But first, lemme take a selfie..

 On rainy days in Houston, like today, I like to take selfies of me pretending to sleep. What else am I gonna do? I've been pretty bored lately. The weather hasn't really been that wonderful and Ive been hosting a friend staying with us because my mom and dad have been gone. Miss Nichole is her name. She takes me on walks and gives me lots of loves. But its not quite the same.  I can't for the life of me figure out why mom and dad needed a vacation- I mean any day with me is a vacation right? The Texas heat, humidity, rain- whats not to love? They got home late Saturday night and I was so excited, that when they walked in the door I peed all over their feet. Just saying. Every day since then I get soooo excited and wiggly and jumpy when my dad gets home because I just love him so much and don't ever want him to leave again. Ever. 

 Ive actually got quite a bit to do today. I have peanut butter in my kong waiting for me, hidden bones that need digging up and somewhere around the house are my tennis balls that Ive got to find. So I hope that you friends have a wonderful day. Stay dry and love the ones you're with- but first- lemme take a selfie.... 

-MCM

Things that I love to do, but am not supposed to be doing...

  So in our house there are these things called 'rules' and I have to say, that Im not really the biggest fan of them. Don't get me wrong, there are TONS of things that Im allowed to do and enjoy doing because really- lets be honest- I kind of have a tendency to run this household. Just don't let anybody else tell you differently. 

  A few things I love doing that are allowed, are the following: I like to snuggle. Im not a very good spooner, but I can definitely fall asleep with my head in your lap while you rub my ears. Until you stop. Then I will gently remind you by tapping my paw on your leg to keep going. Its only been 5 minutes! I love to just 'be' where you are. I will follow you around from room to room. I will bring my Kong with me if you are doing chores or anything. I guess if you can't give your undivided attention to me then I can fend for myself. But if you're not doing anything- then I would expect for you to either invite me UP on the bed to just sprawl out- or you can lay with me on the floor and give belly rubs. I love going outside for 5 minutes and then coming back in- and then go RIGHT back outside too- but never less than 32 times in a row. I love to chew on my designated socks (you know the old ones you give me that are ONLY for me- I can't get in trouble for these...) Love to go on walks yada yada yada.. you get it. 

  However, there are some things that I love to do that might be frowned upon. Please see the following. In the first picture I would just like to spend a minute about how dashingly handsome I am. Look at that posture! And my paws are perfectly situated hanging over the arm of the chair. Im just lounging and basking in the early hours of my morning routine. (Yes I have a routine but Im not sure you can handle the relaxation that it is just yet- it might 'jealous you'. Maybe I'll write about it soon) You can just put Regal Beagle on my collar and call it a day. But seriously- this chair I love it- but its a tad snug for me and my long appendages- legs, tail, nose. One could say that taking a break  and lounging in this particular chair is frowned upon. 

 You know those things that you know that you're not supposed to do but they're just too fun NOT to do?!?! I know everyone has those.  This chair is one of them. Im only allowed to get up on one piece of furniture in this house- and I would just like to say that I feel like Im getting the major short end of the stick. ONE?! I have a green chair- 'la sill verde' if you will... this chair has been mine since I was a wee lad. But I like this other chair too. Im not allowed on any couches- we have a leather one and another one thats new. I get big spankings if I get on the new one- its white and was custom made. Like I said in a previous post, "black fur on white furniture doesn't make you popular.' 

  I think that its quite alright to expand my furniture allowances to this other chair- and I don't think it should be a problem. Mom thinks its cute but dad says no. 

See how cute I am looking off my new perch?! No?... then I hear "Get down Murray." Ugh. fine. These people. Let's just say my listening and obeying skills are improving.

Digging. Digging MIGHT be yet another example of something that is FROWNED upon. But I just don't get it. Whats a boy pup to do? It rains, I go outside, I dig. Its so fun!!!! I can't help it. Ive got the GREATEST nose ever. EVER! I love to frolic in the puddles and roll around in the mud. {best. times. ever. high five} One time my mom put cayenne pepper, and buried my poo in the hole where I was digging and it didn't phase me one bit!!! Except I kept sneezing a lot which was quite annoying. Overall, I grew up a little bit and haven't dug in quite a while. I'd say thats progress. See?!

Now here we have  a classic example of what NOT to do!! You want to read your kindle outside and have a nice glass of lemonade right by you? Not a problem, Ill just help you drink it. 

Things that I love to do..

  I would have to say that my MOST favorite thing to do is go on walks and go running with my dad. Now be thinking because I want to know what some of your favorite things do are. I do feel like I need to point out that when said walks/ runs take place, they don't go exaaaactly how I plan all the time. I guess it would depend on who is taking me. Its one or the other- and let me be clear- both are super. It just happens to be that one shorter, longer haired, and a little bit more peppy of the two is maybe a little bit more fun. Can I say that? Let me explain, when I go exercising with my dad he means business. Plain and simple. I have fun and get a good workout with him. He loves to run, is strong and there are hardly no breaks with him. There is no 'lolly-gagging' or smelling the flowers,  letting me wander ahead just a bit ahead of him to pave the way if you will. Alright fine, Im just smelling BUT did YOU SEE THOSE SQUIRRELS?!?! No. He sees them but I can't chase them. Whats a pup to do? And then there are the cats... I'll keep my distance for now. 

