My first diary!

I live in Arizona with my family, including my kitty sister Lucy. My other kitty sister, Sally, recently left for the rainbow bridge (May 9th) and that was really sad for everyone, especially mom. Lucy is my little shadow, we spend lots of time together. My relationship with Sally was very different- she liked to sniff me when I was eating treats and she liked to sit on mom's lap whenever I was getting loving (okay, the truth is that I liked to try and sit on mom's lap anytime Sally was getting loving, too!).

I loved her very much and sometimes she and I laid next to each other on the landing of the stairs and looked super cute together. Lots of people would tell mom that Sally and I looked like we were related- true sisters (which is kind of a silly thing to say- we were sisters)!

When Sally left, I was a bit confused initially and spent the first couple of days after she left hiding in my doggie den. It's a good place and I go there when I am tired, scared (like when it rains!), and/or pretty much any other time of the day I feel like it!

Speaking of rain, since I live in Arizona, it hardly ever rains here but when it does- oh boy it rains! Lots of loud thunder and lightening and strange noises. I immediately seek the extra protection and security of my kennel. And you know what's funny? Lucy doesn't like the rain, either. She lays with me in my kennel when it rains and comforts me! One time she even growled and barked at the rain out the window before she ran into my doggie den and snuggled with me. I think she was trying to protect me! Sally was never afraid of the rain, she liked to lay in the window seat and watch, with her pretty tail swishing back and forth! She was a very, very brave kitty.


Tail of devotion for sweet Sally

What's up with cats?

Today, my kitty sister Lucy and I were laying next to each other on the bed, looking very cute! Mom got her camera to take a photo and wouldn't you know it? Lucy hopped off the bed!

So mom brought her back and set her next to me on the bed. It was still cute (according to mom) and mom tried to take another picture. Guess what happened next? Lucy hopped off the bed and mom got a picture of me and the tip of Lucy's tail.

Again, mom brought Lucy back and Lucy started licking my ears and nose! Kinda cute but Lucy's face was hidden. Mom kept calling her and making funny sounds but Lucy just ignored her. Of course, I looked right at mom and smiled, but Lucy just kept grooming me and ignoring mom (truth be told- I didn't really mind, I liked the grooming!).

Finally, Lucy stopped and looked right at mom. Of course, silly mom had put her camera down and by the time she was ready to take the picture, Lucy had turned away and faced the wrong direction!

Seriously, what's up with cats?

The doggie dentist

I'm home today, recovering from my trip to the doggie dentist yesterday. I had a tooth pulled and my mouth is a bit sore today. I have a dental disease called resorption and my special dentist vet says it is very rare in dogs. So every 6 months to a year I have to go and they give me medicine so I sleep and when I wake up my teeth are sparkly clean and my mouth is a little sore. It's not a lot of fun.

But there are some benefits! Mommy says I am healthier and I do feel better! Plus, my mom always stays home with me for the next few days to give me lots of extra love! And, I get special treats!

The tale of me and an easter egg birdie!

One day, many years ago (according to mommy), my mom and I were out taking a walk together. I went around the corner of a building a few steps in front of mom and all of a sudden I saw the most amazing thing! It was green and yellow and blue and......

it was MOVING!

My first instinct was to catch it and can you believe it? I did! I picked it up ! It made a funny squawking, squeaking sound. Once I caught it, I didn't know what to do with it. My mommy called my name and I ran over to her with my tail wagging. She said in a very firm voice, "Sophie, drop!" For some reason, she wasn't as excited about my catch as I was.

So, I opened my mouth and set the little ball of colorful feathers down on the ground. My mom looked really surprised! She scooped up the little squeaky thing and looked at it. Then she told me to come and we quickly headed back home! Mommy called the vet and told the vet what she (actually, what I) had found.

This is actually the boring part of the story because I wasn't involved in it so I'll summarize......

