Meeting Santa Paws & Delta Society Opportunistic Practice

I'm so excited my Daddy came home to see us this weekend!
OMD, I don't think I updated my diary lately to let everyone know My Daddy is now returning to a differant home than what we originally had :P

To make a long story short, I had to travel with the cat on a seat as we transported our house a considerable amount of miles. When we arrived the new house is equipped with fun stairs to barrel down, but it also means we have new areas for our daily walk: introducing Oyster Creek Park.

Today we took part in a family tradition though: pictures w/Santa Paws! Oreo & I sat together on either side of him & now we have a gift frame too. On top of that, Mom's been talking about perhaps becoming a therapy dog now that we're closer to such opportunities, and today we met someone who "evaluated" our potential for the field. There's a concept called: "messy petting" that both of us moved slightly away from the new lady when approached this way. She noted that what we both have to work on, but by what I was listening, it'll be almost two months before the actual "test" - so we have plenty of time.

As the way Mom always is though, today we started out on the right paw & integrated petting by strangers into our daily walk. Opportunity presented itself though, when a friendly man & his black shepherd strolled up & he wanted them to sniff noses. Mom told him the story & he pet me on the head.

Later, a man we've met before, (who had shared he owned a sheltie who lived to be 14 yrs old while in Minnisota), and who now feeds stray cats at the park, outstretched his hand in greeting to me and I sniffed it as normal. Who would pass up licking fingers of someone who had cat food on their hands?

As the evening started to turn darker we walked up to the crowded area before returning to our car. A child, about as tall as I am, started wobbling behind us. Mom noticed him on our path & asked if he wanted to pet me. We stood eye to eye, (Mom tried to put me in a down, but I didn't want to stay because this was only my 2nd time w/a "baby" & I think I feel a little more confident on all four feet). I was skiddish by the tiny hand at first, but after a few pets, he pet my mane, and back, and the father was very appreciative of us stopping. Since Mom was already on the ground with all of us, like a circle of campers, an older lady stopped in her tracks & also pet both of us. I have to admit, I liked her a lot though & encouraged her petting. She told us about her dogs, so I think that's why I felt a little more affectionate for her to pet me.

Christmas time is here! I sport a heart shaped charm that boasts: "Christmas Princess" on it with a tiny bell. I love the holidays.

Christmas Tagged!

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl, (except when I see someone on inline skates or skateboards); but, you're an understanding man.

-I would like to go to Petsmart & pick out a crazy toy that Mom would never think is SO COOL

-Could you put in a good word for me to become a Delta Society partner with Mom? I think it would be SO COOL if I could go visit little girls and boys, and even the elderly, instead of laying around the house.

-Could you help Oreo out with his teeth? I mean, just one day without Mom's brushing & I have to keep my distance, (Ok, if I get curious enough I'll lick - but who doesn't?). Pearly whites or not, I think you're the man to go to when his problem lies way deeper than any dental can go!

-Maybe you could put in a cool trick for us to learn under the tree? I think we need a little imagination in the department.

-When you're up there flying in the sky & look down, can you find a home for all the dogs and cats that are wandering on that cold night? I don't know how they survive without Mommys and Daddys.

Thank you,
~Chloe

I tag:
Sassy
Max
Abby
Gunner
MacGregor(Mac) & Roxy

Third Times a Charm?

What a day!

It all started out routine enough, Mom ignores her alarm the first time, I'll put my head on her shoulder as she wakes up to get convince her being out of bed is SO much better...but most of all: it didn't rain today!

Mom took us around town for a couple of errands, we both sniffed heavily when Mom bought herself food to-go, but it was just nearing noon when we arrived home. Just a few mins after we were both with our heads in our bowls just as Mom cozied up in her computer chair.

*Knock Knock*
It was "That Man".
I made sure to give him a good bark before Mom scurried us both into the bedroom.
Sounds like he was fixing something.

Time really passes quickly as 1:30 quickly becomes 3PM. My barks never waivered though until he was gone.

Mom decided for us to take our walk earlier today and it was kind of lacking today in the social scene department. None of my regular friends were on our path but the band was practicing, and beside the field the football players were mediculously running plays.

Both Oreo & I were surprised to hear Mom say: "Who wants to go for a ride?" at such a late hour..., or at least, late-er. We were ready though, as I searched for my leash excitedly. Mom gathered our costumes & out the door we went.

