Resolutions

Hi friends!

Today is the last day of the year. Many humans are making lists of "resolutions." A resolution is a fancy word that means things you want to change about yourself. I don't have many resolutions because I'm pretty much the best puppy dog I know. I have come up with a list to share:

1) Nap more. I simply didn't do enough this year.

2) Eat more treats. Although, that one rests solely on my people GIVING me treats. Maybe that should be their resolution.

3) Be more excited to go on walks.

The best part of my resolutions are I know I can keep them unlike all the humans trying to lose weight or exercise. That is how resolutions should be.

Also, there's some exciting news in the family. I have a new aunt! My grandma and grandpaw (the ones in TN) adopted her just yesterday. Her name is Emma. I don't know if I like her yet or not since we haven't met, but as long as she's not The Thing, I think we'll get along. I'm just not too happy about having to share another grandma. Mom says I'm still their favorite granddog though, so that will get me lots of treats. Check off resolution #2!

Christmas Cards

Hi friends!

This year, my mom signed me up for a Christmas card exchange.  She knew several of my Blogville friends would participate and it sounded like fun. Whoo doggies did I get a lot of cards!

Here's one from one of my faves, Benny and Lily

And from my favorite walking buddy, Molly

And from my pal, Oskar (Oskar's mom person also blogs here)

The final card count for me was 41 (not including the many e-cards I received). I even got one all the way from the Philippines! I've never been there, but Mom says it's far away. And we would have to cross an ocean, which would be a problem since I don't swim or like water.

The best part of Christmas cards is that my people only got 23! BOL! We had a lot more around the house, but Mom and Dad both got lots of cards from people at their work places, so those didn't count either.

I'm really glad to have so many pals around the country and around the world take the time to send me cards. Of course, I (hopefully) sent everyone on the list a card, too. I had to send e-cards to most of my pals overseas because Mom said postage was breaking us. Um, Mom, I'm still one whole Mister, so I don't think we're broken. People are weird.

On one of the trips to the mailbox, I had a very special package from my Twitter pal, Tiny. His family lives in Louisiana, so the snow card made my mom giggle a little. Maybe I should send him some of our snow. Anyway, I'm also very thankful for my frame and treats and can't wait for Mom to print a picture for the frame!

Mom has started taking down all of the Christmas decorations, which makes me sad...Mostly because that means she's not sitting on the couch where she belongs and I have to get up and supervise. But that also means it's almost a new year. I'm working on my list of resolutions and will share those hopefully tomorrow.

Christmas Recap

Hi friends!


Sorry it's been so long. Mom got very busy with work and Christmas, plus I didn't have much going on. But now it's the day after Christmas and let's just say best. Weekend. EVER!!!!!  We celebrate 2 Christmases, one with Mom's family and one with Dad's. This year, we celebrated first with Mom's side and spent "calendar Christmas" with Dad's family. We left after Dad got home from that work place to go to Tennessee. We got in late, but Grandma was very happy to see me.  She even baked me treats like she brought for Thanksgiving. I'm kind of talking her into getting a dog. I'm not sure how I'll feel about another dog stealing my grandma though. I have enough of that with The Thing.  But her kitty cats like me and I don't pay much attention to them, so she's thinking about it. Grandpaw was happy to see me too. I even let him take me on a W-A-L-K one evening, just us. Usually I look and look for Mom, but not this time!

Waiting for Santa Paws

Anyway, Santa Paws dropped a couple of presents early. I got an antler, chewies, and a puzzle game (it has places for treats and the people cover them up and you have to figure out how to move the covers to get the treats. I'm awesome at it). Mom opened the antler when we got home and I love it! She's read up on them and thinks they'll be a safer option than the bones I usually get. I also had a big time burying and finding my chewies. I took one and hid it several times. Then I ate it all up and forgot, so I kept looking in the hiding spots. At least, I think I ate it up. Hey Grandma's kitty cats, if you find my chewy, it's mine!

The tree (and Mommy) at Grandma and Grandpa's

Barbara and Charlie (two of Grandma's kitty cats) inspecting Christmas

Christmas is so tiring!

Grandma and Grandpaw left their house to go visit my Aunt Melanie in Florida. We hung out for a little bit and then packed up and headed back to Kentucky, except we didn't go home. We only rode a little bit and stopped in a town called Bowling Green. We got to stay in Mr. Holiday's hotel! I love hotels because there are so many smells. Our room even had a full length window, so I could look out at all the trees to water. The only thing I hated was the Lelevator. And I had to ride the terrible thing a lot. Boo. Dad took video, so I'll try to get it on here later and show you just how terrible the thing is.

The Mister window

I love hotels!

You can't tell just how flat I am on the ground in the Lelevator, but I got flatter each time I had to ride that thing.

