Friday, December 29, 2006

Happy 2007!

I know. I've been really slack in updating my blog. I've just been busy celebrating Hanukkah, then I got to celebrate Xmas with my non-Jewish pals and now it's almost the new year. Wow, 5 more months and I'll be TWO years old. In human years I'm just about bar mitzvah! Luckily for me dogs are not allowed in synagogue!

I am proud to report that I helped a friend in Pennsylvania find a new Wire for her household. They lost their beloved Wire Koobus a few weeks ago of old age and were desperate to fill their lives with a new Wire to love. As I say...noone should ever be without a Wire! So tomorrow, this wiry-loving family are travelling to NY State to pick up their new addition who they have named Spencer. I think I'm in love:



I look forward to meeting Spencer in the Summer as they only live 110 miles from Philadelphia!

Despite it getting dark here before 5pm, I am grateful to Dad for always making a grand effort to take me to the dog park so I can see my friends. Their fearless owners also still come to the park eventhough it is mostly very dark with no lighting. Some of my friends have trippy flashing collars but me being mostly white, am easier to find. Pity the owners of black labs! Anyway, so I love it when Dad gets home early from work, or else I'm stuck being walked by Mom who is too afraid to go near the park in the dark - she just shleps me around the neighborhood streets that are well lit under the streetlamps. But it's a solitary walk with no play! So Dad is my hero!

I know I shouldn't complain as I now have my lunchtime walk as well! Elvis and Gia's Mom P walks me every day with either of her kids or another dog she walks, my buddy Austin. I love the break in my monotonous day and am a much happy camper since Mom and Dad decided to pay for this great service!

MISSING DOGS: CAN YOU HELP?
A man travelling through Florida with his two Wires Toby and Dakota stopped at a gas station and when he came back to his car, both dogs were gone. Stolen or released? Noone knows, but he is desperately looking for them. If you are in the Lake City, Florida area - please click here to find out more.

And, to anyone living in the Park City, Utah area - there is a Giant Shnauzer with the same name as me, AXEL, who is missing. His family really miss him. Please visit www.findaxel.com for more details.

I will pray all three dogs find their way home SOON.

Anyway, to my two legged and four legged friends - may you all have a healthy, happy and tail wagging new year 2007!

AGC

PS You know that Dingo Cane I got for Hanukkah - I finished it in THREE days! I'm a pig!

Monday, December 18, 2006

Hanukkah Rocks!

Happy 4th night of Hanukkah!
It just gets better every day. On the first night of Hanukkah - Mom and Dad lit the shabbat candles and the Hanukkah candles, so the house was a-glow and we put all our lovely Hanukkah cards from our doggie friends around the display:



Then after we lit the candles and sang some songs, Mom and Dad gave me the most awesome Hanukkah gift - a huge candy cane made of Dingo rawhide! I nearly had a cadenza! I definitely did a jig!

And then today, a big parcel arrived in the mail from Unkie Phillip and Auntie Chris and my girlfriend Miss Amelia, her Mom Alexandra and their sis Beau and kitty Pepper. I was so excited I could barely contain myself as Mom opened the box. Out came the most amazing kong chicken toy on a long rope (see pic below) and Mom demonstrated how it worked by twirling it over my head and throwing it for me to catch. It was a wild time! I then took it and ran upstairs to bed so I could examine it closely. I also got TWO packages of Dingo Minis - so when I'm done with the cane (I have eaten two thirds already), I will have MORE Dingoes to enjoy!!



Mom and Dad also got a gift, something edible called Poppycock. Dad looked very very happy! If you look closely at the photo below of me inspecting the package to see if I could find any more goodies...you'll see Dad pigging out on the Poppycock in the left corner! Heh heh, and they think I am a piggie. Dad didn't wait half a second to open that yummy gift up. Mom liked it too. I got ONE lousy popcorn, but I didn't care, I preferred my chicken on a rope! Another thing to note in the picture below, is the gorgeous blue blankie with doggies on it - that was also a Hanukkah gift from Auntie Carol, Big Foot Fletch and Maxie. I sure am a lucky dog!



You may notice as well in the photos that I have a bit of a goofy haircut. They trimmed my hair around my eyes and now I look a bit creepy if you ask me...But I can see better, so I will forsake my vanity for vision this once.

