Adventures of Jack the Wonder Dog

Happy birthday to me!

2011-11-21T11:14:00.013-05:00

Six years ago today, dad surprised mom with me! Here's a little photo rundown of how I became the glue that bound these two crazy kids together and of the last six years as a family!!

Now, my official birthday is actually September 21, 2005. That's when I was born to my biological mother...but mom, dad and I don't celebrate that day. We celebrate the day I was born into my real family- this one; which just happens to be today, November 21.

See, back in 2005, mom and dad were almost married. Yes, for four months I was the child of a broken home. I lived with mom, went to work with mom, spent all my time with mom- but got to visit dad at night for family bonding.

I got to go to work with mom everyday- its a lot of work being a puggle puppy!:
She'd take me on long walks in the snow to potty train me:And, of course, nap time:Well, by the time we'd go visit dad at his house, boy was I pooped! But I always stayed awake long enough to play games with him...you know, male bonding.
Once mom and dad got married (and I was no longer a product of two households), mom and dad bought a big house with an even HUGER backyard- just for me to play in and enjoy!!Every Halloween mom dressed me up. Sometimes I'd feel stupid walking around with a lobster on my back, but then the kids would come and they'd be dressed up too! I'm pretty sure I'm a bigger hit than the candy- but the jury is still out...Holidays are always fun in our house...my favorite? As long as there are wrapped gifts, I'm in heaven. See, I find joy in shredding wrapping paper. Its the gift that keeps on giving.Do I have something on my face?I know I'm real lucky to have a mom and dad who care so much about me. Mom tells me stories of the dogs and cats she meets at the SPCA and I tell you what- I am thankful for having a warm bed to snuggle in each night and a meal twice a day.

I know that not every dog is treated like a member of the family they live with. Some are left outside all day (even when its really cold, or really hot) and some don't have a mom to towel off their feet when they come in from the snow.

So each year on my birthday (which is right around Thanksgiving- did you notice that?!) I always remind myself just how thankful I am for my family. And, especially since in a few weeks mom tells me my "sibling" will be arriving. Whatever that means. I've been an only child for six years...whoever this "sibling" is better be really cute, not smell, not make a lot of noise and not try and steal my toys. If its a nice "sibling" I just might share my mom with them. But only if they are nice! (That's a picture of me with my favorite toy, my Brain.)

Big brother duties

2011-10-20T18:01:00.006-04:00

Mom has a habit of putting together things without using all the instructions. (Which results in an extra screw here or bolt there.) But now that she's putting together furniture for my baby, I have been put on guard.

(Not that I can read, I offer more moral support and guidance when she needs it.)

This past weekend mom's task was putting together the baby swing. Which meant I was front and center the whole time, tracking the progress, verifying the picture in the instruction manual matches where she was in real life...
(I might look indifferent here, but I thought I was getting a cookie for my good behavior. I was distracted...)

(Quality control- gotta sniff it out)

(Ta-DAAAAH! I'm gonna be such a great big brother! I mean, look at this! My managerial skills are impeccable.)

As it turns out, I did a great job supervising because it all got together (and has stayed together) for five whole days now!

I'm awesome.

Way to go, Mom!

2011-10-04T13:01:00.002-04:00

I don't like to get my nails trimmed. Some people don't like to get their hair cut, some people don't like to brush their teeth. I don't like to get my nails trimmed.

The last time I got them trimmed, mom took me to the pet store (which will remain nameless) and I got tackled by two groomers because I couldn't "hold still long enough"...which resulted in me really hurting my back (remember when I told you about my trip to the emergency ER the night before mom and dad went on vacation?- wait, maybe I didn't write it...I seem to be slackin' on the ol' blog-a-do...)

Anyway, I noticed my nails were getting a little "long", but I didn't want to say anything to mom. I was hoping it would go unnoticed. (But, I should know by now- nothing goes unnoticed by mom. She's got super powers I tell you!)

So this morning she said to me, "upstairs! Bath time!" (I always get excited about taking a bath; mainly because I know I'll get lots of cookies and if I give mom my sad face, she gives me extra hugs...) Well, guess what?

Before she turned on the water to fill the tub, she said, "come here. Sit." So I did and then, do you know what she did? She trimmed my nails!

She pulled out a towel for me to sit on (and she was kneeling on it). She had me sit between her legs, wrapped an arm around me, softly grabbed my right leg and then pulled up this torture device I've never seen before (but I trust her...so I just waited to see what she'd do with it) and then all a sudden, SNIP! "Good boy!" SNIP, "Goood boy, Jack!" (it went on like that for a few minutes!)

It was like a spa experience. All that was missing was the soothing music in the background.

I've never had my nails trimmed by mom before and it was such a nice experience! Maybe it was the extra cookies. Or the extra snuggles. Or...something. (Maybe she slipped something into my water this morning to ease my nerves?) Whatever it was, I want more.

When she was all done I sniffed (and maybe ate a few) of my nail trimmings, before mom got to clean 'em up.

So, bottom line, to all you puppy friends of mine out there, I encourage you to ask your parents to trim your nails if you (like me) have a hard time getting a MAN-icure. (I know typically its called a "pedicure" because your getting your toes done, but since I'm a boy dog, we call it a MAN-icure in our house!)

Scratchy McScratcherson

2011-08-31T09:09:00.006-04:00

Do you suffer from allergies? 'Cause I do. And lemme tell you what- they are in FULL swing right now. I've had allergies for as long as my lil' puggle brain lets me remember, which flair up in the summer. Each year. Like clock work. Mom says I'm allergic to "everything". Aunt Jessica says I'm "allergic to being a dog" and my doctor (who specializes in pet allergies) says I'm "allergic to June, July, August and most of September".

No bueno.

So I'm on a constant allergy pill that I get a double dose of when I'm extra itchy. Like I am now. Well, to help my scratchy nature, mom gives me (what she calls, "soothing" baths) to help cool down and calm down my skin. Know what I like most about my baths? The cookies that come before and after the bath. Mom always takes the bubbles and makes a mohawk on my head with them...which I'm sure I look awesome with, but she never has a mirror handy so I can see- so I just feel stoopid.

Anyway the other day mom gave me one of her soothing baths. But before she did she used the Furminator on me. Ever heard of it? Well, lemme tell you- it makes me feel like a million bucks! Its a hair brush but it pulls out all the under coat, leaving just my super shiny coat for all to look at and make other dogs jealous! After mom pulls it through my coat, she pushes a little button, eliminating the "yuck" (as she calls it). Looks like this when its all piled together:See, I have hair bright and golden hair just like Goldie Locks! haha

Anyway, since the whole purpose of the "soothing" bath is to not irritate my skin anymore, mom lets me air dry. Which means I first get a cookie (for being such a good boy and letting her do the mohawk thing) then I run around like a madman. Its so much fun! But first she wanted me to pose. Whatever mom. Can I run noooooooooow?Once I was dry I got back into scratching. Why? Because it feels SOOOOOO good. Well, that was a no bueno move for mom, and she put the cone of shame on me! (See, I might have forgotten to mention this, but I *might have scratched my muzzle so hard earlier in the day, causing myself to bleed and look like I got into a dog fight...which may or may not have been the reason behind giving me the bath in the first place...whatever. Details...) Mom said I "needed" the cone of shame. But I feel so stoopid in it. Thankfully I was able to talk mom into taking it off when we went on our walks. I didn't want the neighborhood dogs seeing me in such a pitiful state.(See that green thing under the cone of shame? That's my "bowtie")

Worst part about wearing the cone of shame?I couldn't stick my head into the toy basket to pull out any toys! Epic fail.

So you might be wondering why the title of this post is Scratchy McScratcherson...that's what dad calls me when I'm itchy. Cute, hu?

(wo)man's best friend

2011-08-26T12:55:00.002-04:00

One of the many reasons I asked mom to start this blog with me was to have a feel good website out there. So many are doom and gloom and sad and make you want to cry- mom and I (especially) wanted to make a website dogs (and their owners, of course) could come to and say, "awww".

So I'm poking around on Facebook (no, I don't have my own profile yet- I share with mom) and I see a post from my cousin Diva's mom, Heather.

Here, read it. Then come back.

Ok, you read it? Yeah...isn't that powerful? I mean, talk about devotion and love between friends. Some people (typically those who don't have a pet) say things like, "oh, its just a dog" or "its just a cat"...but here's the thing, the bond between pet and owner is immeasurable. Its infinite. And, for those of you out there who share a bond with your pet like I do with mom (or like they do in the story I posted)...give your pet a little extra loving tonight to show how much you care. Throw the ball once more for them or give an extra treat.

What the?

2011-08-18T13:34:00.002-04:00

**Let me first start by saying this post is about using a bark collar (or "shock collar") on Jack. We did NOT come to this decision lightly and if you are considering using a bark collar on your dog, use it RESPONSIBLY. **

I have some issues you may have heard about before. When animals come on to the television, I bark, UH-LOT. Why? Because I think they are IN my house...and I have to protect MY house, so I bark. Before mom and dad put the television up high, I used to run around the sides of the tv to chase elephants out of sight. (Or penguins, polar bears, cats, dogs, sloths...you name it, I barked at it.)

This issue never seemed like a big deal, so mom and dad always corrected my behavior (but I still did it. Either I have short term memory problems or I just don't care- if I see an animal in my house, I'm going to protect my house.)

Well, that isn't my only "issue". You see, when people come into MY house (like my grandparents, Aunt Caitlin- anyone) I use this high pitched bark/squeal to greet them with. Mom and dad say its "annoying" and "disruptive" and "bad behavior". This too they try and correct my behavior, but I'm- "stubborn".

Two weeks ago, mom was in the kitchen, dad was upstairs and I was on the couch relaxing, when all of a sudden, CAT! I jumped off the couch, barked like a mad man, and got yelled at. Bad. Mom was NOT happy with this.

(*Mom note, before this cat incident, we had been debating the bark collar- but seeing the reaction to the cat commercial made it clear in my mind what step needed to be taken.)

The next day mom came home with a new treat for me! What's in the bag mom?! WHAT'S IN THE BAAAAAAG????? Ooooh, a new collar! I LOVE getting new collars!

I wore my new collar with pride. Walking extra slow in front of mirrors- you know the drill. I looked gooooooood.

Then it happened. A dog commercial came on. I jumped down, got in position in front of the tv and BAAA- OUCH! What the heck was that?! I shook it off.

BA- OOOOOOOOOUCH!

Clearly there is something wrong with this collar! I got scared and ran to mom's side and hid behind her legs. For about 15 minutes.

This process repeated itself each time an animal commercial came on. How. WEIRD?! Until, finally the other night, I saw the commercial and didn't want to bark at it. I just sat there. I wasn't happy, but I just sat there and let that cat purr because its litter was so clean and fantastic and I just watched. I was disgusted with myself.

Mom told dad about this and they high fived! Its like an evil plot against me.

And then when grandma walked in I went to give my typical greeting (the bark/squeal) and only got BAA- out before I felt like I was kicked in the throat. Grandma seemed to like this though; she said "good boy Jack! Nice to see you too!"...I am beginning to think there is something to this new collar. People seem to like me MORE when I'm wearing it.

Mom and dad call my new collar my Bow-Tie. Cute name for a high-tech collar, eh? I wear it well...

Chew on this

2011-07-26T11:02:00.006-04:00

Dad got me for mom as an early wedding present and since mom and dad didn't live together before they got married that meant mom and I spent a lot of time alone.

When the big day came and dad moved his stuff into our apartment, things changed. All of a sudden socks were being left on the floor (which I quickly snatched up and started gnawing on!) then there was the toy I found in an "almost closed" box, which I pulled out and chewed on.

Dad made a big fuss about "your dog chews on things!" to which mom swiftly came to my defense, "he's only chewing on things that you leave out for him to get!"...way to go mom! Dad learned his lesson and started to put his toys away, which meant I didn't get to chew on them anymore (boo.)

Well, all that chewing drama happened five and a half years ago (without one relapse since!)...so imagine my surprise when I follow mom into the office the other day and find one of dad's shirts laying on the carpet!

At first I thought it was a trick, but without a treat at the end. Like maybe dad left it there to see if I would gnaw off a button or something...but I moved it with my nose and nothing happened, so I decided that while mom worked, I would make myself comfy on the shirt.
When mom told dad what I was doing...do you know what dad said? "I'm okay with it as long as he doesn't fart on my shirt!"...mom told me this news and I gave her a sad face, not because dad was making fun of my digestive tract but because I already did...hehehe

Summer camp blues...

2011-06-29T17:42:00.002-04:00

So Monday rolled around and mom left me. All day. By myself. When she finally got home and rescued me from the depth of my despair, I realized she smelled funny. So I used my weight to wiggle into her socks and sniff it out.

Sniff, ahh, that's a big dog.
Sniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiff, oh, that's a small dog.
Snifffff- wait, is that a CAT?!

Turns out summer camp is for MOM. Not for me. What. EVER.

**Mom note- Jack is coming to camp on Friday to spend the day with the kids. Shhh, don't tell him. I don't want him to get too excited over here. He's still got to wait one more day before that happens...and no worries- pictures will be posted :)

Summer camp next week!

2011-06-23T10:42:00.002-04:00

I have been such a big help getting mom ready for the summer camp program next week. See, when she first started bringing home books from the animal shelter, I had a "problem" with them because they smelled like other dogs.

I was, you could say, "a pest". That I was, "getting in the way" or that I was "too over excited"...whatever you want to call me, I was so anxious about all these smells on the books and folders!

My fear was coming because I didn't want mom and dad to think they could bring me home a brother or sister to "surprise" me...so I kept staying front and center, you know, getting in the way.

Anyway, next week is summer camp and I cannot wait! I hope to come and spend some time at the camp next week with the kids! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE kids!!

My favorite recipe

2011-06-02T09:01:00.002-04:00

Mom likes to spoil me and one of her favorite (and mine) things to do (and eat) are homemade dog cookies.

We are going to be making these cookies this summer at the SPCA summer camp, but I thought I'd give you a preview because there is just too much delicious-ness going around over here! Yum!

Low-Fat Beef Cookies (Because even though I'm cute, I too have to watch my waist line!)
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup skim milk
3/4 cup water
3 1/2 oz can of beef puree (1 small jar of baby food)

1. Blend wheat flour and cornmeal together. Set aside.
2. Whisk together milk, water and beef puree. (This is when it starts smelling REAL good!)
3. Slowly add flour mixture to beef mixture until a stiff dough is formed. (This is when I start whining because it smells so good!)
4. Place dough on floured counter and roll out, about 1" thick.
5. Cut into shapes with desired cookie cutter and place on ungreased cookie sheet. (I prefer the bone cookie cutter over the mail man shaped one...just seems wrong to eat something shaped like a person!)
6. Back at 375 for 35 minutes or until cookies are crisp. Let set overnight to crisp cookies.

