When we walk...

Today started out like a normal day.

Everyone got up, Auntie left, Dad left, Mom left, and MomMom left.  The Big Guy did his normal routine and we slept upstairs while he got ready for his day.  Then we went downstairs and played with the cats while he worked in his shop.  However, he left around the time we normally get our afternoon walk :(  This was heartbreaking, because not only did we not get our afternoon walk we were left alone.  Little Man and I ended up finding out normal spot to sleep when left alone.

Yup, that is me on the bed and Little Man on the floor.

Auntie was the first to get home and she snapped this picture, then started talking to MomMom who wasn't there (I don't get cell phones).  Apparently, they both feel that Little Man deserves a snuggle ball to sleep in, because he can't jump up on the bed.  After some discussion between Auntie, Mom, and MomMom it sounds like they will order the bed below for Little Man.

Auntie took us out for out afternoon walk, which is good because the Big Guy has been limping after he hurt his knee.

Auntie took both of out at the same time.  When this happens we always start out together, but my long legs mean we quickly separate.

Auntie managed to walk the both of us we me leading her in the middle and Little Man following behind.  I had to stop and wait a couple of time, but it was a great walking with her again.

When we got home the Big Guy had just pulled into the driveway so I tried to run to him, but Auntie and Little Man slowed me down.  It was a great day!

Auntie thinks more happened, but really Little Man and I just enjoyed sleeping in the sun today and going for a walk - I don't understand why humans think there is more to life than this, because this is what makes us dogs happy.

I am too tiny to deal with the cold

Little Man writing here - 

I don't like the cold, my little body has enough trouble staying warm, it was near impossible today in this frigid weather.

This morning I went outside for the morning out and I FROZE!

My paws got so cold and my little body just started shaking like crazy.

Auntie was nice and wrapped me up in a towel and snuggled with me.  It was warm and cozy so I took a nap, which made it hard for Auntie to study, but she managed.

Later, Mom decided to go out.  My sister and I ran upstairs and watched her leave and waited for her.

We didn't want to go back outside, but we didn't want Mom to leave either.  We were both confused about why she would go outside in the cold so we watched the door thinking she would come right back in.  But, she didn't come right back it was a long time of staring at the door.  We fell asleep and when she came back we were so excited that we forgot how cold it was and went outside to go potty.

I took three steps off the porch did my business and could not get back in fast enough.  My sister was able to stay out longer, her bigger size and thick coat of fur really helped her stay warm.

Auntie had to wrap me in a towel and hold me in her lap again.  MomMom took a picture.

I was shaking for several minutes after I finally warmed up I snuggled on the cough with the Big Guy.

If it stay this cold I want a heated blanket.

I am not a brave dog...

I am NOT a brave dog.

I never said I was!

I say this because while out walking today, I got scared by a leaf.

It was a big leaf, it was moving across the road towards me at a fast rate of speed and so I got spooked by it and growled at it.  When the leaf didn't stop moving and still was coming towards me, I jumped behind the Big Guy and did my scared posture.

Auntie was too busy laughing and saying that I should not be afraid of a leaf to take a picture.

I am not thrilled that she was laughing, but glad didn't get a picture of me hiding behind the Big Guy who was trying to tell me there was nothing to be afraid of and get me to stop crying.

Later in our walk I was told to try and rustle up some birds from the bushes.  Apparently, the Big Guy and Auntie were doing something called the Great Backyard Bird Count and wanted to see if they could spot some more birds.  I don't know why they think I am bird dog?

I mean really! I might be a hunting dog genetically, but I was scared of a leaf a block before this.

When we got back from our walk Little Man got a new tick and flea collar

This means I will probably be getting mine soon too, I think it is a nice accessory, and a must to keep me healthy.

The flu went around the house...

When the flu goes around the house it means two things

1) We get extra cuddles

2) We get left alone on the couch, often

Sadly, Dad, MomMom, and Auntie all had to go to Urgent Care this past week due to being sick.  The end result of that is extra cuddles for us (for the most part) and being left alone on the couch at random times.  

Dad was sick but still went to work, MomMom worked from home so Little Man cuddle on her lap, but after I saw him get picked up and placed on the floor in a rush to the bathroom I decided that laying on the bed was a better bet.

