Widget's Words

How Swiftly Pass the Days

2011-11-24T07:11:00.001-08:00

I haven't written in some time, but that is her fault not mine. She's cleaning out her office and frankly I don't know how she finds herself in there. Of course, for me it's great, I love paper. How it crunches when you bite it and how it sounds when you tear it. That's the best part, oow I love that noise. And it is fun to see her run to try to catch me and get whatever I have stolen back. Sometimes she sees what I have and says,"You little runt, drop that!" But other times she says"Oh for Pete's sake, keep it you little ninny." How's a guy supposed to know which is which?
I've actually gotten a little older. I guess that happens when you are around awhile, but I amtalking about how I've improved. Yeah, that's right improved. Now she trusts me to behave when she goes out shopping or whatever it is she does, when I let her out of my sight, and I don't have to go to my room. Usually I go anyway, I like my new big boy bed.
Today is Thanksgiving so she'll probably be gone a while. I guess it is some sort of a ritual as they always do the same thing they did the last time they did it.
Very confusing if you ask me. But, do be careful on those roads so I can talk to you again.
You're fun.
I'll talk at you later, soon, very soon, I promise
Widget

Rough week

2011-03-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

Well this is going back a couple of weeks, cause herself was under the weather and I had a rough time of it as well.
It's Sunday and she comes down to let me out of my room and out to do the necessaries. She opens the door and guess what I can't stand up. My legs won't work. She's all dressed up cause it is church day, but I guess I really worried her cause she took me to a pet emergency place. They took me in quite quickly which surprised me cause Mom said, "emergency departments usually take a long time."
Well after pushing and poking me they decided, nothing was broken and I had sprained my hips. Probably caused by too much and too high jumping. Geeze, I'm a little dog. How do they expect me to get up where I need to go? No wings, can't fly, so I jump. I have to guard the street you know. No one man or beast goes up that street without my notice. The docs gave Mom some pain pills and they really helped at least for the first day. I whimper when I think the jump will be too high and she lifts me up. But after two days, I'm back to my old self. Run, jump even dance, no pain, nothing, pain is gone.

Grinch Christmas

2011-01-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was okay. Mom doesn't like holidays much. She left me for a little while on Christmas Eve, but she came back in time for ice cream. Which is good. Everything was great the next day, she gave me treats. Problem was I ate too many of them. Hurt my belly. In the afternoon Kelly and Kenny came over. We were all sitting around the kitchen table and Kenny says, "Hey, Widget is just like the Grinch's dog. Give me some cardboard." Kelly hands him some paper and he says, "No cardboard and get me some sissors."

Now I'm wondering what the heck he is up to. Well he cuts out some crazy shape and then pokes holes in it. Then he grabs the gold cord from the box of the bath stuff he gave Mom for Christmas and threads it through the holes. And, you won't believe what he did next! HE PUT IT ON MY HEAD. I tell ya I was mortified. And then, and then they all take pictures. Like I want this humiliation perserved forever. I was a good sport and didn't wiggle or bite at the dang thing, but boy oh boy did I want to.

The Police Came here!

2010-11-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

Wow, you wouldn't believe what can happen in just a few minutes. Herself goes next door to see the lady that calls me Wiggy, but she didn't take me. Now she figures since she won't be gone long I don't have to go in my room, which is nice. Maybe she thinks I am getting to be a big boy. Well, out she goes and puts the alarm on as usual. The dang thing could near to render you deaf. Anyhow, she forgot to turn off the motion sensor. So it's my house so I walk around and the dang thing begins screaming. Scared the tar out of me. Then somebody dressed all in blue comes in the front door and looks all over the house. They even went upstairs. Which was kinda good, cause they opened all the closed doors and left them open. This means I can get in where I am not supposed to go, but I did anyway. I found a neat sock that I played with until herself got home. She was puzzled that the doors upstairs were open. Then the phone rang and she goes "oh my word. It was my fault cause I forgot about the motion sensor. I'm sorry."
I didn't like that screaming thing but it was nice to get into forbidden rooms.

The Price of Being Beautiful

2010-10-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? They put me on a diet. A diet! That's not fat it's muscle. Big deal I weigh more than most of my kind. So are all people the exact same size? I don't think so. At least she still lets me have my ice cream. Not so much but some. Better than nothing.
Well, this part of the year is not Mom's favorite but I don't think she minds it as much as last year. We got some great neighbors. The lady from across the street just vacuumed the front yard and took up all the leaves. She has this huge machine that sucks them up just like they were lint on a carpet. And I know about lint. If you scratch your claws against a carpet it forms little balls of lint. I don't bother to taste them anymore. I tried it once and it was yucky.
I guess the only thing I really do to bug mom is steal things. I won't keep them I just redesign them. Just munch on them till they are in a mangled ball (No matter what it is I can make a ball.) The ball is much easier to handle, you'd think she would appreciate my efforts. But it bugs her and she chases me all around the house till she tricks me into dropping it. But I do my best to keep her on her toes. She used to yell, and it scared me, so I would drop whatever it was. But I got wise to that and now she has to really trick me. Today was the topper though. I found a plastic thing in her office and she didn't see me get it. So she sneaks up on me and lunges. I got away but then she goes for my leash. Not fair, that means a ride or a trip to the doctor (which I love because they fuss over me and I like that). Just went to the doctor so that means a ride. Right? Nooo, she put on the leash and then went to retrieve what I stole. Okay, I was naughty but that was so not fair.

