The Captain and The Truth

After a Bath

2010-08-03T11:58:00.000-04:00

PupMom took this video of me after a bath a couple of weeks ago.

August 2nd

2010-08-03T11:43:00.001-04:00

Bright... light... in... eyes... OUCHIE!

No bright light. Ahhhh... much better

Back to resting. I am still recovering from that crazy fun party yesterday!

August 1st - PupDad's 30th Birthday Surprise

2010-08-03T11:29:00.000-04:00

Waiting for the subway. We went into Boston so PupDad's parents could set up the party at our house.

Back home! Surprise! I barked a little at all those people, but soon settled down.

"Hey, PupDad, are you surprised?"

"I spy with my little eye something yellow, and my nose tells me its my Auntie Melissa!"

Greeting Angela

"Hmmm.. what's this? Someone must have dropped it. I'll just pick it up for them."

"You want me to wear what????"

"Oh, ok, it is your birthday. I'll wear it just for a second."

PupDad is the spotlight, but he'll share it with me.

"PupMom, are you opening something yummy?" "Just candles, Pierce."

Me and Baby Nicholas sitting with our dads

This is the life! More parties, please!

July 2010

2010-08-03T11:14:00.000-04:00

July 5th - East Boston with PupParents

July 31st - Dog Park

Hangin' Around - Beatin' the Heat

2010-06-29T16:38:00.000-04:00

Deer Island - June 12, 2010

2010-06-22T01:05:00.000-04:00

It was a drizzly Saturday, but we didn't let that change our plans.

My pup dad and pup mom always make sure I get my exercise no matter the weather.

Glimpse at the Week

2010-06-04T13:37:00.000-04:00

Roly Poly

2010-06-02T10:26:00.000-04:00

See Roly Poly me here!

Paws in the Park - May 23, 2010

2010-05-24T12:24:00.000-04:00

Last Year I was just a wee bit of a thing.

This Year - Full Grown

I had a grand old time and made lots of friends at Paws in the Park this year!

Jill leading a group walk. I was the 1st across the finish line. Just sayin'...

Making new friends.

All Smiles.

I even met a dog named Paloma who could be my twin. Hint: I'm in the green bandanna.

We even both have white "wings" on our shoulder blades, a white spot on the forehead, bum dimples, softer fur on the ears than the body... My doppleganger!

Couldn't end this post without a picture of me and my Pup Dad.

Mom couldn't let me end this post without a picture of what I did after Paws in the Park.

Thank you, Save A Dog, for helping me find my forever family and for putting on such a barking-good event every year!

Underneath

2010-05-20T13:24:00.000-04:00

Adventuring

2010-05-11T01:23:00.000-04:00

Today Mom took me for a walk instead of a run. She called it a "photo safari", whatever that means. I called it fun! While she was busy making that little silver thing "click!" I got to sniff and munch on grass and investigate whatever, where ever I desired.

Sleep

2010-04-29T23:26:00.000-04:00

P.S. I love Snow

2010-04-28T09:30:00.000-04:00

New Years Day 2010

and warming up by the fire...

Special thanks to Glynn House Inn in New Hampshire for their incredible hospitality!

November to Now

2010-04-27T19:50:00.000-04:00

Some Summer Photos

2009-10-05T03:33:00.004-04:00

On the Go

2009-10-05T02:48:00.004-04:00

Wow, things have changed so much since last I wrote. The Man and I get along great and spend plenty of time alone without the Lady, no problem.

I have been on the go constantly all summer.

I went to:

Maine where I learned to swim.

the Farmer's Market where I always got free samples.

Deer Island and the beach.

visit with the Lady's parents' dog, Crocket the Plott Hound.

a cookout.

yard sales.

lots of walking trails.

Harvard Square. I rode the bus! I was also allowed into Harvard Book Store!

North Shore Animal Hospital where I had THE operation. It wasn't my favorite place, but the people were nice to me and I have fully recovered.

I'm sure I am leaving places out, but it has been a whirlwind summer.

Of all the places I have been, home is my favorite. There is no place like home. That is the truth.

