Archive 2013

January Week 1:

Bella:
	Dogs know when something isn't right. It's not unusual for us to sense an impending earthquake, an approaching tsunami or a tornado whipping up, miles away. We also know when we are going to get a bath before you tell us and we always know how many dog biscuits you have in your pocket. Don't mess with us. We're never wrong on that last point.
	The more you pay attention, the less you'll be fooled.

Week 2:

Maxine:
	Some of Mom's friends came to my house last night. During the party, a man picked up one of my toys and threw it across the room. He said, "Fetch!". I stopped mid-trot, sat down, stared at him, then barked, "No! You threw it. You get it."
	Exercise your right to cancel someone else's order.

Week 3:

Turbo:
	I was running big-boy-fast in the yard with my friend Chloe when I turned quick-like and made my knee get a bad hurt. The doctor told Mom not to let me climb up or down steps till I could walk good again. So, every time I had to potty, Mom carried me outside. When I was finished, she carried me back in my house. My knee is all well now but I liked Mom picking me up so I started limping again. Mom reached for me but stopped, looked at me, then squinted her eyes and shook her head. It seems myself got confused and held up the wrong paw.
	A flash of "Oh! Oh!" comes one second too late to do something about it.

Week 4:

Frazier:
	Momma was a-busy paintin' tha bathroom walls. When Ah went in tah look around, she saw me an'; said, "Out, Frazier. Out." Ah backed up an'; was a-gonna leave but instead Ah stepped in tha middle of her paint pan. Her eyes got real big an' she came a-runnin'; toward me as Ah went a-runnin'; out tha door. She followed mah paw prints clean across tha living room floor before she caught up with me in tha kitchen. Tha way she started scrubbin'; mah paws under tha runnin'; water in tha sink, Ah';m sure glad Ah didn';t sit in that there paint.
	NOTHING is so bad that it couldn';t be worse.

Week 5:

Duke:
	When I was a pup, Pop put a big blanket on the kitchen floor. He told me that was where I was supposed to sleep so I should stay on it all night. I, however, wanted to be in the next room. So, when he turned out the light, I scooted the cover across the kitchen all the way into the living room. No way Pop could get mad at me. I never got off that blanket.
	Take time to comprehend the obvious.

December Week 1:

Maxine:
	Mom got the bright idea of dressing me for a Christmas picture. The green coat was okay but when she started putting pointy-toed shoes on these paws, I made it clear that I was not a happy elf. She would put one on me then when she tried to put another one on, I would shake the first one off. When she tried putting the first one back on again, I would fling the second one across the room. We kept doing this till she finally harrumphed and tossed them in a drawer. And that was that!
	When displeased, speak up.

Week 2:

Frazier:
	Last night Momma brought uh tree in tha house. She stood it up in tha corner of our big room an' put lights on it. Ah was so happy tah git uh tree — muh own indoor potty place. Momma is gonna be happy too — when she sees me lift muh leg on that tree.
	Enjoy the moment. Some are more short-lived than others.

Week 3:

Turbo:
	I helped Mom wrap Christmas presents. Myself sat under her chair and ate little pieces of sparkly ribbon that fell on the floor. Now, every time I go out and potty, I decorate the yard with my silver and gold poo.
	Brighten the world however you can.

Week 4:

Duke:
	This morning humans were everywhere'eating, talking and tearing paper off little boxes. Pop saw me curled up in the corner all by myself. He came over, sat down beside me and gave me a big hug. He whispered "Merry Christmas little buddy." I looked in his eyes then crawled in his lap and put my head against him. We sat very still. I could feel his heart beat.
	Shared love is the best gift of all.

November Week 1:

Duke:
	Just as I put my front paws in Pop's lap to get a better look at the birthday cake Mom had set on the table, something tickled the inside of my nose. I sneezed so hard I blew out three of his candles. Pop ha-ha'd so hard, the dude's happy breath blew out three more.
	When you can make someone laugh, it's a good day for both of you.

Week 2:

Turbo:
	Mom put a new chair on the back porch. Now, instead of going potty when she lets me out, I jump up on the big soft pillow and lay myself down. She picks me up and puts me in the grass. I run back to the chair and jump on it again. She picks me up and puts me in the grass again. I run to the chair again. We do this over and over till she rolls her eyes, sighs loud and sits down on the chair next to me.
	Sometimes pleasure comes before business.

