Bang!

I'm teaching Marty a new trick.  She's supposed to say, "Bang!" before I lie down on my side.  She does this silly little pointing thing too...

I'm Known To The Government

We got a new tag in the mail.  Marty says if the government is going to make me register, she should get a tax deduction!  (I have no idea what any of that means, but Marty has been making a lot of noise and saying it a lot.)

Now I have three tags on my collar.  I wonder how many I'll have by the time I'm a big dog!

I Got Another Present!

When we got to the farm, there was a present on the table for me!  Marty was too busy looking at paper things and bringing blankets downstairs to pay attention (even though there was a present for her too!  she needs to get her priorities straight), so I got it off the table by myself.

It is from Tractor Guy!  I was supposed to get to see him last weekend, but I didn't because Marty went to see Mr. Tripoli and Belle instead of bringing me to the farm.  I hope I get to see him this weekend or Marty will probably make me write a thank you note!

This is me, with my toys arranged just the way I like them.  (I emptied out the basket all by myself.)

Negligent Humans

Even though I drooled a lot in the car on the way to dog school, and even though we didn't get our normal water breaks because we weren't going back out to the car between turns, and even though I practically had to jump in a toilet (I was supposed to be finding meatballs next to it) to get them to give me water during class, and even though they are SUPPOSED to know that nosework dries me out, and even though I drooled A LOT more on the way from school to the farm, my humans did not check my water when we got here.

It looked like this.

Nosework

My nice run of not having to go in the car came to a screeching halt tonight.

We had dog school and Miss Jessica didn't cancel it, even though it was VERY cold.  I wore my special fake fur and I got a cookie before we left and Lyle rode in the back with me.  I did drool, but not as much as sometimes and no one threw up.  Marty thinks maybe we are making progress.

Usually when we do nosework, only one dog gets to be inside at a time, and the other dogs all have to wait in their cars.  (I don't really mind being in the car for this, because I know I will get to get out and go look for meatballs.)  But it was so cold that Miss Jessica said we had to come inside because otherwise we might freeze.  So we brought my crate and I had to wait in it in between turns.  I did not like that plan very much.  (Why couldn't I have just laid on the floor next to Marty?  Or maybe she could have brought my mat in, but no.)

I did find all the meatballs though, and we got to search in a two new rooms that we hadn't used before.  This is a picture of me searching for meatballs.  Even though I know this looks about as messy as the little house always looks, actually Miss Jessica does a lot of work to make better places to hide meatballs.  I even found meatballs STUCK ON WALLS tonight!

Lose Lose

Lyle got home this morning and I was SO HAPPY!  Partly because I missed him, but mostly because Marty was planning to make me ride in the car.

Lyle and I had a good day mostly napping at the little house.

Marty got back late tonight and guess where she was??  SHE WAS PLAYING WITH MR. TRIPOLI AND BELLE!!  I AM SO MAD!


Did she tell me she was going to see Mr. Tripoli?  No!  If I had known THAT'S where she was going, maybe I WOULD have wanted to go in the car.  (No, I wouldn't have, but she still should have asked.)  I AM SO MAD!

Playing with Uncle Rob!

After we got back from work, I had to go in my box and Marty left me.  Something crazy happened though, UNCLE ROB CAME TO MY HOUSE and let me out of my box!  Marty wasn't even here!  I got to hang out with Uncle Rob ALL BY MYSELF!

Marty came home after a while and then later Dan and Navidson came over.  I got to play with Uncle Rob AND Navidson at the same time!  This was the best day all week!

I was a little mean to Navidson about sharing my toys.  Marty is going to talk to Miss Pat about that, so we'll probably start having to practice some new thing where I get treats for letting Navidson take my toys.

Fake Fur

Yesterday after we'd been up for a little while Marty put fake fur ON ME!  It is called a Thundershirt, but there wasn't any thunder!

After I got the fake fur on we had to go in the car.  I think she thinks I will be less upset in the car if I wear the fake fur.  We went to work.  Maybe I drooled less, and I didn't throw up, but it is definitely not a magic wand to make me like the car.

Hanging Out At H. Bill's

I am missing Lyle.  And I am not the only one!