The Lady Leaves

2009-06-14T12:13:00.003-04:00

Yesterday started out as any other. The Lady got up, brought me outside, played, and left me with the man while she worked in the Room Of Many Yummy Smells.

Then the Man left to "get my hair cut", whatever that means.

Soon after, the Lady put me in my crate. I heard her and could see her running in between the Nighttime Room and the Room of Running Water. I heard her grab her jingles and saw her Bag of Goodies in her hands.

She came and took me out of my crate and brought me to the P Place. I did what I do and she brought me back in, gave me water, and put me back in my crate. "Be good. I'll be back. The Man will be back soon, too." I cried and whined and barked, but out the back door she went anyway.

The Man did come back soon! I was ready to PLAY! Usually I am only with the man for an hour or so in the morning and a few hours at night. The Lady and I have our routines during the day. Being with the Man without the Lady was just too exciting for me.

We played, went outside, and he made me lunch. With the Lady, I usually play for a bit after lunch and then go in for a nap. Since the Man doesn't know all the fun things we do during the day, I was determined to show him. This left no time for napping.

I showed the Man all of the nooks and crannies of the park. I even shared where the best patches of clover are hidden. This meant we needed to go out many many times.

When we had exhausted all of the places i already know, the Man took me somewhere he knows where I had never been. We walked all the way down this secret path to ANOTHER PARK! After exploring, we turned back.

We visited with the upstairs neighbors on the porch for awhile.

By the end of the day, I could tell the Man was getting really tired and maybe even bored with me. So, I ran around in my room showing him tricks and getting him to play all the games i know how to play. I even showed him how, with a running start from my crate, I can jump up on the Cushy Place where they sometimes sit. That was his least favorite. "Down!" he said with force.

Then he got on the Ringy and I heard him say, "Have you left yet? Good! Get home... the sooner the better." Then he sat down in front of the computer.

I was pretty tired by now, too and out of ideas to keep the Man entertained. I sat at his feet. Eventually, he picked me up and let me cuddle in his lap.

Not too long after, the door opened. I heard the jinglies... The Lady had come back!!!!

The Man spun us around and I looked up at her with my big eyes, still and quiet in the Man's lap. She told him she got home as fast as she could, but in retrospect, 6 or 7 hours was probably too long to have left us alone together for the first time.

She put my on my leash while they talked some more. Then she and I went for a long walk "to drain any of his excess energy". "Thank you for everything. I know it isn't easy. Do whatever you would like to do. We will be back in an hour.", she said to the Man. Out the door we went.

When we came back, the Man had gone out. The Lady cuddled me and put me in my crate to sleep, but I was too excited about her being back. So, she brought me with her around the house while she did all of the things she needed to do. 4 hours, much playing, and 2 walks later, I went to sleep at 9:00 after sitting with the 2 of them on the front porch.

It is fun to be with the Man and the Lady separately, but I like it most when we are all together. That is the Truth.

Full Few Days

2009-06-12T21:57:00.005-04:00

I've been missing this blog thing as three days have gone by.

Wednesday:
Eating my first Pig Ear on YouTube.

Making peace with the kitty

Thursday:
I met the vet. She came to the house, pricked me with little pokey things that pinched, and said I'd sleep lots and lots. I did.

Friday:
I went on my longest walk yet! Our neighborhood is full of surprises. I saw other dogs, people running, many varieties of flowers and grass and shrubs and trees, different shaped signs, cars, trucks... Oh, and don't even get me started on the smells!

It's o.k. if you slack on somethings (blogging) when life gets crazy sometimes, as long as you remember it is never too late to go back to it. That is the truth.

Bathtime and Banana

2009-06-10T10:09:00.005-04:00

Yesterday the Lady gave me my second bath.

She took pictures of me wet and wrapped in a towel.

At first it was a bit embarrassing...

but I started to come around...

and finally looked at the camera.

I tried to tell her I take grass baths and sun baths which means I don't need a water bath, but she insisted. I really don't mind the water or the soapy massage or the towel. It is the thing that she blows hot air at me with that bothers me. She claims she doesn't want me to catch cold.

