New Friends!

Life has certainly been busy, what with the ground drying up after the snow left, going to the new dog park, seeing my old neighborhood friends cuz everyone's outside again, and meeting new people.

Mom told me that someone named Kari was coming to meet me, but I wasn't sure what it was all about. I figured I'd think about it when she came. Well. She did. And right from the start she made me THINK! What's with that?!? Mom and I had a routine. Someone comes in, I bark to let them know they should think twice about pulling any funny business, they come in the house, where I bark to emphasize that I'm in charge, although I also have to keep away from mom. If she catches me I have to listen to her and at least sit, even if I don't stop barking.

Kari stopped on the OTHER side of the gate! She changed the rules! AND she brought CHEESE! Ohmigosh! What's a pup to do? I barked. She turned around. You heard right - she turned around and ignored me! How rude! I ask you, what's the point in barking if the person I'm barking AT doesn't pay attention? So I stopped. And she turned around. So I started barking again, and she turned around AGAIN. I was stumped. I just stopped barking and stared. She turned around fast, and gave me some cheese!!! Wow! Suffice to say that it was a very confusing visit, but very rewarding too! There was learning to look at her face instead of the treats, sit and be quiet (yuck!) instead of barking, and then this weird thing where she kept moving the cheese over my shoulder until I laid on my side. Hey, I got cheese when I did it, so okay, I'd lay on my side.

As if all this weren't strange enough, MOM's been acting this way ever since Kari left! And there's something about 'at ease' and 'relax', but just telling you this much has worn me out all over again, and I haven't told you about my other new friend.

Yesterday Mom and I went to the dog park, and there were WAY too many rowdy, noisy dogs. As usual, Mom was talking to everybody (Note from Mom: I was not!). Well LOT'S of people anyway. In fact, at one point she went out of the park to the car and left me inside! Yes, she came right back, but still....

Anyway, the next thing you know, there's a really nice young lady who's talking to Mom, but really looking at me. So of course I showed her my best tricks - Toast, Touchdown, Rock & Roll, and such. And of course, she was impressed! We kept running into her the whole time we were at the park, which was just fine by me because I knew she was admiring me the whole time she pretended to talk to Mom. They eventually sat down at a picnic table and were just yakking and yakking, so I took a nap underneath the table. I must admit, Cutie (that's what I call her) was very dog-sensitive. She helped Mom keep the water bowl full, and admired all the pups that came up to take a drink. A very well brought up girl, I thought.

Soooo, now we have 2 new friends! And it's not even full Spring yet! Looks like this is going to be a very fun year!

Lost Weekend

*sigh* I can talk about it now, but it was pretty horrible for a while. I'm back home with Mom, and we're kind of on track, but there have been no treats and I'm getting very different food.

I got really sick last week. I don't know why, but this time tossing my cookies didn't make me feel better. I wasn't hungry, only wanted a few laps of water, and had to turn around and come home after walking just a little way. Mom got really scared. We went for a long ride in the car, and went into a place I think I might have been to before, but it was a really long time ago. After one lady talked to Mom and checked me out (yes, even took my temperature - very uncomfortable!), another really nice lady came in. Dr. Kati, I think Mom called her. Wow, was she gentle. Just like the first lady I could tell she really cared about how I felt, and she wanted to help me. Unfortunately, that meant Mom had to leave me there! I can't say by myself, because there were all sorts of nice people around, but Mom wasn't with me.

Just when I was feeling better enough to start being scared, I got this warm feeling all around me. It felt like when Mom gives me a big hug and tells me she loves me, only there was nobody there. Well, there was no person there, but there was someone with me - and it even felt like more than one someone. They loved me and let me know they'd be with me until I was all better. With them comforting me, I finally fell asleep.

I have to admit, I'm tired right now. I hope you'll understand if I finish this later....

No way!

I cannot believe Mom did this to me. She knows I'm quite miffed, and agreed to type what I tell her even if she doesn't like it.
So.
Mom threw a big party yesterday to launch her website (Mom's note: www.castlecourse.com) and you remember how excited I was that Neighbor Henry was going to take me? Well, that was BEFORE I found out what a party is like! It was LOUD. And there were all sorts of people and smells that I'd never smelled before, and I wanted nothing to do with it. Mom wanted me to at least walk through the room with her, so I did, at the fastest walk she's ever seen me do! I went straight to the back door, but no luck, she wouldn't let me out. Soooo, back through the crowd, lickety split, to the front door. Thank goodness Henry caught on and got me out of there.

Mom and I talked last night, and again tonight. She had the good sense to apologize to me, and then she explained that this is what it means to be a Canine Celebrity. Ewwwww! I had NO IDEA. So we talked some more, and finally came to a compromise. Evidently some celebrities also don't like crowds, so they hide away in their mansions and villas (whatever they are). Mom said they're called a recluse. Whatever! As long as I don't have to go to noisy parties anymore, I'm for it. So now I guess I'm Moxie T, Canine Celebrity Recluse. Harumph.

Yea for Neighbor Henry!

