Huck: Confession time.

I have a confession to make. This isn't easy for me, but I can't keep it in any longer. Okay, here it goes ... sometimes I freak out. I freak out when I meet new dogs. I freak out when new people come to our home. I freak out when people I don't know approach me or stare at me. And we all know I don't like to be separated from my mama for too long. (See my May 13 entry). I guess you could define one of my "freak outs" as screeching (not barking) uncontrollably, spinning, jumping and other Tasmanian Devil-like behavior. In Dog Whisperer-speak, I am not "balanced."

This has been a problem for Mama and Papa. They have done all they know to help me and they continue to do research. Last year Mama asked Mr. Scott, a very nice and knowledgeable local dog trainer, to come to our house and work with me. I really improved through those sessions and I have made a lot of progress since then. Mama has, too. She said working with me has helped her build confidence. I truly am a lot better. But I'm not all better. Mama has Googled for information. She has visited the websites of Cesar Milan (aka The Dog Whisperer) and Patricia McConnell. She has stayed in contact with Mr. Scott and he says I have something similar to an anxiety disorder. You know, like when people have panic attacks. Mama said she thinks she may have figured out another part of the problem: her. I think she could be right. She loves on me and coddles me and worries about me an awful lot. I do have some issues stemming from being abandoned on the side of the road as a puppy, and because of that I think she has tried to make up for my scary and traumatizing experience.

This is where Papa comes in. The timing couldn't be better. Papa recently retired and now that he is home with us more he will be able to work with me. It was his idea that if he developed a close, healthy bond with me, then I would not be so dependent on Mama. I could become a more confident dog. I think he's got something there. Last night Papa took me for a walk. Mama said it took everything for her to not voice her worries. She was afraid I would "freak out" at the neighbors. Well, she let Papa handle me and all went very well. As a matter of fact, I let one neighbor lady who I've never gotten close to pet me. And she's afraid of dogs. Talk about a successful evening walk. When the little red dog from another neighborhood came charging at me, well, I didn't take to that too well. Mama said he is a nice dog, but he still made me nervous. Mama thinks that when she walks me that her nervous energy travels down the leash right to me. She said that both of us need to work on our anxiety. Aren't we a pair?

Okay, so confession time is over and I feel as though a big weight has been lifted. Now on to learning to deal with everyday situations with grace, dignity and confidence. With Mama and Papa's help and all the prayers they send up, I just know things will get better.

Goodnight,
Huck

Here I am with my brother Hobbit. I don't "freak out" 

around him because he is a nice, calm little doggy.

Abby: Sleepover!

My mommy and daddy are out of town so they sent me to my home away from home: Aunt Mary and Uncle Mike's house. This place is the best! Their children Josh and Kimberly live here, too, and they are very nice to me. And, guess what! There are FIVE doggies here for me to play with! Their names are Brandie and Annie (aka "The Girls"), Sully, Maggie and Sassy. Brandie, Annie and I are buddies! They are golden retrievers, but I don't let their size intimidate me. We not only play together, we take naps together. When it comes to actual bed time, though, I get to sleep with my Aunt Mary and Uncle Mike. They call me "Little Princess." Is there no wonder why I like it here so much? I mean, I practically run the place! Now, Sassy and I, we had to come to a special understanding when I first started staying over. She is blind, so she let me know right off that she wouldn't put up with my "antics." I don't think of my play style as "antics," just an exuberant friendliness. :) Anyway, she didn't have to tell me twice. Once we got that settled I had no trouble fitting in!

I am very thankful that I get to stay here. It's fun to spend time somewhere else. Everyone needs a change of pace every now and then, whether you're a human or a doggy. That's why Mommy and Daddy are on vacation now. They needed a change of scenery and routine. My mommy also said this arrangement works out well for Gus, Buster and Hobbit, who are at home with a very nice dog sitter named Miss Debbie. Mommy laughs and says it's like a vacation for them. I don't think that's so funny. I just know that they miss me and will want to play with me when I get back. (By the way, poor Huck is staying at the kennel. Mommy and Daddy hope that he will be grown up enough to stay home with the dog sitter soon.)

Well, I think I'll go see what kind of fun I can get into with The Girls!

Xoxo,
Abby

Here I am snuggling up with Annie.

Gus: Traveling in style!

I love car rides! Well, I think I do. When Mom or Dad open a car door I think, "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! A car ride!" and I jump right in! (Well, now that I'm in my golden years I need a little assistance.) Anyway, when that car starts moving I suddenly realize this is not exactly what I had in mind. I start panting and and getting nervous. I shed a lot and sometimes my tummy hurts. (That usually does not end well.)

Recently, Mom got a new car and she decided she wanted to keep it clean as long as possible. That last car looked like the day after a sheep shaving festival - so much dog hair! She did some research and found something called a quilted back seat hammock from FetchDog.com. She is very happy with her purchase. Now when I ride in the car my hair stays mostly on the fabric of the hammock and my nails don't leave impressions or holes in the seats. An added bonus is that if I get sick then all Mom has to do is remove the hammock and wash it. I like the hammock because it's very soft and that helps me to relax and enjoy the ride a little. I kinda messed up the other day, though. I didn't wait for her to help me up onto the seat and I decided to crawl in underneath the hammock. Boy, you should've seen the hair I left behind! I don't know if Mom will ever get it all out!

I wonder what Mom will order next? I kinda have my eye on the doggy popsicle. Freeze some treats in that and I'm all over it!

Signed,
Gusaroo

Hobbit: The best week ever!

