Wow, I've Been a Bad Pup

I haven't written in SSSSSOOOOOO long. It's been pretty crazy. But in a good way. The biggest thing is Mom & Pop started a business and in April Mom quit her job to stay home and run the new business. It's been great! I get to hang out with Mom all day and be her little helper. I don't have to go in my crate anymore cause Mom's home almost all day, so got to spend my summer napping on the deck or sitting next to Mom while she worked on the computer.

We didn't get to go to any races this year, since Mom & Pop had the business to run. But I don't miss a single race - I camp out on the sofa and watch!

Well, better get back to my job of holding Mom's feet down while she sits at the computer . . .

It's been a long time . . .

Mom's been really busy lately and hasn't had time to type for me (and she won't let me use her computer - she says it's too hard to get the nose prints off the screen!).

We're getting all settled into our new house and I'm really enjoying it. It felt just like home in no time at all.

We've been to two more races since I was last on here. We went to the KS Speedway, of course, and spent some time out at Lakeside Speedway to watch our friend race his dirt modified. Then last weekend we went to Newton, IA to the new race track there to see the ARCA race. Uncle Bob came with us and I was really happy! I hadn't got to spend much time with Uncle Bob in awhile. He even let me sit on his lap for part of the time we were driving. But we won't go to anymore races this year, because Mom & Pop cleaned out the RV and got it ready for winter this weekend.

Grandma & Grandpa came to visit me a few weekends ago and they brought me a present - new chewy treats! Yum yum!

And since it's been awhile since I last was on here I have to say congratulations to my pup pal Jane's mom and dad. They got engaged! I bet Jane is tickled pink! I was really happy when my Mom & Pop got married. Of course, I didn't get to go to the wedding (they flew someplace far away to get married), but they were so happy I couldn't help but be happy too.

Mom says it's time to go. She said she needs to go start dinner and I've got to hang out in the kitchen while she cooks, just in case she drops something!

Getting Settled At My New House

Well, we moved into our new house Saturday. I LOVE the big backyard and the deck. After I ran all over sniffing every corner of the yard Saturday, I had to take a little break. I found a nice spot on the deck for a little nap. Of course, Mom had to take a picture of me. As soon as she gets the office at home all set up, she said she's going to put it on here.

Monday, when I was outside, the 3 dogs next door came out too. I ran up and down the length of the fence barking and getting excited. I tried really hard to stick my nose through the fence to sniff them. But a cedar privacy fence doesn't really have a good place to stick my nose and I ended up skinning up my nose instead. It doesn't really bother me, but Mom feels terrible and keeps putting some white medicine stuff on it to make it better. I don't mind, since she always gives me a cookie if I hold still while she rubs it on.

I'm looking forward to Mom & Pop being home from work for three whole days this weekend. They say they have to work on the house and yard, but I bet they still find time to play with me. And Pop said he's definitely going to cook something on the grill over the weekend. Yummy! I love when Pop cooks on the grill.

Just a Quick Update

Mom & Pop closed on our new house Monday. They've been moving boxes over every night, but they still haven't taken me over yet. But Saturday is the big day - the day the movers come to take all our furniture over so we will officially move into our new house. I can't wait! Mom met the people who live next door and they have three dogs, so it looks I'll be making friends from across the fence. Once we get settled in, Mom promised to post a picture of me from our new house.

So lookout Raymore, here I come!

Back from Indy!

I had such a good time in Indianapolis. When Mom & Pop told me it was time to go get in the RV I about shook my tail off I was so excited! Uncle Bob got tied up at work and didn't get to come with us. I was sad about that, but Mom promised that we'll take another weekend trip with him soon.

We got to the campground on Thursday. Mom & Pop took me for a walk and this really nice guy came up to us and told them how much he wanted a Bull Terrier. Then he showed them a picture of me that he had taken last year at the races and said that he'd been telling people he wanted a puppy just like me! I gave him a big puppy smooch for saying how cute I was.

Friday night our friend who races cars came over and had dinner with all of us before the truck races. Acie & Cheri (the great people who brought me into the world) are big race car fans and they asked for a picture of me with our racer friend. Mom says we're not name droppers, but I'm going to put the picture up if anyone recognizes him. He's not Dale Earnhardt Jr. famous yet, but we think he's really starting to make a name for himself.

I ate so much BBQ this past weekend. We were always cooking outside and I was Pop's official taste tester. I especially like his smoked brisket! Yummy!

I didn't want to come home Sunday night, but Mom & Pop said they had to go to work on Monday. I was so worn out after my trip that I slept almost the whole ride home. Mom took a picture of me trying to sleep and she said she's going to put it on here cause I look so cute.

