Monday, March 18, 2013

Play Date with Valentina

Yesterday, I had a play date with Valentina.  Mommy tagged along and visited with Valentina's mommy and grandma, Anita and Sophie.  I was glad Mommy had someone  to keep her occupied while Valentina and I were playing.

Most of the time, Valentina and I meet up at Sophie's house.  I like to push Sophie's door open just wide enough for my nose.  All of a sudden, Valentina runs to the door to greet me.  Then I push open the door and run in.   Anita always rearranges the furniture in the room to give us a big area to play. That is exactly what happened yesterday.  After Anita rearranged the room, Valentina and I started running in circles.  She tried to grab my ear while I was trying to grab her leg.  Sometimes we don't pay attention to where we are running and we run into each other.  Sometimes we crash into Sophie's chair -- while she is sitting in it!  We got scared the first time we did that.  We were afraid that we hurt Sophie.  We didn't.  Sophie looked at us and started laughing.  What a relief!  We sure do have fun!

When we got tired and settled down a little, Sophie asked, "Does anyone want a banana?"  I was first in line and Valentina was right beside me.  I love bananas.  Sophie didn't want her hands to get slimy from my drool so she handed the banana to Mommy.  Valentina and I followed the banana.  All of the people were laughing, but I am not exactly sure why.  Mommy looked at us and said, "Sit, girls."  We wanted that banana and sat before Mommy even finished saying it.  Valentina got the first piece.  I didn't mind because I knew Mommy would give me the next piece.  I was right!  Mommy went back and forth  between me and Valentina until the banana was all gone.

All of that sitting and the sugar from the banana got us up and running again.  After a few minutes, Anita called me over to her.  I excused myself from playing because Mommy taught me how to have good manners.  I promised Valentina that I would be right back. Guess what?  I found out that I didn't have to say anything to Valentina because we both got to Anita at the same time.  Anita gave us big hugs and we went back to playing.

I guess Mommy and the ladies ran out of things to talk about because they were starting to bother us.  Mommy said, "Valentina, come."  Valentina excused herself because she has good manners, too. She didn't have to do that because we both got to my mommy at the same time.  Mommy gave us big hugs.  She, Anita, and Sophie were laughing.  I said to Valentina, "Do you know what is so funny?"  She shook her head and said she didn't.  Then Anita called me again.  Just as we both got to her (even though she only called me) I heard Mommy say, "These girls are so funny  It's all or nothing with them."

I had to stop and think about that for a minute.  I realized that Mommy meant that if someone called one dog, they got both of us.  I asked Valentina if she thought that is what Mommy meant, and she agreed.  We also agreed that we were jealous of each other when our mommies were involved.  Valentina was jealous when Anita hugged me, but she didn't mind so much if Anita hugged Valentina, too.  I was jealous when my mommy hugged Valentina, but I didn't mind so much if she hugged me, too.

I wonder if it is all or nothing with our mommies.  If I could talk I would say, "Anita, come."  If Mommy came, too, I would have my answer!  Even though I sometimes get jealous of Valentina, she is my best friend.  I hope we have another play date soon!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

LuLu and Lynn

Yesterday, after breakfast, Mommy said, "Girls, guess what?  Lynn is coming to visit today.  Isn't that exciting!"  I've know Lynn since I was a baby.  I was so excited that I ran around in circles, wagging my tail as hard as I could.  Izzy started screaming because she was excited, too.  LuLu is afraid of everyone so she started shaking.

When Lynn got here, Mommy gave her a big hug.  Izzy started screaming again, and LuLu started running back and forth.  I waited, patiently, until it got a little quieter.  Lynn gave me a big hug and scratched my back.  It felt so good.

Everyone knows and understands that LuLu is afraid of people.  When people come to the house, she usually runs upstairs and stays there until they leave.  She didn't run upstairs when Lynn came.  Mommy sat on the big sofa and Lynn sat across from her on the little sofa.  To our surprise, LuLu sat on the sofa next to Mommy.  After a few minutes, LuLu felt safe enough to lie down.

While Lynn and Mommy were talking, Lynn sat on the the floor.  She slowly eased her way across the floor, moving closer and closer to LuLu.  LuLu got nervous.  She sat straight up.  Her eyes bugged out.  But, she didn't jump down and run upstairs.  Lynn didn't want to scare LuLu, but she did want LuLu to trust her.  Izzy has to be in the middle of everything so she was on Lynn's lap.

Lynn played with Izzy and reached out and touched LuLu's paw.  Lynn played with Izzy some more.  Then she reached out and put her hand on LuLu's leg.  After a little while, Lynn was actually petting LuLu's head and then her back.  LuLu was nervous, but she trusted Lynn!  She didn't hide behind Mommy and she didn't run upstairs.

I sat and watched the whole time.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  Lynn and Mommy praised LuLu and told her they were proud of her.  LuLu looked at me and gave me a big smile.  She was proud of herself, too!  It might seem like a little thing, that LuLu let someone touch her, but actually it's huge.  Maybe one day, Lulu will trust all of our friends and family.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

To Eat or Not To Eat - Off the Floor


My sisters and I know that Mommy works very hard.  She works hard at her job and she works hard at home.  We know this because she tells us, especially when we do something naughty and messy.  We hear, "What is wrong with you girls?  I work very hard all day and then I have to clean up after you!  That is hard work too."

We don’t like to upset Mommy.  We decided to try very hard not to make messes.  We also decided to help clean up Mommy’s messes.  Every time Mommy drops or spills food, we rush over to clean it up.  Sometimes we are lucky and happy when Mommy spills something delicious.

Mommy and I went to the Home the other day.  We were visiting our friends in their big living room.  Mommy was talking to Gary and he was scratching my back.  I was too relaxed to stand so I lay down.  I noticed things on the floor that I didn't notice when I was standing.  I said to myself, "Ethel Frances, it would be a big help to clean up the things on the floor."  I stretched out my neck with my mouth open and just as I was going to grab it, I heard Mommy's voice.

"Ethel Frances!  No!  Leave it!"

I certainly was surprised at Mommy's reaction.  I can't talk with words, but I have other ways to express myself.  I stood up and hung my head down.  I made my tail droop and I drew my eyebrows together.  I stared at Mommy, right into her eyes.  If I could talk, I would have said, "Mommy, what is the problem?  I just wanted to be helpful.  Why are you so upset?"

A few minutes later,  I saw something else on the floor.  I tried to get it, but the same thing happened.  Mommy scolded me and I was sad.  Mommy looked at me, right in my eyes.  She said, "Ethel Frances, you are such a smart girl.  You can't talk, but you told me with your body language that you are sad and confused."

She sat on the floor and gave me a tight hug and a bunch of kisses.  She said, "I know you were trying to be helpful by eating things off of the floor.  The floors here look clean, but the things on the floor are not always food.  That is why I don't want you to eat whatever you find here.  I am proud of you for trying to help.  You can help clean the floors at home whenever you want, but not here.  OK, honey?"

I kissed Mommy's face from her chin to her hair and I wagged my tail as fast as I could.  Mommy knew I understood.  She gave me another hug and a handful of cereal.  I was looking forward to going home to clean the floor.  Maybe tonight Mommy will spill ice cream!

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