Anyway, I gotta get working on the rest of my candy cane, time is of the essence - I have two more packages of Dingoes to get through. By the way, Mom made latkes tonite and the whole house smells of oily potatoes...if you want to revisit how to make latkes, click here to see my step by step guide from last year. Try not to notice how much thinner I was back then. I really need to go on a diet. I'll call Jenny Craig in the morning. If that whale-like woman Kirsty Alley could shed her pounds, there is hope for moi.

Wonder what other surprises are still waiting to happen with 4 more days of Hanukkah remaining. More miracles I hope.

AGC

Friday, December 15, 2006

Dirty Dog

I'm a dirty, dirty dog. I look like a scruff muffin. Later, I am going to get groomed, so stick around for the AFTER photo...



I see I got tagged by Gus to tell you 3 things I want for Hanukkah and 3 things I really don't want:

I want...

1. End to puppy mills, animal abuse and homeless dogs (my philanthropic wish)
2. A Dingo chew the size of the Empire State Building (though how will it fit in my house?) (My greedy wish)
3. A new house big enough to accommodate #2, with a big yard and no horrible nameless neighbor who complains about my barking. (My greatest wish!)

What I really don't want:
1. More visits from Animal Control or the Police for falsely alleging I bark too much
2. Days alone at home. I hate being alone.
3. Regular baths!

AGC

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Axel Dreams of Hanukkah



THREE days until the exquisite festival of latkes and lights. I'm more partial to the former, of course. With sour cream and apple sauce. But I'll take 'em as them come!

AGC

PS Excellent news - looks like our buddy Elliot is off to his new home across the border to Canada. What a great holiday it will be!

Friday, December 08, 2006

What I want for Hanukkah

Well it was a big day for Mom today, she went for her green card interview! She had been gathering documents and pictures for weeks to show that she was genuinely married to Dad and she was pretty nervous. I stayed home of course, but I kept them in my thoughts while I chewed on my marrow bone, and when they got home, Mom was beaming, so I know I helped! Mom told me the man who did the interview, when commenting how cold it was, grumbled that his big black labrador had kicked him out of his own bed last night! Well, that was that then, most of the interview turned to a discussion about dogs! Heh heh, Mom lucked out! In two weeks the mailman will bring her Green Card - I am hoping it is like a Greenie - I might have to eat it, though I don't think Mom will go for that!!

Man it has gone really cold here - it was 9F with the chill factor. Where Mom comes from - that is minus 11 C! It never gets that cold in Africa! Dad hates the cold and wants to go live somewhere warm like with Gus in Arizona or with all our friends in California! I actually like the cold. Mom put my silly red coat on last night to take me for a walk - and I'll let you in on a secret - I can't pee pee when I'm wearing a coat! I just can't! I usually pee many times along the way to mark my journey and Mom noticed I was lifting my leg but then changing my mind so she figured it out and half way through our walk, she took off my coat and then, boy did I pee! I have my own coat Mom, I don't need an extra one. Just because YOU are cold, doesn't mean I am...that is silly Jewish Mom nonsense.

My smooth pals are very lucky to have a living warm rug - their sister is a Pyranees Mountain Dog. Just look at the two smooths snuggling up in her warm coat!

Other news is that our house is full of mouses! I have been a very busy boy helping Dad to catch them. I hear them squeaking after they get caught in a trap and notify Dad by trying to dig up the kitchen floor/cabinets/oven. I get real excited when we extricate the mousetrap and I see the little things writhing on the trap. Mom gets all sad and insists on killing them immediately to spare their suffering - Dad says they are pests and doesn't feel bad for them. I happen to agree with Dad - I just wish they'd let me kill them or at least play with them for a bit!

Finally, I found the perfect Hanukkah gift for myself and I have left hints for Mom and Dad all over the house by printing out this image! It's a terrier credit card! Just think, I could take it and go to Petsmart and buy as many Dingo treats, Milkbones, toys and Kongs as I like!



Seven days until Hanukkah! Woohoo - I smell a shopping spree! Anyone know who I can write to to make sure my request is honored. Christian dogs write to Santa, who do Jewish dogs write to?

