A Terrier's Tale

Heavier...!

2008-04-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

How did this happen?

I've been feeling more tired lately, getting tired running short distances, especially my NASCAR runs, and just simply taking up more space on the couch. I thought my Mommy got a new - and larger - pillow but no, it's got the same stains I put on it.

It's as if all the dust and dirt from outside, extra hair I may have grown and whatever else has accumulated on my back and...ok...a little underneath too. I just do not understand. I eat the same food out of the same size bowl. Yeah...maybe a few more treats come my way especially when London stayed with us for two months. Well, what did you expect me to do, just leave his uneaten treats for pests! What kind of girl do you think I am anyway?! And, of course, I had to eat all of my food whenever it was put in my bowl or I'm sure he would gobble everything up. Still...I've given up bringing road kill home from my walks so the extra treats should not have made a difference.

Maybe it's all the rain we've had lately...maybe I don't completely dry out from day to day. Or, it could be a terrier thing in the Spring when you're four years old - a genetic disposition to add a few pounds for no apparent reason. Well, you can't prove this is not true, can you.''

Well, the extra pounds just showed up out of nowhere so it is likely they will just disappear like they came - for no known reason.

I don't know why I'm obsessing about this...it is nearly my snack and bed time and I shouldn't be all stressed. Good night...

bww

The Ultimate Toy

2008-03-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

When I think of what I want next to my food and water dishes - or under the Christmas tree if I have to wait that long - it is a toy that can be enjoyed without the need for human intervention.

All humans - even Mommies and Daddies tire of playing before dogs do.

Well here it is - the Tireless Toy - and this one is on the top of my list!

bww

RIP Van Lola!

2008-03-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

OMG! I've been asleep for a month!

I spent 10 days at my home away from home - Mahogany Ridge - while my Mommy & Daddy went to New York City to play without me. My time with Theresa, Jen and all my four legged friends was fun, fun, fun!

Since then, I have been just hanging out - really just hanging...sleeping, going for short walks, visiting with London, eating and, oh yeah - sleeping.

The ice has just receded like slow moving glaciers from the edge of the roads around my home so Daddy can start walking me around the block where there are no curbs safely at 4 or 5 pm when humans seem to go crazy behind the steering wheel. I do understand that, it's sort of how a dog feels after a bath.

But today it's Spring and tonight there will be a full moon. So, I ran around my ice covered backyard this morning and will be out howling after dark.

I'mmm baaaak...

bww

My Business Card

2008-02-15T18:18:00.001-08:00

You laugh!

Being a dog in this society at this time is a business; at least it should be. There is managing staff (human parents); training (again, human parents); identifying and accessing resources - water and food primarily, well...OK...food primarily; negotiating with competitors - other dogs, squirrels and other unseen but smelt animals on or below the ground as well as in the air; obtaining perks - treats, pillows, toys; and, of course, providing a service.

My service is the news; Canine Clips that make up this blog, that is. To me and my canine confidants: "No News is Old News." So... my retired uncle living in the Arizona desert created a card for me to advertise my service.

If you would like copies to distribute, contact me by leaving a comment with your email address and I will send you some as an attachment.

bww

How Far & Fast Can You Run?

2008-02-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered why we chase cars? Or squirrels? Or Birds?

I know you have and I also know you do not know.

Well, it's to see how fast and far you can go. We know we will never catch birds or squirrels or cars but that doesn't mean we shouldn't chase them. If we don't, we will never know how far we are able to go or how quickly we can run or if we can fly.

And, that is something very important to know. If we do not test our limits well then what are they actually? Are they something that are actual and cast in stone forever? Or, are they something we created or let grow up around us? So... the next time you watch me try to catch a bird and not even come close (yet), see me testing my limits and finding our something about me.

Oh, yes, talking about testing limits and discovering who we are, what about those Central Florida fireman. Last week, while reading a newspaper discarded by Daddy or sneaking a peak at the online news under his arm while he was surfing, I saw the story of these selfless men who not only rescued and saved people from a first but canines too.

Look closely at this picture of one giving CPR to a dog.

How far can you go?

bww

Email Update

2008-02-01T07:32:00.001-08:00

I'm pawing on my email and discovered (which, btw, is what Terriers are bred to do) that I can send a message to my blog.