See, its really kinda easy to make healthy treats for your dog! So there you go. A Jack-approved cookie recipe that I'm sure your bff with four legs will love as well!

Spoiled by the sun

2011-05-11T15:09:00.001-04:00

If there's one thing I love about spring time around here, its the sun. Most afternoons you can find me lounging in the sun and, when I get too hot (because I always get too hot) I find a shady place to rest my head and dream the day away.

Yes, being a puggle is a tough job, but I'm glad I get to do it.

Now, enough typing, time for another nap...

Book Review

2011-04-21T11:00:00.002-04:00

Mom brought home a new book for us to read the other day called The Ugly Pugling by Wilson the Pug (and his mom, Nancy Levine).

The book reminded me a lot of, well, me! We both have squished little faces and we both write real good (with the help of our moms...of course!)

So the book is all about Wilson the Pug finding the love of his life at the park one day...but then she disappears. He visits her house...but she doesn't come out. After a long time, she finally opens the front door and guess what?

She's a MASTIFF! Do you know how BIG Mastiffs are?

(Here's a little lesson, pugs weigh between 10-20 pounds. Mastiffs can weigh between 130-180 pounds! THAT'S A HUGE Difference!)

The book talks about their love for each other...but Hedy (the girl) is supposed to win the top prize at the Mastiff show...which means she'd be wed to Shakespear, another Mastiff! (But, here's the thing, Hedy doesn't like Shakespear- her identical sister loves Shakespear!)

In a book that will keep you on the very edge of your doggy bed...I HIGHLY recommend The Ugly Pugling.

Don't Lick the Dog

2011-04-05T15:29:00.003-04:00

Mom is doing a lot of work for the SPCA summer camp program and today she brought home some new books from the library. Since I'm so smart, I already read all of them myself (except the ones about cats...I don't really "do" cat.)

My new favorite book is called "Don't Lick the Dog" and it shows kids how to interact with dogs they don't know! We should make a movie about this book, starring me, of course. I mean...with a face like mine, who wouldn't want to watch me on the big screen?

So if you have kids, check out this book- its very informative!! (That's a "smart-word" I just learned...)

Unleashed

2011-03-30T09:21:00.002-04:00

Mom and I walk, uh-lot, and I'm always surprised (and maybe a little scared) when I see a dog wandering around without a leash!

See, we live in a city that has a leash law. Which means, quite simply, if your dog is outside, not in a fenced area, the dog needs to be on a leash. Simple.

I don't care if "she never leaves the lawn!" or "he's so friendly, he wouldn't hurt a fly!" or one of my favorites, "she's too old to care"- uhm, if she's too old to "care" about me walking with my mom, do you think maybe she's old too care if she walks into the street and gets hit by a car?

On our walk yesterday we encountered TWO dogs outside without a leash. The first one, is a chocolate lab, and mom and I know (from previous experience) that she's not friendly (which, honestly I don't understand. What's there NOT to like? I gotta lot to offer!) As mom and I walked to the other side of the road, mom saw the owner standing at her front door. Just watching.

Here's what I'd like to know. Was she just watching to see if her unleashed dog was going to attack us? And, if the dog approached us, did she think her Spidey-senses would kick in and she'd magically appear next to us to control her dog?

We kept walking.

Then we walked down another street and a little yorkie walked right towards us. Her owner was standing at the bottom of the driveway. Mom and I stopped. I sat (and waited for further instructions from mom). Mom said to the lady, "Excuse me! Is this your dog?" The woman was startled and said, "OH. MY. GOSH! MAGGIEEEEEEEE! GET BACK HERE!" she started towards us, "She's just a chicken. She never leaves our yard!" The lady picked up Maggie, and smacked her! "Bad dog! BAD DOG MAGGIE!"

There were so many things wrong with this, most of which is if the owner were more responsible, she would have put Maggie on a leash and the whole situation would have been avoided.

Maggie wasn't a "bad dog" and didn't deserve a smack. Maggie is a dog. Dogs like to sniff and be adventurous. It is your responsibility as a dogs owner (or person) to protect your animals.

That is why a leash law is so important. But, as mom said, laws are only good if people follow them.

Here's another thing to think about: if you let your dog roam, and lets say they get hit by a car- how awful will you feel that it was totally preventable? And the poor driver of the car who hit your dog- if your dog was chasing after a rabbit (or ball, or child, or another dog, or the chicken who decided to cross the street) its not the drivers fault. It is your fault for not being a responsible pet-parent.

Mom knows that I love her and I'd never leave her side, no matter how many times I've told her this. Irregardless, she always puts me on a leash. Why? Because mom understands that if I see a squirrel, I'll run after it. If I see a dog walking on the sidewalk, I'll run over to it and say hi. I wouldn't ever intentionally run away from mom, but I'm a dog. I've got instincts and no matter what, I will follow them.

With all of this being said, please leash your dog. Get a tie-out if your going to leave your dog in the front yard or install an Invisible Fence. Don't be like Maggie's mom.

And, on a side note- don't smack your dog! Smack yourself for being stoopid.

My buddy

2011-03-28T12:42:00.003-04:00

So grandma and grandpa have a dog, Winston. He's always been an old dog (or, let me be more politically correct, a "senior") but he was over this weekend and, I gotta tell you, he's old.

I learned quickly that Winston is different from other dogs I meet. He's never been energetic, or, spunky- wagging his tail is pretty much the extend of his excitedness.

We started to call him Eeyore (from Winnie the Pooh) because they had a lot in common, such as:
- energy levels (always hovered in the "low" zone)
- coordination (sometimes he'd walk into walls)
- alertness (this one kinda speaks for itself)
One thing they didn't have in common- Winston's tail never fell off.

HOWEVER, Winston is very sensitive when it comes to his tail. Like, if grandma were to accidentally step on it, he'd give her a little "nip" to let her know he's there. So, maybe he and Eeyore do have another thing in common! Hmmm...

As with most things, time ages them (except me of course, I will remain a puppy foreverz!) and Winston has gone from his youthful Eeyore enthusiasm to trying to pour molasses on a cold day. He doesn't budge.

Winston was over this weekend and I greeted him as I usually do with some sniffs (to make sure its him) and a potty break in the backyard. But, after he peed, my buddy tried to turn around, and he fell. He couldn't right himself. I walked over to him and gave a little nudge with my nose- he got back up, went inside and spent the rest of the day on his pillow. Sleeping.

I felt like Fran's mother on The Nanny, when Winston came in the house. Who, when Fran walks into the kitchen, after being away for sometime she yells, "WHATS WRONG WITH YOU? THEY DON'T FEED YOU IN (insert a random city)? You're all skin and bones- here have a sandwich and tell ma' all about it!"

Mom says I'm not an old Jewish lady, and Winston doesn't eat sandwiches...but I beg to differ. I just want my buddy back.

Squeaker-squeakin'

2011-03-25T13:22:00.008-04:00

Ok, this might come as a surprise, but I can't talk (audibly, anyway). My conversations with mom are like, oh how do you say, one sided. I mean, she always gets my point across (telepathically, of course), but sometimes I just need to speak my own mind.

This is where my squeaky toys come in. Specifically, my brain.
You see, the brain squeaks. So when I do this:I know everyone is hearing exactly what I want to say.

Mom and dad have tried to supplement my brain with other toys that don't squeak as "loud". This is what I did to the last one:I tore off his tail and then, this happened:I tore off his long tongue. Opps.

So for a long time now mom and dad do a "squeak-test" before buying me any new toys. This is so embarrassing, because of course they do this in a public place, while I'm WITH them (and there is always another dog walking by, looking...mocking!) The most recent toy that received the squeak-test was the Squeeki Tiki
Apparently the tikis, while incredibly cool looking, were too "loud" and so we left them in Petsmart.

To add insult to my already injured pride, one of the dogs with mocking-eyes, got one! NO FAIR! I think I'm going to start a Squeeki Tiki fund (please make checks payable to Jack the Puggle) that would really surprise dad when he comes home from work!

But, until I receive enough donations to afford my squeeki tiki, I'll just play with my brain. (I love this last one of me. I decided to turn my head from mom- in a sign of reluctance until I get a squeeki tiki!)

Red Lobster

2011-03-22T09:27:00.002-04:00

Look at this dog toy I just found here. You know, even though I don't like sand (I went to the beach once and didn't like the non-solid ground. My feet kept slipping out from under me...it was a mess!) I do love the beach and the whole beachy-vibe!

Pretty sure having a lobster toy like this would make me feel like a real fisherman!

Oh, or maybe a pirate! Rrrrrrr!

Sniffer

2011-03-18T17:43:00.002-04:00

My sniffer works real good. Maybe sometimes too good. Case in point, yesterday.

Mom walks into the house, after being gone for (what felt like) eons, and she smells of:
- a turkey sandwich, on wheat bread, with lettuce, tomato and mayo
- a pickle
- and...what's this? ANOTHER DOG? Wait, TWO other dogs...OMG, I'm dying, THREE OTHER DOGS?

ON MY MOM?! She had some 'splainin to do!

Here's what she told me, "I was busy meeting with other dogs who I might bring home one day and replace you with". Ok- wait a minute...she didn't saaaaay that. That's just what I heard, while sniffing her jeans, shirt, hands, jacket, shoes, ankles, wrists and neck. Yes. I'm thorough.

After I had a mini melt down (which consisted of me whining, more than usual and asking mom to play with my rope, brain, bone, tiger and foot- all at once!) I was relieved to learn I will be an only puggle for a very long time.

Mom soothed me while saying things like, "there is no replacement for you" "you are our only boy" "we love you so much" "you might be spoiled, but that's only because your special"...

Good news? I was able to make sure she knew how much I loved her right back. How'd I do that? Simple. Throw my whole body on top of her, snuggle up as close as I can get, twist my tail around her wrist, fall asleep and start snoring. Works like a dream!

They say its your birthday

2011-03-07T14:33:00.004-05:00

Everyone has their "thing".

Some people like to cook. Some like to bake. Some are athletes...some are couch potatoes...I like to host birthday parties. Well, with mom's help, of course!

Here's what I love about parties: I love people, people bring presents. Presents are wrapped, I love tearing/chewing/making a huge mess with wrapping paper. See how that works? So every time we have a party not only do I get to see our family and friends, but I get to munch on the wrapping paper!

Dad had a birthday last month and to make it more fun, mom and I had him go on a scavenger hunt around the house to find all his presents. (We couldn't just put a big pile in front of him- where's the fun in that?) So after he found all his gifts (we hid one in my house!) it was time to open them! My FAVORITE part of parties!!

After his first gift was open, I was ready for more paper...oh wait, do I have something on my face?
Dad gave me one of the shirt boxes (which kept me busy for a very long time!)
What do you mean that was the last present? Are you suuuuuure?

So, here's an open invite: if you have a party coming up, I'm sure mom won't mind hosting it, just so I can play with your wrapping paper!

Not cool.

2011-02-16T14:04:00.003-05:00

It takes a lot for my tail to go straight. I prefer it to look like this(get it...my tail forms a "J" for Jack!)
Anyway, this news story made me sad. It makes me sad that all those dogs didn't have a good home. That they didn't have parents to care for them, or even their own water bowl to drink from.

You know that mom volunteers with the SPCA (doing humane education) well, yesterday she left the house and was gone for about three and half hours. When she came back she smelled like other dogs. I did my typical interrogation (sniffing her all over, then back again) and then mom told me the story about the puppies she saw.

The little three day old babies who were born, and one is so underweight he might not make it. About the older dog whose ear was bruised from getting into a fight. It made me really sad that there are people out there who would let this happen to their pets.

And, while I don't like when mom's not around me, I understand why she needs to volunteer at the SPCA and teach humane education to kids. Because if she can make the point, that you have to be kind to animals and respect them, maybe this won't happen again.

Squeaky clean!

2011-02-10T17:54:00.002-05:00

First let me start by saying, we have our own vocabulary in our house. So, even though I sleep in a "crate" we NEVER call it that. We call it my "house"; 'cause you know, that's where I live...

So, rather than me going to "get groomed" I go to the "barber shop" ('cause you know, I'm a boy. Boy's go to barber shops. Girls go to the salon...) And, when I go to the barber, I don't get a "pedicure" I get a MANicure ('cause you know, I'm a man)...

(Ok, now that we've covered all the lingo, I can tell my story.)

Today I went to the barber and got my toes done. Then end. (naaah- I'm just kidding!)

I knew something was up by the way mom put the collar on me...and then grabbed the leash-drawer-handle...AND PULLED! I was so excited I could barely walk straight my butt was moving from this side to that side, and back again!

Mom loaded me up in my collapsible car seat (which, if you don't have one...you need one. Safety first.)

And then, we drove! I love driving with mom. And listening to music- we always go somewhere fun, and that makes me smile. Or, maybe its not always "fun" as much as getting to spend extra time with mom...and she always gives me lots of cookies to keep me "calm".

As soon as we parked the car I was ready to go in. I love going to the barber shop (which is also the toy shop...and the grocery store for me...) I got to meet a four month old Boxer puppy! He was so small!

Then we walked into the barber shop. Here's the thing, we have a love-hate relationship. I love the way I feel after I hate being there. (Mom even asks the barber to "call when he's about 10 minutes from being done- I'll be here to pick him up right away- he doesn't like to wait...")

Its not that I'm impatient. I'm just, well...I'm a people person, and when they put me in a box in the wall and ask me to "wait for your mom", well, I might have ACCIDENTALLY messed myself one time. ONE TIME and now mom wants to be on speed dial when I'm there so I don't wait...

So after they exchange "the best number to call", I hang my head in shame past all the other dogs whose mom's aren't on speed dial and make my way to the bathtub.

After they brush, and shampoo. Trim and clean...they called mom and then, they did the unthinkable. They put a bow on me. AS IF my mom on speed dial wasn't bad. They put a BOW on me! Oooh the misery.

Thankfully mom and I speak the same language and as soon as we were at the cashier, mom asked to borrow a pair of scissors. Love that lady. Mom's got my back.

And so, for the rest of the day, I laid in the sun, enjoying my new squeaky clean coat and trying to forget that I ever had a bow on me.

Mom post

2011-02-09T16:51:00.003-05:00

Jack makes me laugh several times a day. Since I get to spend so much time with him, we know each others quirks. I know when I walk into the bathroom, he will be right behind me. He knows that when he comes in from the back yard covered in snow, I'll be there to wipe his feet.

