Sammys_WFT_World

A Message From Mom

2006-08-21T21:17:00.000-04:00

There is just nothing in this world to me like my boys. We're a family now - officially as of this evening. I included a bit more detail in my post this evening. I'd all but decided NOT to adopt Maxie because of my painful osteoarthritis. My boyfriend hopped right in and said he'd take care of Maxie and all I had to do was worry about Sammy and that I can do. The boys have been playing all night and I've been thanking my lucky stars that I have this great family now. We broke out the Frosty Paws to celebrate Maxie's becoming "official".

But I do have to say in my heart there has been no dog as special to me as my Sammy. There is just something so intrinsically sweet and loving about him. I feel blessed tonight.

Good Night,
Sammy and Maxie's Mom

Major OOPS

2006-08-20T08:38:00.000-04:00

Hello Buddies..

I see Maxie sneaked in on my blog yesterday, but that's ok I guess.

Last night I made a major oops. Well, really, it was MOM'S fault, but I felt so bad. I woke Mom up in the middle of the night and told her I needed to go out. I didn't really make too much of a fuss and she thought I just wanted to go see Maxie I guess. Anyway, I tried again a couple of times, but I didn't make enough noise, I suppose. I just couldn't wait any longer, so I had to go. I made a spot on the carpet. Mom heard it and leaped out of bed and cleaned it up right away. Well, I didn't say anything else; I was embarrassed about it and well, then I had to do the other. Mom happened to see me and jumped up again and cleaned that up, too. I felt so bad that I went over and just sat by my cage. I was waiting for her to scold me or something---put me in my cage---

Mom looked at me sitting there and called me and I was not about to go. I figured she was mad but just not showing it much yet. Mom got up again and came over and picked me up and took me back to our bed. She wrapped me in her arms and scritched my belly and told me it was OK and it was all her fault for not listening. I still felt bad, but at least Mom wasn't mad. I do have a good Mom! And Dad.....but I'm closer to Mom. That was a close one--I really felt like such a bad boy.

This morning I was good and so was Max and everyone is all set for a few hours. Whew! Have a happy Sunday everyone!

Sneaky Saturday

2006-08-19T10:09:00.000-04:00

Shhhh!!!! Maxie here....

Why didn't someone tell ME that this was a weekend day? I thought I was doing them a favor by getting everyone up at 5:30 this morning. Besides, I had to go whiz really bad. Dad even got up and was grumping about it, of course. Oh well.....

This is just going to be quick before anyone realizes I've sneaked back into Sammy's blog. I'm getting along just fine here as you know. Have my own "pad" so to speak and Sammy reluctantly shares his bones with me. Mom calls them the bones of contention since they are the only toy we seem to have mild "words" about. But we never fight.

I like it here except for one thing. Do you guys know what a gentle leader is? Well, the other morning Mom is walking both of us with two retractables and I saw another dog. Well, I had to let him know that he couldn't mess with us, so I took off before Mom realized what was going on. He kept on walking with his human and when he passed us, I ran around behind Mom to give him more of what I thought of him walking down MY street and ok, so I pulled Sammy around and got him excited, too and long story short we tangled Mom up pretty bad. She couldn't move. Finally she got us untangled enough to get home, but our leashes were in a knot. She was kinda upset. So Sammy told me he used to have to use this gentle leader thing until he learned to walk like MOM wanted him to and now I'm having to practice with it, too. AND I'm having to practice NOT barking and yanking Mom around when I see other dogs. Can you believe it? I'm full blooded American dog and I wanna bark! Mom says I need some training and since she made Sammy go and she remembers how, she will teach me. I HATE THE GENTLE LEADER. I don't like it on my nose!!!!! Good part of this - when we practice, I get treats.

Mom got an email about the dog park this morning. Next Wednesday or Thursday the fence is going to be installed so we can't get to that mud hole at the park. Not unless we go on the other side and I KNOW Mom won't do that. She's so happy the mud hole will be inaccessible. I say rats! Oh well...

Hey, here comes Mom, gotta go.

Yips,
Maxie

Thursday Evening

2006-08-17T18:18:00.000-04:00

Wags Everybody,

Been away for a few days...well, away from HERE anyways. We have had a wild past few days. Mom is still trying to get organized and that is no easy task for her believe me. Maxie (his for sure name) and I have been subjected to the lead for two dogs - we hated it - and wrapped Mom up by one going one way and one the other behind her and she couldn't move...it was pretty funny! So we got rid of that thing in short order. If I wanted to go one way and Maxie the other, we were just pretty much out of luck. Can't have that. And Dad hated the dern thing, too, so us guys sent Mom to Petsmart yesterday after work to exchange it for a second retractable leash. It works lots better for us and Mom's getting the hang of switching hands if we get tangled. So far so good anyway and Dad said it works for him.

