Life as a big bruver

Well life has certainly changed since Tammy came to live with us. I has lots to tell you.

It is great to have someone to play with or just hang out with all day. The parents is good but they don't do dog stuff. They were a bit worried that I might be too rough with Tammy but she is a real Tomboy. We play chasey but I'm faster than her so she grabs my back leg, pulls me down and sits on me. I kick her off and roll over. She grabs my ear. I grab her jowls and then we wrestle until we feel like playing chasey again at warp speed. The parents just shake their heads - I told you - they don't dig dog stuff !

She drags me down !

Then I'm after her ! She is so cheeky .

And wrestle again !

  However, being her big Brother is a BIG responsibility and I am trying to get her to study. Being a teenager she is pretty laid back and can be obnockshus- abnoxus - A pain in the bum. Mum woulden let me put pain in the arse !
 (Whoops - sorry Mum but you can edit that out ! Yes ? )  

Tammy wanted to major in water management but I told her "Water is wet and to be avoided at all cost" , but despite my gud advice she still insists on half drowning herself in the clam shell pool all the time. I humour her now and then by snorkelling for a leaf or splashing one paw in there - but for the love of dogs that stuff is WET !

Stupid girl - She will drown ! 
Good job I is there to  watch her.

Much safer to have a dust bath.

Anyway after a lot of finks she decided to go wiv poo studies like I did, but she had a weird way of testing the stuff, she rolled in it ! Yuk - I was disgusted and very nearly gave up on her there and then, but finally she saw the light and did the good ole taste test like me. I've also shown her how to sniff things proply, but that is a mixed blessing as when I find a real intrestin smell she shoves her snoopy little snoz under mine an steals all the sniffs out of it. I jus go an pretend to find a betta one. 

These girl dogs are lazy they don't mark smells or pee on trees or anything so I has to do all the home guard stuff. Mind you she is handy as an early warning system . I don't bark much - as you know from when I got lost that time -  but being a girl she talks enuff for both of us.

She has been working very hard at obedience training and after only three classes wiv Aunty Heather she passed both her Level 1 and 2 tests. We had been practising at home every day so I reckon I must get some of the credit. Still - she did good and this week she passed her Level 3 so she is catching up wiv me. I'm learning los of new tricks and can do a weave around Mum's legs followed by a few spins and reverses. I has to be careful not to knock the ole girl over though. 

(Note from Mum - Not so much of the "ole girl" - rat bag !) 

Me an Mum wiv my Level 5 certificate - Aunty Heather even framed it for me - fanks .

Tammy and Mum wiv Tam's Level 1 and 2 Certificates

Tam practising at home wiv me making sure she does it right.

                                                                                                                           

Smokey and Tammy seem to have a thing about Mum's shoes . Smokes kidnaps em attacking anyone who tries to rescue em an Tam was found with her snoz buried in Mum's old slipper when Mum went out one day. Weird if you ask me but there's no accounting for tastes.

 We is all good mates though and usually end up at the end of the day sleeping in a circle in front of the telly with Mum and Dad.








 

On guard

Recently Tammy an me was minding our own business when I smelt something odd so we raced over to the fence to see it off. There were two big gwannas just sitting there looking at us so Tammy barked at them and I did my best squeaking but they took no notice and stayed there all afternoon which meant we had to be on guard duty for ages.

  

We reckoned they could of bin Alien spies  as Alien holes appeared in the yard next morning which had nothing to do with us obviously. 

And one evening we saw one of the turky gobblers walking along just in front of us very slowly but he suddenly picked up speed, started flapping and landed with a wallop in a tree. Never seen that before so I sat down with my mouth open and stared up at him,The parents had hysterics watching me as usual - They is so childish - but I was gob smacked - turky gobblers shouldn't do that !  I wanted to stay and see how he got down but they dragged me home. No fun at all.

Tammy met her first cidna and was all set to give it a poke with her nose but we told her it was not a good idea. She also saw the huge big hoppy roos and that made her all excited. She had to sit down for a minute to watch em . She is learning heaps and I suppose if we can call racing round like a mad dog while barking her head off "ornithology" she is doing okay for a bit of a kid. 

