From the paws of --

Harley

2010-03-06T19:30:00.003-05:00

Harley loved blogging-- the connections and relationships he developed. He always seemed to know when he got lots of comments!

Our hearts are heavy and there is an incredible emptiness in our home now that he is gone-

We miss you so much big dog---

For all the Harleys in your homes, love them fiercely, and treasure each moment you have with them-

Never Say Goodbye

2009-05-26T19:44:00.005-05:00

I’ve heard my my Mom sing that song when she’s in the garden. We were out together over the weekend. I was enjoying just laying in the grass and she was humming as she took all the plants she bought, and put them into new pots for the deck-- “never say goodbye”.

It’s that time of year; the grass gets green, the days get warmer, the days of school wind down and my blogging friends look forward to summer and then to moving on in school! I always hear lots of “goodbyes”.

Not me, I never say goodbye! I just never know when we might run into each other again especially here in the blogosphere. So for you at Reflective Voices and at World of Wonder—

It’s been terrific “getting to know you”. “Thanks for the memories!” Have a safe and enjoyable “summertime”. “Happy Trails to you until we meet again.”

Paws,
Harley

P.S.--Can you tell how much my mom has taught me about song titles? How many song titles can you find in my post? I’ll be sending lots of virtual, homemade dog biscuits to anyone who can find them all!!!

Photo Credit

Thank you to my good friends at Reflective Voices!

2009-03-26T10:03:00.006-05:00

My very good friends, the bloggers at Reflective Voices, are the best!!!! The very best!!!

When I had a problem with the red bird, they left me such good and helpful comments. They are the cat’s meow and I’m not so fond of cats!! You can read their comments on my post here.

Many of them made the suggestion that the red bird was hungry and I should feed him. I forgot to tell them that my mom already does that; she has two birdfeeders full of good stuff for him and his friends and from the number of times she goes out to fill them, I think he must be pretty full.

They also wanted me to be kind to him. So I told my mom that. She searched on the Internet and found that he might be seeing himself in the window and thinking his reflection was another red bird who wanted to take over his territory; so he attacks what he thinks is a bird but it’s really just a reflection. The website suggested she take a bar of soap and write on the outside of the window. So she did and she made a pattern like a chain link fence. And I think he’s happier now because he sits out in the bush and sings. My mom says thank you too for encouraging her to find a kind way to help him.

The bloggers at Reflective Voices are the very best for another reason too!!! In two comments, they said they had surprises for me on their blogs. They sure did!!! I visited their blogs and they wrote such nice things about me!!!! Look!!!

Here at Ashton’s blog

And Brook’s

And Caleb’s

And Christopher’s

And Destiny’s

And Filemon’s

And Graciela’s

And Hunter’s

And Ivan’s

And Kentasia’s

And Landy’s

And Shaah’s

And Ty’s

Oh, my!!! What can I say--- Sending you all great big slurpy kisses, offering paws, and homemade dog biscuits as a thank you!!!!

I WOOF YOU!!!!! I had a friend write it in the sky just for you!!

Photo Credit

A red bird who wants in--

2009-03-22T09:42:00.005-05:00

I’m not a dog who really cares about birds; I don’t chase them; I pretty much leave them to themselves. But then, I’ve never had a bird that wants to come into my house!

For the last week, a red bird, my mom says it’s called a cardinal, has been flying into the windows in the living room and near the front door a lot!! A lot means more than 10 times in an hour!! He keeps flying into the glass or the screen and bouncing off!! He makes a thudding noise every time. I tried barking; that didn’t work; he still does it. Every morning around 8 AM he starts and he goes around to all the windows and then he starts over again.

My Mom said he doesn’t belong in the house and she’s not letting him in. What do you think is the matter? Why does he do this? Do you think there is a nice way to let him know he is not welcome?

Photo credit

Look!

2009-03-01T11:23:00.001-05:00

That's what my mom said as we were driving up the hill into Chardon! And from the back seat I looked and I was a very very happy dog when I saw BUCKETS attached to the maple trees along the street! YES!!

Do you know what that means? It means spring is on the way!! The grass is frozen, there is still some snow--- yet, with the buckets collecting sap from the maple trees, it means the Maple Festival is coming soon and spring comes right along with that!!!

