Bosco Dog Blog

Well, Joan did it again ... she left. Well, I did not actually see her leave but she packed ME up and drove me to Heidi's house a while back. She said she was going to Vegas and Minnesota again for work stuff. I know what Minnesota is but I don't know Vegas. Joan tells me now that I would HATE Vegas with a passion. In any case, Joan dropped me off a while back - I was fine oh fine with it. I like Kona, the beagle, and of course I like Heidi, my caretaker. (She lets me sleep on her bed ... I heard her tell Joan that they don't really need her to bring my bed over! Ha!)

Well I got into some trouble over at Heidi's house ... I'll tell you a bit about it. Here's the first story ...

Heidi would let Kona and me out the back gate into the greenbelt. There's a trail back there but we didn't walk anywhere but would sniff around and just explore a bit. Well, we sniffed out some mice. We were following them as they ran back to their "house." I went full tilt after them. I discovered they lived in a very thorny house which humans call a "cactus." It ends up I had lots of thorns in my face and around my snout. I didn't cry or anything but I did squirm around when the humans tried to take the thorns out of me.

Joan has found a few more thorns in me - one on my tummy and at least one near my ear. She hasn't yet been able to get me to cooperate for removal. They don't bother me, so I hope she forgets about it and just lets them fall out naturally.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, a couple weeks ago, Joan packed my stuff up ... I saw the bag come out and she put my food, my bowls, a towel, my ball thrower, my treats, my ear and allergy medicine, my peanut butter all in it. Then she put my bed in the car ... so I followed her out to the car and sat in the backseat even while she was doing other stuff. Then got in the car and drove into the Hill Country ... and it took a while because there was traffic cuz it was a Friday night. Anyway, we got to the house I remember because we've been there twice before. Heidi lives there and so does her mom and dad and brother. AND a dog, a beagle! We could hear the dog parking at us, but no one was home. Joan made a call and the next thing we knew Heidi and her friend appeared with her dad and we got to go inside. Joan talked with Heidi for a long time and I was sniffing around. Then Joan left!

I couldn't believe she left me, but Heidi is pretty cool. But one day she got sick and her brother took care of me. I also got to sleep on her bed (wow, Joan should let me do that) and I even slept on her bed WITH their dog, Kona, too. Pretty good. They have a big pool in the backyard but I did not get into it.

The next thing I knew - Joan showed up and took me home. I was so EXCITED to see her, as usual, I jumped up and gave her lots of kisses. It was a pretty good week, and the whole family said they'd take me back again. The mom said I was the SWEETEST dog! Keep it coming! I love compliments. (I AM a good dog, though, Joan told me just today.)

Posted by Joan Hughes at 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I forgot to say that I'm now 7 years old (dog years) and 41 in human years (See this calculators: http://www.onlineconversion.com/dogyears.htm). And 5 of them have been INCREDIBLE. I love Joan!!!!!! I just wish she wouldn't have to go to "work" but stay around with me all the time.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 09:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wowa, I've been off the computer for a while. Joan is HOGGING it all the time! And now we only have one computer so we have to share. My adoption birthday was January 26th that is how delayed I am in writing about it. It was a fantastic weekend - maybe, just maybe, I got worn a bit out. First of all, Joan's friend, Lee, came down here from Minnesota - I think just for my birthday! Isn't that nice of him?

On Saturday, we went down to Town Lake and walked along the river. When we got to Auditorium Shores, I got to be off-leash since it is a dog park there. Here's Joan and me at the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Joan was happy though she doesn't look it too much. We think the guys in the background are funny. It was in the 70s Joan says which you can't beat in January. Nothing like wearing sandals, Joan says.

Joan and Lee sat around in the grass talking while I went on squirrel patrol in the dog park. I think they were pretty happy to sit in the sun!

As for me, I was working. I had to let those squirrels know who was boss. Some of the other dogs tried to help me out with my job which was okay. So I spent my time running over to a couple different oak trees just when the squirrel had taunted me enough by coming down out of the tree onto the grass. Those squirrels. I would take off, running at them, a few other dogs might come too, and we'd jump up the trunk of the tree. Then, I'd turn and run back to Joan and Lee and wait for, yet again, another opportunity to police. I did this for quite some time!

After a while we walked to a restaurant but unfortunately, they wouldn't let ME accompany the humans to the table outside. So, instead Joan and I waited while Lee got some food and then we (um, they) ate in the grass outside the restaurant (it was very casual) - plus other people were waiting for a table and drinking beer and other drinks while they waited. It was kind of a fest. The only thing is a lot of people think I'm cute and they want to come over and pet me. Now, we know that I AM cute but I AM also a little scared. So one time I almost knocked over all the food by cramming my body into Joan when someone tried to pet me!

This wasn't even the end to my birthday weekend. The next day we drove out to a park where we hiked around more. We got to cross a stream ...

and I also did some incredible rock climbing - here's a picture of me as I come down from a rock about 6 ft high (no kidding).

When I jumped up on it, I was above Lee's head! Joan was very scared for me but I managed just fine. You'd think by now she'd know my excellent climbing capabilities.

Anyway, I'd say I had a good birthday - especially with visitors just for me and all. Only, I didn't get a bone.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Yesterday was quite a day. First Joan walked me around the neighborhood. I thought it was kinda a short walk, but hey I don't complain - I get it better than most dogs. Then Joan put the sheet in the back seat of the car and I KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. So the next thing she knew, I was standing behind her waiting to get into the car (I pulled the fence door open and came out). Then she moved a tiny bit and I squeezed my body into the car and sat down. She was laughing at me. She shut the door and left. So I sat in the car for a while. I didn't mind. Then she came out with water and then made me get out of the car.

But then she got my leash and other things and went outside and I jumped back into the car. Then I saw Melissa coming over to our car, so then I jumped out of the car because I had to say hi to her, too. I jumped on her. (Bad, I guess.) Then we all got in the car and I gave Melissa a few kisses which she didn't seem to like very much.

We drove along the curvy road and I was so excited I just couldn't help but yelp the whole way. But we ended up in a parking lot and Maura was there and also my dog cousin, Brandy. But all the humans left and we were stuck in our cars for like an hour.

FINALLY, the humans came out and I got really excited again. And we were off - we drove to Turkey Creek! We waited there for a little bit and then our other friend Kathy and her 2 German short hair dogs, Elena and Morgan, came with. So we had 4 humans and 4 dogs - what a great group! I was so excited I was yelping a lot and wagging my tail. Life couldn't be better, really. We hiked up the trail and back again - we saw lots of other dogs and people and went in the water and smelled stuff.

On the way down, Morgan went missing. Maura went ahead and Joan stayed behind with Kathy. I was running back and forth between them - running up to Maura and then I'd wonder about Joan and would run back to her again. Kathy decided to walk back and see if she could find Morgan while we all walked ahead back to the parking lot. We did not find Morgan, but Kathy did! And the funny thing was some other people had Morgan on a leash! No wonder Morgan couldn't come to us - they were preventing it. Kathy was very upset and suspicious of these people - we all thought it very strange. Cuz they also had a dog but their dog was not on leash ... very very strange!

All in all, though it was a fantastic morning even if I did have to wait in the car while they ate breakfast. The car isn't so bad. I took a long nap when I got home and didn't even bug Joan for a walk though she did take me on one.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Well, I heard that there were several holidays but I was not really involved in them that much. Well, the first one - Joan had friends over for what looked like a yummy dinner - that I got to participate in by greeting everyone as they arrived and trying to get them to pet me.

