My Life as a Dog...and the Mountains!

Mom, This is for you. I know you've had a rough week with the death of your friend so I hope one more Hurricane story will add a smile to your day! I love you~

Let me tell you how programmed I am. Whenever I see the suitcases come out of the closet and my family begins putting their stuff into that bag, well, I just assume we are going to the ocean. So imagine my excitement when I saw my family rummaging around, talking about what they should bring, and if they’ll need this or that. I could NOT wait!! In fact, I even wanted to do the dance, ‘I’m goin’ to the ocean, goin’ to the ocean…’ I had this incredible desire to sing it at the top of my lungs, but I showed some restraint because I am going to be two years old next week, you know.


I have to be honest, though and tell you I was slightly concerned since I didn’t see them gathering any of my belongings so I stayed real close. One time, Big D said, ‘Hurricane, you gotta move out of my way!’ Geez Big D, just stick a knife in my heart would you? I plopped down in the middle of the kitchen and managed a hefty sigh so if they had any inkling of forgetting me, they’d have to trip over me before they‘d leave me.

The gear was packed in the van and whew, FINALLY, they put my accoutrements in the back and ordered the directions to climb aboard! They don’t realize how nervous I was becoming. I thought I might have a panic attack! But off we went! Driving, driving, driving…

Geez Lousie, Big D, this doesn’t seem like the way to the ocean, I wanted to throw his way, but he was getting grumbly about all the traffic so I kept my thoughts to myself and peered out the window. Gosh, the aroma revealed we were just not in the right place but I kept watching and waiting. I couldn’t find the vast indigo swimming pool but what a striking sight! It looked exactly like the multi-colored gum drops Little D likes to munch on. There was a stunning display of butterscotch, ruby and gold swiped across the painter’s palette. Wow! Big D., this is a dazzling portrait by nature. I can see why you brought me here. It sure is a delight watching the leaves perform cartwheels across the road before lying in their final resting place creating a carpet of color. Wherever this place is we are traveling is certainly a sight to behold. The soaring landforms reach out to God with their peaks and summits and will you look at that, the billowy puffs of clouds are bending to greet them.

I hang onto Little D as we snake our way through the winding roads being tossed like corn in a popper. I am filled with awe as we reach our sleeping destination among the stark and naked branches high in the altitude. ‘Nee Nee, why do my ears pop? ‘I ask and recognize there are so many questions I have as a dog. I shake my head forcefully to emerge the bursts loose that are exploding in my ears.

‘Let’s go!’ announces Big D and my family takes our entire luggage from the van and deposits them into the dwelling. We spend the days doing different things than we normally do at the alluring body of water I find so irresistible, but pleasurable nonetheless. Who am I kidding by saying ‘we’? I realize I am JUST a dog, but they unloaded the vehicle and went off on their merry way to have lunch, pan for gems which certainly does sound appealing, and visit the countryside searching for firewood and trinkets. All the while, they left me in a strange new place which made me feel very gloomy.

However, after their homecoming we had a divine time. We built a warm blaze in a cement slab and I got to help eat the puffy marshmallows we cooked. Hey, I’m eating the clouds we saw on our way here and boy, were they certainly scrumptious! The next day my family and I climbed atop one of those peaks that reach the Heavens and oh goodness, it was so dazzling! Plus, I received so many pats and strokes from strangers who considered me so pretty; there were ‘ooohhhs’ and ‘awwws’ which made me cheerful!

But I have to be truthful; while the mountains were magnificent; my preferred place of travel continues to be the ocean, however, I think ANY time with my family is noteworthy and extraordinary.

I love this life….

My Life as a Dog....and Bath Day!

UH-OH!!! I knew I was in a dilemma when my family lured me into the lavatory with a biscuit and then proceeded to fasten the door; click… UGH, there was no escape! Big D. turned on the shower; doomed, I say. At least they afforded me the courtesy to allow me to finish my biscuit before they shoved me in that plastic box with the water that streams out of a metal tube. I tried to sneak my way out by going behind Nee Nee and laying up against her as if to say, ‘Please Nee Nee, don’t make me take a bath today….perhaps tomorrow!’

