Animal Tracks

One of my favourite things about winter is discovering animal tracks in the snow. Every find is an exciting glimpse into recent history. Just knowing that another animal walked, hopped, or scampered past is an exciting reminder that I share my community with many other animals.

To date I've seen mouse, dog, and bunny tracks, but am hopeful I will find other species in the future. When I am lucky enough to find new tracks I smell them deeply and follow them until they end. This makes me feel like a detective hot on the trail of someone that's trying to elude me. One day I hope to find, smell, and explore the tracks of a masked shrew, red fox, or white-tailed deer. That would be so exciting!

It strikes me that I live very differently from these full time woods creatures. It's hard to imagine a mouse getting cuddles in the "grandpa chair" or a red fox watching movies with his or her parents. Despite our differences I suspect we all want the same "creature comforts" like food, water, a warm, safe place to sleep, and family members to love and be loved by.

Finding animal tracks in the snow reminds me that each of us leaves a unique mark on the world, waiting to be found, examined, and marvelled over.

With love & cuddles,

Lottie

Lesson # 33 Go forth and leave your mark!

The Christmas Tree

Jenny explained that since Christmas was fast approaching it was time to put up the tree. She reminded me that everything had to be ready in time for Santa's visit on Christmas Eve. The degree to which my parents fussed over the tree led me to believe he was very particular. Jenny asked me if I liked it, but how could I like something that looked and smelled so artificial?

First, Dad brought the tree upstairs, removed it from a long box and carefully put the pieces together. Once it stood upright he and Jenny carefully opened the branches. Little pieces fell onto the floor but they didn't seem to mind. Next came a string of lights then the garland. It was funny to see my parents paying so much attention to a pretend tree when they barely noticed real trees! I on the other hand love running under and around trees in my never ending search for bunnies. So what made this fake tree so special? Why is it only set up once a year?

Just when I thought the tree was dressed up enough they decided to embarrass it further by adding ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Some ornaments looked like tiny replicas of children's toys while others were homemade or hand painted. Many of the glass balls and other equally delicate ones were placed near the top. Did my parents think I would knock them down and break them?

After the ornaments came one final touch. Dad placed a small girl with wings on the very top. Why would a girl have wings? Did she live in Christmas trees? Would she watch over us? Will she come alive on Christmas day? I imagined that she might swoop down to tell us that it's time to open up the presents. I wonder if she knows the tooth fairy? I hope Santa brings me chicken treats.

I must admit that despite the silly decorations, and bad smell of the fake tree it looks very beautiful!

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson #32 Don't let your tree be a fashion victim. Decorate responsibly!

Idiosyncrasies

Jenny taught me a new word. It is called idiosyncrasies. She said it is a kind of peculiarity or eccentricity that helps to characterize someone. I told her that I didn't have any, but she disagreed. According to her most dogs or people have idiosyncrasies and don't even know it. They sound kind of sneaky to me. She said that you have to get to know someone very well before their idiosyncrasy becomes visible. She says I have two.

Idiosyncrasy no. 1 - obsessive paw licking

Apparently I become mesmerized when I lick my front paws. Jenny attributes this to my high strung, obsessive nature. I prefer to think of myself as alert, and focused. I mostly lick my front paws when I'm bored, which is quite often. I find the days long especially during the cold season. My parents give me a lot of attention, but sometimes it's not enough and I have to take matters into my own paws.

Idiosyncrasy no. 2 - sitting down while I eat

My parents have never seen a dog eat sitting down before. I don't see the big deal, after all they eat sitting down everyday! So what's the difference? Whenever I do it they find it amusing and tell me I look cute, but I eat sitting down for a very good reason that has nothing to do with cuteness. My front legs are much shorter than my back ones so if I eat standing up I slide around on the kitchen floor. To avoid sliding I have to control my muscles and shift my weight around. As you can imagine it is most annoying. It didn't take long before I realized that sitting would be the solution.

Although I pride myself on my keen powers of observation I'm not sure what my parents idiosyncrasies are yet. It's almost like the moment when you're out walking in the grass and you smell something familiar but completely unidentifiable. I will have to watch them more closely and report back at a later date.

I shall show great resolve in my resolve to solve this mystery!

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 31 Idiosyncrasies are both fascinating and contradictory. They are simultaneously unique and common, hidden and revealing.

Opportunities

I ran so fast this morning my feet almost lifted off the ground! Jenny and I had barely begun our morning walk when we saw something amazing just metres down the street. Without any hesitation on our parts we bolted towards dozens of unsuspecting Canada Geese. Up they flew startled and angry, frantically filling the sky with their massive bodies. We kept running up and along the grassy burm for many metres until we stopped abruptly to watch and listen. The huge group of birds divided themselves in half. One group went westward up over the highway, while the other flew eastward towards the river. We stood there captivated until their honking faded away. I reverberated with excitement and found it increasingly hard to contain myself. Eager to hold onto this feeling I replayed the moment in my mind as we continued our walk together. What luck! It was a feathery opportunity that just doesn't present itself everyday.

Much to my pleasure an opportunity of a different kind quickly became visible. I slowly leaned over, wiped my neck into the grass then threw myself onto the ground. As I lay on my back I shook from side to side in a motion Jenny likes to call my "wiggle worm". At home she finds this amusing but at this moment she shouted "Lottie stop! That's goose poop! Yuck! Dirty." She gave my leash one quick yank then I was up and moving along beside her while she continued to say "Yuck! Dirty". After announcing it was time to go home I foresaw the haircut and shampoo which would undoubtedly follow, but it didn't matter. Before we made it home I decided that it was worth it.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 30 Seize all opportunities big or small without regret!

The Mirror

Jenny did the strangest thing today. She picked me up, held me tight, and made me look at myself. I stared into a mirror, and I didn't like it one bit. First, I don't like being picked up (unless I'm tired or being placed into a lap). Secondly, I don't understand why she wanted me to watch myself in the mirror.