BUT then there was this thing called Christmas and New Years. Now, Christmas - I was not invited over to Joan's sister's house because of their dog, Bella, who doesn't know how to be nice to other dogs, including me. (So naturally I growl back at Bella to tell her to knock it off ... then the kids think I AM MEAN. Geez, that's not fair.) So, Joan left me at our house while she went over there for Christmas eve dinner and then again the next day for Christmas. I didn't even get a Christmas gift. But all I want is Joan's love so that's good enough for me!

Joan was around for a few days but then the box-on-wheels came out and I started sniffing it and getting concerned. I followed Joan around. But then we went to sleep and I kinda forgot about it. Maura came over and the next thing I knew, they left together without me. Then I realized the box-on-wheels was gone, too. Boo hoo.

Later that day, a woman named Rachel came over to rescue me. I was SOOOOO happy to see her. She let me out and took me for a walk and fed me. So the next few days Rachel hung out with me, and we were fast friends. She took me down to Town Lake for a walk but she didn't let me off leash (too bad). We had some good times - except not that day, Dec 31, because people were doing things that made really LOUD popping noises and I DO NOT LIKE that.

A few days later, guess who arrived home again? JOAN with that box-on-wheels and her friend, Melissa. But I was scared of Melissa which was really weird because I really like her a lot, but I was a little confused about all the stuff. Plus, the stuff smelled like another dog. I remember that dog - her name is Berkeley and she's a big brown dog who lives in Colorado with her people. I visited them once but she didn't like me a ton.

It's good to have Joan back. Plus, she seems super happy!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

After Loukia left, another box-on-wheels person arrived - Lori. I remember her from Minneapolis. She was down here for the same reason Loukia was - but they don't know each other I guess.

Lori was nice to me while she was here except that they were not here for too much time. I think they went out shopping and eating, but they did take me to the dog park nearby so I could run around - I always like that!

Visitors are always welcome - we love visitors - as long as they love me, too!

Later that day, my dog cousin, Brandy, came over to my house! (Dog cousin Bella did not, phew.)

I wasn't sure why but then Joan put both of us in the car and we went to Turkey Creek for a 3 mile walk/run in the country, hills, and forest. I love that. Later on, Maura told Joan that Brandy could hardly walk after our romp around outside. We think Brandy has arthritis or something like that. She usually doesn't get that much exercise, so her people probably don't notice. While a 3 mile walk is nothing for me, it could be a lot to other dogs.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I need to catch up on telling you about all my visitors. Joan's friend, Loukia, visited us a few weeks ago. She lives in Nebraska and we've even been to her house == TWICE! She has a great dog named Cleo who is a Vizsla - very sleek and a little lighter brown and certainly skinnier than I am. Anyway, Cleo did not come with Loukia. I was home alone and the next thing I knew, this woman Loukia walked in the door. Well, I haven't seen her about a year and a half, so I was a little scared as you might imagine. So I hid behind the dining room table. Then she seemed to know what to do and got me some treats in the kitchen and she was talking to someone on the phone and then I made friends with her since she had some treats and was a girl, too. Later on Joan showed up and then we went downtown for a walk - that's where we took this picture:

Loukia even took me on an hour+ run - Joan doesn't run that long usually - so it was a nice treat. I showed Loukia the route we take along the river - she was worried and Joan even drew her a map (needless) - of course, I know the way. Although on the way back, Loukia ran right by our house so I just kept running with her (bonus run) but then she called Joan on the phone and turned around and then we went back to the house. I just thought she wanted to go on a longer run ... so I didn't let her know that she was running by the house!!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Now they would not like me calling them my grandparents but in any case, Tom and Judy came to visit about a month ago and I neglected to report about it. These are Joan's parents. They were fun to have around, especially Tom. He took me for some walks while Joan was at work or was shopping with her mom or wherever she was. I got to really like him and when he put his shoes on, I'd run over thinking he was going to take me on another walk. Judy is nice too - though she didn't like me licking her legs in the morning when she got up! She should know better than to show skin in the morning before I've taken a walk - I'm just trying to say hi, to have her pet me, and ultimately to be taken on a walk. She did go on a couple walks with Joan and me in the mornings.

Unfortunately those box on wheels got packed up and they left. Here they are ...

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have not forgotten all of my virtual friends (and real friends) who read my blog. I've been busy away from the computer with visitors, running around in forests, sniffing lots of stuff in the kitchen, more visitors etc. I will update you all soon. Right now I'm dealing with another new visitor who showed up at my house while I was here all alone ... I kinda remember her but it's been a long time. I had to hide behind the dining room table for a while but after she let me out and gave me a treat, I decided she was an okay person.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The other day we had some visitors:

Posted by Joan Hughes at 03:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today when Joan got home, we went on a walk but then she started putting stuff in a bag and I got the sense that she was going somewhere. And I started to get really excited because I was hoping hoping hoping that I was going to get to go with her. I started following her around and jumping up and down. Don't leave me! Don't leave me!

I got my wish and we headed to the car, me too. We drove for only a little bit and ended up at a new house to me, but then I recognized Brandy, my Australian Shepherd dog cousin, and Michelle, Joan's niece. Bella, the not-so-nice Jack Russell Terrier dog, was no where to be found. Which is a good thing, I'd say. Brandy and I are great friends because she knows I'm boss. Except she was hanging out on my bed and then I stole her bone. Then Joan told me to give her the bone, and I thought about it and I did give it to her. She is the boss. She put it away from both of us and ten made Brandy go to her bed and told me to go on my bed. She said that was the ORDER here.

Joan's sister isn't here which is I think why we are here - to make sure no one gets into trouble. I might try my own kind of trouble ... like going into that big water hole in the backyard.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Saturday I got short shrift again ... Joan took me for a short walk and then she left on that bike (she's always riding that bike and there's no room for me on it). She was gone all day. I guess she took some pictures - she said she was volunteering at the festival "Tour de fat" and then she also drank some beer and listened to music and other events. Pictures are here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/joan.e.hughes/TourDeFat

BUT Joan found out (again) that Austin is dog-friendly and pretty much I'm invited to all festivals. So she should have brought me but I don't think I could have run along side her bike for 40 minutes both ways, and for an hour through the city in a parade (though it sounds like fun). So the next festival, I better get to go with her!! I'm sure I'd make a lot of friends.

Back at home, Joan keeps picking up those things on the ground - called pecans. Joan has a huge plastic barrel of them collected - it looks almost like my food but is not my food! It also got a lot cooler here in the last 2 days but it doesn't get much colder than this. maybe another 10 degrees or so. I'm sure I'll miss the snow but on the other hand, I'll have swimming year round here.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 09:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

On Sunday, Joan and Melissa (her friend) and I went on a run. It was fun because most of the way I get to be off leash along Shoal Creek AND I get to go swimming. Well, more like wading and a swim of 3 paw strokes. These girls seem to think they are going to run some big 1/2 marathon in February so if that is true, I bet I'm going to get a lot more running in in the next few months. Cool with me. Plus, it is getting cooler so it is easier to run too. I get really excited when I see Melissa come over because mostly, it means we are going for a walk or run. But sometimes I don't get to go with them (and they are not really dressed for running) so then I'm kinda bummed I have to stay at home alone.

