New Year’s Resolutions for dogs

Mommy says I have a couple of bad habits that I should resolve to change in 2010. Me? Bad habits? I thought I was perfect!

So what are my bad habits? I pretend to sniff the grass while walking with my parents and then I speedily eat any poop I can find on the ground. OK, this is not entirely my fault. After all, if all dog owners picked up their dog's poop then I wouldn't be so tempted. Right?

My other bad habit? I use my cuteness to manipulate my parents. Shh, don't tell them though because they have no idea.

Do you have a bad habit you'd like to change next year? Click here to read some of the top doggy New Year's Resolutions.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe new year to all of my animal friends!

I Donated Food to the Animal Shelter

Do you remember how I won a gift card to Petco for the Halloween costume contest? Well, in addition to buying myself some treats I bought a huge bag of Wellness dog food for the doggies at the shelter. I went to Petco with mommy, grandpa and grandma. Grandpa held my leash and walked me around the store; well, actually I dragged him around while I searched for food on the floor. Grandma pushed the cart, and mommy looked for goodies.

When we were all done, we drove to the Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) and donated food. Mommy said it was very busy there so she didn't take me inside. I hope the doggies at CAP enjoy the food and have a very happy new year!

If you are looking to adopt a dog or puppy in the greater Houston area, please click here.

Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy holiday season!

I Went to the Beach

It was a gorgeous day last Sunday so mommy had the brilliant idea of going to Galveston so I could see the beach. It was the first time I had ever been to the beach (that mommy and daddy know of), and I have to say I loved it! I had the time of my life running on the sand.

Galveston has a separate beach where doggies are allowed - isn't that cool? I ran towards the ocean but then it kept coming towards me so I jumped and ran away; then I did it again. I got very wet and sandy but thankfully mommy has a waterproof liner in her car - and she brought a towel.

You can see a video of me enjoying the beach. Sorry for the poor quality; mommy has a cheap pay-as-you-go phone.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, you know how I thought I was fat and mommy put me on a diet? Well, after two weeks I think I'm looking pretty thin. I guess it's hard for mommy to find that right balance but the good news is that I lose weight quickly. Mommy is a little jealous of that fact, but shh, don't tell her I said so.

I'm getting one big organic carrot each day along with some other healthy snacks and my Nature's Logic food. One cup is too much and 3/4 cup is too little, so I guess mommy has to find a new measurement all together.

The National Dog Show is on TV after the Macy's Day Parade on Thanksgiving. Are you going to watch it? If you want to learn more about it, click here. And doggies, please be careful on Thanksgiving. There are all sorts of things we can get into that can hurt us. Mommy wants all dog owners to read this article. It's called "How to Keep Your Dog Safe on Thanksgiving." I know we're hard to resist with our cute puppy dog eyes, but you humans have to be extra careful so we don't get sick.

My mommy and daddy are going out for a meal so I guess I'll get my usual; oh well, at least I get to roll the Kong around the floor and look for kibble that mommy and daddy hide around the house.

I'm sorry I haven't been more active with my blog but mommy has been a bit of a computer hog lately. Daddy is hoping to get a second computer so maybe he'll let me share his.

Best wishes for a very happy and safe Thanksgiving! Leave a comment and let me know what you are thankful for. This year, I'm thankful for my parents because they spoil me, and for my new food that helps my tummy and makes my coat shiny.

I'm on the Nature's Logic Website

Hey, remember when I said I was on a new brand of dog food that has helped the acid in my tummy? Well, it's called Nature's Logic and I highly recommend it. Mommy's testimonial and my photo are on the Nature's Logic web site if you want to check it out: http://www.natureslogic.com/testimonials/

I Think I'm Getting Fat

There, I said it. I think I'm getting fat - isn't that the first step? I eat a very healthy diet (no wheat, dairy, soy, or pork) but mommy discovered that my new food has 100 more calories per cup than my previous food. So all of those calories are adding up despite the fact that I get plenty of exercise and eat well.

So why do I stay on my current brand? My new food has worked wonders on my tummy. I no longer vomit and I am waking up much later for breakfast. One time I even woke up at 9:30 AM! Can you believe it? I usually get fed around 7:15 AM but sometimes I let mommy sleep in a bit more. So if that means I have to get fed a bit less each day, I think it's worth it, don't you?



