White Christmas

JK and Mr. Wolf and I have been so busy these last three days.  We have been many places in the car, we have been to several houses, and I have had lots to eat and a lot to see. And there has been a lot of snow, so everything is white! 

First, two days ago, JK came home from work and then she and Mr. Wolf and I drove to the big store that has animal food and toys.  I think that they think that I like to go there with them.  I like to ride in the car and be with my people, but that big store is scary to me.  Especially this time, because I got my claws clipped.  The claw-clipper lady was very nice and gentle, but I still didn't like it.  I was very glad to get out of there.  I did get 3 new kinds of treats, so it wasn't all bad. 

Then we came home, and it was Christmas Eve-Eve, so I got to have a special night of eating treats and opening presents just for me.

JK helps me open my box.

Nice!  A new fuzzy fleece blanket for me to sleep on.

I also got a toy in my stocking, and a lots of smooches from JK and Mr. Wolf.  We were all very tired after all the excitement.



When I am stretched out like this, I feel very tall.

Then the next day, JK and Mr. Wolf and I got in the car and drove a long way to JK's sister's house.  JK's sister and her husband have two very happy dogs and many squawky birds.  I also met JK's brother and his wife.  They were nice to me and complemented my soft fur. 

Then we left there and went to another house with many people, some babies, and the biggest dog I have ever seen.  JK put me into my crate and put me in a room all by myself, but I wanted to be out in the party with everyone, so I opened my crate and went to the door of the room to bark so that they would let me out.  JK heard me and so she and Mr. Wolf took turns carrying me around so that I would not get hurt by people's feet or eaten by the big dog.  The big dog was very nice, but still.  She could have eaten me for dinner with one bite.  Mr. Wolf said that I was a ninja, because I figured out how to get out of my crate twice that night.

When we left the big party, we got in the car AGAIN and went to Mr Wolf's parents' house.  I like it there, and everyone is getting used to having me around.  I showed some of the cats that I was the boss even though it was not my house, and Mr. Wolf said it was lucky that one of the cats didn't scratch my face off.  Ha!  I will show them.  No cat is going to mess with me!  JK and Mr. Wolf and his family opened more presents and stayed up late.  Then we all went to sleep.  I was so sleepy!  I didn't even wake up one time all night.

JK and I drove Mr. Wolf to the airport this afternoon because he had to leave to go to an important meeting.  It was just JK and me all night.  She mostly watched movies and read a magazine, and I napped after the long days of travel and food.  When we came in from our night time walk, I decided I would like to go onto the computer and check to see the weather in Boston, and make sure Mr. Wolf will be able to come home in a couple of days. 

Looks like a blizzard is heading for Boston!

Don't worry, Mr. Wolf.  You will come home very soon.  I'll keep the couch warm for you.

And that was my first Christmas with my new people.  It was pretty great.  I even got a bite of sausage last night from JK's cousin!  It was deeeelishous.  4 out of 5 Cheesy Treats.  If it had been covered in cheese, it would have been a 5 out of 5 for sure.

Merry Christmas!

Pizza and Beer

Last night was one of the best nights of my whole life. 

Mr. Wolf came home finally, and I was very excited to see him.  I thought that maybe he would be home soon, since JK had just come in with hot pizza and that is what JK and Mr. Wolf always eat on Fridays when he comes home.  I love the little nibbles of pizza cheese that JK and Mr. Wolf let me eat.

I watched them very carefully because I always want to know when I might be able to get some cheese.  JK and Mr. Wolf put pizza on small plates and poured glasses of beer and then put the pizza and beer on the big blue trunk in front of the couch while they got up to choose a movie to put into the TV.  I could not believe my luck!  They were both looking at the computer and their backs were to me, and I just could not help myself.  I took a piece of pizza from Mr. Wolf's plate and ran into the bedroom!  Joy!

JK and Mr. Wolf heard me and they turned around just in time to see me run away with the pizza, but they were laughing so hard that they didn't take the pizza away from me.