Week 3:

Maxine:
	Mom was cooking this morning. She dropped some fruit. It splattered a big puddle on the floor. We both dove for it at the same time. I slid through it. Mom did not. She tried to wipe it up faster than I could lick it up. Mom won. However, she did not know I went to the other room and stood very still sucking the juice off each of my front paws as I could not get them both in my mouth at the same time.
	Savor the moment!

Week 4:

Frazier:
	Bein' uh trash boy, Mah heart smiled when Ah saw tha plastic bag somebody left hangin' on tha kitchen door. It didn't take me no time at all tah tear uh hole in it. Ah was a-havin' uh good time with all tha stuff that fell out– till Ah dropped uh big tin can that bounced loud across tha floor. Momma came a-runnin'. Ah went a-runnin'. We weren't a-runnin' in tha same direction.
	If you don't get in trouble once in a while, you're not having enough fun.

October 

Week 1:

Maxine:
	Mom is teaching Turbo, Frazier and me to wait for our treats. She holds a piece of good stuff in her hand in front of us and says "Leave it." We have to hold still till she says it is okay to take it. This morning Turbo was standing next to me waiting for Mom to tell him he could have his treat. I reached over and grabbed it out of her hand. Turbo is patient. I am not.
	"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." — Oscar Wilde

Week 2:

Bella:
	A new bone is a treasure worth protecting. Therefore, I feel obligated to secure mine in a spot known only to me. If anyone gets near my secret place, I grab my bone and relocate it. Yesterday, when I saw Mom walking toward the laundry room, I streaked past her, ducked behind her clothes machine, grabbed my bone and headed to the dining room where I dropped it behind a big piece of furniture. I have absolutely no idea why Mom was watching me and chuckling, but her mood sure improved.
	"Laughter is an instant vacation." – Milton Berle

Week 3:

Turbo:
	Sometimes myself sits on my stool by the window. I can see the whole world from there. A table by my sitting place makes it hard for Mom to see me but I can see her. When she wants me, she walks through the house calling my name. Unless she has a bone in her hand or she sounds serious, I like to just sit real quiet-like and watch her look for me.
	"As long as you';re having fun, that';s the key." – Barry Gibb

Week 4:

Fravier:
	When Momma's a-layin' on tha couch watchin' tha picture box, Ah snuggle next tah her. It don't take long afore her eyes close an' her nose makes funny sounds. Ah reach over an' lick her face. Her eyes pop open then shut again. Ah wait uh minute an' lick her face again. That's when she starts a-grumblin' so Ah turn mah head away an' act like Ah don't rightly know why her face is wet.
	"You tease the ones that you're closest to." – Parvesh Cheena

Week 5:

Halloween
	Maxine: Could we talk Hollyween costumes here? If I was supposed to look like a lady bug I would have been born red with wings and white spots. Frazier: Well do Ah look anythin' like uh yellow bumble bee? Turbo: The only thing Mom could find little enough for me was a cheerleader costume. I don't much think big boys should have to wear pom-poms.
	"When refereeing a group of grumbling dogs, put on a straight face. It's hard to defend your opinion if you're laughing." — author unknown

September Week 1:

Bella:
	My human parents are tilling the yard to plant a garden. As a valuable member of this family, I am helping by rolling in the dirt, digging lovely holes and adding as much fertilizer as possible. When they see me making my contributions and they put their hands on their hips with their lips pursed, I question whether they are appreciating my effort.
	Expecting people to understand and praise what we do is the same as smacking a rock and expecting a reaction.

Week 2:

Turbo:
	I don';t much like having my ears touched. I really didn';t like when Mom had to untangle a burr that got inside my ear and was twisted in my ear hairs. Myself sat very still. I was only a little scared. I knew she was helping me.
	One difference between a dog and a human: A dog trusts his heart.

Week 3:

Maxine:
	When I gotta go, I gotta go. I do not appreciate having to dance around with a full bladder while you entertain yourself saying, "You want to go outside? You want to go outside?" Of course I want to go outside. Cut the chatter and just open the dang door.
	Do what you need to do when you need to do it.

Week 4:

Frazier:
	Ah was a-ridin' in tha back seat on mah way home from tha vet when uh cain't-wait-poo couldn't wait. Mah Momma didn't know Ah was havin' uh cain't-wait- poo. She musta figured it out, though, cause she rolled down tha car windah an' stuck her head out.
	At the most inconvenient time possible, the unexpected becomes most probable. Take a deep breath. Wake up your sense of humor. Handle the situation. It's cheaper than therapy.

