The World's Most Disciplined Dog

This is Bentley. That is my husband's sandwich.

It would seem as though my dog is out to practice the most ascetic lifestyle ever. There he lays... just inches from the delicious, tempting sandwich. He sniffs the air, creeps nice and close, but doesn't dare give in to his desire. What is his true fear? Letting his impulses rule his little doggy life? Or could it be the inevitable beating that would await him on the other side of that satisfying impulse?

We'll never know, will we? Because even as close as he was to this sandwich, he never ate it.

Now THAT is a good dog.

Three's Company!

MEET BENTLEY!

Who knew that it was in the plans for us to rescue a 70 pound, 9-month-old Boxer? It's odd how these things happen, and what's surprising is how events take place that prepare the way for change. For example, had I not already been set up to sell one of our couches, we never would have had the room for a HUGE dog crate. Somehow things just fell into place for this new family addition, which lets us know it was truly meant to be.

He's been with us for almost 3 weeks, and I'm happy to report that it's gone surprisingly well. He is currently intact, but the appointment has already been made to have him fixed. For the most part Bentley hasn't had many hormone-driven incidents... For the most part. Those that HAVE happened are offenses that shouldn't re-occur. Ever. So-- sorry Bentley, but the time to snip is upon you! Enjoy the testosterone while you've got it!

The most interesting aspect of all of this is the interaction with our two smaller dogs. Samson loves him, and started warming up to him right away. Sadie... well, Sadie takes a little more time. We've only once had the two of them "square off," and I won't say it doesn't remind me of David vs. Goliath...with fur. Nobody has ever been hurt (or come close, for that matter) but sometimes it's necessary for dogs to test each other so they can get the pack order straight. There's no doubt that Bentley is the dominant dog here (even if he takes it by sheer, brute strength) and I'm just relieved he's not at all aggressive. Not with food, not with territory, nothing.

The smaller dogs do seem to enjoy what little power they have, which comes in the form of controlling when they play with big ole' Bentley. He's a Boxer, so play is his Objective #1. Not that Bostons aren't playful, but I think they enjoy making him beg. Yesterday, as Small and Smaller rested on the couch ignoring Bentley, he proceeded to bring EVERY single toy from the kitchen to rest at their feet and entice them to play. My husband thought I'd dumped out the toy box on the end of the couch. Bentley whined and begged and dropped toy after toy on them or near them, and I think they just liked the attention! It was mean, really, on their part not to play when he wants it so bad, but it was entertaining to say the least. Eventually Samson gave in and started running around with him, so Bentley got his way after all.

The puppy poundage has multiplied threefold in this house... as if we now have 5 Bostons instead of only 2, and the effort given to our dog-ownership has multiplied exponentially. It's worth it, though, and we're very blessed to have this large brute join our family. Every day is easier than the last and now we wouldn't do without him!

True Doggy Devotion

There are times I think it's entirely possible that dogs can be guardian angels. Maybe it's because these little creatures are the physical form of love.

I've started a new work schedule, one that requires I go to sleep MUCH earlier than our household is used to. Last night, I headed to bed, exhausted, and tried to get enough shut-eye to last me through today. There I am, cuddled in bed, and ALMOST asleep. Sleep... that precious, elusive place where the mind goes to heal...

From nowhere, I'm jolted awake by a loud *SNOOOORE* coming from Just Below my door frame. It seems that my little Sadie wasn't ready to part from me for the night just yet, and was determined to make sure I was all right in there. My little heart just BROKE. Then it burst open with true appreciation for the dedication my dog had to me. She could have stayed up with daddy and watched TV, but no, she slept just outside my door... down the hallway... all alone.

Well, as much as I adored her devotion and this meaningful little act, I still needed to sleep. And she is quite the snorer. Any who have Bostons are familiar with the interesting little noises that come along with their company. Alas, I had to call in for backup and have the hubby take her into the living room so I could actually doze off. I'd let her sleep with me if I could, but I'm afraid she'd be the only one who got any rest.

My dear, sweet puppy. I don't know what I'd do without her!

Can We Come, Too??

Want to test your dog's observation skills? Pack for a trip.

It never ceases to amaze me how well these two know if we're going somewhere. I can't figure out how they know the difference between me doing laundry and me packing, but they do. Long before the luggage comes out, our dogs are carefully watching everything we do, waiting to see if they're going, too.

All I have to do is head towards the corner where their food/leashes are, and they go BEZERK! They start jumping up and down and running to the door, and generally acting loony. Last night, I started dishing their food into a bag for our camping trip, and Samson started making the most unbelievable whining noises, you'd think his head was caught in a vice! They'd already been fed, but because I was taking their food somewhere, they HAD to be there and beg. I gave them some kibbles merely to regain my hearing.