Maxie and I are getting along fine now. The only thing is he keeps taking my favorite bones. Sometimes we play tug of war with them, but we never actually fight...just growl a little bit. Ok, ok, I bark a lot sometimes. I just don't see WHY he should have my bones. I do have 3, but can't he get his own bones? I share everything else with him.

He has his own new house now and a nice soft liner for it and a blanket over it like I have on mine so it's like a den. His old crate is sitting in the upstairs hall until the Happy Tails lady comes to take it back for another doggie. Oh, and by the way, she is coming at 5:00 on Monday evening for the home visit and bringing the final papers for Mom to sign...then I'll officially have a fur brother. I'm really getting so I like it. When Mom is all tuckered out, I still have Maxie to play with.

One night I got up in the middle of the night and went to sleep in my house. Mom woke up the next morning and I was gone and when she realized I hadn't slept with her, she was so sad. The next night I started out with her and went to my house again and when she got up to go to the bathroom, she didn't try and coax me out or anything. She seemed to have accepted that I was going to sleep there. So I got up and went to her bed and stayed there and have been sleeping with her again every night since. I don't like to see her sad. I just thought since Maxie slept in his house maybe I should sleep in mine. But I don't want Mom sad like I said. Last night we cuddled a lot and she smiled.

Maxie and I even have quiet times together now. Like we lay on the bed together and look out the window or lay on the couch or on the floor near each other. I guess I'd have to say just a little bit over a week and we're pretty much adjusted to one another. Mom picked out a good fur brother for me. Yeah, MOM!!! You go girl!!!

Maxie and Dad are still closer than Maxie and Mom, but that's ok. Mom loves on both of us. She tries to pet us both at the same time. Humans are funny, but ya gotta love 'em. (That is our job after all.)

Waiting for Dad to get home from work, so that's all for now. Been missing all my buds.

By the way, I'll get into the tag game as soon as I can.

Wags and Puppy Kisses,
Sammy

Sunsay Night

2006-08-13T21:44:00.000-04:00

Evening Buddies,

I see that my new adopted buddy sneaked on here last night after he tuckered me out. Harrumph! Oh well, at least someone had the energy.

Today was a lazy day. Mom managed to walk both of us this morning and we accomplished all missions so to speak. Then she put Max back to bed and she and I came back to bed, too. It was nice. We did a lot of napping today. Mom especially. She just did the laundry and that was about it besides spending time with us - which is of course important. THE most important thing actually.

Max and I played and played today. At one time we shared - yes shared - a bone. Mine of course, but I guess his now, too.

Mom got a call tonight from Max's foster Dad. He told Mom that he'd gotten her voice mail yesterday and talked to Peggy last night. She's the human in charge of Happy Tails which is where Maxie comes from. She told him that Max is in the final stages of adoption. One reference hasn't returned the call yet and they have papers to sign AFTER a home visit. That will be it then. Guess I'll have the little dude under paw all the time after from now on. Mom just got online and ordered him his own crate and soft liner. The one he has is on loan with him. Hope it gets here soon cuz he's not getting mine! His will be a size smaller. So....keep all your paws crossed. I think I have a new forever buddy and he has a new forever home.

Someone left a comment about having grandmas....my grandma doesn't like dogs...especially male dogs and she's the only grandma I have. Oh well...that just means Mom and Dad have to love me up special.

Ok, I'm going to tell you that Max is still up with Dad and he's been outside our door and I'm crying. I hate to be away from him now. Mom would tell you I'm sitting in my cage (and she didn't put me there either) and I'm crying my little heart out. Do you think we've bonded a little?

Well, I'm going to see if I can get Mom to go to bed now and love me up so I won't miss playing with Maxie quite so much right this minute.

Night.....

Be Very Very Quiet.....

2006-08-12T09:04:00.000-04:00

Wags Everyone,

It's Max here. I'm sneaking in Sammy's blog while he's snoozing. Just thought I should put in my two barks worth. I know some of my buds know what it's like to be a foster furkid. It's not easy because there is always the chance that you'll be rejected several times before you find a forever home and that HURTS. You always wonder, what's wrong with me??? Of course sometimes it's the dog that's already there that doesn't want you and the humans have to go by that.

I want you give you my side of the Sammy/Max situation. I'm a lot more mellow than he is. Such a hyper little guy! Are all you Wires like that? Anyway, he wants to play and play and play. I have to take a break now and then and he just hasn't wanted me to. But....

Yesterday after we went to the Pooch Playground, things got better. Mom napped a while after that (I guess I should call her Mom) and then she let us both out of our respective houses to play. She just let us have at it. She decided we could play Alpha Dog until we were worn out. Ok, so sometimes when things got a little rough, she taught us to play "stuff a kibble in it". That's a game where we get a piece of doggie food and that calms everything down for a little while. Anyway, somewhere in there, all of a sudden, I got up on the couch kind of sleeping over the back with my back paws on Mom and Sammy got up on the back of the couch right over Mom (she was lying down) and the three of us took a nap. Mom's a real napper. The three of us all together peacefully.

