Bbbbbbbbarking all day

Early this morning the lady took me to a dog park and I was an angel.  No one was there at first, but this dog the lady called, "Hooch"  came. The lady said he looked like a TV dog, whatever that is. He was great at first and we acted like dogs do, but then he picked up a ball and how was I supposed to know he was over the top protective of his ball? I came up to him like I had before and he tore in to me. Yep, I peed myself, but good grief, HE WAS HUGE and he took me right down to the ground and then just walked away.  Okay dokay.  Lesson learned.  Don't go near dogs bigger than me when they have a ball in their mouth. Afterwards we ran around together, but I wasn't quite ready to be buddy best friends again.

Things have been crazy today.  The house across the street is getting a new roof and there is all sorts of banging and hammering and people walking around.  I have done my part and barked the entire day.  She thought if she took me over there and introduced me to the men I would stop barking.  She thought if she sat with me on the sidewalk across the street from them I would stop barking.  No and no. She let me in the house and I was a quiet and very happy dog.

Right now the lady has me inside tied to the table.  I don't really want to go into why she feel she has to do this, but I can kind of understand it. I really hate her cat and the feeling is mutual.

Hide and sneak

The lady taught me a new game today.  She had me sit and stay on the rug and then she went upstairs and called me.  It was super exciting and I loved it.  At the beginning, it was too hard to stay on the rug and I would sneak off it, tip toeing oh so quietly, towards the stairs. Drats, she always would hear me and make me go back to the rug, sit, and stay, all over again.  But, it was still so much fun.  At the end, after I found her, I would race back downstairs and sit on the rug and wait for her to call me.  She said I do have a brain.  I guess that's a good thing?

Making the place feel like home

I thought the fluffy bed inside the dog house needed airing out again, so I dragged it out of the dog house and shook it while running around the yard. It took awhile for it to exit the dog house though, so I guess you could say I rearranged the furniture in my world.  Again, the lady was not happy with me.  She said something about why did I wait till it snowed to drag the dog bed all around. And since the dog house was upside down, wet,  and in the middle of the yard, she gave me a snarky look for that too.  Like I can control the weather.

We played a lot today. Walks, runs, ball at the park and frisbee in the front yard.  Shasta thinks she can take the ball right out of my mouth and she is sooo sneaky about it too.  She walks around me and acts like she is searching for something and when I look down, she grabs the ball right out of my mouth. But I have her figured out now. I take it to the lady first, well, most of the time. The lady makes Shasta come to her when I have the ball.  I can't help myself because I am so proud that I beat out Shasta in getting to it first that I have to come and show Shasta the ball-while it is in my mouth.  Yes, I put it right in her face and prance around and it is a nan-er, nan-er moment for me and I LOVE it. Since Shasta gets in trouble if she chases me and the lady never comes after me, I know I have to give the lady the ball or the game is over.  Once when I didn't, she turned and walked away from me.  Just like that.  Hello, we are in the middle of a game here!  Leavers are losers! I dashed after her, but wouldn't give the ball to her hand; I dropped it on the grass. Showed her who was boss.

The lady didn't tie me up the other night and now I know it was a test.  Epic failure!  Shasta has one sheep skin to lie on and I chose the other.  It smelled soooo good.  I started to nibble and got a little obsessed with it. The lady heard me and came over and I got to hear my least favorite word again. NO!  Then she tied me up and I had to sleep in the dog bed.  When I grow up, maybe I'll be able to have a sheepskin to sleep on.  I'm pretty sure that won't be happening soon though.

Borrrring dog days

The lady has been gone a lot. All day yesterday and most of today. I got a walk yesterday- on a leash the whole time, but I was good and heeled when she told me too, but some smells were too tempting not to smell. I was bored and though I didn't dig, I did destroy everything in the recycle garbage on Wednesday. Today when she returned home, she took Shasta and me for a walk and I was a perfect angel. 

