August 6th, 2008 HUGE APOLOGIES, FRIENDS!!

Oh my dog, I am so sorry for my neglegence.

It has been a bit of a tough end-of-spring/early summer for my momma, so we haven't been on the 'puter much of late. I wanted to write a message to all of my pals, but I figured a diary entry would have to do as I don't have time to go pawing around my account right now.

At any rate, here's the poop scoop:

After 8 years of teaching in her district, momma was laid off. They are having a gigantic budget crisis (understatement, indeed) and so she is now out of a job. She got really panicky at the end of the year and had bad pain for a few days- so bad that we couldn't go on walks with her! Anyway, it turns out she had a festering ulcer but was treated and all is good now.

After a week of recovery it was off to Thailand for she and my Luke. They went to see Bpui's motherland and meet with the folks who rescued my little fuzzy sister. They had a great time.

Oh! And they got engaged! Now we are no longer illegitimate doggers! I helped with the engagement, too! I was a big boy and carried the ring into the living room where momma was. I had it tied on a fancy new collar. How 'bout that! A big job, indeed!

Looks like a new last name for us dogs! Momma said I can hyphenate, though. :)

Keeps your eyes peeled- I'll be sending pawresents everypal's way when I have more time on this here currently-under-used-puter of ours!

Wags!

Tucker

April 15th, 2008 Memories of hike of yore...or rather,- yesterday....

Totally pawsome.
I not only hiked a new trail but made a new friend along the way.

Momma and I met up with a human friend and her Frenchie, Pelli. What fun we had! We got to climb up, up, up to the top of Mount Sugarloaf! It was so great- especially the part when we ran into about 10 other doggers who were hiking too! Most were friendly. We did a lot of sniffing and other "gettting-to-know-you" stuff. A couple of doggers weren't allowed to come near Pelli and I, but I think it was because of them, not us. I was a picture of dog perfection- peaceful, calm, and focused on my hike. I really liked sniffing the other dogs, but I kept myself under control and was a perfect gentleman.

I know, who would'a thunk it?

A Springtime Poem by Tucker Exodus

Springtime brings me so much fun-
Longer stretch afore the day is done.
Romping, rolling, running fast-
mountain biking, such a blast!
Laying down in sunshine gold-
Stories of winter, just memories told.
Gone is the snow, oh, what glee-
Shriveling the white patch where I can pee.
Acclimating to again using grass
When squatting down, much kinder to my....
Oh I love spring there's lots to do,
Canoeing, hiking, swimming too.
The battle of winter, we have finally won,
Bless the spring which has just begun.


HAPPY SPRINGTIME, YOU DOGGER, YOU!

Wait, Who IS the Gentle Leader, Anyway?

I've always said "Walk softly and carry a big stick." I am the great Tucker, follower of scents, chaser of squirrels, loathesome of baths. But alas, there is a new sherrif in town. It is called my human.

Last week she came home with some crazy contraption called the Gentle Leader. Gentle schmentle is what I say. That thing is junk. It makes my head all turny sometimes. What gives? Momma quietly explained that she bought brown instead of purple, as if that is supposed to be a consolation. I mean, how am I supposed to take care of business if I am not out ahead of her, smelling and viewing the enemy before she can? Gravy!

That thing stinks. It has even been put on me when visitors come to.....yep. Control my jumping. That durn thing works like a charm, according to my momma. The only thing I like about that old GL is that it comes with a supply of delicious treats. Zowie!

Welp, gotsta go. It's in the 50's here in Mass- a real live heat wave these days! I'm gonna go put on my GL and head out for a walk. :)

Yours,

Tucker

NUTS!!

Um, hmm....do I want to admit to this? Well, I suppose I need to get something off of my chest. Have you seen my groovy soul-patch on my chest? A most handsome defining characteristic, for certain. I digress.