That little green, yellow, and blue squeaker was a baby parrot according to the vet! And it was fine- of course it was, I just picked it up, I didn't bite it or try to eat it! Mommy put signs up in the neighborhood and by the end of the day, the birdie's mom had called- she had no idea how her baby bird had escaped! She was so happy to have her birdie back, all happy and healthy, that she cried!

So I was actually kind of a heroine that day. Sophie the parrot detective! Sophie, friend to parrots!

and that is the tale of me and the easter egg birdie!

Twelve years ago tomorrow.......

Twelve years ago tomorrow (June 20th, 1996) I was adopted by my mommy from the Arizona Humane Society!

Sophie's mom:
I can hardly believe that twelve years have gone by since the day I met Sophie and the day I brought her home. At the same time, 12 years doesn't seem that long- I feel like she's been with me forever! She is the sweetest dog and I feel so lucky/grateful/happy that we found each other.

She was in the very first kennel when I walked into the area with the dogs. We made eye contact and she raised her eyebrows at me but kept her nose tucked under her tail- she was curled up in a ball in the back corner of the kennel. I walked by her two more times- each time she met my gaze and raised her eyebrows. I had decided to adopt a 5 year old golden retriever and was preparing to go to the front desk to fill out the paperwork. I walked by Sophie again and something inside me told me I HAD to take her out of the kennel to the "get to know you" area. So I did. And she was so timid, a staff member had to crawl into her kennel and hand her out to me.

In the get to know you area, she crawled into my lap and kissed the tip of my nose. And that was all it took. She was mine and I was hers.

I had to leave her there for two more days so that she could be spayed (I have no idea how I managed to wait two days!). I went to pick her up on a Saturday morning. Thinking back to that day brings a big smile to my face.

And the golden retriever? When I picked Sophie up that Saturday, a young family was there to pick up their new dog, the golden retriever!

Love you Sophie!

Hair today, hair tomorrow

You know what? I am a hairy girl. Mom always says I have at least three coats! And (hehe), it doesn't matter what color clothes mom wears (although my beautiful fur does tend to stand out, spectacularly, on black!), I have fur that is every color- white, cream, black (and a little gray, but don't tell anyone!).

I've never liked to be brushed- NEVER! Mom has bought a million different brushes and combs and grooming tools. Ha! Hasn't she learned in 12 years that it doesn't matter- I HATE to be brushed!

And silly mom, she tries giving me treats and fun stuff, hoping that will distract me from what's actually happening. Whatever! I still don't like to be brushed. She gives me a bone and I grab it and run and hide as soon as I see the brush- she can't fool me!

So my mom, who continues to believe that she just hasn't found the right kind of brush, bought a new one. She says it's called the furminator. She told me that lots of doggies and kitties really seem to like it (and surprise, surprise- Lucy LOVES it!). I don't care who likes it! I don't! BOL!

And don't even get me started on baths......

lightening, thunder, and fireworks- oh my!

As an Arizona doggie, summers are a little rough- for one thing, it's really, really hot here for a loooong time. Mom only takes me for walks really early in the morning or late in the evening after the sun has gone down. It's kind of a bummer but my house is nice and cool; I LOVE to lay on the tile in the kitchen!

Also, since I live in the desert, there's really not that much grass. It's okay though! I'm an Arizona dog! I can do my business without grass! Sometimes, during walks with mom, we find patches of grass (mommy and I are very, very smart- we know where all the grass is in our neighborhood!) . Every once in awhile, we find patches of grass with big blades of grass growing and I like to try to munch on them! I wouldn't mind a little more grass here in the desert but it's okay.

But there are a few things I just don't like. In Arizona we have something in the summer called monsoon season. What that really means is that sometimes, out of nowhere, we have HUGE thunderstorms with lots of loud, scary thunder, lightening, and rain. I really don't like monsoon season. Lucy and I hide together in my doggie den. It's scary!

And, finally, I do not like fireworks. They are loud and sound like thunder. Lucy and I hide in my doggie den together every time we hear fireworks. My favorite day of the year is July 5th! BOL! No more fireworks!

Ha!

