I've been tagged by Fee!

Looks like I’ve been tagged by Fee! You don’t know what that means? Well apparently, its kind of a confessional. You tell everyone five five weird things you've done/five weird habits of yours and then you tag five more people, and so on and so on.
So five weird things about me, or that I’ve done….I can’t even imagine, mom says I’m perfect. Okay, I confess:

1. I eat socks. Some of you already know that, but I have been known to eat a sock or two. My mom and dad adopted me and when they read my vet records they saw that I had a sock removed from my tummy when I was a mere babe. I have eaten at least two socks since. Hehehehe.
2. I only eat or drink out of the left side of the bowl.
3. Sometimes my tail goes bad and I’m too stiff to reach it so I go round and round in circles trying to see what is happening back there and sometimes my poop takes too long to come out and I get exaserbated waiting for it and I look back at my butt and sigh.
4. After I have pooped or peed I do this weird winding up thing with my left paw where I wind up and then do this little hop. My mom loves it and applauds and gives me a lot of praise, but when she first saw me do it she took me to the Doctor telling him that I was having a seizure. I am so misunderstood.
5. I like to give frantic kisses to girls and I will hold them down and give them all the kisses I want. My Aunt Amy says I give Rape kisses. Ouch.

Okay, I’m done! Now off to find five more friends to tag!

Good news!

I have some good news to report about our dear friend Tilly. Tilly’s mom wrote to say that they went to see Tilly on Sunday in the hospital. She says, “The good news is that if she continues to feed through the tube ok we can bring her home Thursday afternoon. There is no treatment for what she has , just dedicated nursing care. 60 – 70 % recover apparently. She has Distal denervating disease.” She went on to say that, “When we went in she wagged her tail and Robbie (Tilly’s son) went berserk jumping up and down and barking. When he’d calmed down he lay beside her and they licked each other’s faces. It was so sweet.” The good thoughts and prayers are working! Keep them up, okay? We really want Tilly to pull through 100%.

Do you all remember me talking about my pretty girlfriends, Bella and Phoebe? Well, they have a nice Doxie brother, JJ, pictured to the left. JJ’s daddy, Ken sent my mommy the picture of him because we don’t want him to get jealous that I had his pretty sisters on and not him. JJ was also a rescue doggie. Isn’t that wonderful?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. The weather finally broke here and its been beautiful. I've been spending a lot of the day outside waiting for squirrels.
I’m at home today, not feeling my best because I have yet another ear infection. What the heck? Mom insists on giving me Benedryl which makes me zonk out. She says at least I don’t scratch my ears when I’m asleep. She is so paranoid after one day when she came home to find that I have scratched my ears bloody while she was at work. That will show her! She should stay home with me, and not go to work!

Get well soon, dearest Tilly

Finally, the weather has broken and its cool outside. I wasn't sure if it would ever happen. Mom and Dad even took Ollie and I for a walk this morning. It's been too hot for me to do that.

I want to tell you that a good friend of mine is sick. Tilly lives in England and is a new mommy. Her human mommy let her keep one of her litter so she has Robbie. She is lucky to have her own son to play with. Anyway, apparently Tilly took a spill or something and is having a really rough time of it. She can't stand or eat and has had some trouble breathing. It is really scary. Her human mom and dad have had to take her to a vet college and leave her there so that they can run all kinds of tests on her. How terrible. I know my mom would be really sad and scared if she had to leave me somewhere when I was sick. Anyway, mom and I will be praying for dear Tilly and her human mom, Brenda- not to mention her son Robbie who really misses his mum. Take care dear little Tilly and be strong.

Dogs with Blogs

I want to tell you about a new friend, Opy from Sydney, Australia. Opy not only has a blog, he also has a website about dogs with blogs! When Opy was asked what the dogs with blogs site is all about, he said, ” The idea is to bring dog blogs together into one place - sort of a one stop shop for K9 wackiness. Dogs are so much fun to have around. They really have a unique outlook on life. The joy and love they bring should be shared. So by bringing the blogs together, I hope to create a community of Dog Lovers posting photo's and stories on blogs.” How totally cool you are Opy! Opy saw my last blog about how hot it is here and asked if I’d like to come to Austraila. Apparently it is their winter there. Mom said that winter in Austraila is still wonderful, so I think I’d like to go. We get terribly hot summers and dreadfully cold and icey winters. Its nice here, but why put me though these stupid weather changes? My mom and I keep telling dad we need to move to San Diego, but he isn’t on board yet. Sheez, dad. Sandiego or Austraila. Whadda say, guys?

Hot as... well, you know.

I told you that it was hot here, but that was before hell sat in and it got even hotter. I didn't think it could, but it did. It's been 100+ degrees here with 85% humidity. Awful. Mom and Dad said when they were out last night at 9pm the bank sign still showed 91 degrees. Can you believe that? It's hot! My friends on the west coast have finally gotten some relief fromt he heat, but now its here so me and my friends onthe east coast are suffering. All I want to do is sleep on the sofa in front of the air-conditioning.
I hope all my friends are staying cool.

Two more of my girls!

The weekend came and went and Mom and Dad were no where around. They said they went to NY; lame excuse. I had my heart set on loads of love from mom, and rough play with my dad. They left me and Ollie at Grandma and Grandpa’s. We had a good time; grandma and grandpa are good to us and give us lots of love and treats, but I still was excited when mom and dad finally came home.

Aren’t these two girls hot? They are two of my many girlfriends. The one on the top is Bella and the one on the bottom is Pheobe. Aren’t they pretty? Phoebe and Bella share their home with their daddys’, Rich and Ken. My mommy really loves them. She says all the time that they have really good hearts. They must be good- mom says they love dogs as much as she does. Phoebe is Rich’s little girl and Bella is Ken’s little peanut. They also have a brother, J.J. who is also nice, but doesn’t get along with his sisters all that well. Boy do I understand that! Ollie and I used to not get along either, but things seem better now that he knows that I’m the boss.

