Sparty the Puppy came back!

Well, my cousin, Sparty the Puppy, came to live with me again.  He's still a puppy, but he's a really BIG puppy:

The best part about Sparty is that he loves to relax as much as me - which is A LOT - by the way.  Of course, I have the spot closest to the table - just in case any food falls on the floor.  It is my house  so I should get most of the treats.  When it comes to food, I must admit it - I don't share.

When it comes to laying down on one of my couches, I'm much better about sharing:

That Sparty - he sure loves the couch and getting attention.  It's a good thing that I'm not jealous!  Also, check out Sparty's paws - they're really BIG!

Like I always say, little pups are going to grow up, and sometimes, they'll be even bigger than you so set a good example so you'll always get along.  It's so much easier to be friends and share (as long as it's not food!). 

Things can always be worse!

As  you know, I've adjusted to wearing bows in my ears:

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Can you see those bows?  Janet the Groomer tries to put them way back on my ears so I can't get them off.  Guess what?  I ALWAYS get them off as fast as possible!

Then, of course, I'm always getting stuffed into that shirt:

As you can tell, I've given up.  My Mom is never going to listen to me when it comes to wearing that shirt.  Let's face it - REAL DOGS DON'T WEAR CLOTHES!

Wait, it gets worse!  Check out this get-up:

To make matters even worse, I had to wear these clothes more than once:

As you can see, I just laid down and closed my eyes.  I was hoping that wearing this awful costume was a bad dream - well, it was for me any way!  My family enjoyed laughing at me and taking my picture.  All I was thinking is "ENOUGH ALREADY!"

Like I always say, just when you think things can't get any worse, they do.  There's nothing you can do about it either.  Everything prepares you for the next awful thing.  Luckily for me, I survived wearing that awful costume.  I'm back to wearing just my fur coat now, AND THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT!

Meet some of my favorite visitors!

I LOVE to sit in my front yard!  If the sun is out, I make sure to sit in the sun so my fur gets nice and warm.  If I get too hot, I'm so lucky that there is a tree where I can lay in the shade.  Of course, I've also dug up the grass so I can lay in the dirt which is amazing - I LOVE dirt!

When I'm out front, I have visitors - dogs and people.  Barney the Dog and his Dad are some of my most favorite visitors:

That's me and Barney saying hello to each other.  I've known Barney since he was a puppy.  He's still small but now he's all grown up!

Barney's Dad always gives me treats, too:

Does it get any better than this?  I'm the luckiest dog ever - I get treats just for sitting out in front of my house!

One time my Mom and I walked by Barney's house.  Barney almost jumped out of the window when he saw me in front of his house because he was so excited.  Now that's what I call a real friend!

Like I always say, friends come in all shapes, sizes and colors!  As long as my friends stop by to say hello, I'll be sitting outside waiting for them - especially if they bring along a treat!  Make sure to get out and see your friends today - maybe you'll get a treat, too!

Sparty the Puppy Plays with Russell the Dog

This is the last story about Sparty the Puppy - for now!  A while ago, Sparty the Puppy lived with me.  Russell the Dog is my neighbor down the street, and he has A LOT of energy.  My Mom thought it would be THE BEST idea if Sparty the Puppy went to play with Russell in his backyard.  After all, a puppy would have A LOT of energy to keep up with Russell.  Here's what really happened:

Russell jumped all over me; ran after me; and followed me while Sparty the Puppy looked on.  Finally, Russell did play with Sparty the Puppy, but he got tired out right away.  Russell the Dog still has the energy of a puppy!  After a while, Sparty had to go lay down - he was so tired and overwhelmed - I don't blame him either - see above picture.

Here is Sparty recovering from playing with Russell:

Of course, I had to lay down, too - except I had company because Russell is such a loyal friend:

Like I always say, if things get a bit rough, go spend some time alone or walk away.  It's not a good idea to get overwhelmed.  Some times, you're better off by yourself.  That's why I always mind my own business - it's better to stay out of trouble.

Defending my cousin, Sparty the Puppy!

You know how much I LOVE sitting out front in the yard.  I have regular visits from several dogs and people.  I make sure that they stop by and say hello.  If I'm super lucky, the person brings me a treat! 

Well, when Sparty the Puppy was sleeping over, Trooper the Doberman stopped by.  You might remember that Trooper needs to wear a coat in the winter - poor dog - he can't even roll around in the snow.  You know how I feel about dogs wearing clothes anyway - UGH!

When Trooper stopped by, we were having a fine visit until he decided to JUMP on my cousin, Sparty.  Well, that was it - I stepped right in and put an end to that:

I started HOWLING!  That put an end to that - I'm not going to let anyone hurt my cousin - after all, he's only a puppy!  It's my job to keep my family safe, and I'm ready to step in whenever I'm needed!  As you can see in the picture, Trooper the Doberman stopped RIGHT AWAY.  Dogs listen when Gabi the Dog howls - as they should!

Like I always say, if someone is hurting your family or your friend, speak up.  Sometimes you need to defend the dog who might get hurt.  I bet Sparty the Puppy was glad that I helped him.  No one wants to get hurt after all!

Meet my new cousin: Sparty, the Puppy!

