Tag!

My beautiful friend, Gretta, tagged 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. Bed Warmer: at night I crawl into bed, right in the special place where Mom can wrap her arms around me, and keep her warm all night long.
2. Squirrel Chaser: When mom opens the door, I run after those pesky squirrels and tell them to get out of my back yard!
3. Vacuum: I stand in the kitchen and stare at the floor. When food magically appears on the floor (really, it is quite amazing), I pick it up before it can leave a mark!
4. Best Friend: I am Mom's best friend. She tells me all of her secrets and I listen intently. This is the most important job a pooch can have!

Four places you have lived.
1. The place where I was born. I don't remember much about it.
2. The apartment.
3. The house.
4. TBA

Four places where you have been.
1. Camping in Sisters, Oregon. I got to sleep in the tent with Mom!
2. Cannon Beach, Oregon. This is the best beach to run free!
3. Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon. Portland is the dog-friendliest city in the USA!
4. Multnomah Falls, Oregon. We hiked to the top!

Four places you'd rather be.
1. Running errands with Mom in the car.
2. Running on the beach with Conrad.
3. Doggie Daycare with all of my friends.
4. Walking through the woods with Mom.

Friends I choose to play tag:
Pierre
Jeannie
Fabulous Conway Sisters
Sassy

Autumn

Dear Diary,

Summer is over and the leaves are starting to fall. When I go outside, the leaves stick to my fur and I bring them into the house. I like bringing the yard into the house because playing outside is so much fun, but I still get to nap on the sofa when the need arises.

I had a great summer! Mommy's friends from the East Coast came for a visit and we went fishing on a boat! Mommy bought me my very own life jacket and I even got to take a dip in the river. At first I was a little nervous in the water, but as soon as I realized that my life jacket would help me float, I wasn't worried anymore. Mommy caught a fish, and then the fish flip-flopped around and caught her! The hook went right into Mommy's thumb! Mommy cried, and then she laughed when they pulled the hook out and her thumb didn't even bleed!

The day after my mommy's friends left, my Auntie Dianne came for a visit. We went camping and I got to sleep in a tent for the very first time. Mommy put me into her sleeping bag, but I wanted to sleep next to my cousin, Conrad. I started to shiver and it woke Mommy up, so she put me back into the sleeping bag. Conrad was shivering, too, so mommy put blankets over him to keep him warm. It was nice to be toasty warm again, and we stayed under the covers for the entire night. I also got to play with my human cousins, and it was so much fun!

Then the coolest thing happened---I had my FIRST BIRTHDAY! Mommy bought me lots of treats and toys, and then she made me my very own pupcake! I can't wait for my next birthday! Mommy says I need to slow down a bit because time flies way to fast and then I will be old like Grandma. I like the old Grandma, but she has a lot of aches and pains, and I definitely don't want that!

Mommy then went to visit her friends on the East Coast. She was only gone for a week, but it felt like eternity for me! I stayed at Grandma's house, but Grandma was on a trip, so my uncle took care of me. He even brought Conrad with him. I love Conrad---he is my second-best friend. Mommy is my first-best friend, of course! I missed her so much, and she says she missed me, too! I have never met this East Coast thing, but Mommy says she is going to take me with her next time. I am so excited!

Mommy is leaving again in two weeks. She can't take me with her because she is going to another country. Grandma is going with her, so Grandpa is going to take care of me. I know Grandpa will take good care of me, but I am going to miss Mommy. When mommy comes home from her trips, I wiggle my butt so much that it makes my whole body move. Then I let out low-pitch groans because I am so excited.

Well, it is time for bed. I have to get up early to practice some agility stuff. I want to make sure I am in top shape before heading to class!

Woofs,
Choxie

It Was My Mommy's Barkday!

Dear Diary,

Mommy worked for seven straight days, so I spent the entire week with Grandma! When Mommy got off work on Friday morning, she went straight to Grandma's house to pick me up. I heard the door open, so I ran from Grandma's room and ran halfway up the steps. I stopped, cocked my head to the side and stared at Mommy for a good three seconds. Was I dreaming, or was it really her? Then Mommy said something I couldn't understand (you know, it would be so much easier to understand her if she would just bark). It WAS Mommy! I ran to her and I couldn't stop wiggling my butt, licking her face, and jumping all over the place! Mommy said she missed me so much, and I definitely missed her, too!

