One sick pup

A couple of days after I went to the dog park I started to not feel so good. I was coughing, sleepy all the time, and not my normal self. Mommy and daddy got very worried about me.

"Gus, you are not acting like your normal puppy self" mommy said. Daddy agreed. Mommy started to do some research on the internet to see if pups can catch colds. Turns out they cannot.

Tuesday night, mommy and daddy decided 'better to be safe than sorry', so they took me to the vet. Lucky for me there is a 24-hour vet right around the corner. The vet said I was in good health. Mommy didn't like him much.

"He is acting totally different than usual. He is never this lethargic and he has such a funny cough" mommy kept telling him.

"Has he been around other dogs?" the vet asked

"yes, he was at the dog park on Saturday" Mommy replied

Turns out, the vaccine for Kennel Cough doesn't last a full year, so that is probably what I had. The doctor prescribed me some antibiotics for 10 days. Funny, I don't remember mommy and daddy giving me any. However, twice a day they have been giving me special treats, and they hover over me while I eat it. I think I have been tricked! Maybe I have been taking my meds.

48 hours after I started my antibiotics, I feel like a new pup! I have my energy back, I am no longer coughing, I even chase the cats! No doggie toy is safe from me now!

click on photo to enlarge

naptime

It was a nice Tuesday evening when I settled down in daddy's lap for a nap. We were VERY tired so we were quick to fall asleep. I was off in dreamland when I heard a noise...
"Gus, want some juice? I hear in a small voice.
I must be dreaming. Juice? I don't drink juice.
I hear it again, this time closer...
"Gus, want some juice???"
BOINK!
What the?????
I wake with a start. My eyes open. I am too scared to move. I look from side to side with my big brown eyes... mommy caught what happened on camera...I did not dream it. Take a look

This is Ally, my 3 1/2 year old cousin. She got a baby doll for Christmas and took it upon herself to make me her "real life" baby and she tried to give me pretend juice through her dolls sippy cup. I played along once I realized what was going on.

"Yummy, Ally! That's good juice!" I said
" I though you would like some" She replied.

holiday photos

"Why is everyone laughing at me? Is there something on my head?"

" It was such a busy morning I fell asleep sitting up. Again, everyone was laughing at me...I wonder why?"

"Wow! look at all these gifts! I hope santa brought something good for me!"

"Interesting....."

"That's more like it!"

Merry Christmas!

Happy How-idays! Merry Christmas! I had a busy day yesterday. I awoke to hustle and bustle in the house and then I was given presents! I got bones, toys, treats, clothes, etc. I was so tired at one point that I took a nap on the back of the couch and awoke to the flash of a camera, realizing I had been set up...I was covered in gift bows! We headed down to my grandparents house (mommy's parents) and I was greeted at the door by Ally and Abby.
"Gus!" They both yelled and I was covered in kisses. I made my way around the living room saying my hello's to everyone. As usual, everyone was so happy to see me. Ally gave me a present. Inside was a fur lined sweater in pale blue. If you ask me, it is kinda girly, but a 3 year old picked it out and if that is what she wants me to wear, by golly I'll wear it! They were also excited about a ball they helped to pick out. I love it! Who knew that the pup of the family would get to open his gifts first, even before the human kids? Mommy took alot of photos, but she is about to run out the door and go to work and she did not give me the cd yet so I could set them up on here and tell you all about my busy day. Later.....I promise! Dog's honor!