Sometimes she forgets who Dad is and gets all thingy and loud noises send her into a bit of a tizz. She reckons she is scared of being sent away or that someone will be cruel to her again. I keep telling her that Mum and Dad love us soooo much and that will never happen but it will take her a while to trust humans proply I fink. Well it took me over a year to be happy with jumping in or out of cars after being thrown out of one when I was a baby, so I understand and give her lots of licks and snuggle up to her when she gets frit and so do Mum and Dad. We is a happy family.

A pile of love 

  OOOOH YES - Crissmus was great. We got all dressed up for the KDOT Crissmus party. Mum thought that Tammy would be too scared to dress up but she was happy in antlers, bells and a big bow. I dressed up as Santa again an Mum an Dad had Santa hats on. We got heaps of pressies - some self destructed but we can still play with what is left of em. Mum made us some yummy bickies too. I helped her mix em and was chief taster and I reckon they tasted just as good before she baked em.

Tammy's first Chrismus pressie

Me showing Tammy how to open pressies

At the KDOT break up party

All dressed up for the party

We did have a bit of a problem with poor old Teddy . He simply blew up in the yard after having a bit of a romp with us . Mum took him off to emergency ward but he hasn't come back yet .

 Hope he gets well soon.

See you next time
Happy New Year from me an Tam ( and the parents )

My Sister and other stuff

Hi everyone ,

Well such a lot has happened since I spoke to you last that I don't know where to start.

I am just so excited as I have a Sister now . Her name is Tammy and she is wonderful. This is one of them girlie glamour photos - she is good lookin' but this makes her look like a movie star. (which she isn't) 

She has had a lot of bad stuff happen to her and is a bit scared of things . Well acshully she was scared of everything at first and a mess, but she and Mum met at the RSPCA and they just fell in love. Tammy had to go to rehab. (No she wasn't on drugs - just scared stiff.) Anyway Aunty Denise at Silver Linings Pet Rescue looked after her for a while and helped her until Mum and Dad decided that they would like to adopt her 'cause Mum kept going on and on about her and crying ! 

At first Tam came for day visits to see if she would fit in okay . Smokey cat had to be asked if he liked her too. He just sniffed her and gave her the head butt of approval. She likes cats but I did warn her that they have sharp bits. I showed her around and gave her lots of licks. Bit disappointed at first as she wouldn't play for long and kept running off in a corner and laying down all frit. I asked the parents if her batteries were flat or something. Smokey got crabby one day and got up on his hind legs to give us both one of his best right crosses and left jabs. I ducked and ran for cover but poor Tam went into melt down ( I did warn her ! ) and it took a few more visits before she plucked up courage to face him again.  Then she came for a two night sleep over and we really had some fun.

                        Smokey made his peace with her and we all had a big love in with Mum one night.

Tammy moved in with us this week and it is sooo great to have someone to play with. I let her win some games because she's a girl and  I am a gentleman. She can't really run as fast as I do though and hasn't a clue about playing with toys so I am trying to teach her. However she does know all about Aliens hiding in the ground and we are  on constant watch. When we smell them we dig Alien holes to get at them.
 Haven't caught one yet - Probably because Mum keeps filling the holes up so we have to start all over 
                                                  again. She has no idea ! We are onto it though .

               




 I let her win this one.


                                                                           












                                          Digging out the Aliens











I have no idea how we ended up like this
                But it was fun !

                                





     She decided to eat my ear - but she was very 
                          gentle - it didn't hurt .








   Tammy has become addicted to Mum's walking boots and keeps nicking one and taking it outside for a play. I have told her that the parents take a dim view of that sort of thing but she just grins ! Must admit I enjoy seeing her happy and being cheeky after such a sad beginning.  Mum is hiding the boots now.  Tam has also developed a stealth attack method for sneaking Smokey's dinner. I have to admire her as she is so
                                                                     quiet about it.

Before Tammy came Dad and me was going for our evening walk and suddenly saw a big long green wriggly thing cross the track in front of us. It flung itself into a bush and then sort of tied itself in knots to shoot up the branches. It was totally weird .  I sat there in shock. Never seen anything do that before.
              Dad laughed at me which I thought a bit unkind as he hadn't seen that happen before either.   

Then me an' Mum were walking up the back of the paddock and I saw something black and shiny next to the track. It was pretty big and I remembered seeing them before and that they weren't to be played with so I just gave it a sniff. I was on my lead and Mum was real cool - Just said "Ooops" and pulled me to the other side and we hurried past it. We don't think it even saw us as it didn't move. Mum is sort of levi
                                  - levat - leevitat - hovering above the ground now on our walks !