If you like spring, rejoice with me that those buckets are up. And if you like real maple syrup (Did you know Aunt Jemina's and Mrs. Butterworth's are not real maple syrup?), it's time to rejoice too. Soon those buckets will be full of sap, and they'll take the sap to a sugar house and boil it down to real maple syrup. You can see how they do it here.

What's your reason for rejoicing-- spring or maple syrup?

Playing to my strength!

2009-02-23T20:08:00.001-05:00

These days, I watch my mom and dad a lot!! I watch their faces, I watch their actions, and I watch when they motion to tell me to do something! I make sure I keep them in my eyesight! That’s because I’m playing to my strength; I can see really well!

Now that I’m an older dog, I don’t hear very well. That’s a weakness that is sometimes hard. I can’t hear the door bell anymore and I usually don’t hear my mom call me. But I watch out the sidelight window of the front door to see if anyone is around so I can alert my mom and dad and I watch Mom to see what she wants me to do.

My mom says I a really good guy when I play to my strength and use my eyes. And I’ve discovered I can keep up with her and Dad as long as I’m right around them.

So if you’ve got a weakness, play to your strength and find out how much you can do. Are you doing that now? What’s a strength for you?

Where is spring?

2009-02-06T12:40:00.001-05:00

Look what I just made! Isn't this fun?

I'm ready!

2009-01-18T10:13:00.003-05:00

When? How long? Soon? Now?

And my mom says in reply: “Not yet-- A couple of months— It’s going to be a while—“

But I’m ready and waiting-- Soon would be better than later--
Oh, how I’d like to be out in a green, lush, fresh smelling, outdoor carpet—

In the spring, it calls out to me-- “come on, I’m ready”— Bounding out the door, lifting my nose to catch the scent, feeling the multitude of blades that form the green luxuriant carpet caressing my paws-- I can’t stand it any longer!! I throw myself down into all its goodness – the texture, its fragrance-- And I roll, and I roll, and I rub my head, and then I roll some more-- Breathing a huge sigh of happiness, I lie very still and enjoy!

Oh there is absolutely, positively nothing better than one great big good old roll in the grass!!!

What about you? What's your absolutely, positively nothing better?

Photo Credit

How to describe--

2009-01-08T19:18:00.002-05:00

Again! The grass had been green (cold, frozen but green) for about a week. And it's done it again. It's pretty deep! I'm a big dog and so far I can get through it but when it's over 5 inches I'm not a happy guy.

My mom says I should be more positive about it. I should think of all the words I can that can describe it-- positive words. I came up with white and light. But that's it-- I'm not so good with descriptive words.

I'm hoping my friends down at Reflective Voices and those over at World of Wonder can help me.

Can you think of words to describe what I see when I look out this window?

My wish for you--

2008-12-15T21:10:00.003-05:00

I wish for each of you this holiday season-- health, happiness, and love. That's what my mom says too.

Be safe and enjoy your winter break--

I know I'm going to enjoy my biscuits!!

Photo credit

What do names tell you?

2008-12-11T21:44:00.003-05:00

Would you believe it; some people think my mom is a man when they see her name? My Mom says her name, Lani, always confuses other people. They rarely pronounce it correctly and when she was in school, they used to assign her to boy’s physical education classes because they thought her name was a boy’s name. Her name is special -- her dad chose it because he and her mom wanted to visit Hawaii and her name is Hawaiian.

When you think of my name, what do you think of? Do you think of a girl or do you think of Harley Davidson motorcycles? My mom says Harley Davisdson’s and girls don’t go together. My Mom and Dad talked a lot about my name before I came to live with them. My dad chose my name, Harley, because he used to ride a Harley. He thought it was a good name for a big German shepherd! And he knew a lot of men had this name and so it would fit me.

What about your name? What does it tell others about you?

Photo credit

Dog Biscuits to Die For!

2008-11-28T20:54:00.001-05:00

You all know how I feel about my homemade dog biscuits! They are my most favorite, next of course to the pumpernickel bagels and eggs my Dad feeds me.