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Yesterday was GREAT! Mommy had worked her usual Friday night double shift, so when she came home at 7am on Saturday morning I stood at the top of the stairs with a big grin to welcome her. It made her so happy! She then went upstairs to wake up daddy. Out of nowhere, I hear the magic words...
"Gus, wanna go buh-byes? Buh-byes in the car? Wanna go for a ride in the car?" daddy asked.
I run around and wag my curly tail
"of course I do, daddy! You don't even have to ask!" I responded.
We get in the car and head out. Mommy and daddy were suppose to be doing a 5K (3.1 mile) road race/run. When they went to register they found out it was a 10K (6.2 mile) run instead. Daddy signed up, while mommy said she would just run the 5K course for fun, this way she and I could cheer for daddy at different points of the course and at the finish. I met a new friend, Tio ( I think). He was a husky. He barked at me a bit, and I gave it right back to him. He didn't scare me!
Mommy took off on her run, and when it was time for daddy to start he put me in the car. I could see him at first, out the window, but before long he was out of sight. Mommy soon returned and got me out of the car. She took off her ear warmers and put on a red santa hat.
"Come on, Gus, lets go find daddy!"
Off we went. Hey...why are we running? I thought mommy finished her run. Up the hill we go. We continue to run around a big field.
"Gus, good boy, Gus. Good boy. Your a good runner. Good boy!" mommy keeps saying over and over. As long as she keeps talking, I keep running. We make a couple stops so I can make yellow snow, and we get to the edge of the field.
"Gus, look for daddy!" She says. I look. There were alot of people running by. Faintly in the distance I hear my name.
"GUS!" I wag my tail, but it is not daddy...it is a group of people from mommy and daddy's triathlon team. They all love me. As they run by they all say hi to me. I jump around in appreciation. One runner even stopped running to bend down and pet me. Must have been my christmas shirt. I looked so festive. Mommy in her santa hat and me in my christmas shirt.
We finally see daddy coming. Mommy and I ran with daddy for a bit and then he took off. Did I mention he wore a green shirt, too??? That's right, daddy dressed like me. I am such a trend starter. I had it on first!!!Mommy ran me around the rest of the field in the opposite direction, so we were facing the runners.
"GUS!" I hear again. It's my same group of human friends. They go by. Daddy must be coming soon. Sure enough we saw him again, then we headed down to the finish line to wait for him there. I ran a whole mile! Mind you, it was slow, with a few stops throughout, but it was a mile!
Uh, oh...What's this??? What is mommy doing? Oh, no, not the antlers!!!!! On they go. She is carrying me by now, so I cannot shake them off. Everyone stops us, saying how cute I am. Yes, I know I am cute, but I think I look like a fool with antlers on. I am a pug. A manly pug, not a sissy pug with antlers, though that is what everyone is seeing at the moment.
Daddy finishes and we are off to see the aliens at the drive- thru. Lucky for them there was a long line at the drive-thru so mommy and daddy had to go inside. Once home, mommy was quick to get ready and off we went again...this time to the dog park. I had a play date with my friend, Buddy (a cocker spaniel puppy). (As we were leaving the house, I knocked mommy's coffee out of her hand and onto the ground in hopes of another trip to the drive-thru...they give out milkbones, you know...but all it did was make her sad and she did not go get another one. My plan was foiled!)At the park it was snowy. I jumped around like a bunny, chasing Buddy everywhere. Whenever other dogs would bark and play fight, I would yell at them. They would peer at me like...who is this little dog and why is he barking at us?
When we went to leave, mommy gave Buddy's mom some cookies and I gave Buddy a "Bark Bar"(special treat) as a Christmas gift. We said our goodbyes and I headed home for an evening of napping with Grandma! A busy day can leave a pup quite tired...

I got a present!

A package came for me in the mail! It was addressed to Mr. Gus Whiting...That's me! I wonder what's inside? I carefully examine it...smells good. I look at the return address...it's from my birth mommy!

"Oh! I am so excited to see what is inside!" I tell mommy and daddy.

"Gus, do you need help opening it?" daddy asks.

"yes, daddy, please help me. I recently got my nails clipped and can't quite grab the tape to open it".The top comes off...I peer inside...YIPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! I have treats! Looks like home-made doggy treats! I love them! There was a note saying that they are my birth-mommy's favorites and she even taste tested them to make sure they were good. Boy oh boy, were they good. Daddy gave me one right away, and saved the rest for later.

"Gus, why don't we save the doggy muffin for Christmas morning?" daddy said

"ok, daddy, sounds good to me. Just be sure not to eat it...I know it looks good and all, but it is all mine!" I replied

Yummy! I love my present! Thank you Lola! (that's my birth mommy)

Tale of a snowball

At the end of our street is a circle. I think it is called a cul-de-sac. Anyways...this is where mommy and daddy take me to do my business, seeing as how there is too much snow in our yard. Somehow, someway, there appeared a GIANT snowball, right at the end of the street. I sniffed it. I walked around it. I nugged it with my nose. I then lifted my leg. Yes! I found my spot. All the little bushes and trees are covered by snow, but magically there appeared a snowball. I am in the process of creating a piece of art, you could say. A yellow and white polka dotted snowball. It already has 4 yellow spots!

