Friends and Family

  Friends and Family- It's what is most important right? Well, being a dog it is the ONLY importance. Those are your peeps. For life. Now, I realize that some of you may be so consumed with your jobs, your hobbies, your friends or just the craziness we call life. But there is something you need to know. As dogs- we have been called 'life companions', and its the truth. You are ours. We are consumed with you. From the time you walk out of the door in the morning until you return at night. We miss you, terribly, but we know you will be back. One of the adjectives used to describe us is loyal. I find great joy in that word. Outside of my mom and dad- there is no one I would rather be playing with, following around the house or just laying at the feet of- and lets be honest- chewing on your socks.
   I know you probably have a lot of friends, but I only have a few- maybe 3 really good ones. I like that. I don't need a ton of friends. It is funny too because there seems to be a running theme with me an my friends. We are all mixes. None of us are pure-bred. Which is pretty cool if you ask me!If I haven't told you already, I am a mix between a Labrador, a greyhound, a doberman pinscher, and a husky. That is a mouth full!!! Sheesh! But my friends are all different just like me!
  My cousin Holly is a mystery mix between a German Shepherd and something else... we are not quite sure. She is little, very mischievous and full of energy! She is my Uncle Josh's dog and she is about 7 months old. A fairly young pup with lots to learn. She came to visit a couple weeks ago and we had the best time. I was so exhausted by the time they left. We did not stop running around the entire time!!

 We wrestled and rolled all over each other! We played chase and her little tail did not stop wagging one time. No, really, I don't think it stopped wagging one time. The reason I know that is because every time she walked by me her tail smacked me in the face. Every.Time. One thing she loved to take was my special bone. I get a special treat every once and a while and its a vanilla flavored rawhide. Those are my favorite!! They are very special to me. I'm going to work on her manners with her. I'm going to have to give her the benefit of the doubt and just assume that because she is so young, her manners are not all there just yet. Whenever I tried to take MY bone back, she would come over, sit right next to me and steal it away again. I mean it is MY bone after all- I think I should at least have the opportunity of sharing. Only if I wanted to of course.

 Now there was an incident where, and I cant quite exactly remember, I think I got in trouble and had to sit in MY chair. The green chair- yeah, you know the one. It's mine. Well, that little goober decided it was going to be hers as well. She just hopped up right next to me and started licking my nose. It is possible that she thought I was upset or something. I thought she was very sweet for checking on me. But that chair is not as comfy when there are two dogs on it. There is just not enough space.Overall, the weekend was great. I loved playing with Holly and cannot wait til she and her parents come back to visit. Ill work on my sharing skills and 'll remember to have a special treat just for her next time. A very special vanilla flavored rawhide.

 My next friend who I dearly love is named Mags. She is another mystery mix between a pit bull and something else. She belongs to some of our good friends who live down the street from us. We actually found her walking around our neighborhood with a leash on her collar but no name or number. SO we asked our friends if they wanted a dog and they said YES! Now she has a new home and a very loving family. Shes about 2 years old and is the nicest friendliest dog I have ever met.We play all the time. You know those friends you have that even though you might not see them everyday or talk all the time, whenever you DO get to see them you just pick right back up where you left off?! That's me and Mags.

 Here we are hanging out underneath the fig tree in my backyard. We are so cute. Mags has a permanent smile on her face. She's a 'grinner'. I just look ridiculous with my mouth wide open. HA! We play tag and wrestle a lot too. We also share pretty well. She is my friend because she plays with me and shares her own bones with me. She's a little older than me so I can look up to her.