After we got back, we took a bit of a drive out into the Hill Country of Austin and saw lots of beautiful oak trees and vistas of all green oaks. Then we got to a new place I've never been, and there I met another dog whose name is Kona. I also met Heidi who is a young girl kinda like Izzy in Minneapolis who used to take care of me. I also met her brother, Jack, her mom and dad. And don't forget Kona the beagle. At first, I got to meet all the people. Jack kinda scared me because he was kinda moving fast and swinging something around his head. I'm very wary of boys especially boys with things they can throw at me. But I warmed up to them after a while. Then we went outside and took a walk with Kona. We got along just fine. I was pulling a lot because I wanted to be in front! We went to the backyard and they have a big water hole back there like Joan's sister does. I decided to get in the first step and kinda plop down but then I got out. I was kinda wondering if Joan was going to leave me there but she didn't. Phew - we drove home after that and I took a short nap but sure enough, it was 5pm by my time and I started bumping Joan to remind her despite all the walking, running, and walking we had already done. Gotta stay on schedule!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

37 days without Joan but today she showed up at Bosco #2's house and picked me up! I knew something was up because Kim took my food and bed outside. I started to get excited. Then someone walked up and I looked to see who it was (tentatively) and I realized it was JOAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started jumping up on her so I could give her face some kisses. I was SOOOOO HAAAPPPPPYYYYYYYY! Bosco #2 was barking a ton and it was chaos for a little bit. Then Kim gave both Bosco and I some treats. Joan was laughing because we were both sitting at attention in the kitchen very quietly while waiting for our treats.

When Joan let me outside I pulled her to the cars so I could find ours and I went into the backseat and waited there - no going back! I'm going with Joan. It was even hot in the car but I didn't care - stay put, I said. Soon enough, Joan was in the car and we returned to my favorite Mpls house. I cleared the yard of all squirrels upon entry and then I saw my favorite neighbor, Tim, who immediately brought over 2 treats for me. I sat for him, too.

In the house there was all this stuff on the floor that Joan was in the process of putting away and then she cleaned a bit and put away clothes upstairs. I just sat and watched her every move. Then we had to leave the house and we hung out at a coffee shop. Joan said it was an "open house" where we get evicted from our own home. She wasn't exactly happy about this as I guess she just returned from some place called Crete and also another place called London. = the reason she has been gone for 37 days!

I really had a great time at Bosco's house. I think Joan and I should get another canine family member. I'm lonely back at the house. I also am not eating my dinner just to tell Joan - don't mess with me.

I'm going to try to get in her bed tonight. Megan, Kim's daughter, let me sleep on her bed ALL THE TIME. I think Joan should do the same.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Now it has been 21 days without Joan.

On Monday, Chris brought me over to Bosco #2's house. I'm with Kim, her daughter and Bosco. I'm getting along well with Bosco - must be his name.

I guess Chris got sick of me because I wasn't too friendly with Mollie, her dog.

I'm still wondering - when will Joan return from that place called England? I want to see what the squirrels are doing in my backyard. I'm sure they have taken over in ways that are inappropriate!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 07:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No Joan. She's still not back.

Last week, I moved from Rachel's house to Chris's house. It is somewhat the same because there is a lady and man (Chris and Jim) and then a little boy (Jack). But they also have a dog (Molly). Well, at first, I thought Molly was okay. We even kissed and slept near each other during the day, me on my bed, Molly on the chair.

But now I don't really like her all that much. So sometimes I growl at her and let her know to give me my space. So then now Chris keeps me in the back of the house and Molly stays in the front. I like that! I get my alone time with Chris and she likes to pet me.

Yesterday the funniest thing happened. I swear I heard Joan's voice, and I got really excited and wagged my tail a lot. I licked where I heard her voice but it was just a small computer like thing and didn't smell or taste like Joan at all. When will she return, I wonder?

In any case, I'm happy right now.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 06:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

You might think my subject to be kinda strange since I am Bosco. But yes, today I met another dog whose name is also Bosco. 2 Boscos. Joan first cleaned up the house like a crazy woman - she does this ALL the time - gets the loud vacuum out and puts my bed in the basement (where I never go).

Then we went to a place where Joan got some good smelling food and I had to sit on the ground while all these humans ate great smelling food. But it was better than sitting in the car (though I really do like the car).

Then we were off driving fast and I was wondering where we were going. Then we ended up at a place I've never been before and we went into the house and there was another dog and the nice woman kept saying something to "Bosco" and I thought she was talking to me but she was talking to the other dog whose name is also Bosco. Pretty crazy huh?

Bosco 2 doesn't look like me. First of all, he's a guy. Fine with me, I like guys better than girls. And he's black, not brown. Fine again black is great. And he's pretty hefty around the middle. That also doesn't bother me (probably bothers him more than it would me). We hung out for a while and Bosco 2 licked me a bit and I only slightly growled at him because he was barking at me to play. Then we all went on a walk and it was grand. There's a HUGE water hole right at the end of the street and I kept pulling to into it but Joan didn't let me. We got back to the house and Joan and I left but I get the sense we might be going back there again. Bosco 2's mom is Kim. She was pretty nice and said bye.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 01:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Oh my do I have some news. However, I'm hoping some of you dogs out there might be able to help me out. Joan says that we are moving to a place called TEXAS. I know I have never been there. Last summer we went to: Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. And I barely ate the whole time.

Now Joan is telling me we are not only going to drive to Texas but we are going to live there - like our new forever home. How can I ever ever say goodbye to my home sweet home? Joan did some funny stuff and said I'm going to have to mix my Minnesotan love of snow with a new Texas flair - something like this:

Do you, good dog friends and humans live in Texas? We are going to Austin, Texas.

Now there is some good news in this. I have two dog cousins who live there and they are named Bella and Brandy. Joan says they have a big water hole in the back - like when we were in Bakersfield, CA - and I know I'll wanna go in it! I guess Bella and Brandy don't go in there. They are crazy to not love the water!

I can tell you one thing - I'm gonna miss my big dog park with all my dog friends there. But I bet I'll make more friends in Texas!

This picture is not to scale, I might add, as I am bigger than both of my cousins, Joan says.

What do you think?

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

A couple weeks ago we went over to Martha's house on a really nice night. We went to the golf course and I got to run around in my preferred crazy dog mode. Joan kept me out of the swampy lake. Martha's young neighbor (remember the little boy I ran over a couple years ago because Miguel threw my stick and I didn't see the boy) well, he was with us. Then another girl came out and walked around with us.

Isn't it a nice place? There was still some ice on the ground and the kids were throwing snowballs for me and I would run and pick them up!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Izzy who took care of me last week drew some pictures of her time with me. I wanted to show you to them. First, she made fun of how I eat. REALLY FAST.

View Bigger Image

Then she made fun of how I like to almost nearly climb trees after squirrels. Perhaps she didn't see the squirrels but I sure did. They are ALWAYS up there in the oak trees! I know it. And they are usually taunting me with their tails or the look in their eyes. I stare at them with hatred.

View Bigger image

Posted by Joan Hughes at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of my human readers sent me a picture of his dog, Baker. They are trying to figure out what he is a mix of --- my vote is that he's just like me:

Chocolate Lab + Red Doberman

What do you think?

Baker, the dog:

Here are some pictures of red dobermans:

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Joan forgot my birthday. It was January 26th and she was not here. And then, she didn't remember until tonight when she saw an email from dogster.com!

I can't believe she didn't remember.

I've now been with Joan for 4 years. Yea for me (despite her forgetting).
And I'm 6 years old (about).

And then, to top it off, today does she buy me a cool treat or a new toy? No, she bought a new pair of toenail clippers. That is like the complete opposite of what I want! In fact, that is kinda like a punishment rather than a gift or celebration.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

One of my fans asked about Thanksgiving. It was grand to go over to Martha and Miguel's. I even got to see Boli, the cat, and got along with him fine. I didn't get anything great like gravy falling on the ground but I got lots of pets and also got a short walk and run in a park with Joan and Miguel.

Here are the pics taken of ME!

I'm making the rounds during appetizers. I didn't knock anything over.

