I'm having fun in Texas this winter. I have gone to lots of events to help sell my books. Today I went to the Winter Haven Writers Group. Mom talked about our books and I sat there with Dad, proud to be with a group of writers. She told them about several of the famous dogs in our books.

But I'm not sure everyone believed her when she told them I help write books.
I wonder why.

New friends

I love making new friends and I had a great time last week at the RGV Birding Festival.

I probably got more attention than anyone else, except maybe the owls and eagles. You should have seen people taking pictures of them.

Anyway, people come by, talk to me, pet me and want to take me home. I wag my tail and let them know how much I appreciate all of the attention. Mostly, I sit on Dad's lap to keep him company. I don't want him to get lonely.

I'm sharing some pictures. Hope you enjoy them.

Dog Days of Summer

I think I know what "dog days of summer" means. We've been home all week and I've been in trouble most of the time.

I've had fun all summer but now it's over - at least for a little while and it seems like a long time to me. I need to go on another adventure! I don't get in as much trouble when we're traveling.

My trip to Ft Smith, Arkansas

I found lots of great smells in Ft Smith and had a great time. My favorite part of the trip was my stay at the Hampton Inn. I've never been treated so special before. When I got there, the hotel gave me my very own treat box. Wow, that was fun! When I left, I had my picture taken with the manager and they gave me more treats. They love dogs! http://www.hilton.com/search/hp/us/ar/fort_smith.

At Ft Smith Historic Site

It was very hot so I had to stay at home a lot while Mom and Dad went out to take pictures. But I did get to go to several places.

George

I did visit the Ft. Smith National Historic Site. I know people like all the history but, to tell the truth, I liked all the squirrels the best. I saw one squirrel, George, several times. He just sat around watching me - and all the people.

We walked down to the Arkansas River and there were lots of people there. Half of them were playing some game on their phones - Mom called it Pokemon Go.






We also went to the Park at West End but I didn't ride on the Ferris wheel. I did get to climb on the giraffe. I don't know if I'd like being that tall but they sure have a different view that I do.

My weekend

I'm spending lots of time laying over the air conditioner vent. It's hard to stay cool when it's so hot outside. I don't even want to go out and chase the squirrels. But I do wish I'd catch one, just once. Then I'd have someone to play with.

CG

I spent the weekend with my friend, CG. She's a pistol, for sure. She's smaller than me but she can jump on me so fast. She loves to smell my ear, then I have to fight her off. We had fun but after a while, we took a nap, played some more, took another nap - you get the idea. It was a lazy weekend while Mom was out taking pictures somewhere I wasn't allowed to go.

I get to go with her this weekend though. It's another long ride but that's okay with me. I can watch the cars go by.

I became a farm dog for two days

I visited Iowa with my family and spent two days wondering about life as a farm dog. What did I learn? A lot.

I learned that corn is really tall. It was even taller than my dad and I have to look up just to see his knees.


I learned that John Deere tractors are super big too. In fact, I think everything on Iowa farms is big. I didn't get to ride in a tractor but I did get a chance to see the world from a higher-than-normal perch.


I learned that cats may never be my friends. I don't know very many but none I've met want to hang out with me. Maybe there's hope for this little fella though. He's kinda cute.



I learned that the Iowa sun can be super hot and the flies love it.

I had a chance to check out some antiques at SOS Vintage in Webster City.


Best of all, I found out that people eat well. We had a pork dinner that was out of this world - I did get to sample a couple of bites! Yum! They told me Iowa is famous for its pork, so maybe I'll get to return someday. At home, I just get dog food and, believe me, it's not as good.

Oh, I also made a whole bunch of new friends. I like Iowa!

Summertime blues!

After the groomer

I get hot in the summer and like to spend my days over the vent that blows cold air on me. I don't complain about it - much - but I do drink a lot more water.

Today I got a haircut by a new groomer. She was nice but I don't have much hair left. I don't think I'll need the cold air on me for a while.

Anyway, I got to go for a ride on the golf cart and the breeze felt really cool!

On the golf cart

I want summer to end!

