up! and I made such a racket that Dad took me outside where I did my business (funny how I'm always going to the bathroom outside...) and then it was FOOD and PLAY time! The other two people in the house, the little guy, James, and the big lady, my Mom, also played with me. Wow. So far this place isn't so bad. Well, I'm sure there will be many more adventures in the days to come!