I love, love, love California!

We went to another Coronado last week.  The famous one, Mom says.  It was an hour drive to San Diego, and then we saw it.

I got to pose in front of the sign, just like our Coronado back in our new home.

Everybody that went by said how cute I was.  But we already know that, don't we?

Then we went to a Dog Beach on Coronado Island.  It was faaannntaaastic!  I ran and ran and jumped in the water and jumped out of the water and over people and under puppies and all over.  Of course, every once in awhile, I ran back to Mom and Dad, just to make sure they didn't get lost.  Sometimes they do and I would feel very responsible if they got lost because I didn't watch out for them.  But they were always where they were supposed to  be.

I met one guy who looked a lot like me.  He was very good looking.

That's my new friend in the front.  I'm the one in back soaking up the waves in my signature plop down in the waves move.  A gal went up to Mom and asked if I belonged to Mom.  When she said yes, the gal told her that I was Hilarious!  I'm Guinness, I tried to tell her, I don't know who Hilarious is.  Mom just told her, that's my idea of swimming.  How does that make sense?  She should have told her that I was Guinness!.

Anyway, me and this handsome new guy ran together for awhile.

We had a great time.  And I got very tired after running so much.  So when Mom picked up my leash, I ran back, 'cuz I was ready to go.

I fell asleep in the car.  When we got home, I was still tired, so I plopped into the doggie bed that came with our new home, and went right to sleep.

I love, love, love California.  Did I ever tell you that?

Hope you have a California Day!

Love, G

Oh, Joy, Oh, Joy

They really did take me with them on this trip.  I couldn't believe it.  On Sunday morning, they put all the stuff in the car including my bed.  I started to shake and cry.  They couldn't take my bed, too.  (Although, I guess when I stay with Mrs. Jan, I don't take my bed with me.  But it seemed like the thing to complain about.)

But they opened the door for me and we all started out together.  I knew we weren't going to Mrs. Jan's, because they turned left toward my Elementary School instead of right where Mrs. Jan lives.  So maybe we were going to my school?  But no, we went right by the turn off and kept going and going and going.

I should have known this was going to be a long trip, because Mom put a couple of pillows in my back seat.  She knows how I hate to go on a long trip without my pillows.  So I relaxed.  Yes, I was going with them.  All is good.

We stopped a couple of times so someone could visit the bathrooms.  I didn't really have to go, but I pretended to so they wouldn't feel bad about stopping.  And finally, we arrived at a place I've never been to.

I scouted the area.  It had floors without carpets, like we do at home.  But, uh, oh.  There were steps to the rooms upstairs and they didn't have carpet on them.  I was used to steps with carpet on them in Clayton.  But I geared up my courage and marched up.  Only to belly flop in the middle of the first stairs.  I hightailed it back down the stairs.  I'm not putting myself in danger where I don't have to.  I'll just stay down here till they come down.  

But they weren't coming down and I was getting bored.  Then Mom came down and said she would help me.  What did that mean?  She went to the kitchen and came back with, what?  Liver treats!  I haven't seen liver treats in years.  I love liver treats.  But what is she going to do with them to help me up the stairs?

Oh, I see.  She put a liver treat on the landing of the first set of stairs.  I guess, for a liver treat, I could try to get up.  And I did.  Then, of course, she put another one at the top of the stairs.  Alright, I'll go for it.  And I made it up.  Were we going to have to do this every time?

Apparently not.  I heard her talking to Dad about my predicament.  Her solution?  Take me to get my nails clipped.  Really?  How is that going to help?  Not my idea of a good solution.  

But she got on the phone and I heard her talk to PetSmart grooming.  Darn, they had my records and everything was go.  So off we went to PetSmart and the grooming department.  I guess it wasn't so bad.  I really liked the tall blond girl who did my nails.  I gave her a kiss when we left.  

And back we went to the new condo.  I really didn't see how this was going to work.  Mom tried again with the liver treats.  I'm sorry, but I'm a real sucker for liver treats.  So I went up the steps after the treat.  Only this time.  It wasn't hard.  I could run up the stairs without slipping.  After that, I could go up and down the stairs with no problem.  Unfortunately, I didn't see any liver treats for quite awhile after I figured that out.  I'm my own worst enemy.

I didn't tell you, but the place where we are staying is called the Coronado.  It's not a famous Coronado according to my Mom.  It's high on a hill in a place called Aliso Viejo.  I'll tell you about this HILL in my next blog.

