Tag Archives: healthy eating for your puppy

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….

My Routine is Off and Now They are Going Away

photo-1It’s been a hard week. I’ve been to the 2 new daycares and don’t really care for either one.  Mom told Dad I’ve regressed  which I think is normal given my situation, but Dad has tried to step up my training.  He’s really pushing all my buttons and it’s just not right.

To make matter worse, I’ve heard rumors that Mom and Dad are visiting Grandma in New Jersey for Mother’s Day and I don’t get to go with them.  I’m not happy about that!  I’ve been discriminated against for my weight and now I’m too big to fly across the country?  I can fit nicely in those airline seats thank you very much.

Dad had to pick me up some new luggage for my food for wherever they are sending me and when he came home with it I was pleasantly surprised.  I got my own Martha Stewart dog bag so I promptly stole it and ran down the hall.  Mom said it was too nice for me, and wanted it for herself.  Dad said it was on sale.  I wonder if Martha will let me be on her show with my bag.

Well, I have to get going.  No time to write since I have to pack enough food in my new bag for the outing.  No dieting for me.  Please send some scooby snacks since I’m always up for eating, no matter what time of day or night.

I’m A Bit Stressed With this Interviewing Process

imagejpeg952This dog interviewing process is killing me.  Thank goodness I do not have to wear a tie!  And if I hear the parentals tell me one more time to be on my best behavior I am going to have a serious melt down.

We all know I am still trying to deal with my rejection from the mean place Centinela Pet and Feed Supplies on Pico.  However, I am working through it so don’t worry too much.  The wonderful lady who took care of me, Francine, sent me a nice card that they missed me.  I miss Francine!

I do appreciate all the notes and calls and checking in on me.  I think this fawning all over me makes Dad a little jealous and I love it.  So keep it up.

I was accepted to a place  called the Wags club that has a big outside area and I liked it even though Dad compared it to high school.  I was the new kid on the block and I can hold my own but it was still scary.

Of course Mom was very nervous but we all got through it.  They were very LA and gave me a swag bag.  Unfortunately it was made for a little dog as the chew stick was the size of a pencil and I completely shredded the ball in less then 2 minutes.  Come on you fancy pants places get your swag right for us big dogs!  I ran around a lot though and it was fun.

This weekend was challenging since we had three appointments to “interview” me again.  I think this process makes Dad want to move out of LA and raise me on a farm.  Don’t know how I would feel about that as I love people too much and being on a farm might be great but oh so isolating.

OK, back to my story.  The first appointment was a home visit.  A nice man named Brent Rice from my puppy class when I was about 9 weeks came to see about setting up a program of training and exercise.  What training?  I think that means more commands but I know how that works…you do what they say and you get the treats.  And I love scooby snacks so it was okay.  I really liked him but he is very busy right now so next month we will hang out together.

Next we had an appointment at Pet Smart, Pet Hotel.  It was one of those big commercialized places that look all shiny and new.   It was a bit small for my size.  Remember I have lots of energy and need to run.

I knew this one wasn’t going to work all that well by the look on Dad’s face.  First he said to the lady, “you do realize Perry would take that mop and drag it all around your small room. “   Dad was throwing me under the bus – not too cool.

Next we were shown the private rooms that were the size of a bathroom but they did have a nice flat screen TV.   Then parentals just said on the way out it was an emergency only place.  I do wonder what channels they let us watch?

IMG-20130428-01006Next we went to Two Hands Four Paws, which specializes in animal rehabilitation.  They do have some day care but mostly for dogs about 50 pounds are less.  Gosh, what is up with the weight issues? Oh I forgot we are in LA, where Mom says everyone is concerned with his or her weight.  I think I’m just fine so not sure what the big deal is?

They had this cool huge pool you can swim in and underwater tread mills.  Dad was excited and on the way out said, if we have people over we can tire him out by having him go into the pool.  He makes me crazy; maybe he needs to be dumped into the pool.   If I ever have an injury Mom says this is the place to go.