bathtime

All that going outside in the snow and sand/salt can make a pup quiete dirty. Mommy decided to give me a bath. I am not sure why...they usually let me take a shower. I tell ya...I prefer the shower. Something about standing in a puddle of water I just don't like. Even though I am almost a year old, mommy still uses puppy shampoo on me. It is lavendar scented and I LOVE IT! After my bath, mommy usually wraps me in a big fluffy towel and holds me. Then she puts me down so she can rub me down and I can get dry. I shake, and then, with a burst of energy, I run up and down the hallway by the bathroom until I collapse with a big grin, panting. Something about being a clean pup brings out the best in me.

There is a treat on the chair...cat vs. dog

Go Patriots!

It snowed again last night. It is now sleeting. Mommy took me out and I hid under the parked cars in the driveway so I would stay dry. She didn't like that too much, so she made me go for a walk. I learned something cool...if you walk in the tire tracks on the road your paws don't get as wet! If I had not walked in the tire tracks the snow would have been up to my belly. Mommy said I was such a good boy...I was a good pee-er and a double pooper. Better to get it all out now than have to come out in the cold again! Once inside I was able to put my new Patriots jersey on (Grammy bought it for me), then daddy and I read the sports section together in our matching shirts.

"Go Pats!" Daddy keeps saying. I don't know when they are playing in human time, but in pup time I think it is this afternoon, after my nap. Good thing we are not at the game, it is sooooooo cold out! I would need a double layer of paw-protectors, three shirts, my fleece vest, and a big hat! I think I will just snuggle on the couch with daddy, thank you very much!

Snow Dog Video

Big Snow, Little Dog

Wow! We got so much snow! I think it had to be a foot. It was over my head. I was lucky to have daddy home to shovel a "pee path" for me in the grass. This is me, standing in the area I am suppose to do my business. I would rather walk around, though. Time to explore!

This is the first real snowstorm I have experienced. Are they all like this? I am happy I have clothes to keep me warm. I sure do love my booties! I overheard mommy and daddy talking... "Do you think Gus needs a hat to go out in the snow?" mommy said. "Yeah, because what the dog needs is another article of clothing!" daddy responded, with a chuckle. They are silly. I do have alot of clothes, though. But no hat. Yet.

"Cheese!"

Mmmm...cookies

Mommy was so busy baking cookies today! All I could do was stare at the yummy treats. I could smell the peanut butter in them, but could not steal any because there was chocolate in them, and mommy said chocolate was bad for puppies. They sure do look yummy!

Trip to the store, I saw santa!!!

"Mommy can I help you with the grocery bags?"

Today was great! I went to Petco to see Santa! He was in a red suit and had a big beard. Well, first, this morning I called my cousin, Ally (3 1/2 years old)...

"Ally, Ally! Guess what??? I am going to see Santa today!" I told her over the phone. I did not expect the response I got.

"NNNooooooo!!!! I am going to see Santa today!" she cried. "How will I see Santa if he is up there?" (I live in MA, she lives in CT). At that point she handed the phone off to her mommy and I heard her crying.

"Ally, it's ok! Santa will come see you when he is done up here! I promise!" I tried my best...I am a pug...I forgot how the mind of a 3 year old human works. My mommy got on the phone and talked to Ally and made it all better.

So off to Petco. I was scared of Santa when I saw him. We were first in line and so we didn't have to wait. It took 3 tries to take my picture with santa. I would post it on here, but Santa seems to be a little low on technology and it is a poloroid, so it is not loadable to the internet. In the photo, I am sitting on the floor in front of him, not in his lap. I was quite the wiggle worm.

I saw mommy buy some treat-type items. We also picked out christmas gifts for the cats. We met lots of dogs and I got to play with some. It was fun!

We headed out to Stop and Shop on the way home. Mommy had to run in for a minute to grab some stuff. I guess she forgot about the bags from Petco in the backseat. They sat there in plain sight. I hoped right to the backseat and dove into the bag. By the time mommy got back to the car, I had the "surprise" christmas toys and treats all over the car.

"Mommy, can I help you with your bags?" I said, as I peered over the back seat.

