Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Missing Link...

You know how I told you about my summer time allergies? Right, well after our sleepover (with Winston) Gram noticed that he was biting at his tail...then he started to BLEED at his tail (ewwww!)

Gram took Winston to the vet yesterday and turns out Winston came in contact with something that he's allergic to, AT MY HOUSE! Oh no!

I fell just terribly-terrible that something at my house caused my buddy harm.

To help continue my road to summer time allergy (and now fall allergy) wellness, mom put me back on Missing Link. Never tried it? You gotta. Its the best stuff out there.

It helps with my shedding, skin, joints...its like a multi vitamin, its a powder form that you put over my food! It tastes soooooo good too! I lick the bowl and beg for more!

Mom and I took a trip to Petsmart on Monday to pick up the bag of missing link (okay, mom says its a little expensive, $16.99 for an 8 ounce bag...but it really works!) While we were waiting to check out, I was so anxious to get my check-out-cookie that I sat on the feet of the lady in front of us in line!

"OH!" she said, "I didn't see you there!" Mom sounded embarrassed, but the lady understood...she works at Petsmart too and knows about the check-out-cookie.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Mooooom! He's in my bed!

Winston and I had a sleep over on Friday night. He came over and like always, mom brought his blanket so he could sleep on it. I'd like to pull your attention to exhibit 'a' in above photo. When we woke up on Saturday morning, you could imagine this puggle's shock to see exhibit 'b' below:Obviously this is not his bed (as evident by my name on it). But I didn't mind. Winston could have my bed every night as long as I get to sleep in mom's bed! Once Winston woke up, we went outside, went potty and I ran back upstairs to get back under the covers!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Sleepy time

Sometimes I crawl into bed before mom does. I love hiding under the blankets on the bed. I figure, as long as my head is hidden, I'm hidden! Opps!Mom caught me with my tail out! I got excited when I heard her come closer, I had to poke my head out and my tail started to wiggle.Now really, who could say 'no' to that face?! Mom sure can't!


Thursday, October 15, 2009

"Crate" training


Mom gets lots of emails from animal websites. One of our favorites is from a website called DogAge.com.

Each week they send us an email with the 'tip of the week'. This week it was talking about crate training your pup. I gotta tell you from experience, "crate" training is the way to go.


The very first night I came home, mom put me inside the "crate". It wasn't a good experience. I cried, really really loudly.

To ease me into my new "house" (we don't call it a "crate"...we call it my "house") each time mom would put me inside for the night she'd say, "night night Jack", cover my house with a blanket and turn on a cd that was all instrumental music (very soothing!)


If I'd cry or whine, she'd say, "night night Jack". If I woke up in the middle of the night, she'd take me outside to go potty. I'd get so excited because I thought she might let me into her bed, but no. Instead, the door to my house would open, a treat would be placed inside, I'd follow the treat, door would close, cover would be put in place and she's say, "night night Jack".

Here's what I like best about having my own house:
- I get to spend all day in there with a super soft blanket
- I have my own space that I don't have to worry about anyone taking
- When I have a sleepover at Grammy and Grampy's, my house comes with me, so my routine doesn't change
- Because I'm older and wiser, now all mom and dad have to say is "Jack, inside" and I walk
right into my house and wait for a cookie

Even though I just turned four, I spend my days in my house and I sleep each night in my house and I love it. (Although, I get to fall asleep with mom each night but dad wakes me up to go downstairs when he comes to bed...)(This is my door knocker!)

**Mom note**
I grew up in a household with dogs that were not crate trained and I have no idea how my parents did it. For the overall well being of the animal, and the mental health of the human, having a 'safe-place' for the dog to retreat to vital.

Example, when the hubs mows the backyard, Jack thinks this is play time and gets upset that he can't go outside with his dad. He will get SO upset, whining at the windows, jumping at the backdoor. Jack gets himself really worked up, to help avoid this situation, when I know the lawn is getting mowed, I simply tell Jack, "inside", and he goes into his house. Problem solved.

If a child from the neighborhood comes over and Jack gets too excited, "inside". We don't even have to close the door anymore, (well, during the day and at night we do...) he knows that is his house, and that is where he belongs.

Its a tough road to "house" train your pup, but once you do...its TOTALLY worth it!!!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Jack the wonder dog to the rescue!

Mom, Dad and I love animals. I love all animals (especially when I don't have to share my mommy with them!)

Mom visits lots of sites throughout the day that help animals in need. Theanimalrescuesite.com needs help right now. All you have to do is click on the link, then click on the purple box and they'll donate food to animals in need.

That's it.

If your feeling generous, you can visit freekibble.com. Take their fun quiz and they'll donate 10 pieces of kibble to shelters! What's even more fun about this site is that its run by a young girl...check out their FAQ's and read all about it!


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

99 red balloons

Saturday morning we got up SUPER early so Mom and Dad could drop me off at Grammy and Grampy's. (They were going to Aunt Caitlin's sisters wedding in New York.)

I ran into the house searching for Winston- he was still sleeping!! Silly ol' man. We said our hellos, he went back to bed and then Mom and Dad left. Normally this makes me upset, but this time, I was so busy running around sniffing the house, I forgot.

My nose lead me upstairs into Uncle Ryan's room. Even though I know I'm not supposed to go into his room, I did anyway. (If mom isn't here to see me go upstairs, I can't get in trouble, right?)

WRONG.

I ran into his room so fast, the door closed behind me. I sniffed the whole room, jumped onto his bed, jumped onto the couch and then, I saw it, the red balloon.

I pushed it with my nose, and it went over the air vent. That is when things took a turn for the worst. The air went on and the balloon took flight!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I was so scared! I didn't know it was going to move! It was coming after me! So I barked at it, but it didn't stop moving. I whined at it, nothing. I barked again and this time, Grammy came to the door!

Gram: Jaaaaack, what are you doing in here?
Me: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Now that the door was open, I was flying down the stairs. I haven't been that scared since the rocking horse started moving at a garage sale we walked past during the summer!

Needless to say, I've learned my lesson. I will never ever ever never walk into Uncle Ryan's room. Ever again.

Ever.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Walk Against Abuse

Saturday mom and I got up early (before 10) and headed into our town square. I was so excited to be outside and meeting so many new friends that I forgot what we were there for! The Medina County Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault Taskforce was sponsoring a "Walk with your best friend" against abuse...Mom was there at the SPCA table to help (because she volunteers as the humane educator coordinator- long name, hu?!) They had a costume contest, so mom dressed me up in my Bat-Boy shirt...

I made so many friends! This is Duke. He's a puppy who was up for adoption, so Mom and I took him for lots of walks around the square. I didn't mind him to much, but I didn't like it when mom left me with Grampy and Grammy (yep, they came to visit!) and she and Duke went for a walk, ALONE! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

This is my other new friend. She had the booth next to us, and LOTS of cookies, so of course, she became my new bestie! (notice my tongue!)
And, since there was a costume contest, this was my pick-to-win. She is a one year old Pug, dressed as Scarlett O'Hara! (I would have entered the contest, except I didn't pay attention to where I was peeing, and got my Bat-Boy shirt all wet...opps!)


Meeting all these friends and spending time outside in the fresh Fall air really wore me out! When we got back to the car, mom loaded me inside my 'car seat' and I slept away the afternoon!