Ode From a Human to Her Dog Who Thinks He's a Puppy!

From Her:
It must be nice to be a dog
and sleep the evening away.
That is until 2:30 or 3 AM
When you decide you need to---
Whatever!
But, I know you really want a
T-R-E-A-T
or an ear rub
or a walk
or a toy you can reach
or a massage
or some loving,
Did I already say a T-R-E-A-T or an ear rub?
But at that hour, we'd rather be sleeping,
So,
No more
Barking,
Whining,
Moaning,
Groaning,
or Begging,
Or I will get the Fly Swatter!
So just let me sleep!

From the D-O-G!

Why are my humans so darned upset?
I don't get it, I really don't.
They give me food.
They give me water,
and I need those things,
but right now what I really need is:
A treat,
An Ear rub,
A Belly rub,
A Blanket,
A Toy that I can reach
but it smells just like my human when she tosses it.
More food,
More water,
More loving,
A massage.
A Walk,
Did I say ear rub?
I want that squirrel in the back.
Oh, look, I see a cat.
If she'd just give me
What I want,
When I want it,
How, I want it,
Well, Life could be so simple.
So I try to tell her,
I just love her,
but what do I hear?
Fly Swatter!
I don't know what that is,
but it can't be good,
So I go to bed and sleep
until she wakes me up with that smile that says,
"I'm getting even with you!"
But, I do have to go potty,
And I see a squirrel in the yard,
I'll get my food when I come in,
I'll get my treat, too.
I get everything I want,
I just don't get the problem!

What has Spike done now?

That's what my kids and friends ask me about my dog. Everyday, with him, is a new day with many new experiences. I've told you how he loves to sit out by HIS tree. He really does love it and claims it as his own. I think, more than anything else, Spike loves his tree. When he is sitting out there, and I am in the garage working on my computer, I will give him a special treat. When he sees his treat, his eyes grow wide in anticipation, a little bit of drool begins to form around his mouth, and Spike goes down into his "Good Boy" position. (Essentially, good boy to Spike means sitting down and being still and quite for about 10 seconds. ) I always insist that Spike do "nice" when he takes his treat from his hand. If I don't, I fear for my hand. Spike does "nice," and very gently takes his treat from my hand. After that, I have assumed that he eats the treat and enjoys it. I did assume that until I saw this. Like I said, everyday is a new experience with Spike. Look at the picture and see what Spike does with his treats. Every day is truly a gift with that dog.

Spike Tried to Out Run a Jeep Today

With the onset of summer, the times of our almost daily walks changes from afternoon to morning because of the temperature difference. Spike and I are out before the birds chirp, it seems, but not really. Spike loves his walks! When he was younger, we would go on four mile walks each day with him pulling me the entire way. Needless to say, I really got my exercise then! Now that he's 11, he forgets he's not a puppy any more, and, sometimes, the mile walk is very challenging for him. I often walk behind him now so that he thinks he's pulling me with the leash. Today, when we went out for our walk, our paper person was delivering newspapers in the neighborhood. Spike and I started our walk. I am so sorry that I didn't have my camera! I'm not sure I would have been able to take a focused picture, though. As soon as Spike saw her Jeep come around the corner and get ahead of us, he took off at a gallop, literally, a gallop! Suddenly, it was like old times. His old bones must have felt really good today. We ran quite a ways trying to catch up with and out run that Jeep. It didn't work, but Spike just kept trying. He's tired now. That's good. He'll be a much better dog today.

And the Storm Moved In

I absolutely refuse to complain about the weather this summer. I just won't do it after the terribly cold winter we experienced this past year. It's been very hot and very humid for the last two days. It felt like you were swimming underwater when you went outside, and now the storm has moved in bringing much cooler and dryer air. The rain is pouring down. I even hear a few thumps of hail or great big raindrops. The sky is a funny peach color in places. Here's a picture of the storm when it first moved in.

That peachy color in the background is the color of the sky right now. The sirens haven't gone off, so I think we're okay. As the storm drew closer, this is what we saw.
Nature is so beautiful before she unleashes her power over the earth! Now, it's just too dark, but I am thinking that the storm is passing. The thunder sounds farther away. Even Spike is calm. He hates thunderstorms. Wait, I'm wrong, I hear the thunder again.

This photo was taken just before the thunder boomers started. I just looked out the window, and sure enough, more lightning, more clouds moving in. I think we're in for a stormy night. I just hope that Spike lets us sleep. Since he's my dog, I get to stay up with him if he whines and cries about the storm. Oh, well. I'm shutting off the lights and pretending that I'm asleep now. Maybe, he won't notice.