Happy Birthday to Me!

Today was my birthday! Mom and Dad sang me the happy birthday song this morning when we woke up. In the afternoon Mom took me out to visit Petsmart. We didn't buy anything (Mom reminded me I got a new toy already and lots of goodies), but I just love going there so much because I always get lots of attention from employees and other customers. This time we visited the birdies and the guinea pigs too.

What are you doing in there birdies?

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Hello little piggies!

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After Petsmart, we went to a local park for a walk. Look what we saw there!

I took a little rest by the water before we left for home. Mom was trying to get me to look at the camera, but I wasn't interested in posing. It was too hot!

Then I decided I'd rather sit on Mom than on the grass, so I moved over and plopped onto her and looked out at the pond.

When we got home from the park I supervised Mom while she made my birthday cake. It's a recipe from Dory and her mom. It's posted on the Bonezone in case any of you doggies want to try it.

Gotta check for any spills around the edge of the bowl.

While the cake was baking Mom and I went outside to play fetch. I also cooled off in my pool for a while.

Then Mom let me try out my birthday goodies. Check out all the yummies I got!

Don't worry, I didn't eat it all! Not that I wouldn't have tried, but Mom said I couldn't or I'd get an upset tummy. So, I had the cupcake cookie and a little bite of the freeze dried ice cream. I wasn't entirely sure about the Sam's Yams at first, but then I remembered...I LOVE ALL food, and it turned out to be very tasty. I didn't try any of the Bark Bar yet, but it's peanut butter and carob flavor, so it's got to be good.

After my cake was done baking Mom iced it with a cream cheese frosting (recipe also from Dory's mom), and she used peanut butter to pipe on lettering. Guess what I got to do when she was done? Mom piped peanut butter straight into my mouth! Is that great service or what?

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You can see the peanutbuttery anticipation in my eyes as it heads for my tongue.

Mmmm...peanut butter is sooooo good.

Here's my cake! Mom said it turned out well, and she really liked the recipe. She cut little bone shapes out of carrot to decorate it.

Can I just have it already Dad? I've been waiting all day!

Unfortunately, I do not have any good pictures of me eating my cake. However, I did decide after a few licks that the best place to eat birthday cake is definitely in Mom's lap. I picked up the whole slice of cake they'd given me and promptly plopped down on Mom. Mom and Dad thought it was hilarious. I don't know why. I mean really, why sit on a cold, hard floor when there is a perfectly good lap available? Dad wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a good shot of me, although I did just sit there for a few moments with the giant hunk of cake in my mouth before chowing down. This is the best picture he got.

All in all, I'd say this was a totally pawsome birthday. Oh, I almost forgot! There is a mystery present on its way to me. Mom said she ordered it on the Internet and it's big, but that's all she'll tell me! Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Bad to the Bone?

Mom was just online looking at collars for me. She's been thinking about getting me a new one for my birthday (which, by the way is Wednesday!!!). She found this one at Earthdog. Guess what it's called? "Avery"!

Is it too badass for me? I'm not sure it fits my sweet personality. Here's a closer picture of it so you can see it better.

I think I'd have to get a leather coat and some of those Doggles with flames on them in order to wear this collar. I'd also have to work on my snarl and on developing an aloof and cool, yet dangerous air about me. Hmm, too much work. I think the one on the bottom left (the one that says "peace") is more my speed.

Which one do you dogs think would look best on me?

Playing Catch Up

Hellloooo Everydog! Long time, no blog. I know that some of you have been worried that I've been in jail this whole time. Fortunately, with the help of your legal arguments, all I got was probation and community service. My probation lasted, mmm, about 5 minutes and for community service Mom required that I do cute things the rest of the day for her amusement (like play with some toys, do a trick for a treat, sit on her lap). Obviously, that wasn't hard since it's part of my routine everyday.

Since I haven't posted in such a looong time, I thought I'd just do a little photo recap of the time since my last blog entry.

Here I am checking out the playground equipment in my neighborhood.

This is me at a party Mom and Dad had to celebrate her finishing her thesis. It was super fun, but after a couple of hours I was ready for a break from the action (although I made sure to take my break under the kitchen table so I could still see what was going on).

Mom made me some of that delicious doggie ice cream using the recipe from Nanook. It's sooo good!! Mom topped mine with a peanut butter cookie.

The next three pictures are from one of my walks with Mom on the greenbelt behind our house.

Look who visited my yard one afternoon! Can you see him? Mom wouldn't let me out until he was gone. Guess what? When she finally let me out, that bun decided to run back into my yard. Whoo hooo!!! It was so super exciting. Mom was worried I might actually catch Mr. Bun, but he was a quick little guy and ran under the fence.

