Questions

Lorenza tagged me with these questions:

1. Where is your favorite place to sleep?
At night I like to sleep halfway under the bed. Sometimes the back half—my tail. Sometimes the front half—my head. I jump in bed in the morning. By day, I can be anywhere.

2. Is there a specific trick your humans make you do to get treats?
I had them trained to give me treats when I sat low, put my nose on the floor and looked up with sad eyes. Now I just sit and I get a treat. They try to get me to do tricks, but the longer I pretend not to understand, the more treats.



3. If you could spend an entire day doing anything at all with anyone what would do and with whom?
I’d run around the dog park with Avalanche. We chase each other in and out of the water and growl a lot.



4. What is your favorite toy?
I really like my buffalo bone. But my dirty ducky is a close second. And I like the measuring cup. It’s too hard to pick one.


5. If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
I’d change the time when I had no home. I ran around outside, and then I lived with some other dogs, but not in a house. But I guess if I wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be here in Denver, where the streets are paved with chicken bones.

I'm tagging Dobby

Temper

I must control my temper. I must control my temper. I am not a good a big brother to Arrow. I attack him if he comes near some good food on the street. Yesterday I attacked him when we were both sitting together under my owner mom’s chair because he was a little too close. I was so wound up that later I growled at a perfectly nice big black poodle with a pink collar. She didn’t put up with it and attacked me!

Arrow scooted out the door yesterday, running all the way to the park. He ran across the street. We ran out to find him. At first it was a great game racing around without leashes. Then it was scary.

Fortunately, Arrow was very friendly, even on the run, and stopped to greet everyone he passed. One lady pointed out which way he headed. Then a man on a bench told us where he turned. A little farther, Arrow was standing with a dog and some people. A man had gotten him a bowl of water. One lady said she was thinking of bringing him home to her kids. Another was going to take him to the animal shelter.

He was so tired, he only wanted to sit in the shade. My bearded owner carried Arrow most of the way home. I think he ran away because I was mean. I must control my temper.

Arrow's Return

Arrow’s back. He went to the vet. Had the same operation I had last year, where they cut things off boy dogs. Poor guy.

He came in the house and went to sleep instantly, right inside the door. When he woke up, he ate all his food and some treats. We went for a little walk, and he went back to sleep.

But he was very brave. He didn’t cry.

Be Careful What You Wish For

Strange day. Arrow and I went for a walk. Got home and no breakfast as usual. Instead my owner mom took Arrow out again. Then she came back without him! She gave me breakfast (which I didn’t feel like eating without Arrow slurping along next to me) and took me for a nice long walk.

He's a pushy dog. He tries to follow people into the bathroom. Nosy too. Always looking out the window and making weird sounds. He even stood with his front paws on the tub when I had a bath. A little too friendly. He likes everybody—dogs, people—everyone he meets. He doesn’t know where to draw the line, who needs a little growl.

I know I’ve been hiding bones and complaining, but now I miss the little guy. Never thought I’d say that. This morning, he chased me around the house and on and off the couch. It’s kind of quiet without him and I can’t remember where I hid my big bone.

The Taming of the Arrow

I’m not sure this house is big enough for two dogs. I have things all worked out. I get my ears scratched and my belly rubbed almost on demand—especially from certain people. I've got my favorite sleeping places on the bed, on the couch, under the bed, under the table, under the blue thing, and on feet.

I know all the places to look for food-related things when everyone has gone to sleep. Popsicle sticks near the TV. Tasty napkins on the table. Arrow has no appreciation of the finer things. He’s too busy carrying toys and shoes up and down the stairs.

Today, as my owner mom came in, Arrow ran out the door. I know he’s new and had to pee, but he seriously cut into my greeting time. My owners are well trained to do a lot of rubbing and petting—and even hand out treats—when they come in. Instead, my owner mom ran out to the street with a couple of leashes, yelling for Arrow, who conveniently forgot his name. I followed. While she was screaming at a man to grab Arrow, I found some regurgitated pizza, with just a hint of pepperoni, laying right in the grass. Our neighborhood is just an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in the summer. Of course, I didn’t get much before I was busted, leashed, and practically dragged down the sidewalk. Arrow didn’t even notice. He was searching for the perfect tree to pee
on.

In the park, I have my friends. I chase them around or just relax. I know where to find chicken bones and leftovers under benches and around the trash by the picnic tables. Arrow, on the other paw, could care less about licking gourmet garbage. He’d rather race around, greeting everything that moves. And when I grab him by the ear to get him back, my owner mom thinks I’m being cruel. There’s a difference between herding and hurting.

Sad News on the Radio

Riding in the car, I listen to the radio. It changes a lot. Music. Talking. Blah blah blah. News. Blah blah blah. Learning Spanish. Blah del blah del blah. Then, the other day, I hear blah blah blah dog, so I perk up my ears, figuratively speaking in my case since I am the floppy-eared type. They are saying horrible things about humans who make dogs fight and kill each other. Awful stories about dogs. My owner had to turn it down because we were both upset.

I think it’s good for dogs to get a new home, like I did. And even my new little brother Arrow, as annoying as he can be some days. I thought not having a home was bad, but this is much sadder.

This is a website my owner used to send a message about people being mean to dogs.

Dogs

Rides

I love riding in the car. A trip to the dog park. A visit to a friend. A weekend out of Denver. New smells. Sometimes just doing errands. I prefer to sit in the driver’s lap. That way I can really see where we’re going. Better for kisses and pats too. I can only do that when the bearded one is driving. My other owner’s driving motto is: “In the back!”

From the back I can get in between the front seats and rest there. Good for getting rubbed on the ears. Good visibility too. But sometimes I look out the side windows in the back. If one is open, I like the feel of the wind in my ears. I think my owners are always afraid I’ll leap out. That’s silly. I’m not suicidal.

Avalanche goes right to sleep in the car. Looking out is more important. And jumping around while the car is moving. Sleeping all day is good, but the car is always an adventure.

Dog Park

Took a trip to the dog park with the Arrow yesterday. It was his first time so he had to spend hours smelling everything. With all the dogs that go there, the smells are amazing. Everything from coyote to Great Dane. And some horses nearby who leave poop treats on the paths. (My owners get very upset about this, God knows why.) Then Arrow had to say hello to every other dog. He likes everyone. One white Jack Russell Terrier, with a cute pink collar, he liked a little too much if you know what I mean.

He swam in the muddy pond and we chased each other around. The only problem he has is forgetting who he came with and then forgetting his name. He runs off in one direction and when I try to find him, he appears magically from the other direction. Maybe there are really two Arrows. A scary thought.

I have been nice to him, except when he has my favorite bone for a long time. I give him a little growl just to remind him that I’m being generous. Also, I’m trying to drop a hint to the humans around here that maybe we need another bone.