I took the pizza to the bedroom so I could eat it. JK found me.



I thought they might take the pizza away but they didn't.



It was the best thing I have ever eaten.

After JK and Mr. Wolf laughed and took pictures of me eating the pizza so I could write about this on my blog, we all sat on the couch together.  Mr. Wolf was drinking beer out of a tall glass and he rested it on his leg near my head.  It smelled sweet and good to me, so I stuck my head in the glass and started to lick the foam on the glass.  JK and Mr. Wolf started laughing again and JK took this picture of me licking the foam. 

Don't worry, JK knows that dogs are not supposed to drink alcohol, I only got a little taste.

Then I was so tired from all the pizza stealing and beer licking and laughing that I curled up between JK and Mr. Wolf and went to sleep on the couch while they watched their movie.  It was the best night ever.

Sleep!

Food:  Whole piece of pizza

Rating:  5 out of 5 Cheesy Treats

Highlights:  This is the very best thing I have ever eaten.  I will be on the lookout for another chance to take a whole piece for myself!

Problems:  I don't really care for green peppers, but they are easy to pick off and leave on the carpet.

Food:  Beer

Rating:  3 out of 5 Cheesy Treats

Highlights:  Sweet, fun to lick out of the glass
Problems:  Not good for me, so that will probably be the only time I get to try it.

Lounging night at Mr. Wolf's parents' house

JK and I got in the car last night and I was very excited because I didn't know where we were going.  We drove for a long time, and when we stopped, HOORAY!  I knew where we were.  We got out of the car and I ran to the door and Mr. Wolf was there!  We stayed at Mr. Wolf's parents' house last night because Mr. Wolf wasn't feeling well and didn't drive all the way home to our house.

Mr. Wolf's mother loves animals and she even loves me.  She gave me an early Christmas present - a striped Christmas sweater.  I usually do not like to wear sweaters, but I like this sweater.  It is soft and not too tight.

I like to lounge on Mr. Wolf.

Here's another look at my new sweater. 

Mr. Wolf's parents' house is much bigger than our house.  There are lots of rooms and stairs and people and cats and couches.  I like everything except the cats.  I would maybe like the cats, but they do not like me and we are not friends yet. 

After snooping around the house for a while, I decided it was time to rest.

I can see you with that camera, but I would rather just snuggle in this blanket here.

Getting Ready for Christmas, and Taste Testing

Greetings AugBlog readers!

Sitting on the warm blanket

The weather has been very cold, and JK brought out this special blanket from inside the big blue square box in the living room.  I didn't even know that the top of that big blue box opened up!  But it does!  And there are warm blankets inside.  I really like this blanket.  It is warm and very big, and good to sit on.  JK told me that her mother made it for her, and that it is very special and I should be careful.  I will be very careful with it, because I could tell she was serious.

JK let me eat two new foods tonight to review for the blog! 

New Food #1 - Potato Dumplings
Rating:  4 out of 5 Cheesy Treats - I would be very happy to eat these every day.
Highlights:  Warm, soft, very tasty
Problems:  Not cheesy enough

New Food #2 - Small bite of dried fig
Rating:  2 out of 5 Cheesy Treats
Highlights:  Sweet, chewy like my favorite cranberry bones (you can see me trying to chew the fig in this picture)
Problems:  Too chewy.  The fig stuck to my teeth and had lots of small seeds in it.

I also tried a third new food tonight, but I was not supposed to eat it. 

JK played some funny music tonight and sat on the floor to tape bright colored paper around some boxes.  She was singing and taping, and she didn't see me stick my head into the bag and take out something that smelled very much like sweet food to me. 

The thing that smelled like food was very tough and chewy, but I made it into the thing and got to eat some of the sweet food before JK heard me and came to see what I was doing.

. 
She was very unhappy that I had eaten some of the sweet food.  She said that it was chocolate, and it could make me sick if I ate too much of it!  I wasn't really scared of getting sick, because she found me before I could eat much.  But I did feel sad when she said that that chocolate food was supposed to be a gift for Mr. Wolf.  I hope she can get some more for him.  I promise I won't eat it.