This is almost as much fun as chewing up a toy!

bww

Mommy

2008-01-31T19:36:00.000-08:00

There she is - my Mommy. What can I say! Woof! Woof!

Look at her...she loves me.

My Mommy is soooo good to me. She always - and I hear her say over and over again that she does not use this word - always gets up early to walk me. She lets me take home plastic bottles from our walks and even sometimes road side treats like discarded pizza crust (yummie!).

Mommy always gives me treats in the morning my special one called the Gong that she still believes will occupy me for the morning and I devour in minutes. But, hear what I'm saying...she always gets it ready for me before she leaves for work. She is the one who always brushes me and trims my "unruly hair." It's my Mommy who always gives me a break - an extra treat, toy, ride or hug - no matter what I do.

In this, human and canine mothers are the same. They are always there for you.

You've got to love my Mommy. I do!

bww

Thoughtful Commentary

2008-01-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

Anonymous left me the following questions a few days ago and I would like to share some doggy dogma.

“Thoughtful commentary there Lola.

What's your take on dogs that tolerate cats? I've heard that humans just love that in a dog. True or false?

Also, what do you say about the adage: "Avoid biting when a growl will do"?

Finally, a little doggy economics.
If I get my paws on 3 human dollars can I turn them into 21 doggy dollars and will I benefit by doing so?”

First, cats. I don’t have a clue about how humans feel about cats but dogs – at least those of us who are still part of the herd – do not consider cats as creatures of this world. They have super-natural powers. When they hunch their back, stick their tail out and give you “that look,” all hell is about to be streamed into this world. While they should be bitten for this reason, most of us “tolerate” cats. Perhaps you are thinking of those cute cards in the stores or pictures online of smiling cats cuddled next to smiling dogs. First, most of those dogs are puppies who do not know any better; the others have been drugged.

The adage is mostly true. It is to our benefit to use a growl when biting is not needed. However, as you probably know there are many different growls and there is one that says: “That’s it, the next time I open my mouth, it will be to bite you!” Then, there is another growl that is known to us as the Silent Growl. We open our jaw as if to growl and then lunge and clamp down. Sometimes it is necessary. See above.

Doggy economics is actually a form of fantasy economics. The seven for one years of age is a misguided calculation humans apply to us. So, three human dollars will not get you 21 doggy dollars. Now, if you are fortunate enough to find a doggy dollar; well, that is another story.

bww

Me at Doggy Day Care

2008-01-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

Here they are! Pictures of me and my friends at Mahogany Ridge's Doggy Daycare!

Go see them; all you have to do to see a slideshow is paw the new link in My Favorite Places in the column to the right.

Thank you Theresa for letting Daddy play with us for a while.

bww

New Favorite Places

2008-01-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

Two new sites were just added today to My Favorite Web Places.

Adirondack Save-A-Stray is a “no kill” (Woof! Woof!) shelter that gave me a temporary home when I first came to this country. They are filled with caring humans as well as animals.

Private Label Aromatherapy is owned and operated by Jill Stewart who makes special aromatherapy products for dogs and she is a certified K-9 massage therapist (Even though Mommy & Daddy pet me a lot, I must try this!). I read her article about aromatherapy for dogs in the latest issue of Healing Springs Journal yesterday. You can too by following the link to the Journal on her web site.

bww

London

2008-01-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

This is William London, III.

On my human family side he is the adopted son of my brother which makes me, I believe, his step-aunt. Humocanineology gets complicated. Let's keep it to London.

He is staying with us while his new home is being set up.

As you can see, he has one eye that always glows when exposed to a camera flash. This is very frustrating to my parents and his dad. They do not realize that London's eyes glow all the time. In fact, if the sunlight catches him just so, both eyes shine giving any bystander the odd feeling they are watching a miniaturized abominable snowman from hell running through the yard.

Going for walks can be a pain too. He gets our leashes tangled because he is not careful like me and always wants to be first. I have to keep bumping him out of the way.

Now, don't take my growling the wrong way. Having London stay with us for a while has been fun. I have an extra dish to eat from, he leaves treats hanging around some times, chewing his toys up is satisfying, and we play with each other a lot, especially outside - he can run almost as fast as I can.