When Dad got home, he couldn't believe how much calmer the house was. Mom has some good ideas. Anyway, we still played hard last night, but we're not barking very much, we're not growling very much, we just wrestle around and play. This morning Mom walked Sammy and I woke Dad up to walk me. After that Sammy and I played race up and down the steps for a while before we started on the regular play day. We had breakfast together and I think we're going to be chums. I don't want to leave here. I like it well enough. Sammy is still Mom's doggie and I am Dad's kinda. But that's ok. We share.

Well, Sammy is sleeping and I'm going to rest. It gets crazy when it's play time. I'll try to sneak in every now and then and write something.

Wags,
Max

Pooch Playground Morning

2006-08-11T14:28:00.000-04:00

Wags to all, Sammy here.....

My Mom actually accomplished a miracle this morning. As she said, she took Pet Parenthood leave again today which basically means she didn't go in to work. I got her up about 7:00 I think it was. We kind of slept in because we were up kinda late last night - just the TWO of us. We went downstairs and she said I got to go on my walk FIRST and we were going ALONE today. Yeah!!! So off we went. As we left the house, we could hear Max (and yes, he is still Max today) barking and yipping because he wanted to come, too, but he didn't get to. It's too hard on Mommy with her arthritis and all. So off we went and had a nice leisurely stroll down to the doggie area and all around. When we got back, Dad was up and waiting for us. To get Dad out of bed early is nothing short of a miracle, so this was big. The kid had barked enough to wake him up. So, he held out his hand and I was off the retractable and Max was on and they went walking. While they were gone, Mom came up with this idea of taking ME and Max out to the Pooch Playground to run and play together but not on my turf. She didn't want to try taking the both of us alone, so she conned Dad into going. The 4 of us got in Mom's car and went to the playground.

It was so early that no one else was there yet. Mom said we were only going in the small dog area because she didn't want muddy boys today to have to bathe. We went in and of course Max had to check out the area first because he'd never been there. Dad couldn't believe we were completely ignoring each other. Mom and I played ball while Max sniffed and left deposits. Finally he felt at home enough to start playing with me and we ran like the wind together. We didn't argue at all, just played. I think I'm going to have to slim down, though. He wasn't even winded and I panted all the way home. When we got home, it was time for water all around and rest. Mom brought me up for a nice nap and Max got to lay on the couch to sleep, I think, although I didn't actually SEE that. Dad made breakfast for them and then Mom came up for a nap with me and Dad slept on the couch. We were all tired.

We would have stayed longer this morning but some lady came with 3 little yappers who tried to bite Max and he wasn't having any of it. Since we'd been there long enough, we just came home.

I think things might work out as long as Mom remembers that she is MY HUMAN and Max can have Dad. We can be buddies and may one day be best of buddies. The thing is when Max gets on Mom's lap, them's fighting words! That is MY SPOT and MINE ALONE. If he wants to be there, it will have to be when I say it's ok and no other time. I have BARKED! (spoken)

Signing out now,
TOP DOG SAMMY

A Case Of Questionable Identity

2006-08-10T15:02:00.000-04:00

Hi Everybody,
Well, here we are...me and my new tagalong Max. While Mom and I were sleeping Dad renamed him again. Geesh! No wonder he doesn't know his name, but Dad says it's definitely Max. Ok, so it's Max. Look how he's showing his teeth...but it looks like I'm smiling doesn't it? Ok, so I like having him around a little bit. Just a little bit. Mom and Dad keep separating us today, though, because they think I get too excited. I get so wound up I pant hard and shake all over. He's a lot smaller (ok, and more svelt than I am) and he doesn't pant and shake. I am just excited over having someone here and of course I must concentrate on letting him know that I am Top Dog. That takes a lot of effort right now. He thinks he can just take my toys and go off and play any old time he wants to and he has to learn that's just not true. Anyway, Mom has taken us both together for a walk twice today and it was a real circus. We tangled her all up and ourselves, too. I bet the neighbors thought it was funny to watch. He's finally stopped barking; he doesn't like to be alone. I am going go nap for a little while while Mom goes to the grocery store. She just hates to do that. Oh well, glad she's the human and not me. Later, Buddies.

Not Hershey - Willie

2006-08-09T23:05:00.000-04:00

I am pretty tired and worn out, but am going to update you anyway. Mom took me to meet Hershey and at first he wasn't too friendly. He showed me his teeth and nipped at me. Of all the nerve! Well, we spent some time together and got to playing and the rest is history. He came home with us and the adjustment period begins. Dad LOVES the new guy even though he fought Mom on the idea for ages. Says he's just perfect if we get along. I think we will. Right now Willie is downstairs with Dad. He's going to sleep downstairs so I can have Mom all to myself for a while. Probably for a long while. She thinks it's a good idea. Maybe when Willie and I get to be buds and all and take naps together we'll try it. But I'm Top Dog and I deserve some priviledges. Well, I am tired and want to curl up with Mommy and sleep. Talk to you soon. Oh, and Dad is going to take new pictures tomorrow. Night everyone.

