Buster: We're back!

Uh, it seems that a bit of time has passed since one of us Coleman dogs has written you, Diary. My apologies. I do believe the five of us just got purdy busy with our daily lives. Ya see, a lot has been goin' on. For one thing, the weather has been a bit harrowin'. Hail, rain, wind and floodin' one day, sunny, hot and humid the next. It's got me a bit uptight and I gotta release that energy somehow. Well, I noticed that Huck seems to have a great way of dealing with his anxiety, so I thought I'd give it a try. Yup, it appears that couch-chewing is quite therapeutic. Maw was so surprised when she caught me tearin' into that couch the other day. I promised her I wouldn't do it again. She wasn't mad at me 'cause she knows I'm such a good boy. It also helps that it was one of the dog couches in the garage and not a people couch. Nope that wouldn't be good.

The whole couch-chewin' thing purdy much leads in to what else has been goin' on 'round here and that is the usual Coleman doggy dysfunction. First, we got Huck and his crazy energy level that never seems to quell. (Nice word, huh?) Then we got lil' Abby who does absolutely nothin' to help with the situation. Huck gets all excited over everything and starts chewin' on furniture, twigs, newspaper, and whatever else he can get his paws on. Lately he's even started to nip at my legs. I'm not too fond of that and I've told him so. Well, that's where Abby comes in. She gets all riled up and tries to control the situation by barking at me and rough-housing with the Huckster. It's not their fault, I guess. They're good kids, they've just got a lot of "puppy spirit."

"Puppy spirit." I like that. I think no matter how old, tired, and arthritic Gus, Hobbit and I get, we still have a little puppy spirit in us. I know I can't move as fast as I used to and I don't have as much patience as I once did, but deep down I still feel like a big puppy. A big sleepy puppy right now.

Goodnight,

Buster Booglebear

Huck and Buster napping together in the sunlight.

Hobbit: Um, I'm stuck.

I got stuck under the bed last night.

It was 3 am when my mommy woke up and realized I wasn't in bed with Poncho and her. She looked at the dog bed on the floor and was concerned to see I wasn't there either. She got up and looked all over the dark bedroom, careful not to accidentally step on me or wake up Poncho, but I was nowhere to be found. Then she remembered that I sometimes used to hide under the bed. She lifted the bedskirt, stuck her arm under the bed and found me. She called for me, "Hobbit? Hobbit?," but I didn't respond. She tried pulling me out, but I was stuck! She was really worried. Me, I just lay there waiting for Mommy to help me. I didn't even make a sound, but that's not unusual for me. When I'm scared or stressed I pretty much shut down. Just like the first day when Mommy and Poncho found me. I was in so much pain because my eye was terribly injured, but I didn't make a peep. I just stayed still and waited for someone to help me. Just like last night. I  knew my mommy would find me. Well, after a couple of minutes of trying to get me unstuck Mommy figured that if she pulled on my hind legs then she could get me out. It worked! Out I came on my belly! She held me and cooed over me. Then she carried me back to bed and cuddled with me. We both fell right to sleep. Boy, did we have a story to tell Poncho in the morning!

I think I'll stay on the bed tonight.

Signed,
Hobbit

Huck: I'm a big boy now!

I can't believe it's been ten months since my mama found me on the side of that country road. I was just a scared little puppy. The first time I saw her I ran away. But then she came back and I thought maybe she was the one who would save me. I was weary at first, but then I finally got up the nerve to jump into her arms. That's still my favorite place to be. I love snuggling with my mama and my papa. I even like snuggling with my sissy Abby sometimes.

My confidence has really improved, too. I used to be so skittish and frightened of unfamiliar people, other animals and sudden sounds. I had a real problem with kids riding their bikes, too. Something about watching those little legs going 'round and 'round just got me all riled up. Wasn't too thrilled with eye contact either. Well, thanks to my mama and the nice doggy trainer, Scott Manning, I kept getting better and better. The past few times Mama took me for a walk I walked up to our neighbors and wasn't afraid at all. They couldn't believe the difference in me. I just wagged my tail and sniffed at their trouser legs. My mama was very proud!

I still get pretty rowdy sometimes, but I can't help it, I'm just a puppy. I've taken to grabbing the newspaper off the coffee table and shredding it to pieces. The other night Mama chased me through the backyard because I had an envelope in my mouth. She was sure it was an important bill. Turns out it was just junk mail. She didn't get mad at me. She thought it was funny. I thought it was just plain fun!

I'm now one year old and a pretty good-sized doggy at 55 pounds. I'm also a confident and happy puppy dog and a "bone-a-fide" member of a family that loves me very much. Yup, I'm a big boy now!

Signed,
Huck

Abby: Hello? I'm in here!

