Wanna Go for a Ride?

I took Mom and Dad for a ride. Must have scared Mom ‘cause she jumped out of the car and grabbed her camera. I think I look pretty handsome behind the wheel, don’t you?

It’s fun to go out but I don’t always get to go. My sister, Peanut, got to ride in a parade in a great big truck and I had to stay at home. Now is that fair?

She’s so funny. She gets cold really easy and has to wear a coat to go potty. Glad I’m tougher than that. Guess that’s ‘cause I’m a boy.

Winter Time

Since I was just a little guy last winter, I don"t remember too much about it. Mom says it's winter this morning.

All I know is that it's cold and wet. The leaves on the ground made my nose cold. I don't mind it except my morning walk was too short. Dad put on a lot of clothes and kept talking about how cold it was. Must be bad for him.

Mom keeps telling me I make a good blanket. She likes it when I sit on her lap and act all cuddly. She told Dad they should turn me into a rug so she could wiggle her toes in my hair. Not sure what she means but it doesn't sound very exciting. People can be so funny at times and hard to understand.

Dogs are much less complicated.

Meet Zoee Stockinger



Zoee

I want to introduce you to my new friend, Zoee. I haven’t actually met her yet but I’ve seen her picture. Her mom (Miss Marlyce) and my mom are friends.

I think it’s my duty as a grown-up one-year-old to give a fellow bichon the wisdom of my experience. So here goes, Zoee…

1.       Cuddle up and you’ll melt Miss Marlyce’s heart.

2.       The first thing to learn is the potty stuff. Humans seem to think it’s really important.

3.       Miss Marlyce’s voice will tell you more than her words.

4.       If she tries to teach you to do stuff, learn to do what makes her happiest. My mom taught me how to patty cake. She laughed every time I did it right. I patty cake for her every day because I like to hear her laugh.

5.       Don’t follow too closely or you’ll get stepped on. My mom is kind of a klutz and she steps on me a lot. I’ve learned to get out of the way really fast.

6.       Play with your food. I don’t know why but it makes it taste better.

7.       Don’t chase your tail. It’s fun but humans don’t like it.

8.       Share your toys with Miss Marlyce. She’ll think you’re adorable.

9.       If you have your own little house, make it comfy. It’s your own space.

10.   Smile at people and they smile back.

My book

I'm busy selling my book this week at Veterans Village in Branson. People love me - and I love them. Everyone stops to talk to me and most want to pet me. It's fun to the be star of a book.

I want to sign my books but Mom won't let me put my paw in ink. She's a spoilsport. I guess I have to play the game her way.

Spooktacular Yappy Hour!

Dad getting me ready for the party

Spooktacular Yappy Hour at Animals Galore!

Wow, my first Halloween party ever! I didn't like the dressing-up part but I loved the other dogs and all those treats! I even got some doggie mints - yum! Animals Galore in Harlingen, Texas, knows how to throw a doggie party.

Chiquita & I get acquainted

While I smelled out the party and made friends with some of the other guests, Pat, my executive assistant, took some pictures.

I met this really cool dog - I called her Chiquita because of her costume. She won 2nd place in the contest. She was friendly and we had fun. She liked the treats too.

Toby in his costume

The first place winner, Toby, was dressed up as a bee. He was cool but I wonder if he liked wearing a costume. I had a hat but I shook it off every time Dad put it on me. He finally gave up. Anyway, Toby agreed to an interview so you'll be hearing more from him soon. Dad says I should be more like him because he did everything his mom told him to do. I try - most of the time!

Red Riding Hood & the Wolf

Then I met Little Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf. Mom said they're famous and she tried to tell me the story. I just had too much going on to pay much attention. Little Red Riding Hood's costume was made by Joyce Graham. She makes stuff for dogs and cats to wear. Check out some of her stuff at www.Hannahshandmades.weebly.com. Joyce had a cat face on, but she didn't smell like a cat.

You can see his bones

There was another dog that looked like he was all bones - but they didn't look like you could chew on them. So why have bones, right? I didn't get to meet all the dogs because we kept getting treats and every dog knows - treats always get our attention.

The only part that sounded like work was my time with Jaime Benitez. He's a "K-9 Consultant." I think that means that he wants me to do what he tells me. He kept pushing my butt to the ground and then telling me "Good dog." It took me a while to figure out what he wanted and then I played along for a couple of minutes. Then there were too many other things going on. Mom and Dad talked to him for a long time though. I wonder if they'll start pushing my butt down now.

Banana time

Toby as a bee

Little Red Riding Hood

Didn't get her name

I got some new treats to take home. I LIKE them!

Chiquita's face

Anyway, if you're a dog, and you're going to be around Harlingen, next Halloween, maybe Animals Galore will throw another party. I sure hope so.

