Okay. So what is it with two-leggers and being unable to spend more than a few darknesses together before one of them has to disappear again?

This time is was my Dad. We went in the rolling wheeled room out to that strange building again and I knew what was going to happen. One of my two-leggers was going to walk into the building, get into a much larger wheeled room with wings, and disappear. Sure enough. Off he went. Four whole darknesses worth.

Sure, Mom and I had a good time together. We always do. But I just don't understand this need for two-leggers to disappear for a while. I never disappear. I'm always here. Why do they have to go away so often?

My hope now is that we'll settle down for the rest of the warm time. Go for walks. Play in the yard. All that good stuff. My Mom even bought be a new Wubba: that should keep Dad happy for a while!

Tags: Golden Doodle

Mom came home today. I don't know where she's been over the last several darknesses but she came back this morning in the sky-falling water. It's very exciting but, since I'm now a grown-up, I don't jump up and down and pee whenever Mom or Dad comes back from a long time away! I greet them with a calm, mature lick on the nose and then it's back to business as usual.

Lots of sky-falling water today. Ever since the darkness ended, in fact. It may even have been falling while I slept but I was pretty tired so I didn't notice it. Now that we're all back together as a family things will get back to normal, I guess.

I kind of enjoyed having just Dad to take care of. He spent an awful lot of time with me and we went for four (count'em, four!) walks every day. First thing after I woke up, we went through the neighbourhood. Then in the middle of the day, we went out to the big area of trees for a run. Chased long-eared, cotton-tailed four-leggers through the trees then! They're fast little four-leggers! Then as the darkness started to come back, we'd go out to the other big treed area (the one with fields too) and we'd play ball for an hour. And finally, just when I'm getting ready to go back to sleep, out we'd go into the heart of the darkness for another long walk along the streets!

So great. I think I'm slimmer now than I was a week ago. Certainly I can run faster! Not fast enough to catch the long-ears but still pretty quick.

Anyway, so Mom's home and it's nice to see her. She looks great, even if she claims she's not feeling well. I think all she needs is a long dose of her puppy and then she'll be fine!

Tags: Golden Doodle

For the past couple of darknesses, my Mom has been away. I don't know where she went (nobody ever tells me anything) but I hope she comes back soon!

That leaves just Dad and me. Now, sometimes he goes away too, leaving me all by my lonesome, but not for too long. He always comes back before I need to do my business. I sleep mostly but it's no fun being alone.

On the other hand, with my Mom away, Dad has been spending a lot more time with me. That's been a lot of fun. We go for a walk every morning, we go out to one big place with trees in the middle of the day, we go to another big field as the darkness is starting to come along and then, just for good measure, we go for another walk long after the darkness has settled in.

I'm exhausted! But it has been great.

Of course, my Dad doesn't brush me the way my Mom does so I'm starting to look a little bit raggedy but that's okay too.

I'm looking forward to when my Mom comes home! Still, staying with Dad alone isn't so bad.

Tags: Golden Doodle

If any of you happened to be watching the CBC News out of Fredericton last night, you weren't dreaming. Yes, that was me smiling out at you during the story about battered women and their pets.

My Mom and I were visiting my doctor and this nice two legger asked if she could take pictures of me and my friend Riley. We were delighted to oblige and snuggled up to our respective moms for the shots.

I thought I looked pretty good. Mom said it was a good thing the show wasn't scratch and sniff after my meeting the other day with the white-striped four-legger but I think that's just a jealous shot. They didn't show her pretty face on the box with crazy lights!

Tags: Golden Doodle

I met a new species of four-legger today. And what an interesting species it turned out to be.

It's small and furry, with a sleek black coat and a nice, wide stripe down its back. Very pretty, really. A bit of a small head and kind of beady eyes but not bad looking at all.

It was wandering through the back of my yard so I thought I would greet it in my usual way: a loud hello, a running start, my tail up and waving, all nice ways to say hello. It stopped in its tracks and glared at me. Then it lifted its tail. Great, I thought, that's the way my species says hello — lift your tail for a sniff.

Only I didn't need to get anywhere near it to enjoy a strong dose of its scent. This little animal can send its scent right at you! Wow. My entire face was soaked with the stuff!

Wow, does it ever smell good! I like it.

For some reason, though, my Mom doesn't like it at all. Not one bit. She's washed me with water, with shampoo and even with this special smelly stuff our friend Patty brought over. The scent of my new friend is still there but it's muted somewhat now.

And I'm stuck in the yard all day. Mom won't allow me in the house.

I hope my new friend comes back, though. I can't get enough of that wonderful smell!

Tags: Golden Doodle

My Dad is not himself. He seems tired all the time and he doesn't seem very happy.

I don't know what is going on with him. I don't know what I can do to make him feel better. He doesn't come along for walks any more and he doesn't often want to play with me in the backyard either.

Yesterday, I decided to take matters into my own paws. When he got home from work, I ran up to him and starting circling, round and round, through his legs over and over again, pushing my head at his hands. That got a reaction for a while but then he faded again. So I lay down between his feet and stayed there: you're not going anywhere, bucko, until you play with your puppy.

Even so, it was just Mom, Riley and me on the evening's walk. Dad stayed home by himself some more. And then, once we got home, he went to bed early again.

This morning I decided to try a different approach. When three-on-a-bed time came, I jumped right up and stood over him, staring at him. When he finally opened his eyes, I licked his nose not once but twice. There's that smile I've been missing. So I sat down on his chest and licked him again. Then I slid off to lie beside him and started licking his hand. Salty, yum.

I'm not sure what's up with the old man but I want him to know I'm there for him. I think I licked that message into him!

Tags: Golden Doodle

I have to be a more discriminating eater. Basically, for me, if it smells good, I eat it. End of story.

Well, not so much end of story, really. Sometimes it's just the beginning of the story. The end of the story is when the sweet smelling logs no longer come and all I get when I go for a squat is stinky brown water. Or worse, green water. Yuck. And it gets in my fur and everything.

I wish I knew what it causes this. Then I could avoid eating it again. But I'm not sure. It could have been anything.

Why can't I just accept that the only safe stuff to eat is what my Mom and Dad give me? Why do I constantly have to search for more interesting edibles? You'd think I'd learn. Anything you find on the street or in the grass is probably not going to agree with you! Why can't I learn that simple lesson?

I know my Mom wishes I would. She's the one I'm waking up every two hours to let me out to the yard to make that yucky, smelly water. She seems okay with doing it: maybe she'd rather be woken every two hours than wake up after eight hours' sleep to find the carpet covered and smelly!

Anyway, I'll try to be better. I'll try to ignore all those lovely smelling morsels that entice me on our walks. I'll really try.

Ahhhh, who am I kidding?