I've been trying to figure out this human mystery but so far no luck. What is the mirrors purpose?

Was Jenny trying to show me something? I don't know what it could have been, afterall I know what Jenny looks like and she knows what I look like. Besides the mirror made Jenny and I look funny. It mostly looked like us, but we looked slightly different somehow, almost backwards.

Was she waiting for something to happen? Was the mirror supposed to talk like the movie box does? I've never caught the mirror doing anything. It just sits there and doesn't move, speak, or eat. We have many other objects in the house that perform a function. The chair pulls out for sitting, the refrigerator opens and closes and most importantly holds food, the plants grow, the radio sings, but what does the mirror do?

The mirror was smooth and sleek and kind of clear almost like the window, but much less useful in my opinion. The window lets me see many things. It shows me the streets around us, trees, houses, birds, people passing by, cars, dogs, and it also keeps the cold wind out.

When windows are clean (not like the car windows that I lick compulsively) I believe they showcase the world accurately. As far as I can tell the mirror shows us only distorted images of ourselves.

While I'm no closer to understanding what the mirrors purpose is, I do feel that I understand what it is not. It is not truthful or useful and should be moved aside for something that is.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson # 29 Mysterious things devoid of truth or utility have no place in a happy home.

Fears

As hard as I try to act tough, there are three things that make me want to run home and hide.

1. The garbage truck

It has been many sleeps since I last heard the shriek and rumble of the garbage truck and even longer since I saw it head on, but it is enough to last a lifetime. You may think I'm being dramatic, but to me the garbage truck is frightening. It is the biggest and strangest looking car I've ever seen. I think it likes to taunt me with its frequent starting and stopping. It wants me to lower my defences and think everything is fine then once it believes I've fallen for the trick, it will run me down. I've noticed it doesn't treat its rider well either. It makes him stand (not sit like in a normal car) outside in all temperatures. It's just a cruel, noisy machine. I don't know why Jenny isn't scared of it. Sometimes I think she is not as sensible as she appears.

2. The dark.

I really don't like being outside after dark. I hate not being able to see much past my nose. How am I supposed to protect my parents or myself if I can't see? What if something jumps out in front of us? I need advance notice of such things so I can formulate a plan. Daylight affords me this precious time. When deciding whether to attack or run I need to weigh the odds. The exception to this is bedtime. That is the only time I find the dark calming. During these moments the darkness helps me fall asleep even faster than usual.

3. The veterinarian.

I don't like visiting his house at all. He always has different animals there who look and smell scared. He also pokes at my teeth, claws, and sometimes gives me a needle or worse! I've been the victim of drugging on two occasions. Most recently, I woke up afterwards and was sore for days. I don't know why my parents keep taking me back there. I know they love me so they must have a reason. So what is the reason?

After these scary moments have passed I return to my regular self, but the memory is never far behind me. In fact it sometimes creeps into the present from the future. Jenny says that if I want to stop being scared I have to be courageous and face my fears head on. She makes it sound like a final showdown from a cowboy movie. Do I feel lucky?

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 28 Fears differ and overcoming them takes more than luck, it takes courage.

The monster and the strangers

I'd like to report that the lump I recently had removed was a histiocytoma! Although this sounds bad, it isn't. My parents told me that it is a another way of saying benign tumor, which means I can continue being my cute self for many years to come.

This past week seemed rather ordinary until last night. It all started when Jenny and I returned from our walk. We came up the driveway and as I got closer to the window I saw a monster! It had an orange face that glowed with a smug kind of evil that seemed vaguely familiar. Had we met before? I didn't know what to do so I ran up to it and barked. It didn't do anything but stare. It did this so well that I didn't see it blink once! Jenny told me not to worry then we went inside.

I decided to visit Dad. After a few minutes I stopped thinking about the glowing face and fell asleep. The next thing I remember was being woken up by people at the door shouting "Trick or Treat!" I wanted to run and see who it was but Dad said I had to stay with him. No amount of whining changed my parents minds. Why wouldn't they let me see who it was? I could have told the strangers to go away. Wouldn't they have appreciated this? The people couldn't have been friends or family because none of them stayed. Who were these strange people?

After a long time Jenny opened up the door and I ran into the living room. The strange face was still there but now it was on the floor, and it wasn't glowing. Was it dead? Did it jump off the windowsill and die? I ran over to the mysterious entity and smelled it. It had a warm, chemical kind of plastic smell. Next I noticed it had a very long tail with two sharp points on it. I've never met anyone with a tail like that. Once I determined it posed no threat to my family I turned my back on it and walked away.

This morning when I entered the living room I noticed that it was gone. Was it all a dream? Or did it trick me into believing it was dead so it could get away? Why are there so many questions and so few answers?

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 27 Strange things sometimes occur without warning or explanation.

Being a dog

I'm pleased to report that my stitches are out. All that is left of my lump is an unpleasant memory. Jenny said she is still waiting for my test results, whatever that means. I'm just happy that my life has returned to normal. I've been up to my usual antics (chasing squirrels, looking for bunnies, eating street food, barking at everyone, napping, obsessively licking my paws, watching movies with my parents etc....) and nothing could make me happier.

I love my life! I am so grateful that I'm a dog and not a cat, or a mouse, or a leaf. When I was a young pup there were times when I hated being a dog. I was taken from my mother and siblings to go live with a mean person. Those days were long and scary. Fortunately that was many seasons ago. I sometimes have bad dreams about the whole experience, but never give it a moments thought when I am awake. Now I share my life with two nice people. To my parents I'm Lottie, also know as Lottie McDottie and I'm so happy to be a dog.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie

Lesson # 26 Embrace what you are and surround yourself with those who will celebrate you.

