Mommy made me COOKIES! - by Dexter

Oh. My. Dog.  I do not know what I did to deserve this, but I better find out fast and do it a lot more often.  Mommy made me cookies!

As you know, doggies like us cannot have chocolate.  But we CAN have something called carob, which looks a lot like chocolate.  So Mommy made me carob chip cookies that are special for dogs!

As soon as she told me she as doing it I got very excited, but she explained that it would take a while.  First she had to mix the dough.  It already looks delicious!

Then she had to form the cookies and put them on the cookie sheet.  The cookies had to bake in the oven for 20 minutes, which to a little guy like me seemed like forever!

After they came out of the oven, the cookies had to cool.  That was the longest wait ever.  I could not stand it, they smelled so good!

Finally, Mommy said it was time to try one.  But I had to sit like a good dog first.  I was trying so hard to be patient!

It must have worked, because Mommy gave me a cookie.  I took it to my crate, which is where I like to eat my treats (please pardon the mess, I tore the place apart waiting for the cookie).

Oh my goodness it was so delicious nom nom nom nom.

I love my Mommy so much for making me cookies.  I gave her a big kiss when I was done eating it.  I might even be nice and share some with my friends Rosie and Bandit.

And Mommy, because she loves Daddy as much as she loves me, made special people cookies for Daddy as well, so he can have some when he gets home.

What a lucky couple of guys we are, huh Daddy?

Thank you Mommy!
Love, Dexter

The Divine Miss R

Lately, I have been spending more time over at E's house, and in addition to the blessing of getting to spend time with a wonderful friend, I also get to spend more time with Rosie.  This little girl is just about the cutest little doggie princess ever.  E and J have become such loving puppy parents, and have done a great job getting Rose down to a healthy weight.  Look hoe svelte she looks in her sweater!

Ever since I have become a doggie Mommy, other dogs really take to me.  Rose is no exception, she willingly hops up on my lap, and cuddles into me the same way Dexter does.  She also loves to give me kisses.

She is also not above rolling around asking for belly rubs, which I am all too happy to bestow.  I just love this little doggie, and as much as I enjoy Dex being a baby, I am looking forward to when he is older, like Rose, and more mellow.  But Rose still likes to run and play every now and then!

We are in need of a doggie play date soon, and E and I have big plans for a double doxie photo shoot, so be sure to stay tuned!

My pets are neurotic... just like me

It has come to my attention that Dexter and Nora are more like me than I realized.  They both have nervous neurotic tendencies.  Just like Mommy.

First Dexter had major adjustment issues regarding the dining room.  To accommodate our Thanksgiving diners, we had to bring our extra table and chair set up from the basement and set it up in the dining room.  Luckily, our dining room was plenty big enough to accommodate all 10 chairs and both tables.  And when it was first up here, Dex was fine.  And then....I put the tablecloths on.  Something about those white paper tablecloths creeped Dex out so bad he would not set foot in the dining room.  The problem is, he has to walk through that room to get to the back door to go potty.  It made for 3 days of headaches.  Even after I took the tablecloths off Friday morning, he still would not go in.  Even after the extra table and chairs were gone, he still would not go in.    In fact, he would not freely walk into the dining room until the table and chairs we usually use were back in their precise locations.  Crazy dog.

And Nora, well, I think she has an inferiority complex.  She sees me cuddling with Dexter, and I think it makes her feel bad.  She was never really all that cuddly of a cat, but last night, she was all up in my business as I tried to read.  She literally licked my face the way Dexter does, for a good five minutes.  She rubbed all over my face, and literally laid in my arms.  Rest assured little girl, I love you every bit as much as I do Dexter.  Silly kitty.

At least I know they come by it honestly.

How I plan on spending my winter

Some people love holiday shopping, and that is what winter is about for them.  Other people love snow, and snow related activities, like snowboarding and skiing, so that is what winter means to them.  But right now, I am fairly certain there is only one thing I plan on doing lots of this winter.

