Blog Participation

People, you must particpate in the blogosphere!!!! I have noticed a significant drop-off in comments on the blogs... and frankly it saddens me. I mean, do you know how hard it is to type with paws? Yet I try to do a blog at least three times a week, you could throw in some brief comments, let me know how you are, respond to the post, tell me how cute I am, etc! I mean... look at me, I am techno-dog for nothing!

 

So did everyone manage to watch the video? If you are that lazy, please feel free to comment with a yes or no to that question! If you can't comment on the blog, for some reason; feel free to email me: winstonbengfort@googlemail.com!

 

Good news, too... Luke and Adam are coming to stay for 10 days!!!!!

And now for something different

I present, "A Standing Dog in Motion" Enjoy.

Blogger is releasing its new video service for its blogs, so lets give it a tryout. This is Mom's video taken a long time ago, I was doing something interesting before then, but then I stopped. Needless to say, while Mom and Dad's new camera would take videos, after dad dropped it off a parking meter on the C&O Canal path, it won't anymore.

This video was taken with Mom's old camera, which is a clunker and doesn't even have sound! What can you do? So I am going to try to convince mom to convince dad to get a digital video recorder, something small, and with a hard disk so there can be more dog video!

And now for the sound: Woof!

How Old is too Old?

Well I turn (ahem) 7 on October 6th; 1 whole human year! Being 7 really makes a dog think, especially since everyone else's blog is all about age, I mean, what is a poor puppy to do? So here are my thoughts:

60 is the new 40? Doubtful, 8 is the new 6! But not really with Dogs, I mean, we still live to the same old ripe age of 15, usually. I guess that is pretty long, though, comparatively speaking.

How old is too old? None of this divide by 2 add seven, the vet already took care of that so I don't have to worry about it, and it sucks! And... I am not any less aggresive, so there!

Old humans are as much fun as young humans, and I can catch them easier...

Why Being a Dog ROCKS!

Mom is shivering, and I'm laughing at her, because as a dog I'm not bothered. The house is cold, because the painters came and painted up everything and none of the windows can be shut right now. And the sun may be out, but it's only 8 degress (Celcius, you colonials!). But all I have to do is turn off my shedding and chase the sun across the floor, and I'm just fine!

And there are side benefits to having so many windows open. Like at night, while Mom and Dad are being boring, I can chase all the little bugs that fly in! So much fun! And, I can hear whatever's going on outside, so I can be super-vigilant and let my parents know if anyone is going by our yard. I feel like that's pretty important information to know.

Mom's been complaining so much, though, that I've been perfecting a special look to give her: The Sideways Glance of Disdain.

Some of us like the windows open, Mom! Woof!

Home Alone with Dad

Well, I am home alone with Dad for the weekend, its day 2 of momlessness, and I think Dad and I have just got the hang of it. Mom left this weekend for Birmingham, for another bellydance thing. Luckily she let dad off the hook this time since she had previously dragged him to Blackpool, so I got to stay home with him rather than be sent away. I didn't even realize what was going on- I just assumed mom was leaving for errands or class or something.

Yesterday morning we were all in bed at 7; when in my doorbell like fashion, I sprang out of bed and ran downstairs barking. Mom went to see who it was- surprise! It was painters that our landlord sent to dress our windows. Well, mom and dad didnt let me meet the painters, and then the backyard was off limits for me most of the day until the paint dried. Mom took off at 11 and it was just me, dad, and painters- so I didn't really notice what was going on. I acted out for mom not being around and not being allowed outside.

I did my crazy poo dance, and tore up the carpets, etc. Dad finally got so tired of me that he took me out for a run to calm me down, which worked. We then spent the rest of the night watching Ghost Rider. When it was late, and about time to go to bed, I realized mom still wasn't back. Dad was reading Sharpe in Bed, and I was with him, but I kept whining to go out, and barking at every little noise I heard, hoping Dad would get out of bed and open the door for mom. It was wierd, she wasn't there.

