Special Visitor

We had a special visitor come to our house a while back and Dad got a picture of us with him. He was covered with loads of white fur, just like us, and we almost thought for a moment that he might be one of us, but then he didn't walk on four paws. He seemed a right jolly sort and kept saying, "ho ho ho" or "no no no" or something like that. No matter what he said, we liked him a lot. He gave us treats and he sat and talked with us. Mommy like him too. We could tell because when he was about to leave, she kissed him! (Shhh, don't tell Dad!)

Dangerous Doings

You'd better watch out ... Dad's working in the man cave and no-one is safe! If you don't believe us, just look at these two pictures. Dad was working on a project on his router table and must not have been focused on what he was doing. One second I was lazily watching him and scratching behind my ears and the next second I heard a thud and saw Dad staring at the wall.

Where was Dad's project? He had a piece of wood in his hands a second ago ... That's when I noticed that a piece of wood sticking out of the wall. You can see for yourself. Dad was surprised and looked a little nervous but shook it off quickly. He ran to the house to get a camera so that I could share this important safety tip with you ... Pay attention to what you're doing!

That was a close call for Dad. He still has his ten toes and fingers and that cheesy grin and goofey laugh, but Dakota wasn't so lucky. I still don't know what happened to 'kota. One day we were barking, playing, and chasing rabbits and then next she seemed really tired and wouldn't play at all. Dad and Mom noticed her change in mood too.

They got concerned and Dad took her to the doctor. I had to stay home alone. Normally, that isn't a problem because 'Kota is always with me. Today was different and I was a little nervous.
Dad was gone for quite some time but then came home again with 'Kota.

She still wasn't feeling well, but it got even worse. Later in the day, she started bleeding from her bottom. Mom and Dad tried to rig up some diaper like thing to keep the blood from getting all over the place, but it didn't work very well. So Dad took her back to the doctor the next day. She's been taking some pills and that seems to have helped. I was pretty concerned for a few days. She's back to normal now and life is good again. We're back to chasing rabbits at the school and rough housing in the living room. I love my sister Dakota.

Carolyn and her family are coming this week so Dad took us to the groomer to make us look "pretty." I'd rather look cool and let 'Kota be the girly lookin' one. Here's our picture for your viewing pleasure. Woof!

Happy New Year! Woof! Woof!

We woof season's greetings to all dogs (and my special people friends too)!

New Year's eve was filled with some excitement in our house primarily because of Dad's new hair cut. Bow wow did mom ever shave dad close. Looks like the razor got away from mom before finally getting it under control. We were there when mom said, "Oops" and dad said, "Really!!!!" Here's a picture to show you exactly what we mean.

Dad talked about trying to hide the buzz with a big bandage so he could claim some injury or operation as the cause. Bob suggested he just buzz it completely off, but dad doesn't want that bald appearance any sooner than it will come naturally. Mom tried to fix things up the best she could, but there is still evidence of severe trauma.

Dad has started wearing one of grandpa Gardner's old hats around the house. It hides the buzz and looks cool. We like it! We got to wear the hat and we look cool too!

Naptime Bliss

This picture speaks for itself!

Drying Off ...

Every now and then Mom and Dad give us a shower. I don't like it and Duncan likes it even less ... he doesn't like getting wet at all (he's such a sissy!). Water is fun to splash in, drink, or maybe in the summer time to play in, but when it comes to taking a shower ... leave me out. I try to run and hide but Dad always seems to find me and bring me back.

Mom wets me down and then rubs this froo froo smelling stuff all over my body. I endure, sometimes patiently, until Mom rinses me clean. Then Dad does his best to dry me off, but it's never enough so I have to finish the job myself. I find that the best tool for drying off is that big pile of blankets that Mom and Dad sleep on each night. It doesn't move when you rub against it and its soft. Dad took a few pictures of Duncan and I as we demonstrate the process ... I hope you enjoy!

Santa's Helpers

We love the Christmas time of year. There's always something going on and there seems to be no end of things to sniff out, chew up, or sleep on. This year is a little different from last because Dad has been out in his "man-cave" alot and that means that we get to go out into the man-cave too. I like to sneak in while Dad is concentrating on his work and see what I can find to chew on. The garbage can usually has lots of little sticks of wood that I can take into the living room and chew into a bazillion pieces. Dakota lets me do most of the destruction around the house, but she has been known to lend a hand when she's bored.

Take the other day for example, I got into a lot of trouble for destroying Dad's wallet. I just couldn't help myself. Dad left it out on the fireplace hearth and while he was napping, I had a little quiet time to reflect and manducate (that's a fancy word for chew!). Dad says I'm lucky to be alive and that I didn't manducate the credit cards...What's a credit card? And yes, I do feel lucky to be alive, especially living with Mom and Dad.

I've especially been proud of Dad lately for the way in which he is making lots of little tiny sticks out of those bigger pieces that he has. He's got cool gadgets for cutting, sanding, and drilling and all of them make lots of wood chips and saw dust. Dakota and I should call him the "destroyer"!

Dad recently showed Mom a hole in a piece of wood that he had drilled. It looked funny to Mom and even to us too because it was very crooked. (I probably could have done better myself if Dad would just let me try out his tools, but then it would be nice to have an opposing thumb!) Mom said he could go get a brand new drill press to help him with his crooked hole problem. Curtis Martin, Dakota's boy friend, helped Dad bring home the new "beast" and I decided to have Dad take a picture so you can see it. When Dad turns that thing on I just like to stand back and watch the chips fly.

I've been helping Dad in the man-cave too. He says he's helping Santa. He takes those little sticks and pieces of wood that he makes and glues them together into some pretty strange shapes. He's been making a lot of those weird things for the grand kids for Christmas. I hope they like them because I sure don't have a clue what they're going to do with them. They are a little to big to fit in your mouth and Dad sprayed some kind of stuff on them to make them shiny. Those things don't taste or smell good any more. Dad seems to think that Santa will be pleased with his efforts.

Hey, if Dad is helping Santa make stuff for Christmas and Dad is Santa's helper, and if I am helping Dad make Christmas goodies, doesn't that make me Santa's helper too? It's a good question to reflect upon ... now where is Mom's wallet!

We're So Glad When Parents Come Home!

I think you can tell that when our parents return home after a long vacation, we're very glad to see them...very, very, very, very glad to see them. Let the treats and treating begin anew!

And if my sister is very lucky, and stops jumping and biting me, I may share some of my cookies with her ... maybe.