Snuggling up in a blanket (or snuggie) with my puppy dog.

Today was the first flakes of snow for the winter, and that was all it took to make me want to snuggle down tight with him for a long winter's nap.

Somehow, I do not think he will complain.

We want this...

So, in light of our recent potty schedule issues, we thought this was cute.  It is a German game called Kackel Dackel, and it involves a pooping doxie.



Hubby brought it to my attention, thinking I would scoff at it, but come ON, it is a doxie, so of COURSE I love it.  Unfortunately, it is not available in the US, so unless one of our Euro friends wants to send it to us, I guess we will have to do without.  But the good news is, there is an online flash version available here.

Happy Thanksgiving by Dexter and Nora

Dear Furry Friends and Fur Parents,
We just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving for those of you living in America.  For those of you from other countries, we hope today is wonderful too!  Enjoy a lovely day full of snuggles and kisses, treats and toys, and lots of love from your families, both furry and human.

While we cannot enjoy any of the tasty food Mommy and Daddy are making for this holiday, because Mommy says it is bad for our tummies, she assures us we will get treats that are good for us.  In the mean time, enjoy these silly pictures we made about what it would look like if we took over dinner.

Many blessings to you all.  We want to also say we are very thankful for all the new friends we have made since Mommy started blogging.  We think about you often, and pray for you all.  Thank you for your friendship, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Love (gobble gobble),
Dexter and Nora

It happens...

We have been struggling lately with Dexter's morning trips outside to do his business.  Normally, Daddy takes him out at 6 am to potty, then he comes back in to sleep, and I feed him breakfast later.  But this week, in the mornings, he only tinkles, and does not do his other business.  It throws his schedule off for the rest of the day, and affects his mood.

So imagine my happiness to see this note on the white board this morning from Daddy:

Only pet owners and parents understand how happy poop can make you.  Seriously.

What's all the fuss? - by Nora

All this week, my Mommy has been sick, so I have been trying to keep her company, but before she got sick, she was making a big fuss, fixing up the bathroom, then the dining room.  She must be feeling a little bit better, because she is once again making a fuss, now in the living room.  She was waving around a dust cloth, and spraying cleaner.  I suppose the loud machine that sucks things off the floor will be next.  I wonder what all the fuss is for?  I guess I will find out in time.

SNOOOOOORRRREEEE

Today, I spent most of the day in the living room, because I am a bit under the weather.  I did a lot of lounging on the couch with Nora and watched almost all of Season 1 of The Tudors.  And just as I was about to start another episode, I heard the loudest, most ridiculous noise coming from Dexter's crate.

SNOOOOOORRRRRREEEEE.

Yes that's right, that huge noise was coming from that tiny dog.  He was snoring his little heart out as he slept. He is more like Mommy than I care to admit.

So long

Unfortunately, Long Dog has been officially, permanently retired from the toy rotation.  Dex got him months ago, and played with him for a few weeks, before he got really shabby, and took some time off in the toy bin.  While I spent the day cleaning and working on projects on Thursday, I fished Long Dog out of the bin to keep Dex company.  Dexter had grown so much since last seeing Long Dog that he was actually bigger than Long Dog now, but he loved him just as much as when he was a tiny puppy.  And he played with him a ton.  It was so cute to hear Dex squeaking away on his toy in the evenings.

However, I awoke this morning to some sad news.  Lots of fluffy white batting greeted me this morning, along with a much deflated Long Dog.  Seems that Dex played a little too rough last night.  So, he had to say goodbye to his old toy.  Perhaps one day we will get Long Dog II, but not for a while.  Dex is just so hard on toys right now, it does not really pay to get them.

Holiday Festivities, by Dexter

Even though I was a bad doggie yesterday, Mommy let me go to a fun event last night called Light Up Night.  There was one stipulation though.  I had to wear a coat, because it was cold outside.