Missed you guys

2010-10-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

It's been some time since I last posted. Herself has been working on a new book and I'm lucky if she remembers to feed me. The green stuff outside is now covered with brown and orange things. They dance in the wind and when you put them in your mouth, they crunch. They don't taste great, but I love to do it anyway. The only real problem is Mom won't let me bring them in the house. Last week though I brought in a few each time I went out and stashed them under the dining table. She went nutz when she found them. Asked me if I was setting up a compose pile, whatever that is. But I love to do things that bug her. I don't really think she minded the leaves ( that's what she calls the crunchy things) but the bugs on the leaves she wasn't so fond of.
I've gotten a little bigger I'm up to 13 pounds which I guess is heavy for a dog like me. I don't care though, I'm still small enough to fit in her lap.
She still gets sad and I try to sit on her head but I guess I am a little too big for that. At least that is what she says when I do it. She crunched her toes a couple of weeks ago, broke three of them. I wish she would watch where she is going, she's always breaking something.

April where did you go?

2010-05-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

It seems like forever since I blogged. Mom was laid up. I feel like it is my fault since it was my carrier she fell on. But, she still loves me.
It was like in the middle of the night, she got up to go to the bathroom. Then when she comes back to bed she knelt on what she thought was the bed. But it wasn't, just thin air and she came down with a crash. Bent the carrier all to heck..
She knew it was on her left side and she never hurts her left side. Don't ask me why that's just what she says.
Come morning she's still hurting and she tells Casey. Casey has a fit, "why didn't you call me?" So she comes and picks us up. The trip was near the end, so we cooled it. Mom was still hurting so she and the grandkids went for a walk.
She couldn't drive, so how were we going to get home. Casey's place is nice but I like my house better.
Well, Casey drove Mom, Billy and me home. Great huh? Well Casey makes her go to the doctor. Then the bottom fell out of everything. Mom's in the hospital and I get to stay with Kelly and Ken and Scar. Not my finest hour. Come back next week and I'll tell you the rest of the story

looong trip

2010-04-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a trip? Me and the kid with the white stick took a trip with Mom. Talk about long. I thought we would never stop. Rode for a long time finally stopped and saw a bunch of kids at a resturant. Mom walked me and Billy went inside to go potty, I just went outside and then she went in while Billy stayed with me.
We did a lot of things. I tried to play with Nik's (he's Mom's grandson) cat. The stupid thing didn't understand I just wanted to play. I suppose if we had to live together we would get along in time. But thank God we don't have to. She's all right but real bossy.
Mom went shopping with Casey and they bought a lot of stuff. When they came back to Casey's house they all left me in my room and went out to get some food. Everything was going on fine, then Mom goes and hurts herself. She fell on my room. Man what a bruise, dang thing was purple and ugly. She really hurt herself. It hurts her to move. So tomorrow we are going home! Yeah, Casey is going to drive us. Then she is going to be at our house for a while. Going back on the train. I guess Mom doesn't really like traveling and frankly I am glad. I don't like it either way. Either she sends me to the Pet Resort (which is not so resorty) or my room gets moved all over the place. We are going to our house, we are going to our house. Can't wait till we get home and on my own couch and I can go out without a leash. I hope we have a swift and safe trip back. Talk to you when I get rested up.

Pet Resort

2010-03-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a weekend. She left me, she dared to do that! I cannot believe it. She never leaves me. Well, all in all it wasn't too bad. They had some nice folks there, food was good and I met some other dogs.
Coming back home today was such a relief. I think she was just as frazzled as I am. I don't know about you but I am not really fond of change. I had my own blanket but not my own room. This thing was big and loud. Nothing worse than a barking dog. Not the guys just talking, but those little yippy things. You would think they would have sore throats, but they just keep it up. Dummies.
It's good to be back in my own room with my own blanket and no background noises.
Mom is so tired today. I guess I'll get to share some nap time with her. I know she has planned a lot of work on the computer, but I think she'll rest a lot. I don't care as long as I get to be on her lap.

New Tricks in the Snow

2010-03-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks,
Been a liittle while. Mom is working herself to the bone. Shes real excited about going to some conference this coming weekend. She's sending me to a Dog Resort. At least that's what she tells me. I think she may be pulling my leg a bit.
Well anyhow I learned something new. Because I am short in the legs but long in the body, I realized I have more height if I stand on my back legs and reach up. You already know I don't like walking in the white stuff, but if I stand on my back legs and reach up on the evergreen bushes I can taste it. Man it is almost like ice cream. It is cold on your tongue, but it is really good. Mom says I look like a giraffe, which is funny cause she doesn't believe in giraffes.
I stole one of her new boots this morning and boy did she get pissed. Told me I was bad and said that was the second pair I ruined. What ruined? I was just breaking them in for her. She is way too serious and now it is harder to make her laugh. When she gets the angry eyes, that is a good time to pretend to sleep. I guess I look like an angel when I sleep. Anyhow she should remember to close the closet door, like Bill told her to. I'm just trying to make sure she does what he said.
Now if I am very good, she lets me sit on her desk while she writes as long as I don't try to kiss her all over. She uses some lotion or soap that makes her hands taste yummy.
Come back soon and I'll tell you all about the Dog Resort