I met Meko, a little black Pomeranian



This is Meko

I went to Sandcastle Days on South Padre Island with Mom and Dad. I had to walk in the hot sun but I like the feel of sand in my paws. There are lots of good smells there too.

I met Meko there. She got to ride in some kind of cart with wheels while I had to walk. Meko is an 8-year-old Pomeranian; she’s coal black and has the coolest hair. Mom and I really liked her looks. I liked her smell too but Mom just wanted to take her picture.

Great profile, don'tcha think?

Something didn’t go right with Mom’s camera. A bright light went off and Meko’s face has some white on it but I know she’s really all black. I’m sorry I didn’t get her email so I could interview her.

By the way, I didn’t potty in the sand! I did find a nice tree on the way back to the car though.

Luke Interviews Chubbs, a Book Dog

Wow, Chubbs lives in books. I live in books and in a house too. Since I couldn't imagine what a whole life in books would be, I'm really glad Chubbs filled me in.

1.  Describe yourself.

I'm a forty pound ball of black and white, wiry-haired energy. I've been told my mother was mostly a terrier who didn't run very fast.  I also understand she never claimed any of the hounds around her neighborhood as my daddy, so no one's quite sure who he was.  Jim, my owner, has told me I have a cocker spaniel face, but I'm not too sure about that.

2.  I understand you're a book dog. Are you also a real-life dog like me?

I'm a book dog and proud to be one.  The advantage of being a book dog is that more people get to enjoy your company.

 

3.   What do you do in the books?

My main role in the books is to help make our house a home.  I try to bring some companionship and "spice" into Jim's life. I don't know if you know this, but he went through a divorce that really devastated him a few years back.

 

4.  Who is your book master? What is he like?

Well, I guess I have beaten around the bush.  Let me tell you about Jim.  He's approximately six, maybe seven years old - that's doggie years by the way.  I don't know how to do people years. He's got light colored hair, but not as white as that prissy poodle across the street. Jim's has a little grey in it.  I try to keep him in shape and I think I've been doing a good job.  I have to tell you, though, when I first met him, he was really down in the dumps.  He looked like someone had run off with his favorite chew toy.  He talks to me a lot when we're together, and I finally figured out that his wife had left him.  Over the last couple of years though, I think he's getting back to normal.  I worry about him when he goes away on those trips.  He came back one time all banged up.  Jim had more bandages on him than that collie down the road after the German shepherd caught him flirting with his girl friend.  Jim's on a golf outing right now, but he's overdue.  I'm worried again.

 

5.   What are your likes and dislikes? Can dogs in a book smell?

     Of course book dogs can smell.  That's why Jim bathes me now and then.  And I can smell things, especially when I'm hungry and Jim brings me home something from the restaurant.

 

6. Do you think authors can successfully write about a dog's character?

I think authors can effectively write about dogs in their books, as long as they've been trained by dogs in their own lives.

 

7.  Do you help solve the crime in your books?

I haven't had to solve any crimes in the books -- yet. But, I'm willing to try!

8.  Are you on the cover of any of the books?

I'm not on the cover of any books, but I understand the author has had the gall to put his own dog on the back cover of his newest book.  I guess, like they say, it's who you know.

9.  What do you like most about being a character in a book?

I like being the positive character in the book. I like being the reason Jim knows he has a home.  Maybe he'll find another mate one day, but for now, there's just me.

10. What is your role when the book is being written?

My role in the books is pretty much what I've already said.    I add another dimension to Jim's character and help give him a place he can call home.

Chubb's New Book

Author Bob Doerr reports: “I modeled Chubbs after the dog my family had when I grew up.  He was a mix of a mix of dogs, but we believed he was mostly terrier.  I don't have a picture of him right now, but have attached the cover of my new book, Another Colorado KIll.

Check out Bob's website: www.bobdoerr.com

New Faces, New Friends

I'm in Texas and having a wonderful time. Enjoying new smells - even the grass and the palm trees smell different. Lots of birds too - especially the black ones with crooked tails in our yard all the time. They are really loud and squawky.

The coolest part is all the dogs I'm meeting, friendly sorts. Today I met Chula and I plan to interview her soon. She's from Mexico but she lives here now. She's about my size too.

Mom keeps telling me about the beach but we haven't been there yet. Not sure what she's talking about but it makes her excited. Hope that means I'll like it too. I'll let you know.

Fleas, ugh!

Okay, my fellow furry friends, be honest with me. Do you have fleas? What does your family do to protect you from those nasty, irritating, biting, worthless things?

My mom and dad put some stuff on my neck once a month. I don't like it but I guess it works 'cause I don't remember them ever finding any fleas on me. Do fleas smell bad or just make you itch?

