I Am A Good Dog!

Sometimes my mama gets frustrated with me because I'm reactive around other dogs, especially when I'm walking on a leash.  She wishes she could take me hiking and walking and to outdoor cafes, but she can't and that makes her sad.  Sometimes she even wishes she had another dog that was "easier", whatever that means.  She said she has been thinking lately about all the ways I'm such a good dog and she decided to make a list.

WHY I'M NOT SUCH A GOOD DOG...

1) I react negatively to other dogs when I'm walking on a leash

2) I stand in the corner of the yard and bark at Manny, the dog next door (but sometimes he starts it!)

WHY I'M SUCH A GOOD GREAT DOG...

 1) I'm not afraid of thunder or other loud noises

 2) I have never chewed anything that wasn't mine (except one pair of my mama's panties and one of my papa's socks, but that was a looooong time ago)

 3) I have never gone to the bathroom in the house, NEVER

 4) I hardly ever bother Sassy, the really old cat

 5) I don't beg for food

 6) I don't look out the window and bark

 7) I'm great riding in the car

 8) I walk nicely on a loose leash (except for the other dog thing)

 9) I'm working hard to be calm when company comes

10) I don't jump on people

11) I don't chase the vacuum any more

12) I don't dig holes in the yard

13) I "release" things I have in my mouth when I'm in the house (not outside, tho)

14) I usually "sit" before going through the door

15) Speaking of doors, I never push them open

16) I LOVE puppies and kids

So, when she stops and thinks about it rationally, not in the heat of a reactive moment, she realizes what a great dog I really am, and she's thankful!

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham

Knock, Knock

Who's there? 

It's my Auntie Jocelyn!  Gosh I love her!!!

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham

Play Date Update

Sorry, no pictures with this post.  My papa says you can't appropriately watch a dog and try to take pictures at the same time.  The date wasn't a complete success but it wasn't a total failure, either.  I got all wriggly and jiggly with the puppy and played very nicely.  When I had an older dog to play with (I think his name was Scooby) Ben says I'm "cun-flick-ted".  I get all wriggly and want to play, then I get nervous and defensive, then I get all wriggly and want to play.  My papa took Scooby and Ben took me and the four of us went for a walk and I was good.  Thankfully, Ben says we can try it again next week.  

Ben says I'm "a work in progress".  My mama and papa and anyone else that knows me, already knows that.  

Thank you Ben for being so patient with me and for taking time on your day off to let me play with your dogs.  And thanks to my papa for taking me to Ben's to play.

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham

Play Date

Thanks to my mama and papa's friend, Ben...I have a play date tomorrow.  I don't even know what that means but my mama's very excited so I guess I am, too.  I did hear something about other dogs, so wish me luck.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

My mama always says "nobody like a post without pictures" so here's a picture of my handsome self relaxing and enjoying the sun in Floor-i-duh.

 "We're going back to May-nuh?  Yeah, right!  Funny, very funny."

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham

Guard Dog

It was a dark and stormy night.  haha not really, but it was a rainy day and my mama finally took some time to sit at her sewing machine and work on her new lap quilt.  My job was to keep her company and protect her while she sewed; I took my job very seriously.

My mama's sewing, please don't interrupt

Guarding the door

You might think I'm sleeping but I'm Not

I also discovered my missing snake sitting high up on her table.  I deathed it by tearing off it's head and gutting it but using my most persuasive voice, I begged my mama to fix it.  After all, she was already sitting at the machine.

Pleeeeeeeze mama pleeeeeeeze fix my snake

And.She.Did!!!

And then I played.

Whooppee

And played.

I love my mama and I love my snake!  Thank you mama.

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham

Testing, Testing

I have been studying all my life (2 years, 8 months or thereabouts) for the test I took today.  It was a pop quiz and not because I went with my papa.  I didn't even know I was going to take a test so I wasn't nervous.  

My papa took me for an American Temperament Test at Finish Forward Dogs in Saco.  The ATTS is a national not-for-profit organization for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed-neutered mixed-breed dogs.  You can read all about it here if you want details. 

It all started a couple of days ago when my Auntie Jocelyn sent my papa a message that there was gonna be some testing and she thought I should go.  So lickety split like a jack rabbit, my papa called and signed me up.  Today was the big day.  He took me for a loooooong walk, while my mama was at work, loaded me in the car and off we I went to be tested.  We didn't take my mama (she's kind of neurotic, anxious, overly motherly if you know what I mean) so my papa suggested she stay away and leave us "men" to git er done.  It wasn't part of the test but I didn't get too terribly excited around all the other dogs.  The best part was there weren't any other dogs on the course during my test and the test didn't involve meeting other dogs.  There were ten different objectives and "DRUM ROLL PLEASE"...I passed with flying colors!!!  The nice man in charge of the test said I was a "good, solid dog". 

THREE.CHEERS.FOR.ME!!!

I won't get my score or certificate for several weeks but I'm including a picture of my handsome self for your viewing pleasure now and when my ATTS "bling" arrives, I'll post another picture.

Take my good side, please

Paw-to-graphed photos are available upon request ;o)

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham

Oh My Dog Food

My mama and papa have decided to start making my dog food.  You can read about the whole process on my mama's blog here.  She went on and on and on about the whole thing...b.o.r.i.n.g!  I can tell you that it has turkey, rice, carrots, olive oil and some special supplement so I get all the vitamins and minerals I need to keep looking like my awesome self.  It tastes delicious and I eat it all up.  Then I walk around licking my lips and check back to see whether or not I'm really finished. 

Almost all gone

This is what 20 days of food looks like in the freezer.

Would you like to have your people make food for you?  Wondering what it takes?  I'll share my secret...just don't eat anything else they put down.  I mean, look like you're gonna eat it, sniff it, lick it, then just calmly walk into the other room and lie down.  Don't forget to give them your saddest eyes.  I like to really tease them by eating it for a day or two, then turn my nose up at it.  They totally crack me up!  They add cheese, which I might eat for a day or two.  Then...nope, thanks anyway.  They add carrots, which I might eat for a day or two.  Then...nope, not interested and walk away.  They even go to the store and buy some other flavor of the food I'm not eating.  duh!  Sometimes, because I was actually hungry, I ate whatever was in my bowl.  Sometimes I went all day without eating.  hahaha, that really drives them crazy.  I'm not saying this is easy.  Do you have any idea how long it took me to get homemade food?  Nearly.Two.Years!!!  Can you even imagine?  I think the real kicker was when I got di-a-ree-uh...a lot.  Now, I admit, that's desperate, but a dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do. 

Good luck and remember...don't ever give up.

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham

Wordless Wednesday 5/2/12

PEEEEE-NUT  BUT-EEEEEER!