 This is me at Mags' house after we had been playing really hard in the backyard. We were so thirsty!! You can tell we are good friends by the way we share. Friends who share are friends that care. :)

I am what I am

    Sometimes I feel like I just don't really belong. Yes, I have a wonderful family yes I have friends but do you ever just feel like you don't fit anywhere? Take me for instance. I have really long legs- REALLY long legs. Longer than the 'average' dog I'd say. When I run, my ears flop all over. My nose is, well its quite the schnoz. (Is that the correct spelling?) And my tail is nuts- it curls up in a swirly curly. I look rather different. Not to mention, I sometimes like to chase it in circles. Then I get really dizzy and fall over. I'm a goof. I'm not proper, I don't have much to offer except a couple of bones hidden in the house somewhere, I don't always do the right thing, or bark at the right things. Sometimes when I get too excited I have an accident and tee tee. I even like cats. I'm not like the other dogs who hate them. I want to be their friend. They seem nice. I suppose I'm a little bit different.

    Then there's the popular question of, 'What kind of dog are you?' Well, that's an excellent question. I am not just one breed but probably 3 maybe 4. I am what they call a mix, or a mutt. I am a mix between a Labrador Retriever, a Doberman Pincher, a Greyhound and maybe a Husky?! The husky was on the paperwork that my parents got, but it really can't be seen unless you look at my tail, but that's about it and I'm not even sure that's accurate. Some people even tell me- to my face no less- that I am a funny looking dog, but that I'm great. Is that supposed to be like a cover up, make me feel better or a silent 'jab'? It seems awfully passive aggressive if you ask me. My mom always says, "Yes, he is quite wonderful isn't he?" Yep, she loves me just the way I am.
    But, you know what? I might be different, but my mom has told me that everything God gave me has a purpose and that there is also, no one else who is exactly the same as me.That is pretty special. I have a great tail for wagging. After all,  I am one happy pup. And my nose is great for nudging things and giving kisses. I can also use my sniffer to find things, especially if I've lost my bone. My legs are fabulous for running. I love going on a run with my dad to the park. Turns out, I'm pretty fast. As for my ears, they are very helpful because I like to know what is going on in my house and my hearing is excellent! If I am in the back bedroom I can hear when the garage door opens and my dad comes home from work. Now, not many people have that ability! I'd say that is pretty impressive.

    And then sometimes I fall asleep in a shoe. When you need to snooze- just grab some shoes.It is hard sometimes when you compare yourself to others especially when you are only focusing on what they look like. And although I get told that I am a funny looking dog, I will have to take that as a compliment and let it be a reminder as well. It will remind me that I was created just the way that God wanted, given special traits that no one else has and a personality that was given to suit me- just me. It's just the way that I am. In the words of Popeye, 'I yam what I yam". I'll take it. There can only be one Murray Charles, and it's me.

What IS in a name?

     In the words of the great William Shakespeare, "Whats in a name? That which we call a rose- by any other name would smell as sweet."  (Taken from Romeo and Juliet). Well, I am for sure no rose, but let me just say that EVEN if I had a different name I would still be JUST as sweet. I was thinking the other day I have so many names, that sometimes I forget what my real full name is. My full name is Murray Charles Motycka. But my parents call me all sorts of things. My mom says they're nicknames but I don't know any Nicks. Does this happen to anyone else? Here are some examples of what my parents call me:
Murray baby, Bubsy, Boo boo, Bubsy Bubsy boo boo boo, Nose, baby puppy, Bubba, Bub, Murray, Nanna*, Little nanna, puppykins, Little boo, Murray Charles, little noggin head. The list goes on but, those are just a few. I am not sure what to think about all that. Trust me, I'm a tad embarrassed. I think I like that they have so many names for me but what is up with Nanna?! I am not a girl. I shall explain.
      I can't remember when but a long time ago someone was watching Peter Pan. Oh yes, it was when my mom went on vacation to take care of her nieces and nephew and they watched it then. In the beginning the children were playing in the nursery while the parents were getting ready to go to a party. Well, they had a dog (all the great movies do), and the dog was the nurse and took care of the children. HER name was Nanna. Please note that I am trying to emphasize the word 'her'- I still don't see the resemblance. Mr. Darling comes in to the nursery find his cuff links and a collar, but instead finds his collar has a treasure map drawn on it and the cuff links are lost.
    Long story short, he ends up tripping over the dog and gets very frustrated. The children run to attend to the dog first to make sure she is ok. And he yells because they do not come to him. It makes me think that he must not spend a lot of time with his dog. If he did then he would know that she was probably very stressed from his yelling and trying to take care of the kids. He drags the dog out by the collar and his youngest son, Michael, waves to her and in the cutest most pathetic voice says,"goodbye Nanna, goodbye." And she waves back. Thus, the name Nanna is born. Well, for me it is. Do you have any nicknames?