Mommy said I looked really handsome and I actually liked that coat a lot, it matched my fur well.

Here is a picture of me with Mommy, she looked so pretty!

We walked into town, which was a long walk, and got to see a parade, which included Santa.  I loved the music and the firetrucks, but Mommy said I was not allowed to have any of the candy they were throwing.  She brought me my own treats instead.

After the parade was over we walked up and down one of the main streets in town, just taking it all in.  And guess who I got to meet...Cindy Lou Who, that's who!

We had a really fun night, but I was tired so we went home.  Later on, after we were home, there were fireworks, which I did not like at all.  Daddy had to rock me to calm me down.  But other than that, it was a great night, and I am glad Mommy was a softie and let me go, even after being naughty.

Timeout

Dexter was a naughty dog today, and got put in timeout.

Just this week, Dex discovered he could climb the steps to our second story.  He was very excited to learn this, and would try to sneak up at every chance.  Usually, we would be able to stop him before he got upstairs.  Today, he shot up there before I could say "stop your furry little butt".  So up go up, and using my nice calm Mommy voice, try to convince him to come downstairs and play with me.  No deal.  Then I try to bribe him with a pork chomp.  No such luck.  When this dog turns down food, I know we have a problem.  I had to put on my stern Mommy voice and tell him to get out from under the bed.  And then, it became a battle of wills.

He proceeded to hide under the bed, and out-maneuver me for the next ten minutes, until the stern Mommy voice became the yelling Mommy voice.  When I finally got him out, he knew he was in trouble.  He was put in timeout, and lost his favorite toy.  He never made a peep until Daddy got home.  Luckily Daddy convinced me that Dex was really sorry, and still deserved to go to our fun outing that we had planned tonight, at which he was very very well behaved.

So, now, I guess we need a baby gate for the stairs.  Geesh.

Doxie Shrine

It is official.  I am a crazy doxie lady.  I have officially started buying multiple pieces of doxie merchandise.

It all started with this cute little figurine I got for Hubby at an Arts Fest over the summer.

Isn't he cute?  And he looks just like Dexter!

Then, yesterday, I went to Hobby Lobby with my friend, where I spied this

and this guy.

Of course, like any self respecting doxie mom, I had to have them.  So, I have all of these things now on my mantle, along with a cute picture holder and picture of Dex as a puppy that our neighbor gave us.  It is like a little doxie shrine and I love it!

I can't wait to find more cute doxies to add to it.

Snuggies

So, yes, not only am I one of those fools who owns a Snuggie, I am also one of those crazy people who bought one for my dog.  Let me explain.

I am a big reader, and there is nothing I love more than cuddling under a blanket with a good book, but I hate having my arms get cold.  Wearing a sweatshirt, well, first off, it just is not the same, and secondly, I do not like things that are tight around my neck (I know, I have issues).  So for me, a Snuggie is a perfect solution.  Hubby got me one, and I love it.  I took a nap in it on Sunday, and slept for 4 hours, it was so warm and toasty.  And you never have to worry about the blanket sliding off.  It is brilliant really.

As for me getting one for Dexter, well that was just sheer cuteness.  Don't judge me.

He loves it, and it clearly does not affect his ability to lick my face off.

Psst

Dear Daddy,
I think Mommy would love a shirt like this.

or any of these

or pretty much anything with a hero weiner dog on it.  

Just thought I would let you know.

Love,

Dexter

P.S. While doing your holiday shopping, I would like more Pork Chomps.  Thanks Daddy!

Bark bark bark

Dexter is the best alarm system we could have ever invested in.  He knows when something is off, even the slightest bit.  And he alerts us by bark bark barking.  He did this when he saw Daddy's Halloween costume, and did it again the other night when Daddy had on a fedora.  He knows that these things are not normal for Daddy.