Well, here is some very exciting news - Sparty the Puppy came to live with me at my house.  That's right - he came for my morning walk, he ate at my house, he sat with me out front and in the backyard, and he slept over.  Check us out:

As you can see, Sparty the Puppy is no ordinary puppy - he's as BIG as me!  He thought he was going to play with me all day - I set him straight right away!  Sitting out front is part of my job - I need to pay attention ALL the time.  Plus, people come to visit and give me treats, and I can't miss out on that.  The good part was that Sparty was a good student - I showed him how to sit out front, and he did it just right.

The first night he slept over, he jumped over his fence from the mudroom and ran straight into my Mom's room.  Guess what?  I was sleeping in my Mom's room already so Sparty and I jumped all over my Mom while she was in bed.  We licked her face and made her bring us for our walk bright and early.

Oh, Sparty thought he was going to jump on me while we walked.  I set him straight on that right away, too.  My morning walk is serious business.  I need to watch for bunnies!  I can't have a puppy trying to play with me while I'm walking!

Like I always say, when you're the older dog, you need to teach the younger dogs or puppies how to behave.  I want to be a good dog.  I LOVE when my family says that I'm good.  That means that I need to set a good example.  I made sure to help Sparty so he could learn to be a good dog - just like me!  Make sure you're good today, too!

Check our my Mom's New Project - UGH!

I guess my Mom must be bored because look what she's spending her time doing:

I mean - that dog up there doesn't even look like me!  It might - just a little - but, overall I'm definitely not that goofy looking.  Oh well, I guess it's better than getting my picture taken.  Then again, at least my pictures look more like me that that dog up there.

Like I always say, your Mom is going to embarrass you A LOT so just get used to it.  Maybe some other lucky dogs - like me - will get one of these dog-like pictures.  I'd like to hear about it.  Maybe my Mom will get some hints on how to make me look like Gabi the Dog - not some goofball dog!  Please help her!

Introducing A Guest Blogger: Gronk the Cat!

I have been quite busy - or rather, my Mom has been quite busy.  The good news is that she's managed to recruit a guest blogger, and he's a cat.  Here he is - Gronk the Cat:

Hi!  I"m Gronk the Cat.  I'm a teacup cat.  The first dog I met was my cousin, Cinnamon the Dog.  I scratched her in the nose by accident.

Once I got out and took a little nap under my Mom's car.

At my first haircut, I was pretty nervous.  When I got there, this guy cut my furballs out so I hissed at him.  Then my Mom and my brother, Devin, took me home.

I sleep under my brother's blanket.  It is comfortable.

I even caught a mouse.  My Mom screamed, and everyone ran down the stairs.  My family asked my Mom what was wrong,  She said, "There's a mouse."  I started  to sniff the mouse and started to play with it.  Then my Dad got some cups and scraped it up.  He put the mouse outside.  I sure was a hero that day!

Wow!  Gronk the Cat sure is exciting.  I've never caught a mouse, but I would like to!  

Special thanks to my Mom's student, Devin, for helping Gronk the Cat to guest blog.  I'm impressed!

Like I always say, cats are alright in my book - as long as they don't hurt me!  Thanks Gronk the Cat!  You can guest blog any time!

My First Trip to the Emergency Room!

Last night I was having the BEST time in my backyard.  I got to be off my leash - thanks to my Dad who trusts me and basically let me do whatever I want.  I got to sniff around; eat some rabbit poop; walk wherever I wanted...It was AWESOME!  I even found this bone!  My Dad thought he was going to take it away - NO WAY!  I wouldn't let that happen.  I even managed to get the bone into the house.

Then this awful thing happened:

OUCH, OUCH!  The bone got stuck on my jaw.  My Mom and Dad tried to take it off, but it wouldn't move.

My Mom, Dad, and sister, Bethany, all piled in the car with me and off we went.  I must admit I was getting scared with this bone stuck on my jaw.  Then we arrived at the Emergency Room which is serious business.  The doctor came out; looked at me; and took me right to the back.  The doctor made me go to sleep so he could cut the bone off my jaw.  WHAT A RELIEF!  IT WORKED!

Here's a picture of me with the nice doctor who saved my life:

Like I always say, listen to your Mom and Dad.  If I had listened to my Dad, this bone never would have gotten stuck on my jaw.  I was too stubborn.  I never knew that treats could be dangerous.  I just learned an important lesson from this experience.  Be very careful about what you put in your mouth every day.  It's definitely not fun to go to the emergency room!

Here we go again!

It's been pretty exciting around here!  The snow is back, and I just LOVE rolling around in the snow.  The other day, my Mom was complaining about how I smelled like poop.  HA!  She should know that I LOVE to roll around in poop.  I just LOVE the way I smell afterwards.  Well, my Mom got super lucky because my friend, Trooper the Doberman, stopped by.  He had to wear this fancy coat with a belt - poor guy!  Any way, I was just showing off like crazy.  I dove into the snow and rolled around.  Then I'd pop up and dive into a new spot.  It was kind of like having a bath in the snow.  While I was showing Trooper how much fun it is to dive in the snow, he watched me.  I bet he was wishing he could get rid of that coat.

You know how I feel about dogs wearing clothes.  REAL DOGS DON'T WEAR CLOTHES!

Of course, that doesn't stop my Mom from stuffing me into that Patriots shirt OR Janet the Groomer from putting bows on my ears.

Here I am having a GREAT time in the snow:

Like I always say, spend time outside and check out what's happening.  You don't want to miss out on any excitement.  I'm always happy to hear, "Want to go OUT?"  I sure LOVE the snow!