P.S. This is a photo of mommy's bruise from the dog park. It's a rotten photo because it doesn't show just how big the bruise is or the deep purple color - just a day after the incident - but you get the point. He might have been "just playing" while chasing after other doggies, but he knocked right into mommy quite hard and mommy got hurt.

Don't worry, we don't hold anything against Huskies; in fact, some of favorite dog bloggers are huskies and we wuf them very much! And mommy thinks they are beautiful - not as handsome as me of course, but still very pretty doggies.

I Don't Like Dog Parks

Hey, that's mine!

Mommy took me to a new dog park in Houston yesterday. Mommy knows how I don't like to play with other doggies but she thought the do park would be empty since it was the middle of the day. I guess there are lots of dog moms and dads that work from home too because there were other doggies there.

This park separates small dogs and big dogs so I had no choice but to go in the big dog group because I weigh more than 20 pounds. That's not fair! They should have a medium dog area.

I sniffed a bit and then some doggies came over to say, "Hello!" I didn't mind too much but then one dog started to run around and he knocked into mommy with his wet fur and 100 pound body. He was a puppy - a big puppy - so he didn't do it on purpose but mommy now has a bruise on her leg. And the doggy was wet because they have a swimming pond in the park. That's great for the other doggies that like to swim but not for mommy and me because they chose to shake off right in front of us. How rude!

I ran to the back of the park so I could have my own space. OK, truth be told I was trying to escape but that darn fence was in the way. Mommy was disappointed in some of the dog owners that must have been there before because there was poop that wasn't picked up. There are dog bags and trash bins everywhere, so why didn't they pick up their dog's poop? Don't they know they're breaking the rules? Lazy humans.

Mommy and I left - and not a moment too soon if you ask me - and we drove home, but before we got there, mommy let me play in my local park. I had the entire park to myself and I even got to chase a squirrel. I'm a solo dog - well, me, my mommy and daddy - and I don't want any other dogs chasing after MY squirrel.

That is the Siberian Husky that hurt mommy. Sure, I might look interested, but I was just making sure they were occupied before I made my getaway.

Wysong Dog Food Recall

Attention all doggies! Wysong dog food has recalled several batches of their dry kibble. If you eat Wysong them make sure your human checks the batch number on the bag because your dog food could be contaminated with mold. Click here to find out more.

My Paw is Injured

I think injured paws are going around because another one of my doggy blogger friends had an injured paw, I saw two doggies at the vet with injured paws, and now I have one. I started to limp last night for no apparent reason. Mommy and daddy inspected my paw and didn't see any stickers or cuts so they were confused. I wouldn't even walk on the grass to go potty so I had to be carried to the yard.

This morning my limping was gone and it turned into a full fledged hop - on three legs. Mommy took me to the vet where we wound up waiting for an hour. I've never seen the vet's office so crowded. Finally it was our turn and mommy warned the vet assistant that I might bite if my injured paw was touched so they muzzled me just in case. I didn't like that at all. I looked like a racehorse.

The vet and his assistant tried to flip me so they could see my paw better and I liked that even less. I cried but the vet continued to touch my paw. Didn't he know that I was in pain? It turns out that my injured paw has a swollen digit. I don't know what a digit is but I wish it wasn't swollen.

Mommy doesn't know how it happened since I was perfectly fine yesterday but the vet said I probably jumped wrong or something like that. Mommy said it must have been caused by chasing squirrels because that's when I'm most active. I can't help it, it's in my nature.

The vet wanted to take X-rays but the machine is in the same room as the surgical room and a doggy was having an operation in there so we couldn't go in. The vet told mommy to come back later for my X-rays. So we went home, mommy took me on a walk - yes, I can walk, well run actually on three legs. Then I got some awesome treats: eggs and carrots. Finally it was time to return to the vet. We wound up waiting and waiting once again only to be told that there was another doggy in the X-ray room. Ugh!

The doctor apologized and suggested I take some special medication and see how I do over the next week. He told mommy to come back for that X-ray if my paw doesn't get better in a week, but he said I'd most likely heal on my own. Doggies are cool like that.

The good news is that I lucked out because I was supposed to be groomed tomorrow but mommy had to cancel because of my paw. So I guess I have to look a bit scruffy for another week or so but don't worry, mommy is still brushing me at home. I might look a bit "fluffy" but I'm still under 30 pounds so I'm actually perfect. Well, that's what mommy says anyway.

You can see a short video of me trying to hop along. This was before I became comfortable walking on just three legs. Don't worry, I'm much faster now although I think it still breaks mommy's heart to see me hop. Shh! Don't tell her I know.