But Nee Nee threw me under the bus and detached herself so I was left unprotected. Betrayed, I sneaked to Little D and gazed pleadingly into his eyes, ‘I’ll take a bath later Little D…isn’t that what you always say to get out of something? …or was it, in a few minutes?’ He looked at me straight in the eyes and informed me I smelled so it had to be today. I SMELL??? Well, no one told me that. I SMELL?? I have a stench???? OH MY, I am so embarrassed, how could they not tell me? Really? Did all my friends that I greeted on my walk this morning think that? But I used my Doggie Deoderant, I promise...Oh Lord, how will I ever face them again?

As self-conscious as I was I tried the ‘sad puppy dog’ look, which really wasn’t far from the truth so I plopped down on the bathroom floor amidst all their echoes of demands and encouragement and put my head between my outstretched paws. I peeked at them. I raised one eyebrow to try as best as I could to give the impression of being pathetic, which I think I was being pretty successful because Big D approached, parked himself beside me and started stroking my ears…SUCKER! Then he calmly said, ‘Come on Hurricane, you won’t be so itchy after you’ve had your bath!’ well, he did have a point, I have been Mr. Itchy Scratchy lately. Okay…

So I summoned the courage to toddle pathetically toward the shower box with my head hung low and averted the gazes of my family, trying to invite all the sympathy I could muster. I know, I know, I love the ocean waters and enter quite readily, but that IS on my terms, understand? I longingly want to pretend I possess a tad bit of control here. Big D pushes me toward the spraying water by shoving me in the rump. Geez, have a little compassion for a guy. So I take the plunge so to speak and step into the synthetic room. Big D sprays me with the tepid water and we continue through the process of getting ‘the stink’ out of me and although it really does feel refreshing, I don’t want to let on that I feel like a million bucks.

Ahhh, I really love this toweling off…yeah, Big D. don’t forget the belly…oooohhhh. I perform a first-class shake and everyone takes cover: ‘Hurricane!’ they yell. Well, what do you expect! Then the bathroom door  releases and I sprint like a banshee through the house and each person steers clear until I exhaustedly settle on the bed with my family. ‘That wasn’t so bad, was it Hurricane?’ And it truly wasn’t, especially when we all end up on the bed together. They whisper sweet nothings to me and caress my sodden coat, anything to comfort my ego…

Ahhhh, I love this life….

My Life as a Dog...and Whatever Do You Call it?

SQEEEEEEAKK!!! Oh Little Daddy, by all means, what are you doing? Whatever that is you are piercing my ears; don’t you realize that we dogs have incredibly sensitive ears? It sounds like you are strangling a chicken!


WHEW! Every nighttime Little D unlatches this carbon box and digs out sections of ebony circular pieces of something with gold buttons. He places a wooden something or other into a pointed piece that goes into his mouth and then he blows…EEEGADSSS! I admit he is getting better but goodness gracious, every so often this throbbing wicked screech comes blaring out of the metal contraption.

He works very hard to make beautiful noise escape through its chambers but when he breaks a ‘reed’ as he calls it, the black wood bellows and clamors like a wounded wolf on the prairie. In truth, I do want to be of assistance to him because he gets so frustrated, so I offer a lickie-licky on his arm as he’s playing but he shrugs it off. Hey, that’s not nice Little D; I’m only trying to help.

Sometimes while he is sitting on his stool, papers in place; music he calls it, I rest my chin on his knee stretching my eyes as far as they will go with little movement of the head so I can gaze into his concentration. Good Little D, I try to applaud his efforts because when he isn’t persuading the deafening sounds, it is rather lovely.