I also got my own pool, which I have really enjoyed in this ridiculously hot weather.

What's summer without a little lazing around?

It's been a busy few weeks! And, guess what, Mom and Dad went out of town for a long weekend and I was stuck being boarded at the vet. Not that I mind that much. They love me there. But, I really don't get how they could leave me while they go on vacation! Especially since they went and stayed at a horse farm! Man, that would've been awesome, but Mom said they don't allow dogs. Whatever. Anyway, Mom just went and picked me up this morning. After she got me we went to Petsmart. It was a blast. I hadn't been there in a while, and as usual, I got lots of pats and attention from people. I had a really good time with two little humans in particular. Mom and I were in the toy aisle and they were there with their Mom. They gave me lots of petting and they kept bringing different toys over to show me. In fact, they picked one out that I just loved so much (and slobbered all over) that Mom decided to get it for me. Yay for little kids! They were awesome. I wish I could've brought them home with me too.

Mom said this is an early birthday present for me.

Here I am showing him who's boss.

Well everybody, that's what's been going on with me. Now I have to go visit some of your blogs!

I Think I Need a Lawyer

Well everydog, at risk of tarnishing my good reputation, I am confessing that today I did something bad. Mom was not too pleased with me when she got home today. Here is the evidence:

Exhibit A: Chewed up wooden cat figurine Grandma brought Mom from Costa Rica

Mom tried to reassemble it as best she could so she could show you what it's used to look like (pre-dog mauling). Unfortunately, she couldn't figure out where many of the fragments fit, since I'd done such a thorough job of dismembering it.

Exhibit B: Scratches on the old record cabinet Mom got from my Great-Grandma.

Exhibit C: Note the many, many toys (including the lightbulb in the middle, which was filled with treats) that Mom left me to play with and keep me busy and happy.

Mom also had my radio on for me, as usual, to keep me company while she was gone (always set to NPR - makes a dog think).

I have never, ever destroyed anything before. Ever. I am not a chewer. I NEVER try and chew on anything that isn't mine, and I rarely do much chewing on my own toys for that matter (ignore the fact that my Lambie has no ears in the above picture). Now, I will admit that I have created some scratches on some wooden furniture before. But that's it. That has been the extent of my destruction.

My Plea: Not Guilty, by reason of mental defect (and ridiculous cuteness). I have diagnosed myself with Specific Phobia, Natural Environment Type. Specifically, Ceraunophobia. In lay terms, I am afraid of...

THUNDER!!!! *shudder*

(Mom says that the Diagnostic and Statisitical Manual is not intended for diagnosis of canine anxiety and that one should not self-diagnose, but whatever.)

Mom and Dad got me a year ago this month, and I never showed any fear at all about thunder up until a couple of months ago. We had a really, really nasty storm come through while Mom and Dad were out. I mean, it was bad. There was bad flooding in some areas and Mom and the cats and I ended up hiding out in the bathroom later that night due to a tornado warning (Dad was at work). Mom came home earlier that day and found her laptop pushed off the desk onto the chair, papers strewn everywhere, miscellaneous desk items either fallen or falling off the desk, and scratches on the desk top. It seems that I just freaked out. Ever since then I get scared when there's thunder. And we have had a lot of it this spring and summer! Mom and Dad ignore my pleas for comfort and help when I'm scared. They say it's because they want me to be a big boy and learn that I don't have to be scared, but I just can't help it! I guess I'm traumatized from that one awful storm!

Okay jury, time to deliberate. Bad Dog or poor, traumatized (yet adorable) dog with a genuine diagnosis that excuses me from responsibility?

Here is a sad, pathetic picture of me to sway you, *ahem*, I mean, uh... for no reason whatsoever.

(P.S. Mom doesn't think I actually ingested any of the wood. Mom called the vet to ask what she should do in case I did, and she and Dad are keeping their eyes on me to make sure I'm okay.)

Photo of the Month!

Whoohoo! The Brat Pack nominated me for photo of the month over at Dogs With Blogs (it's for the bottom picture in my last post). If you haven't already voted, head on over and vote for your favorite pic! (you have to be a registered member to vote)

My mom has never been able to get a picture of me with my stacked tennis balls before. I always drop them before she can grab her camera! She's seen pictures of other doggies with multiple toys or balls in their mouths, but always horizontal, never vertically stacked on one another. The first time I did that Dad was worried they'd get stuck 'cause my jaw seems stretched to its limit!

Thanks for the nomination Brat Pack! I'm very honored and excited!