Anyway, I just want to say I hope all my friend, especially out west get some relief from the heat soon. Doggies are staying inside all the time because it’s too hot for them and their owners. So, have a cold one on me! (Frosty Paws, of course!)

Hot, hot, hot!

Boy has it been hot here. I know it sounds hot when I say it has been almost 100 degrees here. But, if you lived here you would understand the other curse we have- humidity. There is not even any air outside to breathe. For those of you who live out west, you may not understand what I’m saying, but all of you locals will know. This is HOT! I haven’t even wanted to be outside chasing squirrels. I will go out and chase them, but then I come right back in.

I have an Airedale friend, Linus who caught and killed a raccoon last night. Wow! A coon! You know of course that I’m almost as big as an Airedale, right? I could get one of those things too! (Mom, says not, but she’s wrong!)

I want everyone to know that our buddy Axel hasn’t been feeling too well lately. His mommy and daddy (aka Daniella and Ron) went out of town and when they came back little Axel had severe itchies! Daddy Ron took him to the doctor, but he still isn’t feeling better yet. He has to go to a different Doctor tonight. Poor Ax.; bad enough one Doctor, but two? Here’s to you buddy, we hope you feel better soon.

Also, mom and I want for everyone to pray for our dear friend, Sue. She lost here little sheltie friend Holly last week at 14 years old. Mom had to make that decision too, to let her dear friend go a few years ago. She says it was the hardest thing she’s ever done. So, we should all keep Sue in our thoughts and prayers and while we are at it he wires Gwyn and C.D. lost their sister too, so we should think of them also.

I hope everyone stays cool!

Oh, no! Why do people do these things?

I want to tell you about a terrible story I've just heard about. I want to warn you though...it’s bad, very, very bad. A lady in Bristow, Oklahoma, Paula Joseph Johnson wrote to the Fox Terrier Rescue to tell us about this terrible thing that has happened to more than 100 dogs. Yes, there are WFT's involved also, but when it is this kind of cruelty, it doesn't matter the breed of dog. Here is what she says:

Dear All,

I'm coming to you with hat in hand.

A cousin of mine and his wife founded a rescue organization a few years ago, in memory of his brother, who loved animals. They've done great work and have accomplished so much in not only rescue but also education and clinics. Their spay-neuter clinic has become a model for small, low-budget rescue groups all over the country. Just this month, they have begun converting a section of warehouse space into an adoption center, capable of holding 30 dogs.

Last Friday, although the adoption center isn't even finished, Sherry received a call about a puppy mill bust in the Oklahoma City area, involving more than 100 dogs. She went up on Friday night and came back with 30, the absolute maximum she could handle.

The story of these dogs would nauseate even the most jaded rescue worker. Rooms looked like slaughterhouses. In some cases, mama-dogs were cut from chin to tail and their pups removed when the puppy mill operators realized they were going to be shut down. The dogs were then left to die an agonizing death while their too-young pups were spirited away. There were decapitations. There were piles of decomposing animals. The atrocities go on and on. Of the 30 brought back to Bristow, three have been sent to Rainbow Bridge, as their afflictions were too great. Another two, when the vet trimmed away hair from their eyes, found that maggots had eaten their eyes, leaving only the sockets. These dogs have been treated and are beginning the healing process. One other (a Sheltie) has tick fever. That leaves 27 to be cared for. The facility doesn't yet have outdoor runs, and the dogs must be not only exercised, but socialized. Most of the dogs are small, other than the Sheltie and three WFTs. My own children know what their job is for the rest of the summer -- walking dogs and cleaning kennels. Business people are likewise stopping by morning and evening to take their turns with the dogs.

This is a small town (4000 population) and an even smaller group of rescue volunteers. The enormity of this is already putting a strain on resources, even with our wonderful veterinary affiliations and the services they provide.

So, while I know each of us already donates whatever is possible, I am asking -- begging -- you to help if you can. Any small amount will help the group help these dogs. And know the animals who created this tragedy are being pursued and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

If you can help in any small way, please send your donations to:
P.A.W.S.
c/o Main Street Bristow, Inc.
109 N. Main Street
Bristow, OK 74010

If you cannot donate funds, please give of your thoughts, your prayers, your healing energy.

Thank you,
Paula Joseph-Johnson

If you want more information, Cheryl Collins (Rescuer Extraordinaire) provided this info:

Just in case anyone is interested in this Puppy mill bust. Here is the news story. There are WFT’s involved. Go to www.kotv.com. In the left-hand column there is a link for E-Clips. Click on it and look for the Wednesday, July 12, 10 p.m. news stories. There should be one titled "Puppy Mill Bust". Warning: It's pretty graphic. My understanding is Channel 9 in OK City (also a CBS affiliate) has picked it up. Update should run tonight on KOTV here in Tulsa. Hope that helps those who need further verification

Cheryl is taking in four of these dogs. She can always use financial help. She has rescued and saved hundreds of our best friends.

If you want to help Cheryl and the Fox Terrier Rescue:

Fox Terrier Rescue
c/o Lee Eckholm
AFTR Treasurer
430 East Grant Street
Appleton, WI 54911

What a terrible thing. How awful! Mommy and I sent a donation this morning. I hope that everyone who reads this will join in with us and make a donation to help them. It doesn't have to be much, but they need our help!

Let us pray...

I haven’t been feeling really well lately. A couple of weeks ago mom and dad took Ollie and I to the Doctor to get out yearly shots. That wasn’t so bad (except for hearing Ollie scream like a girl). But then last week I really started to feel pretty crummy. I’ve been sneezing and coughing and wheezing and mom was so scared she took me back to the Doctor last Saturday. I don’t hate doing to the Doctor, but I just don’t understand why they have to poke and prod me like they do. The Doctor said I have an upper respiratory virus and he gave mom medicine for me. The Doctor also said that he didn’t like to see me feeling poorly since I have so much personality. Smart guy that Doc. So, mom came home and commenced to putting drugs down my throat. I started to feel better right away even though I am still not myself yet. I still sneeze and wheeze a little, but not enough to warrant those stupid pills. One of them is the size of the space shuttle- no really, I swear.