  

My mother

   This is my family- My mom, dad and me. This was our Christmas card from last year. I look extremely handsome if I do say so myself. I got a bath the night before and my mom was so excited. This was my first portrait if you will. The morning of the pictures, my mom set a big red bow out on the counter for me to put around my neck- it was Christmas after all. Bows, bells and holly are kind of expected. We got to the picture setting and my mom forgot the bow... That is why I am not wearing the big red bow in the picture. She's a basket case, bless her little heart. She forgets things a lot. But, everything turned out fine and the sweet photographer Miss Kelli said I looked just as handsome even though I didn't have the bow on- that made me feel good inside.
   I spend most of my time with my mom hanging out around the house. She cleans, cooks, we have snuggle time in the morning- after she has her coffee and her devotions. Sometimes we play in the backyard, we nap, go on walks and sometimes she lets me help her garden outside- but sometimes I don't get to because I like to eat the flowers off of them. Mom says 'no.' But Ill go outside and sit next to her while she does whatever it is with those plants. I love to be right next to her. She is sweet and rubs my ears and I know that I am safe right by her. She talks to me a lot about the most random things. I love when she does that because it means that she trusts me. She tells me that I am a good listener and I like that. 
   Sometimes when she is sad, she cries. Being a dog, I have a pretty good 'spidey sense' and I always know when she is upset. I like to use that time to go sit at her feet, put my head in her lap if I can, or just go curl up next to her. Sometimes if I can reach, I give her kisses on her cheek- just to let her know that I'm here if she needs to talk. Most of the time she is happy and really goofy with me. She chases me around the house and because we have wood floors- I slide all over the place. Corners are the trickiest, I can never seem to grip the floor- ever. Its so fun but I hot a lot of cabinets and chairs. Sometimes I get a little too rowdy, start barking and then I start getting out of breath and have to lay down for a break. Now, if there is a tennis ball involved everything changes- it's go big or go home. Well, since I'm already home that doesn't really apply I guess, but you get the picture that it's way too fun. 
    Another thing that I love about my mom is that she takes care of me and makes me the best meals. She thinks that I should eat really healthy food along with my regular dog food. Veggies and some fruit are always thrown in some of my meals. I really like pumpkin, blueberries, brown rice, chicken, and green beans.(I even like carrots and sugar snap peas too). After all, I need to take care of myself so that I can take care of my mom and dad. 
    Some people want to know why I don't have any brothers or sisters. Believe me- I have been wondering about that same thing too. I've asked many times because I am just so antsy and want a friend to play with, protect and get belly rubs from. My mom says that she and dad are working on it- but it's going to take some time, but that it will happen when the time is right and the Lord sees fit. Can't he see that NOW is a PERFECT time? I think it's a perfect time. I've met babies before and they are so interesting. I've got a tremendous sniffer and have noticed that they smell funny too. Maybe not funny, but just so different. When I am around my niece Dubs who is 7 months old, I have to be very sensitive to where she is and careful. I'm good at that. I try to be very quiet, and just observe. When she was a newborn I would sit in front of her and just watch. I feel like I could be a great big brother. A couple weeks ago, we had some friends come visit with their baby boy and he is the cutest little chunk. So happy too!! His mom let me help feed him and stay close by as I watched. I felt like such a good helper. Maybe I'll get a baby brother or sister soon. I sure hope so.