I'll miss him when he goes home.

bww

You Can Call Me...

2008-01-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

You can call me anything but don't call me Sue. Daddy calls me a lot of other things.

You would think - if you did - that Lola is a great name (I like it) and no others are necessary. But he has a pocket full of labels for me.

Let's see...one of the first was pointed out by Renee - a first cousin of mine in my human family. She told Mommy & Daddy that for the first month I lived here she thought my name was Lola-no because that was what she always heard them call me. Trumpet Terrier is a name Daddy calls me when I get really excited and I'm trying to let humans in the area know. I kind of like Mighty Mouth because it speaks to what I am trying to do - project! Terrible Terrier is my name when I do things he wished I didn't. He also calls me Animal when I do things like rip one of my stuffed animals apart but he always smiles when he calls me this. Both Mommy & Daddy call me Baby when they are in a good mood and want me to be in one too. I like being called Baby. Our Little Girl is cute but I don't have a clue why they call me this. Mostly, it means I can get an extra treat so I usually sit up and woof a couple of times. Princess is good too. I am called this when they think I get my way too much so I have to be careful. Button is my name when I curl up on the bed or couch to sleep. However, if I'm on the bed stretched out on my tummy, I'm Tube. What is that about? Peanut is another nomer that doesn't compute with me but Daddy says it in a way that he is cool so...so am I.

Ah...the word games humans play. As long as I can still sleep on the bed and get extra treats, they can call me whatever they like.

bww

Mahogany Ridge

2008-01-13T15:42:00.000-08:00

Going to daycare is one of my favorite things to do. I go every Friday to Mahogany Ridge to visit with Theresa & Jen and play with my friends - Chewie and Darling. Last Friday, Daddy intended to take pictures of all my friends but it was so cold and so wet. Next Friday then.

But, you can go to Mahogany Ridge's link in a new area on my blog and get a preview.

See you Friday everyone! Daddy will have his camera so be ready!

bww

The Words That Are Necessary

2008-01-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, dogs can just, simply salivate when they discover that humans really do understand.

Arthur Plotnik, author & publishing house exec, made me salivate in the first paragraph of the Introduction to his recent book - Spunk & Bite:

Sometimes when I'm digging for the right word, I long for a terrier-like acuity, a canine's sensory gifts applied to language. Imagine if dogs ever figured out how to write - how to put that punkiness and bite for theirs into literature. Think of those olfactory superpowers attuned to sniffing out metaphors or tracking, not the bone mot, but the bon mot. We dry-and-fleshy-nosed writers could be in big trouble.

I'm here to tell you you that dogs understand the foundation of writing - the language that humans speak. Let me give you a example.

Take discombobulate. What do you think this means? Did you know it can mean: bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, baffle, mystify, nonplus, perplex, puzzle, stupefy, amaze, gravel, vex, pose, stick, beat? Now, I can use this word in a sentence. Let's see: Daddy you discombobulate me when you feed squirrels corn in the backyard and are happy when I chase them away. But, like, why would I? It's not clear what my message is. Why wouldn't I just say: Daddy, no! Actually, I would. It's humans like Daddy - especially Daddy - who take time to get to the point.

Could it be that humans want to keep their options open, give themselves the chance to explain and "amend" their message?" Hmm...

Dogs on the other paw get right to the point. While we could react to "discombobulate," we don't, not because we do not understand the word but because we are here to teach you to be more direct and say what is necessary. So...we react to words like: go, sit, stop, no, fetch, come (well most of the time to come).

And we bark, growl and woof. More on this language later.

bww

Squirrels - Just Say... Not!

2008-01-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

I just do not get the deal with squirrels.

They are the equivalent of furry terrorists, they invade my space, eat all the scrap food in the area, scare off other dog friendly animals like birds, and they smell bad. So...why would you want them around?