She brings two balls to the park, but usually only throws one for us to race after.  Shasta is super competitive. I'm faster than she is, but she goes all out and I'm happy to follow, unless the ball is closer to me, and then I race for it.  Right before the lady throws it, she looks us in the eye and tells us who should get it.  If Shasta doesn't try to 'herd' me, I'll bring it back to or near the lady.  She calls Shasta the clean up crew as she grabs the ball I bring back and drops it at the lady's feet.  Sometimes I'll surprise the lady and drop it in her hand. I always get lots of happy sounds from the lady when I do this and sometimes I even let her pet me and ruff up my scruff.  Today was fun because the lady sat down in the grass and had us bring the ball and drop it on her lap. 

The lady is being careful with me because I jumped another dog at the dog park.  He was a little cocker spaniel and I thought he was acting weak and that made me feel like acting tough.  I didn't know he had a bodyguard in the shape of a Malamute Husky.  This dog rushed me, grabbed me by my scruff and tossed me like a rag.  He didn't want to fight, but he definitely wanted me to stop what I was doing.  And I did !!!  But after about 5 minutes I went back to that little dog, but he huddled down between his man's feet and I couldn't get to him nor would I let  the lady catch me.  Again, the Husky rushed me and knocked me off my feet. But he got hurt when he ran into me. I am pretty solid and didn't mean to hurt him, but he was limping after running into me.  The lady talked to the man and then she caught me and we left.  She said we can only go back when there aren't dogs there, at least for awhile.  She makes me sit and be still whenever another dog is around and I have to let them smell me. So embarrassing, but I'm not as worried about them attacking me.

Not My Best day

"No!!!" was a word  I heard a lot today.  It started at the park when I was fetching a ball and running around and flying through the air like Pegasus.  I was feeling at the top of my game when I saw the little grey ball of fluff. I had to investigate, so I ran over there. "NO!!!  COME!!! the lady said, but I didn't listen. The little ball of fluff was a dog and there was a man attached to a leash with it. I expected it to start snarling at me, so I snarled first.  The man was not happy with the lady and told her I should be on a leash, but I wanted to stay free so I wouldn't let anyone catch me. The lady turned and walked away from me.  Hello?! That is against all dog rules of catching because now I had to follow her. I couldn't help myself. Then she put a leash on me and walked me all around the park making me heel.  Not fun. And she wouldn't let me smell bushes either.  I had to do exactly what she asked.

When we got home, she let me follow her around the house and when I went upstairs, I smelled something  interesting on the man's side of the bed, and being a male dog, and a fine specimen, I wanted to add my scent to it in my own special way. The lady went crazy again and shouted, "NO!!!" She is lucky I have great control as I immediately turned off the faucet. She put me outside.

The lady found the spot on the bedspread where I had left my special scent on and she washed it and hung it outside to dry in the sun.  I thought it would be fun to pull on, but nooooooo was the word I heard again.  She let me stay inside, but she watched me like I was a bad dog or something. Then I went outside and took a nap.  Now that was relaxing...until the lady watered her plants and water-loving Shasta just had to play and run through the hose.  I do not like water. I do not like it Sam-I-am.

I like sleeping in the house at night.  Last night the lady had me sleep next to her man.  Anywhere is good with me; as long as it is inside, I am happy. As soon as the lights go out, I fall right asleep.

House priviledges

I really don't like going outside after the lady lets me in the house. I've done the lay-on-the-floor-and-be dead-weight routine and she had to pull me on my back to the outside porch. I've run and hidden, but she always finds me and puts me out.  Both of those are kind of fun and I get lots of attention.

The lady tried a new strategy today.  She opened the door and said, "Outside." When I collapsed on the floor, she just stood over me saying, 'outside' over and over until I nearly lost my mind.  I ran to another room to get away from that annoying word, but she followed me from room to room saying THAT WORD over and over. You know what?  Outside started to look really good and I was excited to go through that door and get away from her and that word.  She did this to me two times and now, I am sooooooo happy to go outside whens she first tells me to.  I actually feel like I'm growing up.  Picture that, me making choices on what what she wants and not on what I want.  I know.  I'm not quite the "perfect" dog Shasta is, but I am smart and learning fast.