Now thanks to a very special wonderful lady named Elizabeth, my mom made me biscuits to die for! My mom knows the nicest people; Elizabeth is one. I’ve never met her because I’m not allowed in the doctor’s office, but when my Mom and Dad come to the car from Dad’s last visit, they told me all about Elizabeth. Why? Because she brought biscuit cutters and biscuit mix all the way back from Maine for me!!!

And let me tell you, when Mom made those biscuits, I stayed close. And when they were done, I sat. You know I sit when I want something good to happen. And it did! Those biscuits, rationed out by my Mom, were outstanding, extraordinary, and awesome! And I think I know why-- Mom made them out of love, and Elizabeth gave them out of love.

Elizabeth, I love you and thank you!

It's Thanksgiving and a time to be thankful!

2008-11-24T11:19:00.002-05:00

It’s Thanksgiving time again; I know because I saw my mom bring home grocery bags full of the good stuff she cooks at Thanksgiving.

That means it’s time for me to post about all I’m thankful for and there is a lot!
First, of course, I’m thankful for the love of my mom and dad. I wrote about that in this post last year.

I’m so thankful too for the people who work here. They take such good care of me and I know I don’t show how grateful I am because truthfully, I’m always too busy trying to find the way out of there. So this is for the wonderful, kind people at East Side Dog and Cat Hospital!

Jodi, Barb, Cindy, and Geralyn – You always greet me with a smile, call my name and ask how I’m doing! You help my mom too with paperwork and getting my meds. Even though I don’t show it, you really make me feel safer and loved. I am thankful for your smiles and kind words.

Louise and Stevi -- When you come to get me, I know from your smile and your warm greeting that I’ll be ok. And Louise, you know those bacon strip treats are my most favorite treat. I am thankful for your reassuring my mom and dad and making me more comfortable with all that goes on.

Kathy and Diana – You take such good care of me when I come for a stay. You take me on walks and feed me, and make sure my area is just right for me. And Kathy, you always do all you can to make my stay as short as possible. I do love you but I hope you are not disappointed when I love being home more. To you both, I am so thankful for your caring.

Dr. Culek-- I am most thankful for all that you do to make sure I feel the best that I can. I am so sorry for the time I was not nice to you; I did not know then that you were trying to make me feel better. Now, I’m not really fond of the anal gland examinations, but I love you for making me better, for offering biscuits, and for always explaining everything to mom and dad so they aren’t so worried. I will always be thankful for your knowing how to take care of me, you gentle smile and your touch.

When we have people so loving and caring in our lives, how can we not celebrate the best of Thanksgivings!

I am--

2008-09-22T11:42:00.002-05:00

Just in case you were wondering--

I am loving and protective
I wonder why more dogs don't blog and comment to students
I hear my old friends calling "help me" from the pound
I see a day when all humans and animals are happy and contented
I want to walk with my mom and dad again in the park
I am loving and protective

I pretend I'm human in my home
I feel happy when my mom and dad are laughing
I touch the souls of humans who know me
I worry that my mom and dad will leave me
I cry when I hear other dogs are mistreated
I am loving and protective

I understand that love and peace can conquer all
I say dreams do come true if you just believe and work for them
I dream of homemade dog biscuits and chasing rabbits
I always try to please my mom and dad
I hope humans will rescue us older canines; we can be such good friends
I am loving and protective

Woofing a great big welcome!!!

2008-08-17T18:20:00.005-05:00

I am back and I'm so excited -- this means I'll be learning lots of new stuff again and making new friends!!

When I think back on all I learned in the past two years from other bloggers, I'm amazed! They helped me learn to write a persuasive essay. When I wrote about making maple syrup and answered their questions, I learned to be very careful explaining. It made me feel so good, I even shared my homemade dog biscuits.

I can't wait to start reading again especially the blogs of the very special students at JH House who made these great comments here! I hope when I read your blogs and comment and ask you good questions, then you'll come here to read mine and comment to me. We can learn so much from each other when we collaborate and make connections!

Kentashia, Nydaziah, Destiny, Rina, Hunter, Ashton, Filemon, Ivan, Daniel, Ty, Kendarius, Shaah, Elijah, Hector, Graciela, Christopher, Landy, Thalia

to the wonderful world of blogging.