Mom gives me my pills usually with some sort of special treat like chicken and then gives me some yummy yogurt to keep my tummy well. I don’t really care why she gives it to me so long as it keeps coming.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know that I’m on the mend, but I wanted to ask you to pray for my cousin, Hunter. Hunter is a golden retriever and we love him a lot. Hunter is the big brother to my Uncle’s other dogs, Cracker (a white Pit-bull), Penny (a rescue beagle), Bean (a rescue beagle/JRT mix) and a few kitties too. Hunter has been diagnosed with a Mass Cell Tumor on his right rear leg. He went in on Monday to have it removed and the Doctor did a fantastic job in the surgery. Hunter’s tumor has to be sent away so we can find out just how sick he is. Pray for him, okay guys? He really needs it.

Happy 4th!

What a nice weekend! Mom and Dad were home with me and Ollie for the whole weekend plus a few days! On Saturday, Mom wasn’t home much because she was in Cambridge having lunch with her family. Not sure why she didn’t take me, but she keeps saying it’s too hot. Hello, mom. We have air conditioning in the car. Sheez.

Since mom and dad were busy on Saturday, they made it up to us later that day. Dad drove Ollie and me to Oxford, a town nearby and we got to walk around. Then mom said we were going to go to the work because they were having a Big Band concert there. The drive from Oxford to St. Michaels is about 25 miles, but there is a ferry that goes across the water. It is very close that way. So, Dad drove us all onto the ferry and we went across the water in our car on a boat. I had a great time. Dad rolled the windows down so I could hang out pretty far and get a good whiff of everything around. What fun! Then we parked and walked into the museum where a big crowd of people were there to listen to music they played during WWII. Everyone loved me, and some people loved Ollie too. I think a lot of those people already knew me since they would come up to my mom saying “So, these are your boys?” A lot of people said they had a wire fox terrier when they were kids. Mom told them that there are still plenty that need adoption if they are interested. Anyway, then there was a lot of loud booms and flashing in the sky and mom and dad walked really fast to get us out of there. I was sorry too, because I was having a great time. Only thing is that Ollie is really afraid of loud sounds and especially thunderstorms. I think this was a little different than thunder and lightening, but Ollie was still afraid. There was more of it last night, but Mom gave Ollie medicine to help him relax, so even though he was scared, he didn’t shake so badly. Mom says that people in the U.S. do this to celebrate their freedom. I hope that all of my friends had a good, safe time celebrating!

Rain, rain, go away!

I can't figure out what's happening around here. It's been raining and raining and I have hardly had any chance to play in the backyard with mom and dad and my ball. I've been watching television (yes, I watch TV), and the newsman has been saying that there has been a lot of flooding here. The pictures are bad, but things here at home are okay. I did notice that our basement is a little wet...that's my backup play area when the weather is bad outside. So, I have not gotten to do many of my WFT antics lately and I'm tired of being couped up. Its dry today, but dad says it may thunder again tonight. I don't mind the thunder too bad, but it sure scares Ollie. I don't like it when Ollie is that scared and I try to give him kisses and let him know it will be gone soon. He shakes a lot and that kinda scares me too. Ollie is hardly scared of anything.
Mom says that the 4th of July is coming and she knows that it will thunder all night that night. I'm not sure how she knows that. She also says that she will be home for 4 days in a row. That will be so nice! Anyway, I hope all of my friends have a great holiday!

Good News! Misty has a home! Now help Dash!

Good news! Misty, the smooth fox terrier who was at the kennel in Cecil County now has a home! The shelter said she went to a good home with people who had terrier experience. Still mom said she asked them to call her if they had any specific questions about us fox terriers.
Now we have one more fox terrier to help. Dash is a 91/2 month old Wire Fox Terrier. They say he is packed full of energy. He is dominant and should'nt be around other dogs. Dash is in Camden, Delaware. We need to find him a home! If you would like more information about Dash, please call 302-698-3006 or email kcspcaadopt@cs.com

Aw, for the love of a girl...

My mom has been talking about this pretty Wire named Kelsi who is looking for a new home. Apparently Kelsi is a great little girl, but her mom is just too busy for a very active Wire Terrier. Kelsi is 2 1/2 years old, the same age I was when I came to live with mom and dad. Anyway, mom has been telling me about Kelsi and then I saw her picture....wow! She's a beauty! I've been on a campaign to get mom and dad to adopt her. After all, a guy needs a girl. My mom has been on the fence about it...help! Everyone, please write to my mom and dad and tell them that Kelsi should come and live with me, I mean us. Hehehe, pretty girl!

The top 10 reasons my mom loves me....

The top 10 reasons my mom loves me:

10. The curls in my wiry white hair.

9. The shape of my spade-like head and my stiff little legs. (She thinks its funny that now she thinks other dog’s heads look short!)

8. How I only eat or drink out of the left side of the bowl and always clean up any mess; including Ollie’s. (I’m a little obsessive/compulsive like mom)

7. How I wind up my front left leg after I have done my outside business and then do a little hop. She especially loves that I always look to her for approval when I’m doing it!

6. How I rummage through my toy box for just the right toy that only I know and no other toy will do.

5. How I run to her if I think I can get dad in trouble for playing with me too hard. (she’s such a sucker- and dad hates that!)

4. How excited I am when I get a new toy, or when mom sews back up an old one I haven’t seen in awhile.

3. How I jump up and down at the door when I know she is on the other side.

2. My sweet kisses and that she knows if she gives me a kiss, I have to kiss her back.

And the number 1 reason my mom loves me- Because I get so excited when I see that she is going to lie down because I love to curl up with her and lay my head on her. (I’m so sweet!)