Auntie was sick and she was harder to cuddle with, because she put like three or four blankets on top of her.  With all those extra layers it was hard to snuggle, but I am resourceful when it comes to cuddling and found a way to snuggle with her.  So did Little Man, he managed to have someone pick him up and put him by her feet.  

With all of that we didn't have much time for anything interesting.  I stayed near the Big Guy, because he wasn't sick so he was the one taking us out for walks.

Hopefully everyone will be better next week and we can get back to our normal ordinary adventurous life.

We now share the couch

I know I started out as the youngest of the four, Mom and Dad had two cats and Little Man before I came into the picture, but for the five weeks before they all moved in with MomMom, the Big Guy, and Auntie I was the only one here.  I had full run of the house, and still do, and had a specific routine for the day and places that I liked to sleep.  One of those places was on the couch next to the Big Guy.

See, didn't we look comfortable?  Now Little Man seems to have taken that spot.  At first I felt slighted, I mean that was my spot and I thought the Big Guy stopped liking me.

With Little Man taking my spot I spent serious time on my window bench, looking at the world and trying to figure out what to do.  It took me some time, but today we figured it out.  When Auntie came home she found me on one side of the Big Guy and Little Man on the other.  I jumped off and ran to greet her before she could get a picture.  My new place to sleep was only slightly different than the one prior to everyone showing up.

I have also found that a surprising benefit of Little Man being here is that I get more walks.  The Big Guy takes Little Man and I out for a half loop of the development, because that is all Little Man can do with his arthritis and tiny legs.  Then I get a full loop, that is like one and a half walks for me :)  

We each get to use the extendable leashes when the Big Guy walks us, mom and dad use the 6 foot leashes.

With the melting snow on my multiple walks today I got mud all over my belly I was told it is a good thing the groomer is coming tomorrow.  I wonder if I can convince my humans to not send me to the groomers but to buy some tools and groom me themselves?  Auntie helped me search Amazon and I found some stuff mom and dad could buy to groom me instead of putting me in a car and taking me to a groomer.

     

We have DEER!!!!!!!!!

I have seen deer before in through the window and once I saw one while walking with the Big Guy.  Tonight it was so amazing I saw 5 deer just run out from the stream beside our house cross the street and then into the trees on the other side of the road.  I froze for a moment, I was only 10 yards away maybe less and they were so close, what should I do?  Of course my response was to run after them!
Sadly, Auntie said no she was not going into the woods so we could not follow them.  I told her she was mean and kept pulling on the leash to chase them. (picture from previous walk)

It was at the end of our walk and we were so close when they jumped out of the trees I could smell them, see them, hear them, and I wanted to play with them.  Auntie was mean and we stayed out of the woods, but she did let me go over to the trees the deer came out of and spend some serious time sniffing the air and trees.  I loved it, but after what Auntie said was enough time (it wasn't for me) we went inside because she was getting cold.
I ran inside and told Little Man, who had been sleeping, and the Big Guy all about the deer we saw on the walk.
After I told them all about this Little Man decided he needed to go back to sleep and curled back up with the Big Guy.  I usually sleep there, but lately those two have gotten close and snuggle, I am not sure how I feel about that yet.

After I wore myself telling those two about the deer, Auntie misunderstood one of my thoughts and said yes it was time to brush my teeth.  I do not love this, but I love that Auntie gives me a special goodie afterwards.  I have started liking the taste more and I don't hide my face anymore.  Unfortunately, Auntie has taken this to mean that she can spend more time brushing my teeth.  I love her, but she doesn't have to stick the toothbrush into my mouth so much.

I think I should have a Fitbit

I am not sure what a Fitbit is, but I think I should have one.
Auntie and MomMom each have one and they do these Challenges.  I love it when this happens, because then I get more walks.  However, today it was too much, Auntie wore my butt off.  I was so exhausted at dinner I could barely keep my head up.