I Won the Halloween Costume Contest

Guess what? I won the Halloween costume contest at "Scream on the Green" in downtown Houston. In the photo above I'm not wearing my yellow booties and my jacket is not buttoned up but you can see just how cute I looked after the contest. I even danced on stage, and mommy wore a pea coat and Paddington hat as well.

I would like to thank my grandma, mommy, and daddy for making this all possible. Well, I deserve a bit of credit too; after all, I am adorable and have great stage presence.

When they called my number - we have to go by numbers at the contest, not names - mommy and daddy cheered. I knew I had won and I was over the moon! Mommy walked me up on stage so we could collect my prize: a $250 gift card to Petco. That's some prize for a free contest don't you think?

After mommy accepted my prize, she attempted to walk off stage but I didn't want to move. I wanted my full 15 minutes of fame so I acted like a bull and wouldn't budge. Mommy almost tripped down the stairs because people were crowding the area but I made it through no problem.

Mommy and daddy gave me lots of hugs and kisses and kept telling me how well I did. I just jumped up and wagged my tail.

Then it was time to go home so I ran mommy down the street. Oops, I mean, mommy walked me down the street. Actually some man on a funny looking bicycle - I think it's supposed to carry humans - told mommy I was like a bull full of energy. I was just so excited!

Mommy wanted me to burn off some of that energy, so we drove to the park where I was able to run around and bark. I even rolled around but don't worry, mommy had already taken off my costume by that point. "Woof! Woof! I won! I won!"

So you're probably wondering what I'm going to do with the Petco gift card, right? Well, since I'm doing well on Nature's Logic (which is not sold in Petco), I'm going to get a lot of natural treats for myself. However, I know that not all doggies are as lucky as me, so I'm thinking about buying cat and dog food to donate to the animal shelter as well. Yeah, yeah I know....cat food? Well, it's the least I can do since I chase them around the neighborhood.

A Chihuahua Tried to Attack Me

While going for a walk with mommy this evening, something strange happened. A high pitched squeal came out of nowhere, and something that looked like a cat appeared. Mommy didn’t know what was going on and though the cat was in pain as it came running past us. It turned out to be the smallest Chihuahua we’ve ever seen and it was guarding his part of the street. Hey, it’s a free street and I can walk on it too Mr Chihuahua!

I didn’t know what to think of this silly Chihuahua - who must have weighed all of three pounds. He certainly didn’t look vicious so I just went on my way, but mommy stomped her foot and said, “No!” The Chihuahua ran away but came back so mommy bent down to let the Chihuahua know that we weren’t going to hurt him. He must have gotten the message because he hopped – yes hopped – and ran away. I couldn’t decide if it was funny or sad that this poor Chihuahua thought he could intimidate me. I hope his owners let him inside because shortly after that, it started to rain. I’d hate to think of that poor little doggy getting wet while stuck outside.

Mommy has been taking me to different parks because of the rain. Some parks are just filled with puddles and others have lots of stickers which get stuck in my fur (and mommy’s fingers when she tries to pull them out). I don’t think we’ve found a puddle-free park yet, but it sure has been fun going to new places.

I Attended my First Pet Fest

On Saturday, we went to Pet Fest in Old Town Spring. It was a lot of fun. Before we went, mommy put my basketball Jersey on me so daddy thought it would be a good idea to really make me look like a basketball player. He cut out red felt and made me a sweatband for my head and two for my legs. I got a lot of attention and everyone said I looked adorable even though I'm a bit furry at the moment. I know, I need to be groomed so I'm looking like a fluffy nuffy.

I got to meet other doggies and see Melissa from Pets Are Inn. If you'd like to see more photos from the Pet Fest, click here.

Dogs Get The Flu Too

Ah-chew! No, don't worry, I'm not really sick but doggies can get the flu too. We have a special kind of flu called canine influenza and humans can pass it us if they don't wash their hands after touching a doggy infected with the flu. So be sure to tell your human to wash their hands after touching other doggies just in case. To find out more about dog flu, click here.

It poured last night and this morning so I didn't get my morning walk. I did, however, tippy-toe onto the wet yard and do my business. I don't really like being wet but when you have to go, you have to go. Mommy went to the SPCA to interview the lead cruelty investigator and she said he was a very nice man. He works hard for the doggies so let's give him a round of applaws.