Next we took a breather and went to the office.  I love going there and I hear that if I am really good I will be visiting a little bit more.  Keeping my paws crossed.

Perry Goes to the Apple Store

appleperryjpg“Where are we going, what are we doing? “ This is how I greet the morning.  I love the morning time.  It is a fresh start with new, exciting possibilities.  Of course like all my mornings, I lie in wait for the parental units to stir.  I am on to them as they try their hardest not to cause a commotion but it doesn’t work.  I know when they should get up!

I came up to Dad’s side of the bed and pressed my nose and gave him my own morning breath.  “Where are we going today?”  I have to ask now since I know we are no longer going to “the day’s” so I’m still not sure what each day will look like.  It’s a little challenging for me but I’m trying to get used to the new schedule.

We tried a new day care 1 day this week with lots of dogs and it was okay but I’m not sure about it yet.

Dad gave me a quick pat on the head saying, “Punkeeey, we’re going to the Apple store.” Of course I got excited, as I love apple cores and thought to myself:  Wow!  It was too early for an apple but I am not going to pass one up.

The next thing I know is we were all in the car and I still had not had my apple.  What?  A car ride before my fiber intake?

We hit the freeway and since Mom was in my spot in the car I had to be sequestered to the back seat.  I was not impressed.  But what happened next made my very happy!

We got out of the car and walked down this street with no cars called the Third Street Promenade.  Next we stood by this big glass building, which EVEN had a glass ceiling.  Once inside I saw what humans call Apple.

Apparently our computer called an iMac had an owie and had to be fixed – something about the hard drive being bad.  It had to have a time out for a few days.  I’m glad I am not a computer since I know I could not last that long in time out.

The workers in the Apple Store came up to me and gave me lots of pets.  I love when fans come up to me but this was most excellent.  People were paying me the much-needed attention I require and soak up.  I hope we get to go on more adventures like that.

photoThen later that afternoon Dad and I had to pick mom up from getting her hair cut.  Mom goes to this special place for curly girls called Salon of Curls.   Dad and I have low maintenance hair and from the looks of it Dad’s is going to be the lowest soon with no hair.  I was happy since I got to see Auntie Kym.  I don’t care much that she specializes in cutting curly girl’s hair and using Deva Hair care products.  All I care about is that she loves me and gives me special loves and pets in her salon by the beach.

It was very cool to hang out and see all the surfers come back from the waves.  I could smell the beach but we did not take a walk, which did not matter at all to me today.  All in all, I had an excellent day with new and old friends.  If I continue to get out and about there is nothing to complain about.

Life is good!

It’s my Birthday Week

IMG-20130108-00914I was ONE year old this week on Wednesday – can you believe it?

I heard Dad mumbling to himself that he wished I was already 2 – something about me calming down (???)

For starters I got to share some of Dad’s berry smoothie – oh SO yummy.

Dad complains about having to eat breakfast (something I NEVER complain about since I’m ready to eat at all times) but decided to have a protein packed smoothie on my birthday.

I was glad to share it with him since it has ground flax seeds full of omega 3 fats to make my coat shiny, lots of phytochemicals in the berries so I can live a long healthy life and protein for energy so I can drive the parental units more insane than I already do.

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Then I got to go on a big boy walk with Dad.  I’m looking so grown-up now I can hardly stand it. I look more grown up than I act but maybe by next birthday my behavior will have caught up with my age.

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…

Christmas Gifts and Cookies!

IMG-20121222-00871I think I’m really liking this season called Christmas.  First Auntie Chris came to visit me on Friday – she let me lick her face, she played with me and even stayed to tuck me in at night.  I was so sad to see her leave I tried to delay bedtime, but it did not work.

This Christmas thing is pretty cool- you get free gifts like the one Grandma and Grandpa D and Auntie Amy.  They sent me this cool dish portable water bowl I can take with me on trips – I knew it was mine when it came and snagged it off the table along with the bone and here I am enjoying my gift all by myself.

