pet

Waiting and Watching – A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 51 Comments

Charlie Waiting and Watching

Waiting and Watching…

for Dad to come home,
or Cliff the mailman,
or Mike the UPS man,
or Jake or Colleen or Liz to come visit.

Waiting and Watching…

for Pippa and Twiggy (the doggie girls next door) to come out,
or a deer or a turkey or a squirrel or a chipmunk to scamper by,
or a bird or bee or butterfly to flutter by,
or maybe the Easter Bunny!!

Waiting and Watching…

for Mom to say it is time for a walk,
or for dinner,
or a treat,
or an ear scratch or belly rub.

Waiting and Watching…
until my eyes grow weary
and close for “just a blink,”
which is rarely more than two minutes.

It’s a dog’s life.
It’s a good life.
It’s my life.

Woofs and Wags,
Charlie

Charlie and the Girls Next Door

/ Jodi / 47 Comments

charlie and the girls next door

A new girl moved in next door, and I’m in Loooooooveee!

My neighbor, Pippa, got a new sister named Twiggy!  She is a rescued dog, just like me, so she has a special place in my heart. ❤

She is beautiful and friendly, and I am one of the luckiest boys on the planet!

We had a little time to visit yesterday on my walk, because Pippa and Twiggy’s mom was taking them for a walk too!

Hope you are finding as much joy this weekend as I am!  And if you are not, you might want to go out to your local animal shelter and adopt a pet like our parents did!  We have so much love to give!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

It’s a Dog’s Life – It’s a Blog Life

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

charlie blog

Although I am a wonderful typist/blogger/communicator of the written word (as you know from my regular guest posts here),

there really is truly no better way to get a point across than using….

Puppy Dog Eyes!

Can you tell what I am telling Mom here?

I’m certain it is perfectly clear.

Happy Friday friends!

The wonderful weekend is almost here!  Woofy wahoos for weally wong morning walks, warm fires and snuggles, and welcoming whatever the wind wishes.

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Sometimes you just have to Bark: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 56 Comments

charlie and kitty

I’m usually a pretty laid back, easy-going kinda guy.  But yesterday, I couldn’t take it any more.

Mom was busy with her job.  I don’t know what she does all day.  Seems she just stares at the screen of that computer thing or furiously taps on the keys or is talking to other voices through it.  Sure seems rather boring to me.

But I put up with it.

While she is doing that most of the day, I can usually keep myself pretty busy.  I might be doing any number of these great, fun things while she is working:

  • napping
  • playing donut (I especially like to squeak it loud when she is on what she calls a “conference call.”  If I do it enough, she give me a bone, because then I am much quieter.  Ha ha – who is the winner there?!
  • chewing on some old bones in my toy basket
  • emptying out my toy basket
  • going in and outside through my doggie door to explore what is going on in the yard
  • daydreaming out the window and watching for friends to come and go
  • chasing my tail

Don’t you agree that is a much better day than looking at a computer?!

One of the highlights of my day, though, is an afternoon walk.  Mom and I usually do that around what she calls “lunch” time.  She gets to eat AGAIN during the day for lunch.  I only get breakfast and dinner.  What is with that??!!  But – if I get a walk, I am pretty happy.  And besides, I almost always find things on the ground to eat along the way!

So yesterday, noon passed and one o’clock passed (I know this from my internal doggie clock) and then two o’clock passed.  Mom was still staring at that computer, and we had not gone for a walk.  I knew my friend, Kitty, was probably worried and wondered where we were, and I was getting a little “antsy.”

I started to pace.
Mom ignored me.

I licked her bare foot.
She shooshed me away.

I jumped in her lap!
Aha!  Now I have your attention lady!
She laughed and told me to be patient and wait a few more minutes.

So I waited… for what seemed like an eternity (about 20 seconds), and then I just had to do it….

I BARKED!

I rarely bark.  No need for such noisy jabber, but sometimes…..
when no other hints or tactics work……
You just have to bark.

Mom laughed.  She really did need a break.
And we went for a walk.

And I got to tell Kitty all about how the barking worked.
Kitty is going to see if barking works at Kitty’s house too.

You might like to try it too…
at your house
if all else fails,
and you really need…
a walk.

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

 

Charlie: I love donuts!

/ Jodi / 64 Comments

Charlie donuts

I LOVE Donuts!   Have you guys ever tried them?

Here I am in one of my favorite napping spots on the love seat on my sherpa fleece blankie with my blueberry donut.

I just got this new flavor.  It’s quite delish and squeaky and fun!  These donuts can be found in a multitude of places throughout my home and yard.  Aren’t I the lucky one!?!!?!