‘Keep practicing Nicholas, you’re getting it!’ says NeeNee as she encourages him night by night to practice his clarinet. Ahhh, so that’s what it is; a clarinet! Well, that’s divine Little D, just exquisite. Little D works awfully hard and the more he plays, the fewer times I have to cover my ears with my paws which I know hurts his feelings. I want to keep him in my eyesight so I position myself in the hallway and let out a big ‘SIGH!’ to show my support; although he thinks I’m bored. But I’m not; the sound IS showing improvement every evening. My most beloved song is Mary Had a Little Lamb which puts me into a little snooze after dinner.

Before I doze I want to tell you, Ahhh, I love this life…and the syrupy noise of music! ZZZZZzzzzz…..

My Life as a Dog...and a New Toy!

YIPPPEEEE!!! I got a package in the mail on Saturday~ …well, okay; it wasn’t for me but for my boy, Little Daddy. Yet I have this firm belief that EVERYTHING in this house is mine! At any rate, he came racing into the house saying he got a present from BarbPat…OHHHH, I like presents! I never heard of BarbPat but if it makes him thrilled then it’s okay by me!


‘BarbPat were our neighbors when we lived in Ohio’ Little D advised me. BarbPat? I created this quizzical look on my mug and cocked my cranium to one side. This generally tells my family I’m perplexed which seems to happen a lot…these two-legged humans sure know how to muddle very simple things. In any case, BarbPat is actually two people; Barb AND Pat, he was explaining but when he was a little tyke he shoved the words together and just called them both by one name; BarbPat… whatever! Works for me if it works for him!

So as I was saying, they sent this parcel to Little D and he was as blissful as a dog peeing on a post. He spied an opening and ripped until the contents splattered out onto the table. I sniffed it before my eyes caught a glimpse of my treasure. WOW! For me? BarbPat don’t even know me and they mailed me a toy? How cool is that?


I am crazy about my toys…I love to tug, shake and squeak every single one of them; so much amusement! But my latest toy was ‘da bomb! It was a crimson nylon sculpted bone packed with fluff and a squeaker; those are preferred! I find it irresistible to sink my teeth into my playthings so I can listen to that reverberating peep. …PEEEP!!! An added trendy article; attached to one end was a knotted braid of scarlet, white and black rope so Little D could grasp onto one end and I could heave with the other. I raise my hind quarters into the air and unfalteringly dig my toenails into the mushroom colored floor covering and give it all my muscle; PUUULLLLL! Whenever we do that I haul him across the room. I love the sound of Little D’s laughter! That’s one of the finest parts of being a dog, I say.


My best part is EVERY part, but Little D considers the most excellent element to be the Ohio State University insignia monogrammed on the bone and words that describe me perfectly… ‘GUARD DOG!’ YEP! Yep, that’s me… I ALWAYS guard and protect my family!


I love this life…AND new toys! Come on, Little D, let’s play!

My Life as a Dog...and my new friend!

No, we didn’t get another darling to live in our abode with me, although I’d really like a companion. As you know, I don’t like staying home by myself so having a cohort would be a wonderful welcome. I’d never be lonely and I wouldn’t be scared of the shadowy figures on the walls. I also wouldn’t feel it necessary to hide behind the door when my family comes home since I’d have the courage to greet them properly.


You see the last couple days or so when my family has taken me for my walk in the morning, which is one of my favorite times during the day. I love to see, or shall I say smell all of my friends who have come before me. I sniff the mailbox post, dribble a little bit of my scent onto it, then go over to the bush; sniff, dribble, repeat, sniff, dribble, repeat…and oh, mustn’t forget that giant tree over there. Big Daddy gets so impatient with me at times and asserts, ‘Hurricane, come on!’ in this particular firm voice as he yanks on that thing around my neck.…gosh, I’m sorry! but a dog has to do what a dog has to do! Ahh, my friend Ripley was through here earlier, or was that last night’s smell? I believe that was Rex. Rex,my man, you da dog! and can’t forget Max. Max, where have you been buddy? I haven’t smelled you in so long….EEWWW, got a little too close to that one and it went right up my nose, AAACHOOO! God Bless me!

