The Star of the Show

Well, I did it! I was the star of the show at dog class! But not in the greatest way....

See, we were doing 'wait' by the big outside doors. There was a German Shepherd calling to me from the parking lot. The trainer took my leash and I turned into a fish on a line! I pulled right out of my collar and I was...

FREE!! And very panicked!! Running around the PetSmart parking lot! Dog help me! Everyone was yelling at me, I saw Mama calling me but I was so panicked I didn't come to her! I was searching for the car! Where's the car! Luckily Mama opened the car doors and was honking the horn to lure me - it worked! And I didn't want to get out of the car at all!

It was a big scare for all of us! This shows the importance of the 'come' command, and Mama wonders how does she smack sense into a panicked dog who doesn't come? She said she might not ever let me out of the house again. In a good way.

I did get a new toy out of it! Woo! I like my new toy, a stuffed bear! Thanks, Ma!

Alll byyy myyy-selllf....

That's what I'm gonna be in class tonight! Ulli is staying home from dog class this week and I get to be the only dog to go with Mama!

You might think I'm sad and lonely, but secretly I'm so happy!! I got a bath yesterday and without Ulli there to scare people, they're not going to be able to take their hands off me!!! Oh, yes, I plan on stealing the show! Smiling and looking so cute and magical as I do. I managed to 'catch' a couple last week at dog class, they followed me all around the store and finally had to ask Mama if they could pet my boo-tee-ful-ness! Of course we obliged!

I'm center stage tonight! Hope I don't get carsick on the way!!!

Eager to Please

You want me to jump, Mama? How high? Vertically or horozontally? You want me to roll over too? Put some flair into it? I can! Just say the word! Wanna 'high five'? How 'bout some chase? I'm game for that too! How 'bout you adore me and rub me all over, especially my belly? I work for pets!!

I am so eager to please. I WUV it when Mama or Papa says 'YES'! It means I done something good! It makes me soooo happy.

Mama and Daddy went away for a WHOLE day last weekend. Ulli and I counted on our front paws, 16 hours! We did not pee or poo in the house. But we were ready to! We really wanted to go, but when they got home they smelled like the beach! Ick! We don't really like it there! Not too much! I'm glad we got out of going, somehow!! I got to lounge on my king size bed with pillows and blankies.... Ahhh. I love my big peeple bed! Only a crazy human would choose *sand* over a bed! Sheesh!

I'm a diary pick of the day!

Wow! Look at me! I'm a diary pick of the day! Ooooo!! Wow! AND, as if it couldn't get any better, my White GS friend Geno is ALSO a diary pick of the day! We're right next to each other! He's a big pup, I'm a young adult! We both have satellite ears though!!

We're going to be household names!! Mama says 'toilet' is a household name too... she's keeping me humble!

Mama took Ulli to a softball game last night without me!! What's up with that??? When they got home they promised to only take me from now on! I coulda told 'em that!

I am walking lighter and bouncier on my paws today because I have been acknowledged by the gods of Dogster!!! (sigh) I feel sooo special. I love being special! Thanks, Dogster gods!!

Mommy? Daddy? Is that you?

What a week! We went to the beach, Ulli was a big patsy and was pretty insecure about the water and people and dogs, but I was a champ! I was curious and sweet and beautiful! I even jumped in the shallow part of the water if my mommy did it first! I jumped over a wave! I didn't want to get my ears wet! It was such a new experience, I was really excited and overwhelmed! It was kind of hard to focus on mama and daddy!

We went to our second dog class Monday and Ulli and I did everything the dog trainer told us. Then when it was mom and dad's turn Ulli said, "Yeah right! You're MY human, you'll do as I say!" They didn't like that much! They decided they should be more our leaders and STOP fawning over us and bowing to our cuteness every time they see us . Really? The first day it was weird! Mama? Is that you? But you aren't cooing over me! Are you okay? Then when she did pay me attention I paid total attention to her!! I've got to take all I can get! I even played with all the toys she handed me! I wonder how long this new mom and dad is going to last? I guess as long as I get love, a soft bed, and food I'll be okay! I'll keep you posted!!