Did I mention the snacks?  Dad likes to call them scooby snacks but I don’t care what they are called just as long as I can have some.  This weekend the parental units have been in the kitchen making food.  And I found out when Mom makes cookies I am just FIXATED on her and the possibilities of some falling on the floor.  The smell of the cookies makes my heart sing!  We know now that I am truly a Dopart-Batchelor dog since there is no other place I’d rather be than in the kitchen.  I AM a foodie so it’s a good thing my Mom is a dietitian just in case I start to look like that metabolically challenged kitty a few blogs ago.

photoAs you can see I was trying to steal the dough bowl or at least a lick but I overheard Mom telling Dad dogs are not supposed to eat chocolate – that did not faze me in the least since it smelled SO good.  Mom said I get plenty of treats and these were for humans only but I think I’ve been around long enough to be human, right?

Today I worked with Dad in the garage since he was getting a donation together to drop off at Harvest Home.  This is a wonderful place to help women who are pregnant and do not have a home.  Mom teaches nutrition there and Dad is going to help organize them.  All I care about is I get to go there this year since they have a house dog for me to play with.  Hope you are all having a nice holiday – I’m going to spend the rest of the day eating my bone from Bob’s and listening to holiday music.  I hear I may get to watch a Christmas movie tonight – all I care about is the snacks while we watch it….

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 Just Want to Eat Breakfast at the Big Table

photoMom and Dad always eat at the breakfast table while I’m made to eat my breakfast in a bowl on the kitchen floor.  It’s really not fair.  I maintain a healthy diet like Mom tells me to – I eat my protein, fruits, veggies and good fats.  Broccoli and mexican guavas are my favorites and I’ll do anything for cheese – especially European Cheese Mom cuts up for her lunches  so why can’t I eat breakfast at the table too?!

This morning while Mom was putting her breakfast together I decided it was finally time to start this tradition so I climbed up into her chair and as you can see I fit just fine.  I was only a little cramped – hence the little bit of sadness in my eyes since the side of the chair was slightly hurting my hip – but not too bad and it was all worth it to be here enjoying the view of what was on the table.

It’s too bad Mom and Dad decided not to get one of those funny looking trees people apparently get at this time of year since I would have had LOTS of fun with those little hanging things.  I found one Dad put out and ran around with it in my mouth – boy did he get mad.

Apparently it was one of Mom’s special Eddie Walker ornaments – I’ll have to be more prepared for those next year since it was put away immediately.  If you have any to share, bring them over but I can’t promise to give them back…

Puppy Play for the Holidays

IMG-20121209-00850Hello out there!  Hope you are all enjoying your holidays because apparently I am going to get coal in my stocking.  What on earth is Dad talking about?  I just hope it is hard and I can chew on it.  This all started a few days ago when I was absolutely doing nothing.  I mean it is not my fault they left their bedroom door open a little.  You know I can open doors.  I love to take a running start and just power punch the door open.  It is one of my favorites.

Well I did this and had free range of their room.  Oh how I love the fluffy bed and pillows.  It’s like an obstacle course in there.  They have this cool rug and I just had this compulsion to start to dig at it.  Boy you would have though I had eaten a hole in the wall.  I mean I think I added some stringing texture to that thing.  Dad seemed less than impressed and said he needed a time out from me. Can you believe that?

Then later I was chasing after that PITA of a squirrel and came galloping back into the house sharing that I had chased him out of the yard.  It has been raining down here and the yard was muddy.  I love water and mud!  I think it’s in my bones since I got really excited and like I said came barreling through the house barking and running.  I forgot to wipe my feet and just tracked in a little of the mud.   Dad seems to only want a clean floor – I guess he did not think about that when he decided to get a Weimaraner now, did he?

On another note I am now 11 months old and weigh 80 pounds.  I am loving life and feel blessed by my land of beds so I must be doing something right.