Auntie had me walk not only in our neighborhood, but she walked me to the pharmacy to get her allergy medicine.  I wish I had know we would be leaving the development, because then I would have saved some of my pee.  This neighborhood has tons of dogs and I had to mark trees, sign posts, mailboxes, and random locations those dog use so they would know I visited.  It was hard work, I ended up having to do a BoomBoom to help me mark.  All of this in the snow and ice, my feet were very cold, but smelling this new area was totally worth cold feet.  When we got home Auntie let me take a nap, but apparently she needed more steps so she made me go out for another long walk, OK she asked if I wanted to go and I jumped with excitement.  But let's be honest, asking me if I want to go on a walk is like asking the Pope if he is Catholic, the answer is always yes.  I thought we would be going back to the pharmacy, but Auntie just did a loop around the neighborhood, thankfully :)

When MomMom got home claimed she needed steps, I thought I was going to have to outside in the cold, so I tried to hide in my snuggle bed.

Then MomMom and Auntie started pacing all around the kitchen and the family room.  I don't understand my humans.  Auntie said she would not fall behind MomMom which is why she joined in.  I really don't get my humans, but they are my family and they love me very much.  I don't know what a Fitbit Challenge are, but I think if I got a fitbit I could totally blow MomMom and Auntie out of the water with how many steps I take.  But, then I might now get as many walks, so I'll just stick with getting extra walks and napping in my snuggle bed when my humans pace around the house to get extra steps in.
   

Doggie Clothing

So this happened to me

A few days ago my older brother, Little Man, had to start wearing Belly Bands.

I teased him at first, because he had to wear clothes, I didn't care if it had sharks on it he had to wear clothes.  Then today, Auntie who I had loved very much, got all excited and mentioned the Carolina Panthers and getting ready for Sunday's game.  Then Mom picked me up and then next think I know I am in a Pink Carolina Panthers Jersey.  I was able to get my belly rubbed while wearing it so that was good, and Auntie gave me my special Milk Bone Goodies AND a Dentastix so that made me happy.

This is what I get for teasing my older brother :(  Dad came home and I ran to him for help, while he told Auntie he didn't like it he didn't take it off :(  I went to the Big Guy for help and he made Auntie take it off me :)  See that is why he is my favorite most of the time.

I apologized to Little Man and we commiserated about being embarrassed about having to wear clothes.  Auntie and Mom said I will be back in the pink jersey on Sunday during a football game.  I don't know what a football game is, but I hope it isn't long.

This was after furniture being moved today and me freaking out that I would have to leave my home again.  I like it here in North Carolina, and living with Auntie, MomMom and the Big Guy has been great.  Little Man and I were freaked out today and the clothing didn't help, so we curled up on the couch and fell asleep together.

See despite the teasing, and sometimes barking at each other we really do love each other.

Not begging at dinner

My most impressive trick is not begging for food when my humans are at the table.  So I snuggle on my window bench and wait, because once dinner is over I make out like a bandit.  MomMom will give me veggies, Auntie Shella will give me chicken, Dad lets me lick his plate, Mom gives me whatever is left on her plate, and the Big Guy does the same (but sometimes he puts extra food on the plate so that he has something to give me).  This would seem like a lot, but I have to share with my older brother.  We are both polite while everyone is eating, and wait for our humans to stand before we start hovering in the kitchen.  

Tonight my Auntie tried to catch a picture of me waiting patiently as dinner was put away in case MomMom "accidentally" dropped some veggies, but my tail kept wagging and when I saw her try and take a picture I tried to lick her and her phone.

I wish I could tell you how I learned not to beg or cry during dinner, but I really have just always been this way.  I think it is because my older brother explained early on that we get to clean plates and leftovers if we don't beg.  Why mess with success?

It may look like I am sleeping on my window bench, but really I am just trying to do a sad puppy dog face so that I might get a special good girl goodie from Auntie.  I get those when I let her brush my teeth, but that is pretty much it.  Just because I am good at meal time doesn't mean I don't try and get my special Milk Bones at other times.

My older brother and I waited patiently while clean up happened and lucked out with a few veggies to chew on.  I am still trying to decide if I like carrots, I chew about half of the carrot then think I am full or it is time to see if I can get another goodie.  

For the record I am slender dog and I get my butt walked off on a daily basis, even in this cold I get walked at least one mile three times a day.  Auntie says she does not have a built in fur coat like I do, so even with her bundled up she can't stand being outside for the two to four miles we normally walk. It makes me sad, but I have been told the cold doesn't last long in the Southeast.  I'll hope that is true because I love my longer walks.

