True Confessions

Well, I haven’t written on my blog in many months.  Truth be told, things took a turn for the worse.  I was becoming more and more agitated – barking at dogs that past by our house, barking a other dogs when we went for walks, pulling on my leash, chasing squirrels and anything that moved, barking when people came into the house, jumping on people, including the family and finally biting two of Lil Joe’s friends.  I was one angry agitated dog!  Any loud noise would make me jump and when there was thunder, I would take refuge in B’s closet.  Hallie was at her wit’s end and I know that she and B seriously discussed sending me away and worse – the dog farm – if you know what I mean.

In the end, they sent me to doggy boot camp at the First Place Training Center in Mchenry County – over an hour away from our house.  On the way to the training center, I knew that something serious was happening. I had never been in the car for such a long drive and I was a nervous wreck – I even had a #2 accident in the car.  B brought me there and left me there.

Well it was very different than my home.  I really had to shape up – there were dogs everywhere and no one cared for my non-stop barking.  No one would let me get away with my usual shananigans – especially Vince, the main trainer.  At first I hated him, but then I came to realize that what he was training me to do, made me a lot more calmer.  I wasn’t as agitated.  At the center, I had a chance to run around a lot and to think about how crazy my life had gotten.

Three weeks later, Hallie and Lil Joe came to pick me up.  I was so happy to see them, though I was pretty subdued at first.  They spent 3 hours with Vince and me learning all of the new things that I had learned. 

I’ve been back for over a month and I am so glad to be back with the family.  I am way more calmer and no one here puts up with my bad behavior.  They do what Vince did and I remember that I much rather be here than at doggy boot camp.  I definitely still have my moments – but life seems so much easier now.  Hallie takes me for these amazingly long walks -which would have been impossible to do before I went away.  She makes me sit before before we cross any streets.  When the boys have friends over, I may bark a little when they first arrive, but I basically leave them alone now and hope that they will do the same.

Believe it or not, this weekend marks my third anniversary with this loving family.  I always knew that I was a lucky dog, but now I know it more than ever.  As a Jewish dog, the Jewish new year is in two days and while this is a time of celebration, it is also a time for reflection of the year that has passed.  It’s a time to ask forgiveness to those who you may have offended or harmed.  I want to publicly ask for forgiveness to those boys that I bit – you know who you are – and also to my family – for making their lives so difficult.  I am truly sorry.    And to everyone else – a sweet and happy shana tovah!

New Computer

Lil Joe got a new computer and there was this great deal.  He got a Dell Inspiron and Hallie and B got a mini-computer for $200.  Since I am a dog and don’t spend money, this actually sounded like a lot of money to me.  Hallie was so excited about the new little computer.  Of course, if Hallie is happy than I am happy.  It’s a cute little computer and with my thumb issues, it is actually easier for me to write on this computer than my usual laptop.

Here’s what is new in my world.  Hallie is still taking her architecture class.  Now she is learning about modern buildings.  See the picture at the beginning of this post – that is Mies van de Rohe’s very famous Federal Center. To me, it looks like a big box made of glass and steel.  Hallie assures me that this building is a masterpiece and that I really do not know how to appreciate it.  It may look like a big box, but it is a very carefully designed box where no detail was left to chance.  I would appreciate this building more, if Hallie would take me on a tour – but she still says “no way.”

Jorge has been busy, busy, busy in our basement.  The whole place is transformed.  You may recall that two years ago, on My G’s birthday, there was a huge flood in the basement.  Everything was turned upside down and we had to remove the carpet.  Well now, thanks to Jorge, a good portion of the basement has been finished.  He knocked down walls, the floor has been tiled, the walls are newly painted, there is drywall everywhere.  It is going to be an amazing spot for folks to hang out.  Unfortunately, I am not allowed to go down there because that is where Peepers lives.  Remember her – that’s the cat that lives in the basement.  She has been living there since I came to this house.

