Mom does NOT need to read a book on how to control an- unbiddable unfocused dog! Hmph!

Why do I walk with my nose to the ground? Why can't I just go on a normal walk, with my head held high....a nice confident walk, with a happy gait? Noooooooo, I have to walk with my nose to the ground sniffing every inch of my walk. Mom doesn't mind when I stop to sniff the flowers (she thinks that's cute), but she doesn't think it's cute when I act like detective dog looking for scented clues. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Someone suggested in a Forum that mom read a book on how to control an unbiddable unfocused dog. Now....those that know me know that I am an AMAZING well-behaved soulful doggy who wants nothing more than to please mommy. I am not in the least bit uncontrollable. I am completely motivated by praise. I just have no idea that mom doesn't like it when I walk with my nose to the ground. And mom doesn't know how to let me know....BOL.

I otherwise follow all mommy's verbal directions on walks. I can even walk off leash, and "stay with mommy." I understand when mom says, "Go around that" or "Jump over that." I even look back and slow down my pace for mom if she happens to be in uncomfortable shoes. I wait for mom at corners before crossing the street, and I stay there until I hear a verbal "Let's cross." I understand when mom wants to switch directions and says, "Let's go this way." I am a good boy. I just like to sniff.

It probably appears that I have a confidence issue when I walk like that. But I don't. I just like all those great smells. It tells me lots of things. And I like to know things. Shoot, is it mommy's fault, she wonders? For playing all those hide-n-seek games with me? I've been trained and praised for hunting down scents. Sheesh, mom, it's all your fault....!

I've been tagged by Tedibear!

FOUR JOBS THAT I HAVE:
1. Mommy's snuggle bunny.
2. Jokester
3. Help mom carry her comforter.
4. I've also been known to help push things (furniture) with the top of my head (the conehead part).

FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED AT (OR STAYED):
1. Born in Somis, CA.
2. Anaheim Hills, CA
3. Palm Springs, CA
4. Coronado Island, CA

FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN:
1. Laguna Beach, CA
2. Newport Fashion Island
3. Huntington Dog Beach
4. Balboa Island, CA

PLACES I'D RATHER BE:
1. Wherever mom is, of course!
2. Huntington Dog Beach....or any beach, for that matter!
3. Grandma's house (only if mom is there).
4. Vacation with mommy - I love hotel beds and balconies!

SEVEN THINGS ABOUT ME:
1. I love to be mommy's snuggle bunny.
2. If mom doesn't hustle to let me out to potty when she comes home, I groan at her....No sense of urgency!
3. I always give my mom a hug when she fixes me an extra special dinner.
4. I stand next to my toothbrush every night as a hint to mom. I love minty toothpaste!
5. I always nap with a stuffy.
6. I've never chewed up or destroyed anything.
7. I had a accident in the house once, and I was so ashamed, I stood facing the corner. I couldn't even look at mom.

And I tag....
Skooter, Casey, Geena, Teddy, and Jack!

Today is my fourth birthday!

Happy birthday to me! My mom drove me all the way to Orange County from Palm Springs just so I could play at the beach yesterday. I got a UCLA cap (which I love because people keep saying how cute I am in it) and also a stuffed kitty cat and a bag of cookies from my grandma yesterday.

Tonight, mom is going to take me to McDonald's for my yearly filet-o-fish sandwich. It's my annual birthday meal. Maybe some fries too! And then she's going to take me to the pet store for some toys and goodies. Yippee! Every other year, I also got cake and ice cream, but we might forego those goodies this year, because it's all really too much for my tum-tum with the McDonald's on top of all that.

Everytime people sing "Happy Birthday" to me, I wag my tail. I love that song. I know it's my special day today. Mom says it's one of the most special days of the year because I was brought into the world that day, October 20, 2004. Seven and a half weeks later, we met, and it's been happily ever after. TRULY "happily ever after"....

Oh my little giraffe, how much do I love thee....Let me- count the ways!

I have had my Booda giraffe forever now, but I have suddenly become ENAMORED with it! I have to carry it with me EVERYWHERE. He is my snuggle bunny. I love that giraffe. I sleep with him; I wrap my arms around him; I cuddle him; I kiss him; I love him. He's always been around, that little giraffe, but love entered my heart when I least expected it. Oh little giraffe, how I love thee!

I love "The Whole Dog Journal!"

"The Whole Dog Journal" had an article awhile back that encouraged humans to give us canines a "full body massage." Well, months later, mom finally decided to give it a try. At first, I didn't know WHAT in the world she was doing? But then when I realized, "Hey, this is for my benefit," I completely submitted. First, I strrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrretched (arms straight up in the air, legs completely straight and parallel to the ground), then I started licking my nose. After that, I exhaled the most giant exhale ever, and then.....I passed gas. Yup, the article said that I would do all those things when I was in complete relaxation mode. "Pass gas?" mom thought. "No way." Yes way. I passed gas. BOL. A long noisy one at that! BOL!

What a treat I got today!

Thanks, Whole Dog Journal, for planting the seed!

4-Tag

Name 4 jobs that you have:

1. helping Mom carry things
2. making Mom laugh
3. helping guide Mom up the stairs when the lights are off.
4. putting my toys in distinct piles (Grandma calls 'em "pyramids") around the house when it gets too cluttery

Name 4 places where you have lived (or stayed at):

1. born in Somis, CA
2. Orange County, CA
3. Palm Springs, CA

Name 4 places that you have been:

1. Laguna Beach, CA
2. Newport Beach, CA
3. Huntington Beach, CA
4. Coronado Island, CA

Name 4 places you'd rather be:

1. wherever Mom is
2. Huntington Dog Beach!!
3. any 4 star hotel with crisp sheets on the bed, and nice balcony (5 star hotels don't let dogs of my size stay! Unfair!)
4. Grandma's house (only when Mom stays with me)

I'm Such a Caring Doggy

I've mentioned before how I cover my stuffed baby puppy with my blankey (funny I haven't done it since the weather has gotten warmer). I think I've also talked about how I always place my baby dogs on my bed.

I have to add to that....

Now I not only place my puppy on my bed, but I also run to my toy box to find him a bone. Once I deliver the bone right into his paw and can confirm that my puppy is all comfy and taken care of, then I'll go find a bone for myself to enjoy.

My mommy isn't crazy....I honestly do that!! I think I learned the behavior from my mommy. I'm a quick study.

Valentine's Day Tag

I've been Valentine's Day tagged by Skooter.

Here are my five wishes:
1. I wish to hear only great news from Tedibear on the 15th.
2. I wish I could go to the beach more often.
3. I wish my mommy would stop using her electric blanket at night. Too hot!
4. I wish I could go to work with mommy every day.
5. I wish to stay happy and healthy with all of my family forever.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Look Up in the Sky!

I am suddenly fond of all things UP! BOL. I like to look at light fixtures, helium balloons, the sky, and smoke detectors.

I've been looking up all day today....the ceiling, the kitchen light (one of the bulbs went out today), and everytime Mom asks me a question, I look up like I'm trying to think of the answer. I'm one funny dog.

My grandma came for a visit last weekend (Dec. 15)

I decided that I wanted to sleep with Grandma, so I jumped into bed with her in the middle of the night. I just sat hovering over her, and stared at her forever to see if I could make her eyes open (like I do to my own mommy). Well, it worked....Grandma woke up, and started petting me. I really wanted to get cuddly with her, so I VERRRRRRY SLOWLY toppled sideways right on top of her. And that's how I slept for the rest of the night. Isn't that a nice grandma? (My mommy is very aware of the slow-motion sideways topple. She thinks it is so CUTE. My mouth gets really pouty when I do it).