Anyway, for all the torture of bath photos and hot air blowing on me, I got a special treat. The Lady fed me banana! You can watch it on YouTube. Banana is delicious! The Lady got a little stern with me because I wasn't following directions, but I earned my banana. She says she is just trying to teach me discipline and help me learn the rules around here.

Baths, hot air blowers, and rules are all ways the Lady and the Man show me that they love me. That is the truth.

For Fun

2009-06-09T10:28:00.005-04:00

As I've said before, my days are filled with fun.

I cuddle with the Lady (and the Man, too).

I play with all my toys.

As you can see, yesterday was no different. Except...

When I was cuddling in the Lady's lap, she had me look at the computer screen and I couldn't believe what I saw! Other doggies having fun!

We watched Melissa's dogs, Bailey and Gibson, run after something called a laser pointer and we watched Animal Planet on YouTube. Watch me watch Animal Planet! It is riveting, I tell ya.

Watching other beings have fun is just as fun as doing those fun things yourself. That is the truth.

"Well, hello!" Weekend

2009-06-08T08:13:00.005-04:00

This weekend I met lots of people and animals.

On Saturday, I went to an engagement cookout. Everyone was excited to see me. I got lots of pats and a select few even got to hold me. I met one dog and heard two dogs barking inside, but it didn't bother me whatsoever. The Lady gave me a little bit of strawberry and a little bit of pineapple. Yum!

On Saturday night, the Man's family stopped by. The Ladies liked me, but the Big Man just walked right on by. I liked rocking in the rocking chairs on the porch with the Big Lady and the Little Lady. They gave me kisses and stroked my chest and belly. Ahhhh... relaxing.

Late Sunday afternoon, I was watching Nascar with the Man when the doorbell rang. The Lady took my leash and we followed the Man to the door. She made me sit while two men came through the door. I sat quietly until one of them squatted down to my level and invited me over. M Man and C Man took turns holding me and petting me and generally loving on me until I just got too tired. It was a good tired, an "all tuckered out" tired, and I took a nice long nap.

When I woke up, the Lady took me over to the park. A whole bunch of little people asked permission to come see me. "Can I pet him?" they all asked. The Lady had me sit and they all came over. Who doesn't love a six or eight handed massage? I also met a nice man and his dog who has wheels in the back to help him move around. I barely noticed his wheels and walked right up to sniff him. He barked really loud and I ran behind the Lady's legs. She made me stand next to her and look at the dog from a distance. The nice man stood between his dog and me. Then he started petting me and even gave me one of the treats I could smell in his pocket!

All strangers are just friends you haven't made yet. That is the truth.

Speechless Saturday

2009-06-07T08:21:00.002-04:00

I Want To Be A Supermodel

2009-06-05T22:22:00.001-04:00

Well, the Lady and the Man want me to be anyway...

Check me out in my snazzy fleece-lined raincoat!

I am not sure how much I like it, but I can't deny it keeps me warm.

Sometimes you have to do crazy things to keep your loved ones happy. That is the truth.

Prodigal Sun

2009-06-04T21:10:00.006-04:00

Today, as I lay in the sunny spot on the floor, the Lady told me she has a feeling the kitty and I will get along just fine.

In the park, if we sit in the shade of a tree, I walk out to the end of my leash to find the sun.

Sometimes, when we are running around exercising, I just lay down to soak up some rays.

Don't worry, I roll over to make sure I tan evenly.

My ears keep the sun out of my eyes.

I enjoy the sun even more with The Lady by my side.

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. That is the truth.

The Man and Me

2009-06-04T20:46:00.008-04:00

I am the Man's first dog. The Man is my first master. So, getting to know each other is taking time.

The Lady loves me, but she is also the task master. She keeps us on schedule. When the Man gets home, I know the fun is about to begin.

Yesterday, the Man took me across the street to explore the school lawn.

At the park, we went for a run. The Lady took video, but she said the Man's name and therefore can't share it here. This is us resting:

Next, we played ball.

Our cool down was a leisurely walk back home. The Lady is usually all business, keeping my head up and my focus on our walk. The Man is more willing to let me stop and smell the flowers.

