Spring!

I'm beginning to get this "seasons" thing. First it was cold, then it warmed up, then it got hot, then the leaves fell. And then it SNOWED--lots of snow! And now it's getting warm again, with bees in the azalea bushes by the front door and the grass has been cut. So, folks, is that all the seasons? If so, swimming pool time is coming up soon, and I can hardly wait. My webbed feet are ready to paddle.

Almost every morning there are new smells to check out when dad or mom opens the door to the deck. I am spending more and more time looking outside at all the wildlife that passes through my yard. My bark is quite loud enough to keep trespassing cats at a good stand-off distance. All of us are glad of new things we can do and watch now that spring is here.

One thing I need to share with you isn't so good. As some of you know, my sister dog Daisy died on February 20, at the people age of 14. Although I knew Daisy for as long as I can remember, it was only for ~ 1 human year. So here is a link from Jordan celebrating the fluffy life of my sister Daisy:
http://jordansometimes.blogspot.com/2010/02/daisy-may.html
Daisy never really warmed up to me. My parents say it’s because my first week living with her, I pulled her by her tail all the way across the kitchen because she would not play with me. Being a puppy then (still am, I’m told) I was not aware that dogs can lose their “playing” legs when they get into double digit years (whatever that is? Sure as heck was not lectured on at Petsmart School). Anyway, most of us regret at least one thing we did out of a youthful mixture of enthusiasm and ignorance. And I regret that. Sorry, Daisy.

So that leaves me with grumpy old Murray. I've seen way too much of his snarling behavior lately--such as when I take his smoked pig ear treat, or try to eat his dinner. Can't imagine what gets into him . . . and Mom says she didn't know he could snarl like that, since he never did it until I came to live here. (I think she favors older siblings.)

So, how's your spring going? Stop by and say hello if you're out for a walk or would like to bring me a Milk Bone or two.

A Typical Day in My Life

I used to wake up before my mom and dad, but since something called “daylight savings time” they now get up before I do. Mom or Dad opens the door on my crate right after the alarm goes off and the radio man starts to talk . . . and then I step half-of-the-way out and stretch my front legs. Then I step all-of-the-way out and stretch my hind legs. This is when I routinely get complemented on how much I gave grown overnight and get my leash connected to my collar.

Next, I lick whomever opened my crate door and then get up on the bed and lick whomever didn’t. Then it’s time for me to go OUT. On the way, I take a quick chew on the nearest toy, and when the bedroom door is opened I stick my head out into the hall and reconnoiter for cats. If any cats are lingering, I stare them down until they cower and slink away. (For this story, I’ll ignore the times when they fluff up their fur and hiss at me.) When my counter-cat mission is completed I make a mad dash down the stairs, pulling my person behind me. I stop at the front door and walk out on the front porch, hoping nothing scary like a big truck, a snow plow, a school bus, or a jogger is going by.

When the coast is clear I head out into the yard and, having done so much since waking, I pee right away on the grass. Then I walk into the driveway and look for the morning paper. When I see the paper, I approach it from my right side and turn my head 90 degrees towards it so my parent knows where it is. (I have no idea how they found it before I came to live here.) After that I walk around our yard looking for things to smell and sticks to nibble on. Then it’s to my secret lair, where I poop on groundcover vines. (Well hidden, but I still hope it will keep away outdoor cats and other dogs that may stop by.)

Then it’s another mad dash to the front door. Once inside I get my leash off so I can go into the kitchen where my big brother and sister have been sleeping. Once in the kitchen, I serpentine wiggle towards the laundry room where my food dish is—every inch of myself is excited about breakfast! I get 1.25 cups of puppy food and a puppy vitamin each morning. Then the laundry room door is closed so I do not steal food from my siblings, as they eat slower than I do.

When they are done eating, I am let out of the laundry room and then sprint to the community dog water bowl for much lapping and splashing—this always results in puddles. (No water in the bowl? I just dig in the metal bowl and make a ruckus until they pour more.) After that, I sit by or under my parents while they eat breakfast and read the paper that I found for them. Following their breakfast I get leashed and go OUT again for a post-breakfast voiding. (That’s British-speak for going to the bathroom). Next, I say goodbye to mom and dad takes me upstairs into my bedroom where I pretend to get tricked into going into my crate by chasing a yummy treat he tosses in for me.

I nap and chill in my crate till my dad comes home and we repeat the stretching and going OUT like when I wake up in the morning.
Next it’s into the kitchen and family room area where my big brother sniffs me (he must be losing his sight) and then tells me that although I am getting bigger he’s still Top Dog in the house. Next I go to see my dog sister, who still has not forgiven me for pulling off all the fur from the tip of her tail when I was a little puppy.

After that its PLAY time for me and dad. We play fetch, and tug, and slobber until his glasses need cleaning. Then dad gives me a CHEW toy and we watch a show he recorded for me while I was asleep (luckily I like Sci-Fi TV shows) and then we watch NCIS on the USA network (Abby is my favorite cast member, as she saves military dogs from bad things). I like to chew my toy cuddled up by my dad while he pets me in between playing with his BlackBerry and keeping track of the TV.

When mom comes home all three of us dogs bark like crazy as it means time for DINNER. Mom feeds me while dad feeds my big brother and sister. After we are done with dinner and “have taken care of business” outside its time for a short evening nap. (I strongly suspect that the people eat their dinner during this time.) After my evening nap there are hours of uninterrupted playing, walks, watching TV, chewing on toys or playing tug, going OUT and, if I’m lucky, chasing cats!

My day ends with one last trip OUT and then its upstairs to play seal. (You don’t know about the seal game? It involves a tennis ball and squirming around while writhing on the bed.) Then I let them trick me again with a yummy treat, and I get into my crate for a good night’s sleep. I am very lucky to have typical dog days that are so filled with fun and love!