Punky Goes to the Farm while Mom and Dad go to Auntie Marjorie’s in New Jersey

IMG-20130512-01043I was bummed that I did NOT get to go to Auntie Marjorie’s house.  I wanted to play with my cousins Bliss, AKA the little polar bear dog that never stops licking, and Reeses, AKA the barker dog who always wants to be petted.

Although they are MUCH smaller than me, I knew we’d have fun terrorizing Aunt Marjorie’s clean house and upsetting all the furniture and antiques she so nicely places on all her furniture.

I saw Mom and Dad packing my things, but then overheard them saying something about me going to the country (??)  What is that about?  Then I heard them saying I would not do well in the cargo and going to NJ may be a bit much for my anxiety level.  That may be true but why can’t I sit in the plane with them?  I deserve to have a ticket since I am an important part of this family, aren’t I?

IMG_5594Anyway, this big white van came to pick me up and off to the country I went.  I got to play with other dogs, and discovered some other animals I did not know about – I overheard the lady Julie calling them chickens, and horses.  I played in lots of areas around the farm and then had my own bed at night.  Mom and Dad sent my own little blanket so I would not get too homesick.

I came home tired from all the play, and am so happy to be home in my own bed.  I need Mom to cover me up if the covers come off in the middle of the night.

Hopefully one day I’ll get to meet Aunt Marjorie, Bliss and Reeses but for now a cross-country flight may be more than my puppyness can handle.  Maybe Aunt Marjorie will have to come to California to meet me since she won’t have to sit in cargo like me.  Life’s just not fair sometimes….

Emotional Animal Cruelty…that’s my Story and I am Having to deal with it.

photoI was so glad it was Friday.  Dad was taking me to the “day’s” as he calls it and I was going to hang with my buddies Francine, Terry, Esmeralda and the manager Rollie all day at Centinela Feed and Pet Supplies on Pico Boulevard.

Dad had a photo shoot in Malibu and Mom was speaking to a group of doctors on gestational diabetes so I was glad to go to my second favorite place.

I have been going there almost a full year with a few of my other big dog friends – Xahri and Kaydon and we are all called the “grandfathered in club.”

Next thing I know Dad and I are cruising down Pico with no traffic, and I was hanging out the window with my face in the wind!  I know the way there, so as we got past the 405 I start whining and bouncing around since we could not get there fast enough!

FINALLY we got there and Dad and I go in and all of a sudden the manager tells Dad I can’t come there anymore.  WHAT!!  What is going on?  This must be a really bad dream but I think I’m awake?

Let’s just say I did not hear the rest of it because as the manager went on I got scared of his voice.  Dad knew I was not ok and took me in another room.  I tried to look through the glass but the conversation went out into the store.

Apparently they are changing their policy to no dogs over 35 pounds.  What!!  Since I’m almost 75 pounds I would have to go on a crash diet and I don’t think Mom would approve of that.  What went wrong?

I play with small dogs all the time.   I love all dogs.  Why are they discriminating against me?  I don’t understand.  I’m so sad.

Dad was beyond irritated since the management had been planning this for a few months.  And now there is no time for me to find my new digs.

Later in the day Dad had a conversation with the main district manager Molly.  She was not sympathetic to having my life and routine completely disrupted and said I could “visit” if I wanted to.  What?  I’m told I cannot see my friends again, I’m too big to be there, but I can visit (?)

Dad was upset since I was supposed to be able to go there forever since I was grandfathered in.  I was there from the beginning.  I think it put Dad over the edge but I was the one who was in the middle of a nightmare.  Remember I don’t like my routine disrupted.  I’ve been training the parental units since the beginning so this is a big cramp in my schedule.  It even says on their web site on in West Los Angeles they take dogs of all sizes so is that false advertising?

Yesterday we had three appointments to try to find a new place for me.  The parental units were on it.  All life stopped and it was Defcom in the house:  phone calls, computers, websites and a control center of activity.

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The first appointment was by my old digs.  At first, I got excited and thought maybe there is hope but no cigar.  It seemed clean and people were nice enough.

I got checked for fleas and diseases and apparently passed the test.  Then they put me in a room by myself and then brought in a few dogs one at a time.  I was sort of okay till they put me in a big room I had not seen before and that’s when I freaked out and starting running all over and barking.  I wanted out!  This was not my place and I think I had a full-blown panic attack so Dad got me out and we left.

Next we went to these two houses in Venice.  That was a mess because I am just too big and it would not work for people who just take in small dogs.

What is going on with the hunt for a new place…it is really that difficult to find?  Maybe Dad was right when he told that lady Molly it was going to be difficult to find a spot where I could thrive and feel safe.

Dad always says our worst day is someone’s best day and that puts it into perspective so I guess I’ll have to trust it will all be okay.   We got up and went for a walk on the beach this morning.  I think it calmed us all.  We are a family and no matter what we will make it.

I guess this is what life is about…change, and opportunity for growth.  I just wish my big growth was not costing me so much.

My New Favorite Toy

photo-1I don’t talk all that much so I was thrilled when Mom got me a talking toy.  Yes, you heard that right.  It’s called a “Babble Ball.”  The funny thing is Mom did not even know it talked till it she brought it home.

She just thought she was getting some cool blue ball for me.  Boy, was she surprised!!

It’s says all kinds of fun things – like “you’re looking nice big doggy,” “oh you got me,”  ”hey what are you doing,” and “oh lucky dog.”