AGC

Friday, December 01, 2006

December is Here!

Sorry I haven't written for a while, I've been trying to get used to being home again. I miss my temporary home in the burbs, especially my yard where I could run and chase squirrels and bark at the dog next door through the fence. I also miss the strange company of my three feline hosts. Some people believe wires and cats can never get along, but then my friend Alexandra in Washington State, sends me this delightful picture of her and Pepper the cat sharing her bed! Maybe if I'd stayed in Levittown a little longer I would have become friends with Midnight the Cat.



Can you believe it is already December? Mom has gone batty decorating the outside of our house with flashing Hanukkah lights. She also tied a big dreidl (spinning top) to the door knocker and then couldn't figure out why I kept barking by the door. It took Mom the genius decorator a few hours to figure out the wind was blowing the dreidl and making the door knocker, well, knock. And I being the fierce protector of our house, just did what came naturally every time I heard a thud. Although Mother is not against Christmas stuff, she felt like we had to decorate for Hanukkah to show the ethnic diversity of our street. Translation: One Jewish family (us) and the rest, Xmas celebrants. I am anxiously counting the days until Hanukkah to see what gifts I get - we have only 14 days to go, unlike you Xmas dogs, who have 23 days to go! Heh heh, and they say there are no advantages to being a Jewish dog!

As we snuggle up with our families over the holiday season, we need to remember those poor friends stuck in shelters. I know of three beautiful Wires, in desperate need of forever or foster homes. I know Mom and Dad would open their hearts if they could, but we rent our house and the lease is very clear on stipulating only one four legged being in the house. We also wouldn't want to further irk the nameless neighbor Scrooge-type-personality, now would we?
[By the way, while on the subject, a quick update. Since being home I have either been crated in the mornings and bark collared in the afternoons or bark collared all day. The new collar monitors how many times I bark and Mom and Dad have been quite pleased that I haven't triggered it very much at all. Also Elvis's Mom has been coming round to take me for a jaunt at lunchtime and I sure appreciate that given how much I hate being alone at home!]

But back to the guys needing homes. First up is Elliot, a senior wire of 10 years. He is described as a very sweet boy who is very good with kids and other dogs. He is situated in New York State but I'm sure he can travel almost anywhere. If you can help Elliot, please email his mom Jacalyn.



The second Wire looking for a home is a female named Mitzi. She is currently living in the Dallas area. Her parents bought a new dog Elvis into her home, a very little one (as seen in the photo) and poor Mitzi just did what came naturally - thought he was prey and went after him. So now they want to get rid of Mitzi. Damn unfair if you ask me. Last in first out is what I stand by! Let Elvis find a new home...but I don't run the world (what a better, more interesting place it would be if I did, huh?) - so we need to find Mitzi a home. She is probably better off being an only dog. If you can help, please email Julie.



The third wire is Cooper. When he came to rescue, he looked like a furball, but now he looks grand, don't you think? Please also contact Julie if you can help Cooper.



Did you hear that Barney, the first dog visited the troops in Iraq? Barney is a Scottish terrier, and they are alright I suppose, but if you really want to cheer up the troops, those amazing men and woman who are despatched to dangerous places and risk their lives, you need to round up a whole lot of fox terriers - smooth and wiry - and send them off to entertain the soldiers! I can just see the article now:

A 100-dog delegation of smooth and wire fox terriers were sent off to Iraq today with Robin Williams to bring comfort and hilarity to the American troops stationed there. Upon landing in Iraq, the minute the door of the plane opened, the foxies took off in all directions, barking their greetings to one and all. Four hours later when the last fox terrier had finally been rounded up - they entertained the troops by barking their rendition of The Star Spangled Banner and bouncing up and down the stage....

One dog who would definitely be part of that delegation is Highcrest - who demonstrates his bouncing skills in the photo below:



Happy weekend!
AGC

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Home Again

Did you miss me? I certainly missed writing my blog! My imposter parents, E & L, wouldn't let me near their keyboard!

