Talking in my Sleep

Last night Mom woke up to me Yipping in my sleep. I don't bark in real life and I don't remember what I was dreaming of but she said that they sounded like they were sad, quiet, high pitch barks.
I wonder if I was having a nightmare or just remembering some distant puppy memory.
Momma said my name quietly so not to wake Pops and asked me if I was alright but it didn't wake me up either so she figured I was fine. That's when she realized I was talking in my sleep.

-The Duke Boy

New Survey - Take it and Pass it on!

Take this survey and send me your answers! (or you can just put them in your diary and eveyone can read them--like I did)

What is your name? Duford Gedanken Wilcox or Duke for short =)

What other nicknames do you have? Dewey, DuDu, Duke Boy, Big Boy, Dew Bug, and I think Knock It Off is one of them

What breed are you? King Shepherd…a breed not listed in the Dogster options

Where were you born? I was born somewhere in WA state (I think) but my first owners lived in Marion, TX

Where do you live now? Oak Lawn, IL a suburb of Chicago

What is your favorite toy? Ruby is my favorite toy. I like to play fight aka Rank fight with her all the time. I also love her Monkey toy but I never get to play with it because she’ll steal it right out of my mouth. She’s selfish.

What is your favorite store? Comic Book Store – I go there with my parents sometimes.

How many toys do you have? None…Ruby claims them all.

What brand of food do you eat? Timberwolf Organics

Wet or dry food? Dry unless Momma makes us human food.

What is your favorite color? Green but I look adorable in Purple

Are you bad when nobody's looking? No…I cause trouble all the time but I am never bad. I just like to have fun.

Are you friendly? I am too friendly. Come rob my house as long as you pet me and be my friend.

Are you overweight? No but I am built. I weigh 110lbs of love.

Do you eat people food? Oh, yeah. Even stuff they don’t give me. I am a counter surfer.

Do you eat bugs? I just started biting at flies because they bug me.

Do you live with other animals? Yes. I live with Ruby and 3 Degus and the occasional rescued pet my Momma brings home.

Do you like to exercise? As long as it is going somewhere I love it.

Do you like car rides? Love ‘em. Love to beg the driver to open the window and if we are not on the express way I love to do the doggie thing. Head out, tongue out, spittle flying, Chasing without all that stupid running.

Do you get into stuff? Everything. I have to Investigate.

Do you like to swim? I love to Wade. I’ve never tried to swim.

What is your favorite treat? Not too picky really. Any human food or meaty dehydrated food will do. I’ll even eat most processed store bought treats.

Do you shed? Oh, Boy do I. Every day in every way.

What's the funniest thing you ever did? Passed Gas and then opened the car window. I’ve also locked the house door on my parents and then opened it just at the right moment…when it is the funniest. I do all sorts of funny thing. Just depends on the day.

What's the bravest thing you ever did? It was a personal brave thing. I walked down almost straight stairs at the farm in the barn.

Are you neutered? No. I have to wait until I am 2 yrs old then get my hips and eyes checked so I can get my papers.

Are you a social animal? As social as they get!

Collar or harness? Both just depends when. I am a recreational sled dog so I wear a harness for that. Sometimes if I pull on the leash Momma switches to a harness so she can better control me. Most times a collar does the trick no need to be fancy.

Retractable or regular leash? Regular…Momma doesn’t believe in retractable leashes. They cause too much trouble for other people with their dogs running toward the traffic. They are also uncomfortable to hold.

Ceramic, Metal or Plastic bowls? Ceramic – Easy to clean.

Do you sleep in a crate? No. I sleep on the bedroom floor.

Do you have a dog bed? I did but I ate it so now I just wait for Ruby to pull a sheet or blanket or pillow off the bed to sleep on.

Do you have a doghouse? Yes, but I only use it when we are outside and a rainstorm starts coming down on us and Momma hasn’t noticed yet.

Do you belong to any dog clubs? Lots of groups on Dogster but no clubs.

How does your owner describe you? The most adorable Trouble Maker in the World.

New Noun Hound Game Clues

Well, I’ll Be…
I won! I figured out both ♥Austin♥ and Ying Yang’s clues!

