I May be an Inquisitive Canine, But This Dog is Also Thankful

I was just helping mom write up our inquisitive canine newsletter, and decided to add a little bit about why I'm so thankful - 'tis the season after all, right? I know mom and I are both thankful that we get to do what we love, because we both love what we do! But I wanted to let mom, dad and all of my friends and family know what else I'm thankful for, because obviously these are just a few things I find positively reinforcing!

• Mom and dad
• Tennis balls
• Chicken
• Warm laps to curl up on
• Road trips with mom and dad
• Costco hot dogs
• My basketball squeaky toy
• Having a bed in every room
• Steak!
• All of my blankies
• Belly rubs from mom, dad, my friend Miss. Lisa and anyone else willing to give them
• Going to work with mom and dad
• Turkey stuffed Kongs
• Agility class with Miss. Margie
• My ponchos prose blog and dog behavior advice column
• Running with mom
• Watching mom cook (and hopefully getting to help taste)
• The mailman
• Cookies crumbs off of dads lap
• Snuggling with mom
• Car rides
• Trips to the field with dad
• Costco yogurt with mom
• Animal shelters like C.A.R.L. and the Humane Society of Ventura County
• Pork tenderloin and UPS
• EJ Harrison (even though they are my nemesis, I usually get steak when they're around)
• Costco churros with dad
• And all of my human and canine friends!

There are many more things I am thankful for, but these are what I could think of now... I wonder if all of you are thankful for the same things? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder...but you can certainly comment and share!

Ho-Ho Road Trip!!!

I love the holidays! Or as we dogs like to say, the "pawlidays". Mom and dad are home more than usual, which means more play-time for me! It's kinda rainy out, and I see those big containers on wheels that mom and dad put their clothes in when we leave town...I think they're called suitcases. Anyway, I also see mom loading up some of my things in my overnight bag - which means only one thing: ROAD TRIP! 

Yep, I was right... Into my little car seat, all strapped in safe and sound...Mom still doesn't understand why there aren't laws that require us pets to be secured safely while riding in automobiles... Hopefully someday a law will be passed! Until then, mom and dad use their common sense and try to set examples for others. 

Anyway, in addition to safety, mom also provided my bwanky to keep warm, my kitty toy, and my chew bone. She likes to keep me safe, but also provides enrichment too...keeps me from getting bored and barking "are we there yet?" I know I look kinda uncomfortable in this picture, but trust me... everything was great! Sometimes this expression even gets me treats...hmm, mom must be learning, because this time it just got my picture taken. I'll keep trying.

Today we went straight to our destination: Pismo Beach! What a great place. The Cliff's Resort is really doggy friendly - everyone greeted me with their cute squealy voices - which always makes me happy...you can tell just by my body language and vocalization....wiggly-waggly and high pitched squealing with excitement.

It was quite chilly out, but the sun was shining, so once we got our hotel room lined up, mom

and dad and I took to the trails and the beach... I love exploring - especially after a nice rain... the smells are heavenly! It's a shame you humans don't have the acute sense of smell us dogs have. Maybe as you evolve yours will get better. 

You can see me running up the side of the cliff, looking around, sniffing, and having a grand ol' time. Dad had my tennis ball, but I wasn't into chasing as much as investigating my surroundings - after all, this is new territory for me...and "new" means more motivating than the usual stuff. 

After we played around in the sand, we went back to hotel, walked around, talked with others...the sunset was really pretty - mom too a picture of it, check it out. 

After picture time and socializing, we all went and played one of my favorite games...tee-hee-hee...mom and dad call it "hallway ball" - hotels are great for this...not that I'm suggesting you do it, cuz you might get in trouble. But hey, what a great place to run like a maniac playing fetch! Plus, I'm more of a sprinter, unlike my herding breed friends...so a little goes a long way with me - especially if it's a really long hallway. We got a few rounds in, until I was nice and tired and wanted to go back to the room for nappies...and my dinner.... 

Mom and dad didn't stay in the room for dinner, they were allowed to go into the restaurant, unlike me... So, they left me with my favorite toy - my Tricky Treat Ball...giving me something to do while they were gone. They came back just a short time later and brought me delicious snacks...turkey and roasted veggies! I could still smell prime rib on dad...how come he didn't bring me any of that? 

Anyway, we decided the night was still young and went up to the nice lobby in the hotel...I guess you humans like mental activities too - mom and dad played something called Backgammon - as you can see, I was helping mom out...The fireplace was on, the couch was comfy, everything was really nice...a good "pawliday" for everyone. I wonder where we're going next? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

DON'T Give MY toys away!!!

Uh oh, mom just announced she's having something called a PAWliday sale...? Not sure exactly what that is, but this is what she said in one of her emails she sent me (you can sign up for it too - she sends lots of good information). 

I know she wants to help people shop for their own furry loved-ones for the holidays - She's selling all her Kong toys, Easy Walk Harnesses, Tricky Treat Balls, chewies and treats, and toys too!!! I use all of those things... but I hope she doesn't give all her great stuff away...I guess it's good to share though. I wonder what I should get mom for Christmas? I wonder if dad is going to take me shopping? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder...