Barking

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love to bark! When I am outside I bark at anyone that passes by whether they are people, dogs, cats, or squirrels. It really doesn't matter I just enjoy it. Barking makes me feel tough, and in control. Sometimes I bark just to hear my own voice. When I am inside I like to sit on my favourite chair look out the window and bark at everything that moves. My parents tell me to "stop barking" and after letting out one or two softer barks to show my displeasure with their command, that is usually the end of it.

But today my barking got me into trouble. I was sitting on Dad's lap in my favourite chair by the window when Jenny came in carrying tea for Dad. She was in the process of handing him the tea when I barked and startled her. She spilled hot tea on me, Dad, and both chairs. She looked shocked and Dad was angry. He put me down, stood up and wiped up himself, the chairs, and the floor. Once again I was told "no barking". Only this time I knew they really meant it. I tried my best to look cute and loveable but my efforts were all in vain. After this I kept extra quiet and held a sorry, repentant look on my face.

Shortly thereafter they told me that they loved me, but that I needed to be a good girl and to save my barking for important things. This will be really challenging for me because I love barking so much, it's just part of my nature, however, I'm really going to try this time. I know that listening and observing has its rewards too. Is this why I have two ears, two eyes, and only one mouth?

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 25 Never bark more than you listen or you may end up in hot water.

The lump

My parents tricked me! Instead of taking me on a fun car ride to the park, they took me to the veterinarian! They wanted to show the man the mysterious new lump on my belly. Don't they know how much I hate it there?

The awful smell was the first thing to hit me. The place looked very clean, but smelled like a mixture of bleach and other chemicals, in addition to the smell of fear. Humans probably don't notice this since their noses are not built for it, but animals give off a unique smell when they are afraid. Fear smells kind of earthy, sweaty, and sour. It doesn't make for a relaxing environment despite the good intentions of the people there.

The lady at the front spoke softly to me and even offered me a treat this time but I declined. It's hard to enjoy a snack when you're shaking from fear. After they weighed me I got to see the vet. He seemed nice enough, but he always pokes me! This time he decided that my lump needed to be removed and sent away to a lab for testing. My parents are hoping it is benign whatever that means. After the examination the man took me away and the next thing I remember was walking back down the hall and seeing my parents. I was so tired on the way home that I could barely keep my head up. Jenny told me that the vet gave me a sedative and a local anesthetic before removing the lump and sewing me back up.

That evening was rough. After the sedative wore off I felt the pain and whimpered frequently. Jenny stayed close by and did her best to soothe me, but things didn't get any better until the next day. The 2nd day brought discomfort and minimal movement. I found it hard to get comfortable and didn't do any jumping or running. My parents kindly picked me up and put me on the couch or chair whenever they noticed I wanted up. I've also slept a lot lately. It's just easier that way. My stitches were especially itchy on the 3rd day. I had to get sneaky with my scratching since Jenny was quick to stop me which was very frustrating. Things have improved each day since then.

I still don't understand why I got a lump, or why it had to be removed, but I know myself well enough to know that there is much I don't know, and will never know. The one thing I am most sure of is that my parents love me and will do their best to keep me healthy (even if it involves a small measure of deceit). If anyone wanted my recipe for happiness I would tell them that the two most important ingredients are love and health. As I learn more I will bark you the rest of the recipe...

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 24 Look after yourself and when you can't let those who love you help.

Inter-species friendships

Since I am a dog, the comings and goings of my life are directed by my parental guardians. Everyday they make decisions regarding my food, walking, bathroom, and sleep schedule in addition to grooming, and veterinarian visitations. Most topics leave little room for negotiation, however, there is one exception. I decide who I want to be friends with.

For instance, I am friends with Chief and Toby, but not with Hudson, Zoey, or the many other dogs whose names I don't know. I can tell that my parents would like me to have more friends, but I'm afraid that is up to me. Jenny has told me that I shouldn't limit myself to dogs. She has suggested that I remain open-minded, and receptive to forming friendships with animals from other species. She says it would be enriching and rewarding.

She has told me that there are many examples of inter-species friendships. Sometimes one of the animals is orphaned, and a mother from another species steps in to help, while other times neither animal is orphaned. She claims that friendships have existed, and will continue to exist, between cats and birds, cats and rats, dogs and cats, and she even told me a story about an orphaned baby Hippopotamus named Owen who befriended a 130 year old Tortoise named Mzee in Mombasa.

Since I have never met a hippopotamus or tortoise, I'll surmise that it is because they live very far away. Maybe I should try befriending a bird instead? Perhaps I could get one to teach me how to sing? What would I sing about? Or maybe I could convince a red squirrel to be my friend? She could show me where she's hidden her treasure. I wonder if I could find a bunny for a friend? We could chase each other around the yard! Why didn't I think of this before?


With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 23 Remain open to exploring new and unusual friendships.

Work

What is work? Why do my parents have to do it? How can I stop it? It's all so puzzling.

Before Jenny announces that she is leaving for work she always tells me to be a good girl and reminds me that she'll be back later. This usually means that she will leave and not return for many, many hours, although it can also mean that she is busy with something and doesn't want to be interrupted. Apparently she doesn't need my help when she is "working in the kitchen" or "doing housework".

Daddy gets busy with work too. Sometimes he does "outdoor work" like sweeping the garage, or making the grass shorter with the noisy machine. He also runs the very loud and scary vacuum, but mostly he works on his computer.

I just don't understand what "work" is. Does the word apply to everything that doesn't involve me? Maybe if I involved myself in their work it would cease to function? Perhaps "work" is like a spell that can be broken?

Why must they focus on something other than me? What could possibly be more important than belly rubs and cuddles? How can I convince them to stop working? Maybe I could do their work for them? I'm teachable. Or maybe if I act extra sad and pull out the puppy dog eyes on them before they go, they will find someone else to do it? Aside from blocking the doorway or applying guilt I don't think I will be able to stop them. Grrr....Sometimes it's hard being a dog.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson # 22 Work is like a shape-shifter. It takes on many forms, it's hard to define, and even harder to stop.

