Valentines Shmalentines

So here we are again on the eve of the biggest romantic holiday of the year. My mom reminded me last week that all my girlfriends would be anxiously awaiting the arrival of a romantic Labbie gesture of love from yours truly. However after much debate on appropriate gift ideas (and the fact that Petco closes soon) I've decided that Valentine’s Day is really an overrated holiday. Today's Valentine’s Day gifts are really not suitable for my group of friends. Cards will be shredded, jewelry will be ingested and chocolate...well...that speaks for itself! I pride myself on the ability to give each of my girlfriends (there are quite a few now) and friends plenty of love and affection 365 days a year. Not to mention the countless gifts of dog treats, use of my toys and fun sleepovers I provide! I hope this year all of my friends recognize that love, affection and thoughtful gifts should be given year round and not just for one day. Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Paw Pack Management Committee

So I'm happy to report that my pack and I had a successful year of walks and playgroups! We managed to recruit a solid group of members made up of Central Massachusetts’s finest dogs. Looking ahead into 2012 it is quite apparent that my mom is going to need some extra help and my position as Playgroup Ambassador will be changing and I'll need to appointment additional members to the management committee. Holding a management seat is quite competitive in this business and as you can imagine it's stirred up quite the competition amongst the other members. My friends are vying for the job of a lifetime and every playgroup is like an interview! The ideal candidates must possess the following attributes:

Strong leadership qualities, the ability to maintain calm-assertive behavior throughout playgroups and walks, properly enforce playgroup rules and regulations, treat all members equally, take new members under their paw and help them properly adjust to playgroups, supervise proper travel etiquette, assist in proper documentation of visits (Paw Pack Pawgress Reports). Higher level duties to include extensive research of local parks and trails, advertising and developing our brand in the dog community.

The role of a management committee member within the Paw Pack Adventure Club is an elite position. We have a great reputation to uphold and I have high expectations for each candidate. The application enrollment period is officially open!

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!