Two weeks ago momma and I were doing some fast running in our backyard. Momma was helping me learn how to drop my fetch toy for her. Generally I fetch the toy and then run around kinda dopey-like with my toy, ears bouncing in the breeze. The bring it back to momma part is really hard. So that's why the practicing. At any rate.....

I did one of those good jobbers where I drop the toy directly at momma's feet. (Yeah, me!) Momma bent over to pick up the toy, and I got all caught up in my celebratory moment for being such a good dogger and then....

WHAMMO!

KA-POW!

ZING! (OK, MAYBE NOT ZING....)

CRASH!

BAM!

DONG!

I threw my head back and hit momma square in the mouth-piece. Oops.

Unphazed, I walked away to graze on some snow. Momma was- what do humans call it? Oh yeah, doubled over.



Game over.


We went inside and momma had a wet face. I think she was actually crying! Oops again. She called our Luke as he is a trained medical professional. Not much help there. He was at work. And, of course, momma wasn't really easy to understand. Needless to say she spent the weekend drooling on herself and waiting for her dentist appointment.

Come to find out momma has a fracture straight across her front right tooth. Yikers! Dentist man said that the nerve was probably dying. (Boy, do I have a tough melon!) That means a root canal, and a crown to cover up the tooth if it turns browny-brown-brown. Momma has informed me that such a deal would cost lots of those paper dollars, and that any bills would come out of my Tuckie Toy Fund. Geepers! ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, MOMMA.

The good news is that it is 2 weeks after the "incident" and she has less pain, and the tooth is still there. Keep your paws crossed for continued progress. More to come later.

Also, Donations to the Tucker Toy Fund, just in case, can be made to:


Tucker Toy Fund
c/o Tucker (Watch out for a white fuzzball claiming she is Tucker. WARNING: That's not me, that's Bpui!!)
Tan and Red Crate
Momma and Luke's Living Room
Deerfield Mass

Thank you for your support. I am Tucker and I approve of this message.

December 18th, 2007 Oh, The Snow, Blessed Snow!

Incredible.

I've waited a whopping seven months for the white stuff and like a phone call from a telemarketer, here it is. (Yet I don't want to hang up on it even if it IS a perfectly nice person trying to make a living. That is- if I even answered the phone. But still.)

So here is a storm recap for all of those who might be interested:

Last Thursday we got the doozie. We were being bombadeered with about 2 inches of the powder- glorious powder- an hour. AN HOUR! This, friends, has made an incredible "base layer" that all you ski'in folks love.

NOT TO BE OUTDONE by Thursday, Sunday brought with it the gift of- gulp- "wintry mix." Though we can handle it, we New Englanders are not fond of the stuff. In a nutshell, it means that we will be getting a mix of snow/sleet/freezing rain/freeze-your-tushie-off/what-have-you weather. Momma does not like this weather as it means being cooped up until it is over and the DPW has come by with the sand and salt. I do not like this weather as it covers up the perfectly good fluff.

I mean, really. Perfectly good fluff means romping and rolling, frolicking and fancifulness. (Word? Did I just make that up?) Wintry mix means take a step-fall through. Take a step- fall through. Repeat. Meanwhile I have four of these apendages that continuously give me a difficult time on this stuff.
Take a step-break through. Take a step-break through.

Please don't misunderstand- I still love the stuff. But when I am outside, trying to go about my biz, it is truly difficult to locate a decent spot for deposit when constantly breaking through the top layer of ice.

But anyway.

Momma says it is time for snowshoeing. I love that stuff. I'd just prefer skiing 'cause you go fast. Momma has promised to learn how because we both want to learn to skijor. Now THAT would be pawsome.

Wish us luck- the snow is so durn high that little Bpui can barely get through the stuff. Just her little head is above it at this point. And Shermie, well, Shermie can't stand the cold. He stays home and warms the couch for our return.

Wags,

Doaders

GOOD GRAVY, DAVEY! November 30, 2007

Geepers!