It's important to always fit some fun into your day. That is the truth.

All Mixed Up

2009-06-02T20:50:00.007-04:00

Everywhere we go people ask the same question: "What kind of dog is he?"

The Lady and the Man give the same answer: "Terrier Mix."

Thus begins the great guessing game:

Lab?

Chihuahua?

Greyhound?

Beagle?

The Lady always points to my butt dimples...

and "wings"...

"He is an angel." she tells them all.

Being loved for who you are, not what you are is Heaven. That is the truth.

Put Your Head on My Shoulder

2009-06-01T16:56:00.011-04:00

The lady went out and left me completely alone for an hour today, for the first time. When she came back, she totally made up for it. We went for a walk around the house, played in the park, and cuddled inside before I went in my crate to sleep.

Put your head on my shoulder... (hear it on YouTube)

Hold me in your arms, baby...

Squeeze me oh so tight...

Show me that you love me, too <3

It's nice to have a shoulder to lean on. That is the truth.

Reunion and New Union

2009-06-01T10:38:00.008-04:00

Yesterday the Lady and the Man took me to Paws in the Park, a fundraiser for Save A Dog. I got to see all the people who took care of me. Big thank you too all of them for keeping in touch through my blog! Binx and Puck, my brother and sister, were there. It was fun to play together again. I hope they each get a Man and a Lady of their very own soon! In all the time we spent at Paws in the Park, I didn't meet a dog or a person I did not like. We were so busy that the Lady did not get to take any pictures, but people took pictures of us. Save A Dog will have pictures up here.

When we got home, the Lady took pictures of me in my "Save a Dog Alumni" bandanna.

At home, I made a new friend. Larry the Loofa. We sleep together...

and play together.

Friends who play together, stay together. That is the truth.

Speechless Saturday

2009-05-30T18:08:00.001-04:00

Fabulous Friday

2009-05-30T10:25:00.013-04:00

After a mostly sleepless night, I had a great day. The lady made sure I got lots of play time and exercise. She also let me roam more freely around the room while she worked. When she had other things to do, she took me out to do my business and then left me in my crate and I cried less and less each time.

Look at my new trick!

Yes, the Lady taught me to sit :-) Sitting is how I get permission to sit on laps, to play fetch, and more. Sit = Magic.

Then the Man came home. He brought me a rope toy AND a Bully Stick!

Bully Sticks are my favorite!

It's getting better all the time. That is the truth.

Yesterday - All My Troubles

2009-05-29T07:04:00.007-04:00

Yesterday I decided I don't like my crate as much as I thought I did. The Lady practiced getting me comfortable in there. She told me to go in. When I went in I got a treat, but I was allowed to come out whenever I wanted. She would do this over and over and I would stay in longer and longer. Then she would close the door, go do what she needed to do, and come back.

Lat night, I didn't want to listen. I just want to sleep in her lap. When I was sleeping, she would put me in the crate. I would instantly wake up and come out. She did everything she could to make me comfortable. Towel over the top to make it more den-like. Toys in with me. Sitting on the couch and reading before leaving. The she started leaving for twenty minutes at a time and letting me cry. I would quiet for short periods, but always resumed crying. Even the Man came in to try his hand. This went on for four hours. 12:45 - 4:45.

In short, rough night = no blog post.

I'm still adorable though.

See my puffy foot pads?

See the white tip of my tail?

They are going to grow. I am going to grow. This is all going to get easier. That is the truth.

It's All Fun and Games 'til...

2009-05-27T23:14:00.012-04:00

When the Lady brought me outside early this morning, there were drops falling from the sky. The drops reminded me of the sparkles in the corners of her eyes yesterday morning. I didn't like them. She told me it is called rain as she coaxed me down the stairs to the place. I did it and headed back into the house as quick as I could.

Aside from this rain thing, my life is basically fun and games. When I do my business outside, I get to walk around the outside perimeter of the house with the Lady. I smell flowers and trees. I lick all their different leaves. I lift my paw to point towards the flying things in case the Lady doesn't see them. "Oh, yes, the birds." she says.
I romp in my beloved Hostas.