In any case.  I'm just totally relieved that they took me with them on this trip.  I will be the best pup I can be just to show them how much I appreciate them taking me.

Hope you get to travel with your family.

Love, G

They're Packing Again!

Mom and Dad just got back from a whole week in St. Louis.  Without me.  I did my usual "So glad to see you!" when they got back, but I really had a good time at Mrs. Jan's playing with some other puppies and Thom Cat.  So I wasn't all THAT glad to see them.  But I didn't let on.  

BUT, now they're packing again.  Isn't a week away enough?  Mom keeps saying they're taking me with them, but it doesn't look any different than the way they always pack to leave without me.  They put all their clothes on MY bed in the guest room.  

There is hardly any room for me with all their stupid stuff.  I don't believe they are taking me with them.  And they're packing enough stuff for a whole month.  Geez Louise!  I want to  go with them.

I'm going to get back at them.  I'll just show them.    I'm going to hog their WHOLE bed and they won't be able to sleep on it or take naps or nuthin'.  Then they'll be too tired to go anywhere without me.  So there!

That'll teach them to even think about going anywhere without me.  

But I still don't feel so good.  I really want to go this time.  Could you all ask them to take me with them?  I would really appreciate it.

Hope you get to go on lots of trips with your humans and puppies and kitties.

Love, G

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

So why is it so hard to get Mom to understand me.  I sit right by her chair next to the porch door to tell her just what I want.  But she doesn't always get it.

I think I'm being pretty clear when I tell Mom I want to go outside for a walk or I just want to go out and sit in the sun.  See, this means I just want to go out the back door to sit on the porch.

That was pretty obvious, right?  And THIS, means I want to go out the front door and take a walk.

How could she not understand that?  But she more often opens the back door and I just look at her till she gets that I want to go out the front door for a walk.

This next pose means I want a treat.

And this one means, when are you going to drop something from your plate so I can snarf it up?

And this one is, I've waited here so long for you to figure out why I've waited here so long that I'm falling asleep.

Some day we'll understand each other.  But she's coming along.  It's a lot better than it used to be.

Hope you and your pet can communicate at least as well as Mom and me.

Love, G

The Ambassador

So, as I said last time, I was chosen to be an Ambassador for the Tail Waggin' Tales program at the Palomino Library.  We arrived there Friday morning with lots of time, but there weren't any people who were supposed to tell Mom and me what to do there.  Someone told us we could wait in some chairs up front.

But I whispered to Mom, "Let's just go do what we always do!"  And she said, OK.  So we found a spot where kids could find us.  Then we put my blanket down and my book out.  In about two seconds, I was overwhelmed by about 6 little tykes all under the age of 5.  One kept running up and touching my ear.  They hugged my neck and rubbed my back.  It was heaven!  The gal at the book counter came over to watch and she was laughing because they were having so much fun and so was I.

Then they went away to do other things and Mom and I were quiet again.  But another little girl came by and Mom asked her is she wanted to read to me.  She said, "Will you help me?  'Cuz I'm only 5 and I can't really read."  Mom said, "Sure!"  So she took my book and Mom read the words while she ran her fingers over the words as Mom read them.  But then I think she got a little bored.  She pulled the book close to her and said, "OK, I'M going to read the next page."  Mom said, "Sure, you go right ahead."

So she looked at this page:

And she read:  "Guinness likes to swim."  And Mom said, "That's great!"  What was she saying?  I know that doesn't say "Guinness likes to swim."  But the little girl was happy so I guess that's why Mom said that.  She went on to the next page.

This time she said, "What IS that?"  So I know she's not reading my book.  Mom explained to her that we dogs have our own water fountains to drink from.  She was amazed and let Mom read the rest of my book for her.

Then her Mom took a picture of her with me and they went away.

But then, a girl with long brown hair came over to meet me.  She said her name was Christa and she wanted to read my book to me.  She was 8 years old and very pretty.  When she was about half-way through the book, another girl came over and sat down with us too.  She was 8 too and she had long brown hair.  I thought they were sisters, but they didn't know each other.  They kept reading my book and laughing at the pictures and petting me all at once.  Christa introduced herself to the other girl who said her name was Nia. 