Wouldn't you know it?!!! I posted a diary entry bearing my doggie soul- well, actually just openly acknowledging that I have some fears, primarily thunderstorms and fireworks. That wasn't the easiest thing for me to do. I prefer not to think about or discuss those two things......

Well, anyways, like I was saying....... Wouldn't you know it? Last night out of nowhere we had a huge storm (note from Sophie's mom: actually, it wasn't really that big...just a couple of booms, lightening, and about 5 minutes of rain)! Whatever, mom, it was big enough to send me and Lucy into my doggie den for a couple of hours!

So, last night was the storm and then tonight is 4th of July! I love the holiday- it means I get to spend all day with mom (none of that mom-stealing WORK business that normally happens Mondays through Fridays) and I usually get special treats! So I like the 4th of July! It's just those darn fireworks! Can't they make silent ones? Then I could just cover my eyes and I wouldn't even know anything out of the ordinary was going on!

Happy 4th of July! Stay safe everyone!
Love,
Sophie

P.S. The forecast is calling for more storms tonight, too. Can't a dog get a break?

My favorite food is.......

GREEN BEANS! Mmmmmmm! I love green beans! When mom is cooking them, I lay on the kitchen floor and watch her every move. I smile at her and pant a little and give her my best puppy dog eyes! When she looks at me, I thump my tail (I know how cute she thinks that is!). If she steps in my direction, I roll on my back, show her my cute tummy, and continue with the tail thumps. The best part of my strategy is......



IT WORKS! Mom gives me a couple of green beans! Mmmmm!



P.S. My angel sister Sally was named Angel of the Week in the Rainbow Bridge Angel Babies group! Although Mom, Lucy, and I miss her terribly, she is such a sweet and beautiful angel. Sally, we love you and miss you!

Neighborhood *whispers* gossip

There are lots of dogs in my neighborhood. I find most of them interesting and some of them exciting! When I'm on a walk with mom, I wag my tail and pull her a little bit towards the other pups. I'm a sweet older girl so I never get TOO excited; I listen to my mom and stop pulling when she tells me to. When I am inside, I sit in front of the window seat and watch them walk by. Sometimes I get really excited and put my paws up on the window seat and press my nose on the window, wagging my tail!

There is one exception.

Another female aussie shepherd lives in my neighborhood. One time, about 6 years ago, we met on a walk and we were sniffing each other. She slipped her leash and collar and ran at me while I was on my leash. We got in a bit of a tussle with lots of barking and growlies. Her daddy pulled her away and put her back on the leash. No one was hurt but it was not fun. It scared my mom.

I can't seem to get past that incident. I never bark at other dogs. Now don't get me wrong, I'm no angel- strangers ringing my door bell, the UPS guy, the fed ex guy, and their trucks- I totally bark at them. But that's about it (I hate those delivery guys and their trucks! BOL!).

But that other aussie in the neighborhood is a whole different story. No matter what I am doing or where I am in my house, when she passes by my house I run to the window and bark at her. When I pass her on my walks, she barks at me and I bark at her. I guess the feeling is mutual.

My mom says she is beautiful and I should just let it go. But I can't. And tonight, while mom and I were on our walk, the aussie and her daddy came around a corner. At first we didn't see them but she started barking at me so suddenly and with such verocity that my mom almost had a heart attack! Her daddy pulled her away and they took their walk in the other direction.

So that is the neighborhood gossip. Oh, and it rained today and I walked through big puddles! That was the best part of our walk tonight!

Love,
Sophie

From Sophie's mom- When that dog came around the corner and barked at us, I really did almost have a heart attack. It was dark out and the street lamp was not working. I just heard this sudden loud, growlie barking coming at us and my first instinct was that it was a loose dog coming to attack us. I might have even screamed I was SO startled. But she was thankfully on a leash, walking with her dad.

She IS a beautiful Australian Shepherd. She and Sophie just really don't like each other. A big part of Sophie's reaction is probably me- I'm a little scared of her after the day that she slipped her leash and rushed Sophie.