When a dog's gotta go...

a dog's gotta go. Mom just doesn't understand. I wasn't bugging her for attention. I didn't nuzzle my head in her belly, climb up on her, lick attack her, and nibble on her arms just because she was watching the USA soccer games. It was just a coincidence that I didn't do it during ALL of the other games! I REALLY had to go...more than once...during each US game! I swear. Why else would I want her to take me out in this heat and with the bugs. Yuck! Well at least mom doesn't have to worry now since the US team is out of the world cup! I know she's not happy about that, but surely she won't be upset if I have to interrupt her soccer watching to do my business during Portugal/Spain?????

Mom's done with work

I am so absolutely happy that mom is home with me for the summer, although she's been watching alot of TV lately. Looks like a bunch of daddies playing with my soccer ball! I like to bug her while she watches and boy does she get upset when she has to pause the TV to take me out!

Mom told me that she's a little sad that she can't post about her feelings and experiences with me on the forums without being told she's wrong. I mean it's not like she's dishing out training advice or anything. Can't a girl just tell about her doggy experiences without being made to feel like a big dummy? Feelings aren't wrong. Ha Ha and maybe all that "stuff" she went through with me didn't really happen either. Ha!

vacation

Well for mom it's vacation...she's been home all week and it's been fabulous. So many long walks and lots of rides in the car. Today about half-way through our walk, the strap "accidentally" came off of my snout. Mom would usually just put that strap right back on but today something strange happened...she left the strap off and hooked the leash up to just the collar part. Oh goodie!! Mom said it was a good chance to practice some of what she calls loose leash walking and as long as we don't see any of my friends it'd be ok. bol!! I did so great with not pulling, everytime I started to get out in front she'd say EASY and I slowed my pace. She kept saying that I must be growing up...but don't break this news flash to her...I was just tired and hot.

Dog park...finally

It has been so incredibly long since mom took me to the dog park. After a quick visit to Petco to pick up a couple of new outdoor toys, I hardly even knew when we were heading up the driveway. Once we pulled into our parking spot I realized!! I could see some activity inside the fence. Mom wasn't so happy that I tried to pull her all the way to the fence. Her feet were sliding like she had skates on. She was probably having fun, but was acting too serious to admit it. She kept making me stop and calm down. At last we entered, some sniffing, and we were off. Mom almost made me leave early when I took some interest in a smaller dog that had arrived. I wasn't going to hurt it...I was just curious, but that mom...sometimes she can be overly cautious. We didn't stay for too too long and when mom leashed me up and took me over to the water dish, she kept saying that I was a good boy. I think that means we might go back again soon.

Snowball fight...are you talkin to me?!!!!!!!!!

Beau and Scout challenged ME to a snowball fight...REALLY??? Who do they think they're messin' with? Don't they know I'm part reindeer!?! I LIVE for the snow! Plus I hear Scout, you don't like the snow and cold so much, do you? I was just out for a long time...heck the only reason I'm inside now is because mom made me. She can take the cold but even she has her limits. I guess...it's better that I rest up for our battle royale. It's AWW-ON!!

Woo hoo!! It's my birthday!! I've turned the big 2!!

Watch out...

Mom finally decided to get moving this morning. We went out for our walk. Nearing the end of the driveway I heard the barks from my neighbor dogs, you know, the ones who are always tied out who bark at everything and when I hear them I always think that Beau and Scout are on their way over. I knew that they couldn't be barking at me because I was kind of out of their line of sight. Sure enough, it was Beau and Scout, but they were with Mark this time. Usually mom walks me with Connie so I thought this was strange. I heard mom call out, "It's kind of late for you isn't it! I promise we won't go too fast!" Apparently Mark does not like the break-neck pace of our usual walks together. He said yes and I thought to myself, BONUS!! That's the third walk this week, we're getting pretty good at it too. Mom was really trying hard to slow down my pace so Mark wouldn't get mad and never let us walk together again. I did manage to get in a few flying kisses and a few head rubs--maybe Mark doesn't know that I have to keep the strap on my snout. No luck, mom apparently already told him my trick. I'm not really that friendly, I just want you to help take this stinkin' strap off my snout!!! Ok, just kidding. You know I am an attention hog. Well we had to turn around early because of a couple of dogs roaming free. Not a good idea for our pack to approach them. Mom and Mark know how we stick together so they didn't even give us a chance. On the way home, Beau tried some crazy move--he actually tried to walk right underneath me. It would have worked had he just ducked a little bit. I am a tall and lanky fellow. The real kicker was when he stuck his snout underneath me while I was peeing. He always does this so I'm used to it, but for some reason, he still is not used to the powerful mule kicks that I do after peeing. He zoomed right in for his chance to pee on top of my pee and I just let him have it...first it was all leaves and then I got him right on the snout. Mark started calling me donkey. He says my wookie sounds may not be wookie afterall.