Well, the weather is finally getting warmer.  This means that Hallie and B will be more willing to take me on long walks.  Last week My G actually took me on a really long walk – we walked like mile, while My G walked his friend to the train.  Nothing is better than a long walk on a nice sunny afternoon.  The great thing about being is a dog is that you can just come home from these walks, drink a little water, and then take a nap.  Aaahhh, it’s a dog’s life!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Happy new year.  Since I have a very short attention span and practically no memory, recalling what happened the past year is very difficult for me.  Overall, 2009 was a good year for me and I’m pretty sure that 2010 will be too.  As long as there is food, a place to sleep and Hallie – what more could a dog want or need?

So, finally Hallie gave me a very belated Hanukkah present.  Surprise, surprise – a Hanukkah loofa dog.  She is so creative – she knows I just love those things.  I am trying to savor this one and have not completely destroyed it after 4 days.  A new record for me.

The family was gone for 8 days.  It was just me and Peepers around here and I was quite lonely.  I’m not sure how Peepers felt.  She is definitely a hard read when it comes to emotions.  Luckily Jorge and his son came in every day, 3 times a day, and gave me food, some loving and took me walking.  I am very uncomfortable being with Jorge’s dog, Ringo.  It is a real conflict for me because I like Jorge, but not the dog!

Joy – the family came back and the whole past week has been topsy- turvy.  Hallie did not work, the boys had no school and B has been around a lot.  I have had long walks – despite the fact that it is freezing outside and lots of folks to snuggle with.   From my point of view – I am one lucky dog.  Wishing everyone who read my blog “a happy new year and may you be lucky too.”

Happy Anniversary To Me

Two years ago yesterday, the family shlepped (oy am I a Jewish dog) to Huntley, IL to adopt me from a shelter.  Of course, when they drove to pick me up, they didn’t know they were going to adopt ME, but they did.  Though I haven’t written as much as I would have liked this past year, it has been a great year.  Barack Obama became president, his kids finally got that dog they wanted, Lil Joe had his Bar Mitzvah, Hallie’s Museum opened, and  meeting our neighbor, Jorge, who walks me some times.  I also scraped the window sills and radiator covers by two windows ’cause I have to bark at every dog that goes by this house and I’m still living here.  What a great place.  It’s not only humans, who need to take the time to appreciate the little and big things going on in one’s life.  So, this is my day to appreciate the little (loofa dogs) and the big (a family’s love) today.  I am one lucky dog!

What’s Going On?

Something fishy is going on around here.  Hallie has been running around the house telling everyone to bring their clothes to her room.  They bring their stuff to her and then she says – “what about your bathing suit, what about PJ’s?”  Then she put everyone’s clothes into these big boxes that zip up.  I hung out in her room all night and she did not ask me once to bring her one of my loofas or my leash.  She didn’t put anything of mine into the big boxes.

Earlier this week, a young guy with long hair came by and Hallie showed him all around our house, with a special emphasis on my leash and walking me.  She also showed him where my food is and where Peepers’ food is.  Then Jorge, our neighbor came by and she gave him a key.  He’s that nice guy, that walked me the 4 days that the family was away visiting the red hair lady and the bald guy.  He is very comforting.

“Hey wait a minute, – is the family going away again?”  Last night while everyone was a sleep I looked at the papers on the table.  There were passports (one for everyone and none for me) and airline tickets to Spain and information about a mediterranean cruise.  What?  They know I don’t like cruising.  I guess that is why Jorge and the long haired guy will be staying with me.  Bon Voyage!

Shout Out To Esther and Border Collies

Hallie has this very good friend, Esther, who she met when My G started kindergarten.  My G was in the same class as Esther’s son.  Esther and Hallie have been friends ever since.  Esther loves all dogs, but she especially loves border collies.  When they first met, Esther and her family, but mostly Esther, had a really nice dog named, Tess.  In those days, Hallie was still afraid of dogs and Esther and Tess were very understanding of her fear.  One time Esther even picked up some dog poop outside of our house because Hallie thought it was too gross to do it herself. Tess passed a few years ago.  Esther immediately adopted a new border collie, Annie.  She is a good dog mother – very patient, loving and understanding.  Annie was from a border collie rescue and like me, she is one lucky dog.

