Thank you, Dogster!

I am barking for joy because today I was notified that I was one of Dogster's diary picks of the day! Thank you to everyone who has been reading my dairy. You make me feel so special!

Please Pray for my Daddy

I haven't written in my doggie diary since February because my human Daddy had surgery on February 27. The extensive surgery revealed lots of cancer--something we weren't expecting. It has been really hard. Daddy was in the hospital at Johns Hopkins for 22 days and I couldn't see him. But when he finally got to come home, I couldn't stop licking him and loving on him. I am very gentle with him now since he's still healing. I am such a great therapy dog for him, even if I'm not an "official" therapy dog. Tonight two of Dad's coworkers came to visit him. I love having guests over and I behaved and tried not to beg too much for attention and pats on the head. I received both anyway. :) Tomorrrow Dad has his first Chemotherapy consultation so I can't wait to hear how it went. My sister, Heather, also returns home from a school trip in Atlanta tomorrow, so I'll be doubly excited! I will hopefully write more and more now that we are adjusting more to Dad's cancer.
Love, Gracie Lou

It's been awhile!

Hello out there! Dogster sent mommy an email asking her to pretty please sign in to my Dogster account because it's been so long! So she did and here I am. Today there's an ice-storm outside. I've been watching mom clean and declutter all day long. Yesterday she received a parcel in the mail and I always love getting the milkbone the UPS guy drops in the clear bag when he hears me barking. Well, when she opened the package, you'll never believe what was in there! Three big, beautiful balls for me to chew on and play with...well...maybe not. According to mom, they are weighted medicine balls for her to work out with to her exercise dvds. But I think not. They are the perfect size for me. And besides...she looks really goofy when she's working out with them. Last night, when she wasn't around, I took one of the balls off of the shelf and got my tell-tale slobber all over it. Then I left it on the floor, out of place. Next thing I knew, I could hear "Grrrrraaaaaacie!" I knew she had caught me. But she was nice because she just shook her head and said "NO" one time. That's pretty understanding of her.
My eye infection is clearing up but I"ll be bummed when the medicine application is done because I LOVE getting the drops in my eyes. I wag my tail and try to lick the bottle. Mom is always so proud of what a big girl I am.
I have to go back to the vet next month for some vaccinations. Well, I'm off to find Charlie-Bear. He's been keeping me company all day. He loves coming to visit. Aarf!

Happy Autumn!

Yesterday was the first day of fall! I went to my dog park this past Saturday and I think I ran so fast and so hard that I pulled a little muscle in my paw. I yelped when Mommy examined it. I am limping a little but I'm resting for now so I'm sure I will be okay.
I can't wait to do all kinds of seasonal things like...go to the pumpkin patch! More later...

back to daycare!

haven't been to doggy daycare in awhile! i was pretty happy to be there except i didnt want to share the toys. i did so much better when i was crated this time...i love it when the other dogs go home and i get to run around off leash with mom while she closes up shop. one of the trainers even borrowed me to help another dog with distraction training. i felt so proud. but i had some separation anxiety when i realized mom wasn't coming with me. i was glad to get back inside with her.
i had a lot more energy today when i got home...i even tried jumping on the treadmill with mom...but she told me it wasn't safe while she was on there.

Slumber Party!

My friend Lucy from dog daycare is sleeping over every night for a few days while mom is doggy-sitting her. She's a Golden just like me! It's neat having a guest, even though some times I don't like it when she plays with MY toys...Lucy has a neat dog bed that she brought with her (L.L.Bean--how snazzy!) that I wouldn't mind having for my own...told Mom that she needs to get me one.
Tonight Lucy and I got to go visit Charlie-Bear at his house while Mom and Dave watched "Apocalypto" on TV. I watched the part with the jaguar intently.
Okay, well, I'm dog-tired so I'm gonna go find Lucy's bed...

Bang!

I'm learning a new trick today! Mom saw BANG! as a trick on many dogster videos and decided to try and teach me. At first I thought she was silly pretending her hand was a gun but then I caught on. I'm still not too sure what it's all about but I'm getting better. I performed my trick for lots of my family when they came home from work tonight. I got lots of attention and praise...even though I messed up a lot. They are really proud of me. hehehe.

My first Wubba and BBQ

On Friday, two exciting things happened to me.
First, when Mom got home from work, she had a black and white gift bag with paw prints all over it so I just knew it was for me! It must have been pay-day or something. Well, you'll never believe what was wrapped inside the tissue paper...it was something called a WUBBA!!! It's big and orange and shaped like an octopus or something. AND IT SQUEAKS! I went crazy for it right away and I've been carrying it around all weekend. It's Sunday night now and a little while ago Mom scolded me a little for ripping a hole in the top of my Wubba with my teeth. She took my Wubba from me and said this toy was more expensive than my others so could I please keep it nice for just a little while?! I felt bad and layed my head on my paws. Mom felt guilty and she gave it back to me and I didn't rip it anymore, I just snuggled with it.
I LOVE MY WUBBA. There's a picture of me with it on my page.
Also, on Friday, I got to go to my doggy "country club" that mom signed me up for recently and I got to run around chasing tennis balls with my buds. The humans were grilling and having fun even after it got dark. I've never been at a dog park at night, especially with other dogs and food being grilled...it felt like camping!!!

gifts from the beach

Dave came home from the beach today with my pup pal Charlie (he got to go the beach and I've never been so I'm a little jealous) and I was soooo happy to see them. Even though I didn't get to go, they brought me a one-pound bag of Salty Paws Biscuits from North Carolina. They are sooo yummy!!! They also bought me a Tuffies brand "rumble ring" which is a toy I've never had before.
I really want to go to the beach now! Mom wants to take me this summer so she's looking into it...I'm keeping my paws crossed!

You mean Father's Day is not for me?

Hi all! Well, today there were all kinds of presents around for my Daddy but I thought they were for me so I kept helping him open them (even though he kept telling me he didn't need my help--imagine that!).
I got him a card and Mom and I stamped it with a paw print. She tucked the card into my bandana and had me bring it to him. He thought I was so cute.
Happy Father's Day to all!