Looking at Boli, the cat.

Martha is double-petting, as it should be. I'm giving Boli a kiss since I'm nice.

Following Eileen around.

Me with my beloved, Joan.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 09:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

My very good human friend, Martha, visited Joan and I on Saturday. I was very excited to see her and Joan had to tell me a couple times to sit down and even sit on my bed. They drank tea sitting on the chairs, telling stories to each other. Then they sat at the table and I heard things like bread (I love bread), turkey (I love turkey), stuffing (I'm sure I love stuffing), roasted root vegetables (I'm okay with veges - I like bananas better)....they went on and on about FOOD. I had to interrupt them a couple times to remind them they should be petting me.

Before Martha left, she said that I'm INVITED! I get to go to her house on this FOOD day coming up. I'm so excited and very humbled since I was really on bad behavior last time I was at her house. I chased Boli, the cat, around too much because he decided to sniff my food. Joan said that I won't be fed at Martha's so that I don't even think about chasing Boli.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Last weekend, Joan's friend came over to sit in Joan's backyard and soak up the sun. Now, this woman is right on with her priorities - she likes the sun and warmth as much as I do. I had already been lying in the sun in the grass before she came. Her name is Bic. Joan, though, does not have the same priorities. Joan was doing something called "weatherstripping" the backdoor which meant she had a chair and all these metal tools and the loud vacuum and generally set up an area that I did not want to walk through, so I just stayed outside while she worked. So anyway, Bic is on my wavelength ... but ....

Bic does not like me to lick her. She did not have much available skin but hey, her hands were available. So every once in a while, I'd swing by her, stick my head under the chair arm, and give her hand a quick lick. Then she's scream and say, "No, Bossssccccooo!" It was very funny! So I'd do it again when she wasn't aware and again she'd scream.

It is a bummer that the weather is getting colder because there is less accessible skin on all the humans' bodies because they don't have a fur coat like myself, so they need to put fake fur on, I guess. But that means less licking from me.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week, Joan had dinner at that guy, Chris' house. I was invited too :-)
Of course, that is more points for the guy, in my opinion. You gotta love ME!

Anyway, I entered this place and immediately knew there was another animal living here. I got a tour of the place, and there is an area where this animal relieves herself. GEEZ - can't they do it outside like me??? I guess not. There was also some yummy small food in a bowl and water but Joan told me to not eat the food. As appetizing as it was, I obeyed Joan (or at least until she leaves me here alone ....then I would eat it of course.)

There was this huge cushion that I got to lay on. Wow, this is something - it's even better of a bed than what is at Joan's house. So I was snoozing like a queen and then I heard and saw something move in the corner of the room. It was a creature whose name is Cocoa:

I immediately stood up and pointed at this creature. I know it is a CAT. Joan was a bit worried because of my chasing Boli the cat incident recently. Well, I laid down again and Cocoa walked by me and sniffed my tail. Then she walked by very snootily. Well, I guess it is her place, after all. Anyway, the night went on with these slow sniffings. I tolerated it. Even when Cocoa came up and sniffed my toes (right in front on my snout and my big teeth!). We didn't become best friends but we understand the pet hierarchy. Unfortunately, I am not in charge around here.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Two weekends ago, Joan let me in the car and we drove to Camp Bosco at Martha and Miguel's. We sat outside because it was really nice weather and Boli, the cat, gave me a kiss on the nose with his paw. Unfortunately, then Joan drove away without me. hmmmmmmmmm. But that's okay, I got over it. The next day, Miguel gave me my food but I didn't want to eat it all so I left some. Then Boli decided to investigate it which is totally unacceptable. So I had to chase Boli away. And then that was kinda fun so I continued to chase Boli and one night Boli didn't even come home (sorry boli). I was just having fun but I guess it wasn't as friendly as I meant it to be. Still, I was serious a bit too, because no cats allowed near my food! I'm not sure I'll be invited back which is bad because I love Camp Bosco. Martha took me on the golf course for some hard, fast runs which was great. No swimming though.

Then one day, a car drove up and Joan got out! I was so happy to see her. She gathered my stuff and we left. But then we turned around and came back. She went inside again and came out with my bed! Then she decided to walk me around the neighborhood before driving back home - and we came open some barking dogs. I could tell Joan was scared and then we went a different way. One dog was on a tie-out and was lunging so that was the scariest.

When we got home, I checked the backyard for squirrels and cleared the path for Joan.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You might already know where this entry is going...bath time. It started this morning. Joan took me down to the river and she brought her gloves and garbage bags. There were other people down there, too, and they were all picking up garbage. I was supporting them - moral support - and occasionally jumping in the Mississippi or finding a stick and running around with it. Joan found a half-full propane tank! We filled 1 and 1/2 bags full of mostly styrafoam (cups, bubbles, larger pieces) and plastic (lids, bags, cigarette pack plastic) and cigarettes. Well, during all this I was roaming around and I found two really smelly (fish smelly) spots and I was rolling around in them big time, ignoring Joan calling me to her. Well, as you might imagine, when we got home, Joan gave me a bath. Can't she just leave me smelly? I guess not, because I also heard Tim, my favorite neighbor, say that he wouldn't even come over and see me if I was smelly. She washed me in the front yard with REALLY cold water. But I liked it better than the bathtub because it goes faster. Then she dried me off with warm towels and then brushed me. That felt good. Now, I'm going to lie in the sun on my bed and dry completely while Joan takes a shower to get the smell off of her!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Joan came home to tell me that I am famous. Our local newspaper, the Star Tribune, has an article on blogs and they wrote about my blog!!

Here's the link: http://www.startribune.com/535/story/329769.html

You can also download a PDF of the article too: Download article

It's about time I got some press - I've been writing about my life for two years now. If you come see my blog, write me a comment so I know you came by!

Now, to today's reflections. Joan was very sneaky. This morning she put one of those pink pills in my food and I bit it in half and it was yucky, so I spit it out on the mat next to my bowl. She tried to put it in my mouth but I spit it out again. Then she put it in my bowl and just left it there. When she came home earlier, it was still there. I was outside sunning myself on the back stoop, and when I came in, I checked my bowl and saw something in there. I smelled it, and it really smelled good - mmmmm....peanut butter! So I naturally ate it. Guess what? I realized that that the pill was under the peanut butter but at that point, I had already swallowed it. I'll try to remember this trick if she tries to pull that one again. I'll probably forget though.

Well, I'll try to not have all the glitz of being famous go to my head! But I think I'll strut a bit out on our walk today. hee hee. No other dogs in my neighborhood have their own blogs as far as I know.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Dang it! Joan left me again! Last week - not long after I told you about my morning vomiting problem, Joan packed me up. I knew she was leaving and bringing me when I saw her bring my bed into the kitchen. Wow, did I get crazy wild because I wanted to know where we were going. Sometimes she takes me on long trips. This time, though, we drove not too far away to the house with the big yard and little boy. The little boy is Will and his humans in charge are Lew and Rachel (I guess they don't know that really it is the young people and dogs who are really in charge). I saw Will bang and talk loudly that he wanted more food and stuff like that to get his humans running to him. Ha! We love power like that. Sometimes I bark at Joan like that!

It was a good weekend over there. I got to run in the backyard, patrolling for squirrels and bunnies and people and dogs on the other side of the fence. They threw my toys for me, too. In the house, Will was a lot of fun. He likes to pet me - sometimes my toes - but I'm pretty unsure about people touching my toes because I think they are going to cut my toenails! EEKS. Will also has many loud, scary toys like a small vacuum cleaner (DOUBLE EEKS) and a train. I'm okay with them unless they come really near me. I tried to convince Rachel to let me on the couch - I gave her sad eyes - but no dice. I won't admit it, but I might have gone on the couch when they were not looking ;-). I'll deny it to my death, though.

