Happy New Year!

     Time flies when you are having fun!  We didn't get on the blog to wish you a Merry Christmas and here we are...14 days into the new year.  There has been a lot going on to keep us busy.  I just wanted to take a minute to say Happy New Year and to let our readers know that we will be taking an extended break from blogging again.  Check back in about 6 months from now...

I Can Speak Dog!

     After loving my dog and house training him and the two of us learning about each other for the past two years, I am amazed at how well my dog and I communicate with each other.  Lewis tells me when he wants his food bowl filled.  He tells me if he wants water.  He tells me when he needs to go outside and he tells me when it is time for bed.  Honestly, I can pick up on what he is saying to me better than anyone else in the family. I am not exaggerating when  I tell you that he communicates with me.  Something transpired between us the other night that had me laughing. 
     It was late at night (about 11 PM) and Lewis came up to me while I was sitting in the recliner.  He actually put his paws up on the chair and got eye to eye with me.  He was giving me the classic puppy dog eyes look.  I knew he didn't want to go outside because I had just let him in.  I said, "Lewis, are you hungry?  I am not feeding you this late at night." 
     He got down from the chair and walked over to the couch and stood there and looked at me again. 
     "What is it Lewis?  What do you want?" I asked. 
     He just stood there. 
     I remembered that just a little while ago, he had looked longingly at the fuzzy red blanket that was folded in the chair in the corner.  That fuzzy red blanket used to be draped across the couch. Now there was only the blue comforter.  It had been rather chilly outside and the fuzzy red blanket was a better choice for warmth.  It hit me!  Lewis wanted me to put the fuzzy red blanket back onto the couch so he could lie on it.  It was our nighttime routine that while I sat up in the living room, he curled up on the couch until I would go to bed, taking him with me. 
     "Lewis!  Do you want me to spread the fuzzy red blanket out for you?  Ok." I took the fuzzy red blanket and spread it out.  Lewis promptly jumped onto the couch, curled up and lay down on the fuzzy red blanket.  It was truly what he was asking me for.
     I looked over at my 15 year old son, who had been in the room with us the entire time.  His jaw had dropped.  "Are you kidding me??" he asked. 
     "What?" I asked."That's what he wanted.  He told me he wanted to lie down on the fuzzy red blanket.  Look, he just came in from outside and he wants to get warm.  That old blue comforter isn't really warm to lie on."
     My son replied, "What a spoiled dog!  I can't believe it."
     I laughed.  "I guess I can speak Dog."

Halloween

     The National Retail Federation recently estimated 20 percent of Americans (that is 31.3 million people) plan to dress their pets in Halloween costumes this year.  Also according to the National Retail Federation, the most popular costumes for cats and dogs are #1 Pumpkin and #2 Hot Dog. 
     Whether you dress your pet up or not, remember to keep them safe during the holiday.  And give them lots of tasty treats (but no candy!)  Happy Halloween!

A Dog of Many Tricks

     It's been almost 2 years since we got our dog, Lewis.  When we got him, my middle son began to work with him to teach him some tricks.  Our last dog would fetch and that was it.  We had never taught her any tricks. She was a labrador and honestly, fetching just came naturally to her. She was a GREAT dog-- very calm and obedient but, no, she did not do tricks. Lewis was our new project and my son was determined to make him the smartest dog ever.  He IS a pretty smart dog.
     The tricks that my son managed to teach him before growing tired of his project were sit, shake (paw), lay down, roll over, crawl, up (stands on 2 legs), and hug (puts paws on the person's chest).  He is really cute and will do these tricks more readily if we have a treat or a squeaky toy as a reward when he is done.
     HOWEVER, if you dare come into the room with a REALLY GOOD treat such as a slice of pepperoni or a piece of hamburger or a BRAND new rubber squeaky toy, Lewis will go nuts in anticipation.  He will immediately sit, lay down, roll over, crawl, roll over.....he will run through the tricks he knows best and do them really fast over and over until you give him the treat.  It's pretty funny.  I guess you could say that he is a dog of many tricks.

(This story was written by my daughter, Karen.)

And My Name Is

     Right now, I do not own a dog.  But when I did, I was amazed at how the dog learned its name.  We had several dogs over the years.  When calling the dog, he/she would come running.  Was it the tone of the voice, or whatever, that made communicating with this canine so easy?  We were able to teach the dogs some tricks.  But what stood out the most was their intelligence in knowing their name. 
     The dog did not become Man's best friend by not understanding him a bit.  I would love to have a dog now.  But with a house full of cats, I'm not sure it is a good idea right now.  But then, it is on the burner still to get one.  After all, I love dogs...

Look Alikes

     There must be some truth to the saying, "Dogs look like their owner."  As a wedding gift from my husband, I received a puppy.  We went to the dog pound and I picked her out.  I named her Zundel after a friend.  It was my friend's last name.
     The dog went everywhere with us.  She enjoyed the back window of the car as she poked out enjoying the wind.  When I, or my husband, went somewhere alone, she rode in the front passenger seat.  She was definitely part of the family.
     One day, my uncle said, "I thought that was you in the front seat of the car."  Was he being funny or did the dog really look like me?
     While sitting on my front porch, I saw a neighbor walking his dog.  The Pit Bull looked straight at me.  I was amazed at how much the dog reminded me of his owner.  I ask now the question.  When picking out our dog, do we unknowingly pick a dog that looks somewhat like us?  Maybe this story will leave you to wonder.  Or is the answer simply...the dog picks up on our behavior?  You be the judge.

Taking a Break

     It has been such a pleasure writing for this blog every month.  However, we are going to be taking a break for awhile and hope to be back and writing for 2019.


UPDATE:  We will begin new blog submissions on July 1, 2018!