One of his biggest quirks is his toys.

During the winter Jack moves all of his toys in the backyard close to the sliding glass door. (During the summer they are ALL OVER the yard...but during the winter he knows how to clean up his toys- whatever...) So, after a huge snow storm this weekend all of his toys were covered up.

He went out on the deck, started sniffing for his toys, then buried his head into the snow. After about 30 seconds of moving like a bulldozer through the snow, he pulled out a deflated toy, shook his head (to clean it, of course) and put it on the step.

Its Wednesday and the toy hasn't moved.

Even now, as I'm writing this, he's laying in front of the slider, looking into the backyard. Oh wait- now he's moved in front of the fireplace. Apparently he was cold.

Fame, here I come!

2011-02-02T09:12:00.002-05:00

Mom is gearing up (again) to volunteer with the SPCA and run their Humane Education program. Apparently she met with some preeeetty nice folks for lunch yesterday and (of course!) they talked about me! ...and many other important things.

I have a hard time believing that not every dog (and yes, even cats) has parents like mine. Mom told me, some pups don't even have warm beds to sleep in! Or a mom who waits at the back door to wipe their cold, wet paws when they come in from the snow! Or a dad to play fetch with (I love it when he throws the ball reeeeeeeeally high!)

So, to get more people excited about the Humane Education program, mom is going to have a feature in their upcoming newsletter, wait for it, ALL ABOUT ME! (I'm guessing by now you've realized I'm terribly shy, cough-cough...) so for me, this run in the newsletter couldn't be more exciting- I mean, terrifying!

I can picture it now: sun bathing in the backyard, fresh bowl of ice water nearby, endless amount of cookies waiting for me...ahhh, to be a famous pup!

But don't worry, I'll be sure to send a post card from whatever far away beach I'll be laying on...

To learn more about mom's newest mission, check it out here...

Great news

2011-01-21T09:19:00.000-05:00

This made my tail wag this morning.

Favorite things...

2011-01-20T14:07:00.020-05:00

We all know what Julie Andrews' favorite things are. But when I think about my favorite things, only a few things come to mind...

A door to let me outside so I can go potty.

A fire to keep me warm and toasty on chilly nights.

Something soft to snuggle with.

Toys to play with.

Things to shred. Cardboard boxes are preferred.

Swimming in the lake (and biting the water).

Meeting new friends.

Exploring!

Taking a little food off the top.

But my very super most favorite place to be in the whole wide world is with my mom and dad.

Merry Christmas to me!

2010-12-24T10:23:00.008-05:00

I love tearing apart cardboard boxes. When mom comes home from food shopping with a pizza, she always takes it out of the box (so it fits better in the freezer) and I get to tear it up in little pieces!

So when dad didn't take the empty ginger ale box out to the garage, what did he think I'd do? Just walk past the box? Well, that's exactly what I did, about five times. Just walk past it, see if someone was tricking me. Slightly bump it with my nose...and then, when mom was out of view, I grabbed it!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This is my favorite shot, I was so excited, I bounced right on top of the box- thankfully mom is a great photographer and caught my ear flapping on my descent!
And then it was all torn up. No more play time.
Will you play with me, mom? Please? Just try and say no to this face...

Crop circles

2010-12-16T11:15:00.002-05:00

You know in the Sound of Music they talk about (or rather, sing about) their favorite things to keep them from getting scared by that horrible rain storm? Well, here's one of my favorite things about winter. Making crop circles in my backyard.

Mom says I look like a Sugar Plum Fairy out there because I'm so graceful. But here's my logic when it comes to my crop circles. I make one, maybe two laps in the yard, create a path, and then stick to that path all winter long. No really, once I make a path, I don't venture from it (unless of course I have to chase away an evil squirrel with their fuzzy tails...they don't understand boundaries.)

Over protective

2010-12-13T13:10:00.006-05:00

I have toys all over the house. Mom tries to minimize the toy "clutter" by keeping a basket at the top of the stairs.

But it seems the toy I want to play with is always on the very bottom...

(Apparently, its frowned upon in this establishment to express yourself with toys on the stairs, ropes in the bed and bones on the couch.) I'm an artist. Its who I am, its what I do.

So it should come as no surprise that I have multiple toys outside as well that I protect from the evil squirrels and their fuzzy tails. Many of my toys I've pulled closer to the house because of the inclement weather (that's a new word I picked up while watching the news with mom this morning!)

Mom was making me a path this morning (like she did last week when we had more "inclement" weather-ha!) and as I was chasing after the steal-bladed-plastic-snow-pusher-with-the-long-handle, I realized something. One of my balls (a tennis ball- dirty mind!) was missing.

As mom pushed the snow, I was on a mission to find my ball. I started with the most obvious assailant, the steal-bladed-plastic-snow-pusher-with-the-long-handle. I started my questioning with a few bites on the side of the plastic. But it didn't give up the ball. So I took a more drastic approach, I stood in front of the steal-bladed-plastic-snow-pusher-with-the-long-handle. I stood my ground. Waiting for it to crack, but nothing.

The questioning intensified when I stuck my head into the pile of snow that was at the bottom of the steal-bladed-plastic-snow-pusher-with-the-long-handle. Mom didn't understand this was a technique I used before. "JACK! What are you doing?!" Of course I hardly heard her because my ears were frozen from all the snow. And, as I pulled my head out of the pile of snow, I was deflated. No ball.

So I decided to mimic the steal-bladed-plastic-snow-pusher-with-the-long-handle and push through the snow with my face! Mom stopped and looked at me. All of a sudden she finally figured out what I was doing. "Are you looking for your ball, buddy?" DUUUUUUUH!

And with her help, we found my ball! It was a little frozen, and I'm glad my tongue didn't get stuck to it. Mom started laughing and looking around like, "did anyone see what my super smart dog just did to find his ball?" and, as luck would have it, dad did!

I might be considered "over protective" of my toys...but hey, they are mine. I love them. And I take care of them.

DogAge tip of the week

2010-12-09T10:38:00.000-05:00

When walking in your winter wonderland keep safety in mind...

Shatter proof

2010-12-09T09:56:00.003-05:00

I've got a wiggle-butt. When I see someone, my whole back end shakes with excitement. So it should come to no surprise that sometimes I wiggle backwards causing an ornament (or two) to fall off the tree.

Because of this, mom only hangs shatter proof ornaments on the bottom half of the Christmas tree. Not because I want to run into the tree, but because my back-end gets so excited. So you see, its really not my fault.

Forgive me?

Where you been?

2010-12-08T11:03:00.003-05:00

I just realized I haven't posted since July 4. If anyone is reading this, first let me give my apologizes.

Now lets get down to business.

ITS CHRISTMAS TIME!! Do you know what that means? It means SNOW! I love snow! Yesterday we had the most snow ever fall and I GOT TO RUN IN IT (until mom called me inside...something about frost bite...)

And when mom was shoveling me a path I got to chase after the shovel. I LOVE the shovel! I especially love when mom lets me run under the shovel when she's ready to empty it. AHHHHH a fresh bath of snow! Brrrr.

Rut-roh!

2010-07-04T19:55:00.002-04:00

I was so caught up in playing fetch with Zoe that I didn't really pay attention to the throbbing pain my front paws yesterday.

We were up at the lake house celebrating the Fourth of July and boy did I get a work out! We ran up the dock, into the lake, down the dock, up the peninsula, doooown the peninsula- needless to say, I was whipped when the sun went down.

Sometime before dinner I started walking with a "gansta lean" as mom called it. She and dad did a once over and realized it was something to do with my feet, but didn't really know what else to do but put me in my house for the evening...so they did.

This morning I wake mom up to go potty and as soon as she clamped the leash on to my collar, I had horrible-terrible-no-good-very-bad-pains in both my front paws! I couldn't walk!

Mom picked me up and examined my paws, and that's when she saw it. I tore up both of my paw pads from too much play yesterday. (Actually, one of the pads was kinda dangling- it was super gross!)

So we bandaged up my paws...and I laid on the couch. All day. Did. Not. Move. (except to drink some water). Yeah, I was in a lot of pain.

Too bad my doctor isn't in today 'cause I'm pretty sure mom would have driven me there asap...but, hopefully tomorrow they'll be in and I can get 'em looked at. 'Til then, I just get to lay around and look really sad and pitiful...

I'm part coyote!

2010-06-17T09:03:00.002-04:00

Last night it was just dad and I...mom went out with her friends to "buy pretty things". As always, when mom leaves, I sit around and wait for her to come back to me.

So I'm waiting on the back of the couch last night for her to walk in...and I start to realize, "gosh, she's been gone for a long time!"...then, as if I was imagining it, I hear her voice. Faint, but I'm sure I heard it. So I start to howl.

Not just a little "HOOOOOWL", no no. This was a full blown "HHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLL"

Dad came flying down the stairs (because, you know, he's an action hero!) "Jack, what's wrong?"
"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWL"...."Awww, buddy, let's play".

It was obvious dad was trying to take my mind off whatever was bothering me (he didn't hear mom laughing outside, because, although he's got lots of great superhero powers, super-sonic hearing isn't one of them...)

When mom did finally come home it was everything in me to not jump up around her neck and have her wear me like a scarf all night.

It wasn't until dad explained the coyote howling to mom, that she mentioned she and her friend were sitting outside laughing and talking and mom and dad pieced it together that that was why I was howling like a coyote.

So there you have it, another layer in the ever-evolving life of Jack the Wonder Dog...I'm part coyote!

Tongue-Tied Thursday

2010-06-03T22:26:00.002-04:00

Don't forget what I look like, mmmmkay- Mom's just been supa dupa busy lately!! (I think I look funny when my tails straight; normally its tight in a pig-tail-curl, like this...)
Gosh, I have a lotta toys, don't I?! Good thing Mom got me a basket to put 'em all in (but when she's not looking, I knock it over and take 'em all out! Shhhh, don't tell!)

Morning person

2010-05-09T18:24:00.002-04:00

Grammy got this link sent to her inbox the other day and she just showed it to me...

Looks to me like Ginger needs to go back to bed for a few more hours...kinda reminds me of my dad in the mornings :)

Happy Mother's Day!

How'd it get to be May already?

2010-05-07T09:43:00.003-04:00

Hey, I know you!

If you noticed, I've been absent from my posting for more than a month. I know your asking, "Jack, where have you and your mom been hiding?" and here's the answer...

We haven't been hiding at all, we've just been so darn busy!

Lately mom's been treating a little head wound I got. (She tells people I got into a bar-fight to make it sound more exciting than it really is...)

I think I just scratched my head on something in the back yard, which I then scratched with my back foot, which opened the wound and made it bleed...

The first time mom saw the blood she made a little noise I've never heard before (dad later told me it's the "oh no, my puppy's blood is on the OUTSIDE of him!" noise...) so she cleaned it out, and sent me on my merry little way.

Then Monday morning I wake up and mom's eyes were HUGE! I gave her my what's-wrong-mom-eyes and she quickly took me up to the bathroom to clean out my very bloody head. Ouch!

She put this sticky stuff on it (neosporin) which makes my hair look like I don't take showers, but its cool. It feels a lot better now...and I guess its healing because its stopped itching. So its a win-win situation!

...so that's a little update on what's happening in Puggly Wuggly land!

Funny thing happened when I scratched

2010-03-25T16:29:00.004-04:00

The last post I made was about my new collar...and how I was sooooo excited about it. And how it looked soooo cute. Well, a funny thing happened when I scratched one day...

It came off.

Mom was busy putting away clothing and I had an itch. So I scratched. I scratched so much that my collar came off! But before I could put it back on, I realized how wonderful it felt to not have anything around my neck. Soooo, I jumped up on the bed and waited for mom to find it.

When she came out and saw the collar she looked at it, then at me. Then back to the collar. "How did you do that Jack?" She picked up the collar and inspected it. I hadn't torn it. The latch still clasped, so really, how did I get it off my neck? It was simple, I had an itch.

All of a sudden mom went into over drive. She ran downstairs, put on my harness, grabbed the collar off the floor, put me in the car and we flew into Petsmart, down the collar isle and we tried on all kinds of collars.

I wasn't too interested in trying on new collars, but I was interested in all the yummy smelling bones that were in the isle. Hmmmm, beef basted rawhides!

As it turns out, we FINALLY decided upon a new collar. Now, to refresh your memory, I typically wear this kinda collar:Black leather spikes. Yup, that's how I roll. Although since I'm apparently allergic to the leather, this is now how I roll...
I now sport the bottom one, with the really cool neon green and blue bones. It took a little while to adjust to my new digs, but I really like it. I mean, it doesn't scare away squirrels as well as the spikes did, but its cool. I'm not allergic to it, so that's a plus!

Uh-nother new collar

2010-02-22T15:59:00.004-05:00

I walked by mom the other day and she said, "oh Jack, you need a bath buddy!". Armed with cookies, she lead the way into the bathroom where she proceeded to fill a nice warm bath for me.

When she was washing my neck she noticed my rash. Yup, I have another rash. (Which, if you recall, is one reason why I got a new collar for Christmas, because mom thought I was allergic to something in the old one? Right, well it seems that I'm just allergic to any leather collar; even cool ones with spikes)...

Rather than blow drying me, she gave me a warm towel rub-down and then let me loose in the house. Thank heavens she turned on the fireplace! I sat there getting nice and toasty for a looooong time. When dad came home, mom and he decided it was time to buy me another new collar.

So, now I have a really nice nylon graphite colored collar with brushed nickel accents (yeah, that's how I roll if I can't have my spikes, brushed nickel accents work just fine!)

I hope this one doesn't give me another rash...

February is a busy month!

2010-02-10T09:12:00.002-05:00

For starters, its cold outside! We just got a lot of snow this weekend (which I LOVE; I've been playing in the backyard as much as I can...) but we're supposed to be getting MORE snow today! Yippy!!

Just got an email adding another even to my busy month of February. Apparently, February 20th is Love Your Pet Day!! What else makes February a busy month? For starters, we just celebrated the Super Bowl, the 13th is dad's birthday, then Valentine's day, then Grampy's birthday and now we add Love Your Pet Day to the calendar...

I'm a firm believer in loving your pet all day everyday, but why not have one holiday just about me? (Well, I mean, we already have two days out of the year that celebrate me, my 'gotcha-day' and my birthday...really, what's one more?)

Don't forget to mark your calendars!!!

Dog Bark Inn, yes please!

2010-01-27T22:07:00.004-05:00

Just checked the ol' inbox and guess what was waiting for me (and mom...) this!

