May 15th 2007 8:20 am
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I just finished my first ever Karma Dog reading program at the library. I will really miss seeing the kids! I hope a bunch of them come to the Towson Library and read with me there. I can't wait to make new friends. I hope some more dogs will become Karma Dogs so I can have even more pals to play with on Saturdays. Mom says the next place we are going will be really busy and hectic, so I can't wait.
Ernie keeps getting in trouble because he keeps eating mom's shoes. She says she doesn't have any good shoes left and is MAD. But why does she leave them on the floor for him to eat? He can't see- duh. He just sniffs them and they beg to be eaten. Maybe her feet should not smell delicious?
April 15th 2007 7:00 am
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I just found my new favorite books yesterday. They are called Kat Kong and Dogzilla. They are written by a guy named Dav Pilkey and he is really funny! They take place in a town called Mouseopolis. I read them both for the first time yesterday and they are hilarious! At first, they seemed scary, as Kat Kong looks EXACTLY like my kitty bro, Scout. However, they are too funny to be scary. I am so glad my friend Danny found them for me!! I can't wait to read everything he has written. He also write the Captain Underpants books, but no one ever reads them to me. I love reading whatever books the kids pick out for me, but I would secretly like to know what Captain Underpants or Walter the Farting Dog are up to. I just really like to read books that make me giggle. I am not sure if anyone can TELL I am giggling, but I do- alot! I especially love the Biscuit books and anything by Ramona Cleary. If you have not yet read Dogzilla or Kat Kong, you should run to the library and read them now. They are the best!
March 11th 2007 8:13 am
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Woof! I had so much fun at the library yesterday! I saw lots of my new friends again- they came back to see me! I heard some great stories and read a bunch of books. Even more Scooby Doo! I can't wait too see how the Mystery Machine story ends. I love it when people do Scooby's voice- it makes me giggle. Tasha had fun too. Vito made a lot of new friends and I think is starting his own fan club. Reading at the library is the best. I don't know why more dogs don't do it. If I can make more dog friends that would be good at it, we can read to more kids. Afterall, I am only one dog and my pesky mom won't drive me around all day. I can't wait for my brother Ernie to start. He can never learn to read- he is totally blind, so he is counting on people reading to him. He is too jumpy to learn braille. I told him he would have to stop being so silly and calm down before he can read with kids. You have to pay attention. Right now, he can't pay attention to anything. For someone who can't see, he focuses on a bunch of stuff at one time! One of the coolest things was talking to the man on the radio. Mom helped me make sound effects with my collar and we squeaked a toy. I had a lot to say, I was just too excited to talk! I hope it makes it on the radio. That would be the coolest ever! Except reading books about Ramona Quimby and Olivia The Pig. I think they are my favorites right now. And Scooby Doo or any books about dogs. I hope someone will read me some Ramona books!
March 4th 2007 5:55 am
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I am so excited! Yesterday I went to the library and I finally got to do what I have been in training for- reading!! I am not a good reader, but I LOVE to hear stories. I got to hear stories about friends who grow vegetables for special dinners and about Scooby Doo. I even heard a story about Sponge Bob Square Pants, who I watch on tv sometimes. I did not know he had books too! I heard a story about Mickey Mouse, hating first grade and we started a book about going to the World's Fair. I can't wait to hear how it ends. I had so much fun- I can't wait for next weekend. I get to play with Vito and Tasha again and we get all kinds of attention. One person even commented how pretty I was- I think I am handsome, girls are pretty, but I am sure she meant to say handsome. I can't wait until next weekend!
February 19th 2007 7:53 am
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I started working as a therapy dog this weekend! We went to the library and I met lots of great kids who liked me and want to read stories to me! I really like it when people read books to me (especially about other animals) and I can't wait to start reading. It was so much fun- I can't wait for more. Everyone was so nice and I got lots of great hugs and pets.
Ernie is still being a strange little man. he is really into pawing at you to get your attention and it seems to be making mom and dad crazy. he is so much younger than me and he is so strong! He can pullm e across the floor by my tail! He makes me crazy, but I guess that is what little brothers are for. I love him, but he makes me nuts. He is learning to do a down really well. But he can't high five like me.
Check me out at www.karmadogs.org to see what we are up to. It was so much fun, i can't wait for more!
Woof!