I have already had two chocolate and one cherry donut, and I would really, really, Really, REALLY love this glazed one!  HINT HINT – will you please tell my Mom?  (or maybe our friends at ZippyPaws will see this and send me one for sharing the love!)  Paws crossed!!!

charlie donut

One of my favorite things in the entire world to do is play.  Play follows closely behind my other favorite things in the whole wide world: breakfast and dinner and walks.

Here are my favorite things to do with a donut:

  • Grab it first thing in the morning (after breakfast of course), and squeak it around the house to make sure everyone wakes up.  After all, it is a new day – an opportunity to play.
  • Bring it to my Mom and push it up against her leg while squeaking it so she will throw it and play fetch – especially when she is on conference calls for work.
  •  Bring it to Mom or Dad or Nick, but as soon as they bend down to grab it to “play fetch,” run away quickly to make them chase me.  It is also important to give a playful GRRRRRowl when I buzz past them – just to let them know who has it!
  • Carry it around with my nose sticking out of the hole and the top covering my eyes – just to show I can maneuver quite fine even when I can’t see where I am going.
  • Take it out the doggy door into the rain and snow so it gets nice and smelly and wet and even more delicious, and then bring it inside and lay on Mom and Dad’s bed with it under my chin.
  • Play tug with Mom or Dad or Nick until the say “Drop It!” (which they always say quite firmly and authoritative…) Dang!   Then I really have to let it go – because that is what a dog is supposed to do – right?
  • Chew on it and make it squeak at least 27,569 times (give or take) until you can break a tiny hole into it and rip it apart – destroy the squeaker and show it who is boss!
  • Sleep with it to assure nobody else gets it!

Donuts are wonderful!

I did, however, see and smell something different in the house the other day…..

IMG_8899My family was eating these donut-like things called  Paczki (pronounced punch-key – WHAAAT???!!) in honor of Fat Tuesday.  Sheesh  – any excuse for a sweet in this house!  Hey – they didn’t share…..  I wonder if they tasted as good as my donuts……?

 

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie’s Snow Day

/ Jodi / 58 Comments

Charlie Snow 0116

I finally got Mom out of the house yesterday at lunch time to take a walk and play in the snow!

It has been so cold here, she doesn’t even want to take walks!

And when she does – oh brother – what a production!  All the layers she puts on!

I just pace around her waiting impatiently as she layers on thermal long johns, socks, hooded sweatshirt, coat, gloves, shoes.  Let’s get this show on the road!

Then she makes me wear this hand-me-down Sherpa coat from Mikey.  It fits quite well, but I try to shake it off about every 20 steps.  I usually get distracted however.  There are so many good things outside to see, smell, hear, eat…. friends to visit – people, dogs, cats – along the way.

And now there is this new stuff…. SNOW!

Oh how fun is snow?!

It is white and bright and cold and fluffy and I can make tracks in it and run and make it spray, and there are smells buried under it, and sometimes it is even fun to slide when there is ice under it.

What a blast!

Do you have snow?  We just have about two inches as of yesterday.  Just the right amount to frolic in!  (and sticks taste extra delicious cold and icy and are really fun to fetch!)

Wishing you a Happy Snow Day or whatever kind of day you are having!  As Mom would say…. “Cherish the Moments!”  I sure am!

Woofs and Wags,

Charlie

Anticipation – Charlie Style

/ Jodi / 46 Comments

Charlie anticipation cookies

Mom finally baked some cookies the other day!

It’s been weeks!

She said we had plenty of them over the holidays and needed a break.

But my brother and my Dad and I kept looking around for some and commenting about no cookies being around, so Mom broke down and made some.

YIPPEE SKIPPEE!

This is how I sit with my Dad when “we” are eating cookies.  Mom calls this my look of “anticipation.”  (and I have no clue what that double chin thing going on is there in this very unflattering photo!  Oh Mom!!)

My Dad is very nice and almost always shares…. not as much as I’d like…. but even a crumb is worth waiting for!  

Have you had my Mom’s cookies?!  Though I must say, I’d wait just the same for a stale cracker, but that’s besides the point…

It is very important that I do not take my eyes off of Dad’s mouth OR the cookie, so I watch very attentively.  It requires a “very particular set of skills” that I have honed.  When I do this, he remembers I am there and remembers to share.

Anyway – not only are we happy, but Mom also shared some of these cookies with a couple of my best friends:  Cliff the mailman and Mike the UPS man.  They both stopped by to visit me the day she baked them, so they got to take some with them after our visit too.  They are both so nice and always share cookies with me, so I guess it is only fair – right?!  At least that is what Mom says.