Books

What are books? Why do my parents happily stare at them for hours? What do they do? What is their purpose?

They don't make any noise, or move by themselves. They wouldn't keep anyone warm like a blanket, they don't smell like anything special (just dust or ink), and I've never seen my parents eat them, so what is the appeal? Why do they have so many?

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not complaining. Actually I like it when they sit down and open one, because they always invite me to sit with them, and I know they won't be getting up for a long time. It's just that I don't understand what books are for. My parents stare at the movie box too, but movies make interesting sounds and show things moving (not real moving just pretend moving), that I understand.

Yesterday, Jenny sat down beside me on the couch and picked up a new book. I told her I was happy to let her join me by wagging my tail and licking her hand. Then I looked at her quizzically. I think she picked up on this because she told me that it was "book time" and she proceeded to open the book and stare quietly. I watched her expression soften and felt her muscles relax while she sank deeper into the couch. She looked happy. I don't know what the book was telling her but she was listening. Do books speak a silent language that only people can understand? I wonder if it feels anything like going for a walk and watching the sun go down? I hope she tells me more about books in the future. I'd love to unlock their mystery.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 21 Books are mysterious things that make people happy.

The three-legged cat

Today I visited the three-legged cat! I first met him a year ago but don't see him very often, however Jenny and I spotted him this morning while we were out walking.

He came towards us, and Jenny, unsure of how I would react, shortened my leash and reminded me to be nice to him. Whenever we spot a cat she tells me the same thing, "be nice to the Kitty Cat." I think she knows I'd like to chase it like I do the bunnies. She patted the cat while I checked him over. He has grey fur that is fluffy, but matted in spots. The condition of his fur and the scratches on his nose make him look tough, but his actions were surprisingly genteel. He layed down on the grass content to have human attention. Jenny continued to pet him while I gave him a good sniffing which he didn't like, so he got up and left. We continued on as well.

I enjoyed the impromptu visit and was left with a feeling of admiration for the cat. He travels amazingly well considering his condition. He walks freely and quickly with periodic stops for rest. How did he lose his back leg? Where is it now? Does he miss it? Would I fare as well with three legs? Do other animals make false assumptions about him? Is he a mouser? How is it that he is more confident with three legs than I am with four? Does he have a home? Does he have a name? When will I see him again? Will he become my friend?

As usual I have more questions than answers, but unfortunately I'll have to wait and see...... Uhhhhg! Waiting is hard.

With love & cuddles,

Lottie

Lesson # 20 Appearances can be deceiving.

Buster

I have a new neighbour. He is a little white terrier that recently moved down the street with his family. Jenny and I met him a few days ago. We had just left the house for a sunny afternoon walk when this dog came running across the lawn towards us. I barked as soon as I saw him and didn't stop until his owner called him back and Jenny dragged me away. His name is "Buster".

I could tell by the tone of her voice that Jenny was angry with me for barking, but I don't understand why it bothers her so much. It's not like she was trying to sleep or something, and I had no intention of attacking the dog. I barked to let him know that I wanted him to keep moving along. I wasn't in the mood to meet him and I didn't appreciate the disruption.

The truth is I was also a little put off that Buster wasn't wearing a leash like me. Why should he be so lucky? Don't get me wrong I love taking Jenny for walks but sometimes I would like to go exploring by myself. So why can't I? Does she think I will get lost? I certainly know the neighbourhood better than Buster. I don't mean to sound resentful, but I just don't understand.

I wish I didn't mind wearing a harness, things would certainly be easier for me. I've tried to let my parents know that I don't want to wear it by turning my back to them when they attempt to put it on me, but so far it hasn't worked. They either put it on me anyway, or suggest that maybe I don't want to go for a walk and turn away. When they do this I have to quickly put my head through it and try to help as I'd hate to miss out on a walk! How do I resolve this?

Maybe I could destroy it? I don't know how I would do this though since it looks pretty sturdy. Perhaps I could hide it? Of course I'd have to find a spot where they'd never find it. Maybe if I keep thinking a flash of brilliance will come to me? Until then...I'll wish you all well. Happy walking!

With love & cuddles,

Lottie

Lesson #19 A leashed walk is better than no walk, but not as good as an unleashed walk.

Personal hygiene

I've noticed that people spend a lot more time than dogs on personal hygiene. They shower, spray themselves with smelly perfumes, and alter their appearance with powders, paints, shaves and hair cuts. It all seems kind of pointless to me. Why do they do it?

Do they not like their own smell? Or is it that they don't want others to smell them? I happen to like my own smell and I don't care who knows it. I also don't like getting wet so showers and baths are out of the question, however I will confess that I hate getting sand or stones stuck between my claws and I do feel better after Jenny has cleaned me up.

Do they not like how they look? Or are they trying to disguise themselves? I think I'm pretty cute, at least that's what my parents tell me. Sometimes I think it might be cool to disguise myself as a bigger dog but even if all my fur stood straight up or if it was painted a different colour I wouldn't look any more intimidating, just fluffier. If I need to look scarier I just bark loudly and show my teeth. This almost always works.

Recently my parents have added two new tools to my personal hygiene regimen : beef flavoured toothpaste and a Batman toothbrush. Actually they've been brushing my teeth for a long time already but I usually have to endure peanut flavoured paste and an adult sized toothbrush. I just don't understand why they can't give me real peanut butter or beef strips? Wouldn't that be easier?

While I don't understand this I do know that they are very concerned about my teeth. They tell me they are helping me keep my teeth because they love me. I know I'm pretty lucky. I just hope all this tooth brushing works because I need my teeth!! How could I eat without them?

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson#18 Don't forget to brush your teeth!