The evening turned to dark as we rolled into the Petsmart parking lot. Mom put Oreo's costume on first, then mine, and then the kitty's. We all walked towards the enterance & into the dog lined training center.Waiting patiently by the door, we were soon asked if we wanted our picture taken. The cat was sure being a handful for Mom but we easily sat in our places.

Two pictures.

A little waiting around.

"It's time to announce the winners!" a lady proclaimed.

In third place, was the hula dog. In second place, was a cute dog in a tutu? In first place...was a dog in Halloween garb with lights up his leash. Mom took our costumes off as we waited for our picture to be developed.

I was completely at awe with the two girls who worked the cameras. It slowly printed out and I gazed at them happily as I was being petted. One lady spoke to Mom as she pet me, but later, the other girl with the collar charms spoke to me directly. It was the sweetest thing!

On the drive home both Oreo & I slept.

...and now we sleep before the heater.

------------------
PS: Mom was flatted by the compliments on our coordinating costumes AND about half a dozen people commented on how well behaved we were! I guess it was worth the milage afterall!

Mail for me!

Get what?! Ontop of a start of a very good day w/Dogster, (I now updated my profile to reflect that), a knock came at the door & now I have my new Shutterfly Photobook!

Mom is SO impressed with the quality, infact, it's bigger than she thought it would be. The pictures that take up the whole page are VERY sharp, as she sat with me & read through it,...ah, memories! You're welcome to visit it online here, and I made a link on my page too!

Well...I've been bringing my leash to Mom a couple of times since she's been on Dogster so that means it's time to play! Later Pups!

Wow Dog of the Day! Plus my September Update!

Wow! It sure has been forever; Ok, about a whole month, since I've updated my monthly diary log...and well, at least I get to update it with a BANG as today I'm Dog of the Day! I wonder if I get a "Winner: Dog of the Day" written on the top of my profile - because that'd be SO cool!

I have to admit, Mom's a little bashful that there's attention given to my page, considering that before this honor, ahem, my page was kinda...ahem, stagnent. Not a lot of new hits had accumulated so Mom didn't put any new fancy html to my site! In fact, thanks to "Cooper, CGC", it's come to my attention that a ton of my favorite pictures are from my younger years...meaning...I need new ideas for new poses! Anyone out there have any ideas? Speaking of mails, I received a very sweet compliment from "Bo ~cousins dog~" last week about looking like a show dog, (which everyone out there I'm not!), but that got Momma to thinking. Over the last few days I just pose...while Mom's outside I'll sunbathe & it'd give me a "Goddess Glow" Mom likes to call it. Maybe some modeling might be in my future?

We're moving by the end of November, to the big city of Houston! Maybe there'll be some opportunities to use my sit/stay/movement commands to take awesome pictures for...I dunno, Target ads? Which reminds me: let's get down to my diary entry for the month of September!

Let's see, September started out with a lot of trips to Houston, because Daddy's now working there, (which is rocky - when he leaves I try to jump in the car with him so he won't leave me behind!). We went to go visit him & stayed in a hotel overnight, (gosh I love the tall beds!). I even got to meet the "in laws" & their 2 year old boy as their family watched over both Oreo & me while Mom went off to do something in Galveston.

We also went for a week to visit the family! Talk about leaving the city for my favorite place: the country! Back to the humid air &...well, the humid air. I loved the extra attnetion and...my mom found my Halloween costume while down there to visit! Yes, a whole month ahead but I was the first pup in the house to have my costume: a Dorothy toddler costume! Fits me like a glove...a snug glove, but it'll only be on now & then anyway! It's hard to figure out what Oreo'll be...a scarecrow or the tin man? I think I'm the brainaic of the family so I'm voting for scarecrow!

Then last weekend Daddy stayed w/us while Mom left to visit friends in Dallas. I had a ball while he was around! Then during the week Mom raked a ton of the leaves in the yard while I joined her like a good girl. Oreo was bad w/out his leash on & wandered into the neighbors yard to sniff the other dogs - but I was a good girl & stayed outside to enjoy the day! Even the landlord's friend came over & gave me an awesome backrub while mom stuffed these pumpkinfaced bags with leaves.

This weekend didn't seem as eventful as the others, Mom just went to an annual plant sale...whatever! Oreo'll prolly tip it over anyway!:P But now that I've received a Dogster honor things are looking up!

Making Lemonade, happily!