Naturally, I see it as my job - no my duty - to keep the yard and a de-squirrelled zone of about 200 feet beyond clear of squirrels. I know what needs to be done. I'm a terrier. The genes are just there to do this. Each morning, midday break, afternoon walk and...ok, anytime I go outside..I take a running start, lunge off the deck in the direction of the squirrel feeder barking as loud as I can. It takes all squirrels in the yard milliseconds to scramble through the fence into the safety of the trees on the other side. Very effective I would say. Now, that is the first step. The next is to continue barking while looking up into the trees to send the message that: "I know you are still there and I won't stop until I don't smell you anymore. Eventually, they leave for some peace of mind and I know one day they will not return having found a backyard that is undefended.

Oh, did I say squirrel feeder! Oh yes, daddy has built one IN the backyard...yeah. Now I know he dislikes the critters as much as me so what is the deal? He laughs when the squirrels scatter. I even hear a "good girl" once in a while. Well, nice, but you could make my job easier - tear down the feeder! Oh, no, if I need to bark for more than two minutes, it is no more "good girl" but: "That's enough, Lola." Or, if I continue: "I said enough!" And, if I continue to continue: "Lola!!" loud enough that not only the squirrels but all wildlife for 500 feet around clear the area.

So what does he want me to do? Bark a couple of times and, if the squirrels are still hanging around, say: "Now, guys, I really mean it - you got to get out of those trees. Yeah, the ones your sitting in now. The next one, no that one is not yours either. Over there? Well, if you promise not to come to the feeder to eat any more corn, I guess it is alright."

At times, I think he wants to turn me into a "talking terrier." He's the talker.

I'm the Terrible Terrier.

If anyone can help me understand how he thinks, please, let me know.

bww

Christmas "Holidays" You Say??

2008-01-03T19:00:00.001-08:00

The holidays got to be a little stressful with all the preparations, waiting and picture taking as you can see from this photo. Antlers...really! OK, why didn't Daddy have to put on the white beard and fat tummy?

I did get some gifts that I'm happy with so maybe it was all worth it. Let' see..Mommy & Daddy gave me a nerf football (but they won't play ball with me in the house), a pull toy that looks like a snowman (cute), and a tiny stuffed fish (wish it was edible and may eat it anyway). London, my Yorkie cousin, and Eric gave me a stuffed mailman chew toy (probably so I wouldn't chew on his anymore). Vanessa gave me a gingerbread pull toy (but she's not here much to play with me). Sandra, Mommy's sister, did much better with her choice - homemade dog cookies! Now that's a gift fit for a dog. But my Uncle Roy got me the best gift of all - a gift bag with four bags of treats that I am still eating. Woof...woof.

Why do humans give so many gifts at Christmas? It is tiring just opening them and when they are all opened, I do not know which ones to play with first and which ones to eat. I like it better when I get a gift a day like when Mommy goes shopping and brings something home for me.

Well, all things ended happily. After opening some of my gifts and eating many of my treats, it was time for a short nap so I decided to open the rest later.

Island Friends

2008-01-03T05:51:00.000-08:00

Just a few words at the start of the new year to my friends on the street in Puerto Rico:

Arff...arff...grrrrrr...woof...woof...rrr...rowlll...rowlll...ra...woof...grrrah!!

Comments Please

2008-01-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

I would like to hear from you so, please place your paw on the “comments” link below any of my posts that leaves you wanting to say something and do it in the box with the title “Leave your comment.”

Then all you have to do is copy one of those squirrely words and choose an identity like you were going to a masquerade party. You have three choices. You can sign in to my blog with your username and password from any of six accounts or sign up for a Google Account (they are good for some other things too). Or you can use your name or nickname (and leave me your web site url if you have one, but not necessary). Or you can be secretive and choose Anonymous.

A Preview link lets you see what your message will look like and you can send me your message by pawing “Publish Your Comment.”

Woof

Arff...Arff

2008-01-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

Arff can be loosely translated as hey or excuse me or hello.

So, I'm glad I have your attention because I wanted to welcome you to my blog, or doblog as I like to call it, since it is written by me - Lola - a canine. Why would a dog write a blog you ask. Get serious. If all you could say to humans was a few barking and growling noises, how frustrating would that be? Yeah, well ok then.

So...what will I be writing about? Well, my view of a dog's life. I am an expert at that. Also, what I've learned about humans from those I've met and Saratoga Springs where I live now.

You can learn a little more about me by pawing the link: View My Complete Profile.

Enough for now; it is snack time.