Anyway, I survived my weekend in Levittown. Or, it may be more appropriate to say, my imposter parents survived the week with ME. I have to admit, I was quite the bad boy! I got especially difficult when E & L tried to leave the house without me. I was so successful, E missed her train to work on 3 occasions! Not bad huh, that's 3 out of 5 days. SCORE! The poor folks, I felt sorry for them, when they started going to extraordinary lengths to get out their OWN house! They first erected a barricade using boxes from their garage - but I figured that out fast, and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Then they took a folding table and tried to block their door with that. I had to laugh to see them clambering over it to get out the house.

One night I was especially bad. I stole a pen out of imposter Mom E's bureau, and got her to chase me around and around the dining room table. Of course I had no intention of biting the pen and spraying ink all over their house...but of course E didn't know that, and fell for my wise ploy to get her to play. It was around midnight, so she got rather pissed off to say the least!

But other than that, I was quite a well behaved dude. I gave lots of cuddles, ate my snacks on E & L's laps and tried very hard to befriend their three cats. I even brought my toys to them one at a time to entice them to play. But no luck there. It's true I guess what they say about cats and dogs...

Here are pics of me and my imposter parents - E pictured left, and L pictured right:



After what seemed like ten years, suddenly the doorbell rang, and there was Dad, standing at the door, looking all tanned and excited. I was happy to see him I admit, I think I'd given up on ever going home...but I decided to let him know I didn't appreciate being abandoned for a week, so I played the aloof card. Once in the car, I had an anxiety attack, started shaking and vomiting, as it struck me that maybe Dad was going to drop me off somewhere else and abandon me again. I couldn't bear the thought of getting used to another strange couple and strange home.

But once we arrived home and I flew around the house checking out all my haunts, I relaxed and boy, I felt so happy to be home. Then Mom came home, and I did quite a jig but then thought I'd induce a bit of guilt, so I drew the aloof card again. I like to keep them guessing.

Anyway, Mom and Dad showed me their photos from their honeymoon in Jamaica - and boy did I get jealous. Bet you will too:


Mom and Dad overlooking a cliff in Negril


Mom and Dad horse-riding on the beach. Mom's horse is laughing at her!


Dad on a paddleboat, Mom was seated next to him


Mom lazing on a chaise-longue IN the sea at sunset


There are dogs in Negril, albeit many stray ones. This dog lives at a craft store. You'll never guess what his name is!!?? REX! It gave Mom and Dad a shudder - in case you've forgotten, that's our "nameless" neighbor!


A pack of hungry Jamaican dogs. Mom said she wished she'd brought a box of Milkbones with her to Jamaica to feed all the thin dogs.

If you want to see all the photos, this is a link to the photogallery on Kodakgallery.com.

By the way, today Mom got an email from imposter parent L. It was short and sweet. It read, "E is missing your dog." I had to chuckle to myself, after all it didn't say "WE are missing your dog!"

Finally -- Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I spent the day with Mom and Dad at Dad's parents. I wasn't allowed any turkey (Mom claims it is dangerous for me...what a load of ...), but I did get a plate of ham! I never did profess to being a Kosher dog! Mom doesn't know what she is missing!!!

AGC

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Levittown? I thought I was going to JAMAICA!

Mom doesn't stop yapping to me about going away somewhere on Monday night. Her and Dad have been talking about Jamaica this and Jamaica that, so naturally I assumed that was where we were all going. Now Mom tells me I am going to Levittown instead. WHAT?

I am not happy. Who the heck wants to go to Levittown instead of the island paradise of Jamaica? And what the heck am I going to do there all alone? Mom keeps telling me that I've been there before for a visit and that the people I will be sojourning with are kind and fun, and they have a big yard for me to play in and three kitty friends. I also will not be alone during the day, and I won't have to put up with mean neighbor!! Woohoo!

The yard does sounds good, not sure about the cats! By way of explanation, Mom told me that if I came to Jamaica I would have to spend 4 hours in my crate on the plane and that would NOT be fun. I have to agree on that count, so maybe Levittown won't be so bad? And as the folks keep telling me - it's only 7 days! I know I"ll miss them and they will miss me - I just hope they can manage without me. I have my doubts.

Mom and Dad got out a huge red suitcase and started throwing all their clothes and worldly possessions in there. So I jumped in to help get them organized:


I don't know if the Levittown people have a computer I can use, so this may be my last blog entry for a while. So toodles friends - have a good week!