Watch the video, and check it out. I wonder if he could make a wooden sculpture out of me? I'd want him to use this photo as inspiration:

Current mood:

2010-01-26T17:25:00.000-05:00

Whiny.

Have you heard about Nubs?

2010-01-23T11:11:00.003-05:00

Last night mom and dad went to Borders and mom found a book called "Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle".

Check it out here.

This morning mom and I googled "nubs" and couldn't believe the amount of press this pup and his person have received! Way to go NUBS!!!

He's been on the Ellen Show and the Today show!!

I wonder if mom could setup a play date for me with Nubs...he seems like the kinda friend everyone should have.

This is how I roll

2010-01-21T10:43:00.004-05:00

I don't know how you and your person interact with each other but mom and I have our communication down to a science. Case in point, Tuesday night.

I was running around the house with my 'brain' (its a squeaky toy, notice the picture above) in my mouth. Mom was on her phone so I ran to play with dad, who was working on his computer.

I kept squeaking my toy to get dads attention, but nothing. All I got was, "Jack, enough squeaking"... Of course, I didn't stop squeaking, so dad took my brain away from me. I whined, a lot. And then ran to mom.

I sat in front of her (she was still on the phone) and whined.
mom: Jack, what's wrong?
me: whine, whine, whine..
mom: where's your brain?
me: WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE
mom: okay buddy, lets go find your brain!

Mom got up and I lead her to the scene of the crime (where I was when dad took my brain from me). I saw him place my brain on the top of his glass desk (on a piece of paper) so I lead mom into the office and sat under the desk.
mom: where is it buddy?
me: over here!
mom: where did dad put it?
me: on the desk! Right above my head!
mom: buddy, I'm not seeing it!
me: ITS RIGHT HERE

Mom started to get frustrated because everywhere she looked, the brain wasn't there. I sat SO patiently under dad's desk waiting for her to see that it was sitting on the piece of paper, but nothing!

She called down to dad, "honey, where did you put Jack's brain?" "on the tower!" "I don't see it and Jack is whining...where on the tower?" "On TOP".... So mom and I walked back into the office and I sat under his desk again waiting for her to SEE the brain.

And then she found it. On top of the tower (like dad said).

I came out from under dads desk, grabbed the brain and ran downstairs to show dad that we found it.

Mom asked dad why, if the brain was on the tower, was I sitting under his desk? "Because when I took it away from him, I put it on the desk...that was the last place he saw it. When he ran out of the room to whine at you, I moved it to the top of the tower..."

So you see, don't under estimate the power of the puppy memory. Or the power of communication between a pup and his mom...

Christmas was A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

2010-01-05T13:40:00.006-05:00

We got sooooo much snow one night, the next morning it was everything in me to NOT run outback and roll around in it. So when mom grabbed her coat, pulled out her boots and said to me, "you wanna go outside?" I thought there might be something up her sleeve to let me go with her...my puffer jacket.I usually don't like having my red puffer jacket on, but this is how I thought of it:
red puffer + no whining= playtime in the snow.

I'm so there.

My favorite part of shoveling the driveway with mom is waiting for her to overturn the shovel full of snow and then RUNNING underneath it, so all the snow falls on me!

I get so excited, I shake it off, then bury my face in the new pile and run around like a crazy dog. Kinda like this:

Christmas morning came and guess what Santa brought me? A new collar with fancy tags on it! I was having a bit of an "issue" with my old leather/spike collar, so I'm really glad Santa thought to get me a new one that doesn't itch. I was so excited, I gave mom a big hug! Hmm, what else did Santa bring me? A new leash that's gotta bungee cord on it, so I don't pull so hard when we walk (awesome, btw!)...and a new Santa loofah dog which I carry with me everywhere I go...to sum it up...best Christmas ever!

What is it Lassie?

2009-12-28T21:33:00.002-05:00

**Mom post

I'm on the phone with my sister tonight and Jack is whining by the coffee table.

me: Jack, you gotta go outside? You gotta go potty? (and I open the back door. He doesn't budge.)
my sister: Oh jeeze, what's he up to?
me: I don't know but he's whining like a baby...
(so I walk over to him)

me: Jack, what's wrong?
Jack: blink, blink
me: You gotta go outside?
Jack: lays down on the floor, with nose next to coffee table
me: What is it Lassie, did Timmy fall in the well?
Jack: Whine.
me: Use your words Jack
my sister: What's wrong with him?
me: Jack, did you loose a toy under the coffee table?
my sister: You've got to be joking, your seriously having a conversation with your dog, again!
me: Hang on, lets look under here buddy

And that's when I spotted the dental toy (look at my last post) rolled under the coffee table. I grabbed it and handed it over to my boy.

Me: Good job Jack! You found your toy!
Jack: Grabbed the toy, laid down and started snacking away
my sister: you two are incredible

Yes, I know.

Crunch 'n Clean

2009-12-23T15:32:00.007-05:00

I'm like mom when it comes to dessert; I gotta have it. I'm all about treats, as long as they aren't squishy, yes, I said squishy. I like the crunch.

Gotta have crunch.

So when mom came home with treats from Hartz, Crunch 'n Clean, I was all excited. They had just the right amount of crunch to 'em.

Because I'm a little piggy, mom had to buy another box of Crunch 'n Clean cookies the other day and guess what was inside?! A FREE TOY! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH- I love toys!

So, I waited patiently while mom opened the box. I wanted to stick my paw into the bottom of the box to see what the toy was, but she beat me to it. She pulled out this funny looking toy:So apparently I'm supposed to bite on this thing and it cleans my teeth for me! Hu...I've never done this before, but I caught on fast:
Hmmm, tastes my my cookies! Okay, now enough pictures, please?Oh alright, one more...but then will you stop with the flash?
Thanks Hartz for the free toy! Hmmm, tastes yummy!

**Oh, and in case you were wondering about the length of my toe nails, no worries...I've had a 'man'icure since this photo shoot...

I wanna fight crime, sorta

2009-12-17T13:20:00.004-05:00

Mom just found this post over at People Pets! about Midge, the smallest dog in law enforcement.

She's only 8 pounds!

I got like 22 pounds on her, but I think I could do it. Can't you see me walking the mean streets of Medina?Sniffing out crime...then again, maybe I should stick with what I know best. Being a snuggly puggly...

You got pets? You gonna decorate? Read this...

2009-12-17T12:53:00.003-05:00

Our friends over at DogAge sent us our weekly dog tip, this weeks tip includes the 5 decorating do's and don't if you've got a pup. Here's the run down:

Put plants in their place. Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias are all considered toxic to dogs and could cause real trouble if your pup happens to take a nibble. No need to ban festive flowers and greenery altogether; just hang 'em high and way out of reach. (we solve this by not having real plants in the house...mom typically forgets to water things; its a good thing I let her know when I need some h2o...)
Use cord caution. Make sure your extension cords aren't frayed or showing any exposed wires, and keep them out of your pooch's sight to avoid chewing temptation. (thankfully mom bought all new cords a few years ago, and I don't chew on things, so this doesn't really apply to us...)
Accentuate the top of your tree. Consider leaving the bottom part of your holiday tree bare and placing all ornaments, tinsel, and trimmings above your dog's snoot level. Swallowing any bits or pieces of such decorations can produce painful intestinal blockages. (Let's talk about this for a second; I like to run in the house. The other morning I forgot where the tree was, and I ran into it. Opps! Thankfully nothing fell, but accidents happen- oh, and I don't understand why they call it a "holiday" tree, its a CHRISTMAS tree!)
Avoid food-based decorations. It's a simple fact of nature: Dogs can smell food and, when they do, will usually go after it. To prevent your tree from being grazed upon, skip the popcorn-and-cranberry strings, and leave off any edible ornaments. (Ew, popcorn? Cranberries? Ewwwwwwww; no thank you. I'll pass.)
Enforce water restrictions. Make sure your pooch knows not to drink from the tree water. As it sits, it tends to collect bacteria and often contains traces of fertilizer. (This is solved by having a fake tree. Simple, easy, done. And yes, those are trash bags with the tree sticking out of them...don't judge; it keeps the tree from getting dusty!)

Lookout duty

2009-12-16T11:03:00.002-05:00

Frank and I have become best of friends (as you might have noticed from my previous post)...so when I'm on lookout duty in the guest bedroom, I bring Frank along to give me another set of eyes.

DogAge tip: Vet bills

2009-12-10T12:23:00.003-05:00

Mom and I are no stranger to vet bills. (Well, mom more than me- 'cause you know, I'm a dog and all...) but because I've got atopic allergies (allergic to everything) and a sensitive stomach (which requires fancy food) and chronic ear infections and super dry skin, we visit our vet a lot.

Mom got this email from DogAge (that awesome website we go to all the time) regarding vet bills during this "tough economic time"...(I don't know about you but I'm so tired of hearing that phrase!)

Anyway, here is the link to the tips, and here are the tips for you to look over.

Consider pet insurance. Although it requires making small but continual payments, having pet insurance could help soften the blow of bigger vet bills down the road.
Be honest with your vet. Let him or her know that you're having trouble making ends meet, and ask if he or she would be willing to work out a payment plan to help you get your bills paid off. See if there is a monthly amount you could pay that would work for both of you.
Talk to some other vets. Although it will probably cost you a consultation fee, it might be worth it to get a second opinion -- or even a third -- before committing to expensive services or procedures.
Visit a vet school. Many schools operate clinics that provide services at discounted rates, so check around to see if there is one anywhere near you.
Check with your local shelter. Their staff might be able to recommend subsidized vet clinics or other programs that can offer assistance. Also, check with the Humane Society of the United States for other available resources.

Depending upon what your pups needs are, I recommend The Missing Link. Its like a multi-vitamin, but in powder form that you put over your dogs meal...check it out!

Meet Frank

2009-12-10T10:51:00.002-05:00

When Aunt Jessica was here she and mom took me on a trip to Petsmart (my favorite store, ever!) and she let me pick out some new toys! This is my Frankenstein, Frank. He's my new favorite toy.

I'm a good helper...

2009-12-08T15:05:00.002-05:00

Mom brought up the Christmas tree on Friday night...we keep it in the basement, in garbage bags, under the stair case so "Jack doesn't think its a toy"...little does she know that I know its not a toy...silly woman!Anyway, here's me helping mom unpack the tree. I decided I do my best 'helping' when I've got a toy in my mouth...I figured that it would take her and dad a while to unpack the tree, so I curled up on the couch and took a nap for just a few minutes. But when I woke up...Heeeeeeey, how'd all that get there?

Have you donated free food today?

2009-12-02T13:38:00.001-05:00

Head over to www.freekibble.com, answer their daily trivia question (right or wrong, doesn't matter) and they'll donate 10 pieces of kibble to dogs!

More of a cat person? Head over to www.freekibblekat.com and donate there!

My Thanksgiving Adventures

2009-12-01T14:33:00.007-05:00

I helped Grandma get ready for dinner.I watched her to make sure she followed the recipe...
Snuck into some family photos (you can see my head in the bottom right...)Smiled for the camera with Kelsi.And played with my new toys from Aunt Jessica...what did you do for Thanksgiving?

Oh no!

2009-11-25T08:57:00.003-05:00

Mom and I just found this article talking about which breed of dog is most aggressive. Guest the number one breed...go on, guess.

Dachshund!

This makes me upset because I have two cousins who are doxie's! Sam, my Aunt Jessica's dog (who is 10 years old now) and Simon, Uncle Adam's doxie!

When mom read me the article I wasn't surprised by which breed took the second and third place in the aggression race. #2, Jack Russel Terriers. #3, Chihuahua

Our next door neighbors have two Labradors and two chihuahuas...and it seems that the smallest dog always makes the most noise at me when I'm outside.

When mom was six she was bit by a black labrador on her right arm. She's still got the scar from all the stitches, so growing up mom was scared of big dogs. (Thank heavens I only top the scales at 30 pounds...)

What's most interesting about this article is that since big dogs have bigger mouths, their bites typically require medical attention. Whereas with a smaller dog, who have much smaller mouths, their bites are typically treated at home...which gives big dogs a bad reputation.

I don't have an aggressive bone in my body; I might wiggle a lot, lick a lot and jump a lot...I hope they don't come out with a study on the most wiggly dogs...I have a feeling puggles would take the top spot!

Shhhh

2009-11-19T11:01:00.003-05:00

Some days, I like to just sit in the sun (with my tennis ball next to me, of course!)

Obviously, he didn't get the memo

2009-11-17T15:24:00.006-05:00

See that white thing in the midst of all those trees? Its a cat. How did it get there? Well, I hope your sitting down because there is a story involved...

It was a typical Monday morning. Mom let me out back to do my "stuff-fa-fa" and she did whatever Mom's do when their kids aren't watching. I was minding my own business when Mom opened the back door and said, "JACK- GET THAT CAT!", I looked up, "hu? What cat? I don't smell a cat!" and then. I. Saw. It.

We caught eyes and off we went. The cat, (I'll call him Moe) didn't know its way around my backyard because he ran right past three escape holes (homemade by the resident rabbits).

"Go get him Jack, GOOD BOY!" mom said from the deck, and boy did I get him alright. Moe ran the length of the yard (which is not small, just shy of 200 feet) and then, just as I was on him, he ran up the tree.

And I don't mean he ran up the tree like a lil' sissy either, I mean, he hauled ass up that tree (opps! pardon my language!) To make sure Moe wouldn't be joining me for more cross country lessons, I barked at him a few times, tried to jump up the tree a few times and then when mom called me, I ran back inside...drank a bunch of water and needed to run upstairs and tell dad what I just did. (He was very proud of me!)

Mom joined me upstairs when I tried to explain to dad (via butt wiggles) how I just chased a cat up the tree but mom did a better job using her words telling dad my heroic tale. It wasn't long after that Mom's curiosity got the best of her and she ran back downstairs to see if the cat was still in the tree. Yup, just where we left him...second tree trunk from the left, 3/4 of the way up...

This is where the story ends for me, because I did my job. I made sure that Moe got the memo to stay outta my yard (and that he'd pass it on to all his other fluffy, feline friends!)

Now its Mom's turn to pick up the story telling...

So after I tell Eric all the details of how Jack chased Moe through the trees, around the burn barrel and up the tree, I realized something: if the cat went up the tree, the cat must come down from the tree.

That's when I realized something else: don't firemen typically assist abandoned felines in trees? I did a quick inventory of my outfit, pj's, slippers, mussed hair and robe. Sexy. This is when I did the unthinkable, I started to root for the cat. "Come on down fluffy...come on!"