This is a tough job

2010-02-16T14:16:00.000-08:00

I guess I didn't think this job would be as tough as it is. I have to get up in the morning, she opens the door to my room and I leap out for a stretch and wait while she gets on her coat. I don't really need her to watch me pee, but it gets her out of the house at least once. I'll be glad when the green stuff is back, cause then we can go for walks. The white stuff makes everything too cold and my hair is very short and doesn't really keep me warm. So then she gives me treats, neat deal, pee and get a treat. Works for me.
She eats her breakfast, the same dang thing everyday. Cup of tea and a Toaster Strudle, raspberry flavor. They are all right but I like her supper food better. Meat, shrimp, pasta and my favorite, lasagna. She then goes into the office, never changes, every day eat, go to office. At least I get to see some different things in this room. I can get right up on her desk. She even put a pillow up there so I won't get cold on the glass top. It's great, I get to see who is going out and who is walking their dogs. Lucky dogs but they all have long hair. They probably hate the green time as they are too hot. Besides cold is better for cuddling.
Gotta tell ya. Mom, gets some beauty stuff from the daughter of the lady who lives across the street and the lady always gives Mom a special favor. Well, this time when she came over and left a stick that Mom puts up to her lips. Well, she always wears some goop on her lips and I don't usually pay attention, but this one smells like chocolate. And it tastes good too. I love to kiss her, especially when she wears the chocolate.

Widget's Tail

2010-02-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

Things are winding down in my duties to Bill. Though she still mourns Bill and I am sure she will never cease, she and I have to get down to the business of living. This winter is long and confining. I was just getting her to go out every day when this dang white stuff came along. It's cold and wet and not fun to walk in. She prefers the season as she likes to sit and write and sometimes in the evening, rather than turn on the picture box, she just reads. Which is fine by me, she lets me sit in her lap as long as I don't try to kiss her neck.
She has this green thing that looks like a book, but it isn't like her other ones. They must have lots and lots of stories in that thing, cause it's like her favorite. I don't know why it is so special, but whatever makes her happy is fine by me.
When I have to go out, I have to touch that white stuff and I hate it. But I am a big boy now and don't go in the house. She's so proud. Anyway, sometimes the guys at the back fence bark at me and I try to go way back there, but man is that stuff hard to run in. It creeps up around your legs and almost holds you in place. I'll be glad when they bring back the green stuff. It's warmer and much more fun to run in. Besides, it is better for my favorite thing, digging. I can't wait till I can dig up some of the bones I buried, if I can remember where I put them.
That groundhog thingy says six more weeks of winter, hope he's right cause more than that I don't want to do.

I'm helping her, really

2010-01-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

This weather is as poopy as I used to be. Before the snow was deep and Mom would shovel a path for me, but now it's a little warmer and the snow has melted a bit. When you walk where she shoveled its all mud and when I jump on the glass door it leaves muddy paw prints. I think it's kind of a nice design, but she is forever taking the prints off.
I got a new place to sit when she is writing. She cleaned off a whole side of her desk and put a pillow up there for me. It's neat I can sleep on the pillow or just look out the window. The stuff that goes on at this side of the house is much different that the back side of the house. Here you see people and sometimes other dogs and cars. The man across the street drives his up and down the street all day.
I don't think I would want a car. The only place they take me is to Kenny's house or the doctor. I like Kenny's house cause that is where Scar lives, but I don't like the doctor's so much. Sometimes they poke me with a needle and that's not too bad but I hate it when they grab my paws and snip off the nails. Cripes sake I bit most of them down, but I have to keep some of them long so I can open the door to the bathroom. She can't go in there alone. It's dark and small and I don't think she should be alone. She needs me to protect her. Bill would want it that way.

Another Year!

2010-01-08T06:20:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe another year has gone by. It was only yesterday I was still a pup. It was kind of a tough year for Mom, but she's doing okay. The most significant thing for me was the white stuff. I don't mind it as much as I did when I first saw it, but that stuff is nasty. It's cold and if you are as short as I am walking through it is not fun. However it tastes okay and I like how it bunches up on my snout when I walk through it. But most of the time it is way too deep. Mom shovels a path for me to potty, so I guess I can put up with it. I'll be glad when it is gone for awhile cause I like going through leaves much more than snow. Leaves make crackling sounds and snow is way too silent. I love noise especially if I am making it.
I just figured out how to get on Mom's desk. Not just my paws all of me. I can see out the window the lady across the street is using some machine to move snow. Geeze, she's all bundled up like she was at the North Pole. Maybe it's real cold out there, I only stay out long enough to empty. Mom doesn't like outdoors too much and when the white stuff is here I agree with her.
As I am getting older I find some of the things I liked to do as a pup are just not as much fun as they used to be, but I still love teasing Mom. She gets hyper when I take pens or paper. Pens crunch when you bite them and depending on the kind of paper it makes neat sounds when you tear it. and she runs after me and never can catch me. She has to trick me to catch me. She'll give me a treat to make me drop the pen or paper. She is so easy to fool. I don't care about the pen or the paper, but I do love treats. And she thinks I'm the one that's trained. LOL