Gifts

People are so lucky! They walk around tall and upright opening doors and driving cars, all because they are bipedal and have opposable thumbs. Such gifts! I can hardly imagine the freedom! I have to whine if I want a door opened and I don't get nearly enough car rides.

If I had the human powers of bipedal locomotion and opposable thumbs, the first thing I would do is take the car out for a drive. I'd roll down the window and stick my head out till I felt my tongue flap around in the breeze (oh wait I'm thinking like a dog) nevermind. I momentarily forgot that if I had human features I wouldn't do that. Anyway, I would borrow some money from Jenny, drive myself to the store, buy a chicken and a steak, cook it and eat it all by myself. And I wouldn't share it with my parents because they never share their food with me. Well, almost never. Jenny gives me peanut butter when she wants me to swallow a pill (she thinks I don't know but I really do)... I would also leave the house whenever I felt like chasing bunnies or barking at squirrels (oh wait I'm thinking like a dog again) nevermind...

Such freedom would be grand, but I think I would miss some things like naps. People are very busy and rarely get enough sleep let alone mid-morning naps, afternoon naps, and evening naps. What a shame. I would also miss chasing bunnies. Actually if I had to do without that I would pine for it. I never see people chasing after anything except the odd toddler that makes a break for it. I would also miss my superior sniffing ability. When I'm outside I can pick up a wide variety of scents in seconds. I'm kind of like a four legged sommelier that way. I don't think people hear very well either, so I would definitely want to keep my own ears (although thunder might not sound as scary if I had people ears).

Although I would like to experience the same freedoms that humans have I would not want to do without the gifts that all canines possess.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson#17 Appreciate all the gifts you have been given for if they are taken away you will miss them.

Fear

What a terrible week! I spent most of it shivering under the bed. As you may recall I'm terrified of thunder and lightning and there has been a lot of it lately. I don't mind the rain but no amount of reassurances can get me to go outside in such awful weather... but sometimes thunder is sneaky.

A few days ago an unsuspecting Jenny and I went out for a walk. It was perfectly nice until we hit a downpour on the last block. As we ran towards home we heard a loud crack of thunder and witnessed a blaze of lightning light up the dark sky. I could hardly contain my fear. I ran as fast as I could. When we reached the backyard I frantically dug into the earth to create a hole to hide in when I heard Jenny open the door. We ran inside.

After cleaning my paws she got out the hair dryer and dried my fur. She told me I looked like a puff ball! When she was finished I fled for the darkness and comfort of the bedroom. After spending much time under the bed my parents called me to watch a movie with them. I love movies! Watching movies means lots of belly rubs, neck scratches and attention! I hope it keeps raining so we can watch more movies (as long as it doesn't thunder). Stay dry!

With love & cuddles,

Lottie

Lesson#16 Fear like bad weather is temporary so be patient and good times will surely follow.

The Chase

I've made a discovery! There are other much smaller things to chase besides bunnies. I readily admit they are still the most fun to chase but I've had to expand my horizons as of late since there are fewer bunnies around. I don't know where they've gone but I think they are finding better spots to hide (perhaps they would be better at playing "hide and seek" than I first thought).

There are still plenty of red squirrels around and sometimes I run after them but I'd much rather bark at them. It's their own fault really, they yell and shriek in that high pitched way whenever I come close. I think Jenny would agree that this gives me the right to bark back at them.

We only have three outdoor cats in our neighbourhood but Jenny won't let me chase any of them. It's so unfair!

There is an old, thin but tough cat that is missing a leg (my parents refer to him as the three legged cat) and personally I think they get overly excited when they see him. When they're busy petting him it's like I'm not even there!!

The other cat is very fat, old, white and orange. I don't know his name but if I was his parent I would call him "killer". As you might guess, I don't like him very much and if you saw how he behaved last week I don't think you would like him either. It was awful. I was out with Daddy and we were having a lovely afternoon walk when I spotted the baby bunny and the cat playing chase in the yard. I ran towards them hoping to join in when Daddy stopped me and said to wait. That is when I saw the cat bite into the bunny's neck. It let out a shriek then it was quiet. The cat killed it! He carried the bunny closer to the house and turned his back on us. I'm not sure whether the cat ate it or not but if it did it certainly didn't need to. In truth, the cat is already so big I'm surprised he successfully caught the rabbit. After that I was anxious to move on.

The remaining cat is black and white and since we don't know his name, my parents call him "Boots". His legs are black except for his feet which are very white so it looks like he is wearing boots. I've tried to chase after Boots but Jenny won't allow it. She tells me to be nice to all kitty cats.

To get around these restrictive conditions I have recently learned to get a thrill out of chasing fish flies, crickets, and grasshoppers. Chasing such small things requires a different technique than bunny or squirrel chasing. First, I have to walk very slowly and quietly in the grass. Then I have to smell the ground and route through the grass slowly and thoroughly. Then if I'm lucky a tiny thing will bounce up into the air and I'll have to react fast by chomping down or jumping on it. So far I haven't caught one but I'll keep trying!!

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



P.S. Lesson# 15 If you are adaptable you will always enjoy the thrill of the chase.

Vocabulary

Jenny tells me I have an impressive vocabulary for a dog. I'm not surprised, she spends a lot of time talking to me. She has taught me many words and phrases. My favourite topics of discussion involve walking, running, eating, sleeping, cuddling, and going for car rides. I never tire of these things. I've surprised my parents a few times by listening when they thought I was sleeping or when they thought I couldn't hear them whispering. Sometimes they forget that I can hear better than them.

It is very comforting to know that things and actions have names. It makes the world seem less chaotic and makes me feel like I have a place in it. For instance, when I'm out with Jenny and if she sees a "bunny" before I do she will say "look, a bunny!" and we will chase it together. When we reach a hill she asks me if I want to "go up the hill" and if I do we will run up it. If I don't I proceed to ignore her or munch on grass. Whatever I decide, it feels like we understand each other and are experiencing something together. I know that some owners don't talk to their dogs unless they are mad at them or wish to teach them silly tricks for their own amusement. I feel very sad for these dogs. If only their owners knew how much untapped potential was inside each of us I think they would treat us differently.

