Fall Fetch Fiasco

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. There are endless piles of leaves to play in, lots of hikes with my friends and of course there's always time for my favorite game of fetch! One of the most vivid memories I have of fetch happened one sunny fall evening last year. My dad had come home from work that day ready to play with me. As soon as he jumped out of the car he tossed me his keys. GAME ON I thought! I took off into the backyard at top speed with the keys flying in the wind when all of a sudden I took a sharp turn and lost my footing. The keys flew out of my mouth and disappeared into the millions of leaves scattered all over the yard. I frantically began turning up every leaf I saw trying to find the keys but turned up with nothing. I walked slowly back to my dad to deliver the bad news and within minutes we had assembled a key rescue mission. As my mom, dad and I paced around the entire property I started to get anxious. It was quickly starting to get dark and there was still no sign of the keys. I had really messed up this time...now I'll never get to play fetch again! All of a sudden my mom saved the day and found the keys hidden under a pile of leaves! After a brief celebratory key reunion I got a long lecture from my dad about the rules and regulations of fetch and was banned for life from playing with keys. Moral of the story...keys and fetch don't mix!!

Big Brother Gus

So I've decided I really want my parents to get me another sibling. Sometimes it gets so lonely after my friends go home and it would be REALLY nice to have a playmate 24/7!  My parents tried to explain to me that a new puppy is a lot of work and could be very disruptive to my daily routine but I don't care! In attempt to give me a reality check my parents brought home one of the newest Paw Pack puppies to stay with us. He looks exactly like me but on a smaller scale and acts just like I did as a young pup. This is going to be great I thought.  I can show him all my favorite spots, teach him some cool wrestling moves and basically get him to do whatever I want him to do! Reality set in however, around midnight last night when the fun hadn't stopped for him and he still wanted to play. I, however, was well past my bedtime and in need of some serious rest and relaxation! After a sleepless night I begged my mom for the morning off work to catch up on my sleep and assess my pseudo little brother. I love the little rascal but the incessant ear pulling, using me as a doggie jungle gym and stage 5 clinger tendencies is a lot to handle at my age! I tried to complain but they simply remind me that he's a puppy, he looks up to me and wants to be just like me. They also point out that I was the same way when I was his age, which I find hard to believe! I suppose it's not so bad when he's tired and curled up next to me in a cute puppy power curl but I think I'd be happiest enrolling in a Big Brother-Little Brother program where the puppies come to visit during the day and I get my bed to myself at night!

Embarrassing Moments

Have you ever had one of those days when you completely embarrass yourself in front of your friends? Here I was showing off my running skills at the park. I'm running top speed through the woods, stick in my mouth, wind whipping through my fur and my friends desperately trying to keep up. I casually glanced back to taunt them and then all of a sudden I see it a second too late...the tree root came out of nowhere and I found myself fly through the air completing a somersault and a half and then landing with a thud behind a tree. I laid there for a few seconds hoping that no one saw my spill. Then I casually got up, looked both ways and trotted back to the trail as if nothing happened. It appeared as though I was in the clear until my mom started pulling out all the leaves and sticks that were stuck in my collar...oh the horror!! I tried to not to let it ruin my field trip despite my friends giving me a hard time about it. My fall was old news by the end of the trip.  One of my friends succeeded in having his own embarrassing moment and everyone forgot about my fall and teased him!  Moral of the story...everyone has embarrassing moments; learn to embrace each of them and not hide behind trees!

Father's Day

So my mom reminded me yesterday that Father's Day is quickly approaching. As usual I've waited until the last minute to shop so now I have to cut into my playgroup time to take a trip to the store. I started asking my friends what they were buying their dads, thinking maybe I can use one of their gift ideas. I was just about to "borrow" one of my friend's ideas when my mom stepped in and told me I needed to take some responsibility and think of my own gift. There's a strategy behind my gift giving; the way I see it if he can't use my gift then I'll be happy to take it for myself! I also hate to shop so I need to plan out exactly what I'm getting to avoid wandering aimlessly through the store and buying things I have no use for. Here's what I have it narrowed down to:

Pitching Machine: This gift will allow my dad to spend more time relaxing and less time throwing the ball; an ideal gift for me as I will have a fetching partner 24/7.

Doggie Door: Imagine the possibilities with this gift...he can nap on the couch while I casually let myself out to the bathroom. There's also a 2 for 1 sale running on these doors and I'm thinking we could also install a door near the pool area...

Whatever I decide to buy I hope he knows how much thought I put into my gift. Bottom line...shopping for others isn't so bad as long as you keep yourself in mind!

Grooming for Guys

Has anyone realized how fancy the grooming process has gotten these days?? I personally don't see the point in going to the groomers. Back in the old days taking a dip in the river after a day of playing in the dirt was the most cost-effective and efficient way to get clean. But ever since I started rolling around in unidentified objects my mom has insisted on dragging me to the salon. I have to say it's quite damaging to my ego; especially when I have to explain to my friends why I smell like a girl and am wearing a fancy ribbon around my neck. Not to mention how expensive it is; I have to play in 3 playgroups to pay for each grooming session! Since my mom has all these grooming options to choose from I've come up with the ultimate male grooming package idea so I don't end up getting the Fluff & Puff Pawdicure package:

Paw Pack Sporting Package:

30 Minute Mud Bath Soak: Soak tired paws in one of many luxurious mud puddles! Mud bath includes fresh leaves, berries and sticks to add extra shine to your coat.