Waiting For Hershey

2006-08-09T17:15:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, Mom just came home and told me that she thinks tonight I'm getting a buddy. This is it - it mean Him. I'm not sure how I feel, but then you know that. Mom said he's bringing his own crate and belongings so that if we don't get along, then he has to go back to his foster Dad's house. She's ben talking to him for two days now. Right now Hershey (although they call him Rusty now, Mom thinks he looks like Hershey's chocolate) is living with Simon a miniature Greyhound and they play from the time they get up until they go to bed, so maybe it won't be like Moosey. Maybe this guy will play and that right there will be a plus. Mom says she's never seen a chocolate terrier. Well, she has now. He musta had some chocolate lab in his lineage. Not pure bred, but hey, what does that matter? I have papers, but I'm not a show dog either. Mom thinks maybe Hershey will help me trim down a little. It probably will her, too, having 2 furkids to take care of. We will go meet him as soon as his foster Dad calls Mom. Mom's nervous. So am I really. I know someting's going on. And poor Dad, he knows it might happen, but he doesn't know it may very well may happen tonight. He'll just come home from work and here will be Hershey.

I want to say I'm sorry that Mom and I haven't been on the list or I haven't been on Dogster. I did see that I have a lot of you waiting to be added to my Pals list and I surely will do that when I have the time. Tonight probably won't be the night.

Mom's taking "new puppy" leave tomorrow. She needs to be around to see how we are going to do and if she needs to take Hershey back, then she can. Dad sure won't want to take the first round of taking care of the two of us. She might even take Friday if there isn't much work to do. Depends on us, I guess.

I don't think I told you but inbetween Moosey and Hershey there was another dog, Mimi. She was a smooth Fox and they thought maybe she and I would make a good team, but then they saw how rambunctious I am and decided that since she is deaf, I'd scare her if she didn't hear me coming. Oh well, what can I say?

I woke Mom up this morning at 4:00. I had to bark at something outside. I forget now what it was. We walked early and then Mom went back to sleep for a little while. She says she's really tired tonight. Tonight is her favorite show, too. "So You Think You Can Dance." I betcha Hershey and I can keep her awake for it. IF we bring him home. If he and I don't click, then he won't be coming home with us.

Well, let me know what you think of my new buddy. I have missed talking to all of you and dropping by blogs and Dogster.

Wags and Puppy Kisses,

Sammy

Tired Of All This

2006-08-07T21:00:00.000-04:00

I am tired of all the other dog stuff. Dash was adopted Saturday, there is a smooth Fox female wanting a home, but she's probably too mellow. We looked at Liz and she has a mate Alex and they want to keep them together. Tonight we had an in home visit with Moosey. He is 7 and he just doesn't play. I tried and tried and he just wouldn't play. He did come upstairs and eat my food, though. It's ok. Mom loved me up really good after they left. I don't know if we'll have another fur kid around or not. All I know is I'm just tired and I'm going to sleep.

Here We Go Again

2006-08-06T22:37:00.000-04:00

I just give up! Someone emailed Mom about adopting Dash - see picture at right. She filled out an application. It suddenly dawned on her that she wants another ME. Ho hum.....we'll see. It's time for bed; I've been trying to tell Mom that for hours. Night, all!

Pooch Playground!!!!!!!!!

2006-08-06T11:46:00.000-04:00

Well, good morning again ~ actually it is almost afternoon and I'm going to take a nice LONG nap. I wrote this morning that I was up early because we went to bed with the chickens last night. I let Mom sleep again until 7:15 and then I decided it was time for her to get up. She didn't want to, so she turned over on her tummy and I was forced to use my ultimate weapon - I barked right in her ear. That worked! We played with Occie for a little while and then she woke up enough to realize that when we wer out earlier it was nice and cool. Shouldn't she take me to play at the Pooch Playground? YES!!! So I patiently waited while she got moving. Yesterday there was only one dog there and she didn't let me go in the big area because of this mud hole that you see in the picture here. Today there were only 2 dogs there when we got there - Barkley and Lizzie. Barkley is older - like 13 his human said and didn't want to play, but Lizzie was more than willing and just my size, too. We played and then wow, everyone started coming to play. There were like 20 of us there by the time Mom made me leave. And I was having so much fun, too. There were 2 Mollys there and a cute little guy named Toby. Toby went in the mudhole with me...much to his Mom's dismay. I got dirtier than any fur kid there. I always do. And boy, that mud hole sure stinks, too. It's a doggie delight. Well, it is if you like to get dirty like I do. I played football with one guy and ran like the wind for almost an hour. Two greyhounds came and I could almost keep up with them even! They have lots longer legs than I do, but I have a lot of heart. Man! Did I have fun today!!! Wish some of my Wire buddies could have been there. I am always the only Wire. Never have seen another one at the park. Lots of big guys today; I play with them, too. I'm fearless and quite the ring leader.