I'm ready to blog, are you?!

Celebrations, reflections and a request!

2008-05-08T08:09:00.003-05:00

This is the day we celebrate my birthday! I came to live with Mom and Dad when I was 5 years old and it was 5 years ago today!! Mom had a bunch of my buddies over for a party and some super homemade biscuits. When we finished playing, they wanted to know if I could give them tips on blogging. I told them I'd get my Mom to help me and I thought my blogging friends would be able to give good tips too!

Now it was pretty difficult to come up with one good tip-- that's where Mom came in. She said I should carefully reflect upon my writing; that meant I had to review all my posts to decide which one was the best and why. Then she suggested the "why it was good" be my one great tip for successful blogging.

And guess what, that's just what I did. As I carefully reread my posts, I kept returning to "A Home of their Own". It absolutely was my favorite. Hmm, then I figured out why! I linked to different bloggers who helped me and I linked to websites to give my readers more information. Here's an example:

"I wasn't sure of the best way to write a persuasive essay so I found some at Blogical Minds to use as a model. M. V. and Mia's were models for creating a good title. I like how Eddie linked to other websites so I did too. Mary and Tina's
helped me with the structure. Anni modeled how to use transition words."

That's my blogging tip for my four legged buddies.

TIP: "When blogging, be sure to link to what other bloggers or websites have to say."

And by the way, this reflecting--- it's really a good way to look back and appreciate just where you are. The best of these last five years, without a doubt, is those homemade biscuits!!! Just kidding Mom and Dad, it's being with you!

Now can you help out my friends with another blogging tip? They're waiting and anxious to join the blogosphere!

Fifth Grade Webwriters are #1

2008-03-19T19:02:00.006-05:00

I’m sure they set a new record!!! The Fifth Grade Webwriters left 53 comments on my Buckets post!!!! Do you believe it? And not only that, the comments were thoughtful, and funny, and full of good questions. To top that off, they even answered my question correctly; they are tops at analogies too!! Those comments made me feel soooo good that I am sharing (and I don’t share these ever!) my new homemade dog biscuits with all of you!!!! Thank you Fifth Grade Webwriters!!! I’m cheering you on!

I want to answer everyone of the comments but that creates some serious problems for a big dog like me because I don’t type very well. As a matter of fact, that was one of the questions in the comments: How did I learn to type? Well, my mom taught me. I learned to go very carefully, one paw, one key at a time. You know, I can’t type fast like that. So I hope it’s ok with The Fifth Grade Webwriters that I answer your questions here on my blog and visit your blogs to make just a few comments every once in a while?!

Now I’m not an expert about maple syrup but I’m going to try to remember all Mom taught me so I can answer some questions:

1. I love seeing the buckets on the trees because that means spring but I’ve never helped with gathering sap or making the syrup.

2. About maple syrup and Aunt Jemima— Click here and then click on ingredients. Maple syrup is just that—maple syrup!

3. I haven’t made or tasted syrup and Mom won’t give me any with my pancake treats; she says it’s not good for me! What does she know! She does know how much I like scrambled eggs and she gives me just a taste once in a while! Then I’m in heaven!!!

4. My most favorite pancakes are apple, and then banana. My mom likes blueberry but that’s not my fav.

5. I am a German Shepherd and Spring is my favorite season! I love stretching out in the grass!!

6. Click here and read the section on The Sap System. Does that explain why you can’t make maple syrup in Georgia?

Now I have a question for you!!! How did all of you get to be such good commenters?

Buckets for ?????????????

2008-03-10T11:34:00.007-05:00

Mom decided that we were going out! The big snow was over and we needed some milk. So I’m in the backseat of the car watching as we head into Chardon and I hear Mom say “YES! Spring must be on it’s way!” and guess what I see?! Buckets on the maple trees.

How did they get there? Here’s some hints on how:

Why are they there? Do you know? Do you need a hint?

One of my very favorite treats comes on the mornings my mom makes pancakes. When I sit in my spot, she brings me just a taste, actually 3 little bites. Have you any idea how good pancakes taste to me? They are soooooooooooo good!!