Mom and Dad go on trips without me. They leave me at home because "it's too hot in the car." Maybe they know more than I do, but I just want to be with them.

I hate staying at home alone. When they leave, I never know when they're coming back. It always seems like F-O-R-E-V-E-R!

I take a nap but I can't sleep all the time. Peanut, my little sister, never wants to play. Life isn't easy when you're a dog.

Besides, when they leave I can't get any treats.

My New Book

It's out! Yippee! My tail is wagging!

Famous Dogs: Changing History One Dog (& Cat) at a Time is available on Kindle. Don't know for sure what Kindle is, but Mom said it's good.

Next to the great dogs I wrote about, the best news is that my name is on the cover. Check it out on Amazon.

It's so much fun to be an author and it's special to write about the dogs and the cat in this book.

Dogs are busy too

Mom thinks she's busy working on her books but look at my life!

I have to motivate her every day. I start by waking her up - I figure if she sees my energy, it will rub off on her. So far, it hasn't worked very well.

If she starts work and just stares at the computer screen, I have to do something special to give her ideas. I sit on her lap and keep her warm but I know she thinks better when I'm close by.

I spend a lot of time letting her give me massages 'cause she needs thinking time.


I ask for a lot of treats during the day because it gives her exercise. I give her plenty of breaks when I let her take me outside.

I have to tell you, by the time she puts her computer up for the day, I'm worn out! I need more naps.

It's a working dog's life but somebody has to do it!

Mom, come home

Me - protecting our backyard

Mom's been gone forever... It's just Dad and Peanut and me. Pretty dull around our house. But I've done a great job of keeping Mom's chair warm. I chase all the squirrels away, bark loud to protect our house, take care of Dad, and just keep everything ready for her to come.

I think when she gets here, I'll give her a big sad-eyed, I-haven't-had-any-treats-since-you've-been-gone look and see if it works. She's a softie anyway. I won't chase Peanut for at least the first few minutes and I'll give her plenty of chances to play with my toys.

Wouldn't you think she'd hurry home for that? I don't know what else I can do - besides lots of kisses. I may even let her hug me.

Me - keeping her chair warm

If you see her, will you ask her to hurry?

Doctors, Groomers and Dads

Ooh, Mom is packing my bag with my food, pills and peanut butter. That means we’re going someplace and I get to ride in the car – one of my favorite things.

Yesterday I went back to the doctor. He is sending me to a special doctor – a d??? (I’ll have to ask Mom how to spell it… Mom!... ) dermatologist. Don’t know what that means but I still have big problems with my allurgeez. Did I tell you Mom makes me a wear a shirt all the time now?  Yuck!

Stephanie, my groomer, gave me another bath. Don’t like the bath but she sure knows how to make me feel special. It’s all kissy, kissy lovin’ and that makes the bath okay.

Anyway, I left looking handsome as usual! Dad picked me up. He’s cool but he doesn’t tell me how handsome I look. He’s a good dad though. He holds me for a long time every morning, takes me for rides on the golf cart, lets me play outside while he’s doing whatever stuff he does and rubs my tummy whenever I want him to.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I think I speak for all dogs when I say our human dads make us happy.  I think I’ll give Dad a few extra licks on his knees tonight – let him know I love him sooooo much.

Allergies don't go away.

I wish my allurgeez would go away for good. I had to go back to my doctor again. He's a nice guy but he always gives me pills or shots. Pills are good cause I get them in peanut butter. Shots are bad.

Mom asked the doctor if she should quit giving me peanut butter. My goodness gracious, what a horrible thought. I love that sticky gooey stuff in my mouth. I'm glad he said peanut butter is good for me.


Me - in my baby shirt -tail draggin'

You won't believe what Mom did to me though. She bought a baby shirt and is making me wear it. I know it's to keep me from scratching' and lickin' but get real, Mom. I'm a dog, not a baby. I've been really quiet since she put the shirt on me. Maybe she'll figure out I don't like it.

Sometimes it's hard to be a dog - especially one with allurgeez.

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.

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.

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.

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.