The Green Chair

    My headquarters. La silla verde - ('the green chair' in Spanish) ... Did I tell you I also speak Spanish?! I do. Oh the things I see from my perch. I can see and hear everything from where this chair sits. Its in the middle of everything. I think my favorite thing about it is that I can see everything that happens in the backyard- and everyone who decides to visit. The birds, the squirrels and even the little weeny dogs from next door. (There is a loose panel of wood in the fence and they like to come over every once and a while). Its always fun seeing them.There are many great things to do in this chair. I love to take my naps here, chew on a bone, or my FAVORITE thing to do is lick the peanut butter out of my Kong (please see below picture). That has got to be the tastiest treat.
    Most of the time I just sit here and ponder the things about life. Its great just relaxing here and watching the things that happen. The green chair is great for greeting too. Since it is close to the back door, I can hear when the garage door opens. I always get SOO excited because that means that my dad is home. DAD IS HOME TO PLAY! Since he is gone all day at work I look forward to every time he comes. I always know that after he gives mom a kiss, he takes me outside to play with me. And that is very exciting. I wonder what he does all day while mom and I are at home...  

   Sometimes I get really bored.  As you can see from the above picture, when all of my peanut butter is gone and I have nothing better to do, I like to sit in the green chair and pout. I'm actually quite a good pouter.. 

   One of the best things to do in the Green Chair is nap. I like to nap a lot. I also like to curl up into a tiny ball- well picture a tiny fawn curled up. I look a lot like that without the spots, or the hooves. Pretty. Stinking. Cute. At least that's what I'm told. Do you have a favorite spot where you like to nap?

 One more picture. Just to show you how much my Kong means to me.  :)

Trouble

Here is just an example of an 'extra curricular' activity that happened a while ago... Needless to say the new hose has its own house. And I got a spanking. A big spanking. I need to remember that. But look how fun that looks!

DIGGING?! That is preposterous! I'm literally insulted, what would ever lead you to believe that I would do such a thing? There is absolutely no digging going on whatsoever. There IS however a potential problem with the roots and little cables underneath the grass. I was just doing my daily yard check up and I noticed some things that stuck out of the grass so I needed to investigate. Ive got to use this great nose for something, after all, it is my job is to protect you, you know. Just so we are clear- you are the only family Ive got and if I am in charge of the backyard then these little investigations will probably happen a few more times.

Confession....

 
    Living in Houston, Texas is hard. If you're like me its just difficult. I'm black and sometimes I cant even go outside because its so stinking hot. Do you ever just want to stay inside?- and not go anywhere but lay on the kitchen floor where its cold and the water dish is just always within reach?! The answer: yes. All the time. I have a great big backyard but there's not a ton of shade... or a watering hole- I think that might be nice. I'm getting to like the pool and water in general but still do not enjoy baths. I think I might hint to my parents that a pool or even a smaller plastic pool might be nice for me to lay in when its extremely hot out. Like today. 
    I don't have a ton of things to do today, so I'll probably take care of the usual. Maybe a couple naps here and there, eat, try to steal some socks and chew the toes off if I'm not caught before. Can someone please explain to me whats the big deal about socks? I mean, there's a ton of them, and they're all over the place- not to mention SOO many options. Tall, short, running, walking, cushy, thin etc. And COLORS!! My parents get so mad at me and say, "Murray no sir- socks are NOT for you." And I KNOW this, but I cant help it. If there is a stray sock laying around, I'm gonna grab it- ever so stealth-like and run. My name is Murray and I must confess that I am a sock stealing, chewer and lover of socks.  I'm out of bones- what can I say? I mean is it really my fault if I am not provided with the proper toys to keep myself busy? I can't be held responsible. It's not right. Maybe I should get a group together with the other neighborhood dogs and form "Sockaholics anonymous". I can't possibly be the only one.  Well, stay out of trouble my friends and Ill be back to write more. Mom is doing laundry and I spy a fresh clean sock....