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T15:14:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas folks,
I hope everyone has safe and happy holidays. Remember the most important thing is the love. Without it flowers wither, countries fall and the human condition becomes unbearable. I got lots of love. I kiss her in the morning and the night and anytime in between I can catch her. I was sent to her because of the love her late husband had for her though she still misses him I do my best to keep her smiling. Sometimes I have to trick her but hey whatever works. I love to take things she thinks are just her's. But, heck I live here too. Those paper plates are not just for eating off of. I tear them apart and she starts running after me. She is sooo slooow. I can be in three different rooms before she even realizes where I am. These little legs can move.
I think I am about a year old now so maybe I will slow down a little in time, but for now it is full steam ahead.
I guess the big day is nearly upon us, but it will be quiet for us. We will spend the day watching TV and maybe she'll make some cookies. I like cookies. And cake and pie and crackers, and lettuce most everything except peas. Those little green things are pooey.
I am taking a week off so I'll see you next year

Resolutions

2009-12-15T07:17:00.000-08:00

Mom tells me the year is almost over. She seems happy about it, but it has no real significance to me. I find the colder weather is not so much fun. Did you know that white stuff is COLD? I tell ya the first time I saw it, I though what the heck is this stuff? Then I stepped in it. It wasn't good. I picked up my paw quick, but then had to figure out how to walk without putting my paws in it. Well, that didn't work. So I did my business as fast as I could and got back into the warm house. I 'm little, kinda close to the ground, so my tranny was dragging in snow (that's what she calls it) so as fast as I could I yellowed the snow and moved back into the family room. Man is that a relief!
Every day it seems I have to learn something new. She used to let me sit in her lap at the table, but now can't do that cause I'm a big boy. No really, I'm 13.3 pounds. I guess that is too much for a lady with a little lap. But she still lets me sit in her lap on the couch. It's kinda funny, I jump up on her stomach when she is laying down and she goes oof when I land.
I still have to learn how to come when I am called but I know that already, she just thinks I don't understand. Ha ha, that's a gotcha, when she calls if I see a treat in her hand I'll come running, but if I have something she wants in my mouth, I am going, not coming. I suppose when I get older that stuff will now be so much fun, but right now it's a hoot.
I remember heaven and Jesus,( nice guy funny clothes,) and know how to celebrate his birth. Down here everyone seems to be rushing to get things done, but I remember the quiet times and thankfulness that he gave up everything, just so we (everybody on earth) could be unafraid.
Bill is looking down and checking if I am taking good care of Dee I do my best, loving is my best talent. I'll be watching to see if everyone I meet is kind and nice.

Christmas Shopping

2009-12-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

Had to go to the vet today. Got weighed 13.3 lbs, I guess that is one pound over what they told Mom I could weigh. I knew I was kind of heavy cause she goes Offf when I jump on her. They clipped my nails, the few I don't bite. Trouble is it is hard to open the door on the bathroom without longer nails. I can't let her go alone in there.
Then we went shopping. At my favorite store, the pet store. I can go in and get in the basket and pick out what I like. It's hard for Mom to buy me things without me, cause she really doesn't know what I like. Oh, she thinks she does, but uh uh. She used to buy toys with stuffing but can't do that any more cause I tear them apart and eat it. Then I get sick. So she tries to buy me stuff that I can't rip and eat. Usually she buys boring stuff, but today I saw this toy it was hard and made a funny noise. It is red and it is now my favorite. Mom throws it for me and I chase it and take it to her. I could run all day but she gets worn out. She used to sleep whenever I did, but now she works on her stories while I sleep on her lap.
I hope you all have a wonderful time shopping, I really thought it was great fun. She says tomorrow she will make xmas cards. I have no clue what that is but I didn't get the impression she thought it was great fun.

Potty Training

2009-11-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

Well, guess what I finally got housebroken. I mean she did everything, talked to trainers, vets and even the neighbors with little dogs. She tried everything she could think of. I think she was thinking of putting me in diapers. If she only have showed me what she wanted I would have gotten it a whole lot sooner. How'd she do it?
She got the mail in and in it was a little round thing. It was in a little case. After she opened it she put in in a slot in the box under the TV. I like that TV thing especially when she does movies with dogs. Anyhow this round thing was all about dogs. Dogs getting treats for coming, barking at strangers and not pooping in the house. It showed lots of dogs scratching at the door. I thought big deal I can do that. So I watched all of the movie or whatever it was and then jumped down from the footstool went to the back door and scratched on the glass. She opened the door and I went out. Had to poop and pee anyway so I figured why not? For a minute there I thought she won the lottery. She was as happy as a clam. I wonder why people say that. What would make a clam sad anyway? I never even saw a clam. I've had them in soup and they aren't bad but you can't really tell if they are happy or not.
This went a long way to making her happy and that is what Bill wanted. So I guess I am doing my job. Buuut this evening I backslid a bit. She got me another toy and I haven't had one in a long time cause I eat them and it bugs her. Anyhow I was so excited I did remember to go outside but I was so happy I brought some in with me. She was not happy. I'm really sorry, but heck I'm just a kid. Give a guy a break.
I suppose given enough time I will finally be a real good boy, but like most boys I have my moments. I don't like to do things that make her mad, but I do like to bug her just a little. The thing of it is, if I have something she doesn't think I should have, I pretend I really, really want it and guess what? To get whatever I have she has to give me a treat. Good deal and it works every time.
You'd think she would learn, but she never does. If I really want to get her ratteled I steal paper. Doesn't really taste good, but it makes a great noise and she wants it back real bad. She chases me and chases me, but I won't drop it until I get a treat. Sometimes she is a big pushover, but I love her. Bill did too and I bet he is laughing just as hard as I am, when he sees how I hoodwink her. WILL CHECK IN NEXT WEEK. ENJOY YOUR SHOPPING FOR XMAS