Dirk
February 6th 2007 7:44 am
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hi hi hi! i have been so busy lately! we got a new trainer and mom found out that i speak clicker! i have mastered the down with the clicker- even ernie sits and downs! we star working with kids in a month and i cant wait! i got to work with an autistic boy who really responded to me. all he did was learn to pet me, but his aid thought it was really great!
mom has been out of town on business alot, but i did get to see her on tv. if you blink, you would miss her, but she was on the jimmy kimmel show. i missed her, but dad was cool. we got on a really good schedule and we plaued alot. ernie likes to hang ouy in the office with the cat, scout. i don't know hy, but he does. the cat growls at him and we loves it. he is such a nerd.
woof!
January 1st 2007 8:16 pm
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Hi! This has been the best week ever! Mom has been on vacation and we went to a new dog park 3 times this week for a few hours each time! We met so many nice dogs and Ernie has two new best friends he can't stop talking about. Thor and Boomer. I think he likes Thor b/c he looks like him and Boomer b/c she is a character on Battlestar that he likes. Even if she is a cylon. Anyway, we all ran and played and practiced our commands and did not get any corrections. We are almost perfect! I even am trying to do downs better. Ernie finally learned how to sit, so if he can sit, I can down! This weekend is our big test, so please send me good mojo!
Mom and Dad watched two super scary movies and I am still scared. One was called The Descent. It's about caving, which looks like a STUPID thing to do anyway. Especially with the creepers. Eww. It made dad scream like a little girl and it made mom almost make in her pants. The other movie was Cujo. It scared me and Ernie and Elliott couldn't even watch. Mom kept calling dad a dork for jumping at the end when the sappy music plays. She said it was obvious that Cujo was going to jump through the window, even though she has not seen it in 18 years.
This weekend our new toaster caught on fire in the kitchen when mom was making food for our friends for the new year. It was a fancy toaster over and it made really fancy flames. Ernie got so scared from the smell (he is lucky he could not see, the house filled with smoke!)- he got so scared that he ran upstairs to where mom works out and peed everywhere. Atleast now the kitchen smells weirder than Ernie does up close. Mom says he still has puppy breath, but eww. He is smelly sometimes.
Happy New Year! Wish me luck on Saturday with my test. Ellie is getting tested too, since he always does what I have been doing!
Dirk-a-loo
December 16th 2006 7:24 am
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This weekend we are going to do a test of the test Mom says I need to pass to be a Karma Dog. I can't wait! Mom said the library met and we might be able to start our reading program in March and we were asked to do education in an elementary school! This is so exciting! I told Ernie (who smells weird again and won't go outside) and even he was excited. He wants to do the reading program. I keep telling him he is BLIND, but he says it doesn't matter. He can smell what is going on and will smile with his tounge hanging out sideways so whatever. I know Tasha (Ernie is in love and she is way too old for him) will pass. She is the smartest dog ever. I think Sham would pass too. I just don't know if I can do a down-stay for that long with distractions. I hope! Mom said if I do well today, she will buy me a Dingo when she works with the rescue today. Dingos are better than Schmackos! Wish me luck! (And tell Ernie to stop being a baby and start going outside. There are squirrels out there.) If you want to know what a Karma Dog is, check it out at www.karmadogs.org!
December 11th 2006 8:00 am
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This weekend we went to the park. Twice! On Saturday, all three of us went to the elementary school and it was so much fun! Even Ernie got to run around. I think he was only allowed off leash cuz mom or dad can catch him if they need to. He is not fast like Elly and me yet. Then he did e-collar training and he did not understand it. I kept telling mom and dad it was because his fur is too thick and he can't feel the correction, but they don't listen to me when they are trying to problem solve. He did ok, though. Then on Sunday, all three of us and Tasha went to the park again. It was fun, but I feel like we got into trouble. First, Elly and I ran after some girls and did not come back fast enough. Mom looked mad. Then there was a squirrel. We HAD to chase it. Then all four of us went to talk to a really pretty golden retriever. Mom and Aunt Phyllis (who is never mad) looked mad. But then we went to say hi to a dog on the other side of the park and when mom called us, we came running. I think we just need more practice. We are perfect if there are no distractions. We did ok with distractions. We always came back to mom. Ernie did ok on the second day of e-collar training. Mom finally siad, "I think the corrections aren't going through his coat. We need to change the collar so he can feel it easier." I was like MOM! I have been saying that! But she does not listen to me sometimes. Life would be easier if she did! I did pretty good downs at the park. That part was good. I hope it is warm next weekend so we can go practice some more!
