One Year with Marley

Hey, guys, it's me! And this is kind of a special day because one year ago today, I was living with Peggy and my brothers and sisters and a bunch of other relatives and friends. It was noisy and smelly, and boy, were we loud and happy, but Peggy said we needed to get 'dopted, and so I would look at peoples who came to her house and wonder if they'd make good parents. Then Mom and Dad walked in, and they looked like they might love me, so I acted extra cute and gave them lots of kisses when they picked us up and held us, one by one. Then I heard Mom say, "We came for a female, but you know, I think I want this little male over here." And she was pointing at me!

It was a happy/sad time when they stuck me in the crate; I didn't have time to kiss my brothers and sisters goodbye, and then we got to my new house, and it smelled like a dog never even walked past it, and it was too big and a little scary, but I was brave and didn't cry the first night when they turned out the lights. Well, maybe a little but real quiet.

Mom eventually got a little better at taking pictures of me.

We had lots to teach one another, and believe me, the peeing thing was the worst! Peoples want everybody's pee-pee put in a special place, and they get all huffy when a guy forgets, but mostly we got along great.

They had the backyard fenced in just for me, and when peoples see it, they always say, "That's a big backyard!" But it's just right for me and Mom and Dad to play in.




Sometimes Mom gets ideas about dressing me up, but it never works. I'm not a dressin' up kinda guy, and I wiggle out of 'em real fast! When I had the operation, she did make me wear a stupid onesy for a few days.



I love all my toys, especially empty Perrier bottles and Dad's collectible golf balls. He has a lifetime supply, and he doesn't fuss too much when he notices I've been in his room to borrow another one. I get sorta nervous when Mom washes my cloth toys. I'll hang around the laundry room till they come out of the dryer.........actually, I like 'em better when they're a little grubby.



Dad didn't much want a dog, but he melted pretty fast and got to be my best play buddy. Mostly, though, I follow Mom around and help her paint, clean, pay bills, garden and watch TV. She says she doesn't know what she ever did without me.





Mostly, the peoples who come to see us are more fun than their dogs!





Things I have learned in 1 year:
1. Don't sniff your poop, no matter how interesting it looks. It makes grown-up peoples go nuts!
2. There's no use in trying to hide when it's time for a bath; Mom knows the house too well, and she'll find you behind Dad's chair every time.
3. Bugs taste better than dandelions, but if Mom is looking, go for the dandelions.

4. If you refuse to eat from your dish, Mom or Dad will hand-feed it to you.
5. Carpets are for wiping food off your face and for burying bones, but the bones disappear on Mom's house cleaning day.
6. Sleeping with Mom and Dad is funner than sleeping in my crate, but as soon as they lie down, they lose their sense of humor, so what's the use?
7. All peoples have feet, but Dads' feet (and socks and shoes) smell best.

8. Storms are scary, but they can't get you on Mom's lap. She has magical powers of protection.
9. Peoples toys like TVs, phones, and 'puters are stupid. They spend too much time playing with them when they could be playing on the floor with their dog.
10. Snow is awesome stuff, but it makes snowballs all over me, and I don't like the drying off with the hair dryer part.

Miss Sharon in Indiana says the boys and girls in her class enjoy reading about me. Y'all come see me any time, kids!!



Thanks for stopping by!
Love,
Cat & Marley

Dog Days of Summer

Hey, guess what! Oh, you'll never get it. Sawyer came to visit me! And he brought Ian and Josh and Nan. And guess what else.......Do I have to tell you everything? He wouldn't play with me. What's with dogs? This summer I've had Haven, Buffy, Bella, and Sawyer over for some romping fun in the backyard, and they're all amazing, beautiful dogs...............that do not play with me! There I am, doing all the friendly, tail wagging doggie stuff, like sniffing their butts and sharing my water and toys and food, and nuttin!



It's okay, not like I'm complainin' or anything. I just loved their smells and getting to know what dogs are like, and when each of them left, I ran from one door to the other, thinking maybe, just maybe, they'd come back. Mom says it's because I'm still a kid, and they're grown, except for Buffy, and she was real shy and hid behind her daddy.

Other than that, I'm spending most of these summer days inside with Moose, Turtle and Mickey. They're always ready to play. After the sun goes down, mom takes me outside for a while, and I run around like crazy and talk to other dogs barking in the distance. Oh yeah, and I got a Rabies vaccination! Mom didn't want me to have it; she said where am I gonna get rabies, and her friend Lu, who is a retired nurse, said the shots are hard on little dogs like me because they give us the same dose as they do to big dogs. But you know dad, everything by the book, so there we were, waiting in Dr. Mann's office with dogs whose heads are bigger than I am. It hurt pretty bad, and my right leg swelled up, and I'm still limping a little (nearly 2 weeks later), but I'll be okay, and mom said that was absolutely the last one!

That's about it, 'cept that my hair is shorter; Mom had visions of floor-length, silky hair and a topknot but decided it's not practical for a Shih Tzu in Arkansas summer heat, so when she brushes me everyday, she also trims me with scissors. (I just go to the groomer for a sanitary trim, ear check, anal glands, and nail trim.) Did you know that Shih Tzu hair is like human hair and never stops growing? She can experiment with longer hair when the weather cools off, but hey, I'm cute no matter what. Well, I'll see ya later, and if you happen to have a small dog that might play with me, c'mon over! High-5!!