My Weekend at the Parks

This is me at the Terry Hershey Park in Houston, TX. There were so many things to sniff!

Here I am enjoying the view. Don't worry, I wasn't going to jump but that water sure did look like fun.

On Saturday, mommy and daddy tried to take me to some fancy gardens. We walked over a fun suspension bridge and when we got to the main entrance, a nice man told me I was cute but wasn't allowed in, so we left.

Then we went to Memorial Park and I got to run in the woods and sniff everything. Afterwards, we all had lunch together at a dog-friendly restaurant. I even got to sit next to another doggy - a Standard Poodle named Thor. He was friendly and kept coming over to say, "Hello!" to mommy. I think it might have had something to do with the food she had - MY food.

On Sunday, mommy and I drove daddy to the airport. He went to North Carolina for a leadership course. I guess he's going to learn how to be a better pack leader. Mommy and I took a nap on the couch because we were so tired from having to get up early for daddy, but then we drove to a huge park called Terry Hershey. It has miles and miles of trails so I had fun, but unfortunately there were many cyclists there. They kept coming in all directions and since they are so quiet, mommy had to keep looking over her shoulder. I don't think mommy enjoyed it much but I had a great time.

Middi, a Lovely Dog Available for Adoption in Houston, TX

This is Middi. She is a pretty girl, don't you think? Mommy tells me Middi is looking for a furever home. Do you know anyone in the greater Houston, TX area that is looking for a new best friend? If so click here and read more about Middi.

Hope all of my four-legged friends (and their parents) have a wonderful weekend. The weather in Houston has finally cooled off and it's so much fun to go for walks now that the humidity is gone.

My Halloween Costume Saga

Hmm, mommy said this package (sent from grandma) is for me, but I don't smell any treats inside.

What is this? A picture of Paddington Bear. Am I supposed to look like that for Howl-o-Ween?

Is it me or do I look like a cowboy? I don't think this hat fits me very well. Mommy said it's big enough for her head.

Here's the rest of the costume. Mommy didn't button me up because she didn't want to break anything. I think I might have to lose some chest fur though because the costume "just" fits. Grandma did a great job, don't you think?

And just in case the Paddington Bear costume didn't work out, grandma sent me a Bumble Bee costume. I think it's cute but daddy is insistent that I be Paddington Bear. I guess daddy will have to make my hat smaller and buy me some boots if he wants me to win. I don't see how he'll have the time for that since daddy is going away this weekend. I have a feeling I might just be a bee after all.

I'm Taking a Bath

Daddy is giving me a bath. Hmm, why is there a smirk on his face?

Now daddy really seems to be enjoying himself. Does this look like fun?

Oh, woe is me. I hate getting a bath. Daddy tries so hard to keep me clean and smelling nice but I would much rather be smelly and dirty. Oh well, at least I can rest my head on daddy's knee.

P.S. You see the human body wash on the soap dish? That's not for me; that's for my grandpa and grandma - they're coming to visit me soon. Oops, don't tell them that I used their bathtub.

Help the doggies rescued from the Corridor of Cruelty

Mommy told me that some mean people are abusing and neglecting dogs before dumping them at the Corridor of Cruelty (near Highway 59 and West Little York in Houston, TX). A nice woman named Deborah Hoffman and some volunteers from Corridor Rescue are trying to help these doggies but need your help.

The most recent doggy that was rescued is Charlie. You can read his story here. Mommy posted his photo for you all to see. He's not in great shape but he can get better with some wonderful veterinary treatment and a nice foster home.

When I hear about these stories, it makes me realize how lucky I am that I have a great mommy and daddy - even though I don't like it when my daddy gives me a bath and my mommy brushes out my knots. I know they're just trying to keep me clean and healthy but geez, don't they know I like to be dirty and roll around on the grass?

Daddy gave me a bath this past weekend and I didn't yodel once but I did try to escape towards the end. Fortunately mommy was there to make sure I didn't run around the house soaking wet. Then daddy took me for a walk so I could dry off and play.

I don't know why, but this past weekend I received a lot of doggy massages and snuggle time. I think mommy and daddy just love me more and more each day although mommy did complain that I scratched her face when I tried to wake her up last week. I can't help it; I want to say, "Good morning!" to my mommy and of course, I do my best to get her to feed me even though daddy gives me my breakfast. I'm pretty good at manipulating mommy with my tricks and big brown eyes. Even daddy has recently said, "How can you resist that face?" Yep, I'm a master manipulator and it works....well, most of the time.