Mom stayed at Grandma's house for a couple of hours so they could visit. Then she noticed me scooting my butt on the floor, so she took me to the dog wash for a bath. Mommy finally learned how to relieve me of that problem. She even gagged! After my bath, she chatted with some of the trainers and they invited me to stay for the rest of the day at Doggy Daycare. Mommy kept saying she felt guilty, but she left me there anyway so she could sleep. I didn't mind one bit! Since it wasn't my usual daycare day, I got to play with some new dogs! Mommy picked me up after her nap and I was so excited all over again!

Next we went to pick up my cousin, Conrad. His Daddy was going to a place where Conrad wasn't allowed to go. Mommy took us to Petco and she bought us some bully sticks and pig ears----yummm. She even bought a ball thrower! Then we went to the Dog Park! It was an action-packed day! Conrad stayed with Grandma that night because Mommy wanted some "alone time" with me! It was a great day!

Saturday was Mommy's Barkday! We went to Petco AGAIN and then to my agility class. It was so much fun! Mommy says it is more fun to buy me presents than to buy presents for herself. After that, we went to Grandma's house. Mommy left AGAIN! She went to the place with my uncle (the place where Conrad and I aren't allowed to go) for a couple of hours. They wanted Mommy to stay the night, but Mommy told them that she needed to go home to be with me. When Mommy got to Grandma's, she told me some very exciting news! On Thursday we are going to meet Mommy's friend and her dog at the Dog Park! Yip-Yipee! On Friday, we are going to go in the boat with her other friend! I have never been in a boat before, so I am very excited! Tomorrow we have to go to Petco AGAIN to buy me one of those cool life jackets! I am SO excited!

Tonight Conrad got to come home with us. He gave Mommy the "sad Lab eyes" when Mommy considered leaving him with Grandma. Conrad knows I have cool toys and plenty of treats---besides, my Mommy is so cool and all the doggies love her! We cuddled on the floor for a little while and Mommy loved seeing him with his paws wrapped around me as we were lying on the floor.

Well, it is time to go potty, so I have to go (literally)!
Choxie

Toys, Kids, and Cousins

Dear Diary,
I have been having a nice time these past few days. My mommy has a whole week off from work, so we are spending a lot of time together. After my agility class on Saturday, we picked up my cousin, Conrad, and he got to spend the night with us. Mommy took us out for a walk, and we got to run around the living room and play. It was a warm day outside, so mommy wouldn't let us stay outside for a long time. We even went to visit Grandma and Grandpa so we could run around in the shady yard and play.

I love playing with Conrad, but there are some things I want him to understand: first, the toys are mine. It is okay if he plays with them, but if I want the toy in his mouth, he must give it back to me immediately. Mommy says I am lucky to have a cousin like Conrad, because he always lets me have it my way. Second, my mommy is mine. She can pet him, but he has to leave enough space for me to squeeze in. Third, my grandma is mine. The same rules apply for her, too. Fourth, my uncle is mine. He is Conrad's daddy, but he is my uncle, so the same rules apply for him, too.

I was sad when Conrad left, but it was nice to have my mommy all to myself. If Mommy is busy doing something, she will always stop what she is doing to play with me. Sometimes we just roll around on the floor and play with my toys. And nothing is better than curling up next to her on the sofa! She will occasionally reach over and scratch my ears or play with the curly hair on top of my head. It feels so nice when she pets me.

I also had my first fourth of July. Everyone went to Grandma's house for a BBQ. Conrad was there, too. My other cousin, Otto, came and we all ran around the yard. Otto has a human-brother who is three weeks old. I saw him sitting in his car seat, and I barked at him. Mommy made me leave the room, and I was very sad. My aunt and uncle are afraid of me around their new baby. My tail was wagging, but I was barking. I was afraid of that little baby, but I want to be his friend. Mommy says she is sad, too. She says she is trying her best to socialize me with kids, but it can be hard when there are no kids around to be socialized with.