Last weekend the parents took me to visit some poor dogs that were in gaol. I ran up and down saying hello and they were so happy that I had come to see them. The nice lady asked if I would like to have a look at one of the cells and I said I would . Next thing I know I was locked in there and the parents were waving goodbye.  I will not repeat what I said about them - but it had a comment about their birth status.    
                       They came back though and I jumped in the car before they could get away again.

Now for some stunning news  I HAVE PASSED MY LEVEL 5 OBEDIENCE TEST . YAY - I MADE IT.

Thanks to Auntie Heather at KDOT for being so patient and teaching Mum and Dad so well !  She will       now have me and Tammy to put up

I'm learning tricks now . This is one of them . I can't have the treat until Mum or Dad say I can. I  do go a bit cross eyed though !

See you next time .

Luv and licks

Skip

 Auntie Stef from Animals Anonymous Pet Sitting took this great photo when she was looking after me one day .I is sooo handsome ! (And modest with it.)

Road trips and stuff

I'm baaa aack !

  I've been very busy since my last post . What with Christmas and road trips and my birthday and training and helping the parents with their stuff my paws have been full

Christmas was great - lots of presents for me and lots of fun. Didn't really appreciate having to wear antlers again to amuse the folks so I refused to smile for the photo at home as you can see. Stupid Santas but I did enjoy the dress up for our KDOT (Kingaroy Dog Obedience Training)  break up party which was a hoot and I wore a Santa coat as well.

Here's me opening my presents. I did have a great time with that. Santa left me a big pile of stuff so I must have impressed him with my style last year.

I smell treats !

A new toy from my Aunty Donna

   After Christmas we went on a road trip to see my Niece "Ebony", you may remember that she visited us last year and I had promised her that I would go up to her place for a visit. I didn't know how far it was though - it took two days to get there. Dad stopped lots of  times for us to stretch our legs and at one stop Mum took me for a walk next to a big lot of water. I couldn't see where it finished it was sooo big. There were a lot of strange looking things rushing around sideways on the ground so I thought I would catch one to see what it was but every time I tried to grab one it just disappeared down a tiny hole. That was a bit weird. The parents laughed at me when I looked suprised which was very rude of them I thought so I gave them a dirty look. It was soooo boring in the car .

 This is my "are we there yet look".

And this is when I decided to take a turn at driving to relieve the boredom.

We finally arrived and I had a wonderful time with my two nieces "Ebony" and "Chelsea" - Here we are having a bit of a rest after playing ball. "Ebby" is guarding her ball- I didn't want it anyway so there !

This  is Chelsea - She is a sweetie .

When we got home there was a parcel waiting for me and that was another Chrissie present for me from Mum and Dad. It is a puzzle and it took me a couple of goes to work it out but as it involves finding treats I soon had it sussed. It now takes me less than five minutes to  finish. The cat reckoned he could do better than me but he isn't in the hunt .

Talking of the cat reminds me. Dad was going into town one day and left the car door open for a minute . When he and I went back it was lucky that he looked in the back as there was "Smokey" ready to go for a ride. I got in to push him out but he told me he was fed up with me getting all the trips. He would just be a nuisance though. He once climbed onto Dad's roof rack and Mum watched the truck go down the driveway with him standing on top. She tried to ring Dad to stop him but they were half way into town by the time Dad realised. "Smokes" wasn't worried though he just walked over to be lifted down. Must admit - he has some class that cat !

I have been pretty good so far this year - apart from one mad escape after a hoppy one evening but I did come back (eventually ) when Mum called me in a very determined voice. I had lost sight of the Hoppy thing anyway and it was nearly tea time.

There was that misunderstanding over Dad's socks though. I found this soft ball in the dining room after Mum had put the clean washing away so I took it into my yard for a bit of a play . I can tell you I was pretty suprised when it suddenly  burst open and turned into Dad's favourite pair of socks, so I left it where it was. Mum found them later and I got "a look" but I denied all knowledge of it and I think I got away with it. The socks were fine - just a bit dirty looking. The parents thought that probably those aliens were to blame as they are making holes in the backyard again.

