What's On My Mind Currently

 

 

Currently - For Dogs Only!

Listening                                   Who Let The Dogs Out?
                                                                     (and why am I still stuck on my leash?)

Loving                                        The Omaha steak my friend, Ken,
                                                   gave me this morning. YUM!

Thinking                                     I love the great 
                                                   outdoors - my front 
                                                   yard, that is.
                                

Wanting                                     Another Omaha steak -
                                                   of course!


Needing                                     More treats

Favorite Things                         Food, bunnies, my family


Like I always say, if it's food, it's worth waiting for.  Patience is a virtue.  If you do have to wait, try to make the most of it - check out your surroundings - there might be something interesting to look at.  Plus, who wants to listen to someone complaining?
Check out this bear - he's patiently waiting for his next meal; and so am I! 

 

Why my Mom likes to read so much

My Mom keeps telling me that she'll be spending more time with me soon because she'll be on vacation.  That's good news for me because I like to have company.  It's lonely being home by myself - not boring, just lonely - there's a BIG difference.  Any way, my Mom found a quote on her computer today, and there's a picture and mention of one of my relatives in the quote:

My Mom found this quote on Teachers Pay Teachers, but she couldn't get it to copy into my blog, but she wanted to give credit to the below link for giving her the idea to write this post:


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Quote-Posters-Inspired-Decor-Chevron-Animal-Collection-FREEBIE-739694


Like my Mom always says, the more you read, the smarter you'll be.  From my point of view, the smarter you are, the happier you'll be.  When my family adopted me from the VCA Animal Hospital, the employees there said that I was a VERY SMART dog, and it's true.  I have used my intelligence to communicate what I need like water or most importantly, dinner.  Here's the main point:  the smarter you are, the better you'll communicate, and this will increase the probability of you succeeding in getting what you want, such as good grades in school.  Start practicing today by reading at least 20 minutes - you can combine your reading time with your relaxation time on the couch - like I suggested yesterday.  Remember to check in to let me know how it goes. Good luck - I can tell that you're smarter already by reading my blog!


 

My Mom's Favorite Picture of Her Favorite Dog - Me!

As you can tell from this picture, I am an expert at relaxing on the couch.  Look at how big my paws are!  Wow, I guess I am a BIG dog!  Nothing is wrong with that - I'm still a very beautiful and loyal dog.  My Mom loves this picture because I look so cute in it.  I can't argue with that opinion.

Like I always say, make sure to take some time to RELAX every day on the couch or wherever you can.  It's very important to sit/lay down and rest your brain - similar to meditation and yoga.   It is a peaceful experience that allows me to recharge my batteries for the next time the bunny appears.  This way I'm always ready for the next adventure or challenge that comes my way.  Namaste - that means make sure to find peace in your life and in your heart.  You'll be a much happier person - almost as happy as I am - if you  follow my advice, that is.

A Typical Day in the Life of Gabi the Dog

I have a very eventful day that follows a regular pattern.  This is how my usual day goes:

It's light out = get up, go for walk, eat dinner (every meal is dinner to me), wake up my Dad so he can give me my dessert, lay on floor.

My parents go to work = lay on couch, look out back sliding door window.

My mom comes home = go for a walk with my mom and Kristen (the neighbor next door), dinner, lay on couch while she corrects papers, move to kitchen floor while she cooks dinner.

My Dad comes home = bark a lot, jump all over him, make sure he gives me my second dessert of the day, mooch from him at dinner.

When my family is home = I'm the happiest dog in the whole world!

Besides my typical routine, my day includes many exciting events, like this:

TWO bunnies outside my back sliding door!

Wow, I couldn't ask for more than this.

But, wait, it gets better because my brother, Andrew, decides to eat his dinner in the TV room (some nights he gets home late from his job):

This is another one of my mooching techniques:  I keep my eyes on the food and hope with all my heart that I might get a tidbit or I might get to lick the plate clean - which is, after all, my specialty.  By the way, I am also an expert at mooching.

Like I always say, each day is the BEST day ever, especially if food, walks and bunnies are included - which is pretty much a guarantee in my life.  Live in the moment, and enjoy every experience - like me - I love my life and my family.  The only time is NOW so make the most of it, and remember, enjoy every morsel of food that you eat.

Happy Fathers' Day to All the Dads Out There!

Today is a special day indeed - Fathers' Day.  My grandfather arrived this morning, and he always brings Munchkins so I know to bark loud and clear when he gets here.  I can't wait until he sits down in the kitchen so he can start throwing Munchkins on the floor for me.  Of course, my Dad always gives me treats.

Here's a picture of me sitting between my grandfather and my Dad.  They even let me sit on a chair since this is such a special day.

