Hello long lost friends

Wow, it's been a while since I've jumped onto my favorite site and it's undergone some major changes. It'll take me a little while to figure out where everything went, but the new dogster.com looks pawsome!

I've been quite busy lately. After moving to Columbia, Mom and Dad bought a house and I've been spending my evenings watching the yard from my favorite window or on the screened in porch enjoying the nice weather. The porch also allows me to keep my yard free from those pesky deer that like to wander through the woods behind our house.

Mom promised me a yard for Christmas and they got me one! Now if only they'd put the stupid fence in so I could actually enjoy it while running free. Although we don't have a fence for the yard yet, Dad makes sure to take me to the Twin Lakes Recreational Area aka the dog park whenever the weather is nice. It's really cool because in the winter they put us in one area to play and in the summer, they move us over to where the lake is. It reminds me a lot of the island I used to go visit with Rajah and Nali ... man I miss those guys. I have met some nice dogs here, but I haven't made a ton of friends yet.

My cousin Rommel came for a visit while Grandma and Grandpa were away at the Olympics. It was nice to have a familiar furry face to pal around with. Since then he has returned to Alaska to be with his Dad. I hear they are moving to California soon. I hope Rommel does well with the travel. I miss him lots.

Mom and Dad said I will have a babysitter this weekend. They won't take me with them to Michigan when they go to visit Mom's family, so I have to stay home with my Uncle Andrew. He has been instructed to give me lots of play time when he comes by to let me out. I'm happy to spend time with him before he moves away after graduating from college. He's been so busy he's barely had any time to play with me!

Well guys, I'd better get back to my napping. I have to be wide awake later to do my yard watching.

Barks!

Pupdate

Sorry it's been so long since I barked what's going on in my life. I didn't realize how many months had gone by!

After Mommy and I moved to IL to live with Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and I did a lot of traveling. I went and saw Great Grandma and all the Michigan people regularly since Mommy was planning her wedding there. I had a great time running in the yard and playing with everyone out there.

Rommel, my cousin, and I had a great summer of playing together. He didn't always want to wrestle with me, but he did tolerate me quite well. I'm sure he misses his Dad while he is deployed, but I hear he's going to visit soon, which will be very nice. I know how much I miss Mom when she's away.

In September my Mom and Dad got married. I hear it was a beautiful wedding and it's still being described as one of the best ever. I wouldn't know because they didn't invite me. :-/ They then left me behind to go on their week-long honeymoon in London. I wasn't to pleased about that, but Mommy brought me a new toy and all was forgotten.

After Mom lost her job, she and Dad starting thinking about where they want to be long-term. They decided on Missouri since that is where they went to school. Well, after nine months of unemployment, Mommy got a job in Columbia and we moved. I don't enjoy spending the work day in my crate, but I'm glad Mommy was able to find a job. Now we just need to get Daddy here so we can be a family again.

These past few months have been busy, but exciting. Although Mom works a lot now, she always makes times for hind-quarter scratches and belly rubs. She lets me play with my toys and if I'm really good, I get peanut butter Kongs when I'm in my room. She even gave me a special spot on the new couch.

I miss my pup pals in Montana, but I'm sure I will make new friends here. I just wish I'd had a chance to say goodbye to everyone before I left for good. If you're ever in Columbia, look me up. I'd love to see you!

Safe return

Good new pup pals! Alvie was returned home safely earlier today. A neighbor of my mom's friend took him in and returned him to his concerned pawrent this afternoon. She is very glad to have him back safe and sound! It was awesome to see the support everyone offered via Facebook and Twitter.

Though I would never run away from home, I just playfully test my boundaries, I hope that if I got lost, people would offer the same to my Mom and Dad.

Glad you're home with your Mom and brother Alvie!!!!

Please help

Alfie the cute dog ran away from home last night. Please help us find him. http://tweetphoto.com/h2iqasoa

He was last seen in Columbia at 9 last night. Please let me know if you find him. His owner is very concerned and would love to see him return home.

Greetings from the Windy City

Ok, so maybe it's more like greetings from 45 minutes west of the Windy City, but hey, explaining that takes time.

Mom, Grandpa and I made it here safely a little over a week ago. The road trip was long and full of minor dramas. While driving through South Dakota we stopped at Mount Rushmore (photo to come later.) We also stopped to see the work in progress Crazy Horse. That was when Mom realized something was wrong with the trailer we were towing. It was at the gas station in Rapid City that Grandpa realized the tongue was cracked and that's why the trailer was sitting so low to the ground. An hour later we had a replacement and swapped things into the new trailer. We then drove the five hours to Sioux Falls. We arrived at 2 AM.

On day two we were making good time when we got outside of Madison, Wisconsin. That's when the snow and ice started. We were supposed to make it to Grandma and Grandpa's that night, but we stopped for fear of bad weather. Good thing because the roads were red according to the DOT map.