The only downside to having a full vocabulary is that sometimes you have to hear things you don't like. My least favourite words involve teeth brushing, veterinarians, and ticks. Hmmm...If only I could figure out a way to make these words disappear perhaps I wouldn't have to experience them.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson #14 An extensive vocabulary will aid communication and instill a sense of togetherness that will enrich all experiences.

Curiosity

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am one curious dog. In fact my curiosity knows no limits. I'm interested in almost everything.

To the untrained eye I may look like I'm just another dog out for a walk with her parents, but in reality I'm like a secret agent checking for anything that is out of place or unusual in the neighbourhood. If I see something untoward I'll bark to notify my parents immediately. I know they appreciate this. Maybe my willingness to protect them makes me more of a superhero than a secret agent?

Anyway, I want to know all kinds of things. Which house does that person live in? What was that noise? Where is that family going? Will they take their dog with them? What are they doing? Who are they talking to? How do they treat their animal companions? Where is that squirrel hiding his nuts? Why are the little squirrels mean to the big ones with the bushy tails? Does that squirrel want me to chase him? Why is he so angry at me? What are the crows saying? Why are they looking at me like that? Are they plotting against me? Where are the bunnies hiding? What was that tiny movement in the grass? How can a grasshopper jump so high? Why do I only see butterflies in the warm season? Why do people plant flowers in their yard? Why don't people like to eat grass? Why haven't I seen the three legged cat lately? Why aren't there more cats in the neighbourhood? Are they all indoors? Where does the really tall man live? Why are those people jogging? Why is that dog looking at me like I'm crazy? Do other dogs wonder about things as much as I do? Why does it have to thunder? Why aren't my parents scared of thunder? Why does Jenny have to go to work? What's work mean?

As you can see there is so much for me to think about. Am I curious or nosy? What is the difference? Why do my parents tell me that taking me out for a walk is like walking a peeping Tom? What do they mean by this? Are they trying to tell me I'm a like a Tom cat?

I must go for a nap now, all this thinking has made me sleepy. So sleepy....

With love & cuddles,
Lottie

PS. Lesson #13 Curiosity takes you on a limitless path with twists and turns of thought. Don't forget to stop and rest for it is a long road....

A place of your own

It has occurred to me that it is not enough to live in a home with people you love. To be a truly happy and fulfilled dog you must heed the advice of a wise dog named Virginia Woof. She lived with a famously lovely but depressed human of the same name.

Ms. Woof barked that you must have a place of your own. A place within the home where you can eat a bone without interruptions, rest your weary head and escape from storms and other scary things.

I'd like to be the first dog with a blog to admit that I agree with her wholeheartedly. As a dog who lives with people I have a huge responsibility. I have to guard the house at all times (which can involve thorough investigations at all hours) and provide optimal care for my parents. I need to walk them on a regular basis and make sure they are happy and stress free. How can I do this if I don't have a place to call my own? For some dogs this place might be a small house in the back yard while for others it may be a spare bedroom. My place of sanctuary is on a cozy blue mat in the coolest room of the house (which is great in summer). It is a place where I can rest, contemplate and relax. In fact, I don't know how I would get along without it.

I think my parents would agree with Ms. Woof's advice. I notice that they too have quiet spots to read or draw. Why doesn't everyone?

With love & cuddles,

Lottie

PS. Lesson# 12. To be truly happy you must have a place of your own.

Noise

This may come as a surprise to some of you but I hate noise!! It's true. If people talk too loudly or for too long I bark at them, and when Daddy has his music too loud I leave the room. I particularly dislike the vacuum! To tell you the truth it scares me. There-- I'm dog enough to admit it. I just don't understand what it does or why it has to be so loud. At least my parents warn me before they start it up. They know it takes time to find a good hiding spot (I usually hide under the bed but don't tell the vacuum).

But the worst, noisiest thing that struck without warning happened three mornings ago.

It was a dreadful day! Jenny and I went out for our morning walk and I noticed that it was darker than usual. We had hardly begun our walk when it rained on us. Jenny and I got drenched but she was kind not to rush me (I don't really mind getting wet as long as I get dried off really well afterwards). After a short while I noticed that something in the air did not smell right. I just had a bad feeling so I turned around and headed for home. Jenny tried to convince me to do my "doggie business" but I just couldn't, not when I knew something awfully noisy was approaching.

We made it home but things got worse after Daddy and Jenny left the house. The wind picked up speed and the rain came down even harder than before, then...BOOM! It thundered. I hid under the bed but the noise continued off and on throughout the day. I had no choice but to stay hidden and wait for my parents to get home. I waited for an eternity. I was thirsty, hungry, lonely and wanted to relieve myself but I was a very good girl and held it. When Jenny finally came home she tried to take me out but I just wasn't ready yet. I couldn't stop shaking so she took me downstairs where it was nice and quiet and we waited there until the outside world calmed down.

A little later we ventured out and I was so thirsty I drank water from the puddles until Jenny stopped me. It all makes me appreciate the calm quiet home I have. What if I was chained outside like some dogs are? Or lost and aimlessly wandering the streets? I think I would have died from fright!

With love & cuddles,

Lottie

PS. Lesson#11 Noise can be annoying, a little scary, or terrifying but it always makes you appreciate the calm that follows.

Trust

Since I'm a dog living in a human dominated world I have no choice but to trust people. This can sometimes be scary but what choice do I have? Daddy says that if I develop opposable thumbs I can make my own decisions, but until that day comes I have to listen to him and Jenny and that means trusting them on a daily basis.

