Bor-ing

Not a fun day. Daddy and his friends are playing some version of Dungeons & Dragons in the living room and they won't let me play! I tried to grab an action figure earlier, but they caught me. Plus, there's lots of dice that are just waiting for me to grab them!

This morning I did meet a new friend, though. There's a new puppy in my condo complex and he's only 8 weeks only, even though he is bigger than me. We played for a little while.

Music

I do not like it when mommy and daddy do things without me. I should be a participant in every single activity. Mommy and daddy were playing Guitar Hero this afternoon. (Mommy was playing drums, which was sort of weird since she's not very good on drums, but I digress). Anyways, I tried my hardest to get some attention -- or at least to be able to play too. I tried playing with the guitar and then I tried the drumsticks. Nothing seemed to get their attention. Finally I had to take matters into my own hands (er, paws) and took the remote control. I switched it from "play game" to "listen to CD" and music from my favorite CD, Songs to Make Dogs Happy, came on. (I'm particularly partial to "Squeaky Deakey")

To say that daddy was not happy would be an understatement. Apparently he was doing really well on the game. How was I to know? BTW -- this isn't the first time I'm employed the technique of changing to "listen to CD" in order to get attention. It seems to work well and I highly recommend it to any other dogs out there.

Dull Week

Hi Peeps! I know, I haven't been so good about reaching out and touching you. Mommy and daddy have both been busy and it hasn't been very fun for me. Mommy's been getting home late from work -- which means we can't go to the dog park after she gets home 'cause its dark outside. So instead daddy took me yesterday morning. That was fun, although there weren't as many other dogs for me to play with.

In other news, I haven't been doing much. I'm trying a new kind of dog food and I'm not sure yet whether I like it. I know that I like people food (especially ice cream) so much more than dog food. Have you every tried dog food? (don't answer that, Grandpa Mike, I've heard about the beggin' strips story). Even though it usually smells good, it doesn't have a whole lot of flavor. I crave the flavor.

The picture is one of me playing with my Green Bay Packers toy. My great uncle Randy gave it to me while I was at their house a few weeks ago.

Dog Park

This morning daddy left the house. I was really sad. After he left, I followed his scent outside until I got to where the car is usually parked. He was gone! I was so concerned that he had gone to the dog park without me. Luckily mommy was still home with me. After mommy got done doing stuff around the house, we took a long nap!

The best part was that it turns out, daddy only went to his friend's house and when he came home, we went to the dog park! A couple of my new friends were there and I got to run and play. Depsite my long afternoon nap, I still got tired and had to go home after about 45 minutes of running and playing with a bunch of other dogs. The big dogs play in the other side of the fence, and I like to watch them play, too. Someday I might be big enough to join them.

Long Time, No Type

It's been really long since I've updated you on my life! I had a great rest-of-the-trip at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Sunday, mommy and daddy tried to show me a deer in Grandma and Grandpa's yard at their other house, but I didn't quite see it it. I did get to smell its poop, though, when we walked through the yard. Monday we just all hung out around the house. On Tuesday, mommy, daddy, and I flew back to Maryland. I did a very good job on the plane and at the airport, if I do say so myself. I was chewing on my new rawhide and sleeping most of the way. (Things were so exciting at Grandma and Grandpa's house that I didn't get all of my napping in while I was there).

When we got back home, mommy and daddy were really busy with work for a couple of days, so we haven't had much time to do fun stuff. Last night, though, we finally went to the dog park! For those of you not familiar, the dog park is a fenced in park, separated into areas for big dogs and little dogs. I'm allowed to run off leash and play with other dogs and there's benches and picnic tables for mommies and daddies (and some grandmas) to sit on. I'll admit it, at first I was a little scared when I got there and three dogs ran up to smell me. The hair on my back stood up for a minute. After a minute, though, I discovered that everyone was friendly and that I could run and play and, most importantly, the dogs would chase me! I've been waiting forever to find another dog that will chase me! (No matter how hard I tried, Grandma and Grandpa's cats would not chase me!) I played for over an hour with a pug, a beagle, a dachshund, and a couple of other doggies. It was so much fun! We finally left when it started getting dark. Mommy forgot to take her camera, so I don't have any pictures to show you this time, but daddy says we'll go again really soon. I hope we do!

I love a Parade!

Wow what a busy few days! On Friday, daddy needed a haircut and I got to go along. We went to the beauty salon and I got to smell all kinds of new smells! Daddy looks so much better now, thanks to my new friend Sue. Friday night my Uncle Ryan and Aunt Cassie came over and got to see how cute I am. On Saturday, grandma and grandpa took mommy, daddy, and me to a parade and a llama race. I love parades and especially polka bands! After the parade, we went to the Dairy Queen and I got to have ice cream. Then we went to my Great-Uncle Randy and Great-Aunt Becky's house and I got to play with their doggy, Junior. I finally found another doggy that would chase me! Today we're going to go to grandma and grandpa's other house in the car. I love car rides, so I can hardly wait! Don't worry, we'll be back later this afternoon, so I'll be able to update you on the day!

Puppy Jail

I was bad. I was playing outside without a leash and saw the doggy at the neighbors' house across the road. I started to run to greet him and even though daddy yelled at me to come back, I ran across the road to say hello. Now I'm in puppy prison. Daddy said he would get me a harmonica so I can learn to play the blues, but he hasn't yet. At least I got some company, though....

Quack!

I've been having a great time at grandma and grandpa's house! I get to go outside anytime I want and run and play in the grass. Grandma Linda got me a new duck (and some other toys) and I decided I wanted to go outside and play with it. So I took my duck, went out on the deck, down the stairs and onto the grass to run and play with it!