Anyway, Mom read an article about fleas and I thought I should share it with you. If you have trouble with fleas, get your family to read it. We need to stick together and help each other.

Check out the article at http://petmd.com/dogs/slideshows/care/top-ten-ways-to-stop-fleas.

Will dogs pick a food from a TV ad?

A couple of days ago I told you that dogs need an Internet with smells. Would you believe that right after that, Mom read an article about Nestles advertising Beneful to dogs by using high-pitched sounds? The first attempt in Austria met with limited success but the Purina folks in Missouri are experimenting with an ad that uses squeaky dog toy sounds.

I think I will start watching TV.

Luke interviews Bubba Rodgers

Wow, Bubba Rodgers is my first interview on my new website!

Bubba, a 7-year-old chocolate Lab, lives in Texas. Our moms attended a conference together last week. Bubba was a little sickly and had to see his vet but he’s better now.  His mom never wanted a dog in the family but in 2004, her sons took her out to dinner for Mother’s Day and convinced her that the whole family needed a puppy.

That’s when Bubba became part of the Rodgers family and their lives have never been the same. He easily became the third son to loving parents – isn’t that a great dog story?

I asked Bubba to describe himself.

Bubba Dog

Bubba: I’m a fashion model, long-legged and handsome.  Before the other boys left home, I played “buffer” whenever there was family friction. We became a very close family and even though the boys are out on their own now, they still love me.
 

Luke: What are your favorite smells – outside and indoors?

Bubba: When I’m outside I look for squirrels. They have an awesome smell. In the house, I love the smell of smoked turkey.

Luke: Do you have any favorite toys?

Bubba: Sure. I have a stuffed squeaky snake that I love to toss around. I like Nylabones too.

Luke: Do you like kids and cats?

Bubba: Sure. I’m a social sort of guy. I play super easy with cats, little dogs and kids. Sometimes they’re afraid and I have to remind myself to go easy with them.

Luke: Do you believe in dog heaven?

Bubba: You bet I do. I know I have a soul and if I’m good, I’ll go to dog heaven. Mom told me it’s a wonderful place with green grass, plenty of trees and flowers, blue skies and everyone I love.
In my heavenly home, I hope my mom isn’t a writer. She needs too much help from me when she’s trying to figure out scenes and characters. It’s tiring work, plus she talks all the time until I help her solve her problems. She says I’m a good listener.

Luke: Do you like to ride in a car?

Bubba: I love it! When Mom is working, she sometimes takes me for long rides. She’s even named her car the “Bubbamobile” and the “Burban.” How cool is that?
The car is the place I help my mom. When it’s just the two of us, we can get it done.

Luke: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Bubba: Mom thinks I’m her 7-year-old furry boy and she took my picture when I was wearing a red baseball cap. Dad is a pilot so Mom took a picture of me with goggles. She loves to take pictures and even took me to church to get my picture taken. I guess it’s because I’m such a handsome fella.
At night my mom understands what I think when I get in bed with her. Dad’s gone a lot. I let Mom know that I love her and I’m glad Dad’s flying ‘cause she lets me sleep on his pillow. Please don’t tell him!

World Animal Day

Today, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, is World Animal Day. St. Francis was known for his love and care of all of God's creatures.

Dogs, if loved, offer love and loyalty in return. As I've said before, I'm proud to be a part of the noble canine family. I love my family. I even love my little sister, Peanut, but I don't think she loves me much. Maybe I just irritate her.

A Problem with the Internet

I can't smell it. Dogs need to smell to communicate! Anyone out there know how to design an Internet or a computer that smells good to us dogs?

Think about the possibilities: We'd let you know what we like. It would be a great advertising outlet for the folks that make our food, treats and toys. We'd know if there were any cats inside the computer or the Internet; Since bad guys stink, we'd know who you shouldn't talk to. We'd make new friends. Besides, our families will usually give us anything we want - so we control them.

Where are you problem-solvers? An Internet that smells good to dogs like me; that's the challenge!

I Get My Own Blog!

My tail is waggin' big-time! I'm starting my own blog and we're going to have fun.

I will post my dog interviews on here and I invite all dogs to share their stories. It's going to be so much fun. Ideas are flitting around in my head so much that I have to stop and run around the house or chase my tail.

I'm so excited. This is as good as any treat - well, maybe not as good as bacon strips, but it's good. Dogs are so cool and I'm proud to be part of the canine kingdom.

I may have to stop and help Hap when he needs me. I'm a working dog, you know. I have to sniff out clues. You know what I've discovered? Bad guys stink!

Did I tell you that I'm the star of two books - Murder Takes a Ride and Murder is for the Birds? Hap takes the credit but you know how it is - I do the work.