Mom eventually made me leave - after I played about an hour. I always ignore her completely - I forget my name on purpose when I'm there because if she calls me, I know it's time to leave. She almost always gets another human to call me, I go to get some lovin' from a stranger and boom! They get ahold of my collar and Mom comes and gets me. It happened again today. You'd think I'd learn, wouldn't you? I never know for sure, though, when she's going to get them to pounce on me.

And then we got home! I didn't even fight it. She didn't even take my leash off. I knew where we were headed. Upstairs to get a bath. I like baths, though, and she had the water just right today. She massaged me as she gave me my bath, so that helped. Then when it was done, she dried me a bit and then let me run around like a crazy dog (which of course I am NOT) and dry some more. Then we had the brushing and the part where she trims my fur where she couldn't get the matted dirt out. Not much fur was lost; just a tad. You can't even tell. Dad helped brush me and tidy me up. Now I'm getting all set for my long afternoon nap. So if you will excuse me.....yawn........

She Overdid It

2006-08-06T04:51:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Pals,

It's only about 4:30 in the morning but I had to get Mom up early. She did all this stuff yesterday and we went to bed early early last night, so I had to go out. She took me to the playground, which you heard about, went to see my Aunt Kay and then they went on Mom's two missions for yesterday. She needed new pants for work, so they shopped for those (Mom got carried away and got new undies and PJs, too) then they went on a mission for yours truly. Mom wanted to move our bed away from the window, but I look out that window, so she came up with this idea of putting an ottoman or somethin' between the bed and window. She and Kay found a padded bench just window heighth. Mom put a blanket and pillow on it so I'll be comfy when I look out the window. But she rearranged the furniture then. After that she walked ME. Then she had to go to the grocery and it was one of those times when Dad grumbles about how much he has to carry in. After she put all that away, she fixed a salad and ate and then came upstairs for the shower thing. So, she took one of her valiums and was out of it in no time. So, she had to get up for me this morning, but she didn't grumble too much. She just hurts all over this morning.

I think whoever said there's a pattern here is right. Our Moms buy toys in multiples and seem to have arthritis or something like that. Yes, we do take the pain away. How can we not? I mean all they have to do is be near us and we love the pain right away, right?

Well, I'm going to let Mom go back to sleep now. She did manage the walk around three blocks this morning. I kinda had to drag her or wait sometimes, but she managed. I might write more later.

Wags and puppy kisses,
Sammy

Oh What A Beautiful Morning - I Killed Occie

2006-08-05T09:16:00.000-04:00

Well, good morning one and all...

Thought I would go for a bit of the green today...I'm feeling really frisky this morning. But first of all, I do have a confession to make. My very favorite toy in the whole world was one my Mom got me for my adoption anniversary. It is called an octopus except it only has six legs. So what would you call that? Anyway, what do they think we dogs are stupid? But I loved my Occie anyway. The other night I was reading about that dog who tore up the Elvis Presley (who's that? some old guy my Mom used to listen to?) Teddy Bear and I guess that notion went to my head. I killed my Occie. I tore two holes between his tentacles and ripped his stuffings right out. Mom heard me ripping and took him away from me and I was upset. I could hardly sleep. You see she and I always but always sleep with Occie. I guess I made a big big mistake killing Occie. Poor Occie. I'm sorry Occie! So I spent the day yesterday feeling sad because I'd killed my best toy friend.

Mom got home from work just like always and we went for our walk. Then she went back out for just a few minutes. When she got back, she had a bag with her. I'm watching from my crate at this time. She put a NEW Occie on the bed and opened my door! I zoomed out of my house and right for my new Occie. Of course it smelled funny and wasn't properly slobbered up, so I had to spend some time on that project. Mom and I played, too. We always play Occie at some point during the day and sometimes in the middle of the night. He squeaks, too. Wonderful toy. Anyway, Occie does this neat thing - he kind of flies in the air like he's swimming and then he pops under the pillows like he's hiding in the rocks and I have to dig him out. You know how much fun it is to dig. He flies in the air....his legs all over the place. I'm so happy my Mom got me a new Occie. Don't tell her I know this, but she put the sack on the vanity in the bathroom and if I stand on my back tippie toes I can just see the top...I KNOW there's another Occie in that bag. She does that; she gets back up toys when she finds them. Since I love Occie so much, I know that's why she got an extra. I love being loved.

