Farewell to Rocky

Today we received the awful news that our dear friend Rocky (AKC "And the Rocket's Red Glare") has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

He was diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). He was in Chattanooga for training and became ill. He would have been two on December 27.

Dad, Mom and me send Elinor, her husband and their surviving little schnauzer Rosie our very deepest sympathy on this tragic and untimely loss. It's so scary to think that we are all so mortal...

I'm sure Rocky had two wonderful years with his family and is happily at peace chasing squirrels and birds in the next world, while forever smiling down on his Mom, Dad and little sister.

Take care little Buddy!

AGC

Get Thee to the Bathtub!

Another great weekend is behind us! The weather was glorious and we had frequent frolicks in the park together - all the while off leash! Free!

It seems to me that there are a few too many hand stripping fraudsters out there. Remember my so-called stripping at the hands of Petsmart groomers a few weeks ago? Well, my hunch is that my good pal Kramer (left), had a similar experience, although he still looks better than I did! At least his body seems nice and trim, but the face? hmmm, don't look hand stripped to me, though he still looks cute. Compare him to my Canadian pal Master Colby (right) - now that is what I call a good hand stripping, he looks awesome! His Mom Wendy is one amazing stripper! (eek, that don't sound so good..)



Speaking of grooming, Mom and Dad forced me into the bathtub on Saturday. The plan was for Mom to bath me alone as Dad had to go out and work, but after chasing me around the bathroom for about 10 minutes (I can get under the clawfoot tub, Mom cannot, haha!), she admitted defeat and yelled for Dad (who was about out the door). When Dad opened the door, I thought I had my escape route all worked out, but instead I ran right into Dad's arms and those darn arms lifted me up and plonked me in the tub. I love water, but I don't like bathing, particularly when they put water and shampoo on my face. When the ordeal was over, I ran all over the house like a maniac and then settled under the bed. Mom was intent on blow drying me, so she literally lay on her back on the floor and pointed the blow dryer at me. She looked funny! I ran around for a while, but then I sort of started liking the warm air on my damp body, and I lay still while Mom dried me. Just don't point that noisy thing in my face...! I now look very fluffy...Dad keeps vowing to strip me, but all he's done up to now is pluck at me. Do I look like a dead chicken Dad?

I want to introduce a few more pals of mine. First, my very youngest pal, Sammy who belongs to Michelle and who is one lucky dude, as he lives in Mililani, Hawaii! He is just a very wee chap, barely 9 weeks old...boy is he a cutie. Wasn't so long ago that I looked a bit like him!



Then lets zoom around the world, all the way to Denmark and meet a sweet, furry gal called Aimee who belongs to Kitty (not a real Kitty thank God! Imagine being owned by a feline!).

And look at these siblings, Danny and Suzie having a wonderous time outdoors. Hey Danny (right) and Suzie (who belong to Joan), remind me, where do you guys live? Oh, Ohio!!!

And finally, a tale/tail of caution to all us terriers out there who love to chase after moving things! Spare a thought for Heidi (who looks to me like a Jack Russel) who was chasing birds along San Diego's Sunset Cliffs. "A bird flew over the cliffs and so did Heidi. She ended up on the rocks below. Local lifeguards launched a rescue operation using a crane. A rescuer was lowered to Heidi, then he hoisted the bewildered pup to safety. "
I can quite imagine any one of us wires or smoothies doing the same thing! So read up friends! Look before you leap/chase....

AGC

No Appreciation!

I slept in my crate again last night just for the heck of it - I so enjoyed seeing my parent's confusion, I thought I'd extend their angst for another day.

This morning early Dad took me for the greatest walk. We ran into my best buddies Swoop (mixed brindle colored breed, looks a bit like the Pharoah dog) and Bailey (Boxer) and even Elvis agreed to join us - though he is a pitbull and he makes us all a little nervous, especially 'cos about 2 weeks ago he got into a fight with his foster brother, another pitbull, and they both ended up with stitches. Eek! Elvis's Mom Priscilla often jokes that me and Elvis are going to hit the road together (you know Axel Rose and Elvis?).

