Category Archives: Healthy Puppy Food

I’m Laboring on Labor Day with my Cookie Debut

photo-1I can hardly keep my eyes open people!

We all know how much I love consistency and when my schedule gets disrupted I become a little…let’s just say…crazy.

OK, let me do some explaining.

The parentals have been working hard trying out different recipes and creations for a potential future cookbook.  I love this since we have all been in the kitchen working on the Gluten-Free cookies for the new E-book.

It is now apparent that the parent’s work too much because they are always working on projects, and yesterday did NOT include me!

Apparently it was a big cooking day and I was excited because I would be able to be co- captain in the kitchen.  Low and behold I did not have that opportunity since I was sent to my club The Wags Club for a sleepover.  What????!!!

photoI had a rough night, and was up and down and could not settle down since I was not in my own bed.  I was lonely and sad and when Dad came to pick me up this morning and I could not get out of there fast enough.  What was he not thinking?  Leaving me out of all the fun!

All right – I will get to the point.  I have been resting all afternoon and I hear Dad is concerned, as I have to be ready for pictures tomorrow morning.  Mom did make my doggie cookies today and Dad and Uncle Andrew are shooting my picture with my cookie tomorrow – it should be a fun festive day!

That said people I need to get my beauty rest because I want to be ready for my close ups tomorrow.  I guess I will be in fact laboring on Labor Day!

Chaos Is My Middle Name

photoAgain Mom had one of her trainings in Motivational Interviewing for LA Best Babies this last Friday.  I was bummed out because I was not able to be the greeter, as we all know I do flawlessly.  I ended up spending the day at The Wags Club.

But that is not the half of this week’s plight people!

Here’s the rundown:  on Thursday night we were all getting ready for bed.  I am growing up so after I go outside to do my nightly business I come back in and hang out in the living room.  The parentals no longer tell me to get in my bed.  Really what happens is they go to bed and shut off the lights.  I get scared and come into the room and crawl into my bed all by myself.

Well you will not believe what happened!  Mom was washing her face and Dad and I were almost asleep.  Mom came into the room and woke Dad up saying someone was trying to get in the front door.   Of course curmudgeon Dad responds with no worries – the alarm is on.  Then all of a sudden there was a loud noise.  I was not having that and ran out of the room with Dad in tow.

Dad looked out the window and can you believe who was there?  CHRISTMAS KITTY!  I cannot believe that thing was back and I was not happy because Dad felt sorry for the flea infested thing and went outside to feed it.  I went crazy and am still upset with him.

Upset to the point I was holding a grudge and knew I had to pay him back.  We all know that it is getting darker earlier as the season changes.  We really do not have seasonal changes in LA, but during the wintertime I get up earlier and this morning was no exception.  Of course Dad likes to have Mom have a chance to sleep in a little bit.  But not this morning…

Squeaky squirrel was outside my bedroom window squeaking away.  I had to get outside and so I faked Dad out.  Got outside and he ran to the trees, and next thing you know I am barking full force at 6:30 AM Sunday…why you ask?  Two reasons, the squirrel instigated it and all people need to be on my time!

Low and behold the day of rest turned into a fiasco!  Next the dog from down the street got all in my front yard, which caused me to freak out.  Then Dad is outside once again trying to save another animal.  Then he brings Kojo into the backyard but I was not having any of this.  I was barking, Mom was trying to sleep and Dad was attempting to be a humanitarian.  Needless to say Mom got up and was outside in her PJ’s helping Dad since I had poor “play date behavior.”

Yep – you guessed it.  I got a big “time out,” but right now I am doing pretty good.  Mom is making more cookies for the gluten-free cookbook so that makes everything better, especially since I get to eat all the crumbs that fall on the floor.  I’m excited since my dog cookie is due to be made next weekend so stay tuned!

I’m a Motivational Interviewing Greeter

photo-1Hello my name is Perry!

That’s right folks – I am now officially a greeter.  Though I did not get a cool vest like the greeters at Wal-Mart, I am still greeting.