"Gus, I think you did enough helping with the Petco bags. Thank you, though." mommy replied.

We drove home so mommy could spend the afternoon baking christmas cookies. Maybe I can help...

The hairbrush

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The alarm clock kept going off and going off.

"Mommy...time to wake up" I said, in my usual pug fashion. She would not move. I then took it upon myself to wake her up in my own way.

I got up close to her. I sat on her head. She moved a bit but would not get up. I opened my mouth and grabbed a bunch of her hair. I pulled it.

"Gus! Don't pull mommy's hair!" I turn around. Busted! Daddy had just gotten out of the shower and saw me. I was so excited to see that he was still home I jumped around all over the bed, and all over mommy. I snorted, I sneezed, I landed right on her head! Just a little more hair pulling and she was up.

"yeah! mommy's up!"

"ok, Gus...I'm up!" mommy said. She was kinda grumpy. Maybe I should have put the coffee on before I started to jump all over her. "wanna go outside?" she asks

So off we go...out for a walk. It was cold. There is still ice covering the road. We went to the end of the road and I once again performed my magic trick...I turned the white snow yellow! I love to do that...it's like magic.

We head back to the house. We had such a nice walk I started to feel bad about pulling mommy's hair, so I headed upstairs into the bathroom and found her hairbrush. I brought it to where she was...

"Gus-alicious, what are you doing with my hairbrush?" she asks

"mommy, I felt bad about pulling your hair and thought I would fix it for you"

"Aw, Gus. You are such a sweet puppy. Thank you"

She picked me up and I spent the morning cuddling in her lap.

I love my family!

The Ice Storm

"Ohhhhh! It was so cold today!"

I woke up to ice everywhere! I did not like them at first, but I am sure glad grandma bought me some booties. I used to fight whenever mommy and daddy would put them on. They said I was funny to watch, because I hop around when I wear them. This was the first time I wore them outside in the ice. I LOVE THEM!!!!! My paws stayed toasty warm and dry. I even dragged mommy down to the end of the road. I think she wanted me to do my buisiness in the yard, but with my warm booties and all, I decided I would rather treck to the end of the street. She looked cold, but I was not. When we got back into the house she took off my shoes and put my PJ's on so I was comfy. I snuggled up with a teddy bear and took a nap. Later on in the day mommy was being very productive (I tell ya...it's all the coffee she drinks), I tried to help her wrap christmas gifts, but she would not let me help. I think I annoyed her a bit by walking all over the wrapping paper she had layed out on the floor. I was just trying to help...honest. I think the real reason I could not help is that some of the gifts are for me...I swear I smelled something good in the bag of presents. Possibly a new dingo bone???

King of the house

Yes...I am king of the house. While mommy and daddy sit in bed and read or do the crossword puzzle, I sneak in between them. I lay right in the middle with my head on the pillow and the blankets pulled right up to my puppy arms.
"Goodnight, Gus" They say
"Goodnight mommy and daddy" I say back
and they kiss me on my cheeks for a good nights sleep!

Oh what pretty decorations

Mommy has been a busy bee. Over the weekend she put up all the pretty Christmas decorations. White lights everywhere! One the bushes, in the windows, along the banister of the front porch with that green pine garland stuff. It was so pretty. Until Tuesday. Tuesday was a bit windy and since mommy hasn't hung outdoor lights too often (she has always lived in an apartment, now a house) they were not secured too well, and now the porch decorations are hanging off the railing! I would fix them for her while she was at work, but I cannot reach the doorknob to get outside and the porch rail is too high, too. The first night she go the decorations out she turned the twinkle lights on in the house and put them on the floor. I did not know what to think. I gotta admit...I did bark at them for a bit. What? Twinkle lights can be scary! This is my first Christmas so I don't know what to expect. I do know mommy went shopping with grandma and I could smell treats in the bag. Grandma also bought me lots of cool outfits. In the picture above, grandma was trying to take our family photo for us, but mommy and daddy kept laughing. I just sat there staring at them..."guys, guys come on! I want to get this photo over with so I can take off my sweater and get comfy! Guys! FOCUS!" I kept trying to tell them. We eventually got some good pictures, as some of you will see when you recieve the card in the mail.
I

The gingerbread house contest

Let the contest begin! Mommy, daddy, and grandma started a new tradition. They each built a gingerbread house and are going to see who's house will stand the longest. Mommy got the idea from my friend Buddy's mom, Nola. This is me...looking at mommy's house. Her roof kept sliding off so she re-arranged the pieces and made the roof the walls, and the walls the roof. It is still standing, though. You can tell it is mommy's because of the "R" on the side. I better go investigate the other houses to see if they are still standing...
Here is grandma's house. Her's was definatly the prettiest. I cannot tell what is on the front, though. Stained glass windows? Bushes with christmas lights? Dog cookies? (Hey..I am a dog...I can wish). I really love her roof, though. Looks good enough to eat!