One day they spent picking up sticks in the backyard. Joan does that, too, and I can't figure it out. Why don't they throw the sticks for me? In fact, Joan has been assembling sticks on the other side of the fence after I take a liking to them. I think it is because I chew on them because Joan always says "no" and then takes it away. She always wants me to play with my toy but I also like sticks. The weather got really warm while Joan was gone, so I also got to lay in the sun - my FAVORITE thing to do ever.

Yesterday, I heard a knock on the door and went into the kitchen to see Joan on the other side. I started wagging my tail a lot and finally Joan came inside and greeted me. Everyone was gone but Joan was walking around looking for them...duh, can't she smell that no one was there? Anyway, she got all my things and let me outside and then we went back to our house! I was so excited on the way home, I yelped in Joan's ear a few times - oops - she yelled at me.

I'm happy to be back at home so I can rest again - I'm awake so much over at Will's house! Though, today Joan took me running! I also saw that she gave me one of those pink pills - I wonder why she did that? Maybe because I've been scratching my eyes and shaking my ears - allergy time again!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 07:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yesterday was my adoption birthday. I'm about 5 years old now, and I've been with Joan for 3 years. Yeahhhhhh! We had kind of a relaxed birthday because Joan had to work late last night so she left me at home until 8pm. I usually have dinner at 5pm, so you can understand how I would be rather wiggly when she finally arrived home. Lest you think she's a bad mom, she did not leave the house until around lunchtime. In the morning she played ball with me outside and also gave me treats for SIT, DOWN, STAY, STAND etc. before she left.
When she came home and was making her own dinner, she gave me a special treat - a piece of real bacon. Bacon, Bacon, Bacon - I love it. She told me I was pretty and soft and she pet me while I laid next to her on the couch. It was a nice birthday but wasn't a huge party or anything! Maybe next year when I turn 6.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 03:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Last night, Joan took me on a walk and then she got my leash and a few other things and we got in the car. I was very excited...maybe we were going to the dog park or the golf course...or who knows where?! We started driving in the direction of the golf course, but then we passed it. I whimpered and whined. Then we got on the highway in the direction of where Joan plays softball, but then we exited too soon for softball. Then I really did not know where we were going, so I started squealing and whimpering due to joy and uncertainty. Then, Joan turned into this driveway and we got out and went into a porch. Then the door opened and I was unsure so I crouched down...but then I remembered it is Rachel! She came to Joan's party. She has a huge backyard so I ran around it several times and then we went inside and I found Lew and Will, the little boy. I gave Will some kisses and he just laughed and laughed so I did it some more.

I was a little on edge, not sure why we were here but I settled down at times, like during dinner. But the best was that Lew and Rachel used to have a dog (you can tell they are dog people!) and they let me give them kisses all over, and they pet me, too. Will even knew my name by the end of the night. The other cool thing is that Will, the little boy, spills his food a lot, so I took it upon myself to clean the area around his chair. I wish Joan would be so messy when she eats! We had lots of fun, but I was ready to return home later that night!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This weekend was quite busy! On Saturday we went my park near the MIssissippi which was fun, as usual. However, it was less fun for Joan because the path was generally an ice sheet. I have no problem with it because I have four legs, paws and many nails. But Joan was walking sooo slowly. Sometimes these humans really slow us dogs down.

Later that night, my friends from Iowa - Kaleb, Beth, and Joe came up to visit. I really like Kaleb because he pets me a lot. I visited their house once but they've come up here a few times, too. They left me for a few hours in the house alone while they went somewhere.

The next morning they left early, and then Joan and I went back to bed. Later on Sunday, Miguel came over and I was really loving seeing him. I wanted him to pet me constantly and he wouldn't, though. Then Joan and MIguel left for a couple hours and returned again and I went on a long walk with Joan. There were lots of visitors and I love it!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 01:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm sorry to have to write about my last week of life because it was literally hell on earth. I know Joan did not mean it to be, but it was and she knows it now. Hopefully, she'll never do that to me again. You all might be smarter than I am knowing that I was heading to a kennel because Joan got me that innoculation shot for kennel cough - but I did not know.

It all started last Thursday. It started off great - Joan woke up and did work on her computer for a couple hours. Then she got on her ski clothes and we went to the golf course to ski with Eileen. We had a blast and I was running around like my usual self. Then we went home. Still fine - I relaxed on my bed. Then Joan got some of my stuff and we got in the car and drove to this place they call a kennel. She took off my collar and leash to put on another type of leash. I was very scared of the man there and immediately started shaking and of course, my tail was between my legs. Joan walked back to the kennels with me and then the man told her to go back "because it was easier." She told me later that she was peeking through the door anyway. They put me in this very small cage (I'm used to the living and dining room as my "cage".) I was *very* scared because I did not know what was happening to me. I did not see Joan again for a while. I thought maybe I would never see her.

The first day I wouldn't eat anything and I was shaking and panting.

The second day I threw up any food I ate and I was shaking and panting.

The third day I stopped shaking and starting eating some food.

Joan called everyday to see how I was (she told me). She was very worried about me because I wasn't eating. They took me on some walks but it was just so scary in there. There were tons of dogs and they all barked a lot (I don't bark very much). And I was in a small cage where I could lay down or stand up. I could also go through a small door into a large run outside but I'm also scared of going through small doors. They kept telling Joan I was doing better.

Then FINALLY yesterday Joan's sister, Eileen, picked me up. At first I did not know who she was either. I was expecting Joan. As soon as I smelled her, I realized who she was and was really happy! Please take me away ....and she did. When we got off the freeway to Joan's house, I knew where we were going and started to get excited. When Eileen let me in the house, I immediately searched around looking for Joan but she wasn't here. So I waited.

Then Joan showed up a few hours later and I was SOOOO happy to see her. She said that I looked skinny and she and Eileen had a discussion of how skinny I was and smelly (kennel smell laced with powder - perhaps flea powder?).

Later last night, Joan brought me into the bathroom and I went willingly. I even jumped into the bathtub all by myself. I was looking forward to a good bath to get rid of the smell on me, too. After Joan washed me, I curled up and slept. Joan put a towel around me because I was still a little damp. I have been absolutely exhausted!

This morning Joan took me to the golf course for a good run. We met Eileen there. I was on the slower side - I'm still really exhausted. Then on the way back home, Joan stopped at the vet to weigh me because she wanted to know if I really was skinny or if she was just imagining it.

I weighed 42.6 lbs. ! I lost 10% of my body weight in one week! Before I left I was 46.6 lbs. Joan was aghast and when we got home, she immediately gave me another scoop of food. And then I immediately went to bed. I'm very, very exhausted. Even when Eileen was putting on her shoes (at which time I usually jump in hopes of a walk), I just laid on my bed watching her.

I think Joan knows now that the kennel was not a good idea. She needs to find a way to have me stay at home. I hope she manages it because I HATED being at that place.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 02:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

No wonder Joan has been in the kitchen so much! She had a party. I could tell something was going on because she was moving all the chairs in different places and then she started putting some nice looking food on the table in the dining room. Much more accessible to me, I thought, than the countertop! But she wouldn't let me get any of it.

But we did get to go to the golf course and she skiied and I ran around. (Now, I realize this was a ploy of hers to get me to be calm at the party.) Ploy it may be, I was happy to run around.