Now it’s my turn to pick an Animal, Place, or Thing for you to guess. Hmmm…While I think I’ll explain the rules for any new contestants.
The rules are simple. I choose an Animal, Place, or Thing – I give you 4 (four) or more clues as to what it is - You try to guess correctly – If you guess correctly, not only do you get to choose the next animal but I give you a fabulous prize for winning! Sound fair enough…

Got one for ya…Here are your clues:

1. I am a small caviomorpha rodent that lives in South America.

2. I am closely related to the chinchilla and guinea pig.

3. We are herbivores - occationally will eat seeds.

4. We are very social and, after showing ourselves to be good laboratory animals, have made our way into the pet curcuit.

5. We make good pets because we have diurnal lifestyle and bubbly personalities. Unfortunately many of us are imbred and therefore get Diabetes if we are fed sweet foods. We are also insationable chewers and escape artists.

Message me your guesses and soon I will post a Diary entry with the winners.

Keep those Guesses Comin’
-Duke Boy

Game Answer: It was a Jackal!

Here are the names and pages of the smarty-pantses that got this tough question right:

Cap'n P. Nutty Snaggletooth

♥ Gypsy ♥

Mirra

Saphira, CGC
Prize

Ying Yang
Prize

Make sure you check their pages for another exciting game of THE NOUN HOUND created by Balto

Honorable mention goes out to Jesse ~CGC~ and Kallie. You guys were so close.

Everyone who played will receive a bone from the Dukester. Thanks for playing.

Good Luck with your Future Guesses!
-Duke

**Click on Name to visit my friend's page-look for Noun Hound Clues there also-and Click on "Prize" to see the fantastic Jackal Prizes**

If no prize button is available for a pup this means a photo was not available and another form prize was given.

Duke's Life Rules

Duke’s life rules

 Always run to greet your family at the door.

 Anyone who arrives at your doorstep is a potential friend including people in uniform.

 Unexpected guests are AWESOME!

 When your family members are having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and show them you care.

 Don’t beg for food or you won’t get any. Act like you want it and then like it doesn’t exist and then you will get all the leftovers.

 If someone new is over and they are eating pretend like you have no idea begging is a bad thing. They don’t know the household rules and you can scam them for all they’ve got.

 Eat like your starving.

 Try to remember to take food gently. People are touchy about keeping their fingers in tact.

 Play everyday.

 Play fighting is fun until your big sister gets angry.

 Be the big, strong, silent type…ladies love it.

 When another dog is being walked near your house act like that’s your best friend outside. Whine and jump on the couch, the window sill, anywhere to get a better look out the window and try to get them to notice you.

 Beg all drivers to open the car windows.

 Head out the window, tongue out, and the wind in your face is the best way to travel.

 Always watch your folks leave…they’ll want to come home sooner.

 Window watching, counter surfing, and naps pass the time when the family is gone.

 Try really hard not to relieve yourself in the house.

 Don’t pout when scolded…. Plan next take over.

 Look at dead fish and road kill as opportunities to take an interesting aroma home. Your friends will be jealous and your parents will be appalled.

 Show your family how you feel by always giving off plenty of Calmin g Signals. No need to get stressed out. If your folks are versed in the universal language they will notice them and know that you are trying to stay stress free and resolve problems.

 If it’s Sunny outside drink lots of water and lie somewhere shady after playing.

 Run after anything smaller than you that runs first!

 If no one’s giving you attention Pass Gas…they’ll look your way – guaranteed =)

 Show off your private parts to all who’ll notice.

 Lick yourself at inopportune moments.

 Don’t get mad - Wait for the opportune time and Get Even.

 Jump on anyone who doesn’t tell you no!

 Enjoy every season for what it has to offer.

 Don’t get overwhelmed – take on life one bump at a time.

 Laugh at anyone yelling at you…it gets them madder but their facial expression is priceless.

 Slather on the Southern Charm.

 Enjoy life! It’s the only one you’ve got!

I am one of today's featured diaries -BARK ON

Thanks Dogster…I must be SUPER DUKE!
COME READ HIS DIARY AND LEARN HIS SECRETS TO WORLD DOMINATION!
More Charm than a snake charmer!
Able to cause trouble in a single bound!
Able to pass on his knowledge one mistake at a time!