Today, we got a firm knock on the door in the late afternoon, and Dex knew it was not normal, and not the knock of a friend or neighbor, so he bark bark barked to alert me, and to tell that person to BACK OFF.  It was just one of the men from the road crew asking me to move my car so they could apply sealant to the edge of the newly paved road.  No harm, but Dex knew it was not a person who was normally at our house.

What a good little watchdog he is.

Love Letters

Today, I got love letters.

This morning, Dexter, with the help of Daddy, gave me the sweetest little love letter.

It was so cute, and made me smile so big!  I love the fact that the letter is so true, he does show his love for me by licking my face and smothering me with kisses.

Not to be outdone, Nora decided she wanted to give me a letter too.  Apparently, she wanted to have no help, so, resourceful cat that she is, resorted to typing me a letter.

I had my blog composer open, as I was working on an entry for another blog.  I left it on my bed while I ate lunch, and when I came back, she had somehow opened a new draft, and typed a letter up (I am not joking, she actually did this).  I previewed it to see how it would look, and here is Nora's letter to me:

Clearly she could have used a little help.  I like to imagine it says the following:

Dear Mommy,
I love you so much, and love to snuggle up with you in your nice warm bed.  I am sorry for being mean to Daddy.
Affectionately,
Nora

See that Aqqqqqq, I know that was her attempt at "affectionately".  And all those NNNNNNNNNs?  She was totally trying to sign her name.

I have the smartest cutest pets ever.  I love you guys!

Thunk thunk thunk

You hear that?  That is the sound of one of my favorite doggie parts.  It is the sound of Dexter's tail.

Dexter expresses so much happiness with his tail.  So many times, when he is happy or excited, Hubby will simply say, look at that tail.

His tail will thunk off of the floor, the couch, the door frame, our arms, you name it.  He wags with reckless abandon, the same way he approaches life.

I love seeing my dog so happy, and I absolutely love the thunk thunk thunk of his happy puppydog tail.

What did I ever do without that noise in my life for so long?

Wake up call

Last night, I had a bad headache at bedtime, and took something to not only make it go away, but help me sleep.

I slept like a baby, and did not hear a thing until I got a wake up call this morning.  Not on my phone, or from an alarm clock, oh no, nothing like that.

I was woken up my a little pink tongue lapping at my face.  Hubby had snuck the doggie upstairs and put him in bed with me before he left for work.  It was awesome and adorable.

I loved this wake up call.  How can you possibly have a bad day when it starts off so full of love?

My girl is grown up. Almost.

I think I finally understand how mothers feel when they see their kids growing up.  Especially when they get those rare moments where their almost grown up kids still want a hug, a kiss, a snuggle.

Last night, Nora gave me one of those moments.

Ever since Hubby and I moved into the house, Nora has steered clear of snuggling with us a lot.  Having so much room, and having Hubby in the bed with me every night has really changed Nora's patterns.  She will still snuggle with me on the bed during the day, or on the couch sometimes, but night time snuggles are really rare.

Lately, however, we have been bringing Dex up to the bedroom for night time snuggles.  And I think Nora has been realizing how nice these family moments can be.  So, last night, after Dexter went to bed, Hubby and I were lying in bed talking, and Nora hopped up for some family time of her own.  For about half an hour, she nuzzled, snuggled, kissed us, and purred very loudly.  It was awesome.  It made me so happy and was a wonderful end to the day.

I am glad there are times when she still wants to be my baby.

Ugly Dog Toys

We ran to the store tonight to get some more Pork Chomps for Dex, he really loves them and they are helping with the chewing.  While we were there, we saw what was hands down the ugliest dog toy I have ever seen:

What the.....

a cross dressing Santa hooker chicken?

Why would anyone ever buy that horrific thing for their dog?  Do you ever buy ugly dog toys?  I do not mean ugly cute ones either, like little monsters or something, I mean ugly ugly.

Who ever thought this thing was a good idea?