This morning after returning from my first walk I felt a vaguely familiar, itchy sort of feeling in my left eyebrow. Jenny must have detected my discomfort because she looked very concerned as she poked at my fur with her fingers. After smearing sticky gooey stuff onto the spot and pulling at me with tweezers she pulled out a tick! Yuck! How gross! She showed it to me for a moment before putting it into a glass jar. Ticks are so sneaky! In those brief moments when Jenny was pulling on my fur I had to trust her. I didn't know what was going on but since I know her and trust her intentions I allowed her to continue.

This evening Jenny announced that she had bought something just for me. I got very excited and my mind raced. What could it be? A bone? A treat? People food? (Well I really didn't believe it was people food but a girl can dream can't she?) It turned out to be a device called a beard trimmer! Now there is a lot about human culture I still need to learn but I do know that I don't have a beard. But it didn't seem to matter. Jenny said that it was time for a haircut and groomed me as she saw fit. While I didn't see the need at first I decided to trust her and allow her to trim away my beautiful red fur. Afterwards she told me that having shorter fur would mean fewer places for ticks to hide and would be cooler on hot days. Aww that Jenny. I knew my trust was not misplaced.

Trusting others can be scary but rewarding.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson#10 Trust your instincts and place your trust in those you love.

Street Food

Jenny and I were out for our usual supper time stroll when as luck would have it I spotted a hidden gem amongst the grass. I turned my body around and played it cool when I heard Jenny yell out a common refrain "Lottie! No street food!" Alas...my crunching always gives me away. Before I could react Jenny had her fingers in my mouth and pulled out a wet beige coloured blob with an orangey-red coating. Apparently dogs aren't supposed to eat pizza they find on the ground. I don't see why. It tasted perfectly wonderful to me. I don't know why Jenny has to spoil my fun. The strange thing is, once she takes it from me she doesn't even eat it herself...she bags it and puts it in the garbage. Why would she waste the miracle that is "found pizza"? Unbelievable!

But what can I do? She's bigger than me. Maybe I could think of a way to distract her? If I could only keep her attention on something else that might work. Or maybe I could try to chew quieter? Perhaps next time I'll gum my food for awhile, then when it's nice and soggy I could chew it super fast then swallow.

I probably shouldn't complain. Jenny tells me that I should appreciate the hard crunchy food we have at home. She reminds me that it is expensive and that "other dogs would love to eat it." If only I could talk, I'd tell her she should send it to them and leave me my street food.

Why do I like street food so much? Is it the thrill of the hunt? The knowledge that other dogs could have walked right by it and not even noticed? Or do I desire it because it is forbidden?

I really don't know, but if I ever become fluent in human the first thing I'll tell Jenny is "leave my street food alone, I found it and I'm going to eat it!"

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson #9 If you know what you want, go for it quickly and quietly or risk having it taken away.

Grass

Lately I've noticed that many people are obsessed with grass! It seems kind of silly to me. They spend so much time and energy trimming, spraying, weeding, and watering it so it will grow healthy and beautiful, yet they don't even eat it! Why would they treat it like a vegetable and not eat it? Are they worried that I peed on it? Or worse?

To be honest they don't know what they're missing. Sometimes when Jenny and I go for a walk I like to stop and snack on some grass, but she only lets me eat the really long stuff in the park (I think she worries about chemicals). I've even seen cats in my neighbourhood eat grass and they're fussy. Of course they do like catnip....

Not only do people not eat it, but they don't like to smell it or roll in it either (although I have heard that if they drink too much or go camping they will sleep on it). They also don't like it when you get it stuck on your fur and bring it into the house with you. So why do they put so much effort into something they don't eat, smell, or roll in?

I don't know...and I can't hope to understand.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson #8 Spend more time and energy on your dog than your lawn, the rewards are greater

Car rides

I had almost given up on the day until my parents said those magic words "car ride". Anyone worth their weight in dog treats will tell you that I love car rides!! After enduring rain, thunder, and an attempted assault by Chippy the Squirrel, the invitation to take a ride to the park was both unexpected and well timed.

You may wonder why I enjoy car rides so much, afterall they do come with some risks. There is always the possibility that my parents will take me back to the vet, or that I will get so warm that I get a fever and babble incessantly about squirrels, bunnies, or chicken treats. --Psst. Nevermind about this last part, Jenny just told me I'm being far too dramatic.

I think what I love the most is the explosion of new sights, sounds, and smells. I love sitting on Jenny's lap and watching the world go by. I love seeing other cars, trees, houses, buildings, dogs, water, people well everything really, go by so fast. I try to stick my head out the window but Jenny always stops me, although I have no idea why... What does she think will happen? I will admit I've eaten the occasional fly this way, but that was accidental to be sure. Anyhow, I'm in a great mood and I wish you all a smooth ride where the breezes are cool and the sights endlessly fascinating.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson#7 Take a car ride and engage your senses!

Lacey

I had a visitor for 4 days this week. Her name is Lacey and she's a dog like me but much older. Jenny told me that she's 14 years old! I think that's why her eyes are getting a little cloudy looking. She is a mutt like me and is probably a mix of Corgi and Terrier. She is medium sized with red and white fur, and has long legs (unlike me).

Her owners dropped her off at my house (Jenny says it's our house) but I don't know why. We've shared time together before so I didn't mind too much, although I did have to watch her carefully just in case she got any crazy ideas. I didn't want her eating my food, or stealing my bed, or my favourite spot on the couch, but I was most concerned that she didn't get too much attention, afterall, this is my house. I haven't told my parents but they have a weekly cuddle quota to meet and I intend on helping them any way I can.

I will admit that Lacey was a good house guest. She didn't touch any of my things or put up a fight when I reminded her that she was on my turf.

