31 Oct  2009

This was a special day.  I could tell something was different  First off, it was one of those days when dad didn't have to get up early.  So I stayed next to dad's bed quietly waiting.  When I felt dad stirring, I got up and gave him a kiss.  Dad made room for me up on the bed.  Oh good - schnuggle time.  I like schnuggling with dad.  I made myself all comfy on the bed next to dad.  I'm a lucky dog - a lucky lucky dog - I get to be on the bed with dad.  Mom turned on that TV thing, and they watched some of that news stuff.  Mostly the news is boring, but sometimes they have interesting animal stories.  I watch closely then.  My very favorite channel is Animal Planet.  After a while mom turned on some western movie for dad.  Dad watched it for a while.  When it was over, dad got up and started moving.  I know it was cold outside, but dad's bed was nice and warmie.  I stayed on the bed.  I heard dad making that coffee stuff for mom.
It smells good, but I don't like the taste.

After a while mom got up too.  I kept my eyes closed so mom would think I was sleeping and not make me go out.  I heard mom let the other dogs out.  Then after a bit mom started working in the kitchen making breakfast.  I am always a hungry puppy, so I got up to see what mom was cooking.  When dad is in the kitchen I always get goodies.  Mom always scolds dad for feeding me.  She says I am too pushy.  But when dad isn't watching mom slips me little treats too.  I like my mom.  But after a while mom said I was in the way and she put me out with the other dogs.  Oh-well.... nothing to do but play with Daisy and Justin. Grandma Quiver was outside too, but she doesn't play with us puppies much any more.  Grandma Quiver has been getting sick.  She says she is OK, but I am worried that she will go away like Uncle Parker did.  That is a very scary thought for us puppies.  But Uncle Justin was ready to play, so we had a good time.

After the human breakfast dad left some bits on his plate and he brought me in to lick it up.  Dad always watches over me that way - he always saves me a little bit of his food.  While dad was cleaning up the table I heard mom getting the doggie-breakfast ready.  Mom is a really good cook.  Our yummy dog food would be good enough.  But mom makes it hot by putting hot water in it, then she adds in other goodies.  Today mom put the bacon grease over our breakfast.  Then mom and dad let the other dogs in from the yard.  Mom took two bowls of food to my dog-mom Sammy and my sister Daisy.  Dad took the two bowls to Grandma Quiver and Uncle Justin.  When dad came back he gave me my bowl.   Mmmmmm... I'm a happy dog - a happy happy dog.....  I get my breakfast.  It sure was yummy - I gobbled it all down.

After breakfast dad put me in my bed, then he and mom went out shopping.  They came back a while later with bags of that candy stuff, and some of those heavy orange balls.  HEY... I REMEMBER THIS!  This is the day that people come to the door and get candy.  And then I had a flood of memories.  This was the same day a year ago that Uncle Parker made my dad understand that I was his special new puppy.  It was the beginning of my really fine life with my dad.  And it was also nearly the end of Uncle Parker.  So I was very happy and very sad at the same time.  After this day last year my dad started training me.  I earned my Star Puppy Certificate.  I earned my Canine Good citizen Certificate.  And I won two dog shows and earned a Rally Novice title in only 3 dog shows.  I have been on a few dog-show trips and several hikes with my dad.  And lots of GREAT ADVENTURES.  I really really do have a good life here.  

Ohhhh - Uncle Parker, I miss you so much on days like today.  I know dad still misses you to.  But I know dad loves me very very much too Uncle Parker.  One day he was telling someone about you, and he called you River.  Dad gets confused some times I guess.  So I ran to my dad to tell him I know what today was, and that I miss Uncle Parker, and that I love my home and my family.  Dad was in the living room sitting on my doggie-bed.  So I ran up to him and gave him a big doggie-kiss.  Dad laughed.  When dad laughs it means he likes it, so I started kissing him some more.  Pretty soon dad was on the floor laughing and trying to get away.  I was sticking my tongue in dad's ears and I wasn't going to let dad get away.  This game is always fun, but after a bit I had to let dad get away.  Dad hugged me and told me I was a good puppy.  We sat on my bed a while together, just enjoying sitting there together.  Dad was petting me, dad always pets me and rubs me when we are together.  I like it when dad touches me. The rest of the day was just normal stuff - until it got dark.  Then more fun started.

Uncle Parker, I remember how you hid in the shadows and waited for the little humans in the funny clothes to come to the door and ring the bell.  Then you would jump up out of the shadows and bark WOOO WOOO WOOO at them.  They would scream and run away until dad would call them back for their candy.  And you would stand by the door wagging your tail.  When I tried it they would laugh at me.  Well - they are not laughing any more!  And I understand why you thought this was so much fun.  I stayed low, in the shadows near the floor, just like you used to do Uncle Parker.  I would see the little humans coming up the walkway.  It was so hard to stay still.  I know my tail was wagging.  Then they would ring the bell, and I would leap up with a deep loud WOOO WOOO WOOO just like you used to do.  They would scream and jump back and run.  Then dad would call them back for their candy.  It was great fun, and I would stand by dad wagging my tail while they got their candy.  Some of them wanted to pet me, so dad let me out and I got to hop around the yard with all the little humans.  I was having a great time, but after a while no one came to the door any more. Maybe I scared them all away.  Mom shut the door, dad turned off the TV thing, and it was time for bed.  I remember last year mom let us have the big orange balls to play with and eat in the back yard.  I hope she give them to us again this year.

Well - I am getting tired.  It was another fine doggie day.  More later - time for bed.