If someone would have hinted to me that by the beginning of the month we would have a new family member I never would have believed them. Oreo is a great playmate but everybody knows I'm the princess who deserves a ton of attention. I have to admit I was a little taken aback that my loving parents were loving on another but this story takes a drastic turn just recently that I have tto share with all my dog pals.

Ok, so the other night Mom's studying in the other room. Silly Oreo's keeping her company as she keeps her head in a notebook. Dad's out for a few hours this night and I heard something in the next room over. It's no surprise that the cat was there, considering his bowl is near the computer so we don't get it. But, what wasn't to be expected is there he was on the ground tearing a hole in our bag of food. Our bag, meaning our 30lb Wellness bag that is. I'm not one to tattle tell so I make the best out of the situation, taking a few kernels of my own. Who knows what got her up, but when she discovered our paws in the cookie jar we were scurried out of the room faster than I have ever seen! When Dad returned he said the damage wasn't that bad, and sure, I didn't finish my meal that night but I definitely wasn't the one to gain a whole other pound either.

Well today, being Sunday Mom was reading the paper. I was in a playful mood so I brought her one of my toys. She tossed it like normal into the other room. Well, lately the cat has been competing with me to play fetch and well, it is my toy so I'm usually the one to bring it back. Since I was extra playful today, and everybody knows Oreo is a lot older and AHEM slower than me, I started to play with the kitten too. So he'd paw me playfully as I laid on the ground giving playful grunts and if he'd pounce I'd run to the other room with him right behind me. Then we'd switch roles and I'd chase after him. Maybe having ONE more family member added to the family isn't so bad afterall.

June - A month that reminds me how I want Mom to stay home w/us ALL- DAY EVERYDAY! No stress!

When I noticed that May was my last entry it seems like SUCH a long time ago. This whole month Mom has been a blur because she seriously has never been more stressed out I think. Oreo's doing his job of keeping her company when she's hiding in the closet studying for school. I will say our walks are getting later and later in the afternoon because of all this heat! Mom thinks I've also been a little stressed out too because I've been slowly pulling out fur on the lower part of my front chest.

She had good intentions though. At the beginning of the month she made us costumes, (although the pictures aren't posted to my look-up & you'll read why). I was Jasmine from Disney's Aladin and I think personally a dress might have done me more justice than a two piece. She worked two days in a row diligently because you know how much I like standing/sitting still that's for sure! [NOT! :P] I guess I was always worried she'd poke me with the needle while sewing, but I think over all the days she worked on it I think she only poked herself once too. Anyway, the ocassion was the Operation Kindness Dog Day Afternoon and I couldn't believe the long drive it was! Ok, I napped most of the way but while Daddy brushed Oreo we got pulled over by a cop, (which I barked my protest to!) and just made it to the event as the announcer said: "And our last contestant - a ballerina!" I've never seen Mom so devestated. I say it was the piece of hay that broke the camel's back I tell ya. Since she already pre-paid for most of the events I still got to eat some Frosty Paws and watched a few dogs play frisbee like I've never seen. I was SO hot as we waited for pictures but I think overall Mom felt guilty for us not being able to fully enjoy the whole weekend that was supposed to focus around having fun w/us pups.

I will say my freebie red football from the event has become my favorite toy ever!! :D

April & the Beginning of May

When you think of April almost everyone thinks of easter eggs. I would know, I have a squeeky easter egg that I keep squeeking regardless of the month but either way: that's the spirit! I always say! It's been an awesome month because Daddy stays w/us all the time while Mom has been busy as her schooling came to an end. When Mom's friends came by to fill splashy water balloons it was I who made sure to keep a smile on everybodies face! Curling up outside after a good run w/Cookies has been just a bit more sweet smelling thanks to Momma's HUGE amount of flowering plants on the porch.

As April came to an end it was almost a weekly basis as "the family" came up to visit and I was sure to show them my enthusium as they made their way out of their cars. I think this months marks the most trips to Lousiana for our food, but I love traveling so it is definitely a highlight of my month. Oh! And just recently we've been taking pictures for Mother's Day...if only Mom could pose nicely, Daddy knows I always smile pretty for the camera!

March: A Bloomin' Social Month!

I guess it takes a drop of Artemus Frog on Mom's head to make her remember to slide over the keyboard for my monthly entry!

