Gettin' Bigger, You Guys...

I had my first birthday, and I'm 1 now! You should see me. You CAN see me, in my fabulous new glamour shots. There's my new userpic, where I show off my Look. I call it 'Blue Steel'. I didn't steal that from Zoolander, either. I have a steely gaze, don't you think? And my eyes are blue. Blue Steel. Or you could say it like, *Bluuuue Steeeel*, in a really raspy announcer-guy voice. I like that, too. Yeah. Try it like that, okay?

So, I've been real busy. I'm marginally better at my walks now, and I sorta know what I'm supposed to do. The problem is this: what I'm supposed to do, and what I want to do are two different things. I'm real good at all my other tricks, though, and mannerly. Only not on our walks...I just want to frolic around like a total fool, and I don't like having to worry about slamming into person legs while I whip around in my gleeful way. Jeez, they're like tree trunks, these people.

I know that I get liver treats if I do the 'heel' thing, so I do that sometimes, but squirrels and dogs and plants and bees and ants and people and kids and cars and rocks and acorns and candy wrappers and dandelions and ferns and mystery gunk are all so enticing. I want to get fully acquainted with everyone and everything I run across, and it's not all my fault. They like to meet me, too.

I had my one year birthday on August 1st, and Mom and Dad brought me a hamburger cake (no onions) from McDonalds. I hadta share it with Delphi, but whatever. It took me a while to work on that thing anyway. I had some fries too.

Then it was Delphi's birthday (she turned 3), and we had another hamburger cake (this time I was glad about the sharing rule), and mom and Nero had birthdays too! It's been pretty fun these days. I hope you're all doing well, too!

Love

...dot...

I'M OKAY!!!

I made it, everyone! I did the right thing; I got spayed. It wasn't so bad. I got to take a goofy nap, and when I woke up, I got some food and a wobbly romp outside. Then I had another goofy nap for a long time inside a clean kennel with a soft blanket inside. No biggie!

There was this beagle in the room across the kennel aisle barkin' his head off. I never heard anything like that before, guys. Hounds are awesome! I liked that guy.

Then they came and let me out by the front desk ladies, and I heard something really wonderful: Mom! Saying my name! Well, I was wiggling so hard I could barely walk, tryin' to get to my mom, and when I got there and sniffed her face, I knew it was really her, and against all laws of physics, I wiggled even harder! This was the best moment of my life! Mom! She came back! She said a whole bunch of stuff I didn't understand, but I know I heard the word, 'Home', and that was the NEW best moment of my life! Home! We were going HOME!

We paid the nice ladies, and went outside. Guess who was waiting in the car. Guess! It was Delphi! The even NEWER best moment of my life! Delphi! In the car! Goin' Home! With MOM!

'Quit wiggling, Dot, you'll bust a seam!' Mom has been saying that a lot while I get better. Bust a seam? Whatever, I'm HOME with my FAMILY, and I did the right thing. DAD came home later that night, and I just have to say, it was the best day of my life. Comin' home, seeing my family (even the cats), and eating some fancy meals with yummy supplements to help me get better fast. And I am, you guys. I'm definitely tougher than I was last time I barked at you.

I had my first walk since my surgery today, and boy did I do a good job. I gave 100% and pulled and pulled as hard as I could every time we took a step. For some reason, I didn't get any liver treats for that kind of behavior, but I could tell from Delphi's breath later that she got a whole bunch of 'em. Could someone explain this whole 'walk' thing to me, please, please, please, pul-leaaaaze?

Still pretty baffled,

***Violet***
a.k.a.: dot :

Violet's Thoughts On: Doing the Right Thing.

Tomorrow, February 27th is National Spay Day! And how fitting that Mom should have chosen that day (quite accidentally) for my very own Spay Day. I know. I understand what it means, you guys. I'm bein' strong about it, though, 'cause it's for the best. It really is, you know. There are too many unwanted puppies out there, and Mom and Dad would be irresponsible owners if they let me contribute to that problem. You see, I understand.

I'm not thrilled about it, but YOU look REALLY sad! Hey, it's okay, you guys. I'm doing the right thing here, and I'm bein' strong. It's okay to be scared a little, and I am...but only a little. I'm a tough little bully, you know. If anyone can handle it, it's sturdy little Violet. Dot! Your favorite puppy! Goin' under the knife, so to speak. So to speak. It's really not that bad. A little incision (you sleep right through it), some wacky meds, and a lot of attention. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? You think? Well, I'm not worried. I'm bein' a strong little pup, and I'm proud of gettin' spayed. Doin' the right thing.

The food dish got taken away after a Special Meal and some Frosty Paws Ice Cream Dessert, and I'm told the water dish goes at 8:00. I'd better get a drink, huh? Before my surgery. No way, that's not my little chin quivering...I'm bein' strong, remember. No, I didn't plead to be spared with my deep, blue puppy eyes. I'm a tough little girl, who is doin' the right thing.

Next time I write, I'll be even tougher!

Grrrrrr!

***Violet***

The Things All Puppies Should Learn.

Hi Everyone! I have been so busy being UltraViolet that I haven't had much time for diary writing. Even when I relax, as with everything else I do, I give it 100%. That is what makes me such a great little bully! I am great, you know. I have learned 'shake'. I totally get it now. I have also learned that if I am awake all night with a case of the bad poo, Mom will stay home from work the next day because she would rather waste vacation time than clean a hideous kennel-mess. Good to know...good to know...