And then there was my 2nd birthday. Yay !!!!  Lots more pressies and fun. I was very happy to get a new teddy friend as unfortunately my Christmas Ted had an accident and went into ICU but didn't survive. Apparently complete stomach and leg transplants are a bit dicey.Some teddies just don't have what it takes I'm afraid. Poor Teddy. Here are my birthday photos.

Me with my birthday cake

Remodelling my new Ted's ear as he didn't like the way it was.

Add Asking Mum to play "Toss the Ted"

 

 

Giving new "Ted" a cuddle after his ear reshaping.My other teddy is a bit jealous. 

 

                                            
                                            Now the bestest news. ----- Drum roll please.

I passed my Level 4 obedience test ! My friend Tasha and I both passed so big celebrations.  Here we are just after our test . Aunty Heather, our trainer, took this photo as she was so proud of us . Now we have to study to achieve our Level 5 certificates.

      

I told you I had been busy !!!

'bye for now

Merry Christmas folks

                                                       Santa's on his way - Yay ! 
I think I have been good enuff - Well apart from the odd misunderstanding and adventure that is, but I do try to be good - Well except for the times that 'roos deliberately eye me off , or rabbits, hares,foxes, birds (or really any moving thing) cross my path. There was that time I ran after 'roos and got lost of course but that ended up okay. Mum's undies went missing but she found them and Dad's ear plugs had a close encounter with my insides- but basically I am a good boy. I make Mum and Dad laugh every day so that has to be a good thing.

I achieved my level 3 obedience a few weeks ago. Everyone at KDOT school gave me a big cheer because I had been trying for so long to nail it. I'm working on Level 4 now and the parents are very happy as I am working very hard and doing good stuff. This is a piccie of me checking that it really is my name on the Level 3 certificate.

              
Mum and Dad have built me a training enclosure so that I can learn all the off lead stuff without getting distracted by things that might be more exciting. I still peep over the top in case I miss something but training and agility is a lot of fun and  I get to chase my footy in between work so I love it. I'm still learning Treibball and it is great. It takes a bit of concentration so it wears me out. This seems to please the parents for some reason.

I  have always been a bit ( Mum and Dad say a lot ! ) scared to jump in and out of the car - you might remember that I was thrown out of a car when I was a baby - Anyway Aunty Heather (my trainer at KDOT) helped me and recently I suddenly got very brave and now I hurtle in and out whenever I can. Another win for me. Gee Santa must be impressed with that surely ?

  This is my new training area. Dad made me a table to jump up on and that is me in the picture being a very good boy standing on it and staying while Mum took my photo. I have weaving poles, a ramp and jumps too. Lots of fun. Yes - I reckon Santa will be happy with me.

We had our Christmas break up party last Sunday at KDOT and boy did we have fun. My girlfriend "Penny" was very naughty though and crept up to the table when her Mum wasn't looking. She table surfed the rum balls clean off the table and was caught trying to wolf them down. Lucky that she was sprung or she would have been a very sick girl. My Mum  put lots of rum in them and they were meant only for the parents. The cocoa and sultanas would have made her very ill. I was a bit miffed because she didn't ask me to help her though.She is such a guts !

We had visitors last week. My human Brother and my Nephew came to stay and they brought their doggy "Ebony" with them. She is a border collie and is an old girl so she soon let me know how she wanted me to behave !  Reckon I should have been the boss really as she is my Niece ( work that out for yourselves) but I humoured her. We had a lot of fun and wore each other out. This is a photo of us worn out !  Mum and Dad are taking me on a holiday soon to visit her at her place up North. Can't wait for that. She has a sheltie Sister called Chelsea so the three of us can really have a ball.

I've been practising for Christmas treats and reckon chippies are awesome. The parents let me have the bag when they have finished with it and there are always a few bits in the bottom if I can just get my tongue around them. Smokey likes chippies too so I have to be quick. Keep telling him they aren't good for his tummy but he still lines up for them.

I really have been a good boy if you don't count the holes in my yard, but I still reckon they are dug by aliens. I will catch one and prove this one day. Then there are bits of torn up paper and material that float around the yard - aliens again I suspect. And the ear from my latest teddy sort of got swallowed . One minute it was there - the next it disappeared. The parents are still waiting for nature to take its course but I feel fine. It is funny to see them watching my every movement (so to speak ! )

       That's about it for now. Hope Santa visits you. Have a merry Christmas and a great New Year.