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:10:00.000-08:00

Well,I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. The morning was okay, till she took my pillow and blanket. I'm thinking is she going to get rid of me too? I tell ya I was nervous. She took them down the cellar ( I never go down there) and I thought for a while I was going to have to sleep right on the floor of my room, but then she brought them back and they were all soft and warm. Good thing too, cause she left me there most of the day. She, the redhead, the kid with the white stick and the guy who zapped me with the fence took off. They were gone a long time but it was all right cause when they got back, she still remembered my ice cream. The kids left and left me and my lady alone together, which is the way I like it.
I hope everyone had a great holiday and everyone is safe and happy.
WIDGET SIGNING OFF TALK TO YOU LATER

Now I am a real live dog

2009-11-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess my work is wearing down. She still cries and I still tease her, but she is handling day to day pretty good. I guess night time is tougher cause she makes those huuuh sounds. But the best part is when she is sad she likes to watch cartoons. We watched one the other night about an old guy who lost his wife and that part was sad, but then it got funnier. A bunch of dogs were helping another old guy (no wife) who wanted to capture some kind of big bird and I mean it was big. Even the bigger dogs looked tiny, next to Kevin. (That's what the kid in the movie called the bird.) Anyhow it was lots of fun and I won't tell you how it ends and spoil it for you, besides I want to see it again and I'll just forget and then it will be new for me too.
Other than watching TV she's been working on a new book. I don't know what it is about, but she says it's a departure for her. I don't know what a departure is, but if she's doing it, its got to be okay
And I've been very good. I finally figured a way to get through to her. I scratch at the front door and that means "I want to take a walk." If I ring the bells at the back door that means "I gotta go." Works out pretty well. This way I get more treats that scolds. I don't like the scolds so much. I'm like her and don't want anybody mad at me, not even for a little while.
I am nearly like all dogs now. I still provide comfort and face washes when she needs them but now I have time to run, jump in leaf piles an sometimes (Not often) bark. It's a dog's life and I love it.
I'LL COME BACK SOON AND TELL YOU ABOUT GETTING MOM OUTSIDE.

Tough Job

2009-10-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

Another tough week. Mom doesn't seem to get it. She has to get out of the house, but she is getting lazy. Potty training means to her I ask to go out and do my business. Well, what she forgets my job is to take care of her and if she just lets me out, then she doesn't get the walk she needs. Bill must have had a heck of a time getting her to exercise. She hates it. Hate it she may but I think she hates poopy carpets more. I'll just be patient with her.
She takes good care of me, but forgets to take care of herself. I think she isn't sleeping much cause late at night, sometimes into the morning I still hear the TV.
Today she went out and bought another gate, frankly I'm glad she did. I kinda like the smaller area. The only thing that I liked about being able to go all over the house was looking out the front window. But I figured out if I scratch at the front door she gets the leash and out we go. Then I can see what is going on out front.
There are leaves all over the lawn and they make the neatest crunching sound when you run through them. I think I like fall. Don't think she is fond of it though. I guess you are supposed to take the leaves away from the yard and some noisy truck sucks them up. She isn't a yard person but rather than ruin Bill's lawn she blows them out to the street. Last week a nice man from across the street, Jerry she said his name is, took them away with a machine he rode on. Neat, but it didn't last long,next time the wind blew down came more. Mom says she is very lucky, to have such nice neighbors. I like them too, nice folks.
I have to get to sleep now, cause Mom is tired. The redhead Kelly says, when she was a kid, Mom would get cold, and Kelly had to put on a sweater. I guess she was silly even before I met her. But it doesn't matter I love her anyway.
I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT I WILL REVEAL NEXT WEEK, CAUSE RIGHT NOW I DON'T KNOW.

