Master McCrazy

Ben here- Winston is still asleep in my spot on the bed. Yesterday when I went to bed I discovered Winston fast asleep on Jaci's pillows. Not caring, because they weren't my pillows, I got into bed- the dog didn't move. This morning I wake up, and the dog is next to my head! Not only that, but he has my blanket, I don't have any, and he is pushing me away with his paws!

As you can imagine, that didn't last long considering that I outweigh him by like 220 lbs, he got chucked, unceremoniously under the covers, down by my feet. I then woke up to go make coffee, and get ready for work, and he was still under there. I patted him and left. But when I came up to get a sweatshirt (It is August, and I think we need to turn on our heater again- it is a high of 12 degrees today!) and where is dog? but in my spot.

He is so cute now... but when he grows up, he better not be on my pillow, I'll tell you that much! I would have tossed him in his kennel right then and there , if he hadn't been puking a lot lately, and Jaci complaining about how hard it is to clean the kennel gets on my nerves...

You got to love the dog, but soon he is going to be spending some more time outside in the garden thinking about how dogs should behave...

How Refreshing!

Mom took me for an extra-long walk today, to University Parks! It was great! I got to trot along on my extend-o-lead, smell the flowers and the poo, and even made a new friend!

His name is Simba, and even though I'm twice as old as he is, he is already much bigger than I! His parents asked Mom if I was ok with other dogs, and she said yes, that I love them. Which is absolutely right! So I got to spend a few minutes making friends with Simba. We started with the classic simultaneous bum-sniff, but soon I was jumping in arcs over Simba's back and he was trying to pet me with his ginormous paws. It was great. Probably the best five minutes I've ever had in the park.

Unfortunately, Mom wanted to keep walking, so I had to say goodbye to Simba, but I sure hope I run into him again someday. Dogs gotta play!

Woof!

A Family Excursion

Today was Awesome!! Right now, my buddies Jake and Ruth Ann are in France watching guys running over dogs, I mean, the Tour de France, so Mom and Dad and I had borrowed a car from some friends for various runnings around and because they left to "go home" (wherever that is--this seems like home to me!). But we had to drop it off today, and because Dad's city bike broke, we decided to make the long walk home an excursion for the whole family!

We dropped off the car at about 4:35 and set out. It was a beautiful sunny day today and let me tell you, I was pretty happy to be outside. First we walked up a giant hill, then along a high, grassy strip of land, through a neighborhood, a shopping center, and a whole different meadow than yesterday. And I got to walk through Mom's college! I was very proud of myself.

By the time we finally got back to friendly territory, though, I'll admit I was pretty pooped. I tried to dive into the veterinarian's, but Mom and Dad drug me home instead (what can I say--I really like the treat's Jo the nurse gives me!). When we got home it was after 6:15--we walked for almost two whole hours! Even Mom and Dad admitted that they were pretty tired by the last thirty minutes or so.

I tried to bring home a nice souvenir by rolling in some poo along the way, but all that got me was an unceremonious dunking in the bathtub (my second this week, so Mom wasn't happy either, but she only washed my poo spot this time). Now I'm just going to crash downstairs with Dad and watch a bit of the Tour de D0g-Rolling highlights on T.V. and think back on our awesome family excursion. Woof!

Bring your doggie to work day

I wish. I keep trying to accompany Dad to work, but he somehow always manages to slip out and leave me with my ultra-boring mother. Today, when she didn't deliver a promised walk promptly, I was forced to destroy a brand-new roll of toilet paper to express my frustration. (I got a nice long walk in the end.) But that doesn't mean I'm not ready for the day Dad decides to take me with him.

As you can see here, I even dress to impress in colours to match my dad. I mean, he could probably take me with him and no one would think anything of it. I would blend in like the perfect accessory.

I guess until that day comes I'll just keep building up my range of colour collars and keeping my coat nice and shiny. A dog can dream, can't he?

Woof!

Whoops, caught with my eyes closed!

Ain't No Other Man

My dad is the best dad! So here is my post-Father's Day tribute to my dad. Or, maybe I should say my tribute for the month of June, because my dad is so awesome I give him a shout-out at least once a month, just for being him...

Mom, she's tough. She barely ever shares food with me. Dad, on the other hand, understands the seriousness of puppy-dog eyes. Here we are yesterday, sharing a delicious bowl of Singapore noodles.

MMM!

So you really can't beat my dad. Woof!

Entourage of One

I've been watching some trashy TV with Mom this summer, but that turns out to be lucky since I've finally realized my place in the family. I am my Dad's entourage.

If you're reading this you probably already know it, but my Dad is pretty much the best person I know. Sure, Mom takes me for runs and picks out my food and takes me to the vet, but my Dad--he lets me lick his face, and he gives me a lot more human food than Mom does. In return, I am his loyal entourage.

I wait for him outside his shower and am quick to lie at his feet and help him dry off by licking them. I also cuddle him awake in the mornings. I take him to the meadow to play.

The mark of a successful entourage is having its own entourage, and you can easily see that in this scenario, Mom is mine. I would call her my personal trainer/nutritionist. She also does odd jobs like escorting me to OUP so that I can carry out my own entourage role for Dad.

It's what they call on TV the fabulous life, just so you know.

Photo: another of my jobs is personal security. I

use my fabulously ferocious bark to get the job done.

Sunday Afternoon Walks and Roasts

Sorry about being sick and having my parents post for me the past couple of days. I don't know what was wrong with me, it seems like just puppy stuff, but I am feeling much finer now, and ready to rock! Especially after last night* when I got to sleep with my dad the entire night and well into the morning. Now I am feeling a little antsy, but alright. I got a new rawhide cigar and I am going after that! But it has been all excitement for me, and then bigtime downtime.