I learned a new word

I learned a new word last night, very late at night.

It was dark and raining, and JK had already gone to bed.  I couldn't get into the big bed with her yet, because I could hear sounds all around and I had to keep watch because Mr. Wolf was not at home.  So I stayed out in the living room so I could scare everyone away who walked near the door.  I barked and howled and jumped out of my bed over and over.  I don't know what people were doing out there last night, but they sure were making me work hard to protect JK. 

To pass the time in between guard duties, I also decided to go into the bathroom and inspect the can of trash.  There were all kinds of interesting things in there, so I decided to take everything out and take some of the things with me into the living room. 

JK heard me in the bathroom and came out of the bedroom, very tired and sad looking, and told me that she was "ready to defenstrate" me.  She then explained that that means "throw me out the window"!  Wow!  I was scared at first when I heard that, because I didn't want her to throw me out the window.  But then she kissed my head and held my face in her hands and looked into my eyes and said "I love you, but you are driving me absolutely CRAZY!".

She was mad, I think.

Me on the couch, keeping watch.

I know she was mad that I had an accident on the floor.  It's hard sometimes for me to do all my business outside at the right times.  Last night, it was raining really hard when JK and I went out before bed.  I didn't want to be outside, and neither did JK, but she made me go and walk until I had done something.  But I guess it was not enough, because late at night I had to go again.  JK was asleep, so I had to just go.  She was very unhappy when she saw the puddle.  She scolded me and carried me over to the spot and pointed and said "NO!" really sternly.  I don't like it when JK is mad.  I want to make her happy all the time.  But I guess I did not do a good job of that last night.

Once all my guarding and peeing and trash removal was complete, I jumped up into the big bed with JK and we slept snuggled together, so I know that she forgave me. 

I love to snooze

Mr. Wolf is home a little more often these days, which I like very much.  Mr. Wolf gives me more cheese to eat than JK does, and he also likes to play with me and sing to me during the day while JK is at work. 

One of my favorite things about Mr. Wolf being home more is that I get to sleep in the big bed more.  Mr. Wolf sleeps longer than JK sleeps, and he doesn't usually get out of bed as early as she does.  JK drags me out of bed in the morning to go outside for a walk, but I would much rather stay in bed with Mr. Wolf.   

Why would I want to get out of bed?

Even when it is not night time, we all three get to rest a lot more when Mr. Wolf is home.  JK and Mr. Wolf like to watch movies on TV, and they usually sit or lie down on the couch.  I like to join them.  They are very comfy, and I like to be close to my people. 

Road Trip! Part 1.

JK and Mr. Wolf and I just got home from a great adventure!  We all three drove a very long way to visit some people friends of JK in a town called Nashville.  I got to sit in the back seat and sleep or watch out the window the whole way there and back.

Getting Comfortable in the back seat.

Look at all that sky!

JK and Mr. Wolf and I went outside when we arrived at Kathi and Chad's house and ran and ran in the grass. That was really great.  I liked not being on the leash. 

Nashville is not much like Chicago at all.  The houses have a lot of grass in between them, and there are no sidewalks to walk on in most places.  JK's friends Kathi and Chad have a very big house with many rooms.  I have never been in such a big house.  I guess they need more room because they have a little baby who is starting to move around.

Another thing I liked about Nashville and visiting Kati and Chad was that we ate lots of delicious food.  One day, JK and Mr. Wolf and Kathi and Chad brought home these giant cupcakes with big layers of frosting.  They cut them up and put them on the table, and I showed them that I really really wanted to taste them so I could review them on my blog.

Delish!

Food:  Caramel Apple Cupcake
Highlights:  Creamy sweet frosting, soft cake
Problems:  Not enough samples
Rating:  5 out of 5 Cheesy Treats!  This would be my new favorite food if JK and Mr. Wolf would let me eat them all the time.