Meet Derby!

I've had another busy weekend and I'm exhausted. Since it has been so nice outside, I have had lots of time to chase squirrels and go for walks. It’s really made me tired, but I am going to try not to be so grouchy. I still haven't made it back in the bed with mom and dad since the infamous "toe" incident. You'd think that mom would be quicker to forgive me than this. I have even pulled out all the stops. I have cried and cried and tried to make her regret kicking me out of the bed. I have even overheard her saying how pathetic it was to hear me cry myself to sleep. Yet, this has not gotten me back into the big bed yet. I'm hoping for a change soon.
Hey, I want to introduce you to a friend of mine. Everyone, meet Derby! Derby is one handsome guy- I think he looks a lot like me! Derby and his mom Sue also live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I am told that they may be getting another dog soon. I told them; whatever they do- don't get a Bearded Collie or another herding dog. I don't think that Derby would like to be pushed around either. I think that we should get Ollie in the backyard and Derby and I should herd him! Wouldn't that be a blast? (Okay, mom...I was just kidding!) I am hoping that since Derby is close by (in round about terms) that he and I will meet nose to nose one day soon. Meanwhile, enjoy the summer and stay handsome!

Looks like trouble...

Looks like I have caused some trouble. You see, I told you all that I have been very tired lately, but what you may not know is that when I get tired I get very grouchy. I think that mom and Dad think it is funny because usually they just kind of snicker at me and leave me alone. But Tuesday night I had not really shown them just how grouchy I was before I went to bed. Apparently at some time in the middle of the night mom's foot made its way over to MY side of the bed and touched me on my rear end. I woke up snapping and mom stuck her toe in my mouth. (She of course, doesn't quite see it that way). She screamed bloody murder, which woke up Dad. Never good. Apparently that little bite resulted in blood and broken skin. (These humans are so frail). Dad went to clean up mom's toe while I tried to make up with her. Mom just ignored me! Can you believe it? It wasn't my fault! I was merely sleeping, minding my own business when she had the gaul to kick me (okay, she didn't kick me, but a guy's gotta tell a good story, you know!)
Now, I have been banished to the spare bedroom to sleep at night. Dad said no more Mackie and mom agreed! Do you believe that? I may be looking for a new home soon if they don't come to their senses. Geez.

I'm TIRED!

I've been working so hard you just wouldn't believe,
And I'm tired!
There's so little time and so much to achieve,
And I'm tired!
I've been lying here holding the grass in its place,
Pressing a leaf with the side of my face,
Tasting the apples to see if they're sweet,
Counting the toes on a centipede's feet.
I've been memorizing the shape of that cloud,
Warning the robins to not chirp so loud,
Shooing the butterflies off the tomatoes,
Keeping an eye out for floods and tornadoes.
I've been supervising the work of the ants
And thinking of pruning the cantaloupe plants,
Timing the sun to see what time it sets,
Calling the fish to swim into my nets,
And I've taken twelve thousand and forty-one breaths,
And I'm TIRED!.

That is a poem by Shel Silverstein. Boy! Can I relate! Mom and Dad wore me out this weekend, and then mom took off on Monday and did more to wear me out. She took me for a ride, then a walk and then we came home and played ball. And I'M TIRED!

Another Ollie! But this time a WFT named Ollie!

I wanted to tell you about a new friend of mine, Ollie. No! Not my brother Ollie. Another WFT named Ollie. Ollie is just a baby at 4 months old. He was saved by his mom Rachel after he apparently got into something toxic and was dropped off at the vets. Rachel and Ollie also share their home with several other dogs, two Border Collies: Zach who is 2 yrs old and Jessie who is 11 months and Picasso a 7 yr. old Toy Poodle, Tyke a 4 yr. old Boston Terrier mix, and Milo a 4 month old Great Pyrenees. This photo was taken with Milo, the Pyreees pup.

Rachel says this about Ollie. “The first day he arrived at the clinic they did not think he would make it. He pulled through and has been doing pretty well until this past Sunday when he took a turn for the worse. Once again, he somehow managed the strength to fight his way back. He is still far from well but he is better. He has started drinking on his own (I was having to force fluids down him) and is a little more active today. Even with being so sick, I can tell Ollie is going to be an exceptional dog. He is SOOOO sweet! He loves to give kisses and has to be touching me all the time. He sleeps on the bed with me and, when he was well enough to walk around, he followed me all over the house. Unfortunately, I have yet to see this feisty, impulsive, playful Wire Fox Terrier personality I have read so much about but I know it is in there somewhere. I keep telling him I am going to enjoy the moments I have snuggling with him right now because I am sure when he is well he is going to be a real little terror! :o) I look forward to that day! “

We are praying for Ollie to make a quick and full recovery. We can’t wait to hear stories of his antics with the other dogs. So, good luck buddy! We’ll be praying for you!

Happy Easter!

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I sure did! (Oh, and Happy Passover to all my Jewish friends!) On Saturday, my pal Daniel came over to play. Daniel is a 10 year old boy who used to live in my neighborhood, but moved away. Daniel was visiting and came over just to play with me. We played and played for almost two hours. I was so exhausted that mom was scared that I would keel over! Daniel would throw the ball for me and try to get to it before I would- but, tee hee, I am faster! I had so much fun! Then on Sunday, my mom and dad left me at my grandparents with Ollie. We had a good time although mom says she is sure we ate some stuff we weren't supposed to! Tee hee! I came home and collapsed, I was so tired. Then, this morning, mom could hardly get me to go outside. She may have to carry me...all 30 lbs of me!
He is a picture of my friends Butchy and Snickers. Remember them? I talked about them on my blog before. They live with their mom, Linda in Iowa. Linda and mom have become fast friends. Butchy and Snickers sent me this cool Easter card of them with bunny ears on. Funny, eh?

I am so loved!