This morning has been WONDERFUL. I got Mom up at 5:30 same as always. We played Occie for a while and loved up while she got limbered up. She has arthritis really bad, so she's always really stiff in the mornings. I have to wake her up early enough to let her get going. Anyway, it was COOL here this morning. She grabbed her purse and keys this morning, so I knew we weren't JUST going for our morning walk. I left a quick pee mail and we hopped in the car. She rolled my window down just far enough for me to barely stick my snoot out and I did that. Pretty soon we're headed out through the country where there aren't a bunch of houses. OH BOY! Now I know where we're going!!!! Yep! Sure enough, we went to the Pooch Playground. Yeah!!! It's this place that's entirely fenced in 2.3 acres of it, actually. Soon as we get inside the gate, my leash comes off and I'm free to run like the wind. And I did just that. Mom made me go in the small dog area because there's this nifty mud hole (I know I told you about it) in the big dog area and she didn't want to give me a bath today. There was only me and Rex (a German Shepard mix) who was in the big dog area. We ran the fence together, though, and wore ourselves out. When Rex had to go home, Mom and I played ball. I sniffed and sniffed and sniffed and of course left some pee mail, too. (I love that expression.) I had such a good time. Right now I'm in my crate dictating from my comfy blankets. I'm headed for a nap while Mom goes out and has lunch and does grocery shopping. She's going with my Aunt Katie.

And now for the very very best news of all...I'm NOT to be Puggled or Bogey-ed after all. My parental units sat down last night and discussed all the pros and cons of adopting 'Bogey and he's not coming to live with us. Like someone on the list said, he might bite me and it just isn't worth it. We're not even getting a puppy or anything. I'm all housebroken and wonderful and we live in a new condo and Mom doesn't want to go through the training thing again. There are times I'd like a buddy, but I think all in all, I'm satisfied and happy to be an only fur kid. Why wouldn't I be happy? I have 2 humans who love me very very much and I love them, too.

Well, I am going to take my nap. I'm a little tuckered out after all that running like the wind.

Please if anyone wants to put a link to my blog on their lists, go ahead. The more pals I have, the better.

Here's wishing you all a great day. Do something fun today!

Wags and Puppy Kisses,
Sammy

Is It Golf? Or Is It A Brother?

2006-08-03T17:12:00.000-04:00

My Dad watches a ton of sports....he watches baseball most of all and then he watches the shows that recap what he just watched and then he watches a show that recaps the recap...well, anyway......he also watches football and NASCAR (Mom likes that, too) and basketball. And he watches some guy who always wears a red shirt on Sundays during a tournament. He has a cat name kinda. Oh yeah, Tiger somethin'. I think he makes bogies sometimes, but I'm not sure it's this kind. In fact, I'm pretty sure it isn't. The picture on the left is a guy named Bogey. He a Puggle? Mom is always watching what's going on in the doggie world and at the Pooch Playground. So today at work she gets this email that Bogey's humans are looking for a new home for Bogey. He is about my same size and age only a bit more trim perhaps. I think I just look a little bigger because I'm "fluffy". Anyway, I think she might be considering letting him come here to live with us. There is only about 2 hours out of any day that I'm left at home alone, so I guess he could take that. I don't know; his Dad hasn't called back yet. Seems Bogey has food aggression against his Mom? What's that? If it means he gets in her plate when she's eating...well, here the rule is when Mom and Dad eat, I go upstairs for a bit.

What IS a Puggle anyway? What kind of a name is THAT for a dog? I mean Wires, yeah, that makes sense. Well, I don't want to get my nose all out of joint unnecessarily. I guess Bogey has been to doggie day care. I think he's a rich dog.

Oh, and by the way, we aren't secure after all. Mom decided she didn't want the extra expense and the neighborhood isn't bad. We have insurance. Maybe when money gets less tight she told the guy.

Did anyone else get rain today? We did and it's in the mid eighties now; almost tolerable. We didn't walk too far, though, because it was really thundering. Just far enough for me to get business done.

I love it when I get comments. I have to find out what that other thing is. Someone will probably tell me. I forgot what Mom said it was called.

Going to go for now....anyone know anything about Puggles? Just in case..........

Home Safe OR My Mom Is Nuts........

2006-08-02T18:39:00.000-04:00

about ME that is. So there I am upstairs in my crate waiting for her to get her you know what up the steps and take me out for my later afternoon walk. I hear her coming! Yeah! But then someone knocks on the door and I hear her turn around and go back down the steps. What's up with THAT? Doesn't she remember I come first? Ok, well, before you know it, I am hearing all these strange MALE voices. I need out of this crate to see what the heck is going on. NOW!!! I started making all kinds of noise...crying, whining, howling....to no avail. How dare she ignore me when I might be needed!!! It's part of my job - the protection thing, you know.

I keep hearing all this talking going on - sounds like about 3 guys downstairs with Mom. Hum...I am definitely puzzled. I heard Mom say that it wasn't really about possessions, but if anyone should break in and let me out of the house to run away, she would be devastated. So......when they finally all left, I take Mom out for my walk (I always have to drag her in this heat) what do I see but an ADT sign! Mom signed up for a home security system. I know she's been a little worried about things from time to time. There were bands of kids roaming around the neighborhood at one time and people are starting to rent out their condo units around us. She isn't a Spring Chicken anymore and there's only so much I can do. So - that's what was going on.