Mom just told me that my BFF, Neighbor Henry, is the one who's bringing me to the party Sunday! Ohmigosh, I don't care if I can't stay that long, Neighbor Henry is one cool dude. And he LOOOOVES me. We'll have so much fun going to and from, and while I'm there I know he'll keep me safe and happy. THANK YOU Neighbor Henry!!!!

Catch up 4

May I be honest? I HATE it when Mom doesn't translate for me for a while and then wants me to catch her up on what I want to say. Doesn't she know that dogs live in the moment? NOW is what counts! I don't remember what I would have asked her to write yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that....

Okay, so maybe I am more together than your average pup. I guess I can think back a few days at least.

OH - Of course! We met AC! AND went to a new dog park! There is nothing, absolutely nothing, as wonderful as being able to wander and sniff at my own pace OFF the leash! Well, riding in the car with my head out the window IS pretty terrific too. But back to AC. She is quite something. She respected my personal space right off the bat, which is tops in my book. I don't know if she was aware of it, but I was eavesdropping on her conversation with Mom, so I heard her admiring me and comparing me to her dog in a very nice way. When we got to the park, she continued to keep her distance. How did she KNOW? I think she just must have a good sense about animals. Anyway, she's aces in my book, and - wait! THAT'S a better name for her than AC - Ace! Okay Ace, we are now officially buddies!

That is absolutely ALL of note in the past several days, because Mom was gone A LOT. She says it's an exception. I sure hope so. *sigh* So long for now cyberfriends....

Catch up 3

Hello! Can you believe it? Mom FINALLY agreed to a new posting! So much has happened that I'll probably forget some of it, but I'll share what I remember.

First - we met Colby and his mom and dad at the park. No, he's not a cheese. He's a handsome little cocker spaniel/lab mix pup. Mom, of course, gushed all over him. Me? I think he's okay but has a LOT of growing up to do. Can you believe it? He didn't know what to do when I finally broke down and flirted a bit! He ran away! Mom says it's because I scared him when we first met - like a growl and snap means I'm going to attack him or something! I just figure you have to let other pups know that you're in charge right away, or they'll try to get away with murder later.

OH! I nearly forgot! The people downstairs brought home a DOG! To STAY! Not only that, but a dog I'm supposed to share my yard with! Can you believe it? I'm supposed to be gracious and give way, instead of protecting my territory. It's very confusing, but he seems okay, so I'm going along with it for now. [Note from Mom/BJ: Logan is a wonderful gentleman who's getting more comfortable with his new home every day.]

Mom's been having people over more and more - talking about her company and her website and the pictures for the book she wrote about me. It really takes away from our time together, especially when she doesn't appreciate my warning barks about strangers being here! Something's got to give here... [Note from Mom/BJ: Something indeed - Moxie needs to accept visitors as part of life and work that keep her in liver biscotti.]

I'm sure - Mom says that's enough for now, she has work to do. This after I've waited more than 10 days to talk to my cyber-friends! WELL! I'm just going to have to open a Twitter account to communicate more often I guess. Now if Mom would just leave her laptop signed in so tomorrow I can get to the Twitter website....

AAACK! Camera! Pictures!

You will not believe what Mom put me through yesterday. She KNOWS I hate cameras, but she let this lady into the yard with the biggest camera I've ever seen! That thing could not only steal a piece of me, but swallow my whole spirit! I avoided it as best I could, and CLEARLY communicated that this was NOT something I wanted to do, but darned if the lady wasn't really nice and very patient. And then Mom brings out the most incredible treats. We sat and talked. The lady (Mom says her name is Caroline) complimented me profusely, and knew just where to scratch on my back, so I let Mom talk me into doing a few of my tricks for her. Well then I got into the tricks and treats, and by the time I wound down, I finally heard the clicks that said she was taking my picture! And I was okay! I was still me! I was also still kind of nervous, but she and Mom brushed me and talked to me, and it dawned on me that Caroline's taking pictures was just another way of admiring me - and you KNOW how I like to be admired! I'll have to think on this a while, but maybe cameras aren't so bad after all. Do you like them? How do you feel about having your picture taken? Please let me know - I need some help understanding this.

Feelings

I feel different. I don't know why, but I feel better. I have a little more energy, and when I jump up on Mom's bed for a good scritchy-scratching session, it seems easier than it did before. Mom says it might be the new collar Carolyn made for me. It is gorgeous! The brown leather complements my red fur, and the bling on it is snazzy without being too flashy. I may actually let her take a picture of me in it, but I have to think about that. Something about cameras still make me nervous.

Mom's been on the phone and the computer a lot, and doing a lot of cheering and dancing around. I catch 'Castle Course' here and there, so it sounds like she's making strides in setting up her business. I hope that doesn't mean less time for me. She's already gone all day most days, and I miss her. Doggy daycare is fun, but that's only once a week. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Oh, Mom asked if she could add some links - to Carolyn and some other places. I said sure - makes no nevermind to me. But you may want to check them out. Enjoy cyber-friends!