A Test and A Turkey

My big news is that I passed my AKC Canine Good Citizenship Test last night! My mom was really happy and proud of me. But we both knew I would. However, just before the test my mom told me that even if for some reason I didn't get my certificate we would still find a way to do good things together.

My mom's goal and vision for our life together has been for us to visit people in convalescent places, assisted living, wherever we will be welcome, so I can bring smiles to faces, maybe fond memories, but mostly some unconditional love. And who doesn't need that! Arf!

My mom said it's important to be of service in any way we can. She said most people would like to do it in some big way...but really it's the small daily ways that add up. That's why she carries on this mindset from her friend who died of breast cancer, and takes a minute to clean off the counter with paper towels in a public restroom, or clean up the milk/sugar/napkins station at Starbucks. Her friend always said 'if you have the opportunity to make somewhere better by your having been there, then you should take it.'

With that in mind and Thanksgiving coming (turkey...yum :-), I am thankful

for having a good home

for having good food

for having a cozy bed

for my new sweater

for having grass and bushes and trees (and not just to pee on)

for everyone that has helped me and my mom

for having the opportunity to live a useful life

and for being loved.

Happy Turkey Day to Everyone...and if you ever need a lick, a smile or some love, email me...and if you don't, then maybe you can pass your own on to someone (maybe not the lick). Arf! 

 

           Pablo

A Dog's Tale

This is a story about my chihuahua friend, Lola (names have been changed to protect the innocent). Lola lives at The Shores in a building near the back fence. Now Lola is not the kind of dog to bolt out an open door. But "someone" left the front door open by accident and so Lola wandered out...and down the stairs...and down the path...and across the grass...and through the fence...and then she laid down in the sunshine in the grass. She was 50 feet from home.

"Oh, no!" said a woman walking along, "a dog without a collar on! She may be lost!"...and so the woman walked over to Lola and picked her up...and took her.
But then when she got Lola to her home she realized that Lola should not be around her sick puppy. So she called a friend. Please come take this dog I found. And so another woman came and took Lola.

And now you may be wondering about Lola's mom. Oh yes, Lola's mom got a phone call from the "someone". Your dog ran out the front door!  Lola's mom came home from work and started looking everywhere for her. She called my mom. We walked everywhere with a flashlight and called Lola! Lola!

Meanwhile, the second woman said "oh, no, my dog doesn't like this chihuahua!" So she called a friend and asked her to come take Lola.

My mom said "look on craigslist for a found dog ad...and also do a posting for a lost dog".  The next day Lola's mom saw a Found Chihuahua posting with a picture. It was Lola! So she replied and sent her phone number. Finally the woman called and said "I had her but I gave her to a friend...who gave her to a friend. I don't know who the person is that finally got your dog."

Since Lola's mom isn't a dog, she couldn't pee on this woman.

Finally after hours of waiting and phone calls, Lola's mom found out that the woman who had Lola was working a 12 hr. shift in Marin until 9pm. Lola's mom left her a voicemail. Finally at 10pm on saturday night, Lola's mom went to get her. Not one person had thought "how can we let this woman know where her dog is...who to call...she must be worried"...and yet, every person involved has a dog. Amazing. When Lola's mom got her, she said "Lola was only 50 feet from where she lived and had only been gone 15 min. She would have come home."

Lola herself took it all in stride. But then Lola was dognapped by a coyote when she was a puppy and fortunately quickly rescued by her Jack Russell companions. After that, this adventure was as easy to swallow as liver biscotti...or chicken sticks...or cheese. I'll be right back, I have to go get a snack.

The next day Lola's mom went with my mom and we both got microchipped. Plus Lola got a new soft 'indoor' collar...she will never be without a tag!

So I was thinking how some people say the sweetest words to hear are "I Love You"...and my mom says it's "I'll Buy It For You"...but I think it's "I Found Your Dog". :-)

May you always be returned home safely....Pablo

Sharing Bones

My mom told me that I have a fairy dogmother. Her name is Julie and I liked her at first sniff! She likes me sooooo much that she is paying for all my vet bills and license and microchip. Wow, wadda human! She is willing to share her coins.

Some dogs are willing to share their toys. Some will even let you eat some of their food in the bowl. Some will share their chewy. Everyone will share their water. I have a dog friend and when I was at his house I went over and sniffed his Kong rubber bone. He immediately ran over and barked in my face. Seriously. I guess some dogs get worried that another dog will take their food or toy. The thing I've noticed is that it doesn't matter how many toys they have or how much food is in their bowl...they still don't want to share it.

My mom says humans can be the same way. The pile of coins a human has is not indicative of their level of generosity. My mom told me that once she went to meet a man on a blind date. She wanted to go into a cheese store and he wanted to go across the street to the post office. So she asked if he could buy her a first class stamp. 35 cents. He held out his hand for the money. She only had a $5 bill. He took it. Brought her back the stamp and paper and coins. Since she wasn't a dog, she couldn't pee on him.

I hope you meet lots of humans that will share their bones....Arf!
                      Pablo