Last, but not least, is Daddy's. He got frustrated at one point and we all thought he was going to give up, but he came back with a vengence and built a wonderful house! The whole roof is covered in icing and I am so close I can smell the sugar! If no one was in the kitchen taking my picture, I would consider stealing the gumdrop wreath on the front door. I wonder why no one built a dog house?

What is this?

We found this sign on someone's front lawn and thought we would pose for a snapshot

I LOVE Saturday

BOTH mommy and daddy worked the overnight shifts last night. I thought I was going to have no one to snuggle with, but luckily for me...Grandma is visiting!!! I curled up with her and slept like a baby. Daddy got home around 7:45am, and I awoke to him ringing the doorbell. I did not know it was him at first and so I barked and barked! Turns out he left his keys in mommy's car, mommy went to work, and daddy had to use his spare car key. This also left him with no house key. A couple hours later mommy came home. She went shopping. She says "the day after the day after Thanksgiving is best to shop because you still get the sales without the crowds". I will take her word for it. I wonder if there is anything in those shopping bags for me????? Daddy had his 10k (6.2 mile) race today. Here we are awaiting the race start. Daddy runs fast! At one point I was cheering with mommy and I dug a hole in the ground. Then, out of nowhere I got a burst of energy! A burst, I tell you! I started to run and run but I was on a leash so I was going in cirlcles around mommy. It made her spin round and round too. After the race, people came up to us and said "you guys were making ME dizzy!". I just laughed and licked his face. Later on in the day mommy took me to the dog park to play. I wore my yellow fleece vest. I was the only pup in the park wearing clothes. I wonder what the other dogs thought.....was I cool? Or did they think I was silly? It was cold out, so it doesn't really matter what they thought...I was toasty warm! Later, on the way home, mommy took me to daddy's work to visit him on his dinner break. They were very sneaky. I went in the hospital and into the cafeteria (no one was there. It was closed). We all hung out and when we left, daddy let me walk down the hallway. It was linolium, so I was sliding all over! Once home, mommy got creative and put up christmas lights outside. I knew she was out there, and I was not, so I barked up a storm until she came in to take me out with her. I don't like it when mommy or daddy are outside and I am inside. I want to be right with them, doing what they are doing.

New PJ's,Thanksgiving, and aliens...

Look at me! Look at me! I got new PJ's! They were and early christmas gift and I LOVE THEM! I wonder if they make matching ones for my mommy and daddy? Mommy would wear them, but I don't know about daddy...he is manly. We got up early this morning...it's Thanksgiving day!!! "Gus wanna go for a ride in the car?" daddy asked. Of course I do, so I ran to the door. "I wonder where we are going?" We pulled up to a parking area and there were so many people around. Some were warming up running, others were just talking. "Oh I know...this must be a road race." We all got out of the car and walked up to a big building. Mommy and daddy took turns going inside to register for the race, while the other stayed with me outside. Everyone loved me, as usual. "Uh oh...race must be starting soon." I thought. I got put in the car (it's a big SUV so I get the whole back to myself), and they went to run the race. When it started I got super excited. They are running right by the car!!! As daddy ran by he tapped the window and I was soooo happy! "Go daddy, go!!!" I yelped. Ok...where is mommy...there she is..."go mommy go!" I barked. 5 miles later, daddy ran across the finish line he came to get me so we could cheer for mommy. He was surprised to find me in the drivers seat. That's right...I jumped the seats and made it all the way to the front of the vehicle. "Good job, buddy!" daddy said. We waited for mommy and when I saw her coming I ran towards her, dragging daddy with me. She raced me to the finish line. I still say I won. It was close. By now everyone knows me. "bye Gus!" all the kids say as they leave. Even grown-ups kneel down to talk to me. I am so popular. I am popular without even trying. Must be my stellar personality and dashing good looks. We went to visit the aliens at the Dunkin Donuts drivethrough (read the blog entry about that if you have no idea what I am talking about). I acted in my usual fashion, protecting my parents from the aliens..."arf! bark! ggrrrrr!!!!" But when we pulled up to the window, I was surprised to see them handing me something...it's a milkbone! The aliens have treats!!!!! Why didn't anyone tell me this earlier!