I can't believe I forgot to show you the beautiful quilt mom had done of me. Helen Hart, a marvelous lady in Arizona that mom and I know from the Fox Terrier Network makes these beautiful quilts for people. I am a marvelous specimen and turns out, I look fantastic in fabric. Mom had me memorialized in fabric…does she love me or what?

Where's my fan mail?

Okay, I know I have been bad about getting online and writing, but I'm busy saving the world. Okay, maybe not the world, but Mom and Dad have been busy with other neighbors trying to fight a giant Wawa that they are trying to build in our neighborhood. They've already knocked down five homes and are trying to put this mammoth convenience store at the end of our street. This has really, really pissed mom off.
Anyway, we have had a few nice days here on the shore. I am really looking forward to spring and summer. The only bad thing is that mom has been trying to get me to go for a walk with her in the morning. Hope...nada. I am not walking off our block without dad and Ollie walking with us. What would happen if a giant dinosaur jumped out of the bushes? Mom couldn’t do anything at all to protect lil’ol’me. Dad is fearless and could take on any dragon. So I am only going to go to the end of the block in the morning with mom. She can wait to go on a walk until dad is home in the evening. Besides, only dad is strong enough to protect me against the throngs of admiring fans I have. Sometimes it’s hard to be so loved.

Awww! Ain't they cute? Don't get any ideas, mom!

Okay, I know I have been bad about writing lately. I can't help it. I'm a busy guy. Guy's like me are in high demand. As you know, I finished Family Dog training and Ollie was in Rally Dog. Well, Ollie and Dad decided that Rally was just too much for him and he quit. Hehehehe! Ollie is a drop out! Mom has decided that I did so well in my classes that I should be in Family Dog II class. Com'on now, mom! I just got some time off. Besides, I am perfect just the way I am!
I want to introduce you to two of my friends, Butchy and Snickers. Butchy and Snickers are two WFT's who apparently really love each other. Not like Ollie and I. Butchy and Snickers share their home with their mom Linda. They also have their own blog. It is really beautiful. You can see more pictures of Butchy and Snickers there. Photos like this makes Mom talk about getting another Wire Terrier. Can you imagine? Does she think she can replace me? I think not. Besides, if she brings home anything that she thinks she will love as much as me, I'll eat it. I keep telling Dad that he is walking on thin ground. He thinks that he should climb in bed with mom and kick me out....that really makes me mad and I growl. Somehow mom and dad don't think that is funny. I'm just trying to keep what is mine. That includes the house, the bed, all the food in the house, the yard outside, the squirrels outside, the cars, mom and anything else I lay claim to. What is so hard to understand about this? World domination....that's my goal. I already have mom in my hip pocket.

Mrs. Robinson.... here's Mackie!

It’s official; I am now a family dog…whatever that means. Last night was my final night of Family Dog I training and I graduated with flying colors. Mom has been working with me in the mornings after Dad and Ollie are gone so I can show off a bit in class. Although there were about 10-12 dogs that started the class, only five of us finished. Not sure why, I think that everyone was doing really well. I can sit, stay, heel, come, wait, stand and a bunch of other things. The only thing I don’t like doing is staying when mom is out of sight…that’s a hard one. Anyway, I am a graduate…so, where in the heck is my sportscar? Where is my silly cap? And where in the heck is Mrs. Robinson? (That's what I'm talking about!)

Mom says that she would like to sign me up for Family Dog II training. Can’t she give me a break or something? Can’t a guy take a vacation?

On top of everything else, Mom has decided to put me on a diet. (Check me out in my pics. Aren;t I just the picture of health and fitness? Mom really loves the one of me "pointing" as I looked for a squirrel.) She claims I’ve gained a lot of weight this winter (Hello, mom- have you looked in the mirror lately? You know the old saying, right? If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise! Heheheheh! I just love that one!) My treats have been cut significantly, as has my kibble. Mom is still giving me some scrambled egg in my dinner, so that makes up for some of it, but I am thinking of staging a MUTINY! Okay, okay, I understand that we aren’t on a boat….how about a revolution? A revolt? An uprising? An insurrection? Now, who’s with me?

I've been busy...so sue me!

It's been awhile since I've written. I have been so busy. I have been doing well in my Family Dog classes and mom is very proud of me. This past week though, mom chose not to take me to the class. She and Dad went without me. That was because she dragged me to Lynchburg to see my Uncle L.J. for his birthday. I had a great time there and really enjoyed seeing my cousins Bean (a Jack Russell/Beagle mix), Penny (a Beagle), Hunter (a golden retriever), Cracker (a Pit Bull) and all the kitties. Bean was the only one that they would leave out with me, although Cracker got to stay out fore a short while mom was concerned that if Cracker jumped on me that I would start a fight...geez. I did get to chase the kitties, but Uncle L.J. did not think that was funny at all and squirted me with a water bottle. Little does he know that I love squirting water- especially from a hose. That my favorite.
Anyway, the trip wore me out and I was not feeling too well by Monday afternoon when Mom and I got home. So, Mom decided I would be too tired and grouchy to go to class. I think she brought homework home though.
Mom and Dad have been taking Ollie to Rally class too. Ollie told me that he really likes Rally Dog classes. I'm not too sure that I would like it much. I think that Flyball is more my kind of sport! I would be kick-butt at Flyball!

Mom has been very tired lately as she and dad and fellow neighbors have been very busy trying to defeat Wawa from building a super store in our neighborhood. Not that Mom hates Wawa or anything, because she doesn’t – she is just trying to get them to see how bad it is to build a big commercial, busy gas station in a small historic neighborhood. The fight has been going on since June last year and she is really getting tired of it. I think things are coming to a head, but this Wawa fight has really cut into my valuable Mackie time!

A Super Bowl from a Super Friend!

There are a few of you who don’t realize that I have a lot of wiry friends out there (can you imagine that?). Mom and I are on the Wirefoxterrier list on yahoo groups and the Fox Terrier Network. Both groups are made up of folks who have very good taste and love Wire Fox Terriers (what else?!)