Anyway, now it is Sunday morning and Dad says mom will be back today, so I am much calmer, and am just sleeping in the sun...

Dog Wrestling

Crazy! Two days ago I ate about 6 bowls of food, human food, and treats, but just lay around all day tired and acting depressed. Yesterday, I was going crazy! Litterally bouncing off the walls, and parading my blankets around and hitting things because I kept tripping over them. I was jumping up on mom and dad and biting and barking and being crazy!

As you can see in the photo above, I was dog wrestled into calmness. My parents tried to calm me down, but nothing woudl do it! Dad usually does the dog wrestling, but mom got hers in yesterday. You can tell by my face that I am thrilled mom can wrestle me down...

Anwyay, Dad finally took me for a run at night, and I dropped like a log. Hyperactivity is tiring. Just like a kid I had my sugar crash (oh yeh, sugar- mom was giving me rice krispy treats!!!) Just kidding, it was Dad. Mom doesn't give me human food, but dad told me to say it was her.

Anyhoo... I am now going to go and pass out in bed again with mom, who still isn't up yet, even though Dad is about to get in the shower and go to work! (Its awesome). Basically, I like mom more than dad, but dad gives me food...

The Best Worst Week Ever... Retrospective Part 3 of 3: The Clink

Take a look at all these pictures, what do they have in common? That's right, no me. Why? Becuase I was unceremoniously dumped into the clink for the rest of the week, adn therefore making the week the best worst week ever.

Everyone went to the Trout, but did I get to go along? No. Dad did take me to the Trout to drop the car off then we walked home together. I even behaved great- Dad let me off the lead and I came when I was called, and sat next to him while runners went past! We walked a whole mile, and I was tired out. But then they put me in the kennel, and went to the Trout again without me! I like the car, but I didn't get a second ride in it.

At least they came home that night...

Next day I went to the dreaded Lakeside Kennel! I fought as hard as I could to escape back to the car, I thought I was just in for another fun car ride, but no- I got left. Because I was mad, I ate all my dog food, which impressed my parents (talk about backfire). The lake is nice, but I want people attention!

They came back the next day, and I gave them what-for. But then on Saturday, the left again! After a nice relaxing morning and a walk, I got stuck in the kennel at noon for what I assumed would be a couple hours- NOT! They weren't back until like 7 at night! Of course I was fine, I had food and water and a dog door, but still.

The next day, same thing. Early in the morning, bags were packed, and I was stuck in my kennel. When mom and dad got back- no Nana and Nanee! What is that about? I guess Dad and Nana had to duke it out for Alpha Male, and that is why they didn't come back- someday I'll have to do the same thing I suposse...

Well, it was the best worst week ever, and I really enjoyed meeting my grandparents- hope I see them again soon!

The Best Worst Week Ever... Retrospective Part 2 of 3: PUNTING!

I am a water dog, as my family and I discovered last tuesday when we went... Punting! For those non-Oxford dogs/folks who do not know what that is, punting is an Oxford/Cambridge type thing whereby a flat bottomed wooden boat is propelled through the water using a large wooden pole, often times with hilarious results. There was a lot of discussion before we left whether or not I could swim, and to tell you the truth, given my love of baths, I wasn't too keen on the idea, but as soon as Nana got into the boat, I had to, too! I was straining at my lead trying to get in.

I guess the second part of the story (realy the first) is that we weren't sure whether or not I could even go punting. Who knows how Wolfson would feel about a dog in its punts. So Dad snuck me around the back to get in the punts while everyone else got all the gear from the lodge. They met us at the harbor, and we got going before anyone could say anything! I have to tell you, though, a dog in a punt- not a terrible thing; mostly I sat looking at birds and enjoying the water, it was like a big drink!