AGC

Monday, November 06, 2006

Another Experiment, More Anguish for ME

Ow, my ears are sore! It seems Mom and Dad's crusade against my barking continues. I don't even bark that much, not as much as I once did, but the parents are not taking any chances with me when I am home alone. Amazing what one nameless neighbor can do to a poor defenseless dog like me!

So today a package arrived in the mail - an odd looking grey device called the "Dog Silencer Pro - Bark Free." Dad plugged it in and put it near the front door where I naturally congregate to greet friends and passers-by - but NEVER (for the record) for longer than the legal maximum of 15 minutes per hour. I will swear to that in a court of law! Anyway, so Mom and Dad stood around , an air of expectation on their faces. I knew they were up to no good.

I then heard Gracie bark across the road, so I barked back at her - it's only polite! Suddenly I heard a piercing sound that stopped me in my tracks and hurt my ears! Mom and Dad looked at eachother and grinned! Grinned at my evident discomfiture! I heard Mom whisper to Dad, "oh please God let this be the answer to our prayers!" Hmm, not sure I like this at all. And what really gets my goat is that all this is for Nameless Neighbor, and he has no clue the efforts to which my parents are going to to silence me forever.

Life ain't fair. Get me to the country Goddarn it! I want to bark and be free!

AGC

Thursday, November 02, 2006

A Halloween Visitor

I feel a bit bad about not posting about Halloween…you know all those cutsy pics of dogs and humans dressed up in silly costumes? I decided to leave it to my other foxy friends who did such a splendid job – you know Butchy and Snickers, Banba and many others. I just haven’t been in the best of moods lately, with Mom and Dad experimenting with various ways to keep me quiet during the day.

On Halloween day, a man dressed up as a policeman knocked on our door. I thought he was an early trick or treater! He started telling Dad that he was investigating an anonymous complaint about a certain dog’s barking in our home. Holy crap thought I, that’s a good trick to play on Dad! Dad seemed to fall for it, because he started explaining all the steps he and Mom have taken to make sure I am as quiet as a monk in a monastery during the day. I tried to tell Dad to just give him the candy and get rid of him already, but they chatted on amiably. Evidently this trick or treater took his trickery rather seriously, either that, or he knew no-one else (except that nameless neighbor who never seems to go out) was home to doll out candy!

When Mom got home Dad told her about the “policeman” and for some bizarre reason, Mom started to cry and get very upset. Sometimes I sure wish I could talk – I would have said, “Yo Mom, it’s Halloween, don’t get your tits in a tangle, he was just tricking Dad.” But she went on and on, until the tears dried up and I swear I saw smoke coming out of her ears!

So that was my Halloween. Dad went away for work that night, so Mom and I sat on the front steps and dished out candy to all the scary looking kids. I only briefly dressed up in my biker coat while Gracie and Kila wore funny ruffles that made them look like jesters.

Yesterday Mom put me in my crate again – man, I get really upset in that cage, but then I was thrilled to see Elvis’s Mom come over and free me! Seems Mom is paying her to relieve my torture. I then spent the rest of the afternoon crated, but at Elvis’s home where I at least had the great company of my pals Gia and Elvis.

I sure am lonesome without my Dad, Mom looks lonesome too. I can’t wait to see him tomorrow!

AGC

Monday, October 30, 2006

Video Premiere

Mom and Dad have a very antiquated video camera - it's not digital or anything. Tonite they were fooling around and managed to capture me on tape! The camera is so big and scary-looking that it freaked me out...and naturally, when I'm spooked, I ...bark!

As if I need added encouragement to bark with all the neighbor stuff going on. For the record, this barking episode lasted under a minute, well within the barking ordinance laws for Philadelphia! You never know who could be reading this (award winning) blog!



Click on my gorgeous mug above to start the movie.
(It is quite a large file, so depending on your connection, it may take some time to download)

AGC

Sunday, October 29, 2006

MAYDAY!

Life continues to decline. Yesterday Mom and Dad went to a bat mitzvah for most of the day and they put me in my crate. When they came home they found me cowering in the corner, shaking and shivering, and all my bedding and the crate tray pushed out the crate. It is hard for me, Axel G Chocholoza, to admit all this to you. I know you all think I'm a very dapper, brave terrier, but being confined in my crate terrifies me. I am used to having the run of my house, not being shut up in a cage. I was not trying to con Mom and Dad, I am truly petrified of being alone in my crate. Below is a picture taken just after I was released from my crate after 6 hours. I managed to push the board and mattress out in my distress...