Then the people started coming - first Eileen and Martha and Ann - I know all of them and was very happy to see them. I really wanted to jump on them but was trying my hardest to control myself. Martha noticed. If I don't jump, then my body just becomes a wiggling mass because all my happiness has to come out in some way, so I wiggle. But then lots more people came - many who I have never met. But I could tell that some of them are dog people - they have their own dogs, so I was just fine.

Ray let me lick his hand and so did Pat. Jayson dropped some food on the ground and I got to eat that. Ann wasn't looking and I took a lick of her food - then she saw me. Oops. Walker sat with me on the floor and petted me a lot! Most of the time I was walking around because Joan was walking around and not in one place.

The toughest time for me was when they were all opening presents and were crowded in one area. And then Pat and Lori sat on my bed! Can you believe it? So I didn't have a place to sit. And then the people moved the chairs in a way that blocked me from getting back into the circle, near Joan. But then Jim saw and he moved the chair so I could get in.

At the end of the night, they did a crazy thing to me. It was just Walker, Valerie, Eileen and Ann left. I could hear Valerie talking about testing your dog's intelligence but I was also napping so I wasn't listening too hard to her. The next thing I know, Joan has some treats in her hand. For the first one, she put it under a kitchen towel. At first, I was thinking, "where is the treat?" But then I smelled it under the towel. I looked at Joan because I wasn't sure if I should go ahead and mess with the towel to get the treat. She didn't say anything to me, so I went ahead and put my foot on the towel and used my nose to push under the towel and get the treat. Easy enough.

Then Joan put the second treat under a plastic tupperware. I saw the treat and pushed it with my nose and the plastic moved. Again, I looked at Joan to see if she was going to help and she did not. So I kept pushing it with my nose and it just kept moving on the wood floor - almost under the couch. Then they were talking about how the test might be different on carpet vs. wood floor. Eileen moved the treat and plastic thing to my bed and then I pushed it against a piece of furniture, overturned the plastic container and got my treat! They all clapped for me. Maybe they had had too much to drink because those are not really difficult tasks. Anyway, they all said I was smart - I already knew that. ;-)

After a while everyone left and Joan turned the dishwasher on and we went upstairs to bed. It was pretty late!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday was a day Joan called Thanksgiving. She continued to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Then people came over - my good friend, Ann, and Eileen, and Martha and Miguel, but then two men I've never met came over too - J.B. and Javier. I was suspicious of them at first. I warmed up to J.B. pretty quickly but Javier I was still cautious about - he was really tall and also spoke loudly at some times. After he gave me a treat, I seemed to trust him more (but that was at the end of the night).

This morning I woke up to snow! My favorite. Joan and I went on a walk and I was up on my hind legs smelling a garbage can. There was something smelling good in there.... and then the guy who lived there who was in his garage told Joan that their turkey carcass was in the garbage. Well, I already knew that because I could smell it!

Joan and I went outside a bit later in the backyard - the snow is glorious.

Joan - please come play with me...

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So, I promised to update you about last weekend, though there are already a lot of new things to tell about this weekend, but that will wait. So, a week ago, Joan started loading things into the car. I could tell that she was going somewhere so to ensure that I would go along with her, I camped out in the garage. As soon as she opened the door to the garage and started loading things into the car, I just sat down in the garage and waited and waited and waited. She took forever to get things together. Then yea, she put me into the car and we went to the dog park where I played fetch a bit and went to the bathroom. Then we were in the car for a long long time. I was kind of squirmy and barking every once in a while. Finally I barked, and Joan stopped and let me go to the bathroom, though she did not give me any water. That was about 3 hours into the drive. Then we got to a park and she parked on the side of the road. She went up to the check in to get the key to our cabin - I couldn't wait to go for a walk! She was up at the desk for a LONG time. Finally, she returned and took me for a walk. Still no water. She put me back in the car and went back up to the check-in. Waited, talked to a man, then he left again. Then she got me out of the car, still no water! Then he returned again, and Joan was really upset. It seems they "lost" her reservation for the cabin that she had reserved a year ago and already paid for too! And then they gave it to someone else. We had no where to go and were 4 hours or so from home! Finally, they gave us this cabin that someone else usually lives in. They were cleaning it up and Joan and I were going for a walk. By this time, it was 6:30 and we got here at 4:20! Joan fed me and then realized that MAYBE I'd like some water. So I drank about 1 1/2 bowls of water. I was SOOOO thirsty. Joan felt bad when she realized she had forgotten to give me water. Anyway, the weekend did not really start the way Joan was hoping. However, it got better after that.

The next day it was raining, so we stayed in the porch until it stopped around noon. We were going to move to the cabin that we were supposed to have been in. But first, we went for a long walk. This is what Joan saw when we walked the entire weekend:

There were so many new smells and tastes and textures, I had to be in front and go fast. I pulled a lot despite having the gentle leader on my nose. I hate that thing. On our 4 hour walk, we saw only 1 group of 4 people and then one other guy who was camping at a backcountry camp. It is funny how no one is out where all the good smells are!

Then we returned and got into the cabin that we should have been in in the first place. Here's a picture of me relaxing.

There was a little girl and the cabin next to ours that came over. I barked at her. What does she think coming over to my territory. She even tried to bark like me but I could tell it was fake - she is a person, not a dog. Joan would not let me in this nice cabin despite me trying. I had a long leash though so I could wander a bit and then I slept in the crate that Joan brought. I had slept in it the two nights before and it was okay, but this time Joan shut the door on it and I was outside! I was a little scared but okay. Joan kept the door to the cabin open and I could see her sleeping, so that was better.

The next day we went on a morning walk before most people were awake. Then Joan had breakfast and then we packed up and then went on another walk! Fantastic. Again, we only saw a group of about 8 boys who had been camping out at a camp in the backcountry. We also saw a squished turtle. Poor turtle.

After that hike, we went to the main lodge and Joan ate her lunch on a bench and I just sat nearby her. Then we got in the car and drove home, and I slept most of the way! However, it started raining and rained a lot, so sometimes I would get up to see how Joan was doing driving in the rain.

As we almost were home, Joan got a call from her sister who said that their mom was in town, at the airport! Crazy! But sure enough, that night I got to see Eileen and their mom! I was so tired, though, that I said hi but I really needed to nap, so I zonked out when they started eating their dinner.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 08:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, I had an action packed day that left me really tired at the end. First, Joan and Roberta and I went to Ft. Snelling and walked on a trail. I had to be on leash and I pulled really hard because there were so many great smells everywhere. I had to keep going to see what smell was next. I also did go into the Mississippi River, too, to cool off. In the middle of the walk, I threw up. I had eaten a bit of grass and my stomach did not like it, so I threw it and my whole breakfast up. But, then I felt much better - though a bit hungry later on.

Then I went to Camp Bosco in St. Louis Park - aka Martha and Miguel's house. I gave Boli the cat a lick (kiss) and was so happy to see them! They all were eating and drinking and I was lounging on the deck or following Boli around. Then the best part was going to the golf course where I could run really fast between Joan and Martha and Miguel. Miguel would yell, "Bosc" (his nickname for me), and I would run as fast as I could over to him. Then Martha or Joan would yell "Bosco" and I would run over to them. It was super fantastic. I, of course, had to go in the smelly pond but that's okay they rinsed me off back at home - not for my sake but for Joan.

When Joan and I got home, I just laid down on my bed and slept while Joan watched a show. Wow, I was so exhausted!

