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.