Yesterday morning I got locked in the box as usual.  So much for my hope that Marty had finally seen reason and was going to let me stay out.  Thankfully, Joyce and Nita came and rescued me.  When they left, I had to go back in again.  Boo.

Marty came home early and got me, and we were going to walk to the park (YAY!), but then we saw Joyce and Nita and Lilly driving up, so we turned around so I could play with Lilly.  I wish Joyce and Nita would bring Lilly over more often!  

After we'd played for a little while we did go to the park, but in the CAR.  Boo.  I drooled a lot but I didn't throw up.  Navidson was already there, and I REALLY, REALLY wanted to get there and play, but Marty was making a big deal about tight leashes again.  I am really tired of hearing about that.  When we FINALLY got to the park, I had a good time with Navidson.  He has a new toy that he let me share.  I do not like to share frisbees, and Marty said we will have to do more work on "Trade" again.  When we left the park I was mostly so good on my leash, and Marty said nice things.  She even said nice things to Dan.  

When we got back from the park, I had to go back in my box even though I am usually allowed out then.  I was mad, but I was also tired from the park.  I was in there a LONG time.  Then finally, Marty came home and got me.  But I had to go in the CAR.  I got to ride in the front seat because H. Bill's littermates were in the back.  We went to their house.  I drooled a lot, and Marty thought I was going to throw up, but I didn't.

When we got there I got to meet a lot more of H. Bill's family and show off a few of my tricks.  I didn't even get to smell H. Bill though.  He was napping with his grandhuman and pretty soon he went to bed.  I was practicing laying on my mat (and doing a little investigating to see if H. Bill had hidden any treats for me) when his littermate came down to say goodnight.  He gave everyone kisses, so I was going to give him kisses, but he said, "No kisses for you!"  This is why I like H. Bill best!

I AM IN CHARGE!

Lyle told me so!  Lyle has gone to visit my other grandhumans and before he left, he told me that I am in charge, and I need to take good care of Marty.

He also told Marty that if I am going to sleep in his spot, she should put a different pillow case on his pillow.  Lucky thing for him, I gave him pillowcases for Christmas.  (He has not written me a thank you note.  Maybe Yankee should give him lessons.  Of course, I did not write him a thank you note either.  Moving on...)

I have decided that since Lyle left me in charge, we should have some new rules around here!

Where Marty Hides The Good Toys

I have known for quite some time that the crazies are hiding things from me.  I think I have determined where.

Today, Marty needed some boxes to put away the Christmas decorations.  (Yes.  I have told you before they are lazy slugs.  And this is AFTER Joyce and Nita did all the hard work.)  She pulled a magic string and stairs came out of the ceiling!  And she went up there and disappeared!  I am pretty sure there is another WHOLE HOUSE up there!  I was going to go and check, but those steps are COLD!

My Own Thrower

Yesterday while we were at the park, we gave Navidson's thrower back.  Today when Marty came home to check on me, she gave me special cookies.  I didn't figure it out right away, but those are the same cookies I got on Sunday before we left the farm.  When I remembered, I spit them out and wouldn't eat any more.  She was really trying to fake me out.  She even put on a whole lot of extra fake fur again, so I would think we were going to walk to the park like we did yesterday.  But no!  She made me get in the car!

We went to the food store.  I did not throw up.  I did drool some.  When we got to the store, I picked out rawhides, and then we bought a new thrower for me!  Marty said she has been worrying that I might choke on a tennis ball.  I TOLD her she was being a big worrywort and that I would be CAREFUL.  She said I don't even know what "careful" means.  (I do so.  It means "go faster!".  Humans are always saying it to me when I'm running down the stairs.)

After we were done shopping for toys (after Marty was done... I could have shopped for A LOT MORE toys), we had to pick up some food.  Marty said, "Aren't you glad you came now?"  I was not glad.  Marty can buy food without me there.  Sometimes Joyce brings food back when she has been running errands for us.  And besides, I CAN EAT HUMAN FOOD!