JK's camera died before we got to take any photos of the second day in Nashville, but Kathi will send her some, and then I can tell you about the beautiful park and all the funny pictures we tried to take.  But here's one of JK and me that I like very much.  I look very handsome.

JK and Me

You think MY people are crazy?

JK found a link to a funny picture story about pets in America.  She wanted to share it with my faithful blog readers.  I think that she thinks it will make YOU all think that maybe she and Mr. Wolf are actually just average pet people and not crazies. 

JK and I had a good laugh about the part that says that "About half of American pet owners admit they sometimes talk to their pet".  Yeah right.  Only half?  That is pretty funny.

I especially like the part about pets getting lots of gifts for Christmas and birthdays! 

Trick or Treat!

This was the Trick



JK and Mr. Wolf had a party on Saturday night for Halloween, but it was all about sharks and ocean animals and it was called "Shark-o-Ween".  JK made a shark costume for me, and it was nice of her to include me in the party plans, but I HATED wearing the itchy fabric and it was hard to walk.  Everyone was being so nice to me, and giving me treats when they arrived, so I came out to let JK put the costume on me a few times so everyone could see.  But I was really embarrassed.  I only did it because it made JK and Mr. Wolf so happy to see me in it. 

Every time a new guest arrived, I would walk up to them to make sure they were nice people, and every person gave me a little bit of treat, so I knew that they were friendly.  I liked walking around and being talked to by everyone.  Some people even gave me a little bit of their party food!  Here is my ranking of the best party food:

Cheese balls - 4 out of 5 Cheesy Treats
Highlights - made of cheese, soft, easy to eat
Problems - a little bit spicy, and some got on my nose which was very embarrassing

Goldfish Crackers - 4 out of 5 Cheesy Treats
Highlights - crunchy, cheesy, easy to eat
Problems - technically, I am not supposed to eat things that have wheat in them, so JK said I could only have 3

Rice from the Veggie Sushi - 1 out of 5 Cheesy Treats
Highlights - supposedly, rice is "Good for Dogs", so people kept trying to offer it to me, which was nice of them
Problems - I do not like rice, and this rice was salty and tasted a little like seaweed. 

My New Job

JK and Mr. Wolf were talking about what kind of blog posts I could write, and Mr. Wolf suggested that I could use the blog to write sometimes about food!  I think this is a great idea.  JK told me that there are people whose whole job is to eat food and tell people about it.  They are called food critics, and I would like to be one.

I eat all kinds of food, and I would like to tell people and other dogs about what I think about all the different things that I eat.

For example, JK let me eat some pumpkin bars before they were cooked.  I really liked the pumpkin bar dough.  It was soft and sweet and easy to lick off the spoon.  It was a little bit spicy, too.  JK let me have some of the pumpkin bar dough before she mixed the chocolate chips into it because dogs are not supposed to eat chocolate. 

Here's a photo of me eating pumpkin bar dough:

Since Cheesy Treats are my very favorite food in the whole world, I will rate food that I eat based on how close it comes to being my New Favorite Food.  In this case, I give pumpkin bar dough 3 out of 5 Cheesy Treats.  I would have given it 4, if I could have eaten them as they are meant to be eaten with the chocolate chips.

Food:  Pumpkin Bar Dough
Rating:  3 out of 5 Cheesy Treats
Highlights:  Sweet, spicy, soft, easy to lick
Problems:  No chocolate chips, didn't get to eat the finished product

Things that I like

Yesterday JK took me to another doctor in a different part of the city.  I was very scared at first, but everyone was very friendly and nice to me, so I relaxed and was able to sit quietly with JK while we waited.  After talking with several different doctors who examined me, JK had to leave me with them for the day.  I got very sleepy and slept most of the day.   

When I woke up, I had tubes coming out of my leg that were stuck on with very strong tape.  Not to worry, I chewed them off quite easily.  JK helped me get them off when she came to pick me up.  I don't remember anything else that happened while I was at the doctor.  I had Lion with me, so I didn't feel so afraid. 