August Week 1:

Duke:
	The other day my buddy, Zeke, trotted in his house and went straight to his bed where he dropped the big brown bag he was carrying. His human mom ask him what he had. The dude just looked at her with an innocent face. She didn';t know that he had walked next door where a bunch of guys were fixing a house. They gave him some of their food. He liked it so much that he grabbed one of their sacks of sandwiches and ran home with what he decided was his personal doggie bag.

Week 2:

Maxine:
	Mom taught us commands using American Sign Language. She uses her hands to signal us to "Sit," "Stay," and "Be quiet". When I do not want to do what her hands tell me to do, I turn my head and pretend I do not see her. Mom';s friends and I think this is funny. She, however, does not agree.

Week 3:

Turbo:
	Mom and Grandma were sitting at the kitchen table talking when Grandma looked down and said, "There';s a dollar bill!" When she reached for it, her mouth smiled and said, "There';s another one!" Grandma looked under the table and said, "I don';t believe this. There';s another dollar bill!" Myself started sniffin'; around Grandma';s chair ';cause I thought she was finding good stuff to eat. All I saw was our rabbit, Helen Grace, pulling green papers out of Grandma';s purse.

Week 4:

Frazier:
	Every time mah cousin Thurgood has tah take care uh-business, he goes tah his yard an'; backs up tah his fence an'; poos through it. His neighbor';s garden next tah that fence has tha purtiest an'; biggest flowers in tha whole neighborhood.

July Week 1:

Maxine:
	Mom, I know you think it is funny to sneak up and tickle my belly when I am asleep. I do not bother your belly unless you count when you are laying on the couch with your eyes closed and I walk up your tummy to your chest and put my nose in your face. I just need to know that you are still breathing.
	Keep watch over those you care for.

Week 2:

Frazier:
	When ya go tah tha bathroom, Ah';m heart-bound tah go with ya. Ah know ya come out tha same way ya go in so Ah could jest hang out at tha door, but Ah feel better bein'; close by in case ya need me. Ya kin go ahead an'; sit uh spell an'; read if ya want tah. Ah don';t mind. Ah';ll wait fer ya.
	Be available.

Week 3:

Turbo:
	When Mom is sad, myself sits in her lap and helps her be sad.
	Words aren';t always necessary.

Week 4:

Duke:
	If Pop comes home with droopy eyes, I grab my rubber hedgehog and throw it in the air. I catch it, make it squeak then throw it again. Watching me play makes Pop';s eyes shine and crinkle at the corners.
	Give someone a reason to smile.

Week 5:

Frazier:
	Momma had her eyes shut an'; tha covers up tah her nose. Ah gave her uh play paw but she told me Ah';d have tah wait. Ah knew then she was a-feelin'; poorly so Ah found mah favorite chew toy an'; put it on tha bed next tah her. Ah';m a-hopin'; it helps Momma git better soon.
	An act of kindness is a heart hug.

---

June Week 1:

Maxine:
	Last night I sat very still at the end of the bed watching Mom. When she went to sleep I crept to her pillow, laid face-to-face with her, and quick-licked the end of her nose. She wiggled it. I licked her chin. She rubbed it. When she was still again, I licked her ear. She opened both eyes and grunted at me. Dang! That was that. But — there is always tonight.
	Playfulness is another way of saying, "I love you".

Week 2:

Bella:
	I';m one tail-waggin'; girl when I sprint to my lake and dive into that sparkling water. I climb up the bank and dive in again. When I';ve had enough, I run back to the house and jump in the first lap I see. The human fusses, wiggles and tells me to get down. Apparently people fail to understand that dogs are most affectionate when wet.
	Do something that makes your heart smile.

Week 3:

Turbo:
	I am not always a dog. Sometimes I am a huge giant mountain lion. I climb my brave self way to the top of the couch pillows. I know I am fearless cause my tummy doesn';t hurt like it does when I';m scared. My big self throws my head back and roars a super-loud, high-pitched, RAH-ROOOOO. Mom puts her fingers in her ears. I guess myself sounds extra ferocious to her.
	When something feels right, it feels good all over.

Week 4:

Frazier:
	When Ah see uh fly in muh house, Ah';m so serious about getting'; it, Ah don';t always think about what Ah';m a-doin';. This mornin'; Ah don';t rightly know who was more surprised, Momma or me. Ah was a-sittin'; on her lap an'; spotted one of them flies, so Ah jumped straight up in tha air an'; snapped at it — jest before Ah landed on her face. Mah tail started wigglin'; again though, after Momma told me Ah was tha fastest flyswatter she ever saw. She should be able tah take that band aid off her nose by tomorrow.
	Even an "opps" doesn';t have to take the happy out of a "Happy Dance".