I did find two things strange though. First, I learned that she doesn't care about bunnies! We were out walking and there were several hanging around the area, and she didn't care at all. Shocking! How she can resist the thrill of the chase is beyond me. I wonder if I'll still be chasing bunnies when I'm 14? I sure hope so. Secondly, she likes to eat these yucky things called "carrots". She got so excited when Jenny offered her some she wolfed them down, so of course I got pretty excited when they were offered to me. I was horrified to learn that they were disgusting! How she can get so excited about carrots and not bunnies is unfathomable! What a funny girl!

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson#6 Accept a visitor into your home and you will learn a few things.

Time

Since I take my owners out for walks so often, I've noticed that the weather has been getting warmer. I realize that I've lived at my current home for four full seasons. I've endured rain, thunderstorms (which scare me terribly), heat, cool breezes, snowfalls, cold, snowstorms and more. Through it all I enjoy the good (munching on fresh grass, listening to the birds) with the bad (thunderstorms, freezing my paws off).

The changing seasons have helped me to measure "time". That is a word I hear a lot at home. "Lottie it's time to go out, Lottie it's time for supper, Lottie it's time to brush your teeth, Lottie it's time for bed"...It's always time to do something, to go somehere, or simply to watch the seasons change. I think time can be very exciting! At the very least it tells me what I'm supposed to be doing.

Time can go by too fast (belly-rubs that never last long enough) or too slow (when I'm getting my teeth brushed).

I think my owners like to measure time too. I hear them say things like "it's time to cut the grass, it's time to take the garbage out, or it's time to put up the Christmas tree."

Although time can be: seasonal, lengthy, minute, fun, awful, ritualistic, structured, and interesting, it is best spent with those you love.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson #5 Time spent with those you love, is time well spent.

Simplicity

I'm happy to bark that things have definitely improved since last week. I feel like my regular happy self again.

My eye doesn't hurt anymore, my energy has returned, my walks are longer, the weather has improved and brought the bunnies out of their hiding places. Hee hee! Oh the chases! I gave them a good workout this week! Now if I could only figure out a way to lengthen my leash...so close.....

A pair of ducks have moved into my neighbourhood. I've seen them before and initially thought they were just visiting, but now I'm convinced they are here to stay. I'm a little conflicted though, I want them to feel welcome here, but at the same time I have the urge to run at them just so I can watch them fly away! I wonder if Jenny would stop me?

My parents took me for a real car ride (no tricks this time) and I got to see people and places I've never seen before. I think I've gotten extra cuddles lately too!

While thinking about how much better this week has been over last, I realize that sometimes it's the little, deceptively insignificant parts of the day that can be the most gratifying.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie




PS. Lesson#4 To be happy is to recognize and savour simple pleasures.

Disappointments

It seems lately that I've had many disappointments. It started a few days ago when Jenny took me to the vet. I thought we were going for a car ride which is one of my favourite things, but in reality I was tricked! I now know that the whole point of the car ride was to take me to the doctors. Yikes! Both my parents stayed with me but they did nothing to stop the man from shining a bright light into my eyes and ears. Things got progressively worse after that. After getting poked with a needle, I had to get my temperature taken in the craziest place. I'll spare you the details but it was not pleasant. I was so glad to leave!

Unfortunately that wasn't the end of it. It's been raining so much lately that I've had my walks shortened and I haven't seen a bunny for days.

Yesterday I brought home a tick. I assure you this was not intentional. Yuck! Those free loading vampires should be ashamed of themselves. I earn my keep as a full time security guard and stress reliever but all they do is take, take, take.

Tonight I got something in my eye and accidentally scratched too hard! It is sore and judging by the sympathetic way Jenny keeps looking at me, it must look as awful as it feels. I think I'll play it up as long as I can, afterall, there's nothing like a little sympathy to take the sting out of disappointment.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson#3 We all suffer disappointments from time to time

Friends

I'm happy to say that I have two friends in the neighbourhood, Chief and Toby. Chief is a boy and Toby is a girl like me. We are all mutts and are proud of it. While I don't have anything against purebreds, I find their name exclusive and classist (and if that's not a real word it should be). What is so special about their lineage? Can't mutts be pure? Jenny tells me I'm a very good girl all the time! Anyway, friends accept each other just the way they are, cracked paws and all.
I will admit that it hasn't always been easy.

I met Chief last spring when I moved into town, and I found him rather forward. He's older, blond, and while I was out enjoying my morning walk he came right over and proceeded to smell my rear end! Of course I had to tell him off, but the next day I got even and did the same thing to him. It was all rather shocking but after awhile we got used to each other and now we greet each other warmly every time we meet.

Toby was much more difficult. She is older, white, and much larger than me. I would see her almost every weekend and I found her a little scary. So I barked at her every time for almost a year! She doggedly refused to bark back... she would just stare at me in amazement. She must have thought I was crazy. Recently, I decided that I need her as a friend so now when I see her I greet her and try to convince her to play. Truthfully, I'm very happy to see her. She still just stares at me. Hmmm...Perhaps she still thinks I'm crazy... anyhow I'm optimistic that soon we will play together.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson#2 It's important to make friends, even when it's hard.

Introductions

Welcome to my blog! My name is Lottie McDottie Glass. Yes it's a mouthful. My owners have a strange sense of humour. If you haven't already guessed I'm a dog and my maternal guardian (otherwise known as Jenny) has kindly agreed to type out my thoughts. I am a blend of pomeranian and something else but I'm not sure what that something else is. I'm probably five years old in human years but I don't know for sure. As you can see there is much I don't know, however, I do know that I'm very cute! I enjoy cuddles on the couch, napping, going for walks, chasing bunnies, barking at squirrels, smelling the ground, air, other dogs (everything really) and relaxing...although there are many other dogs in my neighbourhood I'm only friends with two (Chief & Toby). I don't like baths, strange people coming to the house, or being left by myself. I think that Jenny wants to go so I'll bark more later.

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



PS. Lesson#1 Remember to get out, smell the air, and enjoy the walk!!