Yesterday, after all the puking, I got to go on a Sunday walk with my parents. Unfortunately, the plan was to go to The Perch, a pub in Binsey, across from Port Meadow to get Sunday Roast (The Perch allows dogs, as well as several other pubs in our area, which is really nice for me, even if I get really excited! I have already eaten there once!) We took off, and I got to wear my long extendo leash, but when that busted, I got put on my harness, which is also ok, because it makes me behave like a perfect gentleman!

When we went out the weather could have been better. As seen from the inside (and perhaps these pictures) it looked beautiful outside, blue skies, puffy clouds etc. However, we weren't more than two blocks from the house when it started spitting rain. Dad decided that we should go to the top of the meadow to view the weather, and when we got there (it was raining quite a bit harder, and horizontally) mom and dad decided that the rain would end fairly shortly afterwards. They were right, the rain did stop, but the wind continued- hard! I guess it is spring time gusts or something like that!

Needless to say we made it to the Perch without to much incident, I got to meet a couple of dogs, and hang out, and it was a fun walk- but when we got there we discovered we needed a reservation to get in! (I mean, a reservation to a pub?!) So we couldn't stop and eat, which made me very sad. However, one of the waiters gave me a dog bone shaped treat, so I got to eat, even if my parents didn't! So we headed back for home.

Along the way, we met another dog off his lead, whose owner wasn't very nice. Mom and Dad and I just stopped there to let the other dog meet me, and we were jumping around, but I was on my lead so I had to be well behaved. The other dog just kept running around. The owner started to yell at him, but he ran away from her. In the process, I went to play, but accidentally bumped into the other lady's legs, and she jumped back frightened and accused my dad of having a dad that attacks! (He wasn't too thrilled about that). Finally she caught her puppy and she hit him for being bad! Ha! If my parents hit me when I finally came to them, I certainly wouldn't come back the next time. It was sad, and I could tell my parents were annoyed by the lady. I felt bad, but what are you going to do?

Then we met some geese. That was funny because they cleared the path for us like they weren't afraid of us or me even! We just walked through, and then they came back onto the path again, like nothing had happened. A Dog should always get the right of way to a bird!

We went home, and I got food and water, then my parents went to another pub that was in town to get their Sunday Roast, which was good, we were all happy. The long walk made me really sleepy anyway, so I was glad for the downtime. It was a beautiful Sunday and a good day for a long Port Meadow walk. Who care if I jumped on Dad's jeans and got them all muddy, or the Perch didn't have a Roast available for us? You can't sweat the small stuff, I was just happy that we got a nice walk and it didn't start hailing until we got home...

Woof!

* I did manage to scare the jeebies out of dad. While Dad was watching TV I went to my kennel to start cleaning myself, and because I was tired. I guess I wandered off and got into the laundry room somehow. It was dark, and scary and I couldn't find my way out. Plus I wasn't feeling well, so I just sat there on my but with my legs splayed out, shaking. Dad came to check on me, he could hear my collar jingling from the shaking, but he thought I was cleaning, when he found me, he was very upset and picked me up and put me in a blanket and cuddled me for the rest of the night. Mom and Dad gave me water and food to help me recover, then I got to sleep with Dad! That was the best part, it is more fun to sleep on the couch or in bed than in my den!

Picture 1- Mom and I in the Meadow
Picture 2- Windy day blowing my ears around!
Picture 3- I see Geese!
Picture 4- Dad and I cross over a red steel bridge over the Thames, or in Oxford, the Isis

A Tribute to My Dad

Winston asked me to share a little ditty he sings to his dad, oh, ten or fifteen times a day. To be sung to the chorus of "The Power of Love" by Celine Dion.

'Cause I'm your puppy and you are

My dad. Whenever you call

For me, I'll try not to be bad.

Sometimes, when he really wants to bring it home, he sings it twice:

Yes, I'M your PUPPY!!! and you are

MY da-aa-aaad. Whenever you call

For me, I'll try not to be ba--aa--aad!

We're heading for the meadow!

Somewhere we've often be--ee--eeeeen,

Sometimes I get naughty

But I'm ready to learn

For the POWER of LOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Winston wanted to share with all the other dogs out there that this song can get you out of a lot of scrapes. Just pout, open your eyes wide, and have a people-ally sing it out for you. Even better, sing along!

Just to Compare...

In my below blog- "My Two Favorite People (Besides My Parents)" I posted a picture of Alex and I at Christmas time. I just wanted to post this more recent picture (taken last night) as a point of comparison to how much Alex has shrunk since Christmas.

My Two Favorite People (Besides my Parents)

I just wanted to give a friendly "woof" to my two favorite people besides my parents- Alex and Nick! I love them quite simply because they will play with me for hours and never get tired, and because Nick will let me chew anything! (His watch, his belt, his shoes...) I have even been to Nicks house! They are definitely Dog's Best Friends!

Nick was actually the first of my parent's friends that I met. He'll play with me by wrestling, and he even let me completely chew the strap off his leather watch. I started on his belt too, but he left before I could finish. It seems like the guy is made of leather! He definately does not come over enough.

Alex came over last night, and played with me the entire time, he wasn't the least bit afraid of me, which some crazy people are, but he was great, he picked me up, threw my toys for me to fetch, played tug of war, taught me how to jump, and all sorts of stuff! He actually tired me out!

Usually I kick people out of my dad's chair when they come over. But Nick and Alex- you guys can sit in that chair all you want, you are my people! And sorry I didn't have a picture of Nick (thats Alex above at Christmas), but soon we'll have one because we are best buds!

Woof!