December 6th 2006 12:37 pm
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I just discovered the best, most balanced site that delivers news to the dog world. Check out the news from the Canine Ministry of Information. You have to scroll half way down the page, but you can read about the Puggles and Intelligent Design and the Dog who Presides Over Presidental Elections. It is good stuff. Even mom likes to read it and she gets her news from Jon Stewart, so it must be good if she likes it!
www.obeythepurebreed.com
Ernie even giggled when I read him about Kim Jong Il and his Whippets. He always giggles. But he also snorted when he heard this. I guess he does not understand it's importance. He smells weird again, anyway. I am not sure what this site has against dog mixes, but I am willing to forgive them since they recognize Puggles as a breed.
December 5th 2006 8:26 am
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This weekend we did lots of training- and it was the kind I am good at! We did more e-collar training with my friends Veni and Tasha. Tasha is really good at down stays, but she does not like to play or run or be active. She is also afraid fo stairs and walking on strange surfaces. Veni was scared of the Santa man- he yelled at his mom and then was afraid. But I think it scared him into listening and he did really well with his training after all! The next day, we went to The School for the Blind and Double Rock Park for more e-collar training. It was the best! We ran and Tasha ran with us! Veni got to play ball off of his leash and he has never been able to do that before. My mom says it is not a good idea for dogs to be off lead in general, unless they are really well trained on an e-collar and in a safe place. You can read more about Tasha here: http://www.karmadogs.org/TashaStory.html
To see her run and play was really great. It was the bestest weekend ever. Even Ernie got to run around. But he dragged his leash behind him and then he got confused and forgot it was attached and started trying to catch it because he thought it was following him. He is weird. Atleast he smells like himself again. Oh- Mom found all of our kong toys and they are the best thing ever.
ps- I did good down stays at Petsmart and at home last night. Mom says this is good, but nowhere near good enough. I just want to play or eat the hotdogs. I swear I will do it at the library! I do it when we practice reading at home. Can the test be when I am reading? I like Dr. Suess the best.
November 29th 2006 11:56 am
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I like to watch tv with mom and dad and we watch a lot of it. Tuesdays are the best because all of my favorite shows are on. Friday Night Lights is great- Murderball seems like fun. I wonder if Ernie Bird can play any sports with his handicap? Is there blind murderball for dogs? Blind flyball? That would be cool if my brother became the blind fly ball champion and got sponsored by Schmackos. I love schmackos. And Ernie would share with me. Anyway, the rapist was discovered on my other favorite show, Veronica Mars. But Logan and Veronica broke up? I never liked Logan Echolls, but mom and dad were really bummed. Even Aunt Bridget called in the middle of the episode to say how upset she was about it. I don't get it. I liked Duncan better anyway. Elliott likes Logan best and Ernie just likes Backup. I can't wait. Tonight is America's Next Top Model. Do you want to be on top?
November 28th 2006 6:47 am
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Last night Mom and I worked on down in the office, instead of the dining room. When she was teaching me, she was blabbering alot about how great I was, so I wanted to lick her to say, "Thanks. I know I'm Good". But then I would get up and she wouls ay no, and I was all confused. But last night, Mom started teaching me without all of the talking. She told me down once, no if I got up and then she would tell me "free" when I could get up. To test me, she would dance around and be really silly. It was hard for me not to laugh at her because she is not a good dancer and is an even worse singer. She was singing Fergilicious and dancing with her butt. Even Ernie would think it was silly and he can't see. Anyway, I stayed down and I was perfect! Then I learned "leave it", which means, "don't eat that". If I just wait, I can usually eat it when we are done, so that is good. I am patient. Oh, Ernie started running really fast down the stairs, faster than me even and he crates up when he is told like he is a rock star. I wonder if he can see at all? Mom says he can't but I wonder because he knows his way around really well. I think tonight I might go train at the Petsmart, which probably means I can have a toy!
November 27th 2006 11:32 am
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There. I said it. I didn't feel like doing down at the trainer's house. I can do it at home, on the carpet, where it is warm. Why do I have to do it for that guy that looks like Santa? I'll do it when it counts. I will. Plus my pal Tasha, did it really well and nothing I did would look as good as when Tasha did it. She's cute! Afterwards, we did go to Petsmart, which always means I get toys. Instead, we practiced more down! I was so bored. Even Dad was bored and stayed in the car. I did down ok, but then mom would walk away and I wanted to go too, so I got up. I guess I was supposed to stay down. I think mom was bummed I did not do better. Can't she just take me to the library and I will show her I can do it there? I do here better than any other dog I know. Doesn't that count for something?