It has been oh so long since I've typed in my diary! It can't be helped, though. While it is great to live nestled in the woods (Big doe in the backyard last night. Really caused a ruckus...) we are sans internet and therefore it is not as easy for me to stay in touch with my dogster buds. But anyway.

I am pretty excited about the upcoming card swaps that we've enrolled in. Our human, Nicole, took it easy on us this year and there was no forced sitting and posing together for a photo. I truly don't mind it all that much, but Bpui is truly a spaz and Sherman is a wimp. He shakes when he has to be near me and Bpui when it is not on his own accord. Please. At any rate, she made things easier by finding photo cards that have a little space for several photos...so we each got individual shots. Whatever works, no?


Also, I went to the nursing home this week to visit great-grannie. She loves me. Actually, all of the folks there do. I really love all of the pats I get there. And the occasional tidbit, which someone will slip me, when my human companion isn't looking...

In other news it is Friday. Viva le weekend! 'Tis the best.

Till next time, wags to you.

Tucker

June 28th, 2007....Western, Western Mass Bound...

Well, Friends, the time has come to hop in the Canine Caddy again. Wer'e hitting the road for an overnight in the Berkshires. Momma and Luke are headed to hear some man talk- I guess his name is Howard Zinn? Ever heard of him? I haven't.

Anyway, that means that Bpui and I get to go too! Sadly, Shermie gets all nervous so he stays with gram and gramps when we head out. He doesn't know what he's missing! Not only do we get treats in our Kongs while momma is out, but on Tuesday we are going for a nice hike in the Berkshires! I can't wait 'cause I love hiking and it will be fun to hike in a brandie-new place!

Traveling can be fun. This is good practice for a week from now when we will be in Stowe, Vt. I hear there is great hiking there, too...

Till next time, my friends.

Wags,

Tuckie

THE TAGGING GAME!

This could be pretty cool!

I was tagged by Sadie!

Here are the rules (Hint: Copy and paste the rules so you don't have to type them again):

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged, need to post in their Diary the rules & their 7 pawsome facts. Then choose 7 dogs to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to bark them a pmail that they have been tagged and to read your Diary, or, send them a fun Rosette announcing they've been Tagged!

So here are 7 fun facts about me...

1. This summer I am headed to Stowe, VT with momma for a week of work.
2. I do a happy dance every time I get a new rawhide.
3. When I cuddle with momma we call it a "snuggle jug"
4. I run for miles and miles with mountain bikers a few times every week.
5. I am an environmentalist- whenever I encounter trash I pick it up. (I've even been known to bring it home so momma can recycle it...)
6. I came to Massachusetts to my forever home after being born in Kentucky.
7. I have the world's softest ears.
I am tagging these 7 pals.....

1. Tempo
2. Kindra
3. Harmony
4. Sweet Angus
5. Conway
6. Bella
7. Stella

HAVE FUN EVERYPUP!

April 26, 2007 Wowwie Wowwie Wow Wow!

Hello, World!

Guess what? Momma said we're gonna start kayaking this summer! Woohoo! I can't wait. I'm a little nervous as I know I have to wear a life vest, and I don't like to wear things. Just my birthday suit and a collar! I'm a little anxious about slippery surfaces too. Momma said not to worry, though. She's going to skid-proof the bottom of the boat. Hooray! I love adventure!

We also got a new car. It is really quite the adventure-mobile. I love adventure! (Did I mention that yet?) Grandpa calls it the "canine caddy." Someone else called it the lunchbox. I call it spacious and lots of fun. Part of the top comes out and I can see the sky! I also get lots of good smells from up there. Very doglicious. It's also pretty cool 'cause me, Shermie and Bpui now have lots more room when we travel. Neato!

Anyway, we're headed for a Mt. Sugarloaf hike this afternoon with our dogster pal Bo and his momma. We went Tuesday and I can't wait to have more fun, fun, fun there today!

Hike this!

Wags,

Tucker