Rough week

2009-10-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

Boy, what a week! Herself was sick, then I got sick. I tell ya I thought she was going to kill me on Tuesday. I was pooping all over the place. She didn't know I couldn't help it and man was she pissed. Well this went on for two days, until I started to vomit all over the place. I guess spit up is not as bad as shit up. Because she felt bad and didn't even mind cleaning up puke.
I guess her nose isn't as sensitive as mine. She didn't smell where I pooped before because when she cleaned up the mess she thought she got it all. Well she did, except for the scent marker. I think she had an epiphany because she remembered when Bill was with her, he could tell her she must have missed a spot of something when she couldn't find it. Well, she went at it with a vengeance. She and Bill bought a rug cleaner more than two years ago and never used it. The dang thing is as heavy as the deuce, but with her grandson's help she got it out and cleaned the carpet and put on some of the yucky stuff she used when she was first training me.
Scent marker is gone so now I go outside and you would think she was given the crown jewels, she is sooooooooo happy.
I'm glad she is happy but today my tummy and throat are sore, throwing up is not fun. I guess the weather decided it would take over as the day is poopy, but I'm not. Yeah!
NEXT WEEK I'LL TELL YOU MORE ABOUT OUR ADVENTURES

How to Make a Sad Mom Happy

2009-10-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

This past week was a rough one for Mom. She was a sick puppy. But, she's okay now.
Sometimes she gets really, really sad then, trust me, she is hard to make happy. Even sitting on her head doesn't help. So I have to dig deep in my bag of cutes.
There is a picture of Bill next to the TV. So I stand on my hind legs and touch it with my nose. Sorta let her know what Bill would say if he saw her moping around. She gets it and gives me a soft smile. And when I have her on a roll, I amp it up and run around the house, around, around, and around till I have to stop to catch my breath.
Then she really laughs and says I'm a goofy puppy, Geeze, I thought that was the object. I guess I'm doing it right, but the older I get the harder it gets. I'm becoming more dog than messenger. It is nearly a year since Bill asked me to make her happy.
She doesn't cry for hours anymore and I know she is remembering the good times they had not just the one BIG sorrow.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW SHE GETS ME TO COME WHEN SHE CALLS. IT'S A RIOT!

Dis Disapperrance of toys

2009-09-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

I'm still just a kid right? Only a puppy after all. And I need toys, lots of them. Mom buys them almost every time she leaves the house. I guess she feels guilty for putting me in my room. It's fine with me. My room is neat, soft blankie and just dark enough to be cozy.
When she gets back, man, it's a party. Out come the toys and treats. All because I took a nap. What a life!
Then she takes me outside (shh to poo.) Then we go back inside and I get to see the toys, big ones, little ones, soft ones, and hard ones. My favorites are the ones that squeek. I just squeek and squeek till my jaw gets tired. Now comes the time I need to really examine the toy. I find a teeny tiny hole and work it to make a bigger hole. Out comes the stuffing. Some kind of white poofy stuff. It really doesn't taste good, but it makes Mom hyper. She chases me till I drop the stuff, then she picks up all she can find. Sometimes I hide a little in the corner of the couch. Not much, just enough to get her going. I love it, she gets downright exasperated. Keeps her young, gotta keep her moving.
Then when the toy is finally broken in right, it disappears. I turn around and it's gone. I think Mom hides it, but I'm not sure. I guess she doesn't know when a toy is really good. Sometimes they come back, but the hole is gone. Can't find it, so then I have to make a new one. I work on it harder and harder and when it's almost perfect, poof it's gone. I don't know maybe there is toy eating troll in the basement that comes up at night and takes them. I never go there. It looks really scary down there, so I stay up in the family room. But not to worry next time she goes out she'll come home with more.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW HARD I HAVE TO WORK TO MAKE A SAD MOM, HAPPY

My over nights at Kenny's

2009-09-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

So I'm a little late with my report. Mom was under the weather and I can't do the blog thing without her. I can make her write the words I want but, I can't make her turn on the computer if she's feeling punk.
Anyhow I want to tell you about my overnites with Kenny. Now he's a really good guy, but a little gruff. Okay so, his rules are different from Mom's, his house his rules. I can deal with that. Besides when I'm at his house I can play with Scar. He's Kelly's dog and is a little older, actually a lot older, but he still likes to play.
Kenny's house is kinda small, but outside you get to walk over some boards over the top of some water. Never saw the like of it. Dock he calls it. And if you look around you can see ducks. Scar doesn't see too good, so when I see some ducks I let him know.
First day was great, played and played till I was really pooped. Kenny put me in my room and I concked out.
Next day, more play with Scar. Kenny took me on my walk, just like Mom but, Ken is a no nonsense guy so I couldn't dawdle like I can with Mom.
After our walk, he goes into a strange dark room. It's like Mom's office but way more stuff in it. Lots of computers and paper and it's dark. I don't know how he can see in there. I can smell the paper but I can't get at it, so I lay in the sun and wait for lunch. Well lunch is a long time coming and now I gotta piddle. So I go into the dark room and tell Kenny I gotta go. He doesn't get it. He's not as easy to talk to as Mom. I told him over and over, "I gotta piddle, gotta piddle." but he's watching some stuff on one of his computers and pays no attention to me. So I said, "Hey man, man to man, I gotta piss." Doesn't register with him, so I went right there. Then he gets pissed, but it's his own fault, you gotta go, you gotta go.
All in all it was great but I was really glad to see Mom on Sunday, but I didn't want her to know I missed her so I didn't kiss her or try to get in her lap. She should not leave me for days, couple of hours okay, but 2 1/2 days. No way.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT MY TOYS AND HOW THEY DISSAPEAR.