Mom was off to work when Dad and I came home - I always get excited to see her no matter how little time has passed since I last saw her, and I jumped up to say goodbye, muddying her jeans! Uh oh. Mom declared that I needed a bath after my fun romp with Swoop, Bailey and Elvis. I do look rather scruffy, but what am I, a poodle? No, I'm a terrier damn it, I'm supposed to be scruffy!

Last night, as I was sitting on my perch by the window, I spotted not one, but TWO cats accross the street. Well, I couldn't contain myself, I barked and barked till Dad tackled me and dropped the blind, almost guillotining me! Mom was all pissed, cos I happened to bark during the last five minutes of The Apprentice, so she missed the firing squad showdown. How she can watch that man with the stupid orange wig is beyond me, I felt I was doing Mom and Dad a double service: protecting the house from feline invaders and preventing them from watching the orange-haired fool. Not that I got much appreciation for my efforts!

Speaking of cats, look at this funny picture of a cat getting a bath..heh heh, she doesn't look too happy!


Have a great weekend everyone!

AGC

Confounding is Fun!

You know what I really enjoy doing? Confounding my poor parents! Last night, just for the heck of it, I slept in my crate. Now Mom and Dad are trying to figure out what's up with me, haha - like why would I voluntarily sleep in my crate (with the door open) when I could quite easily sleep in the bed with them? This is such fun!

I want to introduce a new friend -- his name is Jax and he divides his time between Dallas, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 'cos his Dad works in both places. Must be fun to move around like that me thinks. Jax is 3 years old and loves chew toys (and can even destroy Kongs if they are around for a long time), walkies, all medium and small dogs and all Airedales (?!), and people. I like his beard!

He sounds like my sort of dude, though I have never taken to Kong toys unless they are slathered with liver paste. I also don't think I've ever met an Airdale...but I sure would like to!

Take Me Home - Part II


Yesterday I was thrilled to announce that little Asta found a wonderful home and left the shelter forever. I now want to tell you about 4 purebred wire haired fox terriers that were found abandoned, 3 males and one female. They seem to range in age from 2-5 yrs old, pictured are 2 of the males, Fred and Fritz, the other 2 not pictured are Daphne and Duffy. Since the pics were taken, they have beem groomed, Fred is pictured after his grooming above right. They are currently residing at the Humane Society of Middletown, New York. If you want to take one of these sweeties home, please email luvyrpets2@gmail.com or call (845) 361-1861.
Fritz, Fred, Daphne and Duffy - here's hoping you find forever homes soon!

AGC

BREAKING HAPPY NEWS!

I feel like doing a jig! I just received word that little Asta, that sweet gal I featured in my premiere edition of "Take Me Home" yesterday, and who has been on my mind, has found a forever family!

Is this not just the happiest news!? Asta sweetie, I wish you all very best in your new forever home - may you finally get the love and attention you deserve.

Unfortunately there are other Wires still seeking homes in Brooklyn and Upstate NYC - I'll be posting their stories tomorrow.

AGC

Turn up the Radio!

Awesome news my canine and feline friends (ok, who am I bullshitting, I have no feline friends) - we now have our own radio station! It is aptly called DogCatRadio.com. "Now dogs, cats, hamsters and parrots can keep the anxiety, the loneliness, the restlessness at bay while their owners are out. It is radio just for them, live 17 hours a day, 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific time, and podcast for the rest of the 24 hours. " So I'm listening to it right now while I blog! It's really cool! You can read more about it in the NY Times. Thanks to my friends Becka and Noonie the retriever in Israel for passing on this great info to me.

Well, Halloween is behind us, the Cow costume is thankfully in the closet...but I am still getting photos of my pals in their costumes, or how should I put it, Halloween themed images? On the left is the very fetching Tennessee Witchie girl Moira Eilleen - boy has she grown into a gorgeous speciman! But she is protected by her big brother WindWizard...and apparently I have to undergo some sort of test to even play with Moira! To the right are the Savage kids looking decidedly spooky - I'm not sure if it is Woody and Amelia, or Alexis...they all look pretty alike.


