Sunday Drive

ROAD TRIP! I love going to Santa Barbara with mom and dad... Started out kinda rough with mom in a "mood" about sitting in traffic... I only barked a couple of times before we got to the freeway, but she got "that look" - and that tone of voice, plus that word "crate" and I knew if I didn't put a sock in it I'd end up making the ride all cooped up... So, I decided to follow the plan and keep it quiet... got to look out the window (harnessed in of course); then stopped at that lovely park in Summerland... pretty crowded with lots of other fellow canines - and I must say, the other dog moms and dads were quite responsible by keeping all of us on those dreaded long strap things...makes it hard to run off, but I guess they want to keep us safe - and not break the laws... Nordstoms was great as always - we didn't buy anything, but it was still fun to walk around... lots of humans said hello to me... I keep hearing this word "cute" - not sure what it means, but they all have a smile and sound giggly when they say it... I'm pretty sure mom likes when people say it too - mostly because I can read her body language...relaxed, then kisses me on my head... not like when I'm barking in the yard at trucks.... speaking of, oh boy! tomorrow is GTM (Garbage Truck Monday for those who don't know me) better rest up now because tomorrow is a big day! Lot's of trucks to be dealt with! nice way to end 2007...

woofs,

Poncho

What're you lookin' at?

Mom keeps staring at me when she walks by... what'sup with that? So rude - what's she checking up on? Could it be those trucks outside driving by & making all that noise, and I'm just staying curled up in my little cozy bed - not barking and running around like a whirling dervish (which I admit is my usual M.O.)? Hello? It's too cold - much more comfy here... especially since she finally turned the heat on! Could this be the real reason why she likes colder weather? Hmmmm... another question for this Inquisitive Canine to ponder...

What am I, a St. Bernard?

Bbbrr.....it's downright cold here! What happened? Just yesterday dad and I were out playing in the big grassy field I love so much - just frolicking...chasing my tennis ball, barking at all of the wonderful trucks passing by. And now? Tucked deep in my little bed next to mom. Went out to potty like I've been taught, but heck, didn't want to hang around outside - although the sun feels good the air is just too darn cold. How do those St. Bernard's and Husky's do it? Yikes! I guess I could wear one of those dorky outfits mom keeps buying - but come on! I'm a dog for crying out loud... She has tried to teach me to wear them - I can tolerate this one cool bomber jacket - but not enough that I really look forward to wearing it. Oh well, like she says "Don't wait until you need a behavior to train a behavior." HA! I guess she should take her own advice... But hey, maybe I'll make her happy and wear it for her...hmmm, nah, I'm a dog - I don't think like that. Although, I might be a bit warmer if she takes me to run errands with her...or, I could stay tucked all nice and cozy in my little bed with my blanky...Hmmm, maybe there is something to this domestication process after all. 

Original Inquisitive Canine Discovers Blogging as Perfect Way to Harness Dog Behavior

Hello inquisitive canine's and inquisitive readers! My mom Joan Mayer is a certified professional dog trainer and dog behavior counselor. I'm Poncho, her ten pound mutt that knows a lot about canine and human behavior. Together she and I own and run the Inquisitive Canine - a dog training and behavior counseling business in Ventura.

My girlfriend Lorrie Thomas of Lorrie Thomas Web Marketing highly recommends blogging as a way to let others know about us. Well, mom and I agree. We've decided blogging is a great way for us to share dog training tips with the dog cyber world. Mom will have her dog training tips blog post while I have my own here on Poncho's Prose - sharing my canine observations while living in a human world.

To find out more about mom, you can read all about her on her dog training tips blog, or our Inquisitive Canine homepage. Until we learn how to add a separate "About me" section that's actually about me, I will tell you a little about myself in this post. Of course if you ever have any questions, please email us or post a comment here.

Here's the lowdown: My full name is Poncho Gonzales Hunter Mayer. It was originally Peanut, then Paco, but since I like tennis balls (as does my dad) my folks decided it would be fun to name me after a tennis player. And since I am part chihuahua, they agreed a hispanic player would be best. Hence the famous tennis player Pancho Gonzales was chosen. I know, the spelling is different. Mom wasn't sure of the exact spelling and I didn't want to say anything. But it's okay - makes me unique in that way.

Where did I come from? Mom and dad adopted me from Animal Kind Rescue June 15, 2003. This is a really nice private rescue facility owned by Miss. June Roberts. I remember mom saying how sweet (and ironic) it was that they became "parents" on this day, because it happened to be Fathers Day.

Mom and dad had been searching for a dog for quite awhile. They had gone to different rescues and met other dogs but still hadn't found that perfect match. Turns out just because I have this affinity for tennis balls (dad is a tennis player) they thought I fit the bill for being their perfect dog. I guess it was true because we all fell in love (no pun intended) upon meeting each other.

I came bounding out of the house holding my tennis ball in my mouth, threw it over towards where they were sitting, did a huge play bow, wagged my tail enthusiastically, and gave them my famous Poncho grin. It worked. They took me home immediately and we've been one happy family ever since.

How did I get to the shelter? The story my folks got was that Miss. June got me from an animal hospital. I was in the hospital because I was beat up by a bunch of other dogs while at another shelter. I guess I had been dumped at that shelter first. Anyway, the animal hospital called Miss. June at Animal Kind Rescue asking if she would help. She said "Of course!" took me in, cared for me and all of my wounds and injuries, and loved me until my mom and dad found me on the internet. See? Internet dating ain't so bad!

My veterinarian Miss. Shelly (Wilson) said I was somewhere between two and four years when mom and dad brought me home. Mom and dad decided to call me two. It's been over four and a half years now and life is grand - for all of us. I may have come from a rescue, but mom and dad have always said that I rescued them.

As of today I continue to be an inquisitive canine (mom compares this to being a critical thinker, which is what she is) - observing, asking and wondering, as only inquisitive canines do. Because of these traits I think blogging is the ideal outlet for me. Mom teaches her clients that providing "legal outlets" for dogs (or any animal) so he or she can fulfill his or her innate behaviors will help everyone have a richer, fuller life, while displaying desired behaviors - and not getting into mischief. That's why blogging is a great outlet for me. I can channel my inquisitiveness towards my blogging, instead of barking in the yard. Mom likes this idea too!

I wonder how many other dogs are currently blogging? I wonder if there are cats that blog? I wonder if Miss. Lorrie's cat blogs? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.