She didn't get a motion detector because of those other critters (cats) and I. We would be setting the thing off all the time. She got the thing where if someone tries to open a window or breaks a window, the alarm will go off. The whole thing will be wired into the police, fire and hospital. Pretty cool, I think, if you ever have an emergency. Now how she is going to pay for the monitoring, I don't know. I know it won't be coming out of MY food and toy allowance!!!

The sales guy who sold her the system just got a new puppy last week. He got a Pitt Bull. Mom said good for him because that breed is getting euthanized because everyone thinks they're ALL mean. No one wants to take a chance. Mom gave the guy my Pup catalog that she gets Foster and Smith or something. He needed some puppy stuff. Like I said, Mom is crazy.....but ya gotta love her.

By the way, the little guy at the top is a guy named Joe. Mom keeps looking at him at the adoptable dog place. I think she just spent his fee on the home security system, though. I'm really not sure I want a brother or sister. I can't decide. I don't really want to share Mom & Dad, but having someone to play with would be fun, too. Oh well, my paws are tired. More probably tomorrow.

I feel sooooo safe now! We just have the sign so far! I'm puppy laughing.

Too Hot To Bark

2006-08-01T20:01:00.000-04:00

Whew! I've just about had it with this weather. Can't the humans DO something about it? We can't walk too far because Mom isn't supposed to be in the sun and I don't really want to anyway. Every time I get ready to go out I hear, "this is a BUSINESS trip." When do I get to go do my sniffing around anyway? I'm tired of this weather and everything about it. It's even too hot to go to the Pooch Playground. I do think a nice mud bath would cool me off, though. That and the baths afterwards....that Mom would have to give me. (Imagine mischievious twinkle in my eye here.)

Mom and I have to get busy and read some other blogs. I want to know what's going on with my buddies out there in dog blog land. Wish we could all have a play party.

Are any of you out there just a little clumsy? I ran into a tree yesterday. I played it off, though, like I meant to all along to amuse Mom. I was watching this Boston Bull on the other side of the doggie area and well, when she got out of sight, I just started walking again and forgot how near the tree I was. What can I say? I have to keep an eye on so many things when I go out...especially other dogs!

I thought of another thing I didn't like about my first trainer. She told Mom that if I cried when she put me in my crate to take pan lids and pound on my crate. It was such a racket and it scared me so bad. I hated that, but I soon learned that Mom did, too. I could see she hated doing that to me. We lived in an apartment then and I made such a fuss. I wasn't supposed to be there in the first place because Dad already had two cats and the rules were either dogs or cats but not both. I think Mom bought the condo just for me. It's my big doggie house. Well, those days are over, thankfully, and I'm as happy as any pup can be.

Mom got an email from the lady at the Pooch Park today and they need a home for a small dog. I don't know if I'm going to be having company here or not...and not sure how I feel about it. How did you guys get adjusted to a new brother or sister?

Well, I am tired and going to sleep early tonight, so I will end my rambling for tonight. Hope to talk to you guys soon.

Wags & Puppy Kisses,
Sammy

Panting Weather

2006-07-31T19:36:00.000-04:00

Hello again...

Boy, I sure have enjoyed getting comments from my new pals today. It makes writing worthwhile. I want to let you all know, though, that the picture on the first page of my blog is me right after I got home from the groomer's. I am not a wuss and can get dirty as well as the next Wire! I'm the ring leader at the Pooch Playground. Ya see, there's this neat big ole mud hole right in the middle of the area. One day Mom and I went out to play and no one was playing when we got there, but I soon had everyone on the move. I'm part herding dog. Anyway, I got too hot and I decided a nice mud bath would be in order, so I ignored Mom when she hollered, "Sammy, NO!" and dove in the mud and laid down completely. Whew! That sure cooled off my belly. I really enjoyed my mud bath. On the way home Mom called Dad to have the camera ready and the picture at the top is what I looked like when I got home. Mom had to wash me 3 times that day. I was sure sick of baths. But I did get to play my super dog game and run around the house to get dry. I love to play that any time. You know, it's sort of like the staircase that NASCAR designed for us pets. At least I think that's what those pet rules said. I kinda forget exactly how that was.

Well, I kind of want to continue with my life story, so I'll take it from where I left off. Mom and Dad rescued me that night from the pet store. Some of their friends said that they should have rescued a dog from the shelter, but I have to disagree. They rescued ME! I overheard the people at the pet store saying that whenever they have Wire Fox puppies in they always "have trouble getting rid of them". I had been there from when I was 8 weeks old - which was a little over 2 months. That's way too much time in the stupid pet store.