I keep thinking about little Asta who I posted on yesterday's blog entry...I keep hoping she's found a home. You just never know what can happen when you rescue a dog. Read a wonderful story today about a rescued cocker spaniel who saved her new owners life when he backed over a ravine and was pinned in his car. "Honey saved his life just in time (she ran 1/2 a mile to summon help). Ironically, Bosch had recently saved hers when he adopted her from a shelter two weeks ago. " I must be maturing, this story is making me teary and sentimental!

I'm off to work with Dad today...yippee. He is working on his parent's house doing some repairs and painting so I get to go with and play in the yard and supervise the job!

AGC

More Tricked than Treated!

Boy, last night was exciting! Every few minutes there were loud knocks at the door - Dad would lunge for me, Mom would open the door and there would be all these strange creatures outside holding out bags into which Mom dished out candy! This went on for some time! Then Mom dressed me in my Cow costume and we went for a walk around the neighborhood. Everyone laughed at me! I didn't really mind, I still looked better than the pug in the Eagles Tshirt with devil horns! (Personally, I don't think Pugs even need to dress up to look funny!)

I got a bit pissed off that everyone was getting candy except me, so when we returned from our walk, I jumped up by the diningroom table and managed to overturn the whole candy dish onto the floor! Heh heh, Mom and Dad forget how big I've grown. I grabbed a mini Snickers and then ran behind the VCR hoping Mom and Dad wouldn't find me! I figured if I couldn't see them since my head was inside the entertainment unit, they couldn't see me, and I felt very clever! But Alas, they grabbed my butt and wrenched the candy from my jaws, and that was that. Dad then tried to appease me by giving me the WRAPPER sans the chocolate. Gee thanks Dad...that's really gonna do it for me! Not.

I got a great email from my smooth foxie friend Huckleberry - he told me he had seen the pics of me playing with my pal the Golden Retriever, and wanted to share a pic of himself and his best friend Max, also a Golden. What a cool pic Huck! They look like they're having a blast!

Being the frustrated philanthropist that I am, I am going to introduce a new feature on my blog called "Take Me Home!" It is sad but true, that there are many Wires and Smoothies out there looking for forever homes. I thought that perhaps by featuring these sweet souls on my blog I can maybe find a nice human out there willing to adopt them. So I'd like to introduce you to little Asta, currently residing at the Huntington Animal Shelter (Huntington, New York) . She is about 5 years old, passed her behavior test with flying colors, is spayed and vaccinated and just dying to find a family to love. Anyone interested, can email etory@metlife.com, or call 631-261-0767.

Heres wishing everyone a happy November! Hmmm, is that turkey I smell??

AGC

Pre-Halloween Poop Fest

Wishing all my friends and fans a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

So this is my first Halloween...Mom said she will take me out in my cow costume later, but Dad will have no part in it. He says it's stupid to dress me up. Who asked you Dad - I want to see how many treats I can get!!

Speaking of treats, it seems Halloween can be a dangerous time for us dogs, so for my human fans, here are some reminders:
-- Keep candy wrappers, foils and lollipop sticks away from pets. They can be choking hazards
-- When children come home with candy, make sure that pets have treats too. (Amen to that!)This will distract pets from wanting to investigate the candy.
-- If you want to dress your pet up in a costume make sure that the costume does not restrict their airways or have parts that can easily get caught on something.
-- Be aware that even the most mild mannered dogs may show a different side when they have strangers constantly coming to the house. It is best to keep animals away from the door.
-- Keep lit pumpkins and candles out of reach of wagging tails.

Actually, I better go easy on the treats, I've had a bad case of the shits for the last 24 hours. I was sound asleep under the bed (yup, now that the heat is on, I'm happy again to be under the bed for at least part of the night) when I felt my belly move. I tried to wake Dad, but he was dead to the world, so I ran downstairs and boy, I made the biggest poop ever, it was so big it stuck to my bum while I was in mid crouch. When dad finally came down, boy did he get a surprise...he thought maybe a rottweiler had broken in and left big poop on the carpet. ha! So he cleaned it up and we went back to bed. But would you know, the belly groaned again, and this time Dad ran down with me to let me out, but alas, I just couldn't hold it in...and out it came, all over the carpet again. Poor Dad...I felt bad. But not bad enough to prevent me from grabbing the papertowl while he was wiping up the mess...heh heh, I just love to shred the stuff.
Lucky Mom, she slept through the entire poop fest! Or was she just pretending to be asleep?