Anyway, as I was saying about my new friend; Nee Nee and I started down the darkened street right and what did I see? Right in front of me was this diminutive gray kitty. Yes, I know I’m a dog and should want nothing more than to chase that feline right out of my neighborhood but there was something special about this cat from the moment I laid eyes on her. She, well don’t’ actually know if it was a he or she because I’m not real good at telling these things, especially on a cat, but let’s say for the purpose of my story, it was a she. Well, she bravely pranced right up to me tucked her chin to her chest and rubbed her ears against my legs. Really? Little Kitty, you are pretty daring; a large amount of dogs would devour you for breakfast. But this petite fluff ball with an ashen diamond of fur gracing her neckline kept stroking beneath my tuft of ruff. Oh, she was as sweet as my DQ ice cream and you know how much I love my frozen treat. She was brushing up against me back and forth, back and forth. I was mesmerized by her tenderness, her fearlessness and her devotion to me as a stranger.

Nee Nee hesitated and considered us with softened eyes. I wanted to inquire if we could take her home since she was obviously fond of me. Geez, we have so much love to share at our residence, instead we hedged forward and left the miniscule ball of fur sitting in the middle of the road following us with her eyes. As we sauntered away, I threw a glance back and said, ‘Good bye Little Friend, I hope to see you tomorrow.’

I love this life…and my new little friend~

My Life as a Dog....and an empty house~

As complicated as it has been, I have adjusted to reality from our shortened vacation. I’m confident I like this vacation stuff though because my people are home with me all day long and I adore my family being with me; I get this warm cozy sentiment inside my belly that oozes up through my mouth and I just have to give everyone wet kisses whether they are fond of them or not….. SLURP!!! SLURP!!!


‘Hurricane, Stop!’ they utter to me, but I make-believe I don’t hear a thing they are saying and carry on giving those licky-lickies I’m most famous for.

What's more, when we are all together in our humble abode a scratch behind the ear or a stroke on the head is never far from my reach. All I have to do is lie in the middle of the floor with my nose down, take a deep breath and let out this long S-I-G-H! Whoever is closest will look at me and when I have their full attention, I raise my eyebrows just a touch that gives me those sad puppy dog eyes and know by now, I got them right in the heart. So they park themselves close beside me on the floor and that is my invitation to roll over on my back to get my belly stroked or my ears rubbed; ahhhh, now THAT is heaven! Oh, yeah Little Daddy, keep on caressing those ears… that is the best!

Life was going along just dandy until Monday morning. What? Why is everyone getting into the shower and putting their ironed clothes on? When they dress in their ironed clothes that can only mean one thing; they are OH-NO…leaving?! I despise when they leave given that I don’t like being alone. An empty house has got to be as bad as well, having one’s personals removed, if you know what I mean! But sadly, they all get their things and Little D gets a bone out of the pantry. Hah, no fair; feeding me to take my mind off things. But the noises panic me and I search the house; however, my family is nowhere in sight. I get so frightened when the sounds outside come to visit.

“Tchrring” what in the world was that shrill sound? I crouch down on my belly and take notice of the “tchrring” again out the back window. Oh my, I sure wish Big Daddy was here to protect me….Lay low I tell myself so no one will see me. All of a sudden, I spot Mr. Squirrel sitting on the deck railing scratching the house as he gazes deep into my eyes…because he knows….he KNOWS I am scared! ARRGHH, where is my family? Okay, time to go under Big D and Nee Nee’s bed to hide from the commotion.

Once the noises stop I creep out keeping tuned into my surroundings. After the coast is clear, I charge downstairs and go into my living room to sneak upon that soft sofa, but don’t tell anyone because I’m not supposed to be on the couch. After what seems like forever, I hear the garage door release. UH-OH, busted…I hop down and rejoice by wagging my tail and dancing when Little D comes bee-bopping around the corner. He greets me in such a joyful voice that all the chilling noises disappear.

Whew, Little D, so delighted you’re home, let’s go outside and potty! I love this life….