Here’s another hint if you can complete the analogy: Buckets are to maple trees as ______________ is to pancakes.

Thanks to the Fifth Grade Webwriters for giving me the idea to use an analogy as a hint. They did lots of fun analogies on their blogs. Be sure to read them! They gave all the answers! I’m not!

Can you complete my analogy and explain the buckets on the trees?

Do you want to know more? Click here!

Connections --

2007-05-14T19:21:00.000-05:00

Mom and I were at the park last night and for the first time since the snow has disappeared we saw a new family of Canadian Geese! Now if I am making my connections correctly, we see new families at about the same time that school lets out for the summer. I bet that’s why the Blogicians have been writing about blogging and why it’s special to them.

Anni says:

“Also blogging has improved my writing, reading, and also language skills.”

And T. K. writes:

“My favorite thing to do in blogging is answering questions and asking questions because I like asking how they are doing in blogging and how their weather is.”

Mia urges 6^th grade teachers to let them blog next year because:

“Also blogging makes you think out side the box. It makes you go beyond writing.”

And Michael is pushing for blogging next year too:

“We felt middle school needs blogging also and so does high school and college. Does any one agree!”

Victoria’s post, which really “rocks”, pleads:

“I have enjoyed the experience of blogging tremendously! And I would recommend blogging to all schools! I hope that you will try blogging some day because you would like it! So all you teachers out there, please let us blog next year!”

What is there about blogging that is so special? For me, it’s the connections. I’ve found such great new friends in the Blogicians. My tail wags uncontrollably when I read their comments and learn from them! So here’s to the connections we’ve made and my wishes for you this summer--

Anni --- I love what you wrote to my mom! Keep working on those prepositions.

Eddie — My mom pushes me to write better and I try but you’re definitely levels above me! Enjoy your science experiments.

Jhonny — Mom says you have great ideas; I think so too, keep them coming. Make those strings sing on your guitar this summer!

Victoria — I’m hoping that someday I’ll be able to write and blog like you; you’re the best! I bet you’ll move up to more difficult levels in Sudoku now you’ll have more time to solve them!

T. K. – You’re so right about answering and asking questions in blogging! That’s one of my favorites too! I’m getting too old for any athletics, so excel in all those sports for me!

Mia— Tip of my hat to the top notch title creator! Grab your friends and treasure each other’s company!

Mary — Mom and I love your talent in choosing just the right words in writing! Paint and draw to your hearts desire this summer!

Emmy – I really go bananas over the wonderful interviews you conducted! Hope you score lots of goals in soccer this summer!

M. V. – I think you are one extraordinary thoughtful commenter! Spend tons of time in your “happy place” this summer. I’ll be in mine.

Michael – My mom read your monkey stories to me! I loved them! Give Sparky extra treats for me and lots of love this summer!

Lindsey – I hope I can become as good as you expressing feelings on my blog! Cherish your times with your “special friends, crazy friends, and funny friends” this summer!

Tina – Your writing is so full of life! I like when my mom reads your posts to me. Hope your summer is full of fun and opportunities to teach/tutor little ones!

Rosalinda – When you said in a comment that “following our passions can change who we are and what we do in the future”, I knew deep inside what a thoughtful person and good thinker you are! Hoping you’ll be following your passions this summer, perhaps drawing and enjoying time on the beach!

Blogicians, I know we’ll connect through blogging again --
Until then sending you the best of my dog biscuits, offering paws and a great big woof for a safe and happy summer,

Harley

Celebrating-- family and my anniversary

2007-05-03T17:04:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of the day I came to live with my mom and dad! YES! My mom is going to make me a very special treat; I can't wait. And my dad said he has a special treat for me too!

They want to celebrate my anniversary; isn't that nice?! I want to celebrate my family! My family is so very special to me. We all love each other, we help each other, and we support each other! I am so thankful, mom and dad, that you wanted me. Mom and Dad, I love you!

I bet your family is special too. I'm wondering when is the last time you told you mom and dad you loved them? Isn't it time to do it again, and again, and again?