I am Glad y’all enjoy my Diary Pages.
For Dog’s Sake they are written for you.
I like my friends to know more about me.
It’s boring to hold ALL the world’s best trouble making schemes and not share them.

Today, I am one of today's featured diaries and it will be displayed all day on Dogster’s Diary Central page at http://www.dogster.com/diary/dcentral.php under 'Today's Picks'.

With Love,
Duford


P.S. Still waiting for the correct guess to the Game started by Balto (http://www.dogster.com/dogs/692002)

Clues:
1. I am found in Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe.

2. I am a member of the family Canidae

3. I live in a monogamous pair which defends its territory from other pairs, but occasionally live in a pack.

4. Most vocal of all the Canidae family; pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell, yapping, or a siren-like howl.

Continue Emailing me your guesses…I told you it was a Tough One!
If no one guesses it in a week – I’ll give you ONE MORE CLUE – But you’re all smarter than that. I’m sure you’ll guess it by then. Good Luck and continue guessing!

Valentine

No this isn't an early Valentine's day message. Valentine is a white fox at the rescue organization my Momma works for with a brown/reddish heart shaped mark around his face.

Today, Ruby and I got to go over there while Momma was cleaning. I had to act all big and tough...to pass the large cats without looking like a frady cat myself. But all's well. I did it.

Ruby and I did some 'splorin' and I ran into these musky smelling creatures. They had to be some sort'a dog. Ruby and I sniffed through the fence. Then one of them came up to the fence face to face with me. I didn't know what he wanted...then he rolled over on his back to show me he was in submission to me. Yes, I wish I got this type of respect at home.

Then we played along the fence line and sniffed each other through the fence. He was cool. Hope we get to play again.

-DuDu

Balto's Game...Lets Play

My Best Bud Balto has passed the torch to me...Well, actually I stole it with my WICKED AWESOME GUESS! Now it's my turn. Let's play (rules from Balto's diary posted below about how to play this game)!!!

Here's a toughy...

1. I am found in Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe.

2. I am a member of the family Canidae

3. I live in a monogamous pair which defends its territory from other pairs, but occationally live in a pack.

4. Most vocal of all the Canidae family; pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell, yapping, or a siren-like howl.


Hope y'all put on your thinking caps and send those emails my way. I'll bark back soon.

-The Dukester

Exert from Balto's diary page:

"I have a game for all you dogster's. I am going to describe an animal and you guys will e-mail me giving guesses about what animal it is. When some one guesses right then I will post it on an ENTRY. So on so on. Has to be at least #4 discription.

1. Is white

2. Is very big

3. Lives in the Arctic

4. And hunt's humans and us:) :)

There is the description hope I start getting lots of E-mail's with guesses:) THANKS, BALTO
______________________________

Duke guessed Polar Bear he was correct. Now every one should go check out his Entry to see if you can guess Duke's Animal, Place, or Thing he chose. You can find him on my friends list. If you forgot the rules check out me previous entry to refresh your memory. Thanks every one and I hope all who see this will play.

Good guess Duke darn you got me :)

P.S. Forgot to put this in my directions: put somthing nice for the person who guessed.

Thanks all Dogsters:)

BALTO"

Exotic Animal Encounters

After going to the Vet, Momma took me to the place she volunteers. She had to do some cleaning up after the animals and feed all of them. Because I wasn't contagious I got to come in. I got to visit with their two dogs...under supervision of course. Then I waited in the Mud Room for Momma to finish in the basement. I wasn't allowed to go down there because Momma didn't want me to frighten or get frightened by the cougar and the alligator and all the other exotic critters.

Momma did let me foller her into the backyard where there were lots of other critters to detect. The first animal I saw was kinda scary. It was the BIGGEST CAT I'VE EVER SEEN! It was a lynx. I was taken back...literally. I was nervous to even pass the two of them in the cage. Yes, it's true, big bad Dukey scared of a little kitty...All except these little kitties were around 30lbs and 30 inches at the top of their heads. That's approximately up to my shoulder...That’s a Huge Kitty.