Mom had a Motivational Interviewing workshop at our office yesterday and I got to welcome all the participants.  Of course I was on my bestest behavior the entire time.  I know how to have on my game face and etiquette.

I know this because when I am being polite, people compliment me on how regal and mellow I am.  Then I look at the parentals, who secretly give each other an eye roll and just laugh.  Remember, I am a show dog but at home I let my hair down.

Anyway- after the meet and greet Dad took me to the Wags because he was making the food for the meeting.  No matter how I tried to give him the sad eyes he would not let me stay home.  I am good in the kitchen and my counter surfing is getting better.  However, when Dad catches me trying to counter surf it is not his inside voice and I know I am in trouble.  I did steal a whole cube of butter last week so now that is never left out.

The rest of my week was pretty chill.  My “friend,” the squeaky squirrel, is still getting on my last nerve.  He gets me into trouble most days.  He waits in the trees on the branches and chirps at me when he wants me to bark.  Of course his favorite time to play is 6 am.  Dad just goes crazy so maybe I should put him in the crate so I can terrorize the neighborhood with my booming voice.

The best news…Christmas Kitty has not been back and that folks is a Christmas miracle.

OK, have to take a little catnap so bye for now.

Perry

Christmas Kitty…I think not!

photo-1So I have been hearing Dad ramble incessantly about the fact that I am the last and only animal he will have.  Well duh…of course because I am just the perfect canine and there could be no other…

OK, back to our story.  Dad recently confessed that the only other animal he would consider would be if an orange, short hair kitty showed up at Christmas.  Like Santa is going to bring a cat that specific? Well a few months back we almost had a fright.

Dad found this little toothless kitty in the front yard.  Of course he just could not help himself and gave the thing a can of tuna…WHAT!

I have yet to have a whole can of tuna to myself.  It did not show up for a few weeks and I thought we were safe.  Then, a couple of weeks ago Dad heard it again and of course had to make me crazy by once again giving it food.

He started calling it “ The Christmas Kitty” and I panicked but it went away.

Then last week that Christmas nightmare came back, and was all up in Dad’s Kool-Aid.  It was throwing itself at Dad and I was not happy about it.

I was pacing and trying to pull the blinds off the windows.  “HE IS MY DAD, YOU HAIR BALL OF A MESS”.  It was not good people.

Well, Mr. Christmas Kitty decided to hang out in the driveway – just licking himself and I was not happy – this is my property, my parents and my house.

Mom eventually got home and I felt safe.  Of course she would not take my side and make the Christmas enemy go away.  Dad then called her outside and shut the door.  I immediately ran and slammed my face through the blinds and saw that Mr. Kitty was in the neighbors yard.  Can you believe it started rubbing up against Mom and she actually liked it!

Oh no!  Christmas is here to stay and I feel like I got some coal.

Low and behold Dad thought it would be brilliant to bring me out to see Christmas Kitty.  HA! I showed all of them who is in control and started having a barking fit and tried to chase that hairball away.  Christmas hissed, and I chased it while the parentals were in tow yelling at me.

I told them I would fix it right and that I did.  Christmas won’t be sauntering around my territory again.  I am sure I scared it all the way to the North Pole.  Merry Christmas Kitty and Happy New Year away from Santa Monica.

Perry goes to the Verizon Store

IMG-20130803-00023Hello People…

This was no ordinary week.  Like them all we are busy around here but it only gets exciting for me when I get to go out in the world and share it with all of you.

So much has happened this weekend.  First we had to go to the Verizon store on 26th and Wilshire to get Mom’s phone fixed.  The twitter was not working and she needs that to keep all her followers informed of important nutritional information.  I’m not sure what tweeting is but I know I’m involved somehow and that’s all that is important about it.

Mike at the Verizon store was very nice to me and gave me the deserving attentions and affections, which are mandatory in my presence.