After watching in dismay for five minutes, I'd walk away, catch up on real current events (thank you Matt Lauer) and return to the kitchen window like a moth to flame. Moe didn't budge.

My fifth trip back to the window there was activity. Yeah, Moe!

He made his way down the tree, but not head first, no no, Moe is smarter than that. He went butt-first down the tree, stopping at the occasional branch to rest his hammies.

When he did make it to the grass again, I did a little happy dance (not just because I wasn't going to have to put a call into the fire department...)

It seemed as though this was Moe's first time on the merry-go-round because he wasn't all that coordinated. After several failed attempts at jumping the fence, he finally clawed his way up to the tippy top of the fence. Moe stayed on the top of the fence for quite some time...then finally, after several half-misses (and a few balance issues), he jumped off and into the early morning dew.

It seems as though Moe passed the memo along because we haven't had any other fluffy visitors...

Winston, why are you wearing a lamp shade?

2009-11-10T15:01:00.005-05:00

Yup, that's my pal Winston wearing a lamp shade on his head. It seems he was allergic to something in our backyard about a month ago and he chewed his tail raw. Ouch! To help stop him from munchin' on his butt, Grammy and Grampy put this lamp shade on his head!

I had to investigate for myself: Yup, buddy...you're definitely wearing a lamp shade!There was one time I had to wear a lamp shade (mine was blue though) because I had fleas growing on me! Ewwwww.

Winston wearing a lamp shade means a few things:
1- he runs into objects, like doors, tables and the sofa
2- he can't eat his cookies very well because once he drops it, its gone. (Good thing he's got a friend like me who cleans up after him!)
3- he can't really sniff the ground, so the lamp shade gets caught on the carpet, rugs and hardwood floor
4- he looks really sad all the time

It was fun having my buddy around, even if it was just for one night!

Gosh, they look familiar!

2009-11-05T12:18:00.002-05:00

A long time ago (like, when I became a member of the family) Mom found a website devoted to puggles! Of course, I have a profile, visit it here.

Yup, mom and dad take a lot of pictures of me- don't get me wrong, I'm not camera shy or anything...quite the opposite. As soon as the camera comes out, I turn the cute level to MAX!

They have puggle questions. This week, 'does you puggle like to take a bath?'. Mom said, 'no'...but see here's the thing. Taking a bath isn't my favorite thing to do; but I really like the water...just not getting dry. I'm a wiggle-butt...and having to 'sit' and 'stay' while mom blow dries me...uuuuuug, its tiresome!

Be sure to check out all the other cute puggles- gosh, we look really familiar!

Dog Age read my mind

2009-11-05T10:38:00.002-05:00

Just checked my email (with mom's help, of course) and there was our Dog Age tip of the week: What to do for dogs with allergies!

I have allergies!

For those other animals out there that have them some allergies, bark at your boy and tell me what your allergic to! (Also what your mom or dad have done to help with your allergies...)

(Notice on the tip, it says what breeds are more prone to allergies...pug is listed- for those of you who live in a cave without internet access, I'm 1/2 pug! Its all making so much sense now!)

Unlikely Friends...

2009-11-04T10:04:00.002-05:00

Just got done checking the news on msnbc.com when mom and I came across this fun article talking about unlikely pairings of animals.

Enjoy the slideshow...its really cute!

I love sticks

2009-11-03T10:26:00.005-05:00

To help mom while she's painting the trim in the house, I am on stand-by duty all day. This means while she's sitting on the floor putting masking tape on the carpet, I lay next to her. When she's moving around, going up and down and up and down the stairs to get things from the kitchen, I'm right along side her. Yes, I'm mom's favorite little helper.

There is one toy she's been using lately that I'd like to play with, its a long wooden stick. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love, love, LOVE sticks. So, when I saw one sitting next to mom, I had to investigate.

I sniffed it, smelled good, so I bent down to put it in my mouth, "No! That's not a toy, Jack. That's a paint stirrer. Leave it!"

Himph, mission blown. But I don't give up that easy, oh no, not me.

The next day while mom wasn't looking, I grabbed the stick and sat behind her happily munching away...until she saw me. "NO! Jack, drop it!" Awww, man!

Missing Link...

2009-10-28T15:46:00.002-04:00

You know how I told you about my summer time allergies? Right, well after our sleepover (with Winston) Gram noticed that he was biting at his tail...then he started to BLEED at his tail (ewwww!)

Gram took Winston to the vet yesterday and turns out Winston came in contact with something that he's allergic to, AT MY HOUSE! Oh no!

I fell just terribly-terrible that something at my house caused my buddy harm.

To help continue my road to summer time allergy (and now fall allergy) wellness, mom put me back on Missing Link. Never tried it? You gotta. Its the best stuff out there.

It helps with my shedding, skin, joints...its like a multi vitamin, its a powder form that you put over my food! It tastes soooooo good too! I lick the bowl and beg for more!

Mom and I took a trip to Petsmart on Monday to pick up the bag of missing link (okay, mom says its a little expensive, $16.99 for an 8 ounce bag...but it really works!) While we were waiting to check out, I was so anxious to get my check-out-cookie that I sat on the feet of the lady in front of us in line!

"OH!" she said, "I didn't see you there!" Mom sounded embarrassed, but the lady understood...she works at Petsmart too and knows about the check-out-cookie.

Mooooom! He's in my bed!

2009-10-20T13:54:00.003-04:00

Winston and I had a sleep over on Friday night. He came over and like always, mom brought his blanket so he could sleep on it. I'd like to pull your attention to exhibit 'a' in above photo. When we woke up on Saturday morning, you could imagine this puggle's shock to see exhibit 'b' below:Obviously this is not his bed (as evident by my name on it). But I didn't mind. Winston could have my bed every night as long as I get to sleep in mom's bed! Once Winston woke up, we went outside, went potty and I ran back upstairs to get back under the covers!

Sleepy time

2009-10-16T11:19:00.004-04:00

Sometimes I crawl into bed before mom does. I love hiding under the blankets on the bed. I figure, as long as my head is hidden, I'm hidden! Opps!Mom caught me with my tail out! I got excited when I heard her come closer, I had to poke my head out and my tail started to wiggle.Now really, who could say 'no' to that face?! Mom sure can't!

"Crate" training

2009-10-15T10:45:00.006-04:00

Mom gets lots of emails from animal websites. One of our favorites is from a website called DogAge.com.

Each week they send us an email with the 'tip of the week'. This week it was talking about crate training your pup. I gotta tell you from experience, "crate" training is the way to go.

The very first night I came home, mom put me inside the "crate". It wasn't a good experience. I cried, really really loudly.

To ease me into my new "house" (we don't call it a "crate"...we call it my "house") each time mom would put me inside for the night she'd say, "night night Jack", cover my house with a blanket and turn on a cd that was all instrumental music (very soothing!)

If I'd cry or whine, she'd say, "night night Jack". If I woke up in the middle of the night, she'd take me outside to go potty. I'd get so excited because I thought she might let me into her bed, but no. Instead, the door to my house would open, a treat would be placed inside, I'd follow the treat, door would close, cover would be put in place and she's say, "night night Jack".

Here's what I like best about having my own house:
- I get to spend all day in there with a super soft blanket
- I have my own space that I don't have to worry about anyone taking
- When I have a sleepover at Grammy and Grampy's, my house comes with me, so my routine doesn't change
- Because I'm older and wiser, now all mom and dad have to say is "Jack, inside" and I walk right into my house and wait for a cookie

Even though I just turned four, I spend my days in my house and I sleep each night in my house and I love it. (Although, I get to fall asleep with mom each night but dad wakes me up to go downstairs when he comes to bed...)(This is my door knocker!)

**Mom note**
I grew up in a household with dogs that were not crate trained and I have no idea how my parents did it. For the overall well being of the animal, and the mental health of the human, having a 'safe-place' for the dog to retreat to vital.

Example, when the hubs mows the backyard, Jack thinks this is play time and gets upset that he can't go outside with his dad. He will get SO upset, whining at the windows, jumping at the backdoor. Jack gets himself really worked up, to help avoid this situation, when I know the lawn is getting mowed, I simply tell Jack, "inside", and he goes into his house. Problem solved.

If a child from the neighborhood comes over and Jack gets too excited, "inside". We don't even have to close the door anymore, (well, during the day and at night we do...) he knows that is his house, and that is where he belongs.

Its a tough road to "house" train your pup, but once you do...its TOTALLY worth it!!!

Jack the wonder dog to the rescue!

2009-10-14T09:03:00.002-04:00

Mom, Dad and I love animals. I love all animals (especially when I don't have to share my mommy with them!)

Mom visits lots of sites throughout the day that help animals in need. Theanimalrescuesite.com needs help right now. All you have to do is click on the link, then click on the purple box and they'll donate food to animals in need.

That's it.

If your feeling generous, you can visit freekibble.com. Take their fun quiz and they'll donate 10 pieces of kibble to shelters! What's even more fun about this site is that its run by a young girl...check out their FAQ's and read all about it!

99 red balloons

2009-10-13T10:25:00.002-04:00

Saturday morning we got up SUPER early so Mom and Dad could drop me off at Grammy and Grampy's. (They were going to Aunt Caitlin's sisters wedding in New York.)

I ran into the house searching for Winston- he was still sleeping!! Silly ol' man. We said our hellos, he went back to bed and then Mom and Dad left. Normally this makes me upset, but this time, I was so busy running around sniffing the house, I forgot.

My nose lead me upstairs into Uncle Ryan's room. Even though I know I'm not supposed to go into his room, I did anyway. (If mom isn't here to see me go upstairs, I can't get in trouble, right?)

WRONG.

I ran into his room so fast, the door closed behind me. I sniffed the whole room, jumped onto his bed, jumped onto the couch and then, I saw it, the red balloon.

I pushed it with my nose, and it went over the air vent. That is when things took a turn for the worst. The air went on and the balloon took flight!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I was so scared! I didn't know it was going to move! It was coming after me! So I barked at it, but it didn't stop moving. I whined at it, nothing. I barked again and this time, Grammy came to the door!

Gram: Jaaaaack, what are you doing in here?
Me: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Now that the door was open, I was flying down the stairs. I haven't been that scared since the rocking horse started moving at a garage sale we walked past during the summer!

Needless to say, I've learned my lesson. I will never ever ever never walk into Uncle Ryan's room. Ever again.

Ever.

Walk Against Abuse

2009-10-05T13:39:00.004-04:00

Saturday mom and I got up early (before 10) and headed into our town square. I was so excited to be outside and meeting so many new friends that I forgot what we were there for! The Medina County Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault Taskforce was sponsoring a "Walk with your best friend" against abuse...Mom was there at the SPCA table to help (because she volunteers as the humane educator coordinator- long name, hu?!) They had a costume contest, so mom dressed me up in my Bat-Boy shirt...

I made so many friends! This is Duke. He's a puppy who was up for adoption, so Mom and I took him for lots of walks around the square. I didn't mind him to much, but I didn't like it when mom left me with Grampy and Grammy (yep, they came to visit!) and she and Duke went for a walk, ALONE! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

This is my other new friend. She had the booth next to us, and LOTS of cookies, so of course, she became my new bestie! (notice my tongue!)
And, since there was a costume contest, this was my pick-to-win. She is a one year old Pug, dressed as Scarlett O'Hara! (I would have entered the contest, except I didn't pay attention to where I was peeing, and got my Bat-Boy shirt all wet...opps!)

Meeting all these friends and spending time outside in the fresh Fall air really wore me out! When we got back to the car, mom loaded me inside my 'car seat' and I slept away the afternoon!

Living longer? I'm all for it!

2009-09-30T10:32:00.001-04:00

Mom just read this to me...
Living longer

I'm four!

2009-09-23T14:15:00.002-04:00

Its not every day I get woken up by mom singing to me. Seems that on Monday, I was born. Well, not really MONDAY, like, the day, Monday like, September 21, 2005!

We celebrate my birthday twice each year. First on the actual DAY I was born, and then on my 'gotcha-day' which is November 21! Two parties for ME, in one year? Yes, I am TOTALLY my mom's child!

In celebration of my four years that I've been on the earth (sent from Heaven-above, mom assures me!) Mom gave me a paper bag to shred! It wasn't wrapping paper, but maybe I'll get something wrapped for my gotcha-day!

(Mom is slacking and didn't think to upload the photos before writing this...)

Day at the lake

2009-09-10T09:09:00.005-04:00

For Labor Day we went up to the lake and I had the best day ev-ah!!

As soon as mom took my leash off I ran into the lake and started splashing around.

Dad's cousin, Micah, and I started playing catch with a tennis ball.

We raced each other to see who could get to the ball faster. I don't know if he was really slow (or if he left me win) but I got it every time!!

I had so much fun splashing, swimming and I even made a new friend!

The next door neighbors daughter had a puggle puppy named Henry!

He was really small (or maybe I'm really big?) I liked playing with him. He had to wear a life jacket in the water though!

Mom never put a life jacket on me, I just had to learn how to stay buoyant!

Only 11 more days until my birthday! September 21 I'll be four years old!!

Mom always sings 'happy birthday' to me, but my REAL birthday is celebrated on November 21 when dad got me for mom!

Tongue-tied Tuesday

2009-09-08T14:27:00.002-04:00

I haven't much to say today, so I'll post a photo Dad took of me this weekend.

Being a puggle is tough work and naps are needed regularly.

Yummies!

2009-09-01T12:37:00.005-04:00

I have, what some may call, a "sensitive stomach". Through trial and error (lots of smelly error...if you know what I mean) we found out that I have the dog equivalent of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS.

I've always been on special dog food, you know, the kind that we can only buy at the vet's office.

Mom says, its "gold" because of how much it costs...but I just call it food.

After being on the "gold" food for 2+ years, mom thought it was time to find less expensive food. We found Purina ProPlan food that tastes yummy, smells realllllllly good (well, it took mom a while to get used to the smell, but I liked it right away!) and makes me feel good! We buy in bulk.

But, since I'm a single puggle, I don't go through a 20 pound bag of food fast, dad bought a big air tight container to hold the rest of the food.

Mom has a smaller one she keeps in the kitchen to feed me from each day...but this is the goldmine!

Once every few months the goldmine runs low, and mom has to fill it.

Filling the goldmine = happy puggle

When its filled to the tippy-top, mom lets me grab some!

Hmmmm, I love yummies!!

**Mom note***

The 'gold' food we bought from the vet was close to $50 for a 20 pound bag! It was Purina EN dry dog food. (The EN stood for gastrointestinal).

