Gizmo the New Grad

Whew! What a relief. I just had my finals in Intermediate class. It was HARD! Much tougher than puppy class. And, since Mom has been under the weather I hadn't been getting much training. So, Dad and I did lots of cramming before finals.


First thing I had to do was "Go to my Bed".

That is my bark park pal Sam in the back ground. It was nice to have a friend in my class.

I don't really understand the need for this, since usually I just sleep on Mom and Dad's bed. When am I ever going to use this? Dad said he felt the same way about a Greek Culture class he took in school. But, he realized later it just kind of helps you be a better well rounded person. For what ever that is worth. At least for me it usually ends up with a treat.


On my bed!

I'm on my bed, but I don't really feel it. You know... first chance I get, I'm off and playing again. Need that treat first.

Second test was "Leave It". I've gotten pretty good at "Leave It". But, for the finals they used a hoof! What, I didn't study for a hoof! I love hoofs! They really through me a curve ball there.


Me, kind of leaving it... sort of...

I left it, and walked past. But, then I stopped and waited for the "Take it". But, no fair! Take it never came. Dad dragged me on and we just kept going. Sometimes school is a bummer.

We were supposed to know a couple of tricks. I know a bunch! Well... three or so. So, I did "Shake", and "Rollover". Two tricks. I needed a little extra credit after that stumble on the "Leave it" part of the test. I did them both very well, if I do say so myself.


Action shot of my "Roll Over".


This was kind of like the essay part of the final. I had to do a "Sit", "Stay" combo. Then I had to wait for what seemed like forever, but Dad said it was more like 10 seconds, and then I had to walk to Dad on the "Come" command, then I had to "Leave It" when I got to the hoof. AND!!!! All of that with no one holding my leash. I could have just taken off and ran out of the store if I wanted. I don't think anyone could have caught me. But... I did it... walked to Dad, and sat in front of him like a good boy.


Finals!

Whoa! talk about tough. But, Dad and I had practiced all of that, and when the time came, I was able to remember what we studied, and I pulled it off!.

I also had to do some "loose leash" and "Heal" walking. I was able fake my way through those.


Passed with flying colors!

Dad was pretty proud! Not really sure what I am going to do with all of my education now. I think Mom and Dad plan on having me continuing to study for a while. Guess you don't want to spend all that tuition money and then just forget everything.

I don't think that Gnarly the cat has ever been to any training at all... and... that is OK... I guess... I mean she probably needs to learn some commands... if she was able to, but maybe she... I don't know... I guess she is doing OK. As long as you don't look at her or try to touch her.

On a side note. Mom is home now!!!! YEAH!!! It is a lot more fun around the house with Mom there.

Snow Day!

Today we had a lot of snow. Dad stayed home from work said he was taking a "Snow Day", but for me I'll call it a "Fun Day".

Usually, on a typical old boring day, when I go out into the backyard, I don't spend a lot of time out there. But, on a Fun Day. I like to hang out back there. I like to roll around and play with my toys.



Ha-Ha! The stupid cat isn't even allowed to go outside. And, she tries to sneak out every now and then. But, today she doesn't even seem to want to go outside. She doesn't know what fun is. Cats! Why! Why mom and dad, why?



I like sticking my face in the snow and pushing my toys around in it.



Guess I know how they came up with the expression "scaredy cat" now!



I have my toys lined up, so I can keep track of them.



I think this is how you make a snow angel... or at least a snow puppy.



I wish every day could be a snow day.







It is fun just to romp around!





Ok, couple of side notes. My mom is in the hospital. She has been there for a few days and is going to be there for a few more days. But, the Dr. has figured out what she needed and she is getting better every day! We are looking forward to her coming home. But, Dad was sad this morning that he couldn't get to the hospital. He will probably try and get down there later today. Not sure why he doesn't just come out and play in the back yard. That is what mom would do.

Also, Dad gave me a cookie and said it was from Alley Cat. Alley Cat kind of scares me. I wasn't sure about the treat. It took me almost 1/2 a second to decided to take a chance and eat it. Turns out it was pretty good. Maybe Alley Cat isn't so bad after all.

There are a lot of things I don't know

I don't know why some dogs are mean. Most are nice. But, every now and then you run into a mean one. I don't why they are mean.

I don't know where my parents go when they are gone, or why I can't go with them all of the time. I always like to go. I try and be good company when we all go some place. But, sometimes they go, and I stay. I don't know why.

I don't know why my people feel bad sometimes. Sometimes they walk around sneezing and they sit on the couch with blankets. That isn't too bad. But, my mom has been feeling even worse than that lately. She has been spending a lot of time going to the vet over the last couple of weeks. We haven't had much time for the bark park or for blogging lately. Dad said he thinks the vets are going to have mom fixed back up pretty soon. I sure hope so. I don't know why mom has to feel bad.

But, there are a few things I do know. I know that if I lick something it heals faster. Not sure how I know that. It just makes sense, kind of the same way that I know you can't have too much of a good thing. And, I know that the more I can hang around mom the better she feels.

Mom took this picture of me taking care of her a few days ago. She was in bed, and I was keeping her leg warm with my chin.



I hope you feel better soon mom. We need to get out to the bark park!

I underestimated the creepyness!

I was back in class for week 3 of training. It was a frustrating class. They were trying to work on me obeying commands while being distracted. So, they would give me a series of commands... like "Heal, sit, stay, look at me (people like it when you look at them)". Then while I am doing my stay, which is tough enough, they would bounce a ball, and I wasn't supposed to look at it. WHAT!!! I have no idea what the point of that is. I should have skipped this class. It was very frustrating, and since I keep doing "wrong"... or so they said... I wasn't getting any treats, which is very, very, very frustrating. So, after a while I just quit listening to anything.