My new trick!

Hey guess what!!!??? I can turn white snow a different color............ Yellow!

what is this white stuff?

I got outside and paused. "What is this white stuff???" Everyone kept trying to get me to go down the stairs, but I was very unsure of myself. "Is it going to be hot? Is it cold? I think it is cold because when mommy took me out she made sure I was wearing a shirt. She searched the house for a long time trying to find the warmest one" Ok...here I go...

"Oh, it IS COLD!" I wandered around for a bit, sneezing everytime a snowflake tickled my nose. Now I understand why grandma wants me to get paw-protectors. To keep my toes warm in the snow! I wish I had a pair now, although no one really knew we were going to wake up to snow. I kept picking my paws up and mommy kept laughing at me. Thinking back I guess I was walking kinda funny!

bedtime

I love to snuggle in bed with daddy! Especially when we are both wearing our Red Sox shirts!

sleeping in the car

I get so sleepy when I go for rides in the car. Today I went to Rhode Island with grandma to visit great-grandma and Lydia. It was a long, but fun, day. I will tell you all about it after a good nights sleep!

Picking up grandma at the airport

We left the house at 11 to pick grandma up at the airport. I got to ride up front with mommy when we got close to the airport. Here I am sitting on her lap as we pulled up to the terminal. I have not seen grandma in sooooooo long. I am so excited!
I was not sure if I would be allowed in the airport, but we gave it a shot anyways. I got in! No one said anything to us. We got lots of smiles from people and I got petted alot. Here I am at the bottom of the escalator awaiting her arrival. "Oh! I see her! I see her! There's grandma!!!" She soon saw me and smiled. I ran right up to her once she was at the bottom of the stairs.

She picked me right up and gave me a huge hug! I missed her so much!!!

cold morning

Gotta go outside. Gotta go outside. "Brrrrrrr! I didn't realize how cold it was!" After running around the bed for awhile, making lots of noise, mommy got up and took me outside. It was cold. There was frost all over the ground. The leaves and grass crinkled as I stepped on them. I sniffed and sniffed and sniffed. I glanced at mommy..."Gus, go potty. I know it's cold but you have to go potty. You WILL NOT go in the house. Don't look at me with those puppy eyes. You need to go potty outside." This puts a brilliant idea into my head. My new mission...learn to use the toilet. I doubt it is possible, but it is cold and I am freezing. I may be thinking irrationally." I do my thing in the grass and mommy lets me go back inside. I wait at the door for her.

"Hurry up, mommy! I'm turning into a pupsicle!" We head inside and I run up the stairs to wake up daddy. I jumped onto the bed and licked his face. No luck. So I run back downstairs to see if mommy has fed the cats yet. No luck. I think she is waiting for when we go to the airport to pick up grandma so the cats can eat in peace. Mommy is making something yummy, though. It's blueberry bread. Smells sooooo good. I asked if I could help, but mommy didn't think it was a good idea. "it will be too hard for you to hold the spoon to stir the mix, Gus" mommy said. She's right. It would be hard for me to grip the spoon with my paws. I think I will go and snuggle in bed with daddy!

Mmmmm...pumpkins!

Grandma is coming!

Four more days until grandma gets here! I am so excited! I have not seen her since the summer. She lives in Michigan. The best part is...even when mommy and daddy are at work, grandma is home, so I always have someone to play with. Sometimes she even takes me to Rhode Island to visit great grandma and Lydia. They are so much fun! First, there is the car ride-which I love, then, there is the nursing home where everyone loves me. I feel so important when I go there because I am the center of attention. Everyone pets me! When we pick grandma up at the airport I think I will wear my new sweater. I do beleive daddy has a blue stripped shirt to match mine. Maybe he will wear it too!