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Happy Columbus Day - whatever that is.

I Can Brush My Own Teeth

As you can see from my photo, I know how to brush my own teeth. Mommy was quite surprised when she noticed that I had taken my toothbrush from the mat - where mommy normally brushes my teeth - to the dining room area. Mommy thought it was the beef flavored toothpaste that I liked, but there was no toothpaste on my toothbrush when I took it to the dining room and started chewing it. I'm not normally a chewer so it surprised mommy. I guess she didn't realize just how clean I want my teeth. I want to have a movie star smile.

Mommy got mad at me today because during our walk in the woods, I ran off and started to eat something. Of course I was pre-occupied so I couldn't hear mommy calling me; OK, so I heard mommy but I ignored her. Hee-hee! Mommy had to make her way through the woods to get me and when she found me, I was quite shocked. I didn't think mommy couldn't make it through all those trees. Mommy saw that I was licking something but she didn't know what it was. She saw flies and it was all wet. My breath didn't smell like poop but still mommy thought it was poop - possibly even human poop. Gross. Whatever I ate, I sure hope I don't get sick from it. Mommy won't let me run off again. My bad.

I'm Back

Hi everyone! I'm back from staying with my host mommy, and my parents are back from their vacation in New England. They told me they had a great time but were anxious to get back and see me. I had a fun time with my host mommy and this time, I was a very good boy. I didn't steal any cookies and I didn't vomit once.

I have some sad news; Rebekah, the Chinese Dwarf Hamster that was my guest blogger, passed away. We're sending our condolences to Rebekah's mommy and hope Rebekah is happy in hamster heaven. You can click here to read more about Rebekah.

Above is a picture of me before my mommy and daddy went on vacation. I was on their bed resting my head on mommy's T-shirt. She always makes sure she leaves a T-shirt in my crate so I don't forget her when she's on vacation. I could never forget my mommy; I love her too much. I was so excited to see both my mommy and daddy when I came home. I gave them lots of hugs and kisses. Daddy was happy to see that I was so affectionate towards him because he usually plays second fiddle, but not this past weekend. See daddy, I love you too.

Hope everyone had a good week!

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There's a Serial Arsonist in our Neighborhood

I learned that someone is burning down unoccupied homes in our neighborhood. At least people aren't living in the homes that were set on fire, but it sure is scary. Mommy and I walked by one of the homes today and took pictures. The smell didn't bother me but mommy didn't like it. I hope they catch the person who is setting the fires because mommy doesn't like to listen to sirens and helicopters at night. This is very unusual for our area so everyone is quite upset.

On a happier note, I received my Paw it Forward presents from Dory - thank you Dory! I'll be sure to Paw it Forward next month when mommy has more time. Mommy wants to let everyone know that my blog will be on hold for a couple of weeks but I'll be back in October. Mommy and daddy are going to take a much needed vacation which means I get to stay with my host family. I'm sure they won't leave any cookies on the table this time because last time, I stole them and got sick.

Did I tell you that I was sick twice last night? I threw up food around 2 AM and then bile around 7:30 AM. Mommy thinks it might be my new food even though I only had 1/16 of a cup - since mommy is trying to transition me slowly. I hope I do better tonight. Mommy only gave me kibble with water today - no treats - so hopefully I won't vomit. And tonight, we're actually going to go to bed before midnight so maybe a good night's sleep is all I need. Mommy has been so busy lately so I hope she gets to relax on her vacation.

I'm going to get professionally groomed next week - I can't wait. Mommy thinks I'm starting to look scruffy but I actually received two compliments today. I was told I'm beautiful and yes, it's gone straight to my head.

You can see a picture of me in the car before our morning walk - which means it's before I've been brushed for the day. I'm wearing my seat belt. It's pretty don't you think? Mommy says this picture shows off my long eyelashes. Apparently the ladies love my long lashes.

I'm Switching my Dog Food

Mommy took me with her on a lot of errands which means I got to enjoy one of my favorite activities: ride in the car! Besides our usual drive to the woods for our morning walk, mommy took me to a holistic vet so I could get new food. No one was there but we sure had fun looking around. I was very interested in chicken legs or beaks or something chicken related that I had never seen before.