The thought of switching his food, and upsetting his stomach really worried me but after a lot of research, found the Purina ProPlan Sensitive Skin and Stomach formula would be the best switch.

I GRADUALLY introduced it to Jack over the course of about a month.

Started with a few pieces, and he would seriously PICK OUT the new pieces and eat those first, then move on to the rest of the old food. Towards the end of the month, he started to pick out his old food, and not eat it! Hahaha.

He didn't (and hasn't) had any stomach upset since making the switch 5(-ish) months ago. He really looks forward to meal time now...seriously, he'll sit underneath the cabinet his food is in, everyday around 4.30 (dinner isn't served until 5)...I'm soooooooooo thankful to the folks at Purina for making a food that really DOES what its supposed to.

Mom Post

2009-08-30T11:28:00.002-04:00

Yesterday the boys went and played golf, which gave my mil and I the day to do whatever we wanted. So, we went scrapbook shopping (with birthday money, of course...I still haven't gotten paid- grrrr) and I found soooo many things that I wanted to use for my summer '09 scrapbook...including TWO of those fat pads of fancy papers...anyway, I got 'em and couldn't believe how nice it felt to spend money on such frivilous things (seriously, I haven't taken home a paycheck in almost 12 weeks!)

Okay, I promise this is going somewhere! haha

So the mil and I go back to her house and we start pulling out what we wanted to scrap. Since we just went to Disney for my birthday, it was an obvious choice...while the mil has been working on our wedding album and stuff.

She pulled out a picture of Thanksgiving '04 and showed it to me. I stopped and stared at it for about 10 minutes. We had gotten Jack just four days BEFORE that picture was taken.

I couldn't believe how small he was! How big he is now. How much has changed in 4 years. And then I realized just how much I DIDN'T know Jack then.

Duh, he was terribly cute, but he and I didn't have a relationship yet, you know? He was just a little baby and we were both learning about each other- who we each were...

It made me wonder how I'm going to react to our kids (you know...when we have one!) Will I know then when they come out? Will I cry when I look at their baby pictures when they are turning 4? The obvious answer is, YES, I'm going to cry over everything with them. I cry and get choked up with Jack...haha. Speaking of which, I cannot believe in November I'll have had my best puppy friend for 4 years! Eeek!

My mil finally brought me back from my daydream cloud when she mentioned that my mouth was open (and had been for 10 minutes- while staring at the photo)...

Anyway, my scrapbook is coming along quite well...I'm going to have to make another scrapbook for Jack (yes, he totally already has one! haha)

Buh-bye Kitty

2009-08-25T15:36:00.002-04:00

Every so often I need to remind the animals in our neighborhood that this is MY backyard. And, while I don't mind sharing (actually, I'm really good at sharing) I do not like having visitors in my yard that have not signed the guest book. (And by guest book I mean, check with me first).

Last night, it had just gotten dark outside and I saw a flash of orange. This caught my attention. Then it moved again.

me: MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM- Lemme outside! Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooof
mom: (Thinking I was hurt) Jack, are you okay?

And then she saw what I saw. An orange tabby cat.

mom: Go get 'em buddy!

With that she opened the screen door and off I went.

Around the first curve of the burn barrel, in and out of the trees, made my way around to the corner and I was so close to the fluffy orange beast I almost caught it, but I didn't.

After the cat reached a dead-end in the corner, it ran the other way, right under the fence and right UP a tree.

mom: GOOD JOB JACK!
me: But I can still smell it! Where'd it go?!
mom: Look buddy, up in the tree!

All this noise got the attention of our next door neighbor dogs, two labs. If the cat wasn't so lame, it would have realized the tree it was digging its claws into was right ABOVE the labs.

I had a good laugh, peed and came inside where dad gave me a cookie for enforcing the rules. You either sign the guest book- or get kicked out!

Party time!!!

2009-08-19T11:03:00.006-04:00

I've said this once before and I'll say it again, a party for anyone (especially mom) is a party for me!

Mom's birthday was this past Saturday and the celebrating came early! On Wednesday night, mom, dad and I packed up 'Choke and my stuff, got in the car and went over to Grammy and Grampy's.

Mom sat on the floor so I could sit near her while she ate. I got to play with Winston (whose back leg is feeling much better! He chased me around, that's how I know) bark at the front door (they have a glass front door, so I can see riiiiiight through it!) and, my favorite part of any party, eat wrapping paper!

Mom tore into her present, but then sat it down, and played with me and the wrapping paper :) Dad tried to tuck some under my tail...silly dad!

After we sung 'happy birthday' to mom, they got up. "Time to go"...so, like I always do, I ran to the door so we could leave.

Mom: Buddy, your staying here with Grammy and Grampy
Me: Hu?
Mom: We're going to see Mickey Mouse tomorrow, so you're going to stay here
Me: But...but...I like Mickey Mouse!
Mom: Jack, you'll be fine
Me: (fighting back tears) I wanna come
Mom: We'll be back in a few days buddy. We love you.
Me: Buuuut

And then went through the door. I ran over to Grammy, "Where are they going? Why are they leaving me?" I asked her with panicked eyes. "Come here Jack".

She put my leash on me, and just as mom and dad were pulling away, Grammy picked up my front paw and I waved good bye to them.

I could tell mom was upset. Either she had something in her eye or she was crying.

Either way, I had so much fun on my weekend visit with Grammy, Grampy and Winston. We went for so many walks (well, Winston stayed home, he's old you know) and then on Sunday, Mom and dad came home!

One big happy family!

My Summertime Vet Visit (as usual)

2009-08-11T14:57:00.006-04:00

Last night my summertime itches came to a head and mom and I took a trip to the vet.

Most trips to the vet I get really scared because I feel okay and don't want to get poked. This trip was different. This trip, I was really sick.

It seems every summer mom and I have to make a trip to the vet. Aunt Jessica jokes that I'm "allergic to being a dog" (I agree sometimes) and mom says that I'm "allergic to summer". This all makes sense to me.

We have poison ivy in the backyard and a bunch of other "things" which I guess I'm allergic to. Like people with their summertime allergies, puggles have 'em too!

Mine starts with my ears, and ends in hives on my body. Which makes me scratch incessantly, shake my head until it feels like my brains are scrambled eggs and scratch my ears until they feel better. But they never do.

Our trip to Petsmart on Saturday was to pick up some fancy "itch-relief and hot spot shampoo". I got the most luxiourus bath...lots of bubbles, lots of cookies and lots of "hey, you smell good buddy!" from dad. But it seemed, for about a day, that my summertime itchies were gone.

Fast forward to yesterday. When mom came home she noticed I had hives on my back and belly again, so she called the vet. Normally in the vets office, I run around, meeting other dogs and people.

This time, I curled up on the bench next to mom and waited patiently. (Well, I mean, true to puggle-form, I whined a lot, but that's just how I communicate!) The dr washed out my ears, which made me wiggle A LOT (I don't like stuff in my ears!) he weighed me (31.2 pounds!) and he gave me a shot (which I didn't really feel because I was too busy thinking of how bad my ears hurt) and off we went.

Dr said I had two ear infections as well as a "serious skin allergy caused by an allergin". I sure don't know what that means, and mom didn't either.

I could tell mom felt bad because she kept saying, "I'm sorry buddy"...but really, she did all she could to help me. When we got home, I curled up on mom's lap and took a nap. Going to the vet sure takes a lot out of me!

Maybe tonight I'll get another bath in that fancy shampoo??

Thanks for taking care of me mom.

My 50th Post!!

2009-08-10T15:47:00.005-04:00

Each post I put up here is a milestone. I made it to another day. God took care of me another day. You know...there is a lot to be thankful for when you stop and stear. So, my 50th post is a milestone- thanks for sharing it with me :)

This weekend Mom and I went to my favorite store, PetsMart! I love going there because people always say, "can I touch your dog" to mom and I get so excited to meet new people, I worry I'll shake my tail right off!

We had a shopping list for our trip. Three things, food ('cause I'm a piggy) a poop-bag holder (because my old one got lost somewhere...with a FULL roll of poop-picker-upper-bags in it!) and some shampoo for my itches. (I seem to be allergic to summer- it happens every summer, and every summer its the same thing, I hope and pray for Fall to come!)

Mom grabbed a cart, and off we went. We grabbed everything that was on our list and then, I met a new friend, Morgan.

Morgan is a Great Dane. I am a puggle.

Morgan weighs roughly 130 pounds. I weigh 32.

Morgan is a puppy. I am almost four years old.

You can imagine my surprise when he wanted to play with me, and put his paw on my head. HIS PAW WAS AS BIG AS MY HEAD!

While he was a big friend, Morgan was a gentle friend. His mom let my mom take photos of us together!

When we were ready to check out, I got lots of cookies from the nice lady because, "he's so well behaved". hehe- that makes me giggle when people say that.

The only thing that bothered me was the automatic sliding doors at the entrance of PetsMart. While mom was getting the 20 pound bag of dog food up, I wandered to the other side of the door. Then got stuck. Mom had to stop what she was doing to open the doors for me to come back inside. Then I walked back outside, and they closed. This happened about three times until mom was ready with the bags. Silly mom, why didn't you just push the cart outside? (Hindsight is 20-20 she says...whatever that means!)

Heeeeeeey, I know that face!

2009-08-03T15:42:00.002-04:00

So, mom follows this blog about raising a boxer, named Bruno. Its a small part of a very informative website about dog breeds.

A really long time ago, mom sent in my picture (because I've got such a cute mug!) hoping the web master would put it under her 'puggle' pictures.

GUESS WHAT?!

She did! (I'm the first one on the page!) Mom said some really nice things about me too!!

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pugglephotos.htm

I heart summer

2009-08-03T14:37:00.009-04:00

Some people know its winter when they shovel their driveways.

Some people know its spring when their flowers start to bloom.

I know its summer when we wake up early and head to the softball fields.

Dad plays lots of sports, basketball in the winter and softball in the summer. I never get to watch him play basketball (something about rules and guidelines...no pets allowed nonsense...)

Softball however is outside, in a field, with a lake and LOTS of things for me sniff.

This Saturday was dad's tournament game. We woke up early, mom packed a cooler with some water and ice cubes for me, the jug filled with Gatorade for dad and off we went! (Although, the jug always leaks on mom, so every time we made a turn, the stuff would spill on mom- when we got to the fields, her sandals were sticky! Ewwww...)

To keep me cool mom gives me ice cubes (hmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about them!) When we're home and I get ice cubes in my dish, I always pull out the cubes, bring them to the carpet (which dad always gets upset about, "what's this wet spot?") chomp them in half, and walk away...but in the grass, I could just crack the cube in half, and lick it!

Dad and Uncle Ryan play on the same team. Have I ever talked about my Uncle Ryan? Ooooh, I just LOVE him! Uncle Ryan lets me walk all over him, give him as many kisses as I want, and he likes to play with me!

Grammy and Grampy came too and guess what? They brought Winston with them too!! (I haven't been able to play with Winston in a while since he had surgery- so this was a VERY big day!)

Since it was so hot I only got to see one of five games dad played in.

Mom took me home, gave me lots of love, hugs and treats, and left me home. Its okay though...I was able to catch up on my naps- like I said, we had to wake up early!

The very last game of the day, I hear dad made the only home run (all day!) and our team ended up winning the tournament (two years in a row!)

(That is a picture of mom, Grammy and Grampy!)

So now that softball is over, I know summer is starting to wind down- but there is still one more big celebration before its Fall...Mom's birthday! YIPPY!!! When its mom's birthday- its also like my birthday because I'm always with her...a party for mom, is a party for me :)

And, just in case you were wondering how our pumpkins were doing...

Foolish website?

2009-07-22T16:06:00.002-04:00

(This is a mom-post)
I wonder if people feel its foolish that I have a blog about my dog. I mean, honestly, I know (duh!) its a dog, therefore not everyone's cup o' tea, but then I realize why I do this blog:

Because I like being happy.

I read blogs about women who have lost their children, women who are raising their children, men who are raising kids, teenagers going through teenage 'stuff'...but I always walk away from their blogs with a sense of, "gosh...that's a little heavy- or a little dark..." but mostly I think, "I'm glad Jack and I are such a happy pair".

Nothing new, different or very exciting has happened in Jack and my life recently. Last night we sat on the landing playing with four of his favorite toys for a while. He gets so greedy and its a trait I work hard to prevent from becoming an "issue"...he likes to share, don't get me wrong, but he also likes to have what you have. Like most four year olds :) haha

Field trip!

2009-07-15T14:51:00.003-04:00

Mom was home with me yesterday and we took a field trip! (I LOVE field trips!)

We started out taking a walk, covering the typical ground- but then, mom lead me PAST where we typically stop.

Something was up!

Boy am I glad that mom packed me a bottle of water (with ice cubes!) because boy did I need it.

We walked to PetsMart!! I love PetsMart- I always get to meet new friends while I'm there with mom...typically I get a new toy (wink) but I ALWAYS get a treat when we check out!

Bunnies

2009-07-10T11:12:00.005-04:00

Every summer I have lots of friends pop into my backyard. Sometimes its our next door neighbors dog, Gizmo (he crawls under the fence)...sometimes its a stray cat (which I chase away immediately!)...sometimes its a squirrel, but mostly during the summer, its rabbits.

Last summer, in particular, was a very busy summer for our backyard rabbits. You see, they built their dens in my yard.

One day, I'm all alone in my yard, the next, I've got 5 little bright pink things looking up at me (their eyes were still closed, mom said that's because they were still so little)!

I couldn't believe what I was seeing- so I did what I always do when there is something strange in my yard. I stood, feet shoulder width apart, and howled until I got mom to poke her head out.

me: HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWL

(Nothing from mom. Try again. Still nothing. This time I howled as loud as I could- this got mom's attention!)

mom: Jack! Get in here!
me: no. (and I stood still)
mom: Jaaaaack- COME!
me: no. (I know I'm not supposed to disobey mom, but I haaaaaad to!)
mom: GET OVER HERE!
me: no. (Oh boy, she's getting mad!)
mom: What are you doing?

(AH HA! JACKPOT- she's walking over to me!)

mom: (looking into the hole) OH NO! Come on, let's go inside!
me: no.

Mom finally had to grab my collar before I budged, and then the phone calls started. She called grammy and grampy, "what do I do with baby bunnies in our yard?"

Then dad came home, "look at what YOUR dog found!" (I knew she was just upset, so I let that one slide...even though I know I'm HER dog!)

The next evening grampy came over with chicken wire. They put a big lawn chair over the hole to keep me out (the nerve!) and cut a hole in the wire so the mommy bunny could still come in and feed them.

