Santa, please stop at my house

Spencer, me, our foster sister Polly, Sunny
and Sidney at the park.

Sophie's diary : I have been a really bad girl, Santa, and I am so so sorry. Yesterday we went to the park with my new foster sister Polly, and I was jealous that she was walking beside mom, so I growled at her, but she growled back at me and I was so mad I jumped on her. Mom told me to stop and I bumped into mom's hand and now her hand is all bruised and swollen. I know I am a really bad girl.

Today, I got mom upset again. We went walking today, and first I barked at the German Shepherd behind the fence, and then I dragged mom down to the next house to bark at the Papillons. I dragged her so bad that she fell down. I knew I was in trouble right away, but I told her that I am just showing off my skills so Polly can learn. Mom made me sit there next to the Papillons barking and I was so ashamed that my baby brother Spencer was looking at me being punished.

Santa, I know the turkeys are cooking in the smoker, and all I ask for is turkey for lunch tomorrow. I know I have been a bad girl, but I promise I will be good. Please stop by our house, since all my siblings have been good.

I am so glad that I prayed for a new baby brother early this year, because after yesterday and today, I know Santa is not going to bring me a new baby brother for sure.

Polly, our foster sister, is staying with us and I have been showing her how to bark at the neighbor's dog. I also let her play with Spencer because mom said she is a guest. Mom also said that if I am being bad again, she is going to put the cone back on my head for Christmas and New Year. She even took it out to show me. Do I need a reminder?

Our foster sister Polly

Santa, all I want for christmas is food and more food, some rawhide chews are also good. I also love my three dog bakery cookies, sweet potato chews, duck strips and lamb treats. My siblings are all good, so please Santa, bring them all the goodies so I can eat some out of theirs because I know I do not deserve any treats. I promise to be a good girl. By the way, we are at the house with the smoke coming out of the smoker. I just want to make sure you can find us.

I love livers!

This is me!
Courtesy : Chuck Haines Photography

Sunny's diary : Chicken livers, beef livers, and the most special of all -- turkey livers. I love livers! I feel so special this time of the year when mom saves the turkey livers for me, just for me.

We always get an extra meal during the holidays. On Thanksgiving day, we had turkey and dressing for lunch, and turkey and mash potatoes for dinner. I was so excited to see my turkey livers. My crazy siblings surrounded me and wait, I ate the livers first. I might be old but I still have a clear mind!

Mom sometimes grill beef livers for us, my siblings eat their piece in two bites, but I like to savor mine. I like to eat it upstairs so I do not have to worry about my siblings, plus I like to enjoy my food in peace.

Me holding my beef liver!

My baby brother Spencer loves fish, so mom has been making salmon once a week. I am a dog, not a cat, and I am carnivorous. Why would I eat fish? On those nights, mom will make me grill livers. They are the best! I like burgers and steak too, chicken is ok. But nothing beats grilled chicken livers.

When mom travels for work, she always worry about me not eating. She always make chicken livers ahead of time and Uncle Chris will give them to me at dinner. Since I know mom is not there to watch my dinner, I eat as fast as I can.

Sophie is my crazy sister. One time mom took a tub of livers out to defrost for dinner, she got up the counter and ate the whole tub raw. Yes, I am a dog, but I have standards. I do not eat anything raw. Do I hunt? I love the aroma of grilled livers. I know mom loves me a lot! I also stay out of trouble. When my siblings steal food or make a mess, I would go hide in my crate, so mom knows it is not me!

I am waiting for my next turkey livers, Santa Claus is bringing them to me.

I am Growing Up!

This is Me! His Royal Highness Spencer.
Courtesy : Chuck Haines Photography

Spencer's diary : I am almost 10 months old, and I am growing up! I have learned a lot growing up, especially in the last month. I started marking on our daily walks, and I have started lifting my leg when I pee. I am also more interested in the pretty golden retrievers in my class. Mom also said that I am not chewing up her pillows as much (for now?).

I have a big sister Sophie, who always watches over me. She taught me a lot of things, including lifting my leg when I pee. I am still scared of a lot of things, including going to the vet, and taking a bath. I am also scared of things that I have not seen before. I saw a fire hydrant along our walk one morning and I started barking, then Sophie told me that I only have to bark at things that moves. Good advice.

I got into my first big trouble a couple of weeks ago. Mom was preparing our dinner, and while waiting for the chicken on the grill outside, she went upstairs to feed my feline siblings. Well, I was really hungry, so I got up the counter and grabbed my bowl of food. It fell and smashed to pieces and all the food was on the floor. Sophie and I started eating and mom was screaming at us. Sophie knew we were in trouble and she went hiding in her crate. I looked at mom and I knew I was in trouble. Sophie told me that we have to lick her when we get in trouble so she will not get mad anymore. So now I learn one more thing.

I started agility classes about 2 months ago, and I have learned all the equipment except the teeter. I am just afraid. I am afraid of the weaves too, but one night, mom brought Tilapia as my treat. I was desperate since I love fish very much, so I was just being brave and went through the weaves. All the other dogs in the class are older than me and I just stood and watch sometimes. But I love activities, anything is better than sitting at home.

Sammy drinking out of our water bowl.

I think I am a big boy now because I no longer chase Sammy. I still want to play, but when I nip at Sammy's behind, he gets upset. Sammy likes me a lot, he rub against me and wants to cuddle. He also thinks he is a German shepherd. He hang around us and sleeps with us. 

Thanksgiving 2013