AGC

Perfect Fall Day in the Park

Oh boy, did we have a glorious day today! Mom and Dad took me to Lemon Hill Park and we were there for a long time taking in the beautiful mild temperatures and the sunlight. I ran into my friend the Golden Retriever, and we had a swell time as you can see:


Then I played catch with my fave green ball:


And we went to the brick wall and gazed at the beautiful view of the Schukhill river:


And I enjoyed some cuddles with Dad:


All in all - the PERFECT Dog Day Afternoon.
And now it's time to nap! Toodles!


AGC

Out Darn Sock!

Good news! Remember my silly friend Mackie swallowed a sock over a week ago? Well, this email arrived last night from his mom Melissa:

"Weeks after my Mackie ate the infamous nylon sock, hefinally vomited it up. I was waiting patiently for himto pass it, but it came up the other way. I can't tell you how heavy the darn thing was..."
Heavy? And I bet really really smelly! Yuck! I hope you learnt your lesson Mackie - no more socks pal, ok?

Well, I WAS feeling so crummy over my pathetic haircut until a dear friend (who's identity I will keep anonymous out of respect for his dignity) sent me this picture of himself and his really bad haircut. Poor dude, that is a bit too close to poodlish for comfort! No Wire should ever suffer such poor grooming - though I do understand that this haircut was required due to some medical problem on the dude's legs. Hopefully he's recovered fully and looking like the handsome wire I see lurking beneath that haircut!



I tell you, some Wires really live the good life. I mean I'm not saying I don't, but my pal Tilly in the UK goes on vacation more often than I poop, and that's OFTEN. Check out these pics of her having a frolicking good time on her latest holiday. The first pic is of her climbing a cairn, and in the second she's just chilling with her Dad:



Tilly's climbing adventure reminds me of an astounding story I read in the English press this morning. It seems a dog has escaped death and was left unscathed after falling 100 feet over a cliff on the Dorset coastline. "Three-year-old black Labrador Bracken was walking with its owner and her daughter, when he slipped and fell off a ledge at Peveril Point, near Swanage."
Not only did he survive, he was unscathed! Just shows what strong stuff we canines are made of!

Nothing very new to report in my life, except that sadly my petsitter Rose resigned yesterday as she needed to get a full-time job. I will miss you Rose - let's stay in touch! Poor Rose was blubbering when she left me yesterday. She must really love me. What's not to love?

AGC

Of Piggies and Tall Dogs

Last night I ate my first piece of swine! Mom wasn't overly delighted that Dad shared his Chinese pork ribs with me as she does not eat any Piggy products, but boy they sure were delish. I got BBQ sauce all over the floor and my paws, again much to the delight of Mom. Not.

But then again Mom wasn't in the best of spirits as she and Dad went to see the Body Worlds exhibit at the Franklin Institute (Science Museum) and she found it rather nauseating to see dead bodies on display. I heard her tell Dad she was quite horrified at what was under her skin after seeing the human body up close. Every time she munched on her sesame chicken she was heard to say to Dad, "I'm picturing the passage of this food through my body and I feel grossed out!" Dad didn't seem bothered, he ate the ribs, chicken and won ton soup!

Hallelujah the rain has stopped! It's also quite sunny but it's still very cold. Dad turned on the heat in our house and I was quite fascinated to feel the hot air on my face when I stood over the vent.

I think I told you I am now sleeping with Mom and Dad in their bed and not under it. It's all very cosy but last night I fell off the bed in mid sleep. Or so Dad says. My theory is that I was "pushed" off while Dad was thrashing about in his sleep. I think it's time we got a bigger bed!

Speaking of which, can you imagine sharing your bed with a 7-foot Great Dane? This morning I read about the world's tallest dog named Gibson who is a three-year-old Harlequin Great Dane.
"Gibson stands over 7 feet tall when upright, but the official measurement is taken from paw to shoulder. The dog measured 42.6 inches in the summer of 2004 when the world record was certified, but his owner said he's still growing. "I've had Danes since 1981," said Sandy Hall. "I've never seen anything like this."