But this morning I'm back to normal self, and we went to the dog park and I ran around for 45 minutes again in the water, in the bushes, and around Joan. What a great weekend for me!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have been very remiss is writing on my blog - I guess so much has been happening that I haven't had time. I'll try to update you on many things. Well, as I said, Joan returned from a place called Col-o-rado where she said the elevation kicked her you know what. I don't like kicking so I bet I wouldn't like elevation. In any case, she hung around the house gardening for a week. We spent every day outside and I loved it. On Saturday the 6th, Joan drove me down to the Animal Ark where she adopted me! Thankfully, she didn't leave me there! Anyway, the drive down I was very excited because we were on a trip, so I yelped a lot. Finally, we got there and they gave me a bandana - which you can see in the picture, and Joan got a T-shirt. They had some water pools there so I learned how to step into them and then, later, after the walk I realized I could also just plop down and sit in the cool water.

Before and after the walk, they had some "pup-olympics" we could do. I did all the events. I licked peanut butter off Joan's nose in 5 seconds. I sprinted to Joan in 2.7 seconds (on a short course). I also bobbed for (hot)dogs and retrieved 4 hotdog pieces in a bowl of water in 5.8 seconds. Finally, I did poorly in the treat toss and wasn't able to catch the treat from a distance -- I guess we need to work on that one at home ;-)

The walk was great, and it was funny to see about hundred or so people walking with dogs. That's a lot of dogs and people in one group! I got along with the other dogs fine, and the best part was all the treats I got to eat there. On the way home, I was much more relaxed and just laid down in the car and rested.

Some of Joan's friends and family sponsored us (and Joan matched their contributions) - so we ended up giving Animal Ark $150. So now Animal Ark has more money to buy treats, food, and medical care for dogs like me (when I was there!).

The other thing that happened was Eileen, Joan's sister, who I like a lot returned from Madison. She had moved here before Col-o-rado but then went back to Madison and then returned on Friday before the big walk! Now I have another person in the house to lick and snuggle with. Yeah!!!!!!

But then a few days later Eileen left to drive to New Mexico (right back through Col-o-rado Joan says). She wants to move there. But now Eileen is back again!!! I guess she did not like New Mexico and drove back here on Wednesday. What a surprise! Now I'm back to double pets and double the skin to lick. Hooray!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It has been very hot here lately. Since I'm in a fur coat, I get really hot quickly. Joan is nice to take me to the dog park so I can take a dip in the Mississippi River. However, when it is so hot and humid, Joan stops taking me on her runs which is a bummer for me because I LOVE TO RUN. But, I do know that I would just get overheated. Joan always can tell that if I start trailing behind her, it is a very bad sign, and then we start walking.

Last week, Joan went took me and my food and bed over to Camp Bosco at Martha's house. I was happy to see her and Boli, the orange tabby cat. I gave Boli a kiss. Then Joan left - I saw her drive away and was a bit worried. But then the fun began. Martha and Miguel would take me to the golf course every night and I would RUN really fast. Then I would also go into the pond and then I smelled kind of bad, so they washed me when we got back to the house.

I also met a nice 9-year old boy who was living next door. He really liked me and went to the golf course with us a few times. However, he tried to call me but I always listened to Martha or Miguel, not the boy. I mean, I don't trust him because I barely know him. The boy who lives behind Martha who is about 3 or 4 is still scared of me because I ran him over (by mistake) last year. Miguel threw a stick for me and I just turned and ran after it and the boy was in my path and I mistakenly knocked him over. oops!

On the second morning, when Martha put my food bowl down, Boli tried to eat my food. He went up to it and started licking and eating my wet food - I was stunned and did not know what to do. I just sat there. Then, Martha moved Boli away and then I could go and eat my food up. The funny thing is that (don't tell Joan) Martha and Miguel overfed me big time! It was great! Miguel would feed me two scoops of food in the morning (usually I get 1.25 cups) and then sometimes, Martha would get up later and feed me again. Ha ha! And then I got dinner, too, and treats. Then Joan returned on Friday and I was SOOOO happy to see her! I jumped up and gave her a kiss!

On Saturday, Joan took me to my dog park again so I could get some exercise and cool down. It was fantastic! We spent about 2 hours there and there were so many people and dogs. Look at this photo of the crowd:

While we were there, someone saw a person swimming down the middle of the River. Then, about 5 minutes later, we saw all sorts of fire engines, police, ambulances on the other side of the river that has an access road. Then the St. Paul Police boat came up and down the river - but by that time, the swimmer must have been way down the river. We never heard what happened but it didn't seem like the man swimming was in trouble but maybe he was.

We spent most of our time with Joan throwing sticks into the river and me retrieving them. I would just do it over and over. I would get out, drop the stick, and then look at Joan, wagging my tail. She would say, "More?" Wag wag. And she'd throw it again.

One time, two dogs were both clutching the same stick. They were both growling. Someone near us said, "That is not good." Then all of a sudden, DOG FIGHT! The german shepherd started biting the other dog on its neck. One man jumped into the water and pushed agains the german shepherd (who wasn't even his dog!) to separate the two dogs. The other dog being attacked was his dog. Finally, they got separated. Joan was happy for me because she knows that I would never do that. If someone else growls at me and wants my stick, I just give it to them, no problem. We saw that man, Gus, later and he actually had been bitten by his own dog in that confusion. He showed us one of the wounds on his side - it was bleeding a bit. He didn't even realize it until he was far away from that area.

We told Gus to go look at the downed tree - every time you go to the dog park, it is different. Like last week, we couldn't even make it to the end of the park. This time, a huge oak tree had fallen down so I went out on it to investigate.

When we got home, Joan gave me a bath outside in the front of the house. I did not mind it since it was cool water and this fur is so thick and hot! Plus, then I for sure won't smell like pondwater anymore.

More recently, it has been raining and thundering. I do not like thunder - I have to run to wherever Joan is so that I feel safe when it happens.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Martha came over about a month ago and I forgot to post her picture. I was on my best behavior as you can see - I'm very ladylike sitting up and putting my front paws in Martha's hands. Really, this is the best way to behave with humans - however, I know some dogs drool and jump (never me) or lick (never me!).

Joan and I have been very busy and I will tell more over the next few days - so as to entice you to return to my blog more often. It's summer now so I'm sitting outside a lot and thus, have less interest in typing on the computer as you might imagine.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I would like to share with you about my last weekend - then I will get to this weekend's traumatic events.

Last Friday, Joan came home from work and started putting things in that zippered wheeled box (suitcase) and I became worried. I don't want her to leave me because she had just gotten home from being away for a week. She brought the case downstairs and put it on the floor in the dining room and was still putting things in it. Then she went upstairs to get something else. Usually, I would follow her up there, but not in this extreme situation! Something might happen and I might get separated from the wheeled case that always stays with Joan. So I stood right next to the case and waited, worried, but also a little bit excited. I got more excited when she brought my dog bed down from her bedroom because I thought that I might go with her!

She started loading things into the car and I went out into the garage and into the backseat and just stayed there. She went in and out of the garage and I just stayed in the car. You can't get rid of me! I bet she wonders how long it would take until I would investigate where she was. Then she actually did get me out of the car to take a short walk and then we got in the car at 3;30 on Friday afternoon. We started driving east on 94 and traffic was not great. I was very agitated, as I usually am in stop and go traffic, so I did not sit down nor stop yelping until we were well into Wisconsin and about an hour had passed.
Several hours later we arrived at her sister's house in Madison. I was excited to see Eileen! I wagged my tail a whole bunch when I saw here. She always likes to see me, too.

I could smell that there was a cat in the house, but it went down into the basement upon my arrival. And, you may not know it, but I DO NOT go into basements. I'm scared of them, so the cat was very safe down there. Although, I like cats okay - I let them be the alpha pet, so I usually get along fine with them in a house. Outside, I usually want to go investigate them and sometimes bark at them. Joan was admiring the bathroom that Eileen had remodeled - I stepped into the room but Eileen said "no, no." Joan forgot her own rule that I am not allowed in bathrooms!

