It’s a Dog’s Life

Life here at Tiney’s casa has been interesting lately, to say the least. Having a new puppy in the house is both pure joy and frequent aggravation.

For the past several years the only fuzzies we had were our kitties. Kitties, in case you don’t know, are basically self reliant. Feed them well, change their litter, give them some lovin’ and that’s about all there is to it.

And then there’s Strudel.

Just look at that fuzzy face. Could you stare into those woeful eyes and not fall in love?

And that sweet puppy tongue. Every little puppy–breath-infused lick makes me melt with love.

And when she’s sleeping? Nothing could be cuter and more peaceful looking.

It’s even cuter when her half-sister, Cannoli is here for a visit and they nap together. Here they are sleeping with Strudel’s “baby” stuffed dog.

Look at those faces!

Awwwwww! I’m in love!

Later that same day they took another nap on the baby, this time forming a choo choo. Can you tell who is who?

Cannoli is a few shades darker than my Strudely Doodley.

Now don’t these pictures make you want to go out and get yourself your own fuzzy puppy? I highly recommend it, although make sure you’ve got enough time for training and lots of patience.

I’ve got plenty of time. Patience? I’m not so good at.

Strudel is really good at going potty outside like a good little girl. But she’s also quite adept at going potty inside on the kitchen floor too. I have a neighbor who told me of a little known training trick. If your puppy goes potty on the floor, don’t yell at the puppy, yell at the poop or pee.

Yeah, you heard me. At any given time of the day you can find me leaning over a puddle, yelling, “Bad potty! Bad bad potty!” Then I have to do a little dance whilst holding paper towel in one hand, enzyme cleaner in the other, while Strudel tries to eat the cleaning supplies. Oh yeah, fun times! I won’t go into the fact that if it’s a #2 accident that I don’t see right away, it magically disappears. Into Strudel’s belly. She does not do this outside, so I can only assume that she does this to get rid of the evidence, knowing she’s just committed a house training misdemeanor. She’s just lucky that the local law enforcement (moi) loves her so much, and will even let her lick me after a certain amount of time has passed for her mouth to be deemed clean enough for kissing.

She is exhibiting some true signs of talent though. You can see here that any sign of unwanted intruders will be dealt with swiftly and with little mercy.

Especially if they have any paper in their pockets.

I think she’s also learning the “attack” command, but none of us have taught her that. Either she’s completely brilliant, or she’s a puppy savant, because hey, it’s usually one of us she’s biting into.

Thanks baby girl. I didn’t like those pants anyway. Or my black croc. Or my black slippers. Or my pink ones.

She is quick to learn though. Check this out. I made this video just for all of you.

I’ll do a lot of things for and because of this fuzz-butt, but picking up poop is not one of them. I did what I call “poop patrol” once, and that was enough. It is now the job of the little ones, and for some reason they find a certain amount of joy in doing this. This has to be a trait they’ve gotten from their father.

Why is it that I can ask Madison to pick up dog shit and that’s not a problem, but asking her to clean her room is like waging a war? Again, her father’s genes.

Pssst! If you love me, you might love my sister more. Go visit her at Jill's Believe it or Not, and tell her I sent you!

She Did it Again!!!

Yep, once again Jill has taken away my thunder, stripped me of my glory, usurped my uniqueness! What did she do this time? She decided she had to have a puppy from the same litter as mine. Like NOW.

She calls me on Wednesday:

Jill: What are you doing tomorrow? Want some company?

Me: I'm not doing anything. But what's up? You were just here and tomorrow is a school day.

Jill: So you won't mind if I come over? Will you take a drive with me?

Me: (Uh oh, something's up and I knew what it was!) Why are you being so mysterious? What are you up to?

Jill: Well... I um,... I HAVE TO get one of those puppies!!! I just got off the phone with the breeder and I'm going to pick one out tomorrow! Wanna come?

Me: OMG! OMG! I KNEW it! Yes, get your ass over here!

So yesterday, Jill came with the girls and Mom in tow for another puppy expedition! Ooh, what fun!

But wait, on the way there one of our "play" arguments ensued, this time about how the light bulbs get changed on the top of radio towers. I know, weird shit to be sure, but we argued about it all the same.

So I turned on my camera.



It turns out Jill was right. This time. There really are tower climbers and it's the most dangerous job in America. Go figure! And yes, once again someone else is driving my car. And yes, I did make Mom sit in the back seat!

Now, on to the puppies!

Jill was instantly attracted to this one, but Jill needed some cuddle and play time with her to see if she was truly the one. Teeth? Check. Clear eyes? Check. Ginormous paws? Check. Hmmm... let's see if she looks good with her.



Oops, I cut her head off. Let's try this again.



So, look good together? Check!!! She's mine! Er, I mean, she's Jill's!

Before we'd left the house, we were all throwing out puppy names. Mikayla, kidding, said, "Cannoli!" Well, cannoli are Jill's very favorite dessert food, so she instantly said, "That's the name! THAT is the name!"

And although 10 of you said you hated all of the puppy names I put on my poll... thanks for nothing your honesty!... the name I chose is Strudel! Hey, at least out of the names you guys did like, Strudel came in first!

So now we've got a Strudel and a Cannoli. Anyone else getting hungry for pastry?

But come on. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww



Would you expect anything less from Jill and I?

So Jill gave Lori the breeder a deposit, and soon we'll be able to bring home our babies. I'm so excited!

We left there to get a bite to eat, but first we had to turn around in this driveway. There's no way I could let this one go without a picture.

Great name for a contracting company, no? I have visions of The Village People erecting a building. Heeheehee!

Mom was a little cold in the restaurant and, with no jacket, she decided that covering herself with napkins (which were really hand towels. What's up with that?) would be the next best thing.



Is it any wonder why Jill and I are the way we are?

Poopy Pants wanted to imitate her big sister, so she stuck a toothpick in her mouth. It was too cute not to capture.



So that was our day in a nutshell. Good times, eh?





Pssst! If you love me, you might love my sister more. Go visit her at Jill's Believe it or Not, and tell her I sent you!