More recently Esther fostered another border collie through the rescue named Gracie.  She welcomed Gracie into her home and helped her get use to other dogs and to people.  Another family now has Gracie.  It’s good that there are people out there like Esther.  All too often, dogs are mistreated by humans and it’s important that we acknowledge heroes like Esther when they are in our midst.

Sadness for Martha

I spent most of the day inside today and had a chance to surf the web.   I came across a story about Martha Stewart’s dog who was killed along with 16 other dogs at a kennel in Pennsylvania.  Apparently, a man who worked at the kennel was filling a propane tank and there was an explosion.  That guy is a real hero, because even though he was critically injured, he still tried to save some of the other dogs at the kennel.  Unfortunately, Martha Stewart’s dog, Ghenghis Khan, a chow puppy, was killed.

So, I don’t even know who Martha Stewart is because I am just a dog, but I do know that lots of bad things happen to dogs and other animals all of the time.  If dogs were treated better, there wouldn’t be so many dogs in shelters, looking for good homes like mine.  Every so often some celebrity, like Martha, Oprah or Paris are in the news because of their animals.  I just wish there were more stories about regular people, who take in shelter dogs and try to give them a good life – even though we can be a little crazy at times.

I want to give a shout out  to our good friends, Elaine, Kelsey and Katia.  About a year and a half ago they brought Zachary, an  english bulldog, home from a shelter.  This was like their third or fourth dog from a shelter – maybe more.  They gave Zachary a good home and he wasn’t the easiest dog.  Recently, he became more and more agressive and they had to put him down.  I just know that he is in a better place – thinking about his family and sniffing all over the place.  Rest in peace – Zachary.

Being Nice to Sam

I often bark at Lil Joe’s friends.  I’m not sure why I do it.  Maybe it’s because Lil Joe is always “egging” me on.  He really riles me up and sometimes it just pisses me off.  So when Lil Joe’s  friends come over, I just transfer my annoyance to his friends.  Sam is a nice boy.  They have been friends since preschool.  Sam comes over and I just bark like crazy at that kid.  His only offense – being Lil Joe’s friend.

Last night Sam slept over.  They came home pretty late – about 10:00.  I was too tired to really bark and do my usual stuff.  When they woke up this morning, I hung out in Lil Joe’s room and laid right on top of Sam.  You know what,  he was a very nice guy to let me lay on him like that.  We laid like that for about ten minutes.  I’m sure Sam what the heck was going on.   I will probably always bark at Sam, but it was nice to share some good times with that kid.

FaceBook

Hallie has really been into Face Book lately.  First My G got on Face Book, then B, then Lil Joe and now Hallie does it too.  It is really bumming me out because Hallie used to be such a help to me in writing this blog.  As you know, because I am a dog, I do not have opposable thumbs.  This means I have to rely on Hallie to help me with my writing.  During the day, if she leaves the computer on, I can surf around using my nose.   I usually do this to get some ideas and then when we go for our daily walks, I think about what to write and so does Hallie.  She used to help me all of the time, but now that she has to check her Face Book page at least a hundred times a day, she doesn’t help me as much as I would like.  And she has 86 friends including that other dog, Barclay Obama.  Why doesn’t Hallie help me get a Face Book page?  I would be  her friend in a second and then she would have 87 friends.  My feelings are so hurt.  Maybe I’m not such a lucky dog afterall.  I wonder who will want to come to my pity party?

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.  I’m an incredibly lucky dog as you know and I am thankful for all of the wonderful humans in my life – Hallie, B, My G, Lil Joe and all of their extended family and friends.  They have all added so much to my life.  I can only hope that a certain president-elect will go for a mixed breed rescue dog.