Anyway, it is too upsetting to talk about it. One nice thing to happen last week was I had a really good haircut. Melissa just graduated grooming school and needed to test her stripping skills. We thought she did a pretty good job! In picture one I am posing; picture two, Dad and I are eating snacks in bed!



Also, today Mom and I went to visit some friends of hers, Evey and Larry. They had an awesome yard which I played in and lots of interesting things to sniff, including 3 cats. Mom has some weird notion that I may be spending a week at their house when her and dad go to Jamaica - ha, that's what she thinks! I ain't missing out on Jamaica. After all, with all this crating and neighbor stress, I truly need a vacation!

AGC

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

What the Heck is Going On?

Life ain't so great of late. I don't know what has gotten into Mom and Dad, but suddenly they think they are boss. Who are they kidding!

They have embarked on this new nonsense of putting me in my house when they leave for work. Reportedly, this is because of the complaining neighbor again. He shall remain nameless - I don't want to risk a lawsuit now that my blog is award-winning and read the world over - oh what the hell, let's make up a dark, evil name to represent him...I'll throw it out to you, to give me some ideas...let me know!

So anyway, I like my house, but I don't like being forced into my house with the door closed. Yesterday Dad put me in there and I went rather beserk. They thought they were clever by leaving me a tiny waterbowl, dad's smelly socks ("oh your scent will comfort him," said my Mom. Comfort my ass Mom, they honk!!), treats and chews. They also read somewhere to cover the crate with a blanket to make it more like a den. What idiots. This is the 21st Century people, I am no longer a wolf like my ancestors. I dig sleeping in beds, not in cages disguised as dens! So anyway, while they abandoned me, I tore up Dad's socks, I overturned the water dish (not my wisest move in retrospect, since I ended up having to lie on a soggy mattress), scattered my chews and pulled the crate cover through the crate bars and tried to rip that up. My intent was simple - show those fools I was UNHAPPY.

But then this morning, Mom shoved me in there again. She then went to her bedroom to get a wooly hat (it's gone cold) and would you know it, genius that I am, I managed to bust out of the crate and went running and diving onto Mom and Dad's bed! Oh what pandemonium. Mom was shocked. And boy did I then make it tough for her to catch me and put me back in there. But fool that I am - I fell for the fetch yummy turkey treat thrown into crate trick. This time Mom made sure she had the door latched properly, and I was stuck. I howled. I cried. I barked. My Mother was stoic. And she left.

I heard her tell Dad later that she fretted all day about me being in the crate all day. Bloody right she should fret. But the joke of it is, when she came home from work, two hours early worried about me...I wasn't in my crate! Gracie's Mom had come over at 10:30am to rescue me and take me to play at her house with Gracie, Kila and the new kitty Mojo. Oh I can shit myself laughing picturing Mom worrying about me ripping up the crate when all along I was happily playing at Gracie's house! heh heh, it cracks me up.

Mom was not as amused. But I know she was happy for me.

On the way to our evening walk, we ran right into Nameless Neighbor and he started lecturing Mom about crating me and being consistent. Mom asked for him to tell her when he will be working and not home during the day so I don't have to stay in my house, but he refused saying, "consider me home every day from 9-5pm."
If I wasn't a peace loving canine, I would bite his ass. Then again, maybe not. It probably smells worse than Dad's socks.

AGC

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Officially Awesome!

I received official notification of my victory! I now hold the "Awesome Blog of the Month" award under my belt. I did a grand jig of joy!

Here is my official award:


Thanks again to everyone who voted, and special hugs to Butchy & Snickers, and Buster who were very worthy competitors.

AGC

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Awaiting Official Word

No official word yet on the results of the Awesome Blog Award being offered by Dogs With Blogs Website! However, thanks to my many fans and foxie friends, I am way ahead in the vote and I do believe the contest has closed! But I'm holding off on my victory jig until I receive official word!

Until then, I'm just hanging out, you know, ripping pillows apart and chewing Mom's old sandals...