When mom and I got home, I saw the kids playing outside and I started barking at them, too. Mommy tugged on my leash and said, "Choxie, no bark!" I just couldn't help myself! Luckily those kids know that I bark, and although I sound scary, once they come up and pet me I feel so much better. One little girl gave me a hug. I love hugs! Mommy hugged me, too. She says she will keep working with me around kids. She says she feels very sad when people are afraid of me. I don't like it when Mommy is sad.

Mommy says it is time for bed. We are going on a hike with her friend tomorrow. I also get to spend some time with her friend's baby. I will try very hard not to bark. Mommy says she will give me lots of treats if I am a good girl---I love treats!
Choxie

I Am 10 Months Old Today!

Dear Diary,
My mom was busy working for the past few days, so I had to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. I love running in the yard and playing with my uncles. I was very excited when mom picked me up this afternoon---I really miss mom when she has to work.

Mommy said, "let's go bye-bye, Choxie," so I ran down to the car and jumped in. We started to drive, so I decided to take a nap and enjoy the cool air in the car. When the car stopped, I got up and looked out the window----PETCO!!! Yip-yipeeee, I love Petco because that is where the pets go! I knew I would meet some new friends and get some treats, too!

I met this really cute poodle named Biscuit. He is only five months old and we wanted to play, but it is so hard to run around on a leash! Biscuit's mommy pet me and told me what a beautiful girl I am. Then there was a little girl who wanted to pet me. I liked her a lot, and she didn't make me feel nervous at all! She liked my long ears, and the little girl's mommy and daddy told me that I am a beautiful girl. Mommy thanked the people for the compliments, but I just wiggle-waggled my tail because I know that I am beautiful. Mommy said, "Princess Choxie, don't get a big head," but then she told me that I would be beautiful even if I was bald and didn't have any ears. I sure hope my hair and ears don't fall off, but mom must be right---she is always right about those things.

Mommy let me pick out a toy and a treat because today is my special day. I picked out a bully stick and a stuffed duck. Wow, my new toys are so cool! I am sleepy, so I think I will go take my nap on the cool tire floor.

Dog Days of Summer

Dear Diary,
I really wanted to go to puppy class today, but mom says I have to wait until Tuesday. I like Tuesdays because I get to spend a all day with my fur-friends and people-friends. We went to Grandma's house today. I like Grandma's house because I get to see my uncles, Elmer and Blazer. At first, Elmer didn't really like me---I guess it is because he is an old dog and he didn't like all my puppy energy. Elmer tolerates me now, and I try not to bother him too much. My uncle Blazer is my favorite uncle. He is old like Elmer, but Uncle Blazer lets me pull on his tail and his ears, and he never growls at me. My mommy told me I have to be careful because Uncle Blazer has back problems that can cause him a lot of pain sometimes. Mommy says his back never seems to bother him while I am around. Mommy seems to think that I am all the medicine he needs.

Grandma's house is a lot of fun. I get to run in the backyard and bother my cat-sister, Mary. Mommy wants Mary to live with us, but says she might be a rebel and run away to Grandma's house. That's why Mary has to stay with Grandma. Mary likes Grandma's house, too. I think it is funny when Mary poops in the garden. Grandma doesn't seem to like it, but Mary does it anyway. Mary has her own room at Grandma's house, but that doesn't bother me. I like sleeping with Grandma and Grandpa!

Mommy and I live in an apartment, but I don't mind. She takes me on walks around the complex all the time and I get to lie on the deck and watch the kids playing. Sometimes I don't like the kids because they chase the cats and do mean things to scare them. Mommy always tells them to knock it off, and I bark in agreement.

Yesterday we went to the beach and I met some new dog friends. One dog growled at me. It scared me a little bit, but mom picked me up and carried me away. As soon as she picked me up, I growled back because I am so much bigger in my mommy's arms. I don't know why that dog growled at me, but mommy says some dogs don't like other dogs. I don't understand why---I love all dogs.

Well, that's about it for me. It was a warm day, and the tile around the fireplace is starting to look like a nice cool place to take a nap. . . Choxie