In bad times, people come together

2007-04-23T20:13:00.000-05:00

I heard the TV; I heard my mom and dad talking last week about bad, terrible, horrific killings at Virginia Tech in Virginia. And then I heard of the many ways that people across our country were honoring and remembering the victims, AND working together to help make sure that everyone would be ok.

I think that is one of the most wonderful human traits-- that in times of great tragedy, people come together to love each other, to support each other, and to help each other. There is still great sadness but the human spirit is strong. They rise above the bad, and good prevails.

How can we help make sure that this compassion and caring always lives in the hearts and minds of people?

Blethers from Harley

2007-04-23T19:35:00.000-05:00

Did you know dogs can savage a crocodile? Sometimes nature is cruel but there is also a beauty in that cruelty.

The crocodile, as one of the ultimate predators, can fall victim to the kind of implemented 'team work' strategy which is possible due to the pack mentality and social structure of canines.

See a remarkable photograph courtesy of Nature Magazine, but not if you're squeamish!

Perspectives and Passion!

2007-04-09T11:53:00.000-05:00

After two wonderful days of lying in the luscious green grass while my Mom worked in the gardens, I woke up to this again! Can you believe it? It’s April and I was ready for Spring!

You know, 32 inches of snow really looks different through my eyes; not like this picture at all. When my mom shovels this path, it’s like I’m walking down a deep trench. I can look way up to see the sky and the tall trees, but don’t ask me to tell you what’s near ground level because I just can’t see it. My Mom sometimes calls snow beautiful, although she didn’t this time. To me, it’s just cold and a decent substitute for a cold drink of water. We just don’t see it in the same way.

This really got me to thinking (and you thought that dogs had trouble with that, hah!). We all really see and perceive the world in different ways! This isn’t just about “seeing” but how who we are affects how we look at the world. Don’t small children and dwarfs, people in wheelchairs and those who are blind interpret the world around them from various viewpoints? I know I’m nervous around strangers because someone abused and hit me. That affects how I view the world and sometimes I bark at people asking them to keep their distance. But that doesn’t make me a bad dog. Thank goodness my Mom and Dad recognize that! And that’s the other important thing I’m thinking about. Isn’t it important that we take time to recognize that we all see the world differently and respect everyone’s different perspective? By the way, my mom just taught me a new word for this –Tolerance! Do you think we all are as tolerant as we could be?

I was reading different perspectives on the blogs at Blogical Minds. They were talking about their passions. T. K.'s was football. Victoria's was sudoku. For Mia and Lindsey, their passion was friends. Jhonny's was music and Eddie's was science. Passion-- That’s a word I didn’t know. I looked it up; I Iike this word! Thanks Blogicians, now I know that how I feel about tolerance is one of my passions! What about you? Do you always see everything just like every one else? Is tolerance important to you too?

Happiness is--

2007-03-20T19:31:00.001-05:00

You know, when my mom is happy life is very good! I get more treats and more scratches under my chin and on my chest, and more talking to. And to be very honest, that is most of the time-- But today was different!

It started when she got to talking to her computer again. She does that once in a while. And then I heard her say "Hi Mia," and "Hi T.K." and "Hi Michael" and I just knew I'd heard those names before. And then there was "Hi M.V." and then she called my name and talked about what I do at the park and all of a sudden I knew! She was talking to the Blogicians! in person! She called all their names and each time she said "hi" her smile got wider until at the end, it enveloped her entire face! That smile remained long after she told them to "take good care", long after she cooked dinner for my dad, long after she and I walked in the park (and I did get extra treats as we walked) and you know, that smile is still there! I haven't seen her that happy in a good long time.

Thanks Blogicians for talking to my mom and making her so happy! You always do when you comment to her on your blogs but hearing your voices made her day! Do you think you could do that again because more treats and more smiles could be very good!?

A Home of Their Own

2007-02-25T19:22:00.000-05:00

Did you know there are so many older dogs that want a family and a home of their own? I know because I was one and I’m so lucky my mom and dad found me. Won’t you invite one of my old friends to go home with you? Why you ask? Here’s why!

First, senior dogs have already learned important stuff—we can sit, and come and we’re housebroken. And did you know it’s easy to teach an old dog new tricks?

