What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Yo, dogs! I had one of the best summers ever! First, I went on a long car ride and visited my first family for a long weekend. There was no room at the inn, so my people and I stayed in a great big house with lots of rooms! Our rooms were big enough that Grandma stayed with us, too. Which was good, since she needed me to be her alarm clock. Well, not that she actually asked me to, but she seemed appreciative when I woke her up in the mornings.

As great as this place was, there was something very strange there. Sometimes, we would go into a creepy little room and watch as the doors close behind us. Then, the room MOVED! When the doors opened up again - we were somewhere different than when the doors closed!

It was not natural.

After that, I politely declined any invitations to go into the room of horror!

Other than that - it was a great trip! I loved spending time with my first family and with my cute little half-brothers! Those boys were lots of fun and I could tell they could use my positive influence. They also enjoyed all my tales of life in the big city. I even showed them how to swim in the pond. Several times, in fact as they needed a lot of instruction and I was happy to oblige. Hey, what are big brothers for?


Everyone had a great time, but I was happy when we packed up to return back to the city. It is always nice to come home, especially when there are great places for me to exercise the folks on the way!

I Could Be a Star

I was hanging out with my people today, and suddenly we all saw something unbelieveable on the TV. Two new movies are coming out soon and both star dogs that look exactly like ME! First Marley, and now this! Here are the two movies: The Dog Who Saved Christmas and The Dog Named Christmas. The picture on the right is from The Dog Named Christmas.

I really need to start looking for an agent. If those dogs can make it big, surely I can, too! I've got the looks. I've got the attitude. I've got two people at my beck and call to take care of the details.

Watch out world, here I come! Here's a little inspiration for any screenplay writers out there looking for a a new star. If this picture doesn't say Christmas, I don't know what does.

Swim of a Clete

This weekend we did one of my favorite activities - we went swimming! I love the water. It's like I was born to swim! We went to the Independence Grove People Exercise Area and it really works to wear my people out so they are more relaxed for the rest of the day. Well, I could tell you more but I hear that a picture is worth 1000 words...so I figure a video would tell you the whole story!

Play With Mii!

You won't believe this. Just now, I was taking a well-deserved nap (these people need a lot of attention on the weekends) and when I woke up I saw something very disturbing. Something that I can hardly describe.

I opened my eyes to find my people playing a game on the big TV, which isn't unusual. What was unusual was the fact that the game they were playing was Frisbee Fetch! With a fake dog!

The betrayal.

I would blog more, but I'm off to find a game where I can pretend I have different owners. Hmph.

Snacks, Drugs, and Rock & Roll

I had the best weekend, ever! We made the most of the longest day of the year. I finally got my visit to Bentley's Corner Barkery and the nice people there even gave me some delicious frozen yogurt. I love summer!!

There has been a new development in my life, however. Over the last few weeks, something strange has been happening to me. I'm living my usual happy-go-lucky life, when all of the sudden I get the shakes and then I black out! After I wake up, my people look worried (although they try to hide it) and it takes awhile before I'm feeling up for my next round of fetch. 15-20 minutes at least, I'd say. An eternity!

I figured it was bad doggie dreams or something until the morning Stacy and Ryann forgot to feed me. I couldn't believe it! I begged. I pleaded. Nothing. I've never seen them this strict!

I thought things were looking up when they asked me if I wanted to go for a car ride. You can imagine my disappointment when we got out of the car at the White Coat Hotel. Last time I checked in here, I got new knees. This did not look good.

We went inside and soon we had a room to ourselves while we waited for the White Coats. When they arrived, they gave me lots of attention and ran me through a bunch of tests. It's hard to tell if I passed or not, but at least I didn't have to spend the night at the White Coat Hotel. That is not my type of vacation, if you know what I mean.

So, I get a little extra something at dinnertime now. I have no idea what it is, but it tastes like chicken. On my meager diet, I'll take what I can get.

This new food hasn't slowed me down any. Just last night I decided to strut my musical talent while Stacy was practicing his drums. We're not too bad, although a few more lessons wouldn't hurt Stacy any. We're quite the musical family! (I still think I should get to be in parade, too. Hmph. Maybe next year.)

Timing Is Everything

Even though it may seem like I lead a pretty busy life, in reality my schedule stays pretty open. The sun comes up, I go for a walk, eat breakfast, and then take a nap. Later in the afternoon, I go for a walk, eat dinner, and then sleep some more. Needless to say, I could use some excitement and right now my humans are holding me back.

First, they thought I wouldn't notice that I was invited, via email, to be in a local 4th of July parade with Critter Nannies! So rude for them to not tell me since the Critter Nannies people are my friends. They never come visit Stacy and Ryann - they come visit me! We walk, we talk. It's nice.

But, did they bother to even tell me about my own invitation be in a parade? Noooo. So, what choice did I have but to read through the rest of their email and it seems like they are already in another parade! Urgh. That would explain the reappearance of the shiny instruments. Terrific. 5 more of my 15 minutes of fame down the drain.

Then, was it too much to ask for some fun on a beautiful Sunday afternoon? All day long they kept saying we would do something fun after we got our work done. I don't know about them, but my work was done before noon. I slobbered my people with love, I chewed up some toys, the usual stuff.

So, hours and hours later, we finally got in the car to go to one of my favorite places: Bentley's Corner Barkery! I spent the entire car ride deciding which treat I would choose from the display case and then, when we finally arrived, disaster struck.

They were closed.



Thanks a lot, people! You just couldn't wait to clean the kitchen until tonight, could you? Come, on!

I seriously need to learn how to tell time.

The Graduate

During the last few weeks, I have been studying hard to pass my first class at the Family Dog Center. School there is loads of fun. I see lots of other dogs and people and everyone seems to like me, even if Stacy and Ryann think I am a bit too talkative in class.

Nevertheless, I graduated! Here's Stacy and I right after I received my diploma. I'm thrilled with my scholarly accomplishments, but I am not sure why Stacy looks so surprised. I always get a lot of attention in class. Probably because I'm never shy about sharing my wisdom with the young pups in my class. Don't hide your light under a bushel, I say.

But what next? In this economy, finding employment as a new grad will be tough. I may have to do a lot of searching to find just the right job for me.


Still - I think I have options. I could be a....

Synchronized Swimmer


Landscape Architect
(I am really good at lawn mowing and fertilizing.)

Home Furnishings Quality Control Officer
(I have a natural aptitude for this.)

And those are just a few of my choices! Good thing I have some time before I need to make a decision. I heard that Grandpa Murphy used to say, "Stay in school as long as you can because you'll have the rest of your life to work." Sounds like a good plan. Besides - I'm happy with my current role in our household:

Man's Best Friend