Oh sure, Dex would happily chew its head off and rip out the squeaker just as lustily as he would a cute toy, but, I would have to look at this thing until he mauled it enough to justifying throwing it away.  Why, just why?

I guess when a toy is functional, it does not have to be pretty, like rope toys, or kongs.  But something like this, I would be embarrassed to have it in my house.  Tell me friends, do any of you have embarrassing toys at home?

Little Piddle Problem- by Dexter

Dear furry friends,
Oh geesh, I am so embarrassed.  I do not even know where to start.  Lately, I have been having a bit of a problem.  A, um, piddle problem.  Let me explain.

Even though Mommy and Daddy were told us doxies are stubborn and hard to potty train, I have been doing really well for months now.  Mommy and Daddy have me on a pretty set schedule, and I never have accidents in my crate or on the floor.  But lately, something weird has been happening.

I, um, wow, there is no easy way to say this.  Lately, I get so happy to see Mommy and Daddy that I piddle a little on the floor.  It does not matter if I just went out to potty or what.  For instance, Daddy took me out at like 6:15 this morning.  When Mommy came home at 7, she opened the crate, and I was so happy to see her, I tinkled a little on her toes.  I was mortified.

I know this is not the most polite thing to talk about but I am at a loss dear friends.  What can I (or Mommy) do to stop this from happening?  Do any of you ever have this trouble?  Is this just a growth spurt I may be going through?  It has happened just a couple of times in the past, but this week it has happened two days in a row.  I do not want Mommy to get upset.  She says she doesn't get mad, that she knows I am just excited and not trying to actually potty inside.  But still, I want to make Mommy happy and proud of what a good dog I am, and it is hard to do that when you tinkle on her feet, at least I think so.  Is this something I will grow out of, or will I just be an excitable pee-er for the rest of my life?

I know Mommy loves me, and always will no matter what, but any advice is most appreciated!

Doggie kisses and tale wags,
Dexter

The great escape

Well, she did it again.  Nora tried to escape tonight.  Apparently, she thought I was not being prompt enough with getting her food, and she decided to strike out on her own to find dinner.

I had opened up the back door to ask Hubby a question, as he was taking out the trash.  It was pitch dark out, and in a split second, she had darted out the door.  We were running all over the yard to try to herd her back into the house, but since it was dark out, and she is black, we could not see her.  Suddenly, like a rebellious teenager, she hopped the fence and took off.

Fortunately, Hubby got her back into the house with promises of a delicious dinner.  I took her right downstairs and fed her.  Now she is romping with Dexter, like nothing ever happened.

Thanks for the scare Nora.  Don't you know Halloween is over?  Geesh.

Chomp!

Dex has never been a fan of rawhide.  He usually drops them in his water bowl so that they get all gross and we throw them away, then give him a treat he actually likes.  So, when my friend Jen offered to give me a treat she had that were too small for her dog, I was not sure Dex would like them, because they looked like rawhide, even though they weren't.

Boy was I wrong.

Enter, the Pork Chomp.

Instead of being made with beef rawhide, these are made from pork skin.  Dexter loves the taste, and unlike rawhide, these do not cause digestive issues, which is important to dogs with small tummies like Dex.  They help clean his teeth, which is good, because these treats literally make him smile, I swear!  We have also noticed a reduction in Dexter chewing on his blankets, because now he has a better (and tastier) outlet for the chewing instinct.

Right now, he gets about 1 a day, and it keeps him occupied for about an hour, because they are just the small knotted bones.  I am sure a bigger one would take longer, but Dex can be a pig and not know when to stop, so for now, we will stick with these little ones.  Seriously though, we can bring him upstairs to our room, put on a movie, and he will lay on the bed chomping for almost the whole thing.  Everyone is happy.

So, if your dog does not like rawhide, and you need a good chewy treat for him or her, I suggest these.  In fact, I want to note, I was not asked to review these treats by the company, and I was not compensated for this review.  I just really believe in this product, because it makes my baby happy!