Second, did you know that shelters often schedule an older dog for immediate euthanizing simply on the basis of age? It almost happened to me. Isn’t there a word for that called discrimination? A little gray hair here and there doesn’t mean we can’t play ball and love you more than you can imagine! So please help save some of my buddies’ lives--

And lastly, it’s not just me that thinks there are good reasons to adopt older guys. If you go here, you’ll find 10 top reasons to adopt us. And it was a human who wrote that so you don’t have to just take it from me! Humans also wrote success stories about adoption and some of them are working to help out my friends.

My old buddies are patiently waiting-- They hope you’re persuaded-- I hope you don’t wait too long-- They don’t have much time and they are desperate for a home of their own. Won’t you invite them to yours?

Special Thanks!
I wasn't sure of the best way to write a persuasive essay so I found some at Blogical Minds to use as a model. M. V. and Mia's were models for creating a good title. I like how Eddie linked to other websites so I did too. Mary and Tina's helped me with the structure. Anni modeled how to use transition words. And I really liked Lindsey's question at the end. So thanks to each of you. Without you I would have been up a creek without a paddle! Do you think I did ok?

Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/montanaraven/9416229/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/koltregaskes/206690744/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/montanaraven/211014160/

What to say? How to persuade them?

2007-02-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

My mom and dad finally came back to get me! Was I happy or what! But look what I came home to!!! I couldn't even get out the door at first until mom shoveled this path. Now you know I am a big dog and I like snow, but this is a little much. On the deck, I'm nose to snow without putting my head down. And down the path, the snow is up to my chest!

So how can I persuade them that I need a place to run just a bit? I need a place big enough to turn around at least. What should I tell mom? I want to convince her to get outside and clear me a nice play area. What words or idioms do you think would help me plead my case?

Help! I want to go home!

2007-02-12T19:15:00.000-05:00

My aunt Carol calls this "camp". What does she know--

My Mom and Dad left me here with a bunch of other barking dogs while they went to Columbus to the eTech Conference. Mom said she was going to give a presentation. I could have gone with her and helped. Instead here I am . I couldn't believe it when Mom said "We love. We'll be back." and she left!!!

I really love being home for a many reasons: I love my mom and dad. My bed is soft and big enough for me. I get special treats when I sit and look sad. I get to go for walks at the park. My mom and dad take time to teach me new things and to spend time with me. Being home is the cat's meow and I'm not usually fond of cats.

What are some of your favorite reasons for being at home?

At least it helps a bit knowing that my voice is heard! Mom, isn't it time yet??

photo from # Versuri #

About Me--

2007-02-04T18:12:00.000-05:00

Hi Blogicians,

I'm glad to hear that you liked my picture; I didn't know that my mom had posted my picture until she told me that you had seen it.

My mom said you wanted to know a bit about me, so here goes. I have lived with my mom and dad for about 3 and 1/2 years. I am so glad that they found me. I had been neglected and abused. A nice lady came and got me from the dog warden the day they were going to euthanize me. She took me to her house because she ran a "rescue" for German Shepherds and posted a picture of me on the Internet. That's how my mom found me through Petfinder.com. It's wonderful website that helps with adoptions of dogs all over the U.S. Mom ended up at Dogs Hope and saw my picture and the rest is history!

So Dr. Culek (my veterinarian) thinks I'm 8 years old now. That's getting old for a big dog; do you know how old that is in people years? I weigh 95 pounds now with the good food I get at home (I weighed only 69 pounds when I came to live here). My favorite treats are my homemade dog biscuits, peanut butter, carrots, and pumpernickel bagels.

I love walking in the park with my mom and dad! Usually mom and I go twice every day. When my dad comes we have so much fun; I watch out for him. I like walking in the snow if it isn't too cold. I won't wear my boots and sometimes the snow and ice are too cold. But boy it tastes really good!

I just had a good meal and a big dog biscuit so it's time for a nap-- One quick question, do you have anybody like me at your house?

Til next time,

My first post--

2007-01-31T09:41:00.000-05:00

Finally, my mom said I can have a blog! I do have lots to say and am glad my voice finally will be heard!