My Life as a Dog....and hurricanes~

I know, I know…. I haven’t been on the computer for well, in like forever, because it has taken me quite awhile to recover from our vacation to Emerald Isle and I’ll tell you why. The beach was exquisite with all the opportunities to play chase the birds and Little Daddy, search for crabbies in the sand, all my walks, and games of tag with the waves and WOW! What gigantic waves they were! There is something I don’t understand though. When we got to the ocean someone called ‘Hurricane Danielle’ had been there so there were these scarlet flags hung and Big Daddy said they were there to tell us not to swim in the ocean. Well, no one told me I could have met and played with Danielle if I had been there a couple days earlier. I bet she was pretty just like her name but evidently I missed meeting her; DARN!

Anyway, I was amused from sun up ‘till sundown. I took daybreak strolls on the beach with Big Daddy because he wakes up really early. I wonder if it has anything with me giving him licky-lickies on the face when just a hint of light peeks in the window? Ummm, anyway, he gets out of bed mumbling something about ‘Devil-Dog’ …there he goes using that word again when I know my name is Hurricane. So since he’s awake, we go frolic on the seashore with the waves. Big D. will locate a shell and fling it in the water and I will sprint after it. Once I ran too far in and this humungous wave appeared and took my feet right out from under me like I was being hog tied, and then one more wave rumbled and landed right over my head. I had to close my mouth so I wouldn’t drink any of that salt water; BLECK! But really I was frightened, I couldn’t find my feet for a split second! Big Daddy said Hurricane Danielle made the waves big; WOW, did she ever! She must have been really strong. I changed my mind; perhaps I didn’t fancy meeting her after all.

But like I was saying, I went for a jaunt every morning, then another in the afternoon. This was typically when Little D and I amused ourselves by him rushing ahead of me into the waves and after that he’d shout to me to come get him. I’d get so excited sometimes I’d knock him down. I’m so sorry Little D.  I didn't mean to, but I just love this!

Our third spree was when that life-size ball in the sky was coming down just about to touch the dazzling sapphire water. My, that was sure a pretty part of the day. Being a dog, I’m not real good with my colors but I think there were yellows, reds and oranges that streaked crossways through the sky making a beautiful backdrop for that golden ball, but then the sphere would vanish and the heavens would get dim. We’d sit on the soft sand to gaze at the birds and the people. Often the people would come to a standstill, pat my head and utter to my family, ‘He is such a beautiful dog!’ Thank you very much I’d say in my head because that’s what my family always says to them. But then, it would get too shadowy, and I would want to go in the house because well, I’m afraid of the dark and the shapes it makes, but don’t tell everyone because it’s kind of a secret.


At any rate, there were plenty of walks and times that long strap that goes around my neck which I do not like, was taken off and I could just dart, dash and scurry about…AHHHHH, I love the blast of air in my face and when it tickles my nose, it makes me sneeze! ‘Bless you!’ they’d shout in my direction! But just when I was having so much fun with the waves, and the birds and all the strolls, on Thursday my family started to put all our things in bags and boxes and place them all in our van. What was going on? We can’t leave yet. I’m still having fun! Little Daddy mentioned Hurricane Earl was coming. Well, I know I didn’t invite Hurricane Earl so why is he coming? I just don’t understand all this use of my name. And if we didn’t invite Earl, why do WE have to leave? But Little D said something about a mandatory evacuation and so the flurry of activity continued. I was anxious they were going to depart, leaving me behind so after awhile, all I really cared about was that they put ME in the van with all my treasures. Hey, Little D, don’t forget my sock under that table! UMMMM, now where did I see my ball?

PHEW, they DID situate me in the vehicle on top of my soft lamb’s wool bed…but I was so despondent and so miserable. I love my time at the beach, and I love my time with my family and I’m still wondering; why did I never get to play with any of those other hurricanes?



My Life as a Dog...and Emerald Isle~

Is there a word that describes beyond excited? Like ecstatic? Ummm… maybe Euphoric? Well, that’s me today because I’m told we are heading back to the beach, Emerald Isle to be specific and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ocean!!!