30 Minute River Rinse: for best results lay stomach down in the water; roll and splash around as necessary!

30 Minute Air Dry: Take a nice run through the trails and let the wind whip through your fur; you'll leave the woods smelling of fresh air!

Price: Free!!

Get the Paw Pack Sporting Package twice a week and you'll feel like a new dog!

Quarter Life Crisis

So as much as I hate to admit it I'm getting older. My 4th birthday is quickly approaching and I'm finding that I'm having a bit of a quarter-life crisis. Let’s start with the dreaded hair loss....My mom says it's no big deal since all dogs shed but it definitely seems like more than previous years. Someone also pointed out that I'm looking more white than yellow!!!! I'm definitely not as petite as I once was; I used to be able to eat anything and still stay slim but now every extra snack I eat goes straight to my thighs. I find myself having to take more naps than usual; when I was a puppy I could run around all day long and still have energy to spare. These days I'm out of commission after one measly playgroup with my pack! In order to keep my youthful stamina I am determined to defy the aging process. I located some yellow paint downstairs that will most certainly rejuvenate my fur color. I'm also putting in a request with my mom to recruit some senior citizen dogs for playgroups; at least being surrounded by old folks will make me feel younger and better about myself. Finally much as I hate to do it I'm going to embrace my extra naps and enforce an early bedtime in attempt to keep up with my old play schedule. It's a well known fact that labs don't REALLY slow down well until their 8th year; this plan is guaranteed to work! If not I guess I'll be forced to retire and lay by the pool all day...getting old is ruff!!

Doggie Dating

So I'll admit it...I lead a very active dating life. I'm at the age where I'm enjoying life and not quite ready to make a long term commitment to one dog. My mom has been trying to play matchmaker by way of my playgroups; cleverly designed to present me with potential dogs. I know she's trying to help but honestly it's kind of embarrassing having your mom supervise your play dates!! I have 3 prospects at this point but I have to say it's quite challenging juggling all of them! Take today for example; I had 2 play dates in 1 day! My mom says I need to give equal attention to all of them so I had to take them out on individual dates. I like to shower my dates with treats but I gotta tell you; my entire allowance goes to feeding them! I do try to be very careful about not taking one girl to a park close to where the other girls live.  I think my afternoon date might have suspected I had an earlier play date though; she definitely smelled the other girl.  Lately all 3 of them have been pressuring me to become exclusive on Dogbook; oh the pressure!!!!!  Bottom line...dating multiple dogs is exhausting; maybe we should all just be friends.....

Winter Weight

I think I need to go on a diet. My collar started feeling kind of snug last week but I didn't think much of it; I mean collars shrink from time to time right?? Then I overheard the ladies at the grooming place call me "Gus-Bus." Wow, really?? Then my worst fears were confirmed when I had to get weighed at the vet the other day. I clocked in at a whopping 103 lbs.  Apparently I've graduated from a short bus to a Greyhound!  Time to get motivated...only 3 more months until swim season!! I've tried Weight Watchers in the past but honestly I felt a little awkward being the only male in my weekly meetings. Tracking food consumption is very tough; I mean who really counts all of their food pellets?? Sometimes I throw a mouthful of food on the floor and estimate the points but then I get so hungry I just end up gobbling them up without counting...I definitely lose track of my daily "BLT's" though (bites, licks, tastes). My mom has even been cutting back on my rawhide bones and dog treats; now I get puppy treats...half the size and definitely not as fun. I think I'll have to talk with my pack and see about upping the ante on our trail hikes. That should do the trick since I cannot give up food! Ok enough of this diet talk...I'll start on Monday...time for a snack!

Gus's Top 5 Creative Ways To Get Food

5.  Take up archeology as a hobby...anything found digging outside, under cushions and coffee tables is fair game and usually edible

4.   Envision yourself as a lion...like an injured gazelle old people and toddlers possessing food are easy   targets

3.  Familiarize yourself with your local kitchen...perform daily reconnaissance during mealtime hours

2. Perfect the art of looking pathetic...head tilts, furrowed brows, and resting your head on humans’ laps greatly increases your chances of receiving a tasty treat

1. Turn tricks...If necessary perform every trick you know to really impress the fans

Search & Rescue

In my recent trips to the dog park I have been witness to many incident and have seen common themes throughout. Today, was definitely one of those days. While trailblazing with my pack, we stumbled upon a very anxious and bewildered man. He began shaking a leash in the air and pointing in different directions as he spoke with my mom in his native tongue. After a few minutes, we left the poor guy and continued on our way. It only took us a few minute to realize what was wrong. Out of the woods comes a friendly, yet ownerless Husky. It was then that I realized it was clearly the owner who was lost and not our new friend, who had found us without any problem. In the end, my pack and I were able to help reunite our companion with his lost and very appreciative owner. I think the lesson that can be learned from today is that whether you are a dog or human, everyone should belong to a pack = )