Who's the Alpha Dog?

Did you know that a dog that is quiet and sneaks up on you is far more dangerous than one that yaps its head off? It's because with a sneaky dog there's no warning. A yappy dog lets you know he's coming.

The same principle applies to people politics. There are all sorts of hidden stuff in the national legislation that has been passed over the last couple of years. Mom says some of it is going to cost a bundle: if employers cut off their healthcare to employees, or if homeowners have to pay an extra tax when they sell a home after 2013, or if the government bans all sales of drugs from Canada, stuff like that. Mom says those things will really cause a drain on our wallets. I understand that not very many people have been paying attention and it is going to sneak up on them. Well, I have a solution.

I say we use the canine method of curbing problem animals: bite them right on the collar. Whenever a dog gets too frisky in the pack, the Alpha dog hauls off and bites them right around the fur on their neck. Not hard, just enough to get their attention. It's a reminder of who's the boss. I think you people out there need to remind the government who's the real boss. They seem to think it's them. You should tell them the U.S. is "of the people, by the people, for the people." Somebody seems to have forgotten!

Dirty Paws

After my grooming the other day I was very handsome. But then I went back outside and laid down in the dirt. So of course, Mom saw that I had dirty black paws. I know it sort of bothers her that she spent $75 to get me all spiffed up and bam! in one minute I was dirty again.

Mom says that it happens to humans too. Like today she said that John Edwards the Senator is under indictment for using campaign money to fund a mistress. His paws are dirty. He looks all clean and nice on the surface, but really, there's a patch of dirt that he's been sleeping in.

Mom says that the people who spent all that money for his elections are probably upset today because of the dirt. Well I can recommend a great grooming place. They could scrub him down real good. And Mom says if he's found guilty they'd keep him inside all the time so he couldn't get dirty again. I think he needs that.

Dogs are different than people, though. When we're house trained we have to go outside sometimes. I think he's not very well house trained, because he goes outside too much. I hope they are able to keep him cleaner. People don't like all that dirt on their floors.

Haircuts

Today I got a haircut at Bark R Boutique in Spokane.Mom says I look really spiffy. I have to say, though, even though I had been there many times before, I was a little nervous at being left alone. They had to slide me across the floor into the cutting area. Yikes~

For anyone, even a dog, new things can be stressful. The people at the grooming place were very nice. John talked to me and petted me and tried to calm me down, but that being left without Mom was worrisome.

For people, new things can be really nerve-wracking. So I'd like to give you all a piece of advice: have a little faith. Don't make God drag you around like a wet mop. Really, He'll take good care of you.

See, once I got past the initial worry about being left, things leveled out and I had a great time. The worry was totally unnecessary. I just wasted my emotions for nothing.

After they got me all clean and handsome, I just waited patiently by the door until Mom came and picked me up. It was no sweat. And I had an adventure for the day- a fun one! And I feel soooo much better now. All that nasty matted hair is gone and I smell real good. Well, not as good as rotten meat, but good.

My friend Riley Sue is in the picture with me. Isn't she cute?
Now go out and do something FUN!

Lassie Come Home

My Mom told me once about an old TV show called "Lassie." It was about a big ruffed collie that was always getting lost, or saving someone's life. She said it was hard to watch because she kept crying.

Well last night she saw something else that made her cry- all the animals left homeless after the tornados in Missouri and Oklahoma. I was sad too because I know how it feels to be alone- but for them it was even more traumatic to be literally ripped away from their homes.

One little fella was thrown miles away and his paws were broken in the fall. He dragged himself home- it took him over 2 weeks to get back! Now that's perseverance. It's also fearlessness and hope.

You know, animals are generally very hopeful creatures, especially us dogs. I wish humans had that gift. Many of them lose hope easily and want to give up. I want to encourage you today- even if your heart is broken, there is hope. Even if it seems like everything has gone crazy upside down in your life and you've lost it all, there is hope.

If that fuzzy white dog can get home and get help, you can too. I know that God loves you with all His heart, so just keep going and He will get you where you need to be. Mom says Lassie always got back home no matter how bad the circumstances. So be like Lassie and come home. Be like that little white dog and keep going, because there is help waiting for you if you'll just not give up.

Cruelty or Discipline?

The other day I saw my friend Keisha the malamute riding on top of the neighbor's truck. According to my friends, he is now taking her to work with him, tied to the top of the tool box in the back of his pickup.When she is home, sometimes she is also on top of the truck. When she gets down, she runs around the neighborhood.

I'm kind of torn on this one. Mom never ties me up, ever. She expects me to obey her and stay in the yard or inside the fence. I try to do that, unless of course a cat runs across my field of vision (now that I have developed a couple of cataracts, I don't see them unless they run directly in front of me).

If Keisha would stay home, I don't think they'd have to tie her up. But one of our neighbors doesn't like any dogs but his own and always calls Animal Control on them. Which means Keisha is in danger not only of getting hit by a car, but of going away forever. So her owner ties her up. I wish they knew how to train her, because she is a real looker. Sleek, fast, beautiful.

Cruelty has a fine line. The rope that keeps her from running could also kill her if she happens to jump off the truck while tied. That bothers me. I've sniffed her and Mom has checked her out and she doesn't have any signs of abuse. But I still worry.

People are similar to Keisha, did you know that? Trying to control people often results in their destruction. People are better off free, with the ability to learn and grow. Whether it's the government or other people or relatives who try to control them, the lessons needed for maturity can't happen unless they are free to make the mistakes that will help them overcome their own problems.

Dogs need obedience training that is filled with discipline and exercise and compassion. People aren't much different. They need compassion, discipline , exercise, and understanding to help them move forward. Cruelty, on the other hand, or controlling behavior, never works for either.

People Obedience Training

When I got fixed, I didn't have the urge to wander off and have puppies with some loose dog anymore. But people don't seem to figure that out. What's up with that? Do they not get enough biscuits at their own house?

Take Arnold Schwartzenegger for example. The guy is rich. He's funny too. But now he's lost his wife and had a baby with someone in their household staff. I know a good spay and neuter clinic, but Mom says it wouldn't have helped him. It really helps dogs and cats. It can actually save lives.

But I think that dog psychology still might help someone like Arnold. No biscuit without obedience. No affection until he's calm and his chasing has stopped. No hunting aliens around the jungle unless the training is followed. No helicopters, no machine guns, no muscle shirts until "sit" and "stay" are learned.

What do you think?

Spring and all its glory

We live in North Idaho, and Spring is, uh, a roller coaster ride. Some days it rains, some days it hails or snows, and some days like today it's warm and sunny.

Today I snuggled in to my hip hole by the rose bushes and thought about what Spring really means. (Oh, sorry Mom, that means my fur will be covered with dirt, dried leaves, ants, and other assorted crud. But doggone it, I'm comfy there!)

Back to Spring. It's kind of a snapshot of life. Sometimes there are storms, like when I first got sick with diabetes and felt awful all the time. Sometimes the day is REALLY bad, like when my first family abandoned me and left me without any hope at all. Sometimes the good days come and it seems like all the bad is wiped away with the warmth of the sun. That's what I like- a reminder that life may be filled with problems, but eventually they all work out. Eventually Spring becomes summer.And it works that way in life too!

No matter what you are going through today, I'd like to tell you that it will all work out. Pretty soon everything will come around to a better day if you just have a little faith. Then you can go snuggle in your hip hole ( ok, I know, humans don't have those) and relax, knowing that the season has changed in your life. It's going to get better!