Next I was allowed to go on sort of date night with Mom and Dad.  Mom continues to do food reviews and there is a cool new Hawaiian atmosphere burger joint in Sunset Park area called Shaka Shack Burger.  They are known for their grass-fed burgers, which I know are higher in omega 3’s  – you all know I take my fish oil religiously which is why my coat stays so shiny.  Dad stayed outside with me and Mom ordered their food.  We hung out outside as I was getting pets and listening to Hawaiian music.  The best part was when the owner gave me a high value snack…BACON.

photo-1After all this excitement we came home and just crashed watching some TV.  Of course I pushed the parental units out-of-the-way and got the big chair to myself.  I would say it was just about the perfect day….

Life and Art

photoThis weekend was quite exciting.  I got the opportunity to go to my first official photography art show and loved it!

One of Dad’s friends, Marguerite Courtney, presented her black & white series called Moments at Café Bolivar.  A portion of the proceeds goes to the Franco and Gomez family Memorial Funds, which are part of that horrible shooting at Santa Monica College.

The art was pretty cool but best part was all the people who welcomed me.  I felt like I was art.  Everyone wanted to give me pets and attentions, which I just adore, and can’t get enough of.

There was a cool little friend who was up for the challenge to communicate with me.  He was my buddy for the evening and at one time wanted to take my leash and walk me around the party.  Even though he was older than me, I am bigger than him and can run much faster.

photo-1Otherwise life has been cruising by and the summer is almost over.  Mom did her speaking for the ASAP Foundation at Universal Studios.  I was a little sad since I did not get to go.

Next week Dad will be busy trying to shoot photos for the new gluten-free low sugar cookie book so it will be crazy and busy with food and pictures.  Maybe I’ll get some crumbs and steal a cookie when no one is watching.

OK, off to get me a treat and play before dinner.

Peace!

The Squirrel is trying to make me crazy!

photoI have shared with all of you my plight with the squirrels and birds in our back yard.  They are constantly trying to rile me up and that of course causes me to bark…causing a domino effect of eventually disturbing the neighborhood and of course the parental units.

There is this one specific “friend” of a squirrel I call Squeak who just taunts me, even when I am in the house.

He runs on top of the fence and when I am trying to lounge in the living room he screeches to get my attention and rile me up to come outside and play.  Then when I get outside he runs and hides in the trees.  He tries to be sneaky and lies in wait as I am freaking out and using my outside barking voice.  He is so tricky that he will drop little branches or berries on my nose, which makes it even worse.

Of course Dad just yells and tries to get me to calm down.  Then Squeak starts the chase game by running back and forth of the fence…when I over shoot it he runs back to scream at me to keep it going.

Well now I am determined to get him first, so my new routine is to get outside first thing in the morning and start barking at the trees to see if the rodent will come out to play.

This just infuriates Dad especially when I am barking at 6:15 in the morning.  This morning was great since Dad was whispering for me to get my skinny butt into the house all the while I am barking.  He looked funny in his bathrobe and kept looking up telling me my “friend” was not out there and to get inside now.  I just kept looking up trying to climb the tree.

HA-Dad finally looked up and that my “friend” dropped leaves on his face.

Needless to say the parental unit was not impressed and he too got upset.  The next thing I know is Dad is in the bathrobe with a 2×4 trying to get the thing from yelling at him.  I was the flawless cheerleader as I was barking away.

Then the backdoor flew open and Mom yelled “what is going on?”  It was a priceless morning in the Dopart-Batchelor house.

SLO Does Not Slow Me Down

IMG_7742Sorry I’ve been gone 2 weeks but my social calendar is packed.  Last weekend we visited my Aunt Wendy and her family who were up in SLO.

So after my doctor’s appointment, which took forever with my endless issues, Dad and I hit the road.  Mom decided to give us guys “male bonding” time while she finished up her projects.  I’m still not sure all of what she does but she is gone a lot.

Dad was happy since I slept most of the way but as soon as we hit the Grand Units Street I started getting excited.  I heard my Mom used to do this before she went to see her grandparents.

I was happily greeted with 4 new playmates.  I could not keep track of them, but 2 of them they call twins I really liked since they were the same height as me and I can look them eye-to-eye.  It was really cool having a human at my height.