On Saturday, I was very agitated. They put me in the car and we were aiming to go to a park for a walk. But we kept making mistakes and it took a LONG time to get me on a walk. First, several blocks from Eileen's house, she was confused which way to go on the highway based on the directions from the Internet, so we went back to the house to get a map. Then we went on our way, me howling and yelping because I am excited to go for a walk! We get to where the website gave us directions to this marsh area but it did not seem right. It had private property signs up, and it was not what Eileen had been to before. So we got back in the car and drove a different way (good thing we had that map!), and we got to the regular entrance. But even though their website said they allowed dogs, there was a BIG sign that said NO DOGS. I feel discriminated against. Although, Joan said she was surprised that the website said that dogs were allowed in a marsh area because it is usually a delicate area - but still, they need to get their website right! This time we didn't even get out of the car. I was still yelping!

Joan and Eileen looked at the map and found a county park Eileen had never been to. Joan said, let's go there, and if they don't allow dogs, I'm going to have to pronounce Madison not-dog-friendly. We drove back practically to where we had been before and found the entrance to this park. We finally got out and walked around the groomed trails.

I was sooo happy. After walking around for a while, we arrived back at the car. Eileen suggested we go investigate what the "dog exercise area" was that we saw signs for. We kept seeing a lot of cars go farther into the park and suspected there was a dog park, but we did not know what "dog exercise area" meant. We drove down there and sure enough - there was a big dog park. So I got another run. It was a pretty big park and we went up to the top of the hill and Joan and Eileen threw my favorite purple bone toy for me. Here I am running up the hill after I fetched the bone.

The neat thing is this park is right along Interstate 94, so Joan said we can easily go there on the way in or out of Madison when we visit in the future. It was kind of cold, so we decided to head back home.

Here is a picture of me in my "spot" in the house. They have big windows in the front of the house, so I just sit there and look out. This picture, taken on Sunday, also shows how I took Joan's shoe and put it on my bed for comfort when Joan and Eileen went to breakfast.

I woke up Joan early on Sunday and she took me out for a walk in the neighborhood. There is a park nearby and we walked over toward it, and then Joan say the sign "NO DOGS". Geez! Again, we do think Madison is not dog-friendly. I mean, as long as Joan picks up after me (and she does), I don't do any damage to the park. That's the whole idea of a park - to bring people together and that includes people's pets! At least it should be.

Later on Sunday, Joan asked Eileen to help her cut my back toenails. I squirm so much, Eileen tried to hold the front of me so Joan could cut my toenails. But OUCH, on the third nail, Joan cut too much and I started bleeding and it was a bit of a mess. Joan told Eileen to get a bowl of flour because that is supposed to help stop the bleeding but you can imagine - we had drops of blood and a lot of flour on the backporch. It seemed to stop and then we went for a walk (Joan, of course, dropped the cutting toenail business - she also felt really bad.) But my toenail kept bleeding so they rubberbanded a rag on my foot. It looked ridiculous, but I am very tolerant so I just laid on my bed with it.
Then Joan and I drove home at 4:00. It was around 4:30 and that is my usual walk time (even if I had just gone on a walk!), so I barked SUPER loud in Joan's ear. So loud I scared her, and she screamed. So we had two screaming creatures in the car. She stopped at a rest area and walked me around and then we got back in and drove on to Mpls.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have missed Joan this week. Boy oh boy, on Monday - actually, on Sunday I knew something was up when that zipper box on wheels - which she refers to as a suitcase - came out. I went up the stairs in my usual exuberant way and then, I saw IT! I sniffed it and then walked slowly into the bedroom where there was another ONE. I got sad then because I knew Joan was going away.

So Joan got up very early - so early on Monday that I didn't even want to be up, and she even took me on a walk at 4:30 AM! You know me, though, if a walk is involved then I'm game. Then she left :-(

However, Doris came over and let me out at lunchtime and then Ellen came over later to take me to her house that I went to last week. Ah ha! Now I know why we went over there. I thought Joan just wanted me to be friends with a new cat. I was very scared at first - I don't know Ellen all that much and then her apartment and area is unfamilar to me, and there are kids around, and they sometimes scare me because they move so fast. But as the days went along, I started to feel a bit better. Ellen and Katie's cat wasn't too happy about me being there, but I just stayed out of its way as best I could.

Today, Ellen put me in the car and drove me back home. I was SOOOOO excited, bouncing up and down so happy to return to my beloved home. BUT Joan was not here, but I felt pretty safe anyway because I knew she'd be here soon enough. And she is here now!!! I licked her a few times to let her know how I felt and she pet me and gave me a few treats. So much emotion in one week's time that I'm knackered. Guess I'll retire now - you can bet I'll sleep up in Joan's room again - I don't want to risk her leaving again....

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am super, super, super happy today when I spied an unfamilar car drive up and drop off - who? Joan!!! It is the same type of car that took her away last Thursday morning when I was really sad because she had that zipper box with wheels. I tried to stay on her heels but she left.

However, she did plan a great time for me. The neighbor, Doris, let me out in the middle of the day for a break. Then, Martha came over and whisked me away to "Camp Bosco" in St. Louis Park. Martha and Miguel and Boli (the cat) and I enjoyed each other's company tremendously. Martha took me out for hours on the golf course and I got to run, run, run. Boli would chase me every once in a while but then immediately let me know he was done playing. (Passive aggressive, I think.) And Miguel, well he just loves to give me treats and feed me lots of food....I can always get more food out of him.

Then I returned to my house but Joan was not there. Then Roberta came over and stayed with me for a few days. She gave me a few sausages that were left over from something - another great sitter who loves to feed me. Maybe Joan should go away more often?!

Today Joan finally showed up and I couldn't help but jump up and give her face a couple licks. She told me stories of sandy beaches and warm weather - what is that? It is going to snow here again tonight! Then she brushed me a lot and washed my bed and now I'm still in heaven....

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hello all. Well, Wednesday was my adoption birthday. What a great day because as of yesterday and today, I have now lived with Joan for longer than with my former companions who gave me up. I have 2 years and 2 days with Joan! I don't know how long it takes to get over my first two years of life, but I know it has been grand with Joan so far. To give you a little remininscing, I wanted to include the description that Animal Ark wrote about me two years ago when I was put up for adoption at their no-kill shelter. They wrote (and remember my name used to be Coco):

"Coco is a beautiful girl. She looks much like a red doberman, but with a coat and build that is a little more like a chocolate lab. She has a very friendly personality. She gets along well with all kinds of people and would do well in most any home. Coco was surrendered by her human companions because they were not able to care for her."

I think Animal Ark was a bit liberal on the "gets along well with all kinds of people" because I am very slow to warm up to new people. However, I am doing much better with that lately - even with men! I used to be very suspicious of men!

Now, on to the party on Wednesday. Joan and her sister, Eileen, celebrated my birthday. Here's a picture of what we each celebrated with.

Joan and Eileen had a dark and white chocolate mousse cake that Joan had made. I was willing to eat that, too, but Joan gave me a bone instead. Here's the ceremonial picture of Joan, me, and the bone that I really wanted to eat.

Then, they finally let me lay down and start eating my bone. Yummy, yummy. Joan doesn't let me eat the WHOLE bone at one time - which I would do if left alone. She takes half of it away for later because the bone makes me very thirsty, and she thinks the rawhide isn't the best for my stomach - at least not a whole bone's worth.

I can't wait for another birthday! These past two years have gone by very fast! I love my home and my luxurious life.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 02:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)