Snuggle time

This post is written from the view of Little Man a Toy Rat Terrier who is in the "senior" phase of his life.

I like to snuggle, if you could wrap me in a warm blanket or towel and hold me all day that would be my dream of a perfect day.  I like being pet, snuggled, cuddled, and around my humans all day everyday :)  When I am snuggling with people I tend to not spite pee or poop - I am just saying holding me makes me less likely to pee, I wish my humans would realize this.  I have lucked out and had great snuggle time in the last 24 hours and wanted to brag about snuggle time with my humans,
Last night Auntie wrapped me in a pink towel, because it is her favorite color and she did not listen when I protested about being a man and pink not being my color.  Really look at my blue harness, I am more of a blue kind of guy.  After she wrapped me in a towel she held me close so I could listen to her heart beat but still see everything around, and just swayed with me, like you would to put a baby to sleep.  This was perfect, it was such a good snuggle, that despite my best effort to stay awake my eye lids started getting heavy and I felt myself falling asleep.
Then Auntie took me outside to pee, which was cruel because it was freezing outside.  Then Mom wrapped me back in the towel and we went for a car ride, I like car rides in part because I get snuggle time.
Today I got to snuggle with the Big Guy as he did his crossword puzzles, normally it is where my sister Daisy snuggles, but she was laying on her bench by the window so I took that seat today.  He is nice and occasionally pet my head while he did his crossword puzzle.  When Mom came into the family room I switched couches to snuggle with her while she read.  And the ultimate snuggle time happened when Dad came home and he and Mom both sat on the same couch and I was able to sneak in the middle and get snuggle time with both of them.
Snuggles are important is all I am saying and the more snuggles I get the happier I am.

Selecting which bed to sleep on

Last night I had a tough time deciding which bed to sleep on.  Mom and Dad is the normal place I sleep, but it is them, plus Little Man and me, so it can get crowded.  Auntie lets me sleep on her bed and gives me half of her bed, I decided to sleep there for a little bit - however she did not say which half of her bed, so I decided to take the diagonal middle half.

I like to use her Red Sox pillow pet as my pillow.she lets me as long as it stays on her bed.  I think it is her way to trick me into sleeping on her bed sometimes.  I love her and she gives me the good goodies when mom and dad aren't looking so I will continue to let tick me into sleeping on her bed sometimes.

MomMom and the Big Guy have a nice comfy bed and they let me cuddle with them, but I really like the couch in their sitting area.  MomMom has given me a special pillow and a blanket that I have scrunched into the perfect circle for me to sleep in.  I briefly went and sniffed the bed and went on bed and sat down so that I could get some pets and love from MomMom and the Big Guy.
I finally decided the bed to spend all night is the one that I normally do, I slept with mom, dad, and Little Man.

I had three years of being one of four animals, 6 weeks of being one of one and I think I liked not having to share my Auntie, MomMom, and the Big Guy.  We had a nice routine and I didn't have to share attention.  Now my siblings are here and so are my parents.  We are all facing a new routine and I am getting used to sharing again.  I think my silver lining is that I have all these beds and people to snuggle with to pick from each night.

Different voices

My humans have different voices when they pretend to talk for me, and honestly none of them are correct.
Tonight while walking my dad did what he thinks his voice for me would sound like.  Mom said it sounded like a cross between a military Drill Sargent and a valley girl.  I don't have the mean personality to pull that off.
"We all did good night walkies, this was good.  We stayed together everyone dropped a duecey and we can sleep now."
Mom's voice for me was a total valley girl, just because I lived in L.A. doesn't mean that I am a valley girl.
"This was like totally fun, we can like do the walk tomorrow."
MomMom's voice for me was too much of a baby, I may be 4 year old, but I grew out of the toddler voice.
"Walkies is good, we can do more, let's go again. Why no?"
Auntie had a cross between a Southern Belle and a Valley Girl, there might be some southern girl in me, but really there is no Valley Girl.
"The walk was totally awesome, 2 miles is like nothing I can like walk double this.  The wind had some great smells, can we stay out so I can just sniff the wind?"

The picture above is me staring at them as they all did their version of my voice when we got inside from our evening walk.