When the lady sits on the floor, Shasta sits on one side of her and I sit on the other side.   I know I had two walks today and played at the park twice, but I wanted to wrestle.  Snarky Shasta just growled at me. The lady played with me, but she always wants to stop before I do. So, I decided to chew on her arm.  I didn't nibble hard, but she said something like, "I'm not a chew toy." and then she grabbed her keys and told Shasta and me to come.

Hey, hey.  CAR RIDE.  I am really starting to like car rides and Shasta and I fight to see who can get in the car first.  She usually wins because I want to sit up front and the lady always opens only the back door. We drove to a big store and we watched her go in.  Lots of other people came and left, then finally I saw the lady and we drove home.  I still can't bring myself to hang my head out the window. Shasta obviously hasn't seen Semi trucks play chicken before, so she loves feeling the wind in her face as she blinks bugs out of her eyes.  No thank you for me.

Ha, the lady bought me a most delicious tasting bone. I chewed it for hours and it was much more fun than chewing on the lady's arm.

No body can sprawl on the floor like I do.  The lady's husband shot this picture of me and you can see my form and style.  Impressive, huh?

Last night I slept in the house. The lady was up late watching a movie (I only attacked the screen once, but hey, there was a dog barking on there and that needed to be addressed) After it ended, she sent me outside and said, "Potty."  I'm not exactly sure what that meant, but it was late and the smell of the night air and the grass just kind of got things moving.  You would have thought Christmas came early by how excited the lady was with me watering her bushes.  Happy to oblige, ma'am.

The best part was when she took me upstairs and showed me my most favorite bed. YES!!!!   If it wasn't for the strange noises coming from the other side of the tall flat surface, I would have gone straight to bed, but I had to investigate.  I walked slowing around this tall thing.  There was movement and then more noises. The lady kept pointing to my bed and whispering "bed", but the sounds were so interesting.  I had to know more. I walked over there again, sat down, then I put my nose up on it.  Hmm.  I know that smell, but not that sound.  Now I could go to bed. I don't know why she leashed me so close to her sleeping place and my bed.  It's not like I was going anywhere. I slept like a puppy and didn't move all night. It wasn't quite light out when the man woke up and wanted to take me out.  I was still sleepy, but the lady unleashed me, and told me to go.  I did slurp her face once before I ran out the door. Score one for me!

Bath day - Sept 26, 2013

Yes, it is possible for me to be more handsome.  Who knew?! Granted I didn't like the process much, but the rolling in the grass afterwards made up for it.  And no, I didn't even have a leash on.  I just stood there and took it like a man. I even smell pretty good, though I do miss that grrrrr man odor I had before.

I didn't want to get into the car today and the lady thought if she waited me out, I'd decide to hop in, just because Shasta got in first." It was hard, she asked me nice, then she got in and called me.  I was really tempted.  I wanted to get in, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.  She got out of the car and bent down and touched my head.  I knew I better just jump in, so I did.  And she was happy.  When we got to our destination, I thought I'd beat the lady out of the car, so I jumped out the window...and landed on my head. Not my finest moment, but I quickly recovered and went bounding in the house. (Maybe that is why she keeps me leashed when the car is moving.)

The lady is driving me crazy. She talks to me like I know what she is saying.  I've only got "No",  "Heel", "Sit", "Lay down", and "Come" for sure, and sometimes I consider them suggestions, not requests.  She knows I know those words though, because I always do them when she has treats.  Rats, I need a new plan.

The lady took me and Shasta to a house today where she had to watch a cute little blond boy whose face was at just the right height for me to lick him from his chinny-chin-chin to the top of his forehead. I think he liked it.  No, I didn't knock him over.  I just slurped him a few times.

