Dog mom taking too many photos

Dog park regulars on a cold December night

My mom has gotten carried away with her cell phone. She loves taking pictures because, she says, it’s so easy to transfer them to her computer. With the camera, she has to hook up a cable…and we all know how I feel about cables. Delicious!

Sue is one of the park stewards and regulars. She looked so cold and cute my om said, “I just have to get this picture.”

Here’s Sue saying “Enough!” while Mary Alice, another park regular, enjoys the scene. Do you see where I am? As usual, I know the best person to ask for a butt rub. You can take my picture anytime.

Keeping the mom puzzled

As the resident dog, one of my official roles is driving my owner nuts. I excel in this area.

Since we moved I have demonstrated a new skill that dogs are not supposed to have. When we go for walks, I sometimes stop on the way back. I refuse to budge.

Peo0ple laugh at my mom. “Dog doesn’t want to move,” they say.

My mom gets so embarrassed. “Keesha never did this,” she sighs.Never mind that Keesha was 10 pounds heavier, three times as fuzzy and a different breed altogether.

My mom noticed that I tend to do this when we’re coming back after a walk just before she goes out. I am destined for some serious crate time and there’s no reason to rush back.

“How do you know?” my mom asks. “Maybe I change my clothes just before we walk. Or I fill your water dish.” So she doesn’t change her clothes or fill my water dish till we return. No dice. I still know.

My mom’s pretty smart about most things. She keeps trying to figure out how I know what’s happening.

I am not going to tell. A lady needs to keep her secrets.

The crate is back

Well, I guess my mom can relax a little more when I go out. The folks at dog.com sent us a new door for my crate, with a latch that closes nice and tight. I can feel secure!

My mom managed to unwrap the package. Then she looked at the old door.

“How the [blank] do I get this thing off?” she wondered. “Maybe I can bribe your Aunt Sara to help. And your Uncle Lance may be stopping by too.”

Fortunately my mom was out this morning when my Aunt Sara came to pick me up. When Cathy returned, she first thought I had escaped. The door was open and I was gone. Then she realized Aunt Sara had come a little early..and the new door was on the crate!

“I guess you know by now,” Mom said ruefully when Aunt Sara dropped me off this afternoon. “I’m totally challenged mechanically.”

“I figured I might as well get that door on,” Aunt Sara said tactfully.

My mom wants you to know it’s not age. Just the opposite. She’s much more dexterous now than she ever was. Now she knows what a Phillips screwdriver is, although I’m not sure I’d want to watch her try to use one.

Dog Crate Needs Repair

Here’s a photo of my crate, also known as my castle. I have to stay there when my mom goes out even for a few minutes.

When I realize my mom has gone, I stand by the door and wait anxiously. If I’m left alone for hours, who knows what I’ll do? So I spend LOTS of time in the crate.

The fastener on my crate has broken. My mom has to prop it shut when she goes out. She’s very nervous about leaving me alone in a crate that won’t close properly.

She ordered a new crate door from dog.com. She was astounded that someone could own that domain name, she said. “They must have bought in back in the Dark Ages.”

I heard her on the phone with them.

“Can you hurry the order? Yes, I’ll pay extra for UPS shipping. You see, this is a dog who can’t be left alone – ever.”

Oh no. Not again.

But my ears perked up when she said, “A sale on a dog blanket? That’s a reasonable price. A nice fuzzy fleece? Hmm…”

Ah, that sounds delightful! So soft and warm. I started getting visions of curling up on the soft warm blanket…maybe nibbling a little piece of wool here and there…feeling the fleece tickling my tummy…

But then my mom said reluctantly, “I’m afraid Gracie will just chew it up. She chewed a blanket into tiny pieces. I can’t even leave a blanket in her crate anymore.”

She read my mind. I bet fleece blankets taste delicious!

Oh well. I’ve still got my old dog cushion on my mom’s bed. I inherited a few dog beds from Mom’s first dog, the sainted Keesha. They’re tough. Even my determined little teeth can’t destroy them.

Life could be worse, although I wish my mom would stop telling the whole world about me. People will get the wrong idea. I’m actually a member of royalty who deserves the utmost respect.

Cold night in the dog park

Brr! It was cold last night. My mom took me to the park mostly because she likes connecting with the community of regulars. Sue was here with her dog, Jack.

Notice that both Sue and Jack are bundled up in nice warm winter coats. My mom was wearing her 15-year-old parka. “I wonder if Eddie Bauer will fix the zipper?” she mused. “It keeps getting snagged.”

You’ll notice me on the wall. I’m the one who’s naked.

Winter night in dog park with Sue and Jack