The highlight this month has to be Spring Break! A week full of nothing but time w/my parents, what else could a pup ask for? I love how there's no sprays of deodorant to let me know Daddy's leaving for the day, or a groggy slap of the alarm clock from Mom to remind me that there's more to human life than enjoying the great outdoors with me! Ok, or fetch, or cuddling, but really, if I'm included does it really matter where?

Anyway, I figured the family would be included, which means my Grandmas & all blood kin that we normally run into on holidays but actually a long ride later we were in another part of Texas, (just when I thought I've seen it all), that sounded of fresh running rivers & life away from the big city. When we arrived I have to say I didn't recognize many, (ok, the Boston Terrier from my party was a given), but in my usual style I made rounds around the room &...if I remember correctly before the day was over there were plenty of people ready to take me home with them!

Yes, the group was very affectionate with me. There was fun with a stuffed football around the house with two very energetic throwers, some rolling-on-the-ground laughing that of course merited kisses from me, and overall just a lot more excitement than can fit in our normal house so it was great! Even the bed was roomier than ours at home, but I have to admit I think my sleep was messed up because it seemed like there were few moments with all the household called it a night. One of my favorite memories was walking up a hill, to the Frio river, and just around...enjoying the scenery with my Dad on the other end of the leash. I gave a lot of kisses to all the people I met and it sounded like everybody had a great time!

Mom said her goodbeyes to us as she went to visit those blood relatives I've come to love but only a few days later she walked into the house & all was great! A few days more was bath day, first for Cookies- who made life under the hairdryer look like a pain in the fluff, but just as I expected, the next day Daddy & I were in the shower singing up a storm, (well, he sings, I just cooperate with a frown on my face). Mom just couldn't get over this new conditioner she got for us & I have to say my hair sure is silky soft.

In a nutshell, it's Spring. Yellow make-you-sneeze stuff is everywhere, but the walks on the trails are much more enjoyable because everything is in bloom. I've been known to follow the flight of a few bees that zoom on our porch towards all the flowers and ever since it's been warm you can always catch our family outside. Speaking of that, Mom is getting excited because the annual "Greek Week" is upon us this upcoming week & she plans to take us a game here & there. What's Momma going to do when she leaves this school she walks so much about? Either way, if it means meeting people or watching sports in action I'm sure to enjoy it!

Feb - A lot happened in my Favorite Month!

Looks like Mom almost forgot to hand over the keyboard before my-favorite-month-of-the-year is almost over!

This month was very exciting. It started out with my birthday party. Mom was a blur wandering here & there getting things ready for the big day. In fact, she made birthday hats for every-pup to wear. I'd never met any of the pack but after a while things started to turn to all play. Some of the pups was a entergetic boston terrier, snappy Corgi, and innocent & playful basset. Even Oreo was on his best behavior with our invitees...which made the day such smooth sailing. The traditional bananna cake was a hit with the others even though this is my 3rd year to have the tasteful treat.
[Here's the pictures: http://lilkitten381.livejournal.com/217790.html]

We've had some cold days towards the first part of the month, and somewhere in the teens Daddy joined us...which included a 40 degree romp at basketball in the park. I just couldn't stop barking in excitement and gave both Mom AND Dad a run for their money to keep their ball dribbling down the court without my 2 paws on it. Talk about a game changing performance, just when you think you had enough to deal with I can make the ball go the whole other way! I also noticed though that when going for the rebound, I oops, tossed the basketball into the water. Silly parents and trying to not get dirty!

After we had a good game, and of course I knew Dad won, all of us went to the nearby wooden junglegym just like old times. It was Oreo's first trip to the place and he's...not your typical "Problemsolver". Instead of just following me or exploring the area on his own, he relied on Mom's voice to get him through the maze of wooden parts.

Since that time we've taken all kinds of walks - the Lanana Trail, Oreo's first trip down the experimental forest was just the other day, and of course running circles around our house on these warmer days that have come this week.

Mom showed us how to help with her around the house too. Both of the parents like to watch birds out this one window, and Mom hates the squirrel that tries to take the seeds. So she'll rowl us up & we'll bark him away from inside- it's such a rush! One day, I don't remember when, I was in a really cuddly mood and joined mom on the computer chair as she clicked away on the computer again and I could see something! It...moved. I, of course, had to bark at it! Mom never told me what it was but [it has to be cars through the bushes!].

Mom has been talking about a week away from the house...I wonder what March has instore...