I didn't feel quite like myself yesterday, so JK didn't take any pictures of me for the blog.  But I was very happy to see my favorite things when I got home, so I thought I would put some pictures up of those things instead.  I don't really like going to the doctor, but I DO like these things:

Cheese.  Any Kind.

Zukes Cranberry Bones.

Dirty Clothes

Peanut Butter

Apples

My new toy Sharky.



I was so happy to see all these things when I got home.  I was very hungry, so JK and I ate an apple and some string cheese, and I got my very own glob of peanut butter.  Then I sat in some clothes on the floor and played with Sharky.  I was very glad to be home with my favorite things.

Sunny Saturday in the Park

JK and Mr. Wolf and I had a very busy Saturday!

I'm ready to run!

We had to go to a different doctor today to talk about my seizures.  They took some blood from me, but I was very brave and didn't cry at all.  After they were done, JK and Mr. Wolf and I went to the park and played in the leaves.

Mr. Wolf and I ran so fast that he had to rest afterwards.  I was fine.

I get lots of kisses when Mr. Wolf is home.

Time to go home!  I will show the way!

After the doctor and the park, JK and Mr. Wolf ate some food outside, and I sat in the sunshine.  Then they had frozen yogurt and I got to lick the bowl.  JK had a plain kind and Mr. Wolf's tasted like pumpkins.  I liked the pumpkin one better.  JK says that yogurt is good for dogs!  Horray!  I hope I can have my own bowl next time.

The Bad Shakes.

I had The Bad Shakes this weekend.  The big word for the bad shakes is "seizures".  I know this because I have heard JK and Mr. Wolf and my doctors talk about it.  I don't remember too much about what happened, but I had been feeling not-so-well for a few days, and then right before Mr. Wolf came home the other night, I started to feel Really Bad.  JK stayed right beside me and sang songs to me, and Mr. Wolf came home and held me and JK called the doctor.  I have had The Bad Shakes before, and it is scary every time.  I hate it.  I did not go to the doctor that night.  JK and Mr. Wolf cared for me and I felt better in a little while.

JK and Mr. Wolf told me that we are all going to go see a special doctor on Saturday who can hopefully help me. I don't like going to the doctor, but I would like to feel better. 

Big Party in Lincoln Square

JK and Me with Aaron

Last night, JK took me to a big party outside in a neighborhood called Lincoln Square.  There were lots of people there.  Some of the people were playing music and singing.  I liked the music.  I especially liked all the food at the party.  JK let me try something called a Pumpkin Donut.  I think that was the best thing I have ever eaten.  I want to eat Pumpkin Donuts every day. 

I met a lot of nice people at the party.  JK saw lots of friends there, and everyone was happy to meet me.  I like meeting new people, but there were so many people there that JK picked me up and carried me around so that no one would step on my toes.  I like it when she carries me.  She even danced to the music with me, and I liked that too.

Her friend Aaron took a picture with us.  I had met him before.  He is very nice.  JK's friend Eric took this picture.  I like that their names are Aaron and Eric.  They sound the same, but a little different.  Luckily, they do not look alike or smell the same, so I can tell them apart.  Jessie was also there.  I like her very much. 

JK and I went for a walk when we got home, and I found some popcorn on the ground, and JK let me eat two pieces!  Horray!  What a very exciting night.

Laundry

Clean warm clothes make an excellent place to nest.  JK and Mr. Wolf were busy working around the house the other day, and when they were not watching me, I found a very good place to rest.  They looked around and called for me.  HAHA!  I was hiding down in the clothes on the couch.  I totally fooled them.

It is not easy to hide in our small house, but I have found ways.  I also like to sneak under the bed and behind the small couch.  I will look for more good places to hide and make a bed.  Sometimes I like to be a little sneaky.

New Sweater

Yeah, I need a sweater and a blanket.

Brr!! Still Cold.  Gonna keep my legs tucked.