In July when we were there I didn’t even wait for the car to be unpacked before I made a mad dash through the gate on the back deck toward the sparkling sapphire water. I turned around to glance back to see if my family was following me because I wanted them to enjoy it too and they had their ‘mad’ faces on so of course, I kept on running down the beach as fast as my legs could carry me. One little girl in a bright pink polka dotted suit put her hands out trying to stop so I could play, but I just turned my head her way to indicate, ‘not now…gotta run to the end of the ocean! …but love your suit!’

But you know what? There IS no end to my ocean…it just kept going and going and going….oh no, where was my family? Well, as I turned to search for them I remembered the water…ahhh, love the water except for the taste; BLECK! That’s gross! But I reminded myself to just keep my mouth shut so I wouldn’t indulge in its bitterness. Hey, I think those waves are playing tag with me…it came and got my feet. ‘Okay, now you’re in trouble’ I bark. I run toward and it chases me back and wraps itself around my legs as if to say ‘YOU’RE IT!’

We play this game until I tire of being ‘it’ and my family finally discovers me. I’m wondering, ‘hey guys, what took you so long?’ They are so jubilant to be here, they don’t even reprimand me for my grand escape as we continue to stroll along the Oceanside with the sand collecting deep in my paws. I stop and dig my mitts into the sand and send it flailing back in a shower of particles until I plop down into the cool bed of ginger grains. I gaze up at my family to tell them, ‘AHHHHH, This is the life!’

Yeah, I remember those exceptional times and more, so it’s with great exhilaration in my heart that I observe my family collecting their things so we can embark upon our journey. Nee Nee said something about the beach being tranquil, peaceful and an invitation for the stress, whatever that is, to wash into the vast ocean, but to me, it’s a never-ending playground for fun. I love this life….

My Life as a Dog…and DQ!

Lucky Me, Lucky me, we’re going for ice cream!


If you couldn’t tell, I love ice cream and always have since I was just a pup. I’m really not sure how it started but my family informed me that they’ve been going for ‘o’ceam’ since Little Daddy was a small boy. The first time they took the little man, my boy didn’t like it; what was he thinking? How can you not love that rich smooth velvety lump of a cold refreshing treat? Oh, my gosh, YUM….

This is what sets the process in motion. Someone in my family will say, ‘We’re goin’ for Ice Cream! Get in the car!’ …well, you don’t have to tell me twice. I practically knock anyone over who moves in my passageway and if someone is in my way? ‘WATCH OUT!! Last one in is a rotten egg’ and I want to tell you, I am typically NOT the last one in. I quickly claim the front seat and make Nee Nee sit in back; Hee Hee! She will plop down in the back and mumble something about ‘a spoiled rotten dog’ under her breath. Hey, I can’t help it if she doesn’t move any faster than that. Maybe if she had four legs she’d be in motion more hastily. So I glance back to make sure my family is in their place, belts all buckled and off Big Daddy drives.

Just the thought of going to DQ gets me so energized I keep going back and forth, back and forth between the front and the back, ‘Are we there yet?’ I keep asking Nee Nee with my nuzzle in her face, and then I head to the front and give Big Daddy a Lickie Lickie on his cheek to advise him to hurry this bus up. Little Daddy tells me to ‘sit still’ but I can’t help it, I just want some ice cream. Let’s see, I think I’ll get my favorite, a vanilla cone, yep, that’s my favorite! ‘Are we there yet?’ and a Lickie Lickie to you too, Nee Nee!

We finally arrive at DQ and I jump out of the van so excitedly and pull Big Daddy across the parking lot while he gives me a stern warning, ‘Hurricane you gotta stop pulling!’ But I just can’t help it, I’m so thrilled! I can taste that silky vanilla crème in my mouth as we speak. I try to go into Dairy Queen but I’m reminded I can’t go in; I have to wait outside…THIS IS SO NOT FAIR!