And if I am smart enough to know which side my bread is buttered on, I better agree!

Woofs & Wags from your buddy,
Charlie

Charlie’s New Year’s Resolution

/ Jodi / 33 Comments
Charlie watercolor by Laura

Charlie – by Laura @ createarteveryday

Hi Friends!  Charlie here.

Have you missed me?  It’s been a while since Mom has let me guest post.

What do you think of this beautiful watercolor painting of me a very dear and talented friend gifted us with for Mom’s birthday?!

Thank you so much Ms. Laura @ CreateArtEverday!  We really surprised Mom when the card showed up addressed to “Mom” with no postmark or return address except for my paw print!  Thanks for helping me make her birthday even more special! You are the best!

I must tell you, I am kind of glad the holidays are over.  We had FUN – lots of parties, lots of food, lots of friends and family over, but I am POOPED!

I stayed up the latest I have ever stayed up in my life on New Year’s Eve!  Company didn’t leave until after 1:30 am, and I didn’t want to miss a crumb moment of the festivities, so I stayed up way past my usual 8 pm bedtime.

Santa came to our house too!  He must have received my letter and agreed that I WAS a good boy, because my stocking was overflowing with new toys.  He even remembered the FIVE GOLDEN Bones I asked for!  YIPPEE!  Thank you Santa!  Four are already gone.

Mom tells me this is a New Year and a time when many make resolutions to be better.

I have decided I am going to do my best to make my family feel loved and appreciated.  I think that is one of the most important jobs of a family pet.  Don’t you agree?

Unconditional love is so easy for me to give, and it sure makes my Mom and Dad happy.

Happy New Year to all of you (and your family pets!)

Woofs & Wags,

Charlie

 

Charlie’s Christmas List

/ Jodi / 56 Comments

Charlie stick

Dear Santa –

Charlie here.

I am soooo excited for Christmas!

I have been a very good boy this year – my first year of life.

(Well – most of the time anyway!)

I would be so happy if I could have the following things for Christmas

(and everyday if it’s not too much to ask).

Most of these things cost no money – they just require a little time and love.

I hope you will make my Christmas wish list come true.

May I please have:

12 sticks to chew on
11 games of tug
10 games of fetch
9 belly rubs
8 ear scratches
7 naps in the sunshine
6 zoomie runs around the house
5 GOLDEN BONES
4 scraps to fall on the kitchen floor
3 doggie treats
2 walks per day
and
1 warm, happy, loving home to live in.

Thank you, Santa, for whatever you can provide.

Sincerely and with much love,
Charlie

PS  My mom says this reminds her of another Christmas song….

I Just Can’t Handle My Licker

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

Charlie Christmas 2015

Try as I may, I just can’t handle my licker!

Do any of you have this problem?

This is mine and my dad’s chair.  I keep it warm and snuggly during the day for him, and we sometimes share it in the evenings (mostly when he is having snacks!)

We have this special pillow our friend, Jill, made for us one Christmas.  It is perfect for Dad and me.  Dad can be a little “grinchy” at Christmas time (he admits it himself!), and I am like his very friendly companion, Max who likes to lick him to make him happy.

Sometimes people get annoyed with my licking…

Like my brother when I lick his feet while he is sitting at his desk,

or my Dad when I try to give him licks right on the lips after a long walk and taste testing of “treasures” along the way!

Or like sweet babies that lay on the floor on my spot under the Christmas tree,

ED45

Or like the mailman who takes some time to sit on the porch with me to let me know how nice people can be…

And just last evening, Dad had a friend stop by, and I jumped right up on him and gave him a big slurpy lick!

Really – just about anyone who comes to visit gets a lick or two or three or five hundred.

Mom says it is hard to believe that just four short months ago, when I first got adopted and moved in here, I would have cowered away from anyone with my tail between my legs and the hair up on my back.    Seems like ancient history to me really.  I’ve come to learn there are lots and lots of kind, loving people in the world, and it is WONDERFUL!

Mom understands and knows these licks are usually just “doggie kisses.”  Right?!?

BUT…..  (there’s always a but – eh?)

Remember the watercolor forsythia card she made a few weeks ago?

forsythia watercolor card

Well, she had it on the floor as she was going to try scanning it, and well….

Yikes!

licked forsythia charlie

It WAS on the FLOOR!

Watercolor paint does not taste very good.  Just sayin’.

It does kind of make a beautiful abstract – whadayathink???

(doggie sigh)

Sorry!  I just can’t handle my licker!

Slurpy, Sloppy Doggie Kisses,
Charlie