A Message About Safety: Use Your Backyard! Or a Leash.

Mom and I have one big pet peeve, and that's people who let their dogs run around off the leash. We know you think your dog is smarter than average, and always obeys your commands. Uh huh. When your dog gets hit by a car, you are going to CRY. I know it's a hard thing to think about, but it's reality.

First, my dog walkers and I have been encountering some loose Big Brownies at night. They are about my size. I told them off several times, which seemed to make sense with them, but not their parents. You see parents, YOU are responsible for YOUR dog's safety, and the safety of other dogs when you don't put them on a leash. Also, consider other people. Some people don't want to be jumped on and scratched, and they don't want their dog jumped on and riled up.

Second, we live in a really nice neighborhood, on busy streets, with big houses. Big houses have nice, big backyards. Now why would you have a big, safe, enclosed back yard and not use it? Yet every morning and evening, I see herds of dogs (all sizes) running out the front door and into the yard. What if your dog chases after a squirrel and into the street? What if someone is driving too fast and can't stop? What if your dog gets into a fight with another dog? I swear I didn't start it with that chihuahua one time... he accused me of making Taco Bell jokes and it just wasn't true!

Anyway, here's my point:

If you have a backyard, USE IT! I'd love to come and take big steamy dumps in your backyard, but some people don't even appreciate that they have one. You might have to scoop a few times, or run over a few bombs with the mower, but it might save your dog's life. It's common sense!

Respectfully,

Lucy

Tricked!

I was tricked! Mom told me we were going swimming, and she lied! On the upside, I am pretty fluffy, and I smell good.

Australian Shepherd Wishes Black and White Cat Would Scram

Dear Lucy,

What is this cat doing in my bed? What should I do?

Despondently,

Fuji



Dear Fuji,

I can't tell you where that cat came from, but many contemporary thinkers, including evangelical ministers, tv financial coaches, and Oprah believe that what happens to you is a product of your own most frequent thoughts. There are quite a few bestsellers out there that would suggest your thoughts manifested that cat into your bed. Maybe you are secretly resentful of this kitty who shares your home, and have always been worried that she might encroach on your personal space. You were so afraid it would happen, and now it has.

Have you tried woofing at the cat? Have you tried those Goldfish on the coffee table behind you? Do you realize you are bigger than the cat? Truly, you need to just assert yourself and physically move the cat. Cats get irritated easily, and may threaten you with their claws, but with enough courage and woofing, you CAN get the cat to get off your bed.

Also, your bed is too small. And it's flat. Maybe you should just let the cat have it. I think you need your own baby mattress with Whinnie the Pooh sheets, but that's just me.

Love,
Lucy

I love Jane. Jane Jane Jane!

This is Jane, my new best friend! I love her! She comes to walk me almost every day and night. Jane Jane Jane! And Peggy. I like her also. And those other people who came to walk me one day... I like them also. Sometimes I wipe out on the turn around the sofa when I know Jane is coming! She always gives me treats, and advocates my mom feeding me more. Of course input leads to output, which is why I need Jane while mom is still recovering. But that's not the only reason I like her.

Jane is from Momma Dog's Pet Sit, but we now call her a friend and think she's just the coolest!

I Love My Dog Walkers, Mom Loves Old Movies

I just want to say, since mom hired dog walkers, I have never had so much fun! Three times a day someone comes to take me out on a neighborhood romp. The walkers are so nice and I LOVE THEM. I get so excited when I hear them coming up the stairs, I wipe out on the turn around the sofa to the front door. I LOVE THEM! This is a recycled photo of me being excited, but this is how I feel when they come!

Mom and I are totally addicted to the classic movie channel. In the last few days we managed to watch Psycho, Gidget, Track of the Cat, Imitation of Life, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, Under the Yum Yum Tree (gratuitously stupid but we watched it anyway), Viva Las Vegas (silly, but has Elvis in it so that always qualifies as entertainment), Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller, Bonjour Tristesse (so sad and bleak!), something with Ava Gardner, and two really old Cary Grant movies we can't remember the name of. They were cute though!

Mom has a four- decades-too-late crush on Dean Jones, of the stupid Yum Yum movie, also famous in The Ugly Dachshund and That Darn Cat. Also she favors Kahuna over Moondoggy, but Gidget ends up getting Moondoggy's ring in the end before he goes off to college. Also memorable was how Elvis (Lucky) runs the Texans out of the bar in Viva Las Vegas. I liked that because he sang "The Eyes of Texas are Upon You." But that's because I am a Longhorn. Mom sang "I've Been Working On The Railroad" over it! She can be so rude sometimes!

Those are all the updates I have. Stay tuned for more info about my wonderful dog walkers!

Love,

Lucy

Uncle Clay Came to See Me!

Yippee! We always have so much fun with Uncle Clay (Aunt Allison's hubby). Thanks for walking me Uncle Clay!

Meanwhile, mom says I can't seem to do anything without looking ridiculously cute. I mean, I don't even have to try hard these days. I'm just so photogenic, she says, always posing for the perfect pic. Well, I have to say I'm a lucky dog getting to play with so many of my friends these days! She says I've been "taking some liberties" with the sofa though. I'd better back off a little so I don't get banished completely.

XOXO,

Lucy