So we're off for a camping adventure this weekend, and these two are roaring to go! We're lucky that they do well camping, and rarely need to be contained, since they stay with us so obediently. They're never so happy as when we're going somewhere and they get to come along!

Houston, We Have a Problem...

Samson has a very unhealthy attachment to his "ball." This squeeky, brightly-colored, horned toy is truly the apple of his eye. He will go to the end of the earth for his "ball," and he'll let nothing get in his way. It is his one, true, obsession. He loves it like a fat kid loves cake, his desire is equally as dangerous.

We've learned to use this obsession for good, and it's a very effective training tool. All we have to do is show him the ball, and he'll do ANYTHING we ask, and thensome. I cannot tell you how many hours he's waited in silent Vigil while we put his ball away on top of the fridge (one of the only places he cannot get to.)

It is his goal in life to chew the ball to bits, in stages. Stage 1: disable the squeeker. We can't tell whether he does this because he hates it, or because he loves it too much. Stage 2: chew off the back end until what was once a ball is now a bowl. Stage 3: Chew off the feet.

Lately, we've been taking it away before he can get to the feet. A while ago, he started coughing, and we looked over just in time to see him throw up an entire foot. What once was dark blue was now a colorless, and gooey, mass. Needless to say, he didn't get a new ball for quite a while.

One day, we threw a green ball down the hallway. He lost it, and looked for about an hour before he came back with an orange ball! He'd lost the orange ball 6 months before, and just then found it. So, for a while, he had two balls... and he was in heaven!

We've noticed that whenever Samson has his ball, Sadie no longer exists to him. For the last few years, she couldn't have cared less. Well, as of late, she's started to goad him on to get his attention. When that doesn't work, she's started to steal his ball! The real problem is that she's started to chew on his balls too! He doesn't know what to make of this, and we can't tell whether or not she's starting to attach to the balls or if she's doing it to be vindictive. (She can be a very evil dog, you know.)

At the moment, we have 2 balls again, and I tested her today. She tried to steal Samson's ball and they got into it. She ran off with it, so I gave Samson the other ball so he could have his own. Well, they traded back and forth for a while, then she dropped hers and went for his! Maybe she's just trying to best him after all.

At the moment, Samson's chewing his toy as if nothing else existed. Where's Sadie? Well, she's napping next to me, exhausted from her evil ventures.

Thus the saga of the ball continues.

Why the Dogs DON'T Sleep With Us!

For any of you who did not know, Bostons snore. They snort while they're awake as well, but not as bad as Pugs. This snoring, combined with the unbelievable bed-hogging, is the reason our dogs sleep in crates.

Don't get me wrong, I love cuddling up for a nap with my dogs, and we HAVE tried to let them sleep with us (recently, even.) It went horribly, though, so it looks like their crates will just have to do. Fortunately, they adore their little dens, so it's a win-win situation!

Send Your Dog to Work Day!

What would happen if you traded lives with your dog for 1 day?



Instead of getting up to go to work, you send your pup and YOU stay home and snore in the sun spot. The following is an account of what I believe your dear canine would do at the office:

Task 1: Mark the territory. Upon entrance of your office, Dog will effectively pee on everything in site, paying special attention to your doorway and the plants around the perimeter. The office is his, and it will be noted as such.

Task 2: Check voicemail. Dog will hop in the chair and hit the button to listen to pertinent messages. This is a nice gesture, but with the paws being as clumsy as they are, Dog will inadvertently erase all important messages.

Task 3: Claim Dominance. Dog will visit the Bosses office, and show the Boss who's BOSS. Dog will hop on desk and put his paws on Bosses shoulders, making sure his head is above the boss. Depending on the breed of Dog, drool just may land on Bosses suit.

Task 4: Appear to be working. After returning to his own territory, Dog will turn on the computer and sit properly in the chair, as if reading something very important. Don't be fooled, however, he's only watching the latest episode of "Pups on Parade."

Task 5: Mealtime. Dog will follow his co-workers into the lunch room, where he will beg for food from each person in turn. Being the nice people they are, Dog will score a very hearty meal.

Task 6: Naptime. Puckered out from his large meal and hard work, Dog will sleep comfortably-- balled up in your chair for several hours. Ahhhh... nothing like a Siesta.

Task 7: Leave Evidence of Presence. When the day is done, and the work is not, Dog will want to leave a special gift for everyone to remember him by. No, it's not the smelly kind of gift, this Dog has taste! Dog will happily jump on the Xerox machine and make copies of his tail end for all to enjoy!

After leaving the humorous copies at people's feet, Dog's day is done. He will come home, puckered out, and sleep for the remainder of the evening... on your lap.