                                                         See you next year,
                                                                   Skip  

Adventures

               I've said it before and I'll say it again - "Somebody shrunk my puppy basket !"

            Well there have been a few adventures lately - most of them not all that good !

 Firstly Smokey was a V.B.C. (Very bad cat) a few weeks ago. He sometimes has a clogged up tummy and he has to go to see our Doctor. It wasn't too bad this time so Unca Stephen put his rubber gloves on. Now this should have warned Smokes what was going down ( or rather -up ! )

Mum held the biting end while Doc shoved his finger fair up ---- (Mum is frowning and says I can't say that but I asked Smokey and he reckons that says it all ! ) Whatever - Smokey was not impressed and let out a scream of protest followed by some very bad language and when the attack on his person continued he sunk his teeth into the nearest thing, which was unfortunately Mum's hand, and then clawed his way upwards (Mum's neck). The Doc held on resolutely at the other end while Smokey scrabbled on the metal table top trying to escape. So you have the scene - Mum bleeding all over the place, Smokey screaming blue murder and the Doc hanging on to him while trying to finish the job. I can't help having a chuckle over it but it wasn't really funny next day when Mum's hand was throbbing with pain and twice the size it should be. She had to go to her Dr. who laughed when he heard the tale and said "So it wasn't an unprovoked attack ? " . Smokey and Mum both got better so it all ended well.

                                                          Smokey with a belly ache
 I watch over him 'cos he's me mate but I don't get too close when he's ill. He has a mean right hook .

  Okay - I did it - I disemboweled "Monster". He had a very annoying voice and I reckon Mum and Dad were happy that I silenced him. They have saved his voice box though and every now and then they tease me with it . Ha ha ha - very funny - They are so childish at times.

I do have to report that I had an adventure recently as well. Not one that any of us enjoyed.

As you know from my last post I sometimes run off to chase things - especially in the evenings when the wild things come out, so Mum and Dad can't trust me not to disappear when we play ball.

 They decided to attach a long rope to my collar so that they would be able to grab it if I took off. Dad says it is 30 metres - whatever they are. It was great as I could have a really good run. That was until one afternoon when I was half way between them, the rope was nearest to me and I saw something move in the bush. I was off at the speed of light. I got a fair way up the back before the rope snagged on a stump. I went round two trees to free it but that didn't work so I tried again and ended up with not much rope left. I could hear Mum and Dad calling me so I just waited for them to find me. Then it got dark and very cold but I could still hear them calling and they were very close so I was sure that they would use their noses to sniff me out. I had forgotten that humans have useless noses. Then it all went quiet and I was very thirsty because I had run so fast but I couldn't do anything but curl up to sleep. It was very uncomfortable - lots of sharp twigs. Suddenly I heard Dad's ride on mower and he was back again.I sat up very tall but couldn't quite see him as the grass was long and I was in a bit of a hollow. I was sure he would see me as he had a torch so I didn't bark or make a fuss. He was so close but no he kept going. I was very cold and lonely and didn't get much sleep that night. (Note from the parents "neither did we !" )

The sun came up eventually and I licked a bit of dew off the grass but I was so thirsty and felt very sad and sick. Then I heard Mum calling me and she was so close again, but she didn't smell me or see me so I still didn't bark. Later I heard them walking in the bush and calling but they were a long way away so I just hoped they would come. There were other people stomping around too but they weren't near me either. I was just beginning to think that they would never find me when I saw Dad and I stood up as tall as I could but I still didn't bark - I don't bark much . Luckily he saw my big earsies sticking up and he raced over. We were both so happy. Good job I have these big earsies ! Then Mum and Aunty Donna came and two of my Uncles appeared. They had all been searching for me. (Another note from the parents " Five hours of searching in the evening and a further five hours grid search the following morning covering about 60 acres before we found him " )  We all went home and I licked and snuggled everyone to thank them and then I slept all the rest of the day. It was scary but I still want to chase things so Mum and Dad are really on my case now .

                       Me when Dad found me .I was watching one of my rescuers arriving.
                                                   Dad was busy untangling the rope.


Life has settled down again now and I found a  really good spot for a kip after obedience class on Sunday. Mum was making their bed but she went off somewhere so I snuck in the bedroom and got comfy. I thought no one would find me as I managed to pull a pillow over me but they have this photo so I was sprung. Nice of them to leave me there to finish my nap though. I am a bit spoilt !   