The only part that wasn’t so cool was when I tried to go out the door and the one called Mateo got up in my grill with his hand in my face telling me, “stay Perry, stay.”

Of course that made me frustrated but I listened.  The coolest part was when he was not guarding the door I got out.  It made Dad crazy since I’m not great on my “recall” as he says and love to gallop around flaunting my freedom.  I did get into a little trouble with running away since there are no fences and I love to run all over the place and check in on the neighbors.

There’s so much to see with all the horses, cows and trails and I am after all a nature enthusiast.  Dad just needs to realize when I am out of the city I like to run wild.

photoThe fun did not stop.  I could not help myself, as I was involved with all the activities.  I especially loved Popsicle time, and licking up those drips.  No worries since Grandma made homemade ones without all that bad high fructose corn syrup.

The best part of the weekend was when we all headed out to the swings and slide.  I wanted to be one of the kids, but Dad was micro-managing my moves.  He is too old and apparently does not know how to have fun like me.

After an amazing weekend it was time to get going home.  I was sad but glad we were going to see Mom.  I do miss how she gives me ear rubs and lies on the floor with me for pets before I go to sleep.

Until the next adventure…Peace

Happy Independence People

IMG-20130630-01127A lot has been going on, and as usual the Dopart-Batchelor house is never a dull moment.  Mom finished teaching two Motivational Interviewing trainings at the new office.  It was cool since Dad brought me for the first few minutes to say hello to the participants.  Seems like Mom is busy this summer with lots speaking engagements.

I on the other hand have been busy with my doctor’s appointments.  I got bitten at daycare by one of my fellow canines and my neck is all red and swollen and is not getting better.  So I just keep taking my medicine and getting rest.  However, I have too many things to do and my summer calendar is full so I hope it heals soon.  I really want to have time to see my cousin Maggie.

Last night Santa Monica did their fireworks and it was pretty scary.  I was nervous and had a little panic attack.  Those things are too loud and make too much noise.   Dad could not believe that I had such a reaction because he says I am a gun dog.  Don’t know what that means since I avoid guns at all cost.

Next weekend I am going with Dad up to the grand-units in SLO.  My aunt Wendy and her boys are coming so we are all going to play together.  It should be a blast since I do love the little people.  Mom is staying home to do her work since I tend to be a bit distracting.

OK, I need to try and cool down.  We are having a little bit of a heat wave.  Stay cool people and out of trouble.

Summer Solstice and Chasing my tail…

photoI have been getting in a little trouble lately.  You see there is this young squirrel and birds in the back yard that taunt me and make me crazy.  The squirrel runs back and forth on the fence, jumping from tree to tree and it makes me a barking mess.

Then those baby birds dive bomb me and really get me going.  So you know I have been really learning the word CRATE.  A dog has to protect the house, but I guess I make too much noise doing it.  I make such a racket that people are avoiding walking in the front of our yard to prevent my protective meltdowns.  Only if they knew my real self  – that I am a huge teddy bear and if someone actually came in the house I would lick their face.

As with all our weeks things just keep getting busier.  I always know things are crazy when I spend more time at my new favorite hangout The Wags.  It is a pretty cool place but we are outside and it does get more than hot.

Mom has been preparing for all of her speaking things.  She is conducting 5 Motivational Speaking trainings over the next 2 months.  Wow!  We are getting the office ready for 2 this week and the other 3 are for the government.   Maybe one day I can go to the White House.

Dad has been working pretty often with his clients in Hollywood.  Even though he was busy shopping in Beverly Hills for one of his clients, he stopped at Sprinkles and got me my very own doggie cupcake.  Can you believe how small it was? I was in heaven since it was so delicious!  Mom said I should have eaten it more mindfully since it was rather expensive but I told her it was only half a bite for me so why bother?

My foot owie is better but I know have some problem growths on my neck so I will need to go back to see Dr. Palmquist.  I so like him but it would be nice to be all better.

OK – this blog is too long and I have to get going and patrol the yard.  I don’t want that squirrel or his bird friends to take it over.

Peace!