It was TORTURE for a week and a half- they started squeaking, then their little ears started to pop up, I think they knew I was their friend!

Then the morning came when I woke up, ran outside to check on my little bunnies, but they were all gone. Just like that- they grew up right in front of me, and now they were gone.

My feelings were only hurt for about a day- that's when another rabbit made a nest and I had 4 new bunnies to look after!

I know mom has her fingers crossed that we don't have bunnies again this year (so far, her wish has been granted!) but I want more bunnies!!!

Fourth of July

2009-07-09T16:35:00.010-04:00

As we do every year, to celebrate the fourth of July, mom, dad and I headed up to the lake house. My favorite part of going up there? The lake of course!

I was so excited when we got there that Zoe was already there. (She's my Jack Russell Terrier cousin- we get along like peas and carrots).

It seems Zoe is far more aerodynamically designed, because boy can she run! She tires me out in no time- and the best part of being tired-out up at the lake? Going into the lake to cool off.

Because I learn quickly, I have a list (a short one) of rules for the lake:
#1- make sure the electric fence is turned OFF before playing near it
#2- don't swim out further than I can touch the bottom

Because of rule #2 mom has learned not to throw the tennis ball out too far.

(She's learned from the past that I will stop when I can no longer touch the bottom. Watch the ball float past me. Turn around. Paddle like crazy, and then be scared out of my mind.)

Zoe on the other hand is the Michael Phelps of the doggy paddle. Fetching the ball got easier the more tired I got. (Strange, right?)

Once I learned that I could float, I got pretty good at swimming in circles and waiting for the ball to come to me.

Dad got some pretty awesome shots of me shaking off.

To help me dry off, dad likes to throw the ball up WAAAAAY high for me to catch. (I love playing fetch!)

When the day was over and the bags were packed back up, I jumped into my carrier, and slept the whoooole way home. (Waking up the next day was hard too, so I slept in for most of it!)

Happy fourth of July everyone!

Ooooh, a new toy!

2009-07-02T13:46:00.005-04:00

Mom surprised me last Thursday afternoon by coming home early! I was even MORE excited when I saw who was behind her, Grandma, Aunt Jessica and Uncle Adam! HOORAY!

Whenever my auntie and uncle come and visit me, I just know I'm going to get a cool toy. Last summer when Uncle Adam came to see me, I got a really cool squeekie toy. We just call him 'squeak'. His tail and tongue used to pop out when I'd squeeze his middle...as you can see from this photo though, his tail didn't last long.
I didn't understand though why, after only being in the house a few minutes, everyone sat down at the table to eat- not play with me!

I realized I must take matters into my own hands, and so I found my toy uncle got me last summer, and dropped it by his feet. He got the hint (after he ate) and we went to the backyard and threw my tennis balls for a while. But then, they left!

They didn't come back until it was dark outside! Mom, aunt Jessica and Dad came home, and GUESS WHAT? Aunt Jessica got me a new toy, a loofa dog chef! She and I played on the floor for a while; I was just so excited to have a new toy- and the best part, he squeaks! Then it was picture time- I LOOOOOVE having my picture taken! (Mom says I'm very 'photogenic')
Yesterday mom and I were home together and I got to play with my loofa chef all day! I'm not a rough pup, but when there is stuffing inside a toy, I feel its my duty to pull it all out.Mom said I should become a surgeon because of the precison I use to extract the puff...
...I had to remind her I don't have opposable thumbs!

Willie, mom's first buddy

2009-06-23T08:18:00.009-04:00

This is hard to believe and, at times, hard to swallow but mom had a life BEFORE me. Part of her B.J. life (Before Jack) was Willie, the family pup.

Mom grew up in a house that always had animals, cats, birds, the occasional rabbit but ALWAYS dogs.

Grandpa went to the pound one day "just looking" and came across a puffy white dog. As soon as their eyes met, they just knew they'd be forever friends. (Kinda like mom and I...but this story isn't about me- I digress)

lady: Sorry sir, there is a 7 day waiting period on him
grandpa: but why?
lady: because he was dropped in the night depository, we need to see if he has a home

Frustrated and upset, Grandpa went home and begged Grandma for permission for another animal. (Did I mention that since I'm a dog, this whole story might not be factual? The parts that I don't know, I'm just making up...but it makes for a better story this way...)

Every day for seven days, Grandpa went and checked on the puffy dog. On one trip to the pound, mom tagged along to meet the white puff-ball. FINALLY, we were allowed to bring him home.

The first night he was a mess. Grandpa and mom gave him a bath and then gave him a hair cut in the family room. A bond was formed.

Grandpa: we need to come up with a name
Aunt Cathy: why not just call him 'Dog'
Grandma: Cathy...
Aunt Cathy: well, Uncle Willie and Aunt June are coming to visit this weekend, maybe they'll have a name for him!

And that Saturday night, the white puffy dog was named Willie. Why? Because As soon as Uncle Willie sat down the puffy dog wouldn't leave him alone.

Legend has it that Willie shared his time between Grandpa's lap and mom's. (this doesn't make me too jealous...sniffle)

Willie set the bar REALLY high for me to live up to. He was a true friend to my mom, the 'original' snuggle-buddy and someone everyone liked.

Just like me, Willie had a bunch of nick names: Whoop, Wooper, Buddy, Will...

Something I don't have in common with Willie is the bond he shared with Coco.

Willie and Coco were partners in crime. Coco was (is) a prissy dog; she doesn't like to get her feet wet, she whines so be held but she was always by Willie's side.

I only met Willie once, a few years ago, but I gotta tell 'ya, if there was ever a dog I envied, it was him. Mom just turned to jello when she saw him and picked him up to give him a big hug.

We'll miss you buddy!

My new hangout

2009-06-22T10:49:00.002-04:00

Everyone knows that it gets hot in the summer and it seems mom and dad have helped me win the battle of the heat; with a lounge chair.

I know they set them up so THEY would have a place to sit and relax, but I gotta tell 'ya, it is a perfect place for me to spend my lazy afternoons.

I get warmed by the sun and at the same time can enjoy the breeze. Ahhhh- I love summer!

(...And just in case you were wondering how the pumpkins were doing, here's an update!

We're growing pumpkins!

2009-06-17T13:48:00.012-04:00

Two years ago was my very first Halloween with mom and dad. To celebrate, mom carved me a pumpkin that spelled out my name.

It was, in fact, a 'Jack' o lantern.

Dad's pumpkin on the other hand wasn't as "cute" as mine. He got the idea to turn his pumpkin on its side, pretend the stem was its nose, and show it throwing up all the insides- the seeds were EVERYWHERE.

(this picture isn't dad's pumpkin exactly- but it gets the point across...)

After grossing out all the kids in the neighborhood (and receiving accolades from the adult neighbors) dad 'cleaned up' the pumpkin throw up and that was that.

Then spring came. Flowers started blooming, grass and plants got super green and then one day, mom noticed a really weird looking weed.

mom: Hey, Eric...did you see that killer weed we have in the front yard?
dad: No. Where are you seeing a 'killer weed'?
mom: Right where you had your halloween pumpkin actually!

Turns out, we have fertile soil- and sure enough, within a few more weeks, we had a vine, then a long vine, then a SUPER long vine with flowers and then, it happened.

We grew a pumpkin. Totally by accident.

Last spring mom asked dad to get a section of my backyard ready so we could plant a whole garden of pumpkin seeds with the hopes of having more Halloween pumpkins.

After a long day of chasing the dirt that dad threw into a pile (and then walking on top of the pile and howling...its so much fun having a platform to stand on!) the garden was set. All they needed were pumpkin seeds.

What mom didn't know was that it was too late in the year to plant seeds. Opps!

This year however, mom has been on a mission to grow pumpkins. Last week she went to Home Depot and bought a "seed greenhouse" and planted the little guys.

Within a few days, "things" started happening.

me: mom, how long will it take to have a pumpkin?
mom: I don't really know, Jack

It was awesome to see how fast these seeds grew. (mom moved 'em to the window sill so they could get more sunlight- as per the instructions...)

me: do we have pumpkins yet?
mom: almost...just hang in there

...And exactly one week since mom and I planted the seeds, it was time to move them outside to the mulch beds.

me: is it time yet? do we have pumpkins? can we plant them yet?
mom: yes we can
me: YIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPY!

When mom was setting up to plant the pumpkins, she got me ready to sit with her. Whenever I'm in the front yard, mom always puts on my red lead, gives me toys to play with and big bowl of fresh water (typically with ice cubes, but she was in a hurry...)

Now that the pumpkins have been planted, every night mom and I have gone outside to take photos, water them and to see how they are progressing. (this is the most recent photo of the pumpkins- mom and I took it last night)

I can't wait to show everyone when we actually have a pumpkin! Since we planted about 32 seeds in the 12 holes in the greenhouse, odds are pretty good we'll get at least one (maybe two? I don't want to be greedy) pumpkins.

Its hard to think about fall so early into summer, but I can't wait to watch them grow!!

I love parties!

2009-06-16T15:49:00.006-04:00

Saturday night mom threw a birthday party for Grammy. It was so much fun setting up the outdoor furniture with mom. She was trying to clean it with a bucket of water, and kept telling me to "back up" when it would run off the side.

It reminded me of a water fall and, since I love water, I couldn't help myself and just stood there and got wet.

Since it was so nice outside, dad brought out the hammock to sit in. When we first got the hammock (a few years ago) I wasn't so sure of it. I didn't like being off the ground and moving side to side- so it was a big step for me, when dad called me "up" that not only did I jump up on the hammock, but I didn't fall off! (That has happened many times before...)

Instead, I actually enjoyed my ride! Everything looked so pretty outside, and then, the sky turned gray. "But how are we going to grill if its pouring outside" mom said. Then dad got the lightbulb over his head, "We'll grill near the garage!"

And so they did, which meant I didn't get to stand near dad at watch (with my mouth watering) as all the meat was grilled.

Instead, I sat at the garage door, with my I'm-not-happy-face-on and watched as mom carried out meat, "staaaay" she'd say as the door opened and closed.

It wasn't until FINALLY gram opened her presents I had fun.

You see, wrapping paper might be fun for people, but wrapping paper is the ULTIMATE for a puggle-like-me! Christmas morning is all about the presents for me as well, I mean, I always sing happy birthday to Jesus with mom and dad, but the wrapping paper is really God's gift to me!

As soon as gram tore into those presents, I sat under her whining.

"Jaaaack, you want the paper?" she'd ask.

I'd do a double-whine back asking "yes please" and then she'd throw it like a tennis ball. YIPPY!

I wanted to wish her a happy birthday, but my mouth was so full of wrapping paper, I just couldn't.

Then it kept getting stuck to the inside of my mouth, hanging out...mom got lots of photos of this. "Oh, that's going in thescrapbook!" she'd say.

Needless to say, when everyone went home and all my wrapping paper-mess was cleaned up, I slept super-duper well! I wonder when the next party is going to be?

Vote For Me (pleeeeeease!)

2009-06-11T13:40:00.003-04:00

Turns out, Progressive.com (the insurance site) has a pet contest that mom entered me into. All I need are votes!

Here's what you have to do, go to this page, http://www.progressive.com/petphotos/pet-image.aspx?id=4596 , and vote for me.

(Aren't I cute? This photo was taken by dad the very first night they brought me home. Mom always comments on how "cute and pudgy" my paws were when I was a baby...what do you think?

Television is for everyone (including me!)

2009-06-10T10:52:00.008-04:00

Some people laugh about this, but I don't know why its so funny that I watch t.v. with mom and dad. You watch t.v., don't you?

My favorite thing to watch are John Mayer concerts. How do I know this? Well, when Grandma had her fiesta back in January, dad put on John for background noise. While everyone was eating and drinking, mom asked if anyone knew where I was. That's when dad pointed out that I was on the couch. Watching John.

John Mayer (or, just John as I call him) have a special relationship. When I'm in my crate in the back of the car, if I'm having a bad day and start whining, the only music that will calm me down, is John Mayer.

His cover of "Life is a Highway" (on the Cars soundtrack) is a favorite of mine, especially while I'm in the car!

My least favorite thing to watch? Animals on the telly.

I know it seems funny, since I am an animal, but any type of dog, cat, elephant, bear, penguin- you name it and I get upset and growl at the t.v.

Mom and dad have tried very hard over the course of my life to calm down my animal-on-tv-dislike, but its to no avail. They don't understand, if there is an animal on the television, I think they are IN our house, so I jump down and try to protect mom and dad.

Before I became a member of the family, mom would always leave Animal Planet on when she left for work so that Artichoke (my pet-bird sister) had something to watch. But, because of my animal-phobia, mom doesn't ever watch Animal Planet anymore. That's okay with me though, really- why does she need to watch animals, when she's got the cutest one in the WORLD already sitting on her lap?

Another follwer? Yippy!

2009-06-04T13:30:00.004-04:00

Can we talk? Just for a few minutes? Ok good.

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! When mom and I started this blog, we (she) didn't know if anyone would ever read it, or like it, or comment on it, or even follow it. And guess what, you are!

This might seem like a mediocre deal to some- but for a little puggle in Ohio, this is a big deal! I knew I'd make friends (or should I call you, "followers") mom says I have a very "loving personality"...

The other night I got into a bit of trouble. I wasn't bad or anything, well, maybe I was. See, mom wanted to bbq out back- but before dad started grilling, he sprayed for weeds. Well, I really like the smell of the weed killer so I rolled in it. Twice. This got dad upset because "He needs to listen!" and mom upset because "now he needs a bath".

Take two.

The next night they bbq'd again. This was my redemption time. I wasn't going to roll in ANYTHING. Except, there were no smells! The perfume from last night was gone!

Since we don't have a deck, mom and dad sat in the grass (on chairs of course) and ate their dinner. It smelled so good- but since I'm a good boy, I left them alone and wondered my backyard.

Then I thought of something, "if they are outside, they want to play!" So I brought one of my tennis balls over to dad's chair and put it on the grass and sat next to it.

He didn't seem to notice, so I nudged his leg with my nose.

Dad: Hi buddy!
me: Wanna play fetch?
Mom: we shouldn't play with him while we're eating outside
me: Hu? But mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom

And dad caved.

Dad: Jack, mommy says 'no'
mom: You two can play, just when we're done eating
me: Himph.

And I walked away. It was at this point that I realized, I gotta go potty! As mom and dad sat at the table eating, I did my "business". I heard mom point this out to dad.

Mom: Haha, I guess it was either play fetch or go potty
Dad: I guess!
Mom: We need a deck!
Dad: Uh greed

(I know these photos don't have me in them...but they give you an idea of what mom, dad and my backyard look like!)