Me neither! But I sure would like to play with Gibson. I love big dogs!!

AGC

Help! I Look Like A Freak!

Boy did I get massacred at Petsmart Groomers yesterday. In under 2 hours and for less than $25 they told my parents that I had been stripped. But just look at me - do I look like a fine speciman of striphood? I think not!


I look like a damn poodle...not that I have anything against poodles, some of my best friends are poodles, but we Wires are not supposed to be fluffballs. And can you see my eyes? I can't! I look silly. This is embarracing. I may have to hide out and refuse to go on walks!

Anyway Mom swears that she will sue Petsmart if my colors start fading...and they will not be taking me back there. Phew. Dad says he will learn how to strip me. Uh oh...this could get interesting. Oh and to add insult to injury, they attached a big orange bow to my collar saying Happy Halloween! I looked like some sort of perverted Halloween gift! I tried to bite it off, but couldn't, so Mom cut it off and threw it away.

Wilma the Hurricane is blowing through Philly today - it hasn't stopped pouring! It's not fair - why does the rain always coincide with Mom's Jewish hols off work days. She is off today and tomorrow again for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah -- but looks like we'll all just be hanging out at home. Perhaps not a bad thing given my weird haircut!

Last night Mom made some tuna casserole and tossed a few noodles into my bowl. Unbeknownst to Dad, I took them downstairs to the basement and hid them in dad's backpack so I could eat them at a later stage. Just my luck - Dad found them instead. You should have heard Mom and Dad laugh at me! What is so damn funny about hiding noodles in a backpack? I don't get it at all.

AGC

Groomer Bound

Oh joy! In a few minutes Dad is taking me to the groomers! I believe my favorite groomer Alex up and left Philadelphia for Mexico! So who knows who will be stripping me today - I just hope they know what they are doing! My coat is in a pretty bad state despite Mom and Dad's efforts to comb out the mats...I have a feeling it is not going to be a fun day!

Yesterday Grandma's photos arrived in the mail and there were many cute ones of me! Here is grandma taking me for a walk down our street, and me sitting on Mom's lap eating a delish cookie.



And here I am in the doggy park having a drink after an exhausting play session!

Guess what I did yesterday? I purposefully would not poop for Mom when she took me into the yard as I knew she would get impatient, and when she gets impatient, she opens the puppygate that blocks off this strip of yard that runs parellel to our neighbor's yard. The thing is they keep it closed off cos there are holes in the fence through which I can slip through! The neighbor Rex's yard is far more interesting than ours, it even has a pond! So as expected, the barrier was lifted in an effort to encourage me to poop over there, and before you could yell "pooch on the loose", I was through the fence and having a rocking good time in Rex's yard! Mom and Dad were hysterically calling for me to come back, but I just ignored them and pretended I was deaf. I stuck my front legs in the pond and ran around until Rex came out and caught me and sent me back over the fence! Darn it! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!!

Oh no, I can hear Dad coming up the stairs...I better log off - time to go get cleaned up! I'll post photos later of my grand new look.

Kisses,
AGC

The Great Switcheroo

I thought Mom and Dad were leaving on vacation yesterday as suddenly suitcases from the basement were hauled upstairs. I must admit, I had a bit of a panic attack at the thought of them leaving me. But when Mom started opening the cases and taking out thick sweaters and stuff, it dawned on me that the big seasonal switcheroo was underway. Winter clothes upstairs, Summer clothes to the basement. Wow, what a relief. I was so pleased I promptly made the empty case my new bed and lay down and went to sleep! Stress can be exhausting!

After a quick nap, I went to my toy box and selected Dad's old sneaker, my second favorite toy after my long legged cow. For some reason, that sneaker seemed to have a life of its own, so I felt compelled to whip it and try to kill it! I stuck my whole face inside at one point, to try and find the heart of the beast! No sneaker is going to outwit me!


Can you believe I woke up today and it's raining again! Dad pushed me out the door to go do my biz. I didn't appreciate that at all.