All of a sudden, it started to be very cold outside.  JK and Mr. Wolf and I went on a walk the other day, and I was so cold that I was shaking.  JK picked me up and zipped me into her jacket, which was very nice of her. 

JK decided that I needed some warm winter clothes.  She drove me to the store with things for dogs and other pets, and we picked out some warm things.  I didn't like the shiny red jacket, but I do like this grey sweater.  It keeps me warm, and also it looks nice.

When I came back inside, I ran to my soft blanket and tucked my legs up underneath me to keep warm.  JK says that I will need to be brave, because it is going to get much much colder.  I think I will need different clothes, then, because I am cold already. 

Dog Day Afternoon

JK was home all day yesterday.  She is usually gone all day for many days in a row, and then she and Mr. Wolf are home together for 2 days. 
But yesterday, JK was home all day by herself.  She said that she needed a day to rest and sleep.  I feel sorry for her and Mr. Wolf because they do not rest and sleep all day like I do.  Resting and sleeping are very good, and they make me feel very happy for all the times that I get to go outside, or ride in the car, or play with my people. 

Yesterday was a very nice day.  It was not too hot or too cold outside, and it was very bright.  I decided to take JK on all my favorite streets and sidewalks. 

This is near our house



walking towards Jackie's House



Almost there!  I showed JK that I know how to get to Jackie's

I took JK to Jackie's house to show her that I know where Jackie lives.  I walked right up to her door.  JK and I were not tired yet, so we walked farther.

Uh-oh.  There is a lot of water over there.

We actually walked all the way to the beach.  That was an accident.  I do not really like the beach, because I do not like walking on sand or being so close to the water.  JK remembered that, and we walked home.

Me, Squirrel, Lion

When we came home, I went to the fluffy black blanket and brought Squirrel and Lion to rest with me.  I like to sleep in the sunshine.  JK took a rest on the couch while I rested on my blanket.  It was a good day.  I like having JK home with me.

Tonight we had a very excellent walk.  We walked next to a school building, and even though there were no children around, there was lots of food on the ground.  I even got to eat a whole piece of string cheese that was in the dirt!  Oh, that made me so happy.  JK tried to get me not to eat it, but I had already swallowed it.  Yum.  I love string cheese so much.  I am so happy that someone dropped it on the ground!  Hooray.

Mr. Wolf's Birthday Weekend

JK was gone for a very long time two days ago, and her friend Jackie came over to our house to live for one day and night.  I missed JK, but I was very happy to see Jackie.  Jackie gave me my food in the morning, and took me for walks, and let me sleep with her up in the big bed.  Jackie is very nice and likes to pet me.  I like her. 

When JK came home, she was very busy in the kitchen making food.  It was a kind of chocolate food.  I don't know what chocolate is, but dogs cannot eat it.  JK gave me the good cheese instead.  She cooked for a long time, and then when she was finished, Mr. Wolf came home!  Hooray!  I was so excited to see him.  

JK gave Mr. Wolf two boxes that were covered in bright colored paper and strings.  She told him that the small box was from me.  He was very happy to open it, and thanked me and kissed me for the very good present.  JK told me that it was a movie that he likes to watch on the TV.  There were funny-shaped things inside the other box.  I'm not sure what they were, but they are probably used for making food because JK put them away in the kitchen. Mr. Wolf was very happy with both of these boxes. 

JK and Mr. Wolf ate pizza like they always do when Mr. Wolf comes home after many days.  They sat on the couch and watched Mr. Wolf's new movie.  And when the movie was over, JK brought out a plate with pieces of the chocolate food on them.  JK sang a silly song to Mr. Wolf.  JK and Mr. Wolf sing lots of silly songs, and sometimes they sing silly songs to me.  After the silly song, they ate the chocolate food. 

We all stayed up very late, and then we went to sleep and slept very late in the morning.  I like it when we do that, as long as I don't feel like I have to go outside.  JK took this picture of me sleeping with Mr. Wolf.  I do not like to leave the bed when he is home.  He is so nice to sleep on.