Mom got a new job!!!

I'm so proud of my mom the dog training coach! She just landed herself a new job... Don't worry. She still has her fabulous indoor dog training studio - and is still taking private clients, and teaching classes... But now she is also teaching her Basic Manners Classes through the Ventura College Community Education programs! This is SO COOL! 

She starts tonight...and she looks really excited. I read her body language just like she reads mine...and that look she has on her face is the same as when she is, what dad calls, in a great mood! 

Maybe I'll be able to go with her once in awhile to help her out... I make a great assistant. Or, maybe dad and I can have some quality time together... I enjoy both so it should be great for me too! 

It's DAD's DAY too!

Hey Dad, just wanted to wish you a Happy Father's Day! Thanks for taking such good care of me... I love our trips to the field where you let me run around...sniffing and rolling in things - just letting me be a dog... I also love when you take me with you to Costco - the hotdogs are soooo yummy...(I know, don't tell mom)... And then there's the ice-cream too! Yum! Also, thanks for buying me all the fun new toys, and playing ball with me...you know tennis is my favorite - just like your favorite too!!! Hmm, what else...oh yeah, there's the yogurt time in the evenings... I like when you let me lick the cup out... You're really special...thanks for being such a great dad! I love you... Poncho

Happy Birthday to ME!

It's my BIRTHDAY, it's my birthday, we're gonna party like it's my birthday!!!! And what a great day it was... Poor mom, she had to work today - she was teaching some of her awesome classes... I think she was working with puppies and grown up dogs like me... Dad and I stopped by to help her in between classes... but we mostly played. 

Dad took me to the field not once but two times... lots of running around. Good exercise always makes me nice and happy (mom says it's good for me cause I'm much more quiet in the house and car - this is something she teaches her students too)... 

Anyway, dad and I also went to nana Mae's house for lunch. I got to visit with her dog Tiger. But I mostly ran around the house...dad didn't give me any roast beef - said I had to wait until dinner. 

Mom finally came home - we went out for a car ride around town - then home for my special dinner. I got fresh grilled steak for my birthday - today I am 7 years old. Mom said that it was five years ago today that she and dad heard about me, and met with me, and took me home... it's been a really great life here with mom and dad...they really love and care about me. 

I love them so much, I even like to humor them and wear the stupid clothes they put on me... I feel like such a dork. Mom laughs a lot, so I guess it's a good thing? I wonder why humans are so obsessed with putting clothes on us dogs - something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.... 

First in my age (and species) category!!!

Mom and I had such a great day yesterday! She headed up to Santa Barbara for another race (dad got a hat, instead of mom getting a t-shirt). Dad and I met up with her a little later because he was going somewhere else, and mom wanted to run with me! Turns out she entered me in a race too!!! 

First I got to play around Palm Park - checking out other dogs and people, sniffing lots of interested things that dogs like me enjoy - even had a nice belly rub from some of the other runners... Then, dad and I walked around while mom ran her race...when she got back dad took off to do what he finds really reinforcing - some game they call tennis - I like tennis too - but I play it differently. I just go after the ball and bring it back...

Anyway, then mom and I did our little race together. It wasn't that long - but it was fun! It was just for kids! Some of my moms friends did it with their kids too...Since I was the only *fur child* (that's what mom calls me sometimes), I was first in my age and species! Mom gave me lots of kisses - she was really proud of me. I don't know why, after all isn't running (and chasing things) a normal behavior of us dogs?

After the fun run mom and I went to meet Miss. Amber and Miss. Jill... they're the ones helping mom with her new web site! I really like spending time with them - they give me belly rubs too, and get all giggly cute with me... We got to hang out at the Starbucks (I call it Starbarks!) in Montecito - they're so nice to let us dogs hang out there.... I rested while mom and Miss. Amber and Miss. Jill worked on their project. 

Anyway, I hope I get to do something like this again soon...because I was nice and relaxed for the rest of the day. I think mom appreciated that. She say's in her dog training classes to her students: "A tired dog is a happy dog...and a happy owner." Hmm, I wonder what she means by that? Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

This dog says Happy Dog Mom's Day!

Happy Mothers Day mom! And thank you for all you do for me. I really appreciate it. Walks around the neighborhood, car rides, visits with friends, going to work with you, playing at the park, sitting on your lap while you work at the computer, letting me sit in your lap while I work at the computer, for fixing my meals (I especially love the salads you make for me), for making sure I'm healthy and safe, tossing my toys for me, doing fun training exercises together, for belly rubs, and for holding and cuddling me. 

I love you mom! Your top dog,

Poncho

       

Mom and Dad got smart!

So dad and I spend a lot of time walking around a certain special field here in Ventura - near to where my mom teaches her great dog training classes. Well, it seems that mom and dad aren't too keen when I run off to check other people while they're playing some game called "baseball"... dad gets really nervous because I want to run into the middle of the game to say *hi* and maybe chase the ball... Well I guess I'm not supposed to do that. Hmm, I don't know why, but whatever. 

Dad finally got clever! He now has me on a really long (and obnoxious) leash... I can still run around and sniff, roll in things, say *hi* to others that are walking around...I just can't run into the middle of places that might hurt me. 

Mom and dad say it's for my own safety - whatever that means... At least I still get to go and run around...and be a dog. I wonder if I'll always have to wear this? Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

What a great Dog Training celebration!

Happy Anniversary MOM! Geez, I can't believe it's been a whole year since you opened The Inquisitive Canine studio - just so you can help all of my fellow canines out there... I'm really proud of you mom. Even though I don't get as much of your attention as I used to, I totally understand, and appreciate all you're doing...I don't mind sharing you. 

Thanks for bringing me to the party - it sure was a lot of fun seeing all of the other doggies, and their family members. I remember meeting many of them when I go with you to help at your class orientations. I love watching the humans get all excited about the new and fun training techniques you teach them - the looks on their faces, all smiling and everything...and they start to plan about what they're going to try first when they get home. Just like you taught me to "check in" with you when we're out and about...see the picture? Good job mom. 

Hmm, I wonder what you're going to teach me next...? Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder...