Toothbrushing Saturday

Today was tootbrushing day! Normally I get a denta-bone or something of that sort to brush my teeth with- but apperently the Vet thought that was the weak way to do it, and managed to convince mom to buy some expensive chicken-flavored (delicious) toothpaste that was vet approved! Dad got me a Spongebob Squarepants toothbrush, and today we brushed my teeth!

I didn't really know what was in store for me, because I have never done this before- and it didn't help that Dad and I were dog-wrestling before we did the brushing, so I think I was more aggressive than I could have been- but the chicken toothpate was so good that I couldn't resist, I finally gave up trying to kill Spongebob and let dad brush. Unfortunately the damage was already done...

Well, I guess its back to dentabones for me! Woof!

Strong

I wish I were as strong as my dad- when we play tug of war he can pick me all the way up by the ball I am holding in my mouth! Even at night, I can't push him off of bed, even though he can push me to my spot (see previous posts). Soon I'll be big enough...

Anyway, its early, and I am a sleepy dog, so back to bed with mom for me- I can't believe dad gets up this early... yuck!

Sleeping in Bed

I have finally coerced my parents into letting me sleep in bed with them! Basically I whine, and bark, and make a racket everytime they put me into my kennel, and behold- I am in the bed! They hav even finally given up on trying to put me into the kennel for even part of the night! As a luxury dog, I require a bare miniumum of 100 thread count sheets, comforter and duvet. I don't think this is too much to ask, seeing as how I am doing the vital job of keeping their legs warm.

Dad thinks that I am willing to sleep in my "spot" (shown in the above picture). Often times when we all get into bed, I will head up to the top of the bed for goodnight kisses and licks. But really, I am going up there to see if I can get some pillow. I mean if dad and mom have pillow, why can't I? I think that is just rude that they don't give me any! Dad gets tired of it after a while, and sends me to the bottom of the bed by pushing me and saying: "go spot", but I don't care, I fight back by twisting and biting and whining. I have gotten to the point, where now I can sleep between the two of them at night.

Another place I like is under the covers. I actually will go to my spot under the covers, so I can lean up on their feet, but if I am in the middle, I like touching them both. Mom and Dad say that I am tryiing to push them off the bed, but really, I lie in the middle so I can cuddle them both at the same time, then either mom or dad will flip over, and I have to stretch to reach them! This makes it look like I am crowding the bed or pushing them off, but really I don't want either of them to feel left out.

To be fair, mom does this to dad, even when I am at the bottom of the bed, she'll try to cuddle him, he'll roll, and he ends up with no blanket, and no bed, and she has most of the bed! It used to be worse back when the bed was against the wall, because then dad or I would be smashed up against the wall which is not fun.

Also not fun- sunlight in the morning! It gets bright early here during the summer, I mean 4 am early, so even if I am not under the covers at night time, come 4 am, I am heading under- I have to crawl up onto dad's face, then nudge him until he opens up the covers enough, so I can get in. Then I crawl and cuddle on his legs until he opens them so I can be between his calves- then he can't roll so much and knock me about, plus I actually get air that way.

Dad gets up early- around 615, this is also disappointing, because then I have to go downstairs to gaurd him while he makes coffee, but as soon as he sits down to watch the news- bang! I am upstairs and back in bed! I could stay there all day!

Woof!

Rain, Rain

Its raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring, got out of bed, bonked his head, and now its four in the morning... and I'm barking!!!

I can't let my parents sleep at a time of such great rain! Not that I would go out in the rain myself, I don't like getting wet, I am a luxury dog, and do you know what that would do to my beautiful coat? Anyway, the rain brings all sorts of fun things out, like snails to eat, and birds to play with, its exciting!

Two nights ago wasn't so exciting, though, I puked four times during the night, the first time on the comforter. Mom took care of me and cleaned up the puke all four times- dad was grumpy though because he lost his blanket and then mom took the other blanket away from him because she was grumpy he wasn't cleaning puke. To be fair- dad was the one who fed me the corn cob that probably led to my puke fest, but he had to go to work in the morning and mom didn't...

Mom was revenged, though, when the next morning, as dad was cleaning the kitchen, the garbage bag split open spilling trash water and rotten watermelon all over the place!

Whats a dog to do? Its getting dirty and wet in my kingdom! Honsestly, you think they would tidy up a bit, as a luxury dog, I don't like filth...

Woof!

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!

Winston saves the day

Sometimes, my parents seem to imply that, while a beautiful specimen of an animal, I'm a bit useless. Well, I showed them.

Picture this: Saturday morning about 7:45. We're all in bed, and I'm snuggled under the covers to block out the sun. Suddenly, there comes a knock on the door. Do my parents move? No. But I, I leap from the bed, tearing out of the covers, and scrabble frantically at the bedroom door while my mom says, sleepily, "Winston, what the heck?" and leans up to open the door.

I race downstairs as a second knock comes. This time, thanks to my energetic warning, my parents raced downstairs to answer the door where, lo and behold, there was a delivery man with my dad's long-awaited computer. As my dad signed for it, and only then, the alarm clock started going off downstairs.

Who's useless now, huh?

King of the Castle

Family! Friends! Dog intelligentsia everywhere!

I'm back from vacation and back in my domain. I guess you could say that my time away was spent at a sort of spa. You know those places where rich people go to do yoga, eat nothing but juice and get colonics? My vacay was similar, but just with a different sort of discipline. And more food.

Jake and Ruth took great care of me, but I was unfortunately forced to live as a dog, often spending up to six hours in my kennel at a time! That was ok, though, because I found that after the first day the kennel time became an almost spiritual experience, where I could go into a zen-like state and meditate on life, doghood, and the water dish. Instead of yoga or Pilates I was treated to vigorous afternoon catch sessions, sometimes with like-minded canine enlightenment-seekers. And, though living on a farm makes a dog stinky, I was allowed to revel in my smelliness--no baths were taken in the two weeks (which, you'll remember, is like three and a half months in dog years). I even got an evening supper delight--little packets of delicious and meaty stew made for fussy little dogs that expect the best, like me!

Anyway, it was fantastic, and eventually I stopped trying to pull Jake back to the car to take me home. I was glad to see my parents again, though, and get back to the life in the lap of luxury; Dad even convinced Mom to let me sleep in the bed for a coming-home treat. And there was a minimum of kennel time today. I will never forget, though, my lovely time at the Jake and Ruth Spa at the Lower Farm.