Then we went to check out new boxes (have I mentioned that I am too big for my box now?).  Marty took one just like mine off the shelf and set it all up and told me to get in.  So I did.  Hey, she carries treats!  It's a lot bigger and I thought we were going to buy it, but we didn't!  Maybe Marty has finally fallen for my campaign to let me stay out of the box!

Guess where we stopped on the way back from the food store?  THE PARK!  I was so excited!!  We got to play with one of the
new balls.  It's easier for Marty to see when I don't bring it back (she needs exercise too!) and it bounces REALLY well.  As you can see, I will not be choking on it.

Thank You For My Thank You Note

Yankee and his human sent me a note to thank me for my Christmas present!  (It was addressed to Marty and me, not using my preferred address, but it's okay this time.)

Marty said that maybe I should think about writing notes to all the nice dogs (and humans) that gave me presents, but I am probably not going to do that.

Crazy

This morning Marty woke up and told me that she had a dream that she and I were both on a submarine.  (A submarine is a boat that goes underwater on purpose.  Tractor guy used to go on them a lot.)  I was in my box and I threw up.  I don't think I'm going to have to go on a submarine any time soon.

ANOTHER SNOW DAY!!

Miss Pat canceled class too!  I'm pretty sure that everyone except Marty is on board with my campaign not to have to ride in the car.

Marty said since Joyce and Nita haven't been able to get to me, and since I haven't had school, and since I really like to play in the snow but haven't really gotten a chance, and since we were going to stay at the farm the WHOLE DAY on Thursday, but we didn't even go, we could go to the park.

We WALKED to the park.  Marty wore so much fake fur she could hardly move!  She even has little gripper things for her boots (which is a shame, because I was planning on trying some skijoring).  We got there first, and then Navidson came, and a little while later Jackson came too!  Jackson lives next door to me.  We don't get to have playdates very often because our humans are all very busy, but we talk back and forth through the wall sometimes.  Jackson is not related to Lyle.  I asked.

We had SO MUCH FUN at the park.  Marty and Dan and Jackson's humans complained about being cold.  I tried to tell them that if they would just run around and chase each other and wrestle they would stay warm, but they wouldn't do it.  Probably because all that fake fur keeps them from being able to move.

NO SCHOOL!

The best thing ever happened on Tuesday.  MISS JESSICA CANCELED SCHOOL!  She said it was because the roads might be slippery because we got some snow, but I know it's really because she loves me and doesn't want me to have to ride in the horrible puke car.

We didn't really get that much snow here, but Marty still came home early to play with me.  We searched for more meatballs and I even found some hidden on the bottom of a chair.  Those meatballs are sneaky, but I am determined not to let them execute their evil plans for world domination.

Overcrating

I am too big for my box.  No, really, when I stand up in my box my back touches the top.  And besides, I am getting to be a big dog and I don't think I should have to spend all day locked up in a tiny box.  I could have a lot of fun customizing the house if the crazies would just leave me out.

On Monday I had to go in the box first thing in the morning, like usual, and Marty was only home for about an hour and a half at lunch AND we didn't go to the park.  Then the crazies came home for just like ten minutes, took me out of the box, let me go outside, and then PUT ME RIGHT BACK IN THE BOX FOR LIKE THREE HOURS!  I hate them so much.

When they got home we played find the meatballs for a while because they were trying to make it up to me, but I was still mad.

The New Protocol For Driving

After Saturday's total failure of a car ride, Marty and I decided we need to make some changes regarding being in the car.  We're still playing games about running toward it and playing catch, but in the meantime, it would be nice if we could just stop going places.  Marty says we can't just stop going places, so this is what we did on Sunday to get back to the little house.

I got special cookies before we left that are supposed to make my stomach less fluttery.  Then, Marty rode in the back and I got to ride in her lap.  And, we opened the window a little so it wouldn't be so stuffy and hot.

I did not throw up!  I did drool through two towels and Marty's jeans, but it was still progress!  If any of the big dogs have advice about this, I would be happy to hear it!

Help Me

How many times do you think I have to throw up in the car before we stop going places?  We can add another tally to the count.

Playtime With Navidson

Navidson came over tonight and we played while Dan played some game with the crazies.  They got pizza.