Sometimes other people walk by and we say hello to them.

Inside, we play ball.
I sit in the Lady's lap & lay in my crate chewing the bone the Man gave me.

I rearrange the bedding in my crate and take long naps.

I like falling asleep in the Lady's lap first and then going in the crate.

Oh, and eating! I LOVE to eat. Listen to me eat breakfast!

After dinner tonight, I took an extra long nap. Fun and games make me sleepy. When I finally woke up, the Lady took me out to the place. I did my #1 business. When we came inside, she and I played ball. I had so much energy and was running all around the room with the ball. Sleeping means more energy for fun and games. After a few minutes of running around, I suddenly had to go out again. So, I brought the ball back to her and nipped at her sweatshirt. She threw the ball again. I hesitated, but couldn't resist going after it. I chased it to the corner of the room, turned in a circle and...

The Lady realized what was about to happen, ran over, picked me up, and brought me outside to the place. I sniffed and walked around, but I knew it was too late. She seemed confused, but brought me back inside anyway. As soon as she opened the door she knew she had been too late.

She put me in my crate with my bone while she picked it up. When she let me out, she whispered that she was sorry. She said it wasn't my fault. She told me she should not have played ball with me until all my business was done. She kissed and cuddled me. "I promise it won't happen again. There is always tomorrow." she said as she closed the crate door.

We all make mistakes. Admitting them and learning from them is what matters. That is the truth.

Taming Wild Beasts

2009-05-26T23:04:00.012-04:00

Today was my first morning with The Man and The Lady. I woke up so excited and ready to go! I just about bounced out of my crate! I wanted to play, but The Lady put on my leash and told me to "come". I wanted to stay here. What did she mean, "Come"? Where was she planning on taking me, too? Where ever it was I was not going without a fight. The Lady was not getting rid of me that easily.

To my surprise, she picked me up and carried me outside to the "Pee and Poop" place. I still thought the papers inside were fine. When she brought me back in, I used them. Then I crawled into her lap to let her know I belong here. I turned in a circle and was about to lay down when I saw it by the door. This big, fluffy, furry being unlike anything I had ever seen before. It certainly was not a dog. I growled my deepest growl to protect The Lady. To my surprise she greeted it and called it "Good kitty". Kitty, huh? I looked at The Lady. When I turned around, the kitty was gone.

After a quick petting, The Lady put me back in my crate. I heard her in the next room talking to The Man. The Lady did not sound like her joyful self. A few minutes later she was putting me back on the leash. The sparkles in her eyes had drifted to the inside corners. She didn't even try to get me to "Come"; just picked me up and carried me to the "pee and poop" spot. It was up to me to do something to bring her sparkles back and I did.

The Lady kept telling me what a good boy I am. She petted and rubbed and kissed me all the way up the steps, across the porch and into my room. She even let me sleep in her lap instead of putting me in the crate. While I was sleeping, the kitty came back. The lady seemed to like the kitty. I thought I'd try and make friends. I looked the kitty in the eye and bravely walked right up to it. "Swipe!" right across my face. I jumped back. The lady jumped, too. I tried to jump into her lap, but she made me stand up next to her while she pet me. "It's o.k., Iris. It's o.k., Pierce." was all she said.

All day the kitty walked in and out of my room. Once she came in and laid against the outside of The Lady's leg while I laid on the inside. I turned my head to look at her and she hissed at me. I just closed my eyes and went back to sleep. The lady loves both of us enough to let us sleep on her. It's the kitty's turn to try and make friends with me.

All day I did everything I could to keep the sparkle in the Lady's eye. I let the kitty walk around my room and even get in my empty crate to sniff. I played ball and brought it back to her every time. I stood still and let a man walking by and the mail man pet me. I went in the crate when she asked me to, but sometimes I came back out to cuddle in her lap. It is so much more comfy and I think she secretly likes it, too.

I played peek-a-boo in the Hostas.

Once I even went into the Hostas and came out with a fly I caught just for her.
I listened to her when she said come. Sometimes I needed a little help with the stairs, but she seemed to understand.

