ALONE AT LASTNow that Blizzard is gone, I have regained my rightful status in the household. It was tough having
to be nice to that dog when he usurped my position and stole my bones. Well, maybe he didn't
completely usurp my place because Mommy and Daddy did try to make me feel very important but
it was difficult to understand when he thought he could sleep with us and boss me around, so I
generally stayed outside so I wouldn't get into any trouble. I know Mummy and Daddy felt bad
because I believed I was displaced and they thought we would become pals sometime in the future.
Actually, I was beginning to feel we were a team together because I did protect him from the danger
of other dogs. He was so frail and old and maybe, as they say, that was the beginning of bonding.
However, now I am back to my proper status as queen of the house with my humans wrapped
around my big paws. They better not bring another dog back here again because I may not be so
nice next time.
Woweee! Winter is back! My coat is full and heavy. It keeps me warm on the coldest days.
Mommy says I don't drop one hair in the house now. It is wonderful to play and sleep outside now
as is is not too hot but is nice to come into the house and lie on soft couches and carpets to ease my
old bones when I feel like it. Often I come in after the 11:00 p.m. walk and stay for the night but
sometimes, just to keep them guessing, I stay outside for awhile and woo, woo outside the bedroom
window for them to let me in. Then one of my humans has to crawl out of bed and let me in. I
climb up on the couch and stay there for a few hours and then come into the bedroom to keep them
company.
- 2 -
We had our January thaw and it got very sloppy outside. The sand from the road gets on my tummy and in my paws and Mommy isn't thrilled when I track it into the house. I try to be good and lie outside in the snow to get most of the dirt off. When I come in, I lie on one of the towels Mommy puts down for me and most of the sand falls off on them. She seems happy at that. Finally it snowed again and I'm happier to be outside when it is not so damp and Mommy says I am much cleaner.
After the thaw it got colder and froze up. It became very icy and we had trouble walking, especially
on the lake until there was another snowfall. I'm a little nervous walking out there because
sometimes I hear the ice cracking and think it is going to break up under me. I run around Mommy
and Daddy barking and howling telling them it isn't safe although they try to reassure me. Usually I
manage to convince them it isn't safe and we go back to land. If is isn't cracking I don't mind being
on it and we go for miles visiting the ice fishermen and chatting with other people out there.
Frankly, I don't like it much far out from shore because there isn't much to smell.
Sometimes we go to the abandoned farm where there are lots of good smells of deer, foxes and other
interesting animals. I try and chase them but they are too fast for me and I fall into the deep snow.
There are snowmobile tracks and the humans walk on them. I am learning if I don't want to break
through the snow, I have to stay with them and that can get a bit boring.
When we got Blizzard, we had to procure a larger vehicle so Daddy bought a mini van. They took
out the middle seat so we could both fit inside but now that I am alone, I prefer the car. The back
seat is too far from my humans and I want to be closer to them and look out the front window.
When Mommy or Daddy is alone, I usually walk up and sit in the passenger seat. However,
because I can't lie down, I only stay for a while to keep them company, go back to lie down and
come and go back and forth as I please. Sometimes one of them comes back to keep me company
and then, when the seat is empty, I rush up and take up my spot there. If they want to keep their
seat, they have to use it.
When we go to Toronto, there is a nice park where we can walk. When we are there, I have to be on my best behaviour and not eat all the other dogs that come by. I try to be good but sometimes the feeling to show them who is boss is almost unbearable. I don't like to big city because of all the noise, sirens, big cars that run on tracks and people all around but my humans try to keep me as comfortable and happy as possible. When they have to leave me, they leave my food and water in the car try to park in quiet places. When they leave, they tell me very loudly to "Guard the car, Keeno" whatever that means. Nobody has tried to get in once they see me so I guess I am doing the right thing. When people come over, I do my deep friendly woo, woo, woo and they leave. Why would they do that? I'm only trying to be friendly. - 4 -
Sometimes I go into stores with Mommy and everyone there thinks I am beautiful. I really don't like
going in because it is hot and there are a lot of people but they make a a big fuss over me and let me
go behind the counters where I smooch with the salespeople. Sometimes there are treats from their
lunches if I ask politely and they and bring me water too. People get all excited when I talk to them
so I talk all the more telling them about the trip and how I feel. Mommy says I am a mouthy dog
and tells me to keep quiet but as long as I have an adoring audience, I have no intention of doing
that. Escalators are beyond my ability so if we have to go to another floor, Mommy takes me in the
elevator. That is kind of neat. Here I am in this little box which moves and when the door opens,
we are in an entirely different place with new people to woo woo at.
Once in a while, we go to a school where Mommy teaches at night. She tried to take me with her the
first few times but I was so busy talking to everyone and being friendly, the students couldn't hear
the instructors. Now I have been banished to the car to wait for her to come out. After class
sometimes I come in chat with everyone. While I am left in the car, she or Daddy comes out every
little while, to see how I am and take me for short walks but usually I don't want to get out because
of all the hustle and bustle around me.
Mummy and Daddy are thinking of going to some place warm for a holiday but they say they can't
take me with them because they don't allow dogs. They said if I were little, they might be able to
smuggle me in but they would never get away with that with me. They say I talk too much and I
would never stay a secret. Mommy is very unhappy about boarding me for a few weeks. Maybe a
friend will come and stay with me but Mommy is afraid I won't obey him to go on walks and will be
such a pain they may lose a friend. Who wants to go where it is warm? With my full winter coat, I
would be too hot and uncomfortable. It's much nicer here in the snow and cold. If I play my cards
right, maybe I can convince one of them to stay home with me.
If she doesn't go away, Mommy wants to go to a sled pulling event at the HELP LEAGUE in March.
She thinks it will be great fun. Daddy doesn't want to go anyway because he is always cold but
Mommy has another friend who wants to go with his little dog. I think it would be fun too, as long
as I don't have to work. So let Daddy go where it is warm and we will stay here where it is
comfortable.
That's all I have time for now. Mommy wants to use the computer. I'll write more another time.
Keeno
Keeno owns George Davis and Holly Levinter and she is very likely to convince Holly to stay home with her. |
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