Just 9 more days until we move into our new house. I can't wait to see it. I'm looking forward to nap testing the deck in the backyard! I'll be sure to check back in after we move in and tell everyone all about it.

Well, I think we've found a new house . . .

Mom & Pop fought long and hard with the real estate people and the builder, but they were finally able to get out of their contract for the house in Spring Hill, KS since they found out it would be illegal for me to live there. They just refused to be anywhere that I'm not welcome. Pop talked to a nice lady named Sharon, who's in charge of animal control in the city of Raymore, MO and she said they didn't have laws against Bullies like me or any dog for that matter. She knew all about how it's not bad breeds, but bad owners. She told Pop that ALL of us would be welcome in their city. So, Mom & Pop found a house there and wrote a contract last night. I haven't seen the house yet, but Mom & Pop says it has an even bigger backyard and lots of sunny windows for me to take my naps! That's good, because there is nothing better in life than taking a nap with the sunshine on my belly!

I'm starting to get excited. We're going to Indianapolis in two weeks for the NASCAR races. And my Uncle Bob is going to go with us! When Mom & Pop worked on that race car team before, Uncle Bob was the crew chief and he went with us in the RV to all the races. Uncle Bob wakes up early in the morning like me, so we'd go for long walks and let Mom & Pop sleep a little later in the morning. I think they kind of liked that. Mom says I'm a bed hog. I don't know what that is. All I know is I like to sleep REALLY close to Mom. Anyway, we're going to have so much fun at the races. Mom says she'll take lots of pictures with the new digital camera Grandma & Grandpa bought her for Christmas, so I'll make sure she puts some good ones on my site.

Things Don't Look Good on the Home Front

Well, first it was the insurance. Now it's gotten worse. When Mom went to get me licensed, she found out that "PIT BULL BREEDS, MIXED BULL BREEDS OR ANY DOG WHICH HAS THE APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BEING PREDOMINANTLY OF THE BREEDS OF THE BULL FAMILY ARE PROHIBITED" When she called for clarrification she was told that in fact her Bull Terrier would be prohibited in city limits.

So, now Mom & Pop have some tough decisions to make. If they back out of the deal on their new house (which Mom is kicking herself that she didn't think to look into this before - but she's never lived anywhere that there is breed specific legislation - so she never expected a problem) they will of course lose all their earnest money deposit. And they have to find a new place to buy. Mom says in some ways it's an easy decision to make. She said she loves me and me not being around isn't even an option. I wish I didn't cause such problems for Mom & Pop. I don't know why people think I'm a bad dog. They've never even met me. I've never bit anyone (ok, not on purpose - so a couple times when I was playing a finger might get between my toy and my teeth - but I never drew blood!)

Both sets of grandparents have said they support Mom & Pop 100%, so it looks like we'll be looking for a new house, somewhere they don't discriminate against pups like me!

Nationwide Insurance Doesn't Like Me!

I just wanted to put a little note in my diary. You know that Mom & Pop are building us a new house. Well, Mom has been getting quotes on homeowners insurance and had just narrowed it down to Nationwide Insurance. Then while they were filling out the final application they asked if they owned any pets. Mom said yes, a dog. When lead to the questions, "What kind of dog?" When she answered a Bull Terrier, the agent got quiet and said, "Can you hold on a minute?" Then a few minutes later gets back on the phone and tells Mom that they can't insure them because of me. Can you believe it? I haven't done anything bad. But just because of who I am, they say I'm bad. They said they don't insure any Bull breeds. Isn't that descrimination?

Cloudy's Mellow Summer

Well, it's been a rather mellow summer for me this year. When I first came to live with Mom & Pop (Jennifer & Jeff) in 2001 we were always on the go. Mom & Pop worked on a race car team and they bought a motorhome so I could go on the road with them to all the races. I love going to the race track! There are so many friendly people (but they are always calling me Spuds - who's that?), I always get lots of attention. And I even like the race cars. They are a little loud, but it doesn't bother me any.

But, this summer we haven't gone anywhere yet. Mom & Pop are building us a new house, which is keeping us off the road. I'm excited about our new house. It will have a big backyard for me to play in and Mom says there are lots of kids in the neighborhood, so I bet I'll make some new playmates in no time at all. Our new house is suppose to be done in late August, so we've been in an apartment with fun walking paths and a big lake after we moved out of our old house. I've been having fun chasing the ducks and geese and frogs that live at the lake. But I miss not having a sunny deck to stretch out on and I miss our back yard to play with my Jolly Ball. Oh well, it won't be long until I'm sniffing out fun at my new place.

And we get to go to the races again in about 4 weeks. (Look out Indianapolis!) I'll tell you all about it when we get back!