A Special Pawliday Shopping Event!

Sunday December 21st

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

~Natural Balance goodie bag give-away~

~hassle free parking~

To celebrate this holiday season, THE INQUISITIVE CANINE is making shopping easy and budget friendly. This SUNDAY December 21st from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM all merchandise is on sale!

That's right! All merchandise including Easy-Walk Harnesses, Kong toys, treat bags, bones and dog treats will be marked down 10% - 40%!!! What a great opportunity for you to shop for your own dog, as well as the other canine friends in your life!

We appreciate your business, and hope you to see you this Sunday!

Happy Pawlidays!
Joan and The Inquisitive Canine

JOAN MAYER
THE INQUISITIVE CANINE, LLC
2159 Palma Drive, Suite D
Ventura, CA 93003
O: 805.650.8500
F: 805.650.8501
joan@theinquisitivecanine.com
www.inquisitivecanine.com

Happy Birthday to MOM!

Wow, what another fun day it was today! Not only is it dia de los muertos, but it's Mom's birthday today too! She decided to take time off from her studio and teaching today, so she could spend it with me and dad just celebrating all day. Fine with me! We get her all to ourselves - which means "road trips for Poncho!" 

First mom decided to go run and exercise with her friend Hilary. (It was way too early for me to go...I'd rather sleep in)... Then, after she got all cleaned up, mom, dad, and I loaded into

the car and heading north! The first stop was at one of our favorite coffee joints for beverages and snacks... You can see me here trying to figure out how to drink out of that long green thingy...that's going to be a challenge for me... 

Anyway, after we rewarded ourselves with yummy treats (just like dog training classes isn't it?) we hit the road again...this time we walked around some lovely areas - I was the only one who was sniffing around, but mom and dad were enjoying themselves too - I could tell by their body language - relaxed, smiles on their faces, laughing...

Then mom and dad stopped at one fabulous place just for me: the beach!!! Wahoo! I thought it was moms birthday, but this was a great present for little ol' me! As you can see, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Once again mom used "real life" rewards to reinforce the behaviors she likes... I walked nicely on leash, and to reward me she let me go and roll in everything I wanted to roll in! Mom was even giving me the "thumbs up" for rolling as well as I was... She giggles a lot when I'm gettin' the stink on. Interesting how me getting my stink on is rewarding, or shall I say positively reinforcing for mom!

Dad played the same sort of game. We'd practice me running to him when he called, and in turn he'd throw the ball for me! How much fun is that?! 

After we wrapped up our time at the beach, we headed back home... Unfortunately, post-beach time means only one thing: yep, bath-time! But hey, it's always worth it... not only do I get to roll in stinky stuff, but mom and dad make bathing fun - lots of treats during the bath, followed by throwing the ball around while I have the zoomies! I'd say that's lots of positive reinforcement! 

Now I'm all clean, and according to mom, smelling fresh, I wonder what else we're doing to celebrate? I wonder, is she is going to wear a birthday hat just like she makes me? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Bring on the explosives!

I don't know what all the explosives are about - I usually find them a bit annoying...loud, plus they make a mess of the environment - but I guess you humans find them appealing. Well, turns out they're not so bad...as long as mom is around. Seems every time I heard an explosion, my mom the dog training coach gave me a delicious little morsel of yummy meatloaf! Hmm... explosion = meatloaf. 

Now I associate the sounds of fireworks with meatloaf! I love that! I think this is some of what mom teaches in her classes... learning by association. Now that I associate obnoxious sounds of fireworks exploding with the delivery of meat, I don't think they're so bad... So, all this inquisitive canine wants to know is: when does the county fair start? they have fireworks every night!

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

I'm daddy's valentine

Wow, what a great day it's been so far! And it's only the afternoon! It started out with me sleeping in all nice and cozy with mom (she's still not feeling well, poor thing), so again I got to play pet therapist... After I got up dad took me for a great outing at the field to play... Then, and this is where is gets really good, dad was really hungry when we got home so he made himself a really yummy sandwich - which he was kind enough to share with me! Maybe because it's that human holiday "Valentines Day" - where you show how much you love and appreciate your family, friends, and loved ones...Well, I guess he wanted to show me how much he loves me by giving me all of his pastrami! Talk about hitting the jackpot!!! Ok, well maybe he didn't actually intend to give it to me...he had walked back into the house to get something, leaving it there in front of me... all juicy, smelling really great --- I mean, what's a dog to do? Come on! Needless to say mom wasn't too thrilled - she said something to him, gave him a look that usually doesn't predict anything good for anyone, then they both said something like I wasn't getting dinner because I had eaten enough for the whole week (why do I have to be punished because they're not paying attention!?)...They decided it was the perfect Valentines Day present for me... Hoooo boy are they right! I'd much rather have pastrami than a toy or new collar! Thanks dad! I'll watch your sandwich any day! Happy Valentines Day to you...mom too.