There are lots of beautiful girls and some fun boys on the list. One of my great pals is Axel. Some of you already know about Axel as he is a world famous WFT who has the best blog.

Axel is not quite a year old and lives with his mom, Daniella and dad, Ron in Philly. Axel is quite the busy WFT pup, lately stealing a brownie from mom Daniella’s purse and eating her cell phone, lipstick and eye liner. He is mischievous and always into something. Just my kind of friend!!

My dad says that Wire Terriers are like Jack Russell’s on steroids. Isn’t that great, and how true! We are a bit bigger (actually, I am a lot bigger at 28 lbs) but we have more muscle, jump higher, run faster and are generally more bouncy that a JRT. Mom always says we are what terriers were supposed to be before people calmed us down to live inside.

Anyway, my dear friend Axel has a couple of girls fighting over him and his bid for the SuperBowl winner. Axel really doesn’t care much about the SuperBowl (like me) but he sent me what his idea of a super bowl is! A giant bowl filled with kibble, dingo treats, a big bone, his mom’s cell phone and make-up and other stuff like that. Then Axel decided to add an edible sock and a very smelly squirrel to the bowl (much like the one that my dad stole from me).

Axel, my dear friend wrote on his blog, saying, “Speaking of Bowls - I had a request from Mackie to add another tasty treat to my SuperBowl Extra Large - a few chewable socks. You got it buddy! And I know you never asked, but because I dig you and your blog - I'm even going to throw in a dead squirrel, a real stinky one like the one your Dad confiscated last year. I'm such a generous fella, that I'm even going to share my Bowl with you!”

He is going to share his bowl with me - now that is one cool guy! Thanks Ax!
Mom says you can come share my house if you want to when your parents are off getting hitched. If you can share your bowl, than I can share my yard and house. (I probably won’t share my bed though, sorry buddy!)

Mackie...master trainer....

So, I just wanted to keep everyone up to date with what is going on with me. I attended my second Family Dog training class on Monday. Mom says I did beautifully! I'm not sure what the big fuss is all about- mom asks me to do something, I do it and then I get a piece of chicken. You would have to be dumb not to do it. Did I mention that I get a good piece of chicken? There were a lot of other dogs in the class too. A standard poodle, a golden retriever, a German shorthaired pointer, a border terrier, a jack Russell and several German Shepard’s. Have I mentioned that I don’t particularly care for German Shepard’s? They stare at you right smack dab in the eye…now I don’t know about you, but that seems kind of weird to me. Monday I got placed right between two big Shepard’s, not a good idea. I think they are afraid of me though…they have to know that I would kick their butts.

I heard mom and dad talking that they may put Ollie in a class too. I think it needs to be remedial training! HeHeHe! They were saying maybe Rally class for him. I’m not sure what that is, but I sure hope he learns how to behave better in it. Have I mentioned that Ollie and I are getting along better these days? Mom is very proud of us, she tells me all the time. She caught Ollie and I on the sofa lying together last week and swears she is going to tell everyone. Can’t a guy get a break?

Not another brother!!

Man! Did I have a busy weekend! Dad’s friends, Shawn and Elizabeth came to visit this weekend and they brought their dog Bart. Bart is a pretty good boy and didn’t try to start any fight or anything so I thought he was okay. Bart had just had surgery to remove some of his teeth- Ouch! You can see where they shaved Bart's leg to give him the sleepy juice.
Bart and Ollie really liked each other and I think Ollie was begging Shawn and Elizabeth to take me home and leave Bart with mom and dad. The only thing that Bart did that I didn’t like was get near my mom. I tried to tell him early on that she is my mom and not to even look at her. He tried a few times to steal her from me- but no way, man. I took action. A good growl and a few lunges let him know I was serious.
Sunday, Dad, Shawn and Elizabeth all went for a long bike ride. I was upset to see them go as you can see in the picture of me looking out of the window. I didn't care that they were leaving, but I did care that they seemed to leave and leave Bart. I was afraid I was getting another brother and God knows I don't need another brother!
Tonight is my first real night of Family Dog training. I get to show everyone the stuff I have been working on with mom. One of the stupid things is that I get a treat for touching my nose to her hand. I still have no idea where this is going and maybe I’ll find out more tonight. All I know is that mom prepares some very yummy treats for me. Chicken, scrambled eggs, and tuna fish you name it. I’m getting some good, good stuff. I’ll need to have a talk with this trainer lady to tell her that I don’t appreciate having to do these mediocre tricks to get a decent treat. I’ll let you all know how that goes.

There are worse things to eat than socks..want proof?

I've taken a lot of slack off of folks for my refined sock eating habit. We can't really call it a habit, but I have eaten a few socks in my days. I just want to say to everyone to get off my back! I'll tell you why. my good friend Axel has proven that there are worse things to eat. Axel told the story-
"Yesterday Mom and Dad took me to Lemon Hill and I saw this tasty looking thing on the ground, so I put it in my mouth, gave it a chew and down it went. Dad was waving his arms and Mom was positively wretching! They didn't seem to want me to enjoy this particular snack. I heard them call it a condom - don't have clue what that is, but it had a good rubbery taste. Mom and Dad told me I couldn't lick them for at least 24 hours! What could all the fuss be about?"
See what I mean? that's worse than a smelly sock. Besides, mom never said that I couldn't give her kisses after the sock. I do hope that Ax coughs up his find up soon and that he is okay. Yesterday the poor fellow lost his manhood- you know, those little fellows back there that let us make pups.
Fear not, dear Ax, things will get better soon!

What? Family Dog class? Hello.. I am already a family dog...geez!