By the way, today this big envelope arrived in the mail and Mom hollered to Dad, "our Jamaican honeymoon tix are here!" I had never heard of Jamaica, so I googled it and man, it sure looks sweet! Beaches, sunsets and lots of humans with long wiry hair like mine. I had no idea we were going on vacation!! Now if I could just reach Mom's cabinet, I could find out when we're going! I see Jamaica is in the middle of the sea, so I assume we're driving until we hit the sea and then Dad will row us there? Maybe I can swim part of the way! Anyway, stay tuned...

AGC

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Elvis and Me

Elvis's Mom Priscilla took this really spooky photo of me and Elvis - most appropriate a week from Halloween. Elvis is my best male pal - we play together every day, and most of the time he busts my ass. It is not unusual for him to toss me about and send me hurling across the park! But I love him and enjoy the rough play.

Mom on the other hand, is really scared when ever she is near Elvis and he is running off leash with the rest of our posse. She is afraid he might crash into her at full speed - that would probably send my little Mom flying all the way to Washington DC! He once ran into Gracie's Mom by accident, and she landed flat on her side with the wind knocked out of her, some sore ribs and head! And Gracie's Mom is a lot bigger than my wee Mom. So if you ever see all of us running in the park, look out for my Mom, she'll be the little woman hugging a tree or a bench and looking around anxiously! Heh heh!

AGC

Monday, October 16, 2006

One Lucky Dog

I tell you, I enjoy the good life!

I get to lie snuggled in the down comforter and enjoy the sun as it comes streaming through the windows...



I get to eat really humungous marrow bones...well, not every day...but they sure last a long time.



And, I get to enjoy some alone time...in my house, when I feel like it. I quite like my crate these days...



And as if this isn't enough, yours truly is in the lead for the Awesome Blog Award on www.dogswithblogs.com.au! If you are a fan and want to vote, please go to http://www.dogswithblogs.com.au/bonezone/ - click on the register button on the top of the page. Register by filling out a username, password, & email address and select
the human option. That is it! The site will then send you an email, you click on the link in that email, then scroll down to the Awesome Blog Award section - click on October Poll and vote for AXEL! I know it sounds complex, but really it is not! Thank you for your efforts!

You know, when I think how fortunate I really am, I think about all those foxies, who don't have what I have. And I want to help them!

This is the story of one WFT needing our help:

Bess was picked up as a stray and taken to the Garland, Texas city animal shelter. She has large mammary tumors and a very bad cataract in one eye. Her other eye is cloudy also. The vet estimates her age as 10+ years. The ladies who work in the shelter took a special shine to Bess (who had no name at that point) and were determined to get help for her. Thanks to an organization called DFW Cares, Bess was picked up and taken to be boarded at Noah's Ark Vet Clinic in Carrollton Texas. Thanks to Cheryl Collins and Jeanne Rhinehart, a wonderful adopter was found who will get Bess the treatment she needs and give her a wonderful home.
We expect Bess' surgery to excise the tumors and spay her will cost approximately $700. The vet who saw her in Texas thinks her prognosis is excellent once the tumors are excised. She may need treatment for her cataracts at some point but one thing at a time!

Any contributions toward her care would be deeply appreciated. If you can help, please go to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr

AGC

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Bear Neccesities

It's taken me a good few days to recover from the excitement of the dog show! But now I am having a bit of an identity crisis. I think I may have some bear genetics in my heritage (but I don't want to imagine my great grandmother Wire humping a grizzly way back when...) because ever since the temperatures dropped, I have become extremely sleepy. I can't keep my eyes open after about 6pm...Mom says it is because I spend my days playing and romping with Gracie, but I have my doubts, we sleep a lot during the day too! Mom and Dad had a frank discussion about my possible slide into hibernation. Mom was rather happy at the prospect as she didn't think hibernating dogs would bark. Dad on the other hand was rather distressed - he enjoys having me, well, wired!

Dad is a strange one. He is like a bear himself - hairy and huggable. Just this morning, when the temps dropped to the low 40's, we found ourselves in bed together, snuggling beneath the blankets and snoozing our heads off.