 

Misunderstandings

Have had a few problems with the parents since my last post. They just don't realise that I am only trying to be helpful.

Take yesterday for instance. There I was minding my own business when I saw some potatoes sitting on the verandah rail. Strange place for them I thought so I decided to investigate. They were pretty tasteless so I buried a couple and played ball with the others until they broke up. Spuds aren't that hardy really. How was I to know that Mum had put them there to "green up" (Whatever that is ) before she planted them?  Stupid place to put them and anyway I did plant some of them for her. Saved her worrying about it - but no - she was still not happy.

Then there was the chair leg affair. The parents were busy on their computer things and I was under the table dozing off when a chair leg decided to attack me so I gave it a good old gnaw in return. Did the chair leg get into trouble - oh no !

I must admit to being a bit naughty one morning though. Mum and me had bin for our morning walk and she was playing ball with me when I saw out of the corner of my eye a big hoppy 'roo just in the paddock nearby. I waited until Mum was looking the other way and I just disappeared and was way up the back scrub before she even knew I was gone. Gee that 'roo could hop !  I could hear Mum calling me but decided I was having too much fun and she could wait. She would still be there later after all but the 'roo wouldn't be. Eventually both she and Dad were searching for me . I could see Mum through the bushes so I crept up behind her and pretended that I had been there all along. My tongue nearly gave the game away though as it was hanging down nearly to my knees but Mum didn't catch on and she even gave me a treat for coming when I was called . Ha - fooled 'em again.

We recently went on the "Million Paws Walk"  to raise money for the RSPCA. That was a great day and we raised about $550 for them.There were so many dogs and lots of fun things to do . I'm already looking forward to next year's walk .

Me and Dad having a break at the Million Paws Walk . I am wearing my KDOT bandana. We KDOT dogs were there in force supporting the RSPCA.
 Have a look at my new harness too . It fits round my neck and then over my nose. The parents are very happy as I don't mind wearing it and I am very well mannered when I have it on. I must admit I do enjoy the admiring glances and compliments from people who see me walking nicely down town and Mum and Dad are very proud of me.  

Here I am with Mum having fun on the KDOT agility equipment at the Million Paws Walk. The hurdles were low because there were some puppies and little dogs having a jump. I walked over them !






Mum has made me a "snuffle rug" . A nice lady at obedience class told her about them. It is just a rubber mat with holes and Mum spent ages threading bits of soft material through the holes.  I helped by chewing the bits of material to make them fit through the holes better but she said it was no help at all as they were all soggy. You see what I mean about the parents not appreciating my help ? Anyway treats are hidden in the rug and I snuffle them out . It is good fun. I usually play with it at breakfast time.  I also have another new toy called the "twirly" but I will tell you about that next time when I get some photos of me doing clever stuff . Watch this space !

Despite all the misunderstandings I got Mum a really cool card for Mother's day 'cos she and Dad love me and look after me and I love them and I am sooooo happy with life. I signed the card with my bestest foot print and Mum thought it was great - she laughed a lot too which can only be good.

 The front of my card.
        Sweet hey ?











And when you open it !

    It is a bit cold now with Winter being here. Smokey and me have decided to curl up in front of the big log fire indoors to keep warm. Mum and Dad fit in where they can. I was a bit scared of the fire at first as it makes some crackle and pop noises sometimes but "Smokes" reckoned I was being a whimp so I braved it out and found that it really is okay. Here's a photo to prove how brave I am. Smokey has to get closest to the fire to show off of course. He is such a show pony. Anyway I'm shinier than him so there.(and I can still round him up )

     Well I have to go and have a snooze by the fire. Had a big morning at KDOT class today and a high speed romp afterwards with my mates . I love Sundays .

     Until next blog - keep warm and well - Cheers
                Skip




                                                    


                                            

    

                                            

Classified R rated !

Before I start this blog the parents have told me to warn you that it should have an R rated classification . I have no idea what they are on about - I only report events as I see them .         However you have been warned.

First of all I had my first birthday recently . Hurrah !!!!!!!  Mum made me a great cake . I offered to share it but they said it was all mine so I gobbled it up before they changed their minds. I was a bit wary of the firey thing that they put on top of  it so they had to blow it out for me. I stalked around it for a while to make sure that it wasn't going to light up again. Can't be too careful with these tricksy things.