Last night Mom decided to torment me with tuna fish. Seems all this talk about training lessons and Family Dog classes have led up to her finding new ways to harass me. Mom and Dad were talking “blah, blah, blah, treat, blah, blah, blah, tuna fish, blah, blah, blah, cheese” and then mom opened a can of tuna and a slice of cheese and put them on a plate for me, just me! Wait, hold on, that’s not how it went at all.

Mom put it on a plate and then put me in a chain collar and on a leash to go nowhere at all- just into the living room. She kept trying to get me to touch her hand with my nose, and then I’d get a piece of tuna. How completely stupid is that? What is this all about? I truly hope that this class doesn’t put more idiotic ideas in her head. She said that I get to go with her next week I’ll be sure to set the instructor straight then.

Brotherly love. Blah, blah, blah.

I think its called brotherly love. It's what Ollie and I don't share. Ollie is my brother and is much bigger than I am. I am older by about a year. Ollie is a Bearded Collie, a herding dog. Know what that means? It means that he is a complete control freak! You can see it in the photo. Here I am minding my own business, returning with the ball that mom threw for ME. And along comes Ollie running beside me and telling me what to do. I already know what to do! Ollie won't even let me pee or poop in peace. He thinks he needs to control me doing that too. Can't a guy get a break?

Ollie and I don't get along real well. Dad says we are not compatible because I am a terrierist, I mean terrier and because Ollie is a herding dog . Mom says it’s because we are both so spoiled; I am sure she meant to say that it is because Ollie is so spoiled.

Sometimes Ollie gets near mom and that makes me mad. Sometimes Ollie gets one of my toys and that makes me mad. Sometimes Ollie is in the same space that I am in and that makes me made too. Sometimes I hear Ollie grunt, sigh, whimper, moan, groan, breathe, bark or whatever and that makes me mad. He just plain makes me mad.

What I haven’t told you is how Ollie runs into me and knocks me for a loop. He thinks its funny, and I think that Dad does too because he never tells him not to do it. But let him do that in front of mom and she flies off the handle! Boy, does she get mad. No matter how many times Mom tells him not to, he still does it…..duh Ollie, that means stop!

Sometimes Ollie and I fight. Mom and Dad think they have it figured out. If the fight starts in the house, they figure I started it. If the fight starts outside, they figure Ollie started it. Hello…don’t you two know anything? Ollie starts all of the fights. Geez.

Oh, to be an only dog!

The after Christmas blues....

Christmas was pretty good. My grandma gave me the greatest gift; my very own squirrel. Now, mind you it’s not a real squirrel, and I know that despite these humans’ attempts at trying to trick us canines, but it has a really good tail that is almost like real. It was a really good gift. I got other gifts that were pretty good too, like my new tug of war toy that you see me and my dad playing with. Dad likes it if I play with him pretty hard.
One thing I didn't understand was when mom and dad came home with big bags of what I could easily smell were dog toys and they kept them from me. Later, I saw mom putting them in boxes and dad taking them off to the post office. Mom said they were going to needy Wires that live in Montreal. Come-on already...I am a needy wire. I need those toys. Geez. But, mom said those other dogs had it really bad and needed for us to show them that we love them, so off went my toys. I guess its okay.
The best part about Christmas was that mom and dad stayed at home with me for a whole week. Mom was around for naps and kisses and dad was available for play at almost any time. I did have a few busy days running to my grandparents, so I was glad when mom and dad headed off to the train museum in Pennsylvania so I could catch up on my rest. They are so high maintenance.
So, now mom and dad are back at work and I am back in my routine of being alone during the day. Yesterday I was feeling a bit grouchy about it. I liked it better when they were off and home with me. It kind of gives me the after Christmas blues.
I hope that all my family, friends and wiry friends had a wonderful holiday and happy New Year.

Slainte'. (Pronounced slahn-chuh is Irish for Cheers!)

Maybe there is a Santa Claus?

We Wires must be the cutest things alive. I'm sure of it, besides mom tells me so all the time and mom is always right. This is a picture of Agatha a new baby girl wire owned by Diane Grobman who also is mom to baby boy Archie.

There is some good news to report. The wire terriers from the Montreal puppy mill disaster are getting some help. Thanks to the SPCA and a great group of rescuers the pups got out of the hell they were living in. Many of them are now living in foster homes with families who fell in love with them instantly. It is amazing how they report that these WFT's are so sweet after living in those deplorable conditions. Now the folks on the Wire Fox terrier list are working hard to get other help to them. Daniella Slon really heroined the cause and worked tirelessly to get the word out and to try to get help from pet organizations. Daniella even got PetSmart to commit to helping these wires. So, I am asking everyone who reads this post, who has a dog or god forbid a cat, to shop at PetSmart and let them know by emailing Charities@SSG.PETsMART.com and tell them you are buying from them because they supported the Puppy mill Wire Terriers in Montreal. This is really important. They need to know that they are doing good so that they will continue to do so.
The next thing YOU CAN DO is to send Cristmas gifts to these dogs. I can't tell you how lucky I am to live with my mom and dad and how lucky my cousins are too, but there are dogs all over the world who are in need of help. Here is one situation where you can make a difference without spending too much money or taking in another dog... SEND PRESENTS! SEND A SWEATER! This wires are in dire, dire need!

This is another effort that Daniella organized...OPERATION HOLIDAY CHEER!

If you would like to send a holiday gift to the Montreal Foster Wires, Daniella organized with Christine Downs to receive the gifts and then distribute them to the SPCA/Elizabeth Pierce. Thanks to Christine for generously offering to take this on! Christine lives in a doorman building so there is always someone there to sign for parcels saving shleps to the PO. Not only is Christine offering to collect the gifts, she will also get them to the SPCA (no small feat as Christine is awaiting foot surgery and the shelter is a good drive away) and "I will take the digital camera so everyone can see the doggie joy." You rock Christine!

To avoid incurring custom duties etc, please make sure you do the following:

1. Mark it as a GIFT with a low value e.g. $10 (Any value above $40 incurs customs)
2. Make sure that you put the recipient phone number on the package. Christine's number is 514-680-8487
3. Remove all price tags!