My humans are odd, none of them nailed my voice but all of them know I love them and spending time with them.  If someone could explain to me why my Auntie and MomMom were talking about needing more steps for a challenge that would be great.  I want them to do more challenges, because it means my walks are longer or I get more of them when they need more steps.  I just don't know how to get them to do more challenges.

Daisy Log - smelling the air

My Auntie does not understand the joy of just smelling the cool, slightly chilly, January air.  I slept late and missed my Auntie going to work, so when she got home from teaching today I went nuts with celebrating her return.  She took my enthusiasm to mean I needed a walk, which I am always up for.  The Big Guy joined us on the walk - this was slightly confusing.  All my humans have different rules when we walk and when two or more go together it gets confusing on whose rules apply.  I stopped and smelled several important marking spots in the neighborhood.  When we got home, I had to have my teeth brushed, I have learned to like it.  The toothpaste my Auntie uses isn't that bad, she got it from the vet it tastes like chicken. CET Oral Hygiene Kit  I roll over on my belly before I give my Auntie my teeth so I get a belly-rub before my teeth are brushed and then I get a special treat a Milk-Bone Brushing Chews Daily Dental Small/Medium Dog Treats, 5.5 Ounce afterwards.
Then I went outside, I tried to take my KONG Sitting Frog Dog Toy, Small, Green outside with me, but I wasn't allowed.  When I was outside I found the perfect spot in the yard to smell the air.  I was able to stay still and enjoy the smell from all over the yard in just this one spot.  After about ten minutes my Auntie got nervous and came and made me go inside.  Now I am taking a nap, because after all that smelling I am exhausted.  Why don't humans understand how just smelling the air is important?  I think that humans should stop and smell the air more often.

Playpens

My Aunt has been writing my daily logs while my mom and dad came to NC from CA. They are here now and my aunt is being kind enough to keep writing my daily story. Today, my older brother a Toy Rat Terrier was put in a playpen when everyone left.  I still have free range of the house, but he is starting to not be able to control when he pees and poops so he was put in a nice playpen.

I thought it was mean, but Little Man had toys, a bed, a blanket, and got some goodies.  He was his barking self, but enjoyed it.  Sadly, he proved why he needed the playpen when he peed and pooped in there right after he had come in from outside where he had peed :(  He was not too bothered by it, and ate his good pushed the blanket to where he wanted then fell asleep on it.  He was able to see my sleeping spot on the floor, and when he woke up I was able to kiss him.  Little Man was able to kiss me back and then went back to sleep.  I watched for a few minutes and then went and fell asleep on the couch.
I got to go on my normal walk today, dad took me instead of the Big Guy (grandpa).  It was his first time taking me since he moved in last night.  I got to show him the neighborhood, it was lots of fun.  We didn't see any of the other dogs in the neighborhood for me to introduce him to, but there is time.  Auntie took me for my afternoon walk after she walked Little Man.  This was a great walk  I got to walk with the Toy Poodle three doors down.  We like each other and got to spend time catching up.
Apparently her human has been putting a fleece jacket on her because she was so cold this past week, she claims it helped her stay warm for her mile walks.  There was a nice one that didn't look too silly and the Velcro made it easy to put on.

My aunt was nice and didn't embarrass me too badly, she got me a pink raincoat with reflective tape on it.  It kept me dry when the rain was really heavy, and I couldn't hold it any longer.

When we finished our walk, my Auntie sat down and let me cuddle with her on the couch while she watched a Jaws marathon.  I don't fully understand TV but apparently she enjoys the bad special effects of these movies.
When my dad got back he had new car, it smelled kind of funny so I jumped in and then right back out.  I was told it is new car smell, it doesn't smell right.



Human note: the playpen idea allows for the dogs to see each other, smell each other, and offer a bigger area for Little Man to play in than a crate.  If you have a dog who is not able to control their pee/poop and don't want to crate them every time you leave the house this might be something for you to consider.  A tarp underneath means that you can wipe away any pee/poop that might be done.  A fluffy fleece blanket to lay and walk on can also be thrown in the wash when there is an accident, as well as a bed that can be put in the wash is a great option.   I put some links to reasonably priced supplies for these items below.