  Now, with the shorter of the two, and the one who has a little more pep in her step (literally, sometimes she skips down the street in our neighborhood no lie) Should I be embarrassed? Maybe a little bit... She is way fun. Remember how I described the way my dad likes to go on runs- very driven, no stopping yada yada yada...?! Yeah- she doesn't really work like that. In fact, I think it would be perfectly accurate to say that exercising isn't really her thing. We stop ALL the time!!!! Its great, gives me a chance to smell the sidewalk and see if anyone I know has passed by recently. We smell lots of flowers, take breaks, she lets me wander in front of her but safely of course- and not too far- just a little. Don't worry- safety is her number one thing. ( She yanks me off the curb if she sees an ant hill within 10 yards of us JUST to be safe!) I guess I could say that lolly- gagging is our thing. Its great- she gets me and the way my pup mind works. SQUIRREL.

  Next on the list is one of my favorite treats: a pup-a-ccino (not to be confused with a 'cappuccino'). Did you know that if you go through the drive-thru at Starbucks and ask for a treat for your pup thats what you get! Its a mini sized cup with a little whipped cream inside! Best part- its free. I say we do this way more often. Who wants to come have a play date? My mom can take us. Don't worry, I already asked her- she said yes.

AND finally: naps. Need I say more?

  However, there is one thing I feel I should share about these naps. Napping on the floor, carpet, hardwood, grass - whatever Im a dog, so its fine when thats an absolute must- or no one is home. But, there is something to be said of being invited UP on the BED ( but only on a blanket because I shed quite a bit. Black hair on the white duvet doesn't make you popular) and getting to SNUGGLE with mom and dad. All. Time. Fave. I  hop up and turn around and around about 7 times and then curl up like a little deer (awwww)  and sleep like a baby and then, when they too have fallen asleep I push my legs straight out very ninja like and sprawl out width wise- like across the bed... Im a big boy- Im just trying to get comfortable. I don't think they appreciate it very much bc then they wake up and try to move me back down to the end of the bed- ugh, it's this whole ordeal... so lame. These are my favorite things to do, what are your favorite things to do?? Chewing on things like bones, and Kongs will have to be for another day. There is just too much to say- its a whole topic in itself. But don't you worry, I'll see you soon. Happy day friends.

XO,

MCM

Life as of lately...

 Well friends, its 2015 and after quite a long hiatus- Im back baby! A very late Happy New Year and happy just about summer.... I should've done this a lot sooner, but Ive been busy living life!! Ive grown quite a bit since the last time you saw me. I am a full 85 POUNDS (its ok you can whistle ;) Im about the size of a small pony and really tall! I can rest my head on the dining table without having to stand on my tip toes. Mom says thats a 'no no.' Ive gotten SO big that Dad has started calling me fat boy.... in the most loving of ways. Hmmm. After visiting the vet last week- Dr. Terri told my mom that I needed to 'slim down' just a little bit. So now I get carrots, apples, chicken and rice sometimes in my food. And more walks!  I think I could get used to this diet. Its not so bad. She said those help with my metabolism... whatever that is.  Lets see.. what has gone on since I wrote you last... quite a bit actually.  I don't want to bore you with the mundane so I will just stick with the highlights. Lets start with last Christmas. The picture above was the one mom chose for our New Years card. Apparently, if you're late sending Christmas cards, then you send New Years cards... I think I look pretty dapper in my bow tie and smile. Isn't my fam pretty cute? I think we look pretty good together.

This picture was taken when we went on a family outing to go look at Christmas lights. Those are my favorite because we get to all be together and I get to socialize with lots of other people- and sometimes I even meet new furry friends too. I don't think Ive ever met a person that I didn't like. Well, I take that back- maybe one.  Anyways, Im getting off topic, back to Christmas lights. This one house we came to went ALL out- there were SNOW machines in the trees, tons of lights and SANTA CLAUS was even there. How on earth did they make that work? They must've paid him the big bucks. But seriously, how proud are you that I took this great of a picture? I sat still and even looked at the camera?!?! PS- this is what winter in Houston looks like.. fake snow and my dad in shorts.

  Lets talk about how rugged and regal I look like in the above pic. We went camping in February to the hill country for the weekend and I had so much fun. My friends Mags and Keyes came too. It was my first time out in the wilderness and it was so freeing to be able to run and run. Until I heard my name being screamed because it was dark and my parents couldn't see me anymore. Just kidding- not so freeing. So I know that this picture looks like Im being really brave and venturing out into the unknown.. confession, Im not brave. Im TRYING to understand the draw to this frigid water. Did I mention I hate baths?? The other dogs dove right in fetching sticks with no problem. They didn't seem cold but it was!!! I tried. Too cold for me so I just got in knee deep. I've gotta keep trying this brave thing.

Happy Valentimes Day! That morning I woke up and mom and dad exchanged cards but we were camping so I had to wait till we got home to get my presents. How did my mom NOT manage to pack  anything for me? Such an epic let down. I need to have a serious chat with her. Something is definitely wrong with this picture. But the minute we got home, I got TREATS!!! My favorite is anything with peanut butter. Mom got me a couple and here I am saying, 'I'll take that, thank youuuuu!" She wrapped them up in a cute bag just for me. She's weird. I can't unwrap that bag, I have no thumbs. But she loves me. And that's all that matters right? I hope they know just how much I love them every single day of my life. 

Luv,

MCM