Leavin' on Jet Plane

Guess what? We're going to visit my grandma Linda and my grandpa Ray in Wisconsin! Mommy says we're going to fly to get there. I'm hoping that I see that robin that's my nemesis while I'm flying. I sure would like to catch him! Mommy says it's going to be an interesting flight 'cause daddy let me get into a box of Fiber One cereal while he was on a conference call yesterday. I'm excited 'cause I get to ride in a bag -- it's really cool 'cause it has velcro in it. I love to play with velcro.

Oral Hygene

Oral hygene is very important. I'm a big fan of brushing my teeth. Sometimes, though daddy's toothbrush (technically, I guess it's his former toothbrush) just isn't enough and I have to bring out the big guns....

Treasures

Hi! You know how I always go outside and go potty right before going to bed? Well, sometimes I find treasures outside and bring them back in with me. A lot of times it's a leaf or a piece of bark. Last night, I found a stick. It's a pretty big stick (longer than I am and I'm pretty long) and I was so proud that I was able to carry it from the yard, in the door, up the stairs, and into the house, that I brought it to bed with me. Daddy kept trying to take it away from me, but eventually he gave up and I got to keep my stick in bed.

Spa Day

Mommy and daddy took me to the park again. I got to run on the trails and played a little in the lake. I like to jump from rock to rock (once I landed in the water) and catch feathers from the geese. I also liked to chase the geese, but they didn't like it when I chased them.

Since I played in the water and got covered with mud, its a good thing today was the day for my monthly bath and nail clipping. After my paw-dicure and bath, I relaxed on my bed and daddy gave me a massage. Ahhh. All in all, a fun day!

Toilet Paper

Guess what I just discovered! There's a whole roll of paper in the bathroom that is just waiting to be shredded. Mommy and daddy keep it at just my height -- how convenient is that?

Long Weekend

I've left you hanging for the last few days without an update on my life. So here goes -- Thursday, daddy had an important conference call for work so I helped by squeaking my squeaky toy loudly while he was on the phone. The rest of the day, daddy took his computer out on the balcony and we worked outside. I kept watch and warned him anytime any person or dog came near by barking (yes, I bark now).
On Friday morning I went to the vet and got my vaccinations. Daddy sent in my registration form for the city and now I'll be able to go to the dog park. Mommy came home early on Friday so we walked around and then played inside for awhile. Friday night I played outside with my friend Boyer -- we played chase games in the dark -- it was so fun!
Saturday was a lazy day -- it was hot outside, so we just hung out inside. I went for a few walks, mommy and daddy played with me inside, and I took lots of naps. So many naps that I didn't want to go to sleep at bedtime, which created a bit of a problem 'cause mommy and daddy didn't like my game of "what's in the quilt". Mommy took the quilt away and then I just had to chew my rawhide. Anyways, I'm hoping for an action-packed Sunday and Monday, so I'll hit you back later when sometime exciting happens!

The Great Glasses Heist

Last night I wasn't tired when mommy and daddy decided to go to bed. I needed a way to entertain myself, so I decided to check out daddy's nightstand 'cause he keeps cool things on it (unlike mommy who keeps hers clean). Just as I was about to steal his bookmark from the middle of his book (I've been stealing his bookmark since I first came to live with mommy and daddy two months ago), daddy stopped me! Faced with no alternative, I grabbed his glasses and ran through the house carrying them.

I made several trips around the condo with mommy and daddy chasing behind me before daddy caught me. Mommy snapped the picture just before daddy reclaimed his glasses. What fun!

Twitter

Great news! I'm on twitter! So now those of you who can't get enough about my life can get up-to-the-minute reports ("tweets") of exactly what I'm doing every moment of the day! What could be better?

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page (go ahead, I'll wait), under the heading "What I'm doing right now", you'll see my tweets. If you want, you can also follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/thedogbaxter. If you're really dedicated, you can even sign up to get text messages (on twitter.com) every time I tweet. Pretty convenient, huh?

I just came back inside after going potty. In the picture, I'm chewing up one of the treasures I brought in with me. I like to bring sticks, leaves, rocks, and other things back into the house with me. I like to think of them as gifts for mommy and daddy.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Guess what? I'm 4 months old today! You know what that means? (Besides presents from mommy and daddy.) I'm old enough to start going to the dog park! I'm so excited! All of my doggy friends talk about how much fun the dog park is -- you get to run around and play with other dogs without being on a leash. My leash really cramps my style when I'm trying to run.

Since a few of my friends moved away last month, there's been fewer dogs for me to play with in my condo building. I'm looking forward to making some new friends! I love to run and play with other doggies.

Daddy says I have to go to the vet on Friday, and then get registered before we can start going. I can't wait!

My Perch

My latest thing is that I like to chill on the back of the couch. I've always been a fan of jumping up there to get a better view, but more recently it has begun a favorite place of mine to hang out. I can't jump up there on my own, so I have to wait until mommy or daddy is there so I can climb on them. I particularly like to run and jump up on the couch then use mommy's head or tummy as a springboard to get to the back of couch. I'm very fast and it's lots of fun.

Brrrr....

It's been chilly the last two mornings! Of course, part of the problem is that mommy and daddy have been leaving the windows open at night. And I, um, had a little accident a couple of days ago on the down comforter so that's out of service until it gets done at the cleaners.

It's a good thing that I'm an expert on tucking myself under the covers, otherwise I would be cold. I have a whole system. First I dig at daddy's shoulder until he lifts up the covers, then I go down to the bottom, turn around, and come back out at the top (or the side, depending on how I'm feeling that day). It works perfectly. I just have to make sure that my all of my paws stay tucked it.