Making Mom Happy

2009-09-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

I told you this time I would tell you how I make Mom happy. At first it was easy cause everything I did was cute even if I was being a bad puppy. All I really had to do was was run around and around then tip my head to the left. Hilarious? Right, at least she thought so.
But she is so sad it goes real deep. Now it takes all that is in my bag of cutes. She still goes for the head sitting. Now I am bigger I have to sit on her shoulder and put my head on top of hers. And, it still gets a chuckle.
Now her happy isn't so big. But it's my job so I try harder, I can jump very high (for a dog with 2" legs)now that I am a big boy. And, I can find more stuff to hide on her, I don't know why but she loves paper and somehow thinks it is important. All it does is make funny noises when you chew on it. Doesn't even taste very good. But when I steal it she says, "Widget what am I going to do with you?" But then she smiles.
Most paper is easy to find but she puts her special paper where I can't get it. But the one that is the best is up under the kitchen chairs. They roll so you have to get a good grip and pull it off quickly. Then run like the dickens. Mom chases me till she can con me to drop it. I am a sucker for a treat. Then she laughs.
She buys me lots of toys. I have a giraffe that really makes her smile when I grab and shake it.
Kelly ( the other redhead) says Mom thinks giraffes aren't real. Not because my toy isn't real, she just doesn't think God would make something that strange.
I think she should just accept them, cause she's strange too, but I love her anyway. When she cries I get on her lap and lick her face till she stops crying and I am almost out of spit. I like to sit on her lap and snuggle with her cause it makes her smile. I live for those smiles and a hearty laugh sends me to ecstasy. Bill said it wouldn't be easy, but I love my job.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT MY OVER NITES WITH KEN

My hurts

2009-09-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

I was gonna tell you about Mom's weepy moments, but I need to tell you of some hurts of my own.
Mom is worried about my getting hurt or wandering off (which I wouldn't do, I promised Bill) but she knows I like to dig so she put in an electric dog fence (the fence is electric not me.) The boy with the little white stick Billy dug a trench in the back yard. Then came another guy Kenny. He takes care of Kelly (the other redhead.) any how Billy had to dig another trench and Kenny put in some red wire. All the while I am doing my best to help dig and move the clumps of grass. I guess they didn't like my kind of help because when you couldn't see the red wire anymore, they put another collar on me. It has two prongs on it that touch my neck. What the heck do I need two collars for?
Now Kenny is very kind to me, he evens let's me visit his house, so I was a little surprised when I walked near the little white flags he put over the wire I got a zap to the throat. It zinged me into the air and I flopped like a bass reaching for a fly. Not going near those flags again I tell ya. NOT even going in the back yard at all. NO HOW.
Come back next week and I will tell you about Mom's weepy moments Promise.

Our daily walks

2009-08-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

I really like our walks. Mom has gone from a size 12 to a 6, Bill said she had a little tummy, but I can't find it, as long as she can keep up with me I am okay with whatever size she is.
When we start out I go through the gate and look for the lady who lives next door. When I see her I just get all happy cause she calls me wiggy. It's not my name but she says it so cute, I just run around and around as fast as I can. It makes Loreen (that's her name) laugh and laugh. I love it.
Then we move on to our walk. I like to talk to everyone I see, but Mom usually just wants me to piddle and poop and move along. She doesn't understand when I stop to sniff my surroundings and she says "Come on Widget, you smelled that yesterday." All I can think is "hey, they're rollover scents." I like smells to become familiar like old friends. She thinks stink, but I know they're really messages. Sorta like liquid e-mail.
Mom isn't what you would call an outdoor girl, but I get her outside twice a day, rain or shine. I think it's good for her, instead of sitting at the computer all day. Bill hated the computer, but I kinda like it. She lets me sit at the keyboard with her, hence this blog.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW I HANDLE HER WEEPY MOMENTS

How I make Mom happy

2009-08-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

Now that I am a big boy I sleep in my own bed downstairs. So when Mom goes to bed I go to my room. It's really neat, nice rug .nice view. In the morning when she comes down, she opens my door and I burst out. I wiggle all over and jump up and kiss her a whole bunch. She laughs and tries to put on my leash. I don't really mind the leash, but I love to see her try to put it on while I twist and squirm.
I can only tease her a little bit, then she gets serious. Bill does not want me to make her serious just happy, so I finally sit nicely.
Then we go outside. I look around and smell the morning and do my necessaries. Then we go back inside. My face feels funny in the morning so I rub it on the floor. Mom looks at me and laughs, so I do it some more.
Sometimes she lays on the couch and I can see she's getting sad. So when she does this I sit on her head. It's a little lumpy but, usually she stops crying. How can you cry with a dog on your head?
But, sometimes, not often, but sometimes, she can't stop, so I steal what makes her cry...her glasses. I know that is what causes the problem cause she gets off the couch and runs after me. I run as fast as I can till she laughs as hard as she cried.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND SEE THE ADVENTURES ON OUR WALKS