Intermediate Class, Day One!

Hooray! We went back to school! I was hoping we would, I liked it the first time! Mom and dad said I was more focused than Ulli, something about her being 'rusty' from a 10 week break from school. I took the lead this time, no more scardey cat Joey! I'm done with that! I told Ulli when we got there, "Follow my lead, I know these peeps!" and she did! I saw my sweet friend Lily, and Romeo too!

They were having us do kind of weird things - like 'wait'? Hm. That's a new one! And sit and stay while people moved and made noise! It was something! Pretty distracting, but mama says it was supposed to be! It was a lot of fun to have Ulli there with me! She didn't steal my thunder at all! She has her own thunder!

Boy, I was worn out after that. Mama says we have some serious studying to do for next class! Yay!!!

Training day one..

Today we go to dog class! Me AND Ulli, together! Mom says daddy gets to come with us today, but usually we will go with only her. We better behave!! Yesterday I had ants in my pants I was so excited! Is it time to go yet? I wanna GOOOO!! Some of my dog furrends from my Beginner class should be there, I can introduce Ulli to them!! Wish me luck! I hope I'm not too antsy and can focus! I'm just sooo excited!

(Tail wagging furiously, wagging whole back end)

I'm a hunter!

I am a natural hunter. In my first home my white family and I were the best at hunting squirrels, bunnies, moles, gophers, voles, even birdies! Now that I'm a prissy house dog I don't get to work out my hunting instinct. I know toys aren't real. Well no more!!!! I found NEW PREY!! I am an official hunter of these animals that come out at night, they are unpredictable and fast! Mama calls them big crickets, but I'm not sure what we call them. Bouncers? They do like to bounce! I watch closely and hold so still, waiting for a bouncer. I just want to smell you! Wait! Come here! I wonder how they taste?? Luckily mama lets me hunt outside before bed, they are out then!! Thanks ma! I feel so natural when I'm hunting bouncers!

Mama says she's going to brush me more. Okay! She's said that before. I have gotten brushed the past two days, ma says I look like I'm a sheep being shorn when I'm brushed, I just don't lose my hair!! Silly mama. I am NOT a sheep! I'm just losing my summer coat, getting ready to grow my winter coat!! It's about that time!!

Happy day to my Dogster furrends! Thanks for all the congrats on graduation! Fall break is over and we are back in training - pre-training mom calls it, for class in one week!

The Graduate

That's me! I graduated Beginner Education class at PetSmart!! I am so happy! I feel smarter! Do I look smarter? Mama says we're taking one week off, then Ulli and I will engage in 'Intermediate Education' - together!! Mama has been telling me not to hog the attention and be too pushy to Ulli when we get there. But I'M cuter! Outta my way, Ulli!! Oh well, I'll sleep on it mama. I'll let you know what I decide when we get there! Whoopee!! I have a picture of me with my graduation cap, I need to herd mama into posting it! Stay tuned!

High Five!!!

Gimme five! I know, I was holding out on the shake thing. I don't see anyone else shaking hands around here!! Ulli doesn't count! I went to class yesterday night and I saw everyone doing it! So... I gave in. I had what mom calls a 'weak, lackluster shake'. Thanks mom! Whatever that means! Then the trainer came over and asked me to 'high five'! Well, that was kinda fun! More my speed, you know! High five! Yea! And guess what? Ulli's not real good at it. I guess she's more of a Golden Retriever type of German Shepherd!! BOLBOLBOL!! No offense to Goldens, but mama says they are the nicest sweetest dogs in the world, to EVERYONE who comes around! German Shepherds? Ah, not so much... We're both kinda one-family dogs. We don't believe in spreading the love around that much.... I'm thinkin' about it though! People sure like me!

High five everybody! High five! Good job!

My brain was smoking at the end of class. I decided to cut out early and rest while everyone else worked their tails off. I 'checked out'. But I slept like a rock last night!

High five everybody! Shake? Bah! High five!