I have taught Marty a new trick.  She says, "Enough!" and gives me a treat!  All I have to do is bark a lot!  She's getting pretty good at this one.  Tonight I showed Navidson and we both got pizza crust!

More Throwing Up

I didn't want to go back to the little house on Thursday morning.  I stayed in bed when Marty and Lyle got up, and then when Lyle called me downstairs I figured out what he wanted and went right back up to bed.  Eventually he made me go outside and play a little fetch, which was okay, but it was only a ploy to make me get in the car!

I threw up on the way to the little house.  Marty says we are going to start putting towels down before we go places so the car will be easier to clean up.  I say we wouldn't have to clean up the car if we just stopped riding in it!

More School

You would think that if someone you loved had thrown up twice in just a few hours, you might not make them ride in the car for six more hours the next day.  If so, you wouldn't be Marty.

Wednesday morning, she dragged me out of bed with my leash and threw me in the car.  I was miserable, but she didn't care.  We had to drive back to the little house, and once we got there I got shoved in my box and abandoned.  Worst humans ever.  Thank goodness for Joyce and Nita who came over to rescue me.

The crazies came home early, and I was happy to see them until I realized why they were home early.  We had to go back to school.  Which means what?  Right, back in the horrible car.  Guess what the car smells like?  PUKE!

I didn't throw up in the car that time, but it was a near thing.

This time Miss Pat is teaching the class again, and there was only one other dog there!  It was Molly that I know from Real Life Skills.  Little Foot was supposed to be there too, but she didn't make it.  I guess we will see her next week.  Marty got to help decide what we're going to work on.  She wanted it to be all about walking together with the leash, but we're also doing some work on a new trick where I lay down on my side when Marty points her finger at me.

After school we got back in the car and went to Sonic and the farm again, but I managed not to throw up.

So Gross!

After I got done finding meatballs on Tuesday night we had to get back in the car to go to the farm.  We got to go to Sonic, which was nice, and I got a burger, but I still hate being in the car.

We hadn't been at the farm in a long time, so Lyle and I had to go check on things.  I may or may not have snacked on some deer poop while we were out.  When we got back to the house, I threw up again!  It was really, really, really gross.  Marty had to clean it all up because Lyle cleaned up the throw up in the car.  There may or may not have been deer poop in the throw up.

Marty was a little worried about me, but when I tried to kiss her and tell her I was okay, she didn't want me to.  I do not understand humans.

Nosework!

Tuesday night we started back to school.  We were running a little late and Lyle was driving fast and I was not feeling good in the car.  Marty wasn't feeling good either, but she didn't throw up.  I did!  When we got to school Lyle had to clean up me and the car.  He said that is why I am not allowed in his car and I only get to ride in Marty's car.  I think it would be better if I didn't have to ride in any cars!

I had to wait in the car while Marty and Lyle went inside to say hi to Miss Jessica.  I WAS SO JEALOUS!  I finally got to go in and search for meatballs.  There was a whole row of boxes and I had to show Lyle which one had the meatballs.  We haven't played with boxes in a LONG time, but I still found the meatballs without any trouble.  Lyle was pretty good too, he figured out what I was trying to tell him right away.

After the boxes in a row, I found meatballs hidden all over the training center.  Miss Jessica has started using spray cheese to glue meatballs onto places that meatballs don't usually go.  I found meatballs hidden on the back of a chair, meatballs hidden on the leg of a chair, and meatballs hidden on an exercise pen!

Nosework is my favorite kind of school.  I wish it weren't so far away!

Park After Dark

Monday night Marty finally took me back to the park.  We hadn't been to the park since before Navidson came to stay.  (Marty said that with Navidson visiting we had our own park.)  We went to the park AFTER IT WAS DARK OUT!

I had to wear my special collar light, and we played fetch with the two balls that have lights in them and Navidson's Chuckit thrower thing.  I ran ALL OVER the park.

There is some question as to whether we're allowed to use the park after dark, but as I have previously mentioned, Marty sometimes takes me places that are not strictly allowed.  The park has a camera kinda like the one we have at the farm to take pictures of the wild animals.  Marty says she hopes we don't get our picture in the neighborhood newsletter.