Since no one seemed to be there, we left and went to a pet store so mommy could return the food I usually eat. It's wheat-free but mommy thinks the synthetic vitamins could be what's causing my tummy problems. Apparently doggies have died due to synthetic vitamins D3, Selenium, and Zinc. That's why some dog food brands had to be recalled....or at least that's what the folks from my new dog food manufacturer told mommy.

While we were at the pet store, we saw another Cocker Spaniel but this cocker was not like me. His owner said he was a field cocker but mommy thought he looked awfully American to her. He was very friendly, sweet and cute, but after I let him sniff me, I walked away. I don't mind being sniffed or sniffing other dogs but I don't really like to "play" like some other doggies do. I was more interested in an open bag of treats. I tried to get some, but I couldn't because mommy kept an eye on me while talking to the other cocker's owner. He was a nice man and was so excited to share cocker stories with mommy. I guess we're a funny breed.

Then mommy took me back to the holistic vet and we were able to buy that special food. Mommy said she wants to give me a little each day until I get used to it, but I'd be happy eating all of it now. I seem to be waking up earlier and earlier with my tummy problems so mommy is hoping this new food will do the trick; if not, I'll have to see the holistic vet to see if my stomach pH is off or if I need some probiotics. In the meantime, I'm stilling taking antacids at night.

Later this evening we stopped by a new park - well, new to us. There was a tennis court and a volleyball court with sand. It looked really neat for humans, and the best part for mommy was the fact that there was no litter. Yeah! I didn't see any other dogs there but that's OK; when they go there tomorrow, they'll know that Euri was there because I marked my spot.

When we got home mommy cleaned my water bowl and I received fresh filtered water. Am I a pampered pooch? So with all of the walking and driving today, I'm worn out. I sure hope I sleep well tonight. I know mommy would like it if I didn't get up at 5 AM again.

P.S. Do you like my photo? It looks like I'm sticking my tongue out at you. Hee-hee!

Food, Food Everywhere

As you can see from my photo, I'm poking my head through someone's fence. No, I'm not being nosy, I'm staring at a kitty that is hiding under a car. I have a good eye for cats because I love to chase them ....even though they seem to be faster than me and they can jump like Spiderman.

Mommy hasn't been taking me to the local park where all of the rubbish is but I managed to find some trash anyway. It seems people around here just like to put their food all over the sidewalks and grass which is great for me, but not for mommy. Today we took another route but I found some popcorn on the pavement. Mommy said she gives up; no matter where she takes me, people seem to litter. Did you know that it's actually illegal to litter in some countries? I bet mommy wishes she lived in one of those places but not me.

Walking in the Woods in the Rain

It has been raining a lot lately which means the ground is wet, so mommy put my waterproof suit on me and off we went to the park with the woods. I'm such a good sport because I don't mind wearing my snood or waterproof outfit; I know that when mommy puts it on me, I will be able to go out and play despite the weather. Mommy took a short video of me running in my outfit so you can see how great it is. Now mommy is thinking she should use it as part of my Halloween costume. Grandma suggested I be Zoro - do you think I can do something with my waterproof outfit for Halloween? If so, leave a comment or e-mail me at EuritheDog@yahoo.com.

I love running through the woods because there are so many good things to smell. I never really see any animals except birds but whenever I get close to them, they fly away. Today while we were walking in the woods mommy spotted a dog out of no where. We noticed the doggy's collar but we didn't see an owner. Mommy told the dog to "Be nice" while sniffing me. She says dogs know that term. Do we? It turns out the dog was actually friendly and really liked mommy. I think the dog was part terrier because it had wiry fur like a Cairn Terrier. Then the dog's owner came and got the dog. I think her name was Lucy or LuLu or something like that. Anyway, if I see her again, I'll be sure to say, "Hello!" because she was a nice doggy after all.

The woods are really strange because it's in a park in a suburban neighborhood. It feels like we're in the middle of no where but we're really surrounded by houses, trails and lots of grass with picnic tables. It's pretty neat for us doggies and dog parents like it because the park supplies free dog bags - no, not leftover food; bags to pick up your dog's poop - and the bags are biodegradable...whatever that means.

I'll Be Sleeping In My Orvis Bed From Now On

Mommy didn't get any sleep last night and I think I'm to blame. You see, we took daddy to the airport yesterday and as a special treat, mommy allowed me to sleep on daddy's side of the bed. The problem is, I moved around all night, made lots of noise - including loud snoring - and at 6:50 AM, I threw up bile. Don't worry, mommy managed to get me off of the bed and onto the hardwood floor in time, but now she's upset because my antacids just don't seem to be working like they used to.