Wow! This has been the best week EVER! First of all, the Guideposts magazine article that my mommy wrote about me was posted to the Guideposts website! But the best news of all? My Poncho retired this week and now he can spend all his time with ME!

This has been a dream of mine for quite some time now. My Poncho is my best buddy and I didn't like seeing him leave for work everyday. I always got kinda sad. Mommy said I would whine and mope around. When Poncho came home, though, I would get a sudden burst of energy. I couldn't keep myself from bounding toward him barking my head off as he walked through the door! Well, now I'll have the joy of having Poncho beside me 24/7. Mommy tried to tell me that he can't spend every second with me, but I'm thinking we could work something out. We're good for each other. I'm not just saying that. I am positive that we reduce one another's blood pressure.

Poncho says he is happy that he will now have more time to spend with all of us. Mommy says she is so thankful that Poncho will be home with us everyday. I'm excited 'cause I see lots of fun family time in our future!

Well, I'm nodding off, but with a big smile on my face. :)

Signed,
Hobbit

Buster: I've got spring in my step!

With the weather bein' so nice, Maw and I have gotten back into a regular habit of takin' evenin' walks. Boy, has it been fun! She lets me walk at my own pace, which is much faster than hers in the beginnin'. I can't help it. It just feels so good smellin' all the smells and seein' the different sights that I can get goin' at a purdy good clip. The neighbors even commented that I look just like a Tennessee Walker! I usually like to walk for about 20 or 30 minutes, dependin' on how hot it is. Lil' Abby does a good job and can keep up a perky pace for nearly an hour on a cool night. Now, my bubby Huck, he can go a lot longer than any of us. He could probably go for hours!

When Maw finishes walkin' with me that's when she takes out Abby and Huck. I get to go first 'cause I'm older. Gus has unsteady, arthritic legs, so he isn't one for long walks. He gets special off-leash privileges in our front yard, though. Maw and Paw know he won't go anywhere. He likes the comforts of home too much! Now, Hobbit, well, walkin' ain't exactly his favorite thing. He just prefers to wander at his own pace, and that pace ain't what I call roadrunner fast. Maw and Paw let him check out the front yard off-leash ever' now and then. He always seems to venture toward the bushes. He's a funny little feller.

My Maw says exercise is very important for both humans and dogs. It can keep your body strong and your mind happy. She came across a neat website about different ways to exercise dogs. She found one bit of information especially helpful. You see, sometimes Maw worries when we come across another dog on a walk, so she doesn't let us meet. She says the other dog might not be friendly. Maw admits she's being overprotective, but now realizes that it's best to let us doggies say hello 'cause it helps fine-tune our doggy language while enhancin' the quality of our walkin' experience. Well, I say it's just plain fun to meet new friends!

It's time for my walk with Maw right now!

Happy Trails!

Buster

Gus: Friends Fur-ever.

Last night Mom and Dad took Hobbit and me with them to visit good friends. Mr. Ken and Miss Grace were very nice to welcome my bubby and me into their beautiful home. They showed us lots of love and gave us treats. And the best part? Meeting their boy Winston! He's a nice fella.

It's good to spend time with friends. Mom says that sometimes humans get caught up in their daily routines and end up missing out on meaningful moments with friends. She knows from recent experience. See, last year one of her best friends moved away. Mom spent as much time as possible with her before she left. It still wasn't enough time. She, and Dad both, miss that fun Sheppard family like crazy. Well, very soon Mr. Ken and Miss Grace will also be moving out of state. Mom and Dad are sad about them leaving and Hobbit and I are bummed to lose a brand new play buddy in Winston.

I wish all humans would interrupt the busyness of their lives every now and then to give a friend a call to say hello; to write a heartfelt note to a faraway loved one; or even to just walk next door to visit a neighbor and check in to see if they need anything. If only humans could experience life through the eyes of a dog, they would better understand the beauty of faithfulness, loyalty, and unconditional love, all of which make up the basic ingredients of a fur-ever friendship.

Thinking of all my friends tonight, both furry and non.

Love,
Gus

This is my new friend Winston. Isn't he a handsome yellow lab?

Here is Hobbit receiving lots of love and attention from Miss Grace and Mr. Ken. 

As you can see, Miss Grace is quite fond of the little man!

Huck: Mmmm! Daisies!

My mama planted flowers a few days ago. Pretty red ones with lots of petals! There were some other flowers in the planter that were purple and white, but it was those tall red ones that caught my eye. Mama calls them gerbera daisies. She said she chose them because they are safe for doggies to eat. But then she said that just because they are safe to eat does not mean that I am allowed to eat them. I just couldn't help myself, though. I'm still a puppy. Besides it's so much fun to snap the flower heads off the stalks! In the beginning there were four daisies in the planter and now there are three stalks and one half of a daisy flower. My mama caught me eating that last one and told me to stop. You know what? I haven't touched them since. I am a smart boy!

Mama said she always makes sure to plant doggy-safe flowers. She did some research and found a list on the ASPCA website that shows which plants are good and which plants are bad for doggies. Other than gerbera daisies some of the flowers that Mama likes to plant are petunias and pansies. She said there are a lot of flowers that she wishes she could plant, though, such as dahlias, geraniums, peonies, lantana, and vinca. But she said as long as my brothers and sister and I are safe it doesn't matter if the deck planters are full of the usual summer blooms. Thanks, Mama!

Well, I'm off to see what else I can find in our yard.

Love,
Huckleberry Flower Boy

Here I am with what's left of that one gerber daisy.

Here I am with the pot of flowers that I didn't eat. Aren't the red daisies pretty?!