I went on a road trip!

My humans were busy packing all of their things into the big truck to go somewhere. I was getting sad that they were going away and leaving me, then I really got worried when I saw my kennel leave the house, thinking maybe my people didn't want me around anymore. :-(
But Mom told me we were going on a road trip...whatever that is. Boy was I ever surprised when they called for me to come along. We got in the big truck and road around and around and around...until nothing smelled familiar to me anymore. We ended up in a place called Wisconsin where I saw TONS of dogs just like me, only they were HUGE!! My goodness, I was in the land of Leonbergers! It turns out the Leonberger Club of America (LCA) was having their nationals and I was there to meet my long lost cousins. Mom talks with some of these people online so she got to meet people she'd never seen before. Me and the Man hung around on the outskirts until I could feel comfortable being so close to other dogs. You see, i'm still rather aggressive with other dogs when i'm on leash. I met lots of nice people who gave the best loving to me. A couple of the rescue people spent some time with me and declared that surely I must be a full Leo. I have all the traits, i'm just small. They called me a Mini-Berger. Mom thinks that's funny, but I don't think there's anything mini about me at all! Humph! After the first day Mom could walk me right past other dogs and I woudn't even snap at them. I was trying my best to be good but sometimes when other dogs would get too close or Mom would give her lovin' to other dogs i'd get a little jealous and nip at them. Mom says I did really good for the three days we were there. Mom says we're going back to the dog park and walk around the parking lot on leash and keep working on my aggression. Someone also gave her the name of a behaviorlist who we're going to see if they can help me with my fear.
Well, that's all for now. I'm sorry I haven't posted in a long time but this pup's Mom and been real busy. I hope everyone is ready for Spring and Summer. We had snow this weekend and it was GREAT! Mom says she's tired of snow and hopes that was the last of it for the season. Personally I don't see how anyone could ever tire of the snow (shrug).

Merry Christmas!!

Hi everyone! I hope you've all been good pups. You know...a fat guy in a red suit is coming soon and he brings you all kinds of goodies...but only if you've been good. So don't get excited and think somebody is breaking into your home and do something crazy like bite him! Honest, he's a good guy.
I've been a most excellent boy, at least that's what my Mom says. I haven't chewed up anything that doesn't belong to me in a long, long time. If I pick up something that Mom says I can't have, all she has to say tell me leave it and I listen to her. I never get locked in my crate anymore. I sleep on my very own bed when my people are at work and watch the animal channel sometimes too. Sometimes I still go lay in my crate and take a nap when i'm alone too long...it makes me feel secure.
We've got tons of snow here in Illinois and I spend as much time as Mom will allow outside zooming around. Mom thinks if I stay out too long i'll get cold but I told her I have on my fur coat and i'm fine! BOL! So she makes me come in and take a nap after awhile. I think Mom needs to wear a fur coat when she's out playing with me and she'll know how I fee.
We've been working on my recall alot lately too. Mom let's me walk around in the front yard with her when she's doing things and makes me heel the whole time. Yesterday we were out and the little cocker spaniel that lives across the street from us came out his front door and I really really wanted to go say hi to him, but Mom told me to stay and it sounded like she really meant it. After the dog went back in, Mom told me what a good boy I was! Then we played fetch and I got a treat. It's not so hard being a good boy sometimes...especially when treats are involved (grin).
Well, that's if for now. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, a happy Hannakuh and all the other holidays that we are celebrating this special time of year.
Leo Licks,
Cashmere

Went Shopping Today....

It was time to buy more Cashmere food and since being on Dogster, we've learned alot more about dog foods than we thought was ever possible! So today I decided to get a small bag of the Blue Buffalo and see how Cash does with that. I've mixed some in with his Iams. Normally I feed him once daily and he nibbles throughout the day, finishing up as we eat our dinner. When I put down his dish today with the mix in it, he just about gobbled it all down! Bol! I'm glad he likes the flavor...it's the lamb and brown rice recipe. Now we just have to see if his tummy likes it as much. :-) Wish us luck!

