"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into- mine."

who's my daddy? ... and birthday goodies

The only thing I know about my puppyhood: around the age of 6 to 7 months, I was dumped at the city shelter ... . The shelter folks said that I looked like a retriever mix: my coloring/chocolate Labrador, but the longer haircoat with feathering on my hindend/Golden Retriever.

And I got adopted by a couple who was looking for a Labbie ... even though they know that a dog's physical appearance is not proof of it's breed, I was just right for them!

We have the best life! But I have to tell yall, I live with a couple of nerds ... They thought it would be "fun" to get my DNA tested in honor of my 2nd birthday (I celebrated on March 24th).

So I went to the veterinarian's, got poked with a needle, my blood specimen was sent to Mars Veterinary for the Wisdom Panel MX Mixed-Breed Canine DNA Test { www.wisdompanel.com }. And here's what the mixed-breed analysis found (drumroll, please)~~

I am an "intermediate mix of LABRADOR RETRIEVER. There are also faint signals from OTHER breeds which are not strong enough to identify with confidence." That means, at least 25% but up to 49% of my DNA comes from Labrador Retriever {my parents). And it probably means the Mix goes back to my great-great-grandparents.

O.K., well ... that was fun ... . I sure like my AirKong squeeky that I got for my birthday! And I got to explore a different park every day and sniff out other critters. And I really had fun going to work with one of my persons.
But my DNA report -- I just luv to chew up paper!