---

May Week 1:

Maxine:
	I get to the bed first so the pillow is mine. This is not negotiable. Do not complain about my tail in your face. Dang. Your face is in the way of my butt.
	You may have to move over but you don';t have to be a pushover.

Week 2:

Turbo:
	Mom clapped her hands and said, "Morning everybody. Time to go out and potty." My paws took me as far as the couch where I flopped down and my mouth yawned. Sorry Mom. You made myself get up earlier than I was awake.
	Set a pace that works for you.

Week 3:

Duke:
	I was settling down for a guy-nap under a shade tree when I surprised Pop by suddenly springing up and shooting across the yard. My 73 pounds in motion made him step to the side. I blurred past him as he yelled for me to stop. Once the dude caught up with me and found out what the problem was, he realized that dogs don';t stop on command if they';ve just laid down in the grass and their private parts met the business end of a bee.
	You don';t always have the luxury of updating when you';re on a roll.

Week 4:

Frazier:
	One uh mah daily duties is tah stand guard at tha windah an'; seriously tell tha mailman tah git outta mah yard. Yesterday Ah was in tha middle of doin'; mah job when Momma scooped me up quick. Ah didn';t know she had jest a-painted tha windah sill. Ah thought Ah was a-gonna git in trouble but instead she hugged me an'; told me she was a-gonna keep those paw prints in that paint forever cause they were mine. Momma made mah heart smile.
	Sometimes the unexpected brings better results than the intent of your original agenda.

Week 5:

Bella:
	The psycho cat that lives here hides behind the couch waiting for me to walk by. Contrary to his opinion, four paws landing on my back is not funny.
	When someone messes with your agenda, anticipate, adapt or ignore and keep going.

---

April Week 1:

Maxine:
	Mom touched my stuff AGAIN. She took the cover off my pillow and washed it. Dang! Every time I get that cushion stinky-good right, she washes it. I do not like this. It takes my smell away.
	When you want what you want, be prepared to deal with those who want what they want.

Week 2:

Frazier:
	Momma didn';t tell us she a-moved tha yard fence from aroun'; our potty place tah give us more sniffin';, goin'; an'; runnin'; space. When she opened tha back door this mornin';, Turbo stopped where tha fence gate had been an'; tha boy wouldn';t a-move. He jest stood there all frozen-like till Momma pretended tah open uh gate door that weren';t really there no more. Once tha gate that weren';t really there was open, he came a-chargin'; after Maxine an'; me. Sometimes Ah wonder ';bout that boy.
	Inward change doesn';t happen as quickly as outward change.

Week 3:

Bella:
	My human parents are tilling the yard to plant a garden. As a valuable member of this family, I am helping by rolling in the dirt, digging lovely holes and adding as much fertilizer as possible. When they see me making my contributions and they put their hands on their hips with their lips pursed, I question whether they are appreciating my effort.
	Expecting people to understand and praise what we do is the same as smacking a rock and expecting a reaction.

Week 4:

Duke:
	Pop and I were picking up sticks in the yard when I found a seriously interesting bug. I nosed it till Pop told me to leave it alone — it would make me sick. When Pop wasn';t looking, I ate it. We kept doing yard stuff till my stomach told me eating that bug was a bad idea. I didn';t want to hear "I told you so!" coming from that dude';s lips so I ran behind a big bush where Pop couldn';t see me. Bugs that go down are bugs that can come up.
	Advice is what we get right before we do the opposite.

---

March Week 1:

Turbo:
	At sleep time my tummy growls at me so I go to my bowl and fill my mouth with food. I hop on Mom';s bed, drop it on the cover and chew one bite at a time. Myself does this over and over till my belly gets quiet. Sometimes during the dark time, though, I want more to eat but my eyes don';t want to open for me to go to the kitchen. Last night my brain told me to bury some food under the cover for later. Mom didn';t know I did this till her foot found my snack. I quick-like took myself to the living room almost faster than my legs could run me there cause she jumped way high, throwing covers everywhere, screaming "BUGS!!!!!!".
	Seek before you freak.

Week 2:

Duke:
	I watched Mom and Pop carry food from the kitchen to the porch where they were going to eat lunch. I heard Mom tell Pop to go back and get the plate of hot dogs she forgot. He looked around the kitchen and said, "What hot dogs?". Man, I';m so glad the dude didn';t smell my breath. I would have been so busted.
	Unexpected opportunities are life';s way of saying "Isn't this fun?".