After we struggled for a while, we stopped to have a picnic lunch on the side of the river- I even got a little bit of vin rose! It was a lot of fun, I got to have some pita bread, and some apples and carrots, and went chasing around my own little private meadow. It was actually pretty relaxing. I just wish that I had known that dry land is an oppertunity when you are a nautical dog... Later on the trip, I had to pee so badly because I didn't take the chance when I had it!

I started going crazy, whining and running back and forth on the punt looking for a place to go (but it was all like indoors where I can't pee!), I tried to get in the water, but no one would let me do that either! I think my family thought I was getting nervous on the boat and wanted to get back on land... no one thought to hold me over the boat so I could pee! Once we landed, I took the longest pee of my life, it was amazing, I just kept going like a little racehorse. After I was done, I was ready to get back in the punt, but to my dismay, punting was over! I guess such a little dog just can't hold it for 3 hours or so.

Mom and I did have a run in with a Swan. We were just happily punting along (Dad and Nana finally got the hang of it!) When all of a sudden, this Swan came out of nowhere! At first, it looked nice enough, and was probably going to the punt for a handout like it had recieved from other punters. Then the dang thing noticed me... I stood up happily to meet a new friend when it hissed at me! It seriously, hissed, and was pretty scary. But instead of just swimming away (it definately could have swam faster) it followed us for a mile, just hissing at us! It only left when it saw other punters to hit up for food! What's the deal?

What a great day on the water! I have never got to spend so much time outside before, it was really nice, and when I got home, I was pooped- I slept all day! It was awesome! This day almost made up for the clinking I recieved, and had it been the last day, it would have, too bad for short puppy memories!

Woof!

Picture 1: Me watching Dad skillfully navigate the Cherwell River

Picture 2: Look out Mom! Trees ahead!

Picture 3: Picnic on the grass

Picture 4: Mom and I stare down the evil Swan

Picture 5: Nana and I have a relaxing cruise on the water

The Best Worst Week Ever... Retrospective Part 1 of 3

This week was the best worst week ever. I am an Oxford dog- so notice that there is no comma between best and worst, making them two adjectives that describe week- no; this was the best of the worst weeks- meaning that it wasn't the worst week ever (as in the it was the best at being the worst week), but rather a week so full of highs and lows for a puppy that I didn't know if it was the best or worst week ever. I have decided it was the best worst week, making it one of the worst weeks because everything bad happened at the end and everything great happened at the beginning, and I am a puppy and puppy memory and mental state really relates to things that have just happened!

Things started out promising- Nanee and Nana came to town to visit! They stayed a whole week! And then on Sunday we had a big Sunday Roast and I got to play with Jake and Nick, Jeff and Rebecca, and Eliana! It was a house full of people to play with, and even better- I got roast meat! And that always makes for a great time! Then we went punting and had walks and longer walks, and were outside in Oxford- and the week was really great. But then towards the end of the week, things went bad, because I got put in the Clink overnight and then on Saturday I got left in the kennel for 7 hours! Then, to make things worse, everyone left on Sunday, which made me very sad because I was full of energy from being in the clink for so long.

Well, long walks, Sunday Roasts, and punting aside, meeting Nana and Nanee definately made up for being in the clink for so long, so that is alright. I am sad they are gone, and now I am acting out to my parents to try to bring them back, it isn't working though, and I haven't even gotten a long walk yet (just a short one yesterday!!). Whats a dog to do? Stay tuned for posts about punting and the rest of the week in the next two posts....

Woof!

Nanee and Nana!

Nanee and Nana are here! They arrived on Saturday- Mom and Dad left in the car for a whole 3 hours, and I thought that they had left me again, but when they got home that had nanee and nana with them! yay! So now I have more people to play with! I spent all day yesterday galloping around, having a great time. We also had Sunday Lunch which meant... Roast Meat!!! And a bunch of people came over, including Nick, which is always awesome! I played all day long with everyone.

Now I am tuckered out, but that is ok, because I can go back and forth and sleep with Mom and Dad or Nanee and Nana all I want! I am even sleeping in this morning so back to it...