I know I shouldn't, but I still read the newspapers this morning. I couldn't quite understand this weird story entitled, "Ontario man arrested for having sex with a dog." As I'm just a wee chap, I am not very well versed in sexual matters. I tried to get the "Joy of Sex" down from Mom's bookshelf, but she cleverly put it out of my reach. And they don't offer sex ed curriculum in Puppy Class. So let me try to figure this out:
A man was arrested after neighbors reported seeing him sexually assaulting his family's 10-year-old female Rottweiler. While at the home, police learned that Huizar was living in a large doghouse in the backyard. Neighbors also reported seeing Huizar in his back yard dressed in a woman's bra and panties, dancing with a broom handle, police said.

Ok, I give up. I don't get this at all. Humans can be very perplexing, though I don't really think this crazy twit warrents even being called human. He sounds like a complete neanderthal.

Hey, guess what, 2006 is the Year of the Dog in the Chinese Calendar. Woohoo, I smell a great year a-coming!!!

AGC

Sad News Day

Sorry I haven't written for 2 days...Mom was home 'cos it's another Jewish holiday - the festival of succoth! When Mom is home, I don't get to go near the computer!

I have to admit, I'm feeling a little down in the dumps today. I should stop reading the newspapers over breakfast, I wish I wasn't such a media hound. Whoever said it was a dog's life, probably doesn't read the daily canine news. Just this morning, I had to read about Dogs Used as Shark Bait on French Island; Rabid skunk bites dog, which must be destroyed; Woman Found Guilty Of Setting Dog On Fire, Killing Children; Dog tied to tracks spared from train...
I just can't take it. How could anyone use a LIVE dog as shark bait or set a dog on fire or tie it to railway tracks? Sometimes I really despair of the human condition. I thank God everyday that I am part of such a loving, caring family.

Anyway, time for us to cheer up...Halloween is nearly upon us which means more scarecrows to attack and hopefully some trick and treating to be done! The Savage family sent me this adorable picture of Woody and his mom Alexandra sporting their jumperz from Aunty Brenda, against their scary Halloween backdrop - now this is something to smile about:

I have made a new discovery. It is more fun sleeping ON the bed then under it. My latest trend is to start off sleeping under the bed, but then around 2a.m. I wake up Mom or Dad by jumping up next to their side of the bed until they lift me up and I snuggle between them for the rest of the night. Mom and Dad seem to enjoy it too, especially now that it's cold - they lovingly refer to me as their living electric blankie.

Yesterday I was very busy. Dad took me to Lemon Hill park where I met up with my two best friends Swoop (shepard mix) and Bailey (boxer) and we ran and ran and had a jolly good time except that I was drawn to a burr bush and emerged, much to Dad's horror, encrusted in those nasty prickly things. I then had to suffer through an hour of hair pulling to get them out! Later, Mom took me to the dog run to meet a new puppy Sam who we'd met via Craigslist. Sam is a tiny little guy and frankly I felt like a great dane by comparison. I tried to play with him, but he was too little and he started freaking out, so I thought, screw this, and went to play in the big dog run with the real dogs!

AGC

PS Some person in Oregon won the $340 million Powerball last night - so once again my philanthropic ideals have been squashed. I hope this winner will use his/her winnings to improve our world.

Digging for Ghosts

You are probably wondering what the heck I am doing in the photo montage above.
Well, on Friday night, I became convinced that there was a ghost hiding somewhere amongst the couch cushions, so I started to dig right away. I must admit, I behaved like a dog possessed, nothing Mom and Dad could do would avert my attention away from my mission. They even took the cushions off the couch to show me nothing was there, but I was not convinced! I just know something was lurking down there! Eventually they forced me off the couch as they were afraid I would destroy it with my digging, and put me in a time out. Sometimes my parents are so clueless - I'm just trying to protect them! *sigh*

On Saturday we all went for a glorious walk on Lemon Hill as the sun finally came out! We found this cool, secret spot overlooking the Schukill river and watched the sculls racing on the water. Man, I would like to ride in a scull someday! The only crappy part of the walk was that I stumbled into a burr bush and got covered, so Mom had to painstakenly pick them out and when she lost patience, she just cut them out! Way to go Mom!