I went pee on the papers inside and poo on the papers outside twice. The outside ones seemed to make her happier and I got two treats for each of those. One time she even let me walk all the way around the house twice. Walking makes my ears extra perky and my tail curl up. It also makes The Lady proud of me.

When The Man came home, he hugged The Lady tight and told her he would play with me. I cried at the door for her at first, but then they started talking back and forth to each other through the door sort of like this morning, but a little different. I knew it was serious. The Man's lap is different, but I curled up in it anyway.

The Lady came back and told the man about the "pee and poo" place and when I ate and when I last used the place. "Thank you for everything. I love you." she said as she kissed The Man and "Be good!" she said to me before she disappeared. When she came home, she and I showed The Man how I "come" on the leash. She was smiling. He smiled when she smiled. "Wow!" was all he said. All night it was outside and then in my crate over and over. The Man told The Lady this would eventually work. I knew what they wanted me to do. So, I kept drinking water when they brought me back in and finally I did it outside. When I finished I started climbing the stairs, but stopped to let The Lady lead the way. Inside we started playing ball. Then I heard her say she hoped I'd do "the other one" outside, too. I started nipping at The Man's clothes. When he finally got up, I got to my leash that was on the floor behind him and sniffed and sniffed. Then I looked at the lady and nipped at her clothes, too. She put on my leash, we all went outside, I did it, and we came in. The lady praised me more, but I saw the smile spread across the man's face watching us together.

When the The Lady is happy The Man is happy. When they are happy I am happy. That is the truth.

Busy Day

2009-05-25T22:43:00.000-04:00

Today started out just like any other. I woke up with my litter mates in the big cage. Then the people came to feed us and we played and played outside. Just as I was about to curl up for a power nap, one of the people who takes care of me took me out of my cage and brought me into the big house. I'd never been in the big house before. This was out of the ordinary. I had a feeling something new and exciting was about to happen.

When we got in the house, the nice lady put a green piece of cloth around my neck. It was a little uncomfortable, but I didn't have too much time to think about that. I was distracted by three familiar voices in the next room. It was another nice lady who is always around and feeds me sometimes. The other two were The Man and The Lady who visited me yesterday. I let out a yelp to let them know I was in here. I wasn't going to let them leave without me again.

Everything happened so fast after that! The Lady held me. The Man had his arms full of food and other things for me. The nice ladies took our picture. Into the car we went! First stop, the store with all the wonderful smells and friendly people. Someone must have told The Man and The Lady that I like balls. They got me three squeaky balls. I know how to play that game!

We brought all of the things back into the car. I slept on The Lady all the way home. My new home is pretty great. There is a garden in the front with plants The Lady calls Hostas. I like to play peek-a-boo in the leaves. On the big porch are rocking chairs and The Lady let me continue my nap in her lap there while the upstairs neighbors oh'd and ah'd at me.

The Man came to tell us that the crate was ready. I learned quickly that the crate is where I sleep. It's my home base. My sweet spot. My pad. The soft towel in the crate matches my green collar. Stylin'.

The rest of the day was a blur. They tried to feed me, but I wasn't hungry. We went inside and outside a lot. They keep taking me to the same spot outside and telling me to "Pee and Poop", but I don't quite understand. I like the newspapers they put down in my room.

I showed them how to play ball! They squeaked and threw the ball and told me to bring it back. I didn't really need them to tell me that part, but I let them think they were teaching me something. I strut back to them with the ball in my mouth and dropped it at their feet to go again. We were all happy.

Not such an ordinary day after all and that is the truth.

Introducing Pierce the Puppy

2009-05-25T19:55:00.000-04:00

My name is Alex and my husband and I just adopted a ten week old terrier mix puppy. We named him Pierce after Paul Pierce who is "The Captain and The Truth" of the Boston Celtics. This is Pierce's blog. After this post, you will only hear from him. He is the Captain of this blog and he tells nothing but the Truth.

Without further adieu, for your viewing and doggy blog reading pleasure...
Piiiieeerrrccce the Puppyyyyyyy!!!!!!