You Won't Believe This

I have another human sibling!  She's Devin's littermate, and I hadn't met her before, but she came over for dinner last night and brought her family.  That is not the surprising part.  The surprising part is:  I HAVE HUMAN NIECES AND A NEPHEW!  They think I am a little scary because I am so big, (I am so big!) but they let me taste their hands anyway.  They tasted like pizza and juice boxes.  I stepped on one of them and knocked the other one over.  Marty apologized and said I am just a puppy and am still learning, but they said I am not a puppy, I am a big dog.  (I am a big dog!)  They are pretty small though.  I guess human puppies must be on REALLY slow growth puppy formula.

I had to go in my box while they were eating (because Marty said mugging H. Bill was bad enough but that I should try to make a good first impression).  It wasn't horrible though, because I got a kong full of cheese.  Then I showed them how good I am at fetch (that's when I knocked one down).  They were pretty impressed (I am really good at fetch).

They watched a movie, but I had to stay on my leash so I wouldn't scare them.  I got to eat a WHOLE wolverine and after they left, I got to clean up popcorn.  I think this was a pretty good visit.

Navidson Came Back!

Friday night we had a big playdate.  H. Bill brought his family over AND Navidson and Dan came!  H. Bill was wearing fake fur, so I was a little confused at first, but we figured it out.  Marty made dinner (Navidson and I didn't get any) and I was going to share with H. Bill, but everyone kept telling me no.  I didn't think that was fair at all.  I am working on convincing his littermates that they should get a dog of their own, but they don't really believe me!

COWS!

Marty decided that since I am missing Navidson so much, tonight would be a good night for me to get my Christmas present from Aunt Becky.  Aunt Becky gave it to me when we all opened our presents (of course), but Marty said I couldn't have it while Navidson was visiting because we destroy nice things.  Navidson and I did destroy four toys while he was here, but it's okay, that's what toys are for!

Marty says I have some toys that are okay for tug and destruction, but that my nice toys have to get put up when I have friends over.  So that is why I wasn't allowed to have this present for ALMOST A MONTH.  Because my humans hate me.

Anyway, I FINALLY got to open it tonight.  (Marty had to help me unwrap it.)  It's a barn that has COWS in it!  I love cows!  My first new toy that Aunt Becky gave me was a cow.  Unfortunately, Navidson and I killed the part that made it talk a very long time ago, and it was one of the four we totally destroyed while he was here this time.  But now I got new cows from Aunt Becky!  These cows are kinda like my squirrels, but I have to open one of the doors to get them out of the barn.  The squirrels' log doesn't have doors, so it's easier.  

I have made Marty put the cows back in the barn about twenty times already!

I Miss Navidson!

Last night, Dan came over and picked up Navidson and took him back to his own house.  I sat at the door and waited for him to come back for at least a half an hour.















Today I am very lonely.  The house is too quiet, and even having Joyce and Nita here to play with me has not made it better.

Navidson is coming over for dinner tomorrow.  I miss him so much!

No More Demon Toe!

Yesterday I went to the vet (Navidson did not have to go).  I got treats for waiting, treats for going in the room, and REALLY GOOD treats (H. Bill's leftover omelet) when Dr. Richards came in to check me.  My toe is so much better that Dr. Richards didn't even scrape it!  Unfortunately, that means no more special breakfasts.

AND, the bumps and scratches on my stomach that Marty was so sure were going to mean more antibiotics?  Dr. Richards said they're probably just from lots of roughhousing with Navidson (http://sendnavidsonhome.com/) and that I am not a baby puppy anymore and my immune system should be able to handle it without drugs.  Yay for no more pills!

Send Navidson Home!

I really like Navidson; he's my BFF.  But I am an only dog and I am tired of having to share my humans (and my toys and everything else).

So while Marty and Lyle have been busy ignoring me, I've created a petition.  Help me!

SEND NAVIDSON HOME!

(My grandhuman didn't know there was an actual petition, so in case it's not obvious:  http://sendnavidsonhome.com/)

Proof of Life (sort of)

I am alive, but being held against my will in the little house.  Marty isn't feeling good and I have reason to believe she may be attempting to sedate me.