Learning where to Poop

2009-08-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

Mom was not pleased I'd chosen her carpet as a toilet. What do I know? It's in there and it has to come out. As it comes out of me, I guess poop comes out wherever I am.
Clearly there was more to this piddle and poop thing. She would shake her head and make little tisking noises. Mom contacted her youngest daughter Kelly. She (Kelly not Mom)had raised a lot of dogs and knew a lot about poop and piddle placement.
She (Kelly, another redhead) came to our house and showed me where I had to p&p outside, which was fine when I was outside. But sometimes I'm inside. So Mom keeps following me around with two spray bottles. One takes out my stink and the other one puts in some yucky stink. It didn't take me long to figure out that IF I didn't leave my scent in the house I could avoid the yucky one altogether.
This red head Kelly, I think she likes me. She'll pick me up and kiss my neck until I just melt. When I am in Kelly's arms I'm just a dog, with no messages to convey, no duties to perform. Sometimes a pup just needs to be a dog. Bill's shoes are hard to fill, but I try very hard. I promised him I'd look after her (Mom not Kelly) and do my best to make her happy. You better believe it's a big job. She misses Bill like crazy.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND SEE HOW I MAKE HER HAPPY

My trip to NY

2009-08-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

Well, after Mom and I were back at Casey's house, she (Casey not Mom) put me in a cat carrier for a kennel. Hey, dang it I'm no cat. Dog, get it? There is a reason DOG is GOD spelled backwards.
The whole lot of them Mom, Casey, her husband Derwood and the two grandsons Nik and Billy went someplace to eat and watch guys knock each other off of horses. When they finally came back, man did that box stink and was I ever glad to get out.
Then after a while Mom and I went back to a hotel she rented before she bought me. I guess hotels aren't for dogs (go figure) so she smuggled me in.
I kind of missed my mother, brothers and sisters (even the vain sister), so I whimpered at little (just a little, I'm a guy after all) so to keep me quiet Mom let me sleep with her in the Big Bed. It was neat but, man can that woman snore.
Mom would take me to Casey's while they went shopping and stuff. Then at night I went back to the hotel with Mom and the Big Bed.
Well, I guess she got tired of the place cause finally she and the grandson , packed up and put me in the car. I was really little, so the boy Billy held me on his lap. He's an okay guy, he held me nice, but every so often we would stop and he would put a white thing in his mouth and somehow burn the end of of it. Smoke would come out of his mouth and wow, talk about cat carrier stink, whatever that white thing was it was way worse.
We finally stopped for good. Riding is okay but I was glad to get all fours on solid ground. And when we got into that house boy, did I have to poop. So I did.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK TO SEE HOW MOM TRIED TO TEACH ME WHERE TO POOP.

Meeting Bill's Wife

2009-08-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

I guess I don't understand how I can be born in IL and take messages to a lady in NY, but I figured God and Bill knew what they were doing.
At first I had six brothers and sisters. Most went to families in Channahon, sold before they were weaned. There were just me and my sister left. We were put in a local pet store with very nice accommodations. My sister was so stuck on herself that she stood in the corner of the display case watching her own reflection hour after hour.
Two ladies came in, one had red hair the other white. The redhead said, "Look at them Mom aren't they cute?"
Sis hovers in the corner, I guess she thought she was so pretty they would pick her.
I studied the lady with the white hair. she had the same sad look as Bill. So I walked right up to her and wagged my tail as hard as I could and jumped up and tried to lick her face.
"Mom look he likes you," the redhead said. Mom (I guess that was her name) replied, "But Casey, we never had male dogs."
Casey just laughed and said, "well maybe it's time you did." Mom reached down and petted me. Her hand smelled nice and I wiggled into her touch. I really, really liked her and I hoped she wouldn't pick my sister.
She (Mom not my sister) smiled a funny half grin and picked me up. I licked and kissed her so much I was running out of spit.
She wrote on a piece of paper, picked me up off of the counter where the man set me and held me to her chest. Then we got in Casey's little car and drove away. I knew she was the right one and I would do my very best so she wouldn't be sad.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND LEARN ABOUT MY TRIP TO NEW YORK

Widget's Words

2009-07-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hi World,

I would like to introduce myself. I'm Widget a grief dog, specifically a miniature dachshund. I live with my mistress, sent by her late husband.

You see when a deeply loved person dies and does so to protect the one they love it is very traumatic. I think Jesus came up with the concept, although I think His mother must have suggested the bones of it (no pun intended), for she knew first hand the agony of loss.

My Lady (I call her that because he did) was loved and deeply cared for by her husband. I mean the guy was dotty for her. Bill, that's him, told me about her when he first got to heaven. He was helping St. Pete re hang the pearly gates cause they were off center and squeaked like the very devil (Which wasn't good)

Anyhow I was waiting to be born and watching Bill. I think he really liked that kind of work, but he was really sad. I walked up to him and tugged on his pant leg.

He looked down (I'm kinda short), smiled and patted my head. I asked him how come he was so sad. A single tear fell slowly down his cheek as he said," I love God and am glad to be with Him but, I had to leave my wife, my friend, my lifelong companion and it's hard without her."

I told him she probably missed him too.

"I know she does," he said, "I only wish I could talk to her."

I just sat down, even I knew that was against the rules.

He sat beside me on the marble steps in front of the gates (that now hung perfectly and didn't squeak.) "You know, maybe you could talk to her for me?"

Wait a minute I'm a dog, once I'm born talking isn't my thing. He reached down and patted my head saying, "I know dogs can't talk on earth but I'll give you some signs so she will know I sent you."

Works for me I thought, if Bill loved her so much, she would probably take good care of me too.

~CHECK BACK IN NEXT WEEK AND I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT MEETING BILL'S WIFE~