Mommy and Daddy stayed up late talking last night while munching on a delicious, ginormous Ho-Ho that a good friend made for them. At least that's what I heard. I wasn't there and here's why. Daddy came home with a bunch of homemade goodies and other delectables given to him by very good family friends. One of those gifts was a huge pack of fancy beef from out west and it needed to go into the freezer in the garage right away. Well, that obviously required the assistance of my bubbies and me, so we accompanied Mommy and Daddy to the garage to help them store the meat. Fast forward about an hour later when they decide to go to bed. Only then do they realize I'm not in the house. (Really? A whole hour? I'm losing my touch.) Anyway, they freak out, Mommy runs outside in her plaid flannel pajamas yelling into the dark night, "Abby! Abby!" Daddy runs upstairs to see if I snuck up there. Nope. My Mommy frantically calls upstairs to Daddy, "I'm getting in the car and looking for her!" She said she drove all the way to the wooden bridge worried to death that I was lost somewhere in the cold, wet and foggy night. She said she kept praying to God, "Please let us find Abby! We have to find our little girl!" Then Daddy gets in his car and drives to look for Mommy, (because she ran out without her cell phone), to tell her that he had found me in the garage. I was there the whole time! Mommy and Daddy were so happy to see me and I was ecstatic to see them. I wiggled with joy! Mommy asked me why I didn't bark to let them  know I was in the garage. I told her I thought it was bedtime. I mean, it was after midnight. Where did they expect me to go at that hour?

So, Mommy and Daddy, there's a lesson to be learned here: If you hadn't thought the worst and assumed I snuck outside, then you wouldn't have been driving around the neighborhood in the middle of a cold, damp and windy night in your pajamas and slippers searching for me.

Once again I have proven that I am a good girl! Why do I have to keep pointing this out?! (Ahem, January 29 entry.)

xoxo,

Abby

Gus: GoD & DoG

My mom and dad call me an angel so they thought I should be the one to tell you about the GoD & DoG video. It's a tenderhearted song and animation about the love and loyalty dogs have for humans, and most importantly God has for all of us. My mom says the video warms her heart and brings her to tears nearly every time she watches it. She loves it so much that she decided to interview the composer Wendy Francisco to find out why she wrote the song. She wrote an article about it and now it's on the Guideposts website! You can see it here: GoD & DoG: The sweet story behind the YouTube sensation filled with hope and faith. 

I think Mrs. Francisco did a great job explaining God's love by relating it to the unconditional love that dogs show their humans. It's true, I love my mom and dad no matter what. And, best of all, God loves each us and will never leave us. 

Amen. Bow wow.

Gussie

Gus: Snuggle time.

My mom and dad got back from their weekend getaway a couple of hours ago. Boy did  I miss them! I really missed their bed! I lllooooovvveee that big bed. When cousin Adam stays with us we don't get to sleep in that bed, my brothers and I have to stay on our doggy couches in the garages. I really like it in there, but it's not the same. When mom and dad got home I went as fast as I could up the stairs to their bedroom, picked Sebastian Bunny out of my stack of toys, and then right up the doggy steps to the comfy bed. (I need those steps 'cause I have bad knees and can't jump anymore.) Anyway, I got right up there and wiggled and moaned and played with Sebastian. It was wonderful! Hobbit and Buster came up, too, and we all laid in bed and watched TV for a little while. I love it when we can all snuggle together. Mom and Dad say snuggle time with us is their favorite, too. A big comfy bed, warm, furry doggies, fluffy toys, and family. It doesn't get any better than that.

Sweet dreams,
Gussie

Buster: I'm lovin' this weather!

My maw and paw said it won't be spring until late March, but boy it sure felt like spring today. The sun was shining and a fresh breeze was blowin'. I must've picked up a dozen new scents! The Coon Dog in me was just eatin' that up! I played all afternoon with my bubbies and sissy. We ran after squirrels and barked at the neighbors walkin' by.  Even Hobbit was joinin' in on the fun. He was chasin' his favorite red ball all over the yard. I haven't seen him do that in a while. He must be feelin' better these days.

Cousin Adam is gonna spend the weekend with Gus, Hobbit and me while Maw and Paw go away for the weekend. Abby and Huck won't be here. (That's like a vacation for us older guys!) Abby's goin' to Aunt Mary's house, but Huck's gotta stay at the kennel. I feel kinda bad for the pup, but Maw's working with Aunt Erin (Huck's Godmother) to see if she can keep him at her house in the future.

I know I complain about Abby and Huck sometimes. It's just that it can get pretty old havin' Abby bark at me all the time. And Huck, he's always naggin' at me to play outside with him. But, hey, they do bring some excitement to the place. Gus isn't up to gettin' too rowdy and Hobbit doesn't really hang out with us dogs, so I have to admit I kinda like the two youngsters. They keep this ol' boy young. I may be 10, but sometimes I feel like a pup again.

Night,
Buster

Maw took this picture of us barkin' at the neighbors next door. 

See? I'm right in there with the youngins. Yep, I'm still the big guy.

Here's Hobbit playing with his red ball. 

As you can see he can get kinda worked up.