Dad says the voice reminds him of  Cousin Itt on some show he used to watch called The Adam’s Family.

I’m just having fun making it talk and irritating the parental units…and this time they were the ones who started it in the first place.  Boy, are they naive!

My Small Encounters

One thing Mom and Dad can’t believe is how much I LOVE children.  I forget I’m a puppy and just act docile and quiet when I’m around them.

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This week Dad took me for a walk and we ran into a little boy who was shorter than me and he called me “horsey.”

Can you believe that?  I’m not a horse but I guess some little people think I am.

The big/small visitor I had this week was Grey.  He’s 5 months old so I’m not sure why he just chills in his chair.  At 2 months I was running all around the house – I guess that’s why dogs are more advanced than humans.

No Stone Unturned

perry_brickI still love seeking attention.  There is nothing better than giving the parental units a run for their money.  No matter how hard I try with getting their attention these days nothing seems to phase them.

Stealing something and running around the back yard does not get the same rile I used to.  However, on occasion when I not the full focus I have to pull out all the stops.  So I just dug this brick out of the patio.

I then proceeded to antagonize Dad but to no avail.  He just got out that silly camera thing to take a picture for all my peeps.  Hope you enjoy my new headshot.  I’m so happy to entertain all of you since Mom and Dad are not as enchanted as they once were.

Today I went to the Farmer’s market and although they don’t let canines visit the beautiful vegetables, I got to run around the park with Dad and picked up a few new admirers!  I guess that makes for a successful weekend.

My New Favorite Toy!

IMG-20121225-00888What an exciting day!  Now I know what this Christmas thing is all about – PRESENTS!

This morning I woke up and Dad took me on a walk.  We came back and had breakfast and I got this toy called an Advent Calendar but I was happy since it was soft and squeaky.  Then I got a second toy called a Sprong that squeaked just like a dolphin – I really LOVE IT!

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I’ve been  running into Mom and Dad all day squeaking the dolphin – it’s fun, loud and seems to irritate the parental units – what a great present!  Santa really delivered this year.  Then after that I wanted another present but it looked like I was done.  Maybe I am just like a kid on Christmas and could subscribe to this holiday…

I’m Just Trying to be Helpful

IIMG_3105t’s been raining here more than I like.  I know we need the rain and I admit I love water but it makes the yard muddy and since I don’t have all that much fur getting wet makes me cold.  We know I don’t like the cold and avoid it at all costs.  Dad was trying to clean up in the yard so I decided it was time for me to pull my weight (all 80 pounds) so I followed him around trying to be helpful but I was a little disruptive and Dad put the lease on me.  It was okay since we got to play a little bit.

photoLater I thought I would save him time and check his email for him.  Since I don’t know how to type it was challenging but checking counts, right?  Things have finally calmed down but I have yet to be invited to the new office but I may get to make my debut next week.  I’m told I have to “behave” as if that counts.  Slowly I am learning how to be a civilized dog – I do drop things when I’m cornered, I did bring the mail to Dad yesterday when he asked me to, and today when Dad left to go to work I went in the crate all by MYSELF without having to be told to – imagine that?  I may turn out to be a good dog after all…

I got a New Bone and Now I’m Away

IMG-20121128-00837Mom’s friend and my Auntie Stacey got me this cool new bone.  It’s much better than the other ones and Mom was happy since it kept me busy for hours which is a hard thing to do now that I’m almost 11 months old.  Can you believe I’ll be 1 year old soon?  I think I’m supposed to have a birthday party and get presents.  More bones would be good if you can send those.

Otherwise a visit will do since I like just about everyone, except for squirrels and crows.  They seem to always taunt me in the back yard.  There’s this one squirrel who likes to run back and forth on the top of the fence and yell at me, which is really annoying.  It must have really annoyed Dad since I had to get in the plants to try and get the squirrel and he used his outside voice to get me out of the plants.

Mom’s new office is almost done.  She and Dad were so busy putting it all together this weekend they let me go to Lori’s house so I would get way more attention.  I love being with Lori since I get to be the “working dog” that I was bred to be.  Home in a few days and maybe I’ll get to see the new office but only if I behave.  Not sure I am capable of that quite yet…

Laying Low with Dad

I ate something that I shouldn’t have and unlike humans I did not feel guilty at all.  Since Dad turned his back while I was in the yard I took the opportunity and ate things that are NOT on my healthy eating plan.  Unfortunately it led to throwing up for a day and irritating my throat.

I guess that will teach me since I ended up at the vet for a day to see if I was really sick.  A paycheck and x-rays later my cute vet Annie at Pet Medical Center said I was okay but needed some medicine to help my lungs.  Dad felt sorry for me after that so decided to chill with me.

I know I’m a pain in the neck but I do have my sweet moments…

I’m Just trying to get my Vitamin C

Mom and Dad were intently discussing business tonight and I decided I needed more attention so what better way to get it?  Steal the 5 pound big yellow football on the kitchen counter.  I have been eyeing it since it came on Wednesday from Mom’s friend Ben who delivers yummy produce from Santa Barbara called Hello Harvest.

Boy was it fun running the ball!  Of course Dad had to take my picture and a video.  My favorite part was jumping over the sofa with it in my mouth.  Not sure what the big deal was.  Mom calls it a melon and says it is good for you since it  has lots of vitamin C.  She can’t believe I can carry the whole 5 pounds in my mouth without a problem.  I don’t even know my own strength!