It was here that the bath happened.  Shasta loves water.  She jumps in lakes, runs in sprinklers, and attacks hoses.  I did mention she is crazy, didn't I? The lady turns on the hose and Shasta does her, "I'm so cute and funny" routine running through the water and catching it in her mouth.  She actually LIKES getting sprayed with water and in the face is all the better. I kept a dignified distance from all those shenanigans, and found a ball to play with.  My misfortune happened when the ball rolled by the water and the lady took hold of my collar and got me wet from the tip of my tail to the crown of my noble brow. I may have whined a few times, but I tucked my head between her knees, and resigned myself to endure this indignity. Then came the shampoo and then the rinse.

I am so tired.  I actually fell asleep sitting up, and then fell over. What is a  puppy to do?

I know how to stay outside, unless I'm invited in.

But sometimes the temptation is too much.

You should always lay down before falling asleep.

The man takes me for a walk...or vice versa Sept 25, 2013

The man took me to the park today. You would think he'd consider it exercise holding me back and trying to get me to heel. You know- one, two, three, pull. One, two, three, pull. But no.  He was not happy with me.  I wonder if he likes dogs or maybe he just doesn't like me.    He loves Shasta, the little kiss-up.  She is so perfect. Blech! Boring!!!!!!

Tonight the lady took us to the park.  I think I may be getting this 'heel' thing down because I didn't get yank-o-vitched nearly as many times as yesterday.  I chased Shasta who was catching the frisbee.  She never shares and just glares at me if I try to take it away from her.  The lady took me out front, all by myself, when we got home and she had the yummiest treat.  Every time I came to her, she came me a bite of pure yumminess.  Then she would throw the frisbee, and if I'd leave it and come to her, I got another bite of pure delight.  She even held the hated leash, but mmmmm, I didn't care because I wanted to gobble that treat.  She never put the leash on me either.  Then she opened the door and we went inside.  She throws my squeaky toy and I bring it back to her, unless Shasta tries to get it from me.  I'm a fine gentleman with Shasta, and never snap or snarl at her....first.

I like being inside.  I've learned that if I jump of the couch, I get smacked and yelled at.  I also don't put my nose on the table when they are eating.  That definitely was not a good idea. I love all the scratches and hugs I get, but I don't like it when Shasta inches in on my loving.  Shasta does this crazy thing where she keeps me away from the people.  No matter which way I turn, she is there with a snarky look in her eye.  Sharing is not her strong point.

Another dog park and more annoying dogs- Sept 24, 2013

At dawn this lady hauls my tired carcass out of bed.  It's a good thing I'm young and spry  and always up to a new adventure.  She let Shasta and me in the house and Shasta ran straight for the front door. This lady took forever getting her foot coverings on.  Ok, I might have got in her way a few times, but I was excited and couldn't help licking her face when she kept bending over messing with her feet.

She opened the car door for me to get in, but I remembered that place from yesterday. No Way!!!!  That's a torture chamber and boring and crazy trucks go screaming by you.  But then Shasta jumped right in and was all excited.  So I thought, "What the heck." and followed her in.  Shasta is crazy.  Certifiable. She puts her feet on the door and hangs her head out the window and acts like she likes it!!!  I'm brave and courageous, but I do not have a death wish.

When we got out, we went to an enclosed area where Shasta and I could run and explore.  It was great...until this other dog came.  This was a dog only a mother could love.  He must have run into a door many, many times, because his nose was pushed in to almost his eyes and the first thing he wants to do is get all up in my business. I chased him away with my sideways barking and leaping, but then I tracked him.  I got down low and snuck up on him twice.  Now that was fun.When more dogs came, we left.  Then the lady took us to a park and we chased frisbees. I was too tired to jump in the car and I didn't want to leave anyway, so she had to lift me into the car. That was embarrassing and Shasta was not impressed.