We arrived early afternoon on Sunday. I met my new buddy Rommel and we played in the yard. He's a few years older than me and doesn't always want to play. Since he arrived two months before me, he's already gone through the training/transition period and is allowed to roam off leash. I am currently attached to the living room couch by my new metal leash. I tried to chew my way off of the leash Mom bought me months ago, hence the new metal leash. Mom's angry I damaged her $20 leash, but she'll get over it.

I do get to roam free in Mom's room and sleep on her bed for a little time each day. I won't be allowed off leash until I stop acting like the cats are chew toys. I have been informed they were here first and are more important. I do get off the leash time in the backyard, but since I don't always want to come in, Mom and Grandma also use the outdoor tie out.

I have lots of new toys including a frisbee and a new Cuz. Mom is trying to make sure my outdoor and indoor time is filled with fun so I won't cry too much over being tied down. I do enjoy our snuggle sessions, though!

I miss Dad lots, but I know this is the way it had to be. I saw him on the webcam last week, which was nice. I get to spend Easter in Minnesota with my cousins Jonah, Reva and Chloe. They are chocolate labs and great hunting dogs. Mom's hoping they will teach me a thing or two about behaving and listening. I'm excited about the road trip.

Thanks for reading my update. Mom says she'll try to give me more time on the computer. She's just been busy painting her old room and setting it up for the two of us.

Have a pawsome day everypup!

Time is running out

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Since Mom hasn't been working since January, she's been on the computer a lot and not giving me my turn. Selfish Mommy!

I also wanted to put off letting my Billings pals know the news. Since Mom hasn't found a job yet, we're moving away to live with Grandma and Grandpa so Mom can save money. This means I won't be going to the island anymore or spending time with my pals. But Mom says her brother's dog is staying at Grandma and Grandpa's since her brother is deployed to Afghanistan. This means I'll have an at home buddy. She also says there are two cats, but I'm not allowed to play with them. :(

Rommel is two and a German Shepherd. I'm excited to meet with him and play in the yard. But since Grandma and Grandpa don't have a fence, I'll have to be on the leash. Mom says she'll probably take at least me up to Great Grandma's to play in the yard and help bring Great Grandma comfort and companionship since Great Grandpa died. Mom said she might even bring cousin Rommel with us! Now I will have a German Shepherd buddy to fight off those mean German Shepherd dogs Great Grandma's backyard neighbors have!

Mom says we are leaving at the end of the month. I have enjoyed spending time with all of you. Look me up if you're in IL or MI. Hopefully I'll see you at the Island before we pull out.

Recovery day 4

I finally feel awake enough to type about my pawsome weekend with Nali. Oh yeah, Rajah and Casey were there too.

Nali and I did lots of wrestling and playing. It was amazing! We played for two days before we finally got tired and started to relax a bit. We even took a few naps together! I was also offered the opportunity to sleep in bed with Casey and the other dogs!

I had a pawsome time at Casey's house! I'm so glad Casey said I could stay there. I had so much fun, I've spent the last four days sleeping. Mom has been spending a lot of time on the computer while I could barely keep my eyes open.

I had a wonderful weekend! I hope we get to do it again sometime.

Time for more sleep!

Yippee!

Today is the start of my very first sleepover! I've been wrestling with Nali for the last hour and felt I should take a break to update everyone. Rajah's not a huge fan of the wrestling, but Nali and I don't care.

I'm very excited to play in the yard for the next few days. Sure, I'll miss Mom and Dad, but, aw who am I kidding! I basically told Mom and Dad not to let the door hit them on the behind on the way out. Maybe by Tuesday I'll be ready to go home, but I'm sure going to enjoy my time with a yard and a buddy!

Gotta go, time to start wresting again!

One day more!

Tomorrow evening begins my awesome weekend with Nali, Rajah and Casey! I'm so excited! I'm going to miss Mom and Dad, but I won't be an only dog for the weekend! This is so exciting!!!!!

Sleep over fun!

Mommy came home earlier this week. She was out at Great Grandma's to be with the rest of the family after Great Grandpa's death. I still think I should have been allowed to go. No one is using Great Grandma's yard and I think I should get to! Anyway, Mom's had a tough time losing her first grandparent and also getting laid off, but she's doing better. I didn't want to make her sad by writing about all the fun things Daddy and I were doing, but now I can tell you all!

Daddy and I had lots of nice sleepovers. He lives a few blocks away, so I never get to see him at night. He let me sleep on the bed with him a few times, and I loved it! We went to the Island with our pup pals, which was awesome. I got all muddy and Daddy had to give me a bath. Blech! We'll have to have the next pup play date when Mom's in town.

Next week, Mom and Dad are going to visit Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Carina in California. This is a trip I'm not allowed to go on since Grandma is allergic to dogs. Mom and Dad talked about putting me in the kennel, but Dad spoke to Casey and I get to stay with her, Rajah and my best friend Nali! I'm terribly excited! I'll miss Mom and Dad, of course, but I get a yard to play in and friends to wrestle with! This is going to be awesome!