Mommy made sure she didn't feed me anything new yesterday so she thinks that maybe I snuck something in at the park yesterday morning when I was walking with daddy. Or maybe I just need more antacid? So anyway, I have to sleep in my own bed tonight but that's OK with me because I love my Orvis bolster bed.

I remember when mommy went to a special warehouse sale to buy me a plush Orvis bed. You can see a picture of me in my Orvis bed above this article. I don't look very happy in the photo because I had just gotten a bath and my parents made me wear a towel to keep my back fur flat. It's a lot of work staying gorgeous. Anyway, mommy got my bed on sale but I think it would have been very expensive if she has purchased it in the store. I like Orvis because they allow dogs in their stores. Did you know that? They are very dog-friendly especially to hunting dogs like me. OK, so I only hunt for cats, squirrels, and poop while in the park, but I'm still hunting.

Mommy is thinking about not taking me to the local park anymore because some people there are very inconsiderate and put their trash all over the place. Whenever we go there, I see lots of bottles, chicken bones, and empty bags of potato chips. I don't know why they don't throw away their trash when there are trash bins all around the park. It makes mommy very upset because I have a knack for finding all of this stuff and I try to eat it quickly. Mommy has to watch me like a hawk.

And there are those dog parents who don't curb their dogs - that means pick up their poop - and I love to eat poop so it's like a buffet for me. Mommy wishes someone would enforce the rules but no one seems to care so it's best we go somewhere else from now on so I don't have to be tempted on a daily basis. The other park we go to in the mornings has woods and is very clean but we have to drive to get there. Mommy is trying to convince daddy to move but he thinks we live in a convenient location. Come on daddy, let's move to a nicer area where people don't litter in the park and they pick up after their dogs.

Remembering 9/11

I wasn't even born yet but mommy told me that something bad happened on 9/11/2001. Mommy remembers living in the DC area and being scared to leave work and go home because her house was so close to the Pentagon (which was hit by bad men). Mommy also lost a very dear friend in the World Trade Towers. I didn't know him but I'm sure he was a very nice man. Mommy said he was like a brother to her, so that sort of makes him my uncle. I know that lots of doggies were involved in helping people during 9/11 so here's to the hard working doggies that dedicate their lives to helping humans.

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Today

OK, so you know how I got a bath yesterday? Well, I got dirty again today. Mommy took me for a walk in the rain - well, it wasn't raining when we first left but it started to rain so what could we do? Mommy was smart enough to put my snood on me in case the ground was wet from yesterday's rain, but that wasn't enough. My entire body got wet and my paws got all muddy. So now I don't smell so nice anymore. Oh well, at least I had a good time sniffing away in the woods.

Today mommy took me outside to walk the street looking for something. Apparently someone delivered daddy's package to the wrong place and now we can't find it. So while mommy was out walking from house to house, I went with her. I was very well behaved. I didn't run in the street or anything and I stayed close to mommy .....OK, I ran ahead to see if I could find a cat and I ate some grass, but I listened to mommy as soon as she called me. I'm a good boy.

Zanies Giggling Peek-A-Treat Ball for Dogs

Mommy is trying to sell the toy she got me because I'm scared of the noise. It's ironic considering I don't mind "real" noises like thunder but there's just something about the giggling that comes from the "Peek-A-Treat" ball that I don't like. I'm sure it's perfect for some doggy out there, just not me. Click here to learn more.

Mommy Gave Me a Bath Today

Usually daddy gives me a bath but today, mommy decided she was going to do it. Was I really that stinky mommy? We went to the park with the woods this morning, and even though the trails were dry, I came out soaking wet. I guess mommy couldn't stand me being stinky and wet, so she took out the doggy bath and lathered me up. She tried a new shampoo this time since I keep getting so many knots - paws crossed it works. I know it smelled nice. Avocado or something.

I was a very good boy; I didn't yodel once! I like how mommy talked to me the entire time to make the torturous task of getting clean more bearable. Then we went for a walk in the sun so I could dry off - that was my second walk of the day! I did something silly though; I rolled around in the dirt. Oops! You can see a leaf on my wet fur in the picture. It actually compliments my coat, don't you think?

I'm getting professionally groomed in two weeks so I'm safe from another bath for a while. Can you tell I hate getting a bath? At least mommy gave me treats while she was cleaning me so it wasn't so bad. Mommy says she wants my fur to grow back since summer is just about over. That makes me happy because I don't like people thinking I'm a Poodle when I'm shaved. I'm not a Poodle - I'm an English Cocker Spaniel. I guess they don't see too many of us around here. That makes me special.