On Saturday, we had an awful test of some sort. It was one of those 'endure-the-miserable-cold' things we have had to do every time we go outside these past few months. Only this time, everyone STAYED outside for a really long time, and there was a huge, scary fire, and I was so cold and miserable, I HATED IT!

Emma and I were the only ones who passed the test, though. The rest of the dogs are doomed to go Winter Camping next Friday. I wonder what Delphi did to deserve this? With this kind of punishment, I'll have to strike whatever it was off my list of stuff to do. I don't ever want to have to go Winter Camping, no way!

Bark at you later!
***Violet***

Happy New Year!

Guess what I got for Christmas, you guys! My two front teef! Really! Then I got a bunch more, and Mom thinks it's actually kinda gross finding teeth all over the house. This morning, I dropped one in her lap while we were having our snuggle-time, and she said it skeeved her out. Hey, when she was little, she lost all her puppy teeth too, so what's the big deal?

Guess what else? I'm learning to 'shake'! Every time Mom says shake, I think I'm supposed to put my paw in her hand, and that earns me a treat! If I don't put my paw in her hand, there are no goodies to be had. So whatever.

On Christmas Day, I met Rosie, the Cairn Terrier mix (and what a fireball)! I also met Katie, a German Shepherd. We had such a good time ganging up on Rosie, and she was tough as could be! In the end, I think Katie and I lost the battle, since Rosie was the one who ended up getting all the Christmas bones, and holding them hostage all day. That's okay. Katie and I got to play off leash, but I heard Rosie can't be trusted unless she's tied to someone. Ha!

I'm still really bad at 'The Leash'. Every time I pull, Mom stops us dead in our tracks. So, right now, we have to stop pretty much every time we take a step forward. Sometimes, we even have to go all the way back to the starting point! This goes on for about 10 minutes, and then I give up on the pulling, so we can actually GO somewhere. Still, that first 10 minutes are a real pain in the puppy 'tocks (what are 'tocks? Check out www.cuteoverload.com. One of the greatest sites ever! They even have a glossary, so you can understand all the cute lingo).

Well, I think I'll go eat some cat food, which is forbidden, but that one bite I manage to steal before I get hollered at is SOOOOO worth it.

I'm almost 45 lbs now! What a little beastie, huh?

Your Big Puppy,

***Violet***

The Holy Grail.

I have been initiated, my friends! I have tasted the coveted french fry, and it was good. SOOOOOOO good!

I earned it for bein' a good little puppy, for the most part. Okay, so I peed in my big kennel, and scratched Mom in the eye today, but it was a total accident, and mostly I've been real good. I'm learning all my obedience, and Mom (yeah, she's definitely Mom now) says I'm such a smart little thing.

My only bad subject is The Leash. Holy buckets I hate that thing. What's up with being tugged around by the neck? You guys like this stuff? What's your problem? Why does it look so fun and easy when Delphi's doing it? What am I missing here? I'm pretty sure they're gonna keep doing this, so I need to figure it out sometime, but I SOOOO don't get it. I am only a puppy, you know.

I'm gonna take a nap.

Off-Leash Advocate,
***Violet***

Brainiac!

So, the Treat Lady (who I like ALMOST enough to call 'Mom' now) has moved my intelligence meter 2 notches toward 'genius'. This is because I ASKED TO GO OUTSIDE today. Also, I am super good at obedience. I know 'Sit', 'Come', 'Down', and 'No', and I totally know my name is Violet. I am so cool. Someday, I'll be as cool as Delphi, and people will give me French Fries!

Oh, and I grew outta my sweater already. It's not getting any warmer out, either, so could someone get me a bigger sweater, please?

Sittin' on Command,
***Violet***

To Mr. & Mrs. Treat-

Okay, thanks for the sweater, you guys!

Your New Puppy,
***Violet***

Would Someone Please Buy Me A Sweater?

Hi Everyone! My name is Violet! I'm a puppy! I'm fulla energy and stuff! I just got my new family! I have a sister named Delphi! Delphi is sooooo cool and grown up! She's teaching me how to wrestle, and go up the steps and which treats are good (Dingo bones), and which toys are bad (hands, clothing, shoes).

The Treat Lady is my favorite right now. She tells me I'm so smart and gives me yummy stuff when I do the right thing. When the Treat Lady says 'Sit', and I put my butt on the ground, I get a treat! When the Treat Lady says 'Come', and I run to her, I get a treat! When the Treat Lady says 'No', and I stop what I'm doing, I get a treat! The Treat Lady is so cool! Delphi calls her 'Mom', but Treat Lady is really what she is. Delphi is so good at all the tricks. She must get TONS of treats. Lately, every time I lay down, the Treat Lady gives me a treat and says 'Good Down, Violet!' Whatever that means. I heard the Treat Lady talking to the Treat Guy, and she said she didn't think a 9-week-old puppy could learn basic obedience so quickly. She says we're doing all our training 'Cesar Millan's Way', and that's why it's working so well. Who is Cesar Millan? Does he have treats?

I am meeting lots of new people and dogs. I am also learning how to walk with my pack (off-leash right now...I follow my new pack around the nature trails without straying or going ahead). Treat Lady says she's going to start working with the leash this weekend. Whatever that means.

Would someone please buy me a sweater? Treat Lady? Treat Guy? Can we go to Petsmart and get me a sweater, please? It's getting cold out, and I'm just a wee puppy. I have barely any fur, you know! Have you seen my belly? No fur at all!

My favorite nap spot is the couch. My least favorite nap spot is the kennel. I don't poo on the floor. I might pee, but I never poo inside. I'm such a good Little Scamp!

Would you like to be my friend?
***Violet***