They were having so much fun together that there Moms took pictures of both of them with me in the middle.  After that they gave each other their phone numbers.  So I guess I was responsible for them making friends that day.   That made me feel really good.  

I hope you get to make good friends today!

Love, G, Ambassador in Chief. 

Those Little Ones

Mom and me (no, Me and Mom, no, Mom and I?) anyway, we went to the library last Thursday for my "Tail Waggin' Tales" hour.  But before we left, she took me to my favorite Green Spot.  (She's always afraid I'm going to need to go to the bathroom while I'm at the Library.)

Have I told you about my favorite Green Spot.  It's just around the corner from us, and Boomer and Roscoe live right next to the spot.  And Chopper is just on the other side.  And Mr. Green (I call him that 'cuz he drives a green car), lives on the corner.  He always stops to say hello to me when he's in his green car.  And when he's home, he comes and pets me. 

Across the street, next to Roscoe and Boomer lives Mr. Red.  (Yep, he drives a Red car.).  He and Mrs. Red sit on their front porch and drink wine and eat crackers and I always go up and say hello to them.  They really like me, too.  They bought treats, just for me so they have them when I come by. Lots of times they're not there, 'though.  And I try to call to them to come out.

Sometimes they come out and talk to me, but usually I have to find them on their porch.  They weren't out this afternoon, so I was sad, but Mom said we have to go to get to the Library on time.

When we got to the Library, my new little friend, Celeste,  who is learning French came over.  She read a new book to me.  But it wasn't in French.  Then a new gal came over to meet me and Celeste got a little jealous.  I thought she was going to yell at the new gal, but she didn't.  She just waited till she left.  Then she read some more.

One little boy was sitting at the computer and looking at me.  Mom asked him if he would like to come and read to me.  He was a really nice boy, and asked Mom if I would like it if he read to me.  No one has ever asked if I would like to be read to.  I nuzzled his leg to let him know that I would love to listen to him read to me.  So he did.  Afterwards he asked Mom, "Did he like it?"  And Mom told him that I LOVED it.  And I did.  Wasn't he super?

Then another Mom came over with her teeny tiny little one year old.  Her name was Christine.  The Mom had freckles all over her and red hair, just like my Mom.  She was pretty, just like my Mom.  She said that Christine was A-F-R-A-I-D of dogs, but that she wanted to help her get over it.  (Why did she spell Afraid?  Did she think I can't spell?)   But she said she didn't know quite how to do it.  Mom said we could try to help.  Mom told Christine's Mom that I was the most mellow dog she had ever met and that I loved little kids.  (I DO love little kids, but I'm not so sure I want to be the mellowest dog Mom ever met!)  

So Christine sat in her Mom's lap, and her Mom got closer and closer to me.  I didn't move.  My Mom petted me to show Christine that I wouldn't hurt her if she touched me.  Finally, Christine took her Mom's hand in her own tiny ones, and she made her Mom's hand pet my head.  Then she giggled and pulled away.  I guess that's progress!  And she was so sweet.

 Next week I'm supposed to go to another library called Palomino.  I'm going as Ambassador for the Tail Waggin Tales Program.  I was asked to go because the kids at my library really like me.  But if we have more libraries with more Tail Waggin Tales Hours, I'm going to have to find some friends to help.  I can't do it all!

Hope you have fun experiences at your Library.  If not, you can come to Mustang Library with me.  It's lots of fun.

Love, G

Ode to My Mom

I was a young pup,

Just weeks from the womb,

You took me home

To save me from doom.

I was barely as big

As my Daddy's shoe

But it wasn't long 

Before I just grew.

You made sure that I played

And got plenty of sleep

So I cuddled my toys

And slumbered real deep.

You laugh at my jokes

And forgive all my blunders

And comfort me well,

Each time it thunders

You told me, "Bark Softly"

And carry a Big Stick"

Don't know what that means

But it gives you a kick.

You take me to doctors

To make sure I'm healthy

(You know if you didn't,

You could be wealthy!)

You take me to Dog Parks,

All over the city

I've met some great puppies

And some are so pretty.

You let me get comfy 

Wherever I am

I do take advantage

Whenever I can.

Sometimes I get angry

When you don't understand

But I know that you love me

My life is so grand.

I wish that all puppies

In shelters or not

Could have a Mom

Like the Mom that I got!

 HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL  THE MOM'S OF THE WORLD!

 Love, love, love, G