my new friend Bella

As you can see from my latest pic, I have a new friend. Her name is Bella. Can you tell that I just love all the attention? She's the one that I met out on a walk one day with Beau and Scout. I, being the well mannered pup that I am, got to greet her first. I wanted to play right there but mom says playing in the road is bad. I had no idea that mom was going to set up playdates with her so quickly. We've had 2 now. When she first came over I almost didn't remember her. I let her in the fence though and it was on. We played forever. She's so funny though, just growing into her paws. She kept falling and rolling all clumsy-like. It was funny until I remembered that I used to be like that. Now I'm all full of grace as I prance and bound about the yard like a gazelle. She came over a second time and I didn't even bark at their truck. I knew right away who it was. I guess it helped that we saw them on our walk a few days before. Bella's mom stopped her car to talk a minute and finally I could see Bella's shepherd ears pop up above the open window, then my sniffer was hard at work. I knew for sure it was her.

I know that Beau and Scout are probably not happy that I got to her first but them's the breaks, right? Of course I still have my playdates with them too. They are my family now. I was hoping we'd see them today since mom's off from work for some guy they call Columbus, but she said Scout's a little gimpy and needs to take it easy. Well there's no taking it easy around me so she'd better stay away. I hope she heals quickly!!

I forgot to mention that my sister had a friend over and I was really on my best behavior. I liked him so much that I licked his ears and nibbled them a little. It helped that he gave me a ton of treats.

finally...I get some computer time

Mom always says a teacher's work is never done...boy is she right. This is the first time I've been able to get on the computer since the beginning of September!! She has just been hogging it with all of her "work!" She leaves me to go to work, then she works when she gets home. That just doesn't make sense to me.

Today was my first day home completely alone the whole day. See, dad used to be home with me but he slept most of the day. Well this morning he woke up the same time as mom and he left before her!! What is going on here??? I did really good mom says. I tried not to chew anything I wasn't supposed to. Mostly I just layed on the couch and looked out the window.

Mom and sister came home and took me out in the fence immediately. I bet they knew I had to go potty! Then later, a new friend came over. Her name is Bella. I met her while walking with Beau and Scout and I think mom invited her over because I was such a good boy while she was gone. What a great reward!! Maybe she can come over again sometime. She's smaller than me but she gave me a run for my money and she loved all my wrestling moves!!

going back to work...

Well, mom broke the news...tomorrow she goes back to work! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! No more morning walks or trips to the dog park. My mommy and me time will be seriously lacking and I am not a happy camper. We've gone on so many different adventures this summer...it's just hard to believe it will all come to an end. I know she will do her best to make up for it in the evenings and on weekends but it's not the same.

We went on a walk with Beau and Scout last night. That's become a regular thing. Hopefully we'll stick with it now that mom's going to be sooo busy. Everything was going great until this dog came sprinting at us in full attack mode. Just as he got into the street a car came too. Oh, no!!! Go back!! Phew, after everyone was safe we turned around and headed for home. On the way back we passed a neighbor. I've met him before so mom let me go say hi. Beau and Scout stayed back and when Beau gave a woof I said goodbye and ran back to make sure he was ok. No problem. Passing their house was torturous. I thought for sure we'd get to play too but mom says we need to get used to just walking sometimes with no playdate afterward. I guess I should be happy with what I have.

When I woke up this morning mom said she was taking me to the dog park one last time before she goes back to work. Awesome! That place is really growing on me! I've made some good pals, even sniffed a kid or two, and gotten some good scratches from the grownups there with their pups. I impressed mom with how gentle I could be with the teeny dogs and younger puppies. Today I even tried to follow the little pups' lead by climbing up on the picnic table. What? That's not so cute when a dog my size does it? Total discrimination, I say!!