Today is Texas Independence Day

~~~~~ As reported at nbcdfw.com :

"It was March 2, 1836, when 59 delegates signed a document in Washington-on-the-Brazos that declared the Republic of Texas was free and independent of Mexico.

The Texas declaration, written by Tennessean George Childress, was similar to Thomas Jefferson's 1776 American document and contained a statement of the nature of government, listed grievances and ultimately declared independence from Mexico.
...
Texas' declaration occurred while the Mexican army hammered the walls of the Alamo, which fell on March 6 {1836}, and a little more than a month before the April 21 defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto. Mexican general and dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was captured April 22, ending the revolution.
Texas remained a republic until becoming the 28th U.S. State in 1845."

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Dallas-Fort Worth ~~~~~~~~~~

I don't see the big deal ... it doesn't involve food, playing, chasing other critters. O well, some people are sure proud to be Texans.

January

Yep, only in North Texas!
Saturday the 4th, I had so much fun at a park~ chewing sticks, walking up the little hills, watching folks play frisbee-golf. It was 84 degrees ! a record high for January.
Today, we went for a walk and it was so wiiindy, my person kept tripping over my feet. Windchill 30 degrees.
Tomorrow, maybe freezing rain/ice ... I plan to be a wildchild just to test the pawrents' patience ...

The old dog ...

was very sick. And one day, Bogart went for a car ride with the family ... but they came back without him. ... I see Bogart's bed on the kitchen floor but I leave it alone. That's weird, huh? Anything else in reach I will grab and chew ... . When I first came to my furever home, I tried to get the ol' Bulldog to play with me. I used to chew on his ears and play rough but the family corrected me ... puppies do play, ya' know!
While everyone had been busy taking care of Bogart, I was backsliding on my training ... now, I'm not sure I like it around here without the old dog. I mean, gee what is this? School or something? When I hear "Rick, come!" that means I can do whatever I want, right?

(p.s. hey, Bogart, I'm sorry you didn't feel good ... )

Heat Wave

The official temperature hit 105 degrees Fahrenheit today, as reported at D/FW Airport.

This morning I quickly decided it was too hot for my usual outdoor activities (us chocolate pups could melt, ya know) so I stayed inside all day ... Thank goodness for central air conditioning! But I hardly did anything except snooze on the cool, tile flooring. I didn't have the energy to play or even to chew on stuff!
O well, I shouldn't complain ... at least there's no scary flooding or wild fires around here ...

Woo-hoo! my first birthday!

Happy birthday to me!!!
I'm about 1 year old now. They tell me that I still have some growing up to do, because I'm a large breed pup. !What does that mean?!

Well, I say, being a big teenager is fun. Let's PAWTY!

Here's some Cake
and
Ice Cream
for Everypup!

{if the scrolling links don't work, we'll have to send out for more food-BOL}

Chewin' the carpet~ and scrolling link

What do you get if you mix a bored puppy with an absent-minded dad? BOL
The other day, mom needed to go do stuff and dad was playing with me. But he wanted to see what's for supper (his! not mine, how rude!) so he had me go in my kennel. I started barking while he was in the kitchen (they usually ignore my barking ... I'll settle down ...). Then I tried bouncing around in my kennel ... which loosened one latch and the bottom tray slid out! You will have to ask dad why the Rick-is-bouncing-the-kennel-around noise did not concern him (mom heard it with the shower running!) ...

Let's try that new scrolling link~ Rick ate the carpet

We're testing if the scrolling link code will work in diaries (as in the forums) ... Hmm, the Scrolling link DID work in our 'saved draft' ... o well, just click ...

Who is training whom?

The pawrents have been doing obedience training since day one, so here's my scoring on the basics~

Crate training is o.k.-- my own place to sleep, to get treats and toys, or to feel secure when the evil vacuum cleaner is running. Sometimes I don't want to go in there! But I always settle down and quit barking in a minute. (score 9, out of 10)

House-breaking: Hey, Dad, please note-- First thing in the mornings, take me outside!!! When YOU forget, I will poop on the den carpet. (score 7.5)

Sit and Down: Easy, I know these commands! But I'm a teenager, sometimes I just don't want to sit-BOL BOL! (score 8)
Heel: Alright, let's GO! Why are you so slow?! (score 9)
Come: I prefer to see the treats or toy first, then I'll come to you. (score 7)
Stay: You are kidding, right? Why would I want to stay in ONE spot? There's always something interesting over there! I am a retriever-- so I should retrieve the kitchen towel off the counter and newspapers off the table, right? (score 5)

Intermediate obedience: O boy o boy!!! 30 feet of leash to PLAY with! (And Mom, I agree, you are a klutz! And when you get tangled up with that long leash, I go crazy!) (score 1)

Mom & Dad are getting help on my training from Shadows for Life . {that's www.shadowsforlife.org, in case our link doesn't work.} Check 'em out!

www.dogswithcones.com

Yep, I got neutered the other day. Everything went well. I have not tried licking "there" (pawrents are so proud of me!).
Anypup who had to wear a lampshade: go see pictures at dogs with cones . Mom says, !hmmph, those people with too much free time who came up with that website!

Thanksgiving Tag!

So maybe I am a week behind, but the pawrents are teaching me that everyday is a day to Give Thanks~ I was Thanksgiving Tagged by Pierre Dakodah #451460 and here are the rules:
Because it’s Thanksgiving time, there is a change to the rules. Each player needs to tell seven special things for which he/she is thankful. Tagged dogs must post the rules in their diary and their 7 things. Then choose 7 pups to tag and list their names. Let them know by pawmail or rosette that they have been tagged and to read your diary for the instructions on how to play.

I am thankful :
1) for my forever family; I have been home for 5 weeks now.
2) that the unknown original person at least surrendered me to Animal Services, instead of dumping me on some backroad {? WHY would anyone think that pups can survive with no water or food in a rural area?}.
3) for lots of walks & play time and obedience-training.
4) for all my Kong toys, especially with peanut butter or treats inside!
5) that I have plenty of water and food.
6) for Sam letting me have his nice warm bed (um, I only chewed a little hole in the seam ... ).
7) that ol' bulldog Bogart does not get too mad when I chew on his ears!

Because I'm keeping my pawrents busy (and Thanksgiving Day was a week ago) -- so sorry, we can't take the time to Thanksgiving-Tag other pups. And besides, I got "tutored" yesterday and the veterinarian said to restrict my activity for ten days-BOL!
Labbie Hug&Kisses, Rick