Paw it Forward

I received my very first Paw it Forward award from Dory! I'm so excited! Read about it on Dory's blog by clicking here.

Do I Look Like Will Smith?

I took a celebrity quiz yesterday - it's OK, it's for pets - and it said I'm just like Will Smith. Daddy thought I'd be someone more girly ( does that mean a girl?) but mommy wasn't surprised by the results. Daddy thinks I'm scared of everything because I jumped at a leaf once...OK, maybe two or three times, but I'm very brave and curious. Anyway, I like Will Smith and mommy said he's a good actor who is funny too, so I'm happy with my results.

Are you a doggy that wants to find out which celebrity you are most like? Click here and read all about it.

Oh, did I tell you that I threw up again this morning? Mommy wasn't happy about it because I threw up in my bed. She gave me a new treat yesterday made with lots of vegetables and healthy grains so she's convinced that it's all her fault. Poor mommy. But maybe it's because I ate some poop while walking to the park - it's one of my bad habits, I can't help it. Everyone has at least one bad habit right? Mommy likes to pick at her nails when she's upset. What's your bad habit?

So what's the good news about vomiting early in the morning? I got to eat breakfast early!

Adopt Me - I'm Clay and I'm Looking for a Forever Home

This guest blogger's name is Clay. He's a lovely lad, and I must say he's quite good looking too. Clay is staying at Rover Oaks in Katy, TX while waiting for a forever home. If you know of someone who would like to adopt Clay, contact Joy at 281-693-7687.


My name is Clay and I'm about three years old and about 35 pounds...a pretty good size. I'm probably a cattle dog mix of some sort, and I am staying at Rover Oaks in Katy where they are trying to find me a good home. See, I'm a really good dog, but because I'm a herding breed I have a lot of energy and I need stuff to do to keep me occupied. I was bred to herd things, so sometimes I still nip at feet and heels, even though my trainer keeps telling me that doesn't make a good impression on people. I'm a smart guy, and know all of my basic obedience, and they even tried to get me involved in something called the Gifted Animals Program where I could learn to sniff out bombs and drugs and stuff. But, I was too interested in the other dogs so they said that wouldn't work out very well. Next, they are going to teach me agility - I can run fast and I'm smart so I bet I'll be really good at it! And it will be good for my energy level too.

Anyway, I got adopted once but it didn't work out. I really loved my dad and he loved me, but he had a lot of company in and out of his house so that got me really agitated and I acted out a little bit. I'd probably do great in a place that didn't have a lot of comings and goings, but where somebody had time to spend with me, running and playing and stuff like that. I really like other dogs...my trainer says I like them TOO much...I like to play rough and I don't seem to get it when another dog tells me to back off. And, I REALLY don't like cats. So probably if I could be an only pet in a house with no young kids and someone who understands dogs like me that would be best.

So, I'm having a little bit of a hard time finding that great fit for a forever family...even though I know there's someone out there for me...so if you find anybody that might look at me and say "He's perfect!" please let them know. I'm at Rover Oaks in Katy waiting for them!

Labor Day is for working dogs too

Mommy says today is Labor Day - a day off for humans that work, but what about dogs that work? There are military dogs, service dogs, herding dogs, tracking dogs....oh, the list goes on an on. Click here to read more about why working dogs deserve to celebrate Labor Day too!

Photo Credit: Flickr, billadler: Sled Dogs in Iceland Taking a Break

I Don't Want to be a Girl for Halloween

Yesterday mommy and daddy took me to a warehouse store with lots of party supplies and Halloween costumes. They even made me try on a dress! I was so embarrassed. I don't know why they want me to be a girl for Halloween; I guess it's because of my long pretty ears.

Someone suggested that I be a revolutionary soldier for Halloween. I would like to be a Red Coat but neither mommy nor daddy can make my costume. They're good at a lot of things, but making clothes is not one of them. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Now daddy just wants to do something easy for my Halloween costume: a basketball player since I already have a basketball jersey. But mommy wants me to be something special so I'll win the costume contest on Halloween. Mommy can buy me a cheerleading outfit and put my ears in scrunchies, but then I'll be a girl and I don't want to be a girl. I'm a boy!

It's hard being a pretty male dog.