Okay - if you are of a nervous disposition you probably should stop reading right now .

                                THIS IS THE R-RATED BIT 

Now a couple of weeks ago I was being a bit ( well maybe a lot ! ) silly at obedience class. In fact - not to put too fine a point on it - I was completely out of my tree. Everyone says I have reached the terrible teens , so I reckon I am not to blame for whatever I do . That is my excuse anyway and I am sticking to it.

I just couldn't concentrate this day anyway, for whatever reason, and eventually Auntie Heather took over from Mum and doubled me on a lead with my mate "Cooper" . That was cool and I thought we could have a lot of fun so I started jumping around all excited and ready for a game but neither "Coop" nor Auntie Heather wanted to play . Then all of a sudden this sort of red mist came over me and I started trying to do what Mum later called "very rude things" to "Cooper" . I've never done such a thing before so the parents were shocked. "Coop" didn't seem to mind and the Dad of one of the other dogs said "Cooper seems to like it ! " Mum said later that this was when she wanted the ground to just swallow her up !  Silly thing to say. She wouldn't have been able to breathe. 

That was bad enough but Mum had given me some herbal stuff earlier that was supposed to calm me down ( fat chance ! ) It did have some effect though because my tummy started to rumble and I just had to prop in the middle of the training field and do what had to be done. Unfortunately there was quite a pile and even I have to admit it was not a pretty sight - took three poopy bags to clean that lot up. Once again not my finest hour .

To try to make me behave better at future classes  they tried a new collar thing that went on my nose but I went bananas - Well how would they like their nose in a noose ?  Now they are using something similar but it is much more comfy and I will put up with that for the sake of peace.

Probably just as well that there is no photographic record of the above misdemeanours.

                                      OKAY - R- RATED STUFF OVER 

On a similar subject - the cat has been using my toilet corner in my yard again and I was forced to use a flower pot as a gas mask the other day . Disgusting !!!!!!!

I'm learning Treibball at home. It is good fun. It is like rounding up sheep but I have to round up big exercise balls instead and push them into a goal real fast but I'm not up to that bit yet .  So far I am only learning to push the ball - which I really enjoy and Mum says I am just so good at it . And I go to a mat when Mum says "Go by" and sit until she calls me back to her. I also know to go to her right side and then she says "Away " when I am to go to the mat. I'll try to get a photo of me in action for the next blog. It is good fun and I get heaps of liver treats too !

I am also very busy training Mum and Dad to walk 4kms as we are doing the "Million Paws Walk"   to raise money for the RSPCA. We are in the KDOT team with "Cooper" and some of my mates from obedience class . I'm ready and raring to go but the parents are struggling a bit . I guess they are old . We would love you all to sponsor our walk to raise money for the RSPCA as they do a wonderful job helping animals who are suffering and preventing the cruelty that some evil people do to animals. I was thrown out of a car when I was just a baby and it took a while for me to be able to jump out of a car . I am so lucky that I was rescued by nice people and ended up with Mum and Dad but some animals are not so fortunate . Let's help the RSPCA to help them all. You can sponsor me at       

                      www.https://mpw-qld-2015.everydayhero.com/au/cherry
 
 or just let Mum and Dad know that you are able to help. Thanks heaps . Even $2 helps.

  
Mum and Dad entered me in an Easter competition that my friends at Kingaroy Veterinary Surgery held  and I tied for 2nd place . This was my prize . Yummy !!!!!!! Thanks to everyone who voted for me. Big licks to you all.

Dad bought me this great big kennel when I first came home . He gave it two coats of varnish to keep it looking good and then made a den for me  under the tank stand where it is snug and dry. Mum found a comfy mattress for me as well but I decided to live in the house so I haven't used it much . However I found that it was very cosy in the recent rainy, windy weather and also the parents had no idea where I was , so I have been curling up in there in the daytime when I want to be alone. Unfortunately they have woken up ! Is nothing sacred ?

I tried my hand at topiary the other day . Dad had been complaining that he couldn't get the mower under a shrub in my yard so I thought I would trim it a bit and I just kept pulling off the branches that I could reach . Really don't know why they couldn't do this themselves . It got a bit out of hand though and the result was a sort of umbrella shape. I thought it was quite artistic really but , as usual, Mother was unimpressed. Dad just grinned so I think he was happy.  

That's all my news at the moment . Be back later .