Week 3:

Turbo:
	Mom was in a hurry to give me a bath so myself didn';t get to potty first. We both learned something. Mom learned that she should always take me outside before a bath. I learned that my poo floats.
	When you get unanticipated results, go back and look for what didn';t seem important at the time.

Week 4:

Frazier:
	Momma picked up tha wet newspapers from our inside potty place. When she started tah throw ';em in tha trash, pee ran out onta her bare feet. She breathed real hard through her nose an'; started a-waddle-walkin'; tah tha sink on her heels with her toes a-pointed straight up in tha air. Ah thought it best tah sit under tha table an'; be invisible fer uh while.
	When unsure how something might end, better to blend.

---

February Week 1:

Maxine:
	There is a puppy gate at the bedroom door. When I want to go in there, I bark for Mom to come and open it for me. I jump on the bed, wait till she goes to another room, then I bark for her to come and let me out. I play my in-out game every day because I think it is fun. Mom does not agree.
	In the battle of persistence vs. patience, persistence usually wins.

Week 2:

Bella:
	We are not disposable property to discard when things don';t go well. If you aren';t willing to do what it takes to care for us for our lifetime, get yourself a stuffed animal instead. It won';t wet on the floor but it won';t love and protect you either.
	Love includes commitment which comes with work and rewards. You can';t have one without the other.

Week 3:

Frazier:
	Momma decided she was a-gonna teach me tah paw smack uh bell an'; make it ring when Ah want tah go out an'; potty. It was tied tah uh long rope she hung on tha door knob. Ah lifted mah leg on it.
	"What the heck went wrong?" comes right after "I have a great idea!".

Week 4:

Duke:
	The vet told Pop he needed a sample of my pee to be sure my medicine was doing it';s job. When I went in the yard and lifted my leg, Pop stuck a big orange plastic bowl under me. Guys like me don';t like orange bowls near our plumbing parts. I walked away, found another spot and lifted my leg. There was Pop with that big orange bowl again. I gave him my best what-is-wrong-with-you look. Pop';s my buddy but no way was I going to pee in that thing. After following me around the yard for a while, he sighed and went in the house. When he came back out, my leg was up and I was in the middle of a world-class stream. I didn';t see the clear glass bowl he had. Pop started dancing around, holding up the bowl with my pee in it. He tripped. The bowl flew out of his hands and crashed to the ground. I never saw Pop beat his head against a tree before.
	In a battle of wits with an animal, save the victory lap till you';ve crossed the finish line.

---

January Week 1:

Duke:
	Pop and I went to a seriously huge park. There were trees to mark, rocks to climb and space to run. When Pop let me off-lead, I streaked past a clump of bushes. Birds flew everywhere. Then I spotted a squirrel. I circled him and play barked but the dude chattered at me so I took off sniffing everything this nose could find. When the sun went down and we started home, I licked Pop';s hand. He knows what makes my heart happy.
	This year, try a heart-healthy diet: more fun, less fret.

Week 2:

Frazier:
	When ah wet or poo on tha potty paper, Ah tell Momma. She looks tah see iffin Ah did what Ah said Ah did then she gives me uh treat. This mornin'; Ah pood in tha hall. Ah was so excited that Ah ran tah Momma an'; jest as Ah opened mah mouth, Ah realized ah should-a kept it shut. Ah didn';t get no treat.
	Handle this year';s "oops" as you might a computer glitch. Press F5 (refresh) and go on about your business.

Week 3:

Maxine:
	I went to the vet and fell asleep. When I woke up, I had a hurt spot on my side. When Mom brought me home, she put me in a puppy tee shirt. She said I had to wear it to protect my surgery stitches. I do not know what those are but when I tried to scratch, Mom made me stop. Then I went to the yard and started rolling in the grass. She made me stop that too. Dang! This girl harrumphed and stomped back to the house.
	There may be a reason why something isn';t going your way. Be patient.

Week 4:

Turbo:
	Mom got a box out of the cabinet and said "Treat time!" Maxine and Frazier ran to the kitchen. Myself ran to the bedroom. My brain forgot what it was doing.
	Pay attention to where you';re going so if you end up someplace else, you won';t be surprised.

Week 5:

Bella:
	A sheep, a duck and a rooster were the first animals to fly in a hot air balloon. By the end of the ride I think it likely that the bottom of the basket was full of bah-bah, quack-quack and cocka-doodle doo.
	Trying something unfamiliar this year might be scary but it beats boredom.