And they call us dogs aggressive...

How dare they I say! I just saw on the news: humans killing each other, hurting each other, stealing from one another, yelling and mayhem all over the world... Yet many of these same folks have the nerve to call us dogs "aggressive" when we bark at each other...or want to get through the doorway faster than them... Geez. Some nerve! Humans should take a few lessons from us on how to communicate effectively... Off to ponder the mysteries of the human species...

It's official...

Okay, mom's finally gone off the deep end... After she got home from teaching all of those puppies in her class today I got to go on errands with her (at class she used me for the demo on how she cuts my nails...I was a real "star")...Anyway, first we went to the video store...nothing great there. Then we got to go to one of my favorite stores - The Ventura Pet Barn! I love Tina (she owns and runs the place, and gets all the fun goodies that mom brings home). Well, this time she got something for herself! Some dark colored wrist thingy...it looks like one of my collars. I heard her telling dad it's her new "bling" that matches one of my "outfits"...Yep, she is now dressing like me...UGH! How embarrassing! Why do humans do this? Is it not bad enough they dress us dogs in these freaky little outfits? Now they have to get ones that match??? It's official, mom's become one of "those" dog owners... I won't waste my time pondering this one. After all, it's probably one of those silly human innate behaviors that would take my lifetime to train out of her...I guess since there are so many things I love about her I'll just go along with it... 

May I borrow the keys?

Alright mom! Thanks for the new license! Guess I'm all legal now here in the county of Ventura. Got my new tags and as you can see I'm asking to borrow the car so I can go cruisin' - Ya know, I hear the ladies like a dude that has his own wheels and can drive... Hmmm, I guess that's an issue...Maybe I can go get my friend Dodger or Rummy - they're pretty cool lads - plus their legs are longer and can touch the pedals. Or, maybe just for safety I'll ride in my car seat and enjoy the sunshine and the smooth ride while mom chauffeurs me around town...It's good to be the king. Too bad people don't take the time to teach us dogs to operate a vehicle - man oh man would we make the best designated drivers or what??? Something for you inquisitive folks to ponder... 

Gene Kelly I'm not...

Wow, you have to admire the man... singing & dancing in the rain? Guess he found that thoroughly rewarding. As for me? Singing? No. Howling at sirens is about it. Dancing? Bouncing off the walls - occasional spins through the air, but no official dancing (not until mom gets me into Canine Freestyle...some day). Nope, not this pooch. Especially outside in the rain. Nope, I avoid the rain at all costs. Even if I have to go potty. But, mom "makes me" go outside. She is definitely not one to use aversives or coercion - she say's "life is full of enough aversives anyway, we don't need to add to the list." Like going to the vet...I know, it's for my own good... thank you The Animal Doctor. Or, having to be stuck home alone...mom and dad have to go to work so they can keep a roof over my head and food in my Tricky Treat Ball... BUT, they make me go outside to potty in the rain! How rude! They said that going potty in the house on the floor is even more rude...how would I know? I'm a dog! Fine. As long as I get carried to the covered area, and mom has the umbrella I guess I can deal with it...she towels me off afterwards then gives me a little treat too...hmm, maybe I could make this work for me...maybe I could go outside and potty more often if it pays off. Something for this Inquisitive Canine to consider...Until then, off to bed to dream of mailmen and bully sticks...

Good goin' DAD!

I love going out with dad... driving around, stopping and playing at my favorite field - chasing the ball and running around looking for new smells and things to roll in...(dad always lets me roll in nasty stuff...gotta love that)... then went on few errands mom had us do for her... Dad did really well at the "trucks = treats" game... EJ Harrison used to get me really upset! But mom and dad taught me that when those guys (remember GTM? see previous post)..either Harrison trucks, or UPS/FedEx/or the dreaded mail truck appear all I have to do is look at them, keep quiet, and I get a piece of kibble - sometimes I get some of the better stuff, but hey I'm not too picky... But dad did great! he was on the ball today! We pulled up right next to one of those Harrison "green monsters" and I just sat there, looked at them, looked at dad & he just cheered me on and gave me kibble! How great is that!? Can't wait to see them again... Road trips are great, especially when we play games... Thanks dad! 

Love, 

your boy Ponchorino 

Happy New Year!

Well it ended up being a nice day with mom and dad... Got to get out of the dreaded wind-draft house...shopping for books and such around town... car rides are always fun...Plus, mom and dad made sure to tell me I was a good boy for staying nice and quiet in the car... although there were a couple of times I wanted to bark my head off - but I like the kibble & getting to ride in my car seat better than barking and being sent to my crate. Now I'm tucked all nice and cozy next to mom while she sits at that computer machinie thingy...too bad she has to work today... she should be celebrating, after all it's a brand new year! HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! I wish you all the best for a positively reinforcing 2008! 

Mom got a new shirt!

Well, it's the new year and already mom came home with a new t-shirt! She was also nice and smelly, plus seemed to be in a good mood... Something about running in Santa Barbara, negative splits, and seeing other dogs on the "course" (hmph...other dogs...) - must only mean one thing - mom got to go run in one of those silly races that humans like to do... why they run without actually chasing something like a cat or a truck is beyond me...plus I believe they give away some of that green stuff they use to buy me toys and treats...again, I just don't get it... especially since she didn't bring me along with her! I had to stay here at home in the dreaded wind! Well, she better take me with her next time... I do enjoy cheering her on at the end. ~~~ Speaking of wind, I normally agree with "Dorothy" and that there is no place like home...except if there is wind and I'm alone. Wind at home is scary - lots of weird noises (where are they coming from?) and as much as I hate to admit it I'm not the tough guy people think I am. Mom didn't lose all of her brain cells at this race - she saw immediately I was kinda stressed. I tend to get clingy. Plus, I like to keep my tail tucked close to my underneath parts, and I give her the snaggletooth face (she calls it my "Elvis")...and to top it off, I almost got in the shower with her...I really don't like the wind...I'm glad mom understands that it's okay to be nervous in situations I don't understand... I see her getting dressed and putting her shoes on - maybe it's time to go places and do things... Keep your head down folks - you don't want to blow away!