This evening we walked down to the park.  Man,  I hate leashes.  This lady keeps saying, "Heel!" and then yank-o-vitching me back and then making me sit.  I only want to run, but I am learning what follows "Heel" if I keep pulling. I think I can wear her out... I am young and strong, but she does look pretty tough and old. Shasta does whatever this lady says.  What a weenie.

The long ride to Colorado - Sept 23, 2013

When this lady came out back and put a leash on me, I wasn't too keen on the idea, but I was excited as we walked to the front of the house.  She opened a door for me and I jumped in the back seat of a car.  I don't think I would have done that if I knew what the next 8 hours was going to be like.

I lasted for about 10 minutes before I wanted to get out and sniff all the cool looking things that were flashing by my window.  I told the lady in my very own special way.  I whined.  When that didn't work, I barked. She didn't like that very much and she yelled at me.  I tried very hard to be good and laid down and tried to sleep.

Every time I was almost asleep, it felt like the floor dropped out from under me.I'd hear this ba-bam or click-click and I had to hop up and looked around, but everything looked the same. It felt sometimes like we were driving over railroad tracks.

The worst was when these huge semi-trucks played chicken with me.  I'd see them coming and start growling to warn them.  Just as they were about to hit us I'd attack!!!! The window always got in the way, but I know that it was me that scared them off.  I may only be 6 months old, but I am the toughest dog I know.

This lady took me out to some grassy areas when she stopped a couple times, but I refused to do my business with someone watching.  Who needs company for private matters?

The scariest part of the trip was this place that had all these crazy dogs in it.  I think this lady was trying to torture me.  Maybe these dogs all knew each other, but I didn't know them and they were all wanting to smell my business end all at once and it was just too much.  I took off running. Of course I was much faster than any of them, but even a stellar dog at his peak, like me, can't run forever.  I found a nice cave, aka a picnic table, to make my stand and then the dogs went away to torment some other poor soul. There was one dog who tried to be nice to me and his person was really friendly, but I just wan't in a trusting mood and snapped at him. Nothing I did seemed to bother him, so we became acquaintances...as only dogs do, by sniffing.  But then this super obnoxious dog came over who wanted to tussle, so the lady put my leash on and we left.  Whew, that was stressful!

When the car stopped next, it was in front of a yellow house with lots of flowers. She let me out and I helped her unpack the car, sort of. She put me behind the house with another...dog. This dog did not like me much,. but she left me alone. Then when I wanted to play, she showed her teeth to me.  How rude. I'm sure my charm will win her over. How could she not like my strong legs, my winning smile, my ability to leap, well straight up in the air?

After a while the lady brought the other dog, who she called Shasta, and me into the house.  Happy day! Everything smelled so interesting. She kept me tied to her waist so I had to follow her around, but I didn't mind. I saw so many new things.  Then she sat down to watch things move on the wall. I think she said it was a movie. and she told me to get in bed.  Well I LOVED this bed.  It was just the right shape. It was just the right cushiness. It was just the right fuzziness.  The only problem with it was it smelled a lot like Shasta.

I looked at Shasta and she was showing me her teeth again.  Now when people do that I don't mind,it makes me feel all wiggly and happy, but when she did it again, I went crazy.  Literally.  I started jumping at her and showing my teeth, and twisting my head sideways and just generally flipping out. Who does she think she is? While I was showing how mean and tough I am, I heard something.  The people in the room were laughing.  Hey, hey, they thought I was pretty cool and were cheering me on.  The lady reached out and took me and told me to go to bed and they made Shasta go by the other couch.  Victory was mine!

Ooo. I knew that feeling I was feeling, but where was the grass.  I got up and looked around, and then I just let the river flow. Now that got people moving and I got yelled at and put back outside. Ok, I won't do that again and I hope they noticed me looking around before I did the dirty deed.

I slept outside with Shasta last night.  I barked because I like to and the lady yelled at me again. Geesh.  What is her problem?!  I finally went to sleep because, frankly, I was exhausted.