Sam was doing OK, he can sit and stay for a pretty long time, but that ball is pretty tough not to look at.

After class I saw Santa Clause in the store!!! SCORE!!! I've been hearing about this guy. I was going to ask him for some bacon, and he would have to give it to me, it is like a state law or something.

So I took mom over to where Santa was sitting.


Saying "hi" to Santa.


When I got up close to Santa he really seemed, I dunno, a little off. Those boots weren't real boots, weird. And, when he talked his beard didn't move.


Upclose this guy doesn't seem jolly at all.

So, after saying "Hi", I decided I would just steal my bacon off dad's plate like always, and forget about asking Santa for it.


I changed my mind... I don't want anything for Christmas

But, now mom is all smiling ear to ear... the way people do sometimes, and she wants me to sit down for a picture. WHAT!!! sit next to the funny smelling guy with the fake boots, and beard that doesn't move!?? I don't think so.


I can't smile, and keep an eye on Santa at the same time.

I was ready to go home, but Santa decided he would "Help", by holding me in place. Yeah, thanks Santa! Don't you have some little kids at the mall to scare?


Santa putting me in a head lock.

So, they took a few pics, and then when Santa loosened his grip on me... I took off. But, that old guy looks slow, but he grabbed me right by the leash and held me back for a couple of more pics. Apparently the people didn't think I looked "comfortable" in any of the pictures they had already taken. Can you imagine... Sit next to the creepy, old guy, with fake boots, and a beard that doesn't move when he talks... now... "Look like you are happy". HA! I'll be happy when I'm outta here.


Ok, that is it... I'm leaving

Finally one last picture... they got me to sit, had the creepy, scary Santa behind me, and I just gently slid quietly under his chair. Maybe I can get away if I crawl.


I'm afraid to move

Finally, mom rescued me and we got outta there. Whew! But, then DARN!!! I realized after all of that, I was too scared to remember to ask Santa for my bacon!. Oh man, now I'm thinking about asking mom to take me back there

Higher Education

I'm back in school for some advanced training. I'm actually not sure what I want to be when I grow up. But, mom and dad think a good education is important, so I decided to return to school.


Mom and I listening to the professor

I already graduated from puppy class. So, I am pretty strong in "Sit", "Stay", my "Take it", is really good, but my "Leave it", and "Drop It" are admittedly a bit weak. So, I'm hoping to improve on those, and to also learn "Heal". I'm apparently supposed to really improve my listening while being distracted, and focusing on mom and dad while I'm on a leash. I might skip out on those classes, they don't sound that important.

The professor at school is Rick. He was my professor for puppy class. He told us during puppy class that he worked with dogs when he was in the Army, so I call him Sargent Rick. But, mom and dad just call him Rick.


Sargent Rick, Sam, and Sam's dad


On of my bark park pals, Sam, is in the class with me. I've known Sam for several months now. Kind of fun to be in class with him. When the people are blabbing away, Sam and I make fun of them.


Sam working on his "Leave It".

Mom says that after class we can stop by the bark park on the way home! Whooo Hoooo... fun! I love the bark park. Sam came to the park after the last class, so we had to sit there and pretend to be serious in class, and then we got to unwind together at the bark park. Good times!

Oh... and on a really boring, unimportant side note; My stupid niece Gnarly the cat is always laying around on any soft thing she can find. So after my last class mom bought her something, that at first looked like a really good chew toy, but I guess was actually some kind of at stupid cat bed. And, the stupid cat just climbed right in it like she knew it was hers or something. Mom and dad were all like "Awwww look at the cat...". And, I was all like "*ewww*... the cat lays down on anything soft... what a major surprise... she likes a cat bed.". Sometimes you think the people are smart... and sometimes you aren't so sure.


The stupid cat in her new bed, which would make an excellent chew toy.

Family talent show.

Sometimes during the holidays me and my family do some fun family holiday things. Like this dance we put on recently.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It is a little embarrassing. But, you know it was the holidays and we don't all get together as family often.

I can't believe I let them put that costume on me, but it just made mom so happy... did you see how she was smiling during the whole dance?

Well... it was kind of fun. Hope you enjoy it.

The Red Dot. My enemy, we meet again!

Since it is starting to get colder outside, and darker earlier, my people like to stay home and sit on the couch with blankets over themselves. Every time they get up I run to door trying to remind them it is time to go to the bark park, but they usually just end up just flopping back down on the couch.

I do everything I can to encourage them to get up and do something fun. Sometimes I try and grab their blankets, sometimes I just jump up on the couch and try and make sure the see me by putting my face right in their face. I think they usually do see me, even though sometimes they act like they don't.

Every once in a while, this little red dot shows up and runs around the family room teasing me. That red dot really chaps my little furry behind. It bugs me almost as much as the stupid cat does.

Sometimes I have to chase it all over the place...



Chasing the red dot!

And, sometimes I have to pounce on it when it just pops up right in front of me...



Me trying to stomp on that darn red dot!

I've almost caught it a bunch of times. One of these days... one of these days... BAM!!! I'll get it, and no more red dot! HA! That will be a good day.

On a side note, my mom keeps messing up the family room by putting all my toys away. But, when she isn't looking I drag them back out and spread them around the room. I figure it is the least I can do to give mom something to do. It is a fun game for both of us.