The next animal I saw, I liked it, was a coatamundi. Coati's are mammals in the raccoon family. They are from South America. They have a long tail that looks like a Ring-tailed Lemur and a face similar to an anteater but the nose isn't so long. The raccoons were in this enclosure as well. I didn't even want to follow Momma to see anything else. Momma went to feed the foxes and I stayed enjoying the company of the 2 Coons & 3 Coatamundi. Momma was kinda worried I would get bitten but I didn't. For Bark's sake she worries too much.

See ya,
Duford

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News...

AH-CHOO

Okay, that sneeze was a fake, but Momma tramped me off to the vet today. I was not feeling well the last couple days. I've been leaving really messy masses for Momma to clean up when she got home. I even let some go when I was sleeping and I vomited a couple times-just yucky yellow fluids but still a matter for concern.

Momma and Pops were really angry when they came home and saw an oowie-gooey pile on the couch. I wish I had thumbs so I could have cleaned up that one before they got home to see it. I felt real bad about it because I was just sleeping on the couch when I made that accident even though my folks knew they couldn't yell at me because I was sick and didn't do it on purpose. I still had to stay in my crate the next time they went to work after that incident. Hence, the vet visit today.

We went to a different veterinary clinic today from usual. We usually go to the Animal Welfare Clinic in Chicago Ridge, but when you go there you have to literally wait hours to be seen. Momma didn't want to do that today, so we drove approx 30 min to Animal Medical Center of Orland Park. We didn't have to wait at all. It was amazing.

Guess how much I weigh...com'on guess!

Nope...try again.
Nuh-uh.
No, but you're close. Okay I'll just tell you. I weigh the same as Momma weighs. 110lbs! Don't tell her I told you. She is kinda funny about her weight. She is petite and thinks she should weigh more...is that normal reaction for people?

I weighed 98.2 pounds last time I was at the vet...I believe. That means in 4 months give or take I have gained 11.8 lbs. Maybe I should lay off the munching of household objects between meals. It's catching up with me.

Anyway, Doc stuck two things up my butt while I was there. I didn't say anything but it was uncomfortable the first time for the fecal test so I made faces at her. The second time I tried to sit down on the thermometer and realized it wasn't only going to make her job harder so I lay down instead so the Doc had to get all the way down on her knees to finish the procedure. Oh, yeah, and I kept staring at her the whole time. Hopefully I made her uncomfortable as well...people don't usually like to be stared down. Eventually I guess it worked because she pulled it out and walked a few steps away.

The doctor cleaned my ears and asked me if I was growing potatoes in there...I didn't get it. She had to use 16 cotton balls and go way in deep. I am kind of used to this treatment because lately Momma's had to use a wash rag and put ear cleaner on it and dig for gold...in my case she only finds dirt. The doctor went in farther than Momma goes and I did some moaning. The doctor said, "Shut up or I'll give you something to whine about!"

I'm just barking up your collar, but you fell for it. You were about to call BBB or animal cruelty or some such nonsensical place...the doctor did say something but all I heard was mumbling because my ears were so clogged up and she had what felt like her entire arm jammed up my other ear.

When the feces test came back negative for parasites and the ear wax test came up positive for excess yeast the doctor came in with an antidote. She gave Momma a bottle of 500mg pills of Flagyl for the yeast and the most expensive ear drops you've ever seen called Mometamax. Doc Handke said the pills should get rid of the ranky smell as well...did I mention I am the smelly kid in class? Not that I like to brag or nothin'.

I took the pills like a champ. Momma put the first one all the way in the back of my mouth and closed my mouth. She rubbed my throat but it wasn't necessary the pill was already down the shoot. The second one took two tries-Momma's fault not mine. She didn't put it near the back of the tongue she put it closer to my teeth on the left side of my mouth so I put it on the kitchen floor. Next attempt was just as successful as the first time. For all my crazy antics and bad qualities I really am a superior specimen where tolerance is concerned.

The Doc put me on a special diet that I just love. Momma made the mix for me this evening when we got back. It is beef (chicken or turkey) with white or brown rice. Yum. Doc says it's bland but it's way better than kibble. Ruby got some too because Momma didn't want any feelings hurt. The Doc said Momma can throw in some Pumpkin or Sweet Potatoes to harden me up too. I hope I never get better; I'm eating like a King. I am supposed to eat this and nothing else in 3 small portions daily for a week after a week I can have some kibble mixed back in.

Doin' what the Doctor ordered,
Dewey