Mom and Dad decided to crate train me. And I set up a royal howl about that one, I'll tell you. I wanted no part of that. Every time they left me in it I would bark and whine and cry. I was sure I would win the battle. My Mom had never had a Terrier before and she didn't know much about me. I played too rough for her and she thought I was being mean and had a behavior problem. That was when she decided in desperation to call the vet and get them to recommend a trainer. That's when the Nazi Lady (as my Dad called her) came in to my young life. Mom took me to see this lady. She was one of those choke chain and yank trainers. I behaved for the trainer; I was afraid not to, but Mom I could get over on. The lady told Mom that she shouldn't love on me or even pay any attention to me while we were in training. She also told Mom never to let me win any battle. One day we had a lesson and I didn't do well. NL told Mom to take me home, stick me in my crate and ignore me for 2 hrs. and then make me work again. We were working on sit/stay. Mom tried to follow the directions as best she could, but we just weren't getting it. Mom is the kind of Mom who wants to love on her fur kids and this just wasn't working, so we quit.

I have to be honest, Mom has a lot of scars on her arms. I was a frisky boy and liked to play hard. I nipped and bit and brought blood most nights when she got home from work. I heard Mom say she was at her wits end and maybe she'd have to give up on me. She had never given up on any dog before and she has had dogs for years. Wow, I must be rotten!

Enter Petsmart...Mom and I went in one night to get me some food and low and behold, there is someone giving classes. They had a box there for you to leave questions for the trainer and they'd call you. Mom briefly said what was going on and we left. The trainer called. She said she was sure that they could help and that there were no choker chains allowed in their classes. And Natalie came into my puppy life. Natalie taught my Mom and me how to learn the basics and told Mom I was (and am) an awesome dog. We took about 2 1/2 sessions of lessons and they changed our whole world. I stopped fighting Mom so much and we started bonding. Natalie was wonderful. She moved back to Texas with her two fur kids, Ringo and Penny Lane. We miss her a lot.

We moved into our new condo last October and I have become a very responsible boy about my house habits and I haven't cried much at all when I do have to go in my crate. I have to stay in it when Mom and Dad are both gone because I get bored and I still love to chew. There is a lot of wood in this condo. Yum! I've come a long way. We both have.

One thing, though, I didn't sleep with Mom. She so much wanted me to and I just didn't get it. I'd roam around and make noise and want to go downstairs with Dad while he was still up watching TV...I'd bark at the other dogs in the neighborhood and their humans who had the nerve to walk by MY house...just restless. Then I heard Mom and Dad talking about getting another dog. They sounded serious. A dog for me to play with; to keep me occupied. And I could almost hear the wheels turning in Mom's head; maybe someone who would sleep with her, too.

So....that night.....after my 10:00 squirt (as Dad calls it) I zoomed up at top Terrier speed and leaped into Mom's bed. I slept there all night long and never got out of bed once. For about a month now I have been doing the same thing. Know what? I like it now! I wake Mom up sometimes in the night to cuddle. Shhhh...don't tell anyone, ok? No matter where she is sleeping, I am touching her all night long. Of course my favorite place to sleep is in the exact center of the bed which means I have a good shot at being near her in some way anyway. I'm no dumb dog! And that also guarantees that I don't fall out. I sleep on the outside, though, so she won't get away or fall out. I protect her all night. Since I've been sleeping with her, I've become THE PERFECT DOG. Ya, she says that. And Dad said he'd never love another dog - he's a cat person - he loves me, too, and I love him. I sure lucked out when I was marked down. I know that this was just meant to be. Mom says the way to live with a WFT is patience and love. I know I'm loved just about as much as any creature can be.

My paws are tired. I hope I didn't get too sappy for my buds. I want to stop in their blogs and say howdy and see what's up. I just wanted to fill everyone in on my early life first and kinda get that introduction over.

Good night all my furry friends....and human friends, too, of course. Wags and puppy kisses, Sammy

How Much Is That Doggie In The Window

2006-07-30T20:30:00.000-04:00

Hello,

Some of my furry friends are dog blogging now and I thought it was a doggone good idea, so Mom and I are starting tonight. Just added my picture so you'll know who you're listening to. Do you know they make you lie to get a blog? I couldn't put my real age. Well, my age in human years that is. I was born on January 2, 2005, just for the record.

I spent my first couple months where I was born and then they sent me to a pet store to be sold! I was miserable there. I had to be in a cage and no one paid much attention to me. I was marked way down and getting more depressed by the day. One night this woman and man came in and they were looking at all of us. I didn't catch their eye at first - in fact I didn't even try. No one ever picked me to take to the get acquainted area. Well, my Mom and Dad don't have a lot of money, but wanted a fur kid, so they kept going down the line until they got to me and they could afford me. I guess I was almost like on clearance.

Mom came over to the glass and tapped on the window and I didn't even look at her. I knew she'd pick somebody else. But wait! She had the helper get me out. We went in the get acquainted area and I still didn't think I had any hope of being adopted. Well, Mom kept talking to me and loving on me and what do you know? I started acting cute and playing with a ball they had in there and after about half an hour of playing...well, the rest is history, so to speak. I was headed for my new forever home. And what a home that was...I wish that I could say that things went smoothly from the first, but they didn't.

I'm getting ready for my puppy bedtime, so I'll just say goodnight for tonight and tell you more of my story the next time.

Wags and puppy kisses,
Sammy