Anyway, we went to Bowling Green because Daddy had to work there on Christmas Eve. Mom and I hung out, then ran an errand and met him at the office, which was across the street from Mr. Holiday's hotel.  I worked very hard and there's talk of giving me a raise! Then a little girl came in to pick up her mommy and I didn't like her. She was very nice, but I didn't like her petting me. Mom said Santa Paws wouldn't come visit, so I apologized, but Mom said the little girl should pet me since I was being so grumpy.

I'm working very hard

After Dad was done working, we went to Mawmaw's house! It's the only place better than Grandma's house. Mawmaw and Grandma both sneak me treats and food. The only bad part was I had to put up with The Thing. By the end though, we were almost getting along. I still didn't like how he was always trying to play with me, but I growled and we played chase. The best part was I'd get bored running in circles, so I'd go off somewhere, but The Thing would keep running and had no idea I wasn't playing anymore. And he wonders why I think he's a dummy.

Uncle Ryan and The Thing and Mawmaw

Helping cook breakfast

Anyway, Santa Paws found me at Mawmaw's house, too. I got lots of treats. Mom made me share one with The Thing. And I did, since it was Christmas. Earning points for next year. After lunch and naps, we packed up again and came home.

Christmas is tiring here, too

The Thing playing with Flat Dog Mom made me I gave him

Me and The Thing

Save me Dad!

Now Mom's off all the rest of the week, so we're going to do all kinds of cuddling and snacking. I'm so excited!

I'm Famous!

Look who's on my pal Bunk's blog! It's technically an old picture, but only because Mom's too lazy busy to decorate me again. Not that I'm complaining!

Buster

Hi Friends,
Just a quick request to keep my mom's friend Ms. Dr. Amy in your prayers. She was one of Mom's professors in college and her very best puppy dog friend, Buster, went over the Rainbow Bridge this week. Ms. Dr. Amy is very sad, so be sending her good thoughts, especially since she's almost on her Winter Break and will be home more.

For those who haven't heard about Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  Author unknown... (from http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm)

Christmas Planning

Hi friends! If your house is like mine, the humans are very busy getting ready for the next holiday, called "Christmas." Christmas celebrates the day Santa Paws rode his sleigh and hit a grandma (!) on his way to deliver a baby Jesus in a donkey's breakfast. Good puppy dogs get presents, but bad puppy dogs get a grinch. I think that's the story, anyway. Christmas is an OK holiday. There's lots of food like Thanksgiving and presents which is great, but a lot of the food isn't always safe for puppy dogs and a fat guy named Santa Paws has to break into your house to leave presents. I'm not so sure about that part. Seems shady.  Plus, there's a giant tree in my house I'm not allowed to pee on!

Anyway, last year I posted these rules for Christmas. Still don't know where they came from, but I just wanted to remind everyone of them.

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

 

(I luckily didn't have antlers that year. Mom has some though)

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:

a. Don't pee on the tree

b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree

c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree

d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open

e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:

a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans

b. Don't eat off the buffet table

c. Beg for goodies subtly

d. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa

e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:

a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)

b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house

c. Tolerate children

d. Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!

Human Puppy--Blech

Hey friends,

So this was the WORST weekend ever! My mommy ran away for the WHOLE weekend. She drove to Grandma's house first. The nerve! Then she drove to my Auntie K's house because she just had a human puppy. Remember this picture from the giveaway post:

And how I said to ignore the wrappings in the background? Yeah, I didn't realize the presents had to be personally delivered! Anyway, she played with the puppy thing...at least play as much as you can with a puppy that's only 4 days old!  She also gave lots of attention to Auntie K's dogs, Howie and Moxie. I met Howie once and we became pretty good friends, so I was sad when I found out Mom played with him without me. Mom said I wouldn't have liked all the commotion at Auntie K's house, though. I'd have liked it more than being home with That Daddy Guy.

Yeah, I didn't have a good weekend alone with him. I'd go into details, but Santa Paws might be reading. Let's just say I got into trouble Saturday afternoon and was still in trouble Sunday when Mom got home.  I think I've charmed my way out of trouble though.

Here's a picture Auntie K took of Mom, Howie (the white one), Moxie (the black one), and Baby S (the striped, least furry one)

Giveaway Winner

Hey friends! If you follow me on Twitter (@mrappgate), then you know my mommy pulled a disappearing act this weekend. I'll have the full details later, but wanted to announce the winner of my first giveaway! I was so excited to see all of the people who entered. I wish I could give everyone a set of the toys! Even though Mom was gone, she did figure out a techie way to pick a winner. She plugged the number of comments into Random.org. As of 9:00 EST, there were 9 comments:

Comment #1 was Molly, but she lives in England. Boo. So Mom just tried again:

#3 was Ms. Amber! Yay! Please check your e-mail so Hartza can send you your prize!

Thanks again to everyone who entered. I hope we can do another one of these and everyone can win!