So I choose a table or bench outside, which is after I get done wandering toward anyone with the soft frozen delicacy to see if anyone is willing to share. They all just pat me on the head and tell me how pretty I am which is fine and dandy but I prefer ice cream to kind words.

When Big D and Little D come out with the treats I sit so nicely upon command and begin devouring my chilly delight. It is so luscious and mouth-watering that I have dribble running down my chin. Oh well, that’s what Little Daddy’s leg is for; just nestle up against him real close. Ahhhh, this is a glorious, heavenly weakness of mine I never want to be without…oh no, is it all gone? Nope, got the cone remaining so I grasp it gently with my front teeth as Big D releases his grasp, then I lay on my belly with the funnel between my two front paws to conclude my feast. Chomp, Chomp…and licking my chops afterward…. YUM-MY! Then I sit patiently; maybe if I manage to look very handsome someone will share with me!?

Oh well, even if they don’t, Lucky me! I love this life…

My Life as a Dog...

Devil Dog? Is that what I heard, DEVIL DOG? But, but…. I thought my name was Hurricane? I guess when I wake the family up too early in the morning my name changes, but what’s a devil? I know I have a dashing spirit, mischievous moments and I can be pretty reckless at times, but gosh, that’s pretty harsh, wouldn’t you say? However if I do have some devilish ways, I am serious when I say ‘I don’t really mean to’. I try to look at the numbers on the clock very carefully but sometimes all those lines mix me up and when I see a 5 I can’t remember if is suppose to be at the front of a number or in the back; I just get so perplexed and confused.

I’m letting you know this because I got scolded this morning for waking up my family at 3:05. How was I supposed to know it is a Saturday? Gosh, I know I’m a smart dog but don’t give me that much credit; such high expectations to live up to for a dog. Anyway, on any other morning when Nee Nee turns that box on beside our cradle- I say that because I claim that bed as mine too, the container starts playing music when the numbers say 5-0-0. I want to help them get up and I know there are so happy to see me because I’ve been asleep all night so they must miss me, right? So, I gather BIG AIR, and I bound on the bed and plunk myself right down in the middle…but then they start saying, ‘You Devil Dog!’ Me? What did I do? I’m just helping…

At any rate, this morning or was it nighttime? I just get bewildered and befuddled but what I thought was a 5 was really a 3 or maybe the 5 was just in the wrong place so I took my usual dive onto the bed and plopped all 70 lbs on top of Big Daddy. He protested and called me that ‘D-name’ again and so I wanted to make him pleased therefore I gave him a couple of ‘Wet Willies’ right in his ear with my tongue; at the very least sure enough to make him smile! UH-OH, he didn’t smile, he didn’t even pat me and after that Nee Nee groaned. I tried putting my head on her pillow to let her know I was sorry, but I guess in my excitement, saliva dribbled out of my mouth and when she fluffed the cushion under her cheek, well, you can only imagine what happened next. She ‘humphed’ at me and said, ‘Hurricane, it’s Saturday!’ SO? but gosh, even though they called me a bad name, they got up out of bed and have been up with me ever since…I don’t know what this Saturday thing is all about but to me, it’s just more time to play! I love this life….

My Life as a Dog and the 12 Step Program!

Okay, I have a terrible confession: I’m a lost and broken dog! I have a sock fetish which according to the dictionary means an obsessive or unhealthy preoccupation or attachment with an object.

But there, I said it and often heard that the first step in overcoming an addiction is to admit I have a problem. It is a terrible problem. I can’t get enough socks which is even more of a problem because they aren’t my socks! Well, they eventually become my socks because I chew and tear so many holes in them that no one can wear the foot coverings by time I’m done with them, but that’s beside the problem. You see, they are my family’s socks. I can’t help myself and am so ashamed. Whenever I see a sock in the laundry basket I have to go grab it, stretch it until I hear that priceless sound of it ripping; AAHHHH, a sound of satisfaction! Rip it, shred it, grate it; that is when they are at their best!