November 26th 2006 7:41 am
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Today I get to go and train with Jon. I can't wait to show him how good I am with down. And this morning, EE and I got to go to the school near our house and go running! Mom is working on becoming a dog trainer and has trained us using an electronic collar, so we got to run around off leash, something we never get to do! It was so much fun! Ernie did not get to go. He is too little to know how to do much of anything yet, especially be smart enough to know than when Mom says "Heeerrrree", she means business. It was so much fun! Wish me luck at the trainers!
November 22nd 2006 4:39 pm
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Dad brought Ernie home today! Yeah! He is really sleepy and smells a little weirder than usual, but he is back! I am so happy I have been prancey-dancing all afternoon! Prancey-dancing is when I kinda trot because I am really happy and proud. Kind of like Babe the Pig does! Yeah Ernie! Anyway, now that my brother is here, I can do down-stay again. Mom said I did 6 minutes. In a row! I can do it! I'm gonna be a Karma Dog!
November 22nd 2006 10:26 am
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I am worried. Where is Ernie? He is still not back yet. Mom and Dad slept on the sofas downstairs last night and that is not normal. Something must be wrong. I did down stay for for 4 minutes this morning- mom seemed happy about that, but where is Ernie??? I miss him. I am not training anymore until I see him.
November 21st 2006 10:44 am
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This morning I woke up and EE and I went downstairs and outside. Then EE ate breakfast outside and I trained. I did ok. I don't think mom was as happy as she was last night. Ernie never came down for breakfast. After I did down-stay, I ran upstairs and looked for Ernie. He was asleep on the tile, where he always is. Then mom made us go outside. When we came back in, Ernie was gone! We could not find him anywhere! I don't think he is hiding like one of the cats. Mom said he went to get neutered. I have no idea what that means, I just hope he comes back soon! I worry he is scared because he can't see. What if someone is mean to him? What are mom and dad thinking? How am I supposed to practice down-stay when I don't know where Ernie is? Lots of dogs come over and some of them never come back! Mom says it is because they are going to their forever homes and she is just driving them. Whatever. I want my Ernie Bird back! I am NOT down-staying until he is back. Except for real steak. Then I will consider it. But I want to talk to Ernie first.
November 20th 2006 4:22 pm
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I did it! I did a down stay for three minutes without moving! Mom was real proud of me and was singing, "I'm bringin Dirky back, yup!". I think it was to the tune of a Justin Timberlake song, but I don't like him so I am not sure. I did it! Mom made me wear my special collar, just like the dog trainer said. He thinks I am better behaved when I wear my e-collar. Whatever. I rocked the down stay- yeahh! Then EE came over and he started down-staying too, but he was just doing for the hotdogs.
November 20th 2006 5:27 am
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This morning everything seemed normal. Then Ernie and Elliott got breakfast and I got NOTHING! Then they went outside again and mom looked all excited. Then she went to the box with the food and got out the little box with the cut up fake meat things. She shook them at me and smiled. Then she grabbed a handful and kept switching hands with it, which I don't understand- where am I supposed to look? Then she said down and put one of the plastic peices on the ground. It tasted like a weird Kong toy and I wanted none of it. I tried to do down, but these were not what I had in mind for breakfast. SO then Mom tried some of my regular breakfast food, meaty morsels. They tasted even worse after the plastic peices. Finally, she switched to the good stuff. CAT FOOD! I did down stay for several minutes and Mom seemed happy about that. Although I kept getting up to follow her so she did not have to throw it at me and that made her tell me no. Whatever. I know how to behave with other people. It's play time now, why do I have to train to be a Karma Dog in the morning??
November 19th 2006 8:46 pm
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Today was Dirk's official second day of training for Karma Dogs, with super dog trainer, John Collins (www.ppdinternational.com). After his general evaluation, everyone seemed to think that Dirk was on his way to becoming a perfect therapy dog. He fits the description of a perfect Karma Dog- a dog who was given up, rescued, thought to be trouble and made into a valuable part of society. He has the temperament and the ladies love his looks. However, the down-stay is proving to get the best of him. Perhaps if his mom could train him properly with her bad coordination, things would go easier. For now, we are on the hotdog training method, where he will only eat hot dogs for a few days, and he will only get them by correctly training. After all, a hungry dog is a smart dog. Wish him luck!
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