 

Like I always say, appreciate the Dads in your life.  They're the ones who are more likely to give you treats and let you get what you want.  In other words, they are more likely to spoil you.  Of course, I get spoiled every day, but that's because I am one lucky dog who is lucky to have a Dad and two grandfathers.  I sure am ONE VERY LUCKY DOG, AND THEY SURE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE ME, TOO!  Make sure to wish your dad a Happy Fathers' Day today.

 

Bunnies are everywhere these days!

Before I came to live in this house, my family had a Brittany spaniel who they called Britt.  Amazingly, Britt used to look out the back sliding door all the time, too.  Like they say - great minds think alike.  Well, any way, my Dad used to call it "Britt TV" when Britt looked out the back sliding door.  Here's a picture of Britt in the TV room:

Now that I have taken over as the family dog, I am continuing the tradition of keeping track of every single animal that passes by.  Believe me - my yard is a very busy place - we have bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks, and on occasion, possums.  The possums come out at night, but since I have laser night-vision, I know when they're out there.  Plus I have a special extra-ferocious bark that I use to signal that there's a particularly sinister intruder.

Here's what I do when the bunny's outside my window:

Can you see that bunny?  He's right there.

Yesterday, the bunny was right in front of my eyes, on the other side of the glass.  I was barking so hard that I fogged up the window.

Any way, I have come to realize that possums are smarter than bunnies - when I bark, possums skedaddle.  Not bunnies, they're like sitting ducks - they refuse to move.

Like I always say, before you turn on your TV, look out the window.  There's a whole beautiful world out there full of amazing sights and creatures.  Believe me, you haven't lived until you've seen a possum.  Check out the world around you, and you'll see that there is so much to observe and learn.  As you can tell, I'm a bunny expert.  Plus, why watch TV when you can watch what's happening in your own backyard!

Try to share; it's only fair!

I love to go to the dog park because I can hang out with my dog buddies as well as walk around and check things out.  A lot of dogs like to play fetch with a ball.  I must admit that this is not one of my favorite activities, but I'll chase the ball once in a while.  Today, my friend, Dillon the dog, was playing with his orange ball.  His mother has nicknamed him "Dill Pickle" - that's a fun name.  My mom loves to play with Dillon because he never tires of running to get the ball.

Here's the best part - Dillon shares his orange ball with me.  Check out this picture:

Dillon is such a good friend to share with me. 

My mom sometimes buys me these balls.  The label says that they are hard to destroy.  Let me tell you that I can chew through that ball in five minutes at the most, and those balls are pretty expensive.  Oh, well, that is probably why my mom doesn't buy them that often.

Like I always say, be a good friend and share your toys.  That way you have someone to play with, and you get to play with new and different toys.  Also, I NEVER share my food, and you shouldn't either because someone else might be allergic to your food, and then they could get sick.  Plus I LOVE my food too much to have to share it, but I do appreciate when my family shares their food with me.  Remember:  what comes around goes around - that means, if you're nice and share with someone, then that person will share with you.  It's a WIN-WIN situation.
 

Dogs can have secrets, too!

I have a secret to tell you - dogs have secrets, too.  Here's my proof:

The good news about dog secrets is:  dog secrets are always positive.  Here's my friend, Moe telling me how much he loves coming to my house to visit.  I love to hear compliments and good news.  Wouldn't it be nice if all secrets were like this?

Like I always say, never tell a secret unless it's something you would tell the person yourself.  Also, don't whisper and tell secrets in front of other people - it is not good manners.  Always feel free to share compliments with your family and friends.  Like my grandfather always says:  "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."  That's some of the best advice I've EVER heard.

Introducing my neighbor across the street - Midnight the Cat!

I love to be outside.  I love to lay in the front of my house so I can keep track of the happenings in my neighborhood - I am the neighborhood watchdog, after all.  Well, Midnight the cat, lives right across the street from me.  Her family lets her go outside because she likes to patrol the perimeter of the house, and now, she has discovered chipmunks living under her bushes.  Now she is outside ALL THE TIME, AND IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!  She likes to sit in the bushes and clean herself, and all the while, I am in my yard at the end of my leash trying to go visit her; but my leash is only so long so I'm stuck on my side of the street.  Here's a picture of Midnight:

She's as beautiful as me:  we're the same color after all.  I think she loves to look at me as much as I love to look at her:

Here's me with my friend, Casey, looking over at Midnight.  My dad needs to get with the program - why weed when you can look at a cat?  Looking at Midnight is so much more interesting and exciting than weeding. 
Like I always say:  love your neighbors, even if they're different than you are.  Live in the moment - if there is something exciting to see, make sure to see it and enjoy the experience.  I LOVE WATCHING EVERYONE WHO COMES BY MY HOUSE!  You never know - some of these walking-by people give me treats now.  It pays to be interested in others - you can make friends and get something delicious to eat, if you're really lucky - like me.  See how grateful I am - I LOVE BEING A DOG WITH A CAT LIVING RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!  It keeps life interesting and exciting.