A Pet's Ten Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so. ANON

Thoughts to ponder ...

Cash...the lucky Leo

I graduated!

Whew! Don't know how I managed that one, but I did. :-)) On the last day of school I had to do everything Mom told me to do...off lead. Good thing the other dogs were on the other side of the wall and I couldn't get at them. BOL! I was a perfect boy and even did my special "chain" command that Mom taught me. I do a "sit, spin,sit, high5". So glad that is over with. That's a lot of pressure on a pup to graduate.
So it's been two weeks since school let out and I haven't had anybody to play with since then. My bestest friend found a new home and she's too far away for playdates now. :-( Today my cousin Clark came over and we played all day. That's him in the backyard with me in the picture. That was tons of fun. The people were all gone to a chili cookoff. Dad entered but he didn't win. Last year he came in 2nd. Tomorrow Mom is off from work so we're going to go to the dog park. I still am reactive with other dogs when i'm on leash, so we'll go early in the day so I can run wild with only a few dogs there.
That's it for now. I hope everyone is enjoying Fall. I love the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet when i'm zooming in the yard.
Leo licks...
Cash

September 11th

Today was a day that Mom told me we had to sit and watch some tv for a bit in remembrance of what happened on this date 7 years ago. She said it was real sad and that we should never forget those that sacrificed their lives as members of our country.
Afterwards, Mom and I went out in the backyard and practiced my stays and comes. Oh yeah, we did 'watch me' too, but I still don't get the whole idea of why she wants me to stare at her all the time! Sheeesh! There are way too many other things moving around out there that I want to see. We've been going to school for 5 weeks now. This week the teacher said I should try her harness since I was still pulling to get to the other dogs. It has a ring on the chest and it really got my attention when I was going one way and Mom was going another. Hmmm, I guess I need to watch her more often so I can see where she's going! Mom said we're going to use it to go on our walks everyday now.
I learned something else too. Don't chase those critters with the white stripes on their backs. Ewwwww! I still have stinky breath from that one. Mom gave me three baths with some stuffs that helped with the smell some. I didn't mind the baths because I love the water, but I think Mom was tired of bending over the bathtub so much. Well, thats it for now.
Leo Licks,
Cash

August 31st

Yesterday was the best day of my life!!! Mom, Dad and me went to our friends house. They have 8 dogs...all German Shorthair Pointers and a big 2 acres to run in. I was chasing those dogs all over the place. Boy, are they ever fast!!! One of them became my new best friend. Her name is Kia Marie. When I was tired, she would come lay by me. We were there way past my bedtime. The humans had a bonfire and were sitting around singing lots of old songs.
Mom worked on my recall while I was playing with the other dogs. I did pretty good and came when she called most times. I even stayed until she told me "free".
Mom and her friend decided I can come over and play with Kia before I go to school so i'll be a little tired out and maybe behave better in class.
Oh yeah...I hope everyone has a happy Labor Day! Thats an extra day I get to spend with my Mom and Day. Yah!

August 29th

Mom doesn't think I was socialized too well when I was a wee pup because I have a hard time getting close to other pups without jumping all over them and wanting to play. We've been going to school now for 3 weeks with 4 other dogs. I haven't learned how to be in a room with them without being too excited yet. I spend most of the class pulling her, trying to get at the other dogs. I know her arms must really hurt after class, but she keeps taking me anyway! Trudi...that's my teacher, says that i'm just a teenager who needs a little more time to learn.
When we're at home I know all my commands like sit, heel, come, stay and leave it. I even give high 5's. When we go for walks I heel real good .... until I see another dog. Mom has been using the clicker like they taught her in class, but I don't even listen to it. BOL!
Other than that, i'm a real good boy. I'm trying real hard to make Mom happy. Today on our walk me and Mom walked across the street from a barking dog and I kept straining on the lead, trying to get across the street. Mom kept turning in the other direction and going back and forth until I paid attention to her. She got real happy when I finally looked at her. She gave me lots of lovin and a couple of treats too! I think we're gonna keep on with this school thing and see where it goes.
Wish us luck!