This piece of news made me almost throw up my breakfast as it brought on a sudden attack of giddiness:

Man and dog bounce to new record -- A new world record was set in Edinburgh after an American completed 206 jumps on a pogo stick in one minute. Shopkeeper Ashrita Furman carried out the attempt next to the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, while carrying a dog. The record breaker insisted the dog, which he carried in honour of the legendary terrier who stood guard by his master's grave, was unharmed.

Unharmed? Holy crap, my heart goes out to that poor hound - I can't imagine some freak clutching me while jumping up and down on a pogo stick 206 times in a minute! I bet if it had been a child with him everyone would have been up in arms! To break a record pogoing is one thing, but to inflict such craziness on a hapless beast is downright horrid! Humans can be so selfish and stupid sometimes! Makes me positively pissy!

AGC

Bed Socks?

I almost choked on my Solid Gold biscuits this morning when I spotted this cartoon in the morning newspaper:

I completely identify with it. I have three dog beds -- a crate with sheepskin liner, a zebra patterned furry bed and a huge round bed in the basement, but I choose to sleep UNDER mom and dad's bed. I enjoy their mystification as to why I wouldn't prefer to sleep between them ON the bed - how can I explain to them that their snoring and thrashing about disturbs me? Under the bed I can stretch out, the mattress forms a convenient sound barrier, and they can't reach me to drag me outside to potty! There is method to my (seeming) madness!

Can you believe it is STILL raining? Seven days straight. Boy it sucks! So did Yom Kippur suck as I only got fed my food, no human food was to be had all day! And more bad news, mom and I didn't win the Powerball...noone did! So our philanthropic dreams are on hold for another few days!

I spotted another contest online, this time for the Coolest Dog on www.dogster.com/show. There are 15 categories (including nautiest dog, craziest tail...) and it is free to enter! Prizes include a photoshoot for the cover of New York or Hollywood Dog Magazine! I think I might just try my luck again - but first I made sure to enter the Fox Terrier Network Photo Contest as my loyalties are with my fellow foxies first!

Finally, a message to my pal Mackie who just ate and swallowed his third sock much to the alarm of his Mom Melissa....Hey Mackie, what's up dog? Surely you can find more tasty treats to eat? The nutritional value of a sock is zero and it's not much fun to try to poop it out! Rather do what I do...learn to open the refrigerator door or overturn the trash, you'll find far more tasty fare in those places! Best of luck in passing the sock, my thoughts are with you...eek! (Pictured left is Mackie and sock, pre ingestion.)

Yours,
AGC

Philanthropy Rocks!

I have decided what I want to be when I grow up! A philanthropist!
As you will recall, I won October Dog of the Month on Barkslope.com. My prize was a $25 gift voucher for the website, and in the giving spirit, I decided to donate my prize to the Fox Terrier Network who go to great lengths to help my fellow foxies in need. I selected a Puppy Puzzle toy and sent it to the Network to use as a prize for an upcoming fundraiser. I never knew it could feel this good to give up my prize! Mom says if she wins the Powerball tonight ($200 something million), she too will become a philanthropist and together we could realize our dream of making the world a better place!

What fabulous creatures we terriers are, just read this story in the news today:

A young Jacksonville, Fla., boy found the abandoned squirrel last month. He named it "Chipper." The boy's terrier, which is named "Pepper," started following her instincts and mothered the squirrel. Now Pepper, who hasn't had puppies in four years, is producing milk again. She is nursing Chipper back to health and even grooms her newest friend.

So it seems that some terriers befriend and mother squirrels rather than hunting and killing them. Hmm, interesting. Pepper is probably not a pure bred terrier! Ha!

Things are solemn in our house today as it is Yom Kippur tonight when Mom (and maybe Dad) will be fasting from sunset to sunset tomorrow. I thankfully, will not! Mom is cooking a rather bland looking chicken to eat before the fast - if I was about to fast, I'd eat three chickens, a dozen potatoes and a pint of ice cream! I doubt Dad will fast, he can't live without his Coke!

AGC

PS No blogging for me tomorrow - I will respect my folks and Yom Kippur and refrain...