I like to get into Big Daddy’s running shoes and even though he has tucked them deep into the toe of the shoe, I stick my nose in until I can reach just a teensy-weensy thread and pull it out. Yeah, I know, the smell is pretty unpleasant and you’d think that would deter me, but I guess that tells you how desperate my dilemma is.

I’ve even been known to chase Little Daddy around the house when he’s taking his shoes off so I can grab a sliver of the cloth and help in pulling it off his foot. If I do that, then at least the taste is in my mouth and there’s a better chance I can keep it since I put the entire sock in my jaw and slobber all over it. They don’t like to touch it when it is coated with dribble. Then, I dash into my favorite hiding place; under the bed. I know, I know, I’m a big dog but I can still fit under the bed and no one comes in after me. The beauty of that is they know I have the upper hand so they go to the cabinet in the bathroom, get a biscuit to entice me to come out. When I hear that box, I immediately go to my bed, the heck with the sock! …a quest for a later time and date. Besides, I have the best of both worlds; a biscuit AND the sock!

Yes, it is true. I go to great lengths to feed my addiction; I follow Nee Nee up the stairs biting at her heals until she gives them up, or until I trip her. Or, I stand on my hind legs at the washer and dryer searching for strays, otherwise I park myself politely at the dryer while clothes are being folded to quickly grab one that may fall on the floor. I’m getting’ pretty good at ‘Snatch-and-Go’s’.

So while I’ve admitted my compulsion I don't think I'm ready to follow Step 6 OR Step 7 quite yet; were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character and humbly ask God to remove my shortcomings …ummm, should I? …NAAAHHHHH, I like socks too much! I love this life…

My Life as a Dog!

No, it’s not very original but what would you expect from me, as I’m only a dog. I am a Golden Retriever, whatever that is because all I know is I’m a dog! But whenever I take walks in the ‘hood, people pat me and tell me what a beautiful dog I am. Anyway, I was born October 23, 2008 in Chapel Hill, NC which must be good because my family loves this school called UNC and I guess it’s in Chapel Hill? My owners, Big Daddy, Little Daddy and Nee Nee sometimes say they’d like to trade places with me but I really don’t know why, but maybe you can tell me after I tell you stories from my life. Maybe I can sneak on here from time to time and tell stories of my place in this family!

Yesterday Big Daddy was running this machine across the carpets and I don’t know what it is for but it has a light on the front and when he rolls it toward me and the loud noise it makes, ‘VROOM, VROOOOM…’ scares me half to death so I bark at it a lot to tell it to stay away. He says, ‘Hurricane!’ …that’s my name by the way. ‘It’s not going to hurt you!’ … but I run at it and try to bite it anyway because I can’t be too sure!’ Anyway, all of a sudden, it stopped! Big D. leaned down and flipped a switch and jiggled at something in the wall but it wouldn’t come back on…dead! I’m so glad I finally killed it-for my family’s sake! He sat on the floor which is always my invitation to sit in his lap. I’ve been doing that since I was a puppy and I get patted on my belly, around my ears, on top of my head…ohhh, it feels so good. I never want him to stop. When he does I put my nose under his hand and swing it back up so he’ll keep going. AHHHAHHHH!! I could do this all day long! But this time, he just said, ‘Hurricane, outta my way!’ ...OUCH, that hurts! So I lay my head on the floor and give him my sad puppy dog look where I raise my eyebrows ever so slightly and stare at them….it gets them every time. Big D. stoked my ears for a few seconds. I guess it is better than nothing!

Okay, so back to the contraption with the glow on the front….Big D started taking it apart and oh my gosh, all my hair started coming out of it! When did my beautiful butterscotch hair come out? Big D kept saying over and over with each new bunch, ‘Hurricane, this is all your hair!’ I tell you, we sat there for 25 minutes while he pulled tufts of my fur out of every nook and cranny in that device and he put it all in a trash...boy, do I sure feel naked!*

Well, I hear Nee Nee coming down the stairs so I better end this for now, but this isn’t the last from me… I think I like this life!