Christine's Mailing Address is:

Christine Downs
1745 Cedar Ave., #303
Montreal, QC H3G 1A7
CANADA

Daniella says, "I am sure many of our dogs have zillions of toys, some which they ignore, so feel free to send second hand ones too! "
One smart cookie that Daniella is. I think I have a few toys at home and maybe mom can take me shopping this weekend.
I can't wait for Christmas, I know I'll get a lot of toys, but won't it be nice to know that 101 dogs have been rescued and will have a nice Christmas for the first time ever? Maybe there is a Santa Claus afterall.

Mean people suck!

This week mom and I learned about a terrible, terrible thing that has happened in Montreal, just to find out about more atrocities in Missouri. Mom and I learned, through the WireFoxTerrier list that the SPCA and police in Montreal raided a puppy mill where they found 101 Wire Terriers living, dying and dead in the most deplorable conditions. I mean, you can't even imagine anything this bad. The SPCA says, “The inside of this home was filled with an overwhelming stench, resulting from an elixir of excrement and decomposing dog carcasses. The waste was so prevalent within the home that it was piling-up into heaps." The SPCA was able to take 25 of the dogs, 22 of the 101 had to be put to sleep immediately due to their poor health. The good people at the Montreal SPCA worked hard to clean and shave the dogs and are trying hard to find new foster homes for them until they can release them after the trial. The thing that makes me sick is that anyone would even consider giving these dogs back to this sicko...or for that matter not sending him on the fastest train right off this earth to where his soul will end up..straight to hell. The SPCA there has been able to find some great people to foster some of these WFT's. Others are still in vet care or awaiting a nice home. The SPCA says it is overwhelmed with Vet costs, grooming costs and the costs of fostering and transporting these dogs. I hope everyone will find it in their hearts to send a donation, no matter how small to the SPCA in Montreal to help with these dogs. Paypal donations can be sent here or mail to:
The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals-
5215, Jean-Talon
West Montreal, QC
H4P 1X4
By telephone:(514)735-2711 ext. 224

Also, a lady on the WFT list is hosting an EBAY auction where all the proceeds would go to the Montreal SPCA...what a great idea!

Then mom and I found out from the wonderful people at the American Fox Terrier Rescue that there are several WFT's in Missouri that are to be rescued from a puppy mill there. Although they can't get all the dogs they are getting a few, and some who have lost their legs and ears to meanness. These dogs are very aggressive from living on top of on another three or four to a crate and ever, ever getting out. The miller said he didn’t care if they came to get them because they were just to be "hammered and burned". This is how they get rid of dogs; they clobber them in the head with a hammer and throw their bodies in a pit to burn. As one miller said “A bullet is cheaper than a vet". I truly cannot understand why we cannot seem to stop these people from doing things like this, and worse yet, they when we do find them, they get some small fine and sent on their ways to do it again. these people should be made to suffer. We need strict laws.
My mom always says that she does not understand why it isn't understood that a society that won’t punish for abuse of its weakest members (animals, children, and the elderly) can think for a minute that they are civilized or can prevent murder and such. If we can’t protect our weakest, how can we protect anyone at all? This really is a sad world we live in.

My new Gorilla rocks!

November 20 was my 5th birthday and I think the best birthday I have ever had. Mom loves me so much I got extra hugs and kisses, if that is even possible. I had been sick since Friday, so mom said I would have to wait for my cupcake, what a bummer. But, mom and dad made up for it by all the presents I got...tons! All of my presents were pretty good but I especially loved my new gorilla. It yells and squeals and it only took me about ten minutes to chew its little heart into pieces. I made it stop yelling at me! I was pretty happy with myself!
Monday after my birthday Ollie decided he wanted to play with my new Gorilla. I didn't want to share any of my new toys, but i especially didn't want to share my new Gorilla. When he took it, it made me very angry and I went to get it. He gave it up to me, but not easily. Then, Ollie took another one of my toys and when I went to get that from him we got in an all out fight. This made mom and dad really mad and mom took all of my toys away from me and put them in the closet. BUMMER! What a crappy day after my birthday. Ollie always manages to get me! Regardless of this, I think Mom and Dad are pretty good to me since I got so many gifts. i just wish it were like this everyday. I can't wait for Christmas.

Squirrels and birthdays and other good stuff!

Next Sunday is my birthday. Actually, it will be my 5th birthday. Mom says she has a hard time believing that I will be 5 and I think that is because I didn't live with my mom and dad the first 2 1/2 years of my life. I know that mom and dad are planning something for me...mom said so. So, I am hoping that mom has gotten me plenty of new toys since most of my toys are looking pretty bad these days. I also hope that I get some special treat. Mom told me about Amy and Jeeves on the WFT list. Amy got Jeeves a butterscotch cupcake for his birthday....yummy! Mom has to figure out a way to top that (I hope!) Chocolate would do just nicely, but mom says I can never, ever have it. Sometimes people suck. Actually, the thing I am most hoping I get is my dead squirrel. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I killed a squirrel last week. Dead. Did it all by myself too. I finally caught one of those dang varmits and shook it to death. I think that is an appropriate way for it to die. These darn squirrels get up in the huge Pecan trees in my yard and throw the pecans at me. They have even hit me in the head once or twice. That makes mom angry with them too. So, I killed one, and no sooner did I kill it then Dad came out to steal it. I told him, "Get away from my squirrel and get your own". I think that came out as a growl. Anyway, dad didn't seem to find it funny since he hollered at me and mom came to scoop me up. That was only after I bit his foot. He had crossed the line and gotten too close to my squirrel. Mom brought me inside and calmed me down. When I went back outside, there was no squirrel...Dad had STOLEN IT! So I have asked for my squirrel back for my birthday. I know it must be good and smelly by now, just the thing for a good terrier like me. Maybe mom will get me one of these shirts.