Thank heavens they are back!!

2009-05-27T10:53:00.002-04:00

These past two weeks have been hard on me. First, the suitcases came out. I know what that means- and so, I jumped into mom's and took a nap (my secret technique for stalling the packing process!) Alas, she woke me up and replaced me with folded shirts and pants.

This made me sad, so I took refuge on mom's pillow and slept my pain away.

The next morning I knew something was "up". All the bags, except for two, were gone! "Yippy, they aren't leaving!" I told myself, but then mom took me for a walk.

mom: I know your going to be sad, but daddy and I will be back in just a little while

me: How long is a little while?

mom: About two weeks

(I stopped walking)

me: TWO WEEKS? WITHOUT YOU? WHO WILL I SNUGGLE WITH? WHO WILL FEED ME? YOU'RE GONNA LEAVE ME ALONE? I'M GOING TO DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE

mom: Jack, you'll be fine. Grammy and Grampy are going to come pick you up

me: YOUR TAKING DAD WITH YOU TOO? I WANNA COME! DON'T LEAVE ME!

mom: You're going to spend time with Winston

me: I DON'T CARE ABOUT WINSTON, I WANNA BE WITH YOUUUUUUUU

mom: Jack, this isn't how I want to spend mother's day either- I will miss you very much. Let's go inside now, Grammy and Grampy will come pick you up in a little while.

me: no. (I sat down next to the car)

mom: Jack, come on. (she tugged on my leash)

me: nu uh. (she tugged harder) (I moved next to dad)

dad: Come on buddy, its okay

me: Trader!

And I lost that battle. Mom put so many treats in my house it looked like an Easter basket, but then they were gone and I was alone. In our house, with all the blinds closed. I cried. Loudly.

I'm pretty sure mom heard me because she said, "I can't leave him! I'm sure there is room in a suitcase for him!" but then the garage door closed and it was just Artichoke (my bird-sister) and I.

I cried myself to sleep and then, I heard the garage door come up! "They are back for me! I knew they'd be back- mom couldn't go that long without me!" but it wasn't mom and dad. It was Grammy and Grampy.

I could have been upset, but I just wanted outta here. I don't like being in the house alone without mom and dad! We drove over to Casa de la Grands and Winston was there. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad!

Winston: why so glum Jack?

me: (fighting back tears) because mom and dad left me. alone. to diiiiiiie.

Winston: but, if they left you, why are you here?

me: I don't know!

Winston: well kid, if your gonna be here, just be quiet okay? I'm gonna go take a nap

me: (sniffle) Okay.

So I left Winston and walked over to the front door. Grammy and grampy's door isn't like ours. Its see through; like a window to the world!

me: heeeeeeeeeeey, this is our front yard, back off (bark bark bark)

(30 seconds later, another person walked by)

me: HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY! (bark bark bark)

All this barking woke up Winston- he joined me at the door and barked along side me! We were partners in crime-fighting! No one was gonna walk in our front lawn this week! (or so we thought).

I guess I barked too much because Grampy got a little upset with me.

Grampy: Jack, enough barking.

(30 seconds later)

Grampy: Jaaaaaaaaaaack, stop.

(then Winston started)

Grampy: Enough!

He got these brown square pieces of stuff and put it in the front windows so I couldn't see out!

me: Heeeeeey! That's not fair!

But I out smarted him! See, there is a window ABOVE the front door that he didn't block! So, I did what any good watch-dog would do. I went half way up the staircase, just enough to see outside, and went back on watch-duty!

Grampy wasn't thrilled about this, so after he gave me some treats, I stopped. But since he didn't say the windows in the family room were off limits, I sat on the back of the couch most days watching for mom and dad to pull in; and finally, one day, they did!

Mom walked in and I heard the angels sing! HALLELULIA! HALLELULIA! SHE'S HOME!!

me: Mom I missed you so much! Lemme lick you here...and here...and on your face....and here...and here....ahhhhh, your really home? Your not going to leave me again, ever will you? Hmmm, and lick here, and here....

mom: MY BOY!!!! OOOOOH Jack, I missed you so much!!

me: ...and here and here and here

mom: You ready to go home buddy?

me: Do you really have to ask?

mom: Okay, up in your house (I sat.)

(Was she serious? I wasn't going to sit in the back of the car the WHOOOLE way home!)

mom: Jack, go on, "up-up"

me: nope. (I walked over to her door- obviously I had to take charge of the situation!)

mom: You wanna sit on my lap?

me: ...you can lead a horse to water- but you can't make him drink...YEEES!

And so I rode home on her lap while dad drove us home. Once home, I couldn't stop smelling the suitcases. Boy did their laundry smell!

Mom made biiiiiig piles in the laundry room and I got to walk on them! For the whole day I followed mom around, when she sat, I sat on her. When she went into another room, I went into another room. And FINALLY, when she went to sleep, I snuggled up so tight against her, I thought, for a second (or two) that we were one :)

Don't get me wrong, I was glad dad was back too! We played fetch in the backyard- it was fantastic.

Mom couldn't understand though why, even though I was sitting in the front windows I wasn't barking. She just doesn't understand- I wasn't barking at the people walking by at grammy and grampy's, I was barking for mom and dad to come home! And they did!

Cinco de Mayo, ole!

2009-05-07T11:34:00.006-04:00

I know I'm posting this a few days after cinco de mayo, but I'm a busy puggle you know!!

It all started when mom came home with some groceries on Tuesday. I love the smell of grocery bags. Mom says I can't play with them because "babies can't play with plastic bags" but I always try. I really like the noise they make!

So mom was folding up a strange little bag that made a different noise than the other ones. My interest was peaked. I walked over and sat in front of mom.

me: wiggle-wiggle, sit (this translates to, "Mom, is that bag for me?")
mom: Jack, its a paper bag, you really want to play with it?
me: move tail side-to-side, wiggle my butt ("yes please")
mom: Okay, here you go
me: Jump, open mouth, MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE

As soon as I got my teeth around the paper, I ran to the family room and tore into it! Paper flew everywhere, it was so much fun!

Mom says some people celebrate Cinco de Mayo with sombreros and tequila. I celebrate Cinco de Mayo with confetti! When the bag no longer held a "bag-shape" I started rolling around in it. A few pieces stuck to the inside of my gums, which felt funny- mom pulled them off and I went about my day.

When dad came home, he cleaned up my confetti "mess"....I think he was just upset that I didn't want for him to play!

After mom had dinner we took a walk around the cul de sac. Met our new neighbor, he smelled FUNNY! Actually, he smelled like two cats. EEK! I ran away from him when he tried to pet me.

I didn't want to smell like stinky cat!

Then we met my two favorite little people outside; Lilly and Maddy. They are sisters and like to touch me. Since they don't have a dog, I help teach them how to be gentle and pet me.

Seems Maddy had an issue with my "butt hole" showing. This made me a little sad, so I walked away from her, but mom explained to her that I can't wear pants.

Maddy: Why can't he wear pants? I wear pants.
mom: How would he pull them down?
Maddy: I don't know
mom: Where would his tail go if he wore pants?
Maddy: Uhm, well, maybe you could cut a hole for his tail?

I rolled my eyes and stopped listening. I don't wanna wear pants! All this fur is warm enough in the summer time!!

After our walk, we came home and I played with my frog. Dad keeps saying "the frog no longer exists, its only a foot!" I don't believe him- and to prove him wrong last night, I went on a mission to find more frog parts in the house.

Guess what? I found ANOTHER foot and part of the body! The frog lives!

Its BBQ season already!

2009-05-05T13:10:00.004-04:00

You know what, I love living in Ohio. (I've never lived anywhere else, but I've heard from my "sources" that Ohio is the place to be!).

On Saturday afternoon, mom and I went for a walk. The air was brisk. The cement cool to the touch- perfect walking weather!

People always stop us and say how well behaved I am, which I KNOW makes mom proud. I always sit at a curb- rather than run out into the street. This makes people smile, and I don't understand why. I don't want to get hit by a car, do you?! Of course not.

This our walking-curb routine. I stop. Sit. and Wait, until Mom gives the all clear to move on. At obiedence class, Sam (the alpha-dog) was so well trained that he'd get to the curb, sit, and LOOK BOTH WAYS, make sure the coast was clear ,and then proceed!

I'm well trained, but I dun-wanna look both ways. I mean, what would mom do? Just stand there? So she looks, while I wait.

We went over to Grammy and Grampy's for dinner on Sunday night to celebrate mother's day; Grandma was there too! Winston had just gotten a bath and hair cut, boy did he look funny! When he's fluffy, he looks big, like me. But when I ran into the house to see him, I ran right past him 'cause I didn't recognize him!

He told me he felt better having less weight to carry around...and that he's starting to feel better from his leg injury (did I tell you that he broke his acl on his back leg? No one knows how he did it, because he doesn't really do too much- but somehow he did!)

When Grampy was outside grilling, Winston and I played in the yard. I pooped in a plant which made mom upset, but then Winston pooped in the garden! Mom said we weren't being very good boys, but when you gotta go, you gotta gooooo!

After everyone ate, mom and I played on the floor with my stuffed bottle of "sun tan lotion". Its the only toy I have that still squeaks so its really exciting when I get to play with it.

Something tells me I'm going to spending some time at Grammy and Grampy's house. Mom brought in a bag and secretly handed it to Gram. Of course she didn't see me watching- I didn't want to blow mom's under-cover operation...but I do wonder what's going on there...

When we were going home, Mom tried to put me in the back of the car, like always but I didn't wanna go. She said, "Jack, up-up" (like she always does) but I sat. Then Dad said, "Jaaaack, up-up. Come on buddy", but I just watched, not budging. Mom got my point, I didn't want to ride in the back, I wanted to ride with my people!

Thankfully, dad gave in and I got to ride home on Mom's lap. It was so much fun seeing all the cars and people walking by us- mom even rolled down the window a little bit so I could stick my nose out.

It kinda hurt having my nose out the window because all the air came right up my nose (like when I get water up my nose when I'm at the lake...) but I didn't mind too much- I kept my head out there for as long as I could.

I think mom is going to have to wash the window now though. It was so exciting, I drooled a bit- dad thought this was funny too.

Now that I know the bbq's are out and working again- it means it won't be too much longer until we go up to the lake house :) Yippy! Happy Tuesday everyone :)

Smell good stuff

2009-04-28T13:55:00.003-04:00

This was one of the best weekends I've had in a looooooong time! It was sunny and warm- just the way I dig it.

Mom and I were outside for most of the weekend. I always look forward to sitting outside because:
- I get a big bowl of water with ice cubes
- I love chomping on ice cubes
- I get to roll around in the grass
- See people walk by
- Sniff like crazy
- Lay in the sun

The other day mom came home early from work. She wanted to wash her car, Jetson, so I got to watch her. I didn't like it when she used the hose- made me want to jump through it, but mom kept saying that I couldn't.

I don't understand why she can play with all these cool things, but I can't.

After washing the car, she started spraying this stuff around the house. It smelled sooooooo good, I immediately ran over to it and rolled around in it. I was so happy, I showed mom my new trick!

Except, she wasn't as happy about it as I was.

"JACK! NOOO- that's BUG KILLER!"

Uh oh.

Mom ran me upstairs to give me a bath. Darn it- I liked the way I smelled!! Mom must have heard me whining and, rather than drying me with the mean hair dyer that makes too much noise, she opened the door for me to leave.

Hu?

She never lets me leave the bathroom wet. I stood at the top of the stairs looking at her. "Go on, outside" she said. OUTSIDE?! REALLY?

As soon as the screen door was opened, I was outta there! Rolling around in the grass, laying on the lounge chair next to mom and then bringing her a tennis ball to say 'thanks'.

A Mom Entry (yes, another...)

2009-04-22T15:30:00.002-04:00

He caught me off guard when he asked, "...by the way, how is your book going?". It was a simple question, but it really meant a lot to me. No one has asked, since I let it be known that I was planning on putting together a children's book- "how is it going?"

My brother in law is one special man- and for making my brother so happy and giving me so much love and support, I thank him for that.

His words gave me the kick in the butt that I've needed to put my thoughts onto paper for the book. I have no idea how its all going to come together, but by-golly, I'm getting there.

I made a bubble diagram today with all the ideas I have for books (yes, PLURAL!). I used highlighter colors to make it look pretty and even started naming some of the other characters in the stories.

Thinking about writing about "Just-Jack" makes me excited, but I know I need more substance to sustain readers. Because of this (and thanks to the bubble diagram) I've narrowed down the list of animals that Jack comes in contact with.

The stories are all based on Jack's life, obviously things have been exaggerated and because they are told from his point of view, they don't always reflect the true/real-world meaning. I think that makes it rather fun and more child-like because kids are mostly misunderstood...

Winston: the fickle sleeper

2009-04-22T09:57:00.004-04:00

When I go to sleep during the week, I walk into my house (some might call it a "kennel") and I go to sleep. I don't sleep walk. I don't move during the night. I just sleep.

Winston is a different kind of sleeper than I am.

Winston doesn't have a set sleep-place. He just sleeps wherever he's comfy for that time.

Case in point, Sunday morning mom and I come down stairs to eat breakfast and go potty, but we couldn't find Winston!

During the week he has slept on his bed, under his blanket, in front of the coffee table, next to the couch, behind the couch- so you can imagine my shock when I couldn't find him! He couldn't have gone very far since he can't go up the stairs...

Finally, I found him! He fell asleep under a table that has the big Stitch on top of it.

Mom said he blended in, which is why she didn't see him at first. I couldn't believe that he fit under there! When I was younger, I used to walk under the table, but never SLEEP under it! What a silly guy!

I miss playing with my buddy though. Mom keeps saying that I'll get to spend plenty of time with him and Grammy and Grampy soon when she and dad go on vacation...How come I never go on vacation with them??

Awww man, Winston went back home!

2009-04-20T10:19:00.002-04:00

I had such a nice weekend with mom, dad and Winston. Saturday was so warm and sunny- mom, Winston and I laid in the backyard on the lounge chair and sunned.

Last night Winston went home. Mom started to pack up his stuff earlier in the day, so I knew something was up. Then last night, Winston was laying by the door!

"Hey, W, what are you doing over there?" I asked him.

"Mom and dad are coming to get me...I just want to be ready" he said.

And sure enough they came late last night. I was so happy to see them- Winston was right! Gosh he's smart...I mean, he's old, but he's smart!

Today is going to be a restful day- already I've banked a few zzz's. I'm going to ask Mom to post some pictures tomorrow :)

Gotta go back to sleep now.