By the way, the blog you are reading has been nominated for TWO awards. The Cool Site of the Month on www.dogmark.net; and Awesome Blog of the Month on Dogs with Blogs. If you have nothing better to do, please vote for me as Cool Site of the Month by clicking here - click on "international"and then Vote for Site of the Month. I still haven't figured out how to vote for the Awesome Blog Award - which I find embarassing for a dog of my intellect and technological capabilities. I have emailed my pal Opy for instructions and I will let you, my fans, know how to vote shortly. Congrats to my pals Bussie and Butchy & Snickers who also garnered a vote in the latter contest.

I'm feeling tired again...catch you later, after my snoozel.

AGC

Sunday, October 08, 2006

The Greatest Show on Earth

Boy, I'm pooped. Today Mom, Dad and Mom's pal Lynne (who is crazy about me) shlepped me to Blue Bell for the All Terrier Show. I've never seen so many dogs in my life! It was quite the experience!

So let me tell you all about it...
The weather was glorious and hot after days of rain and cold:

We headed for Ring 15 where the Wire Fox Terriers were parading about the ring:

I have to be honest with you, when I saw all these dogs which purported to be Wires like me, I had my doubts. I don't look anything like them. I couldn't figure out why they were in the ring and I was on the sidelines. We all know, I am not only King of the Blogs, but pretty darn handsome too. Here are some of those "Wiry imposters"...



You can imagine my relief when some REAL Wires and their humans showed up! I made many new friends! This is me with Dad and Smitty (left) , who is a real handsome, and well-stripped dude. And on the right is Me again with Paddington - poor little guy has no eyes, but he's a very special fellow.



Here is Smitty again with an Airdale pup (left) and with his Mom Joanne (right).



Then this is Ricky who belongs to Leslie and Ed - he's 8 years old. And here we all are, in a tangle of leads - in the background are Lucy and Abby in Eagles gear:



And here we all are in a row with our humans - it was quite a feat to get us all to cooperate!
(L to R: WFT Abby and Mom, WFT Lucy and Mom, WFT Ricky with Dad Ed, Barb (WFT Skippy in absentia), Mom and Me, Joanne and Smitty)



Mom was very excited to meet her online Smoothy friend Claudia - who's two Smooth Foxies, Brody and Brillee were competing. Today Miss Brilee took Best of Opposite, shown exclusively by Claudia and Mr. Brody got the second AOM (Award of Merit). Kudos all round. Here are two pics of Claudia in the ring with little Brillee - who my Mom took quite a shine to!


And here is Mom with Claudia and Brillee (picture courtesy of Kathy). She is pretty darn cute (Claudia is not bad either, heh heh) - I think I quite like those smooth bitches...never really been with one, might be a nice change... Dad says it's like dating a feminist human with hairy legs vs. a bitch who shaves!



It got pretty tiring out there in the sun watching all these dogs strut around the ring... I kind of passed out for a while...I dreamt I took best in show...



The only downer of the day was running into my breeder Bob. He took one look at me and asked Mom and Dad what they'd done to make me so fat! He kept harping on how overweight I am and now I think Mom said something about a DIET!!! I am just a healthy wire - I don't want to look like those skinny model WFTs in the ring. Hasn't Bob heard that the trend is away from anorexic looking models - both human, and I have to think Wire too! Get with it man!

I loved meeting many of Mom's Wiry friends. Barb, Mom of Skippy, even brought me a Halloween gift - thank you Barb! And Lucy's Mom Kathy was very impressed with my good behaviour, and it was good to see Melissa (Mom of Mackie) and Steve again too! And we met Dot, Mom of Crystal and Glory who belongs to Pat. Pictured left is Mom, Me and Kathy. Pictured right are (back) Melissa and Dot, (front) Mom and Kathy. Check me out making myself comfy across two laps.



We were also thrilled and honored to meet Elizabeth Pierce - the very special lady who did so very much to help the abused Wire Foxes from Blainville, Montreal. Here she is with Mom and Kathy.



Well it was one fine day all in all, and especially special meeting so many fans of this blog! When I got home around 5pm (after a stop at McDonalds, where I am happy to report I got to eat fries despite the dire pronouncements on my figure), I happily hopped onto my perch and had a wrestle with dad. A perfect end to a perfect day!



AGC