DO YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT CHILI!?!?!?!

OMG (or, if you're a Supernatural fan, should I say OMC!) I just had the most amazing experience of my life. Daddy made chili, and Smudgie and I got to lick the pot!

It really blew my mind. Wow. How awesome is that! I just have one question. If we both shared the pot and licked it together (shared very nicely, I might add...) how come my face is so clean, and Hudson's face is so chilified?

I don't get it either, but I do hope I have many happy years of chili pot licking ahead of me!

Take care all,

Rudy, gourmand

Rain Rain Go Away

Winnipeg is nice and all, but we've been having lots of rain and scary thunder and lightning, and I think it's time for it to stop. How do I make this happen?

The booming has been keeping me up at night, and the scary flashes make it look light daylight in the night. I don't get it. I really just wish it was snowing instead...Can we bring back my snow?

Please?

Take care all, and try to stay dry.

Rudy, who now sloshes as he walks.

Can someone please educate me on gift giving and receiving etiquette?

I thought the rules were simple. You give a gift and it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You get a gift and you feel the same warm and fuzzy feeling, but you are supposed to say "thank you." Isn't that right? At least that's how we did it in Florida.

I do not recall Emily Post ever saying that the proper response to a thoughtful and well presented gift was to yell "ewwwwwwwwwww!" while pushing the giver back out the door, locking him out on the deck. Yet, this is exactly what Mommy did to me when I gave her a gift.

I thought it was a really nice gesture. It showed my love. I could have kept it for myself you know, but it was a pretty yellow colour and I thought it would look good with her car.

I brought it in, nodded my head to her in deference and love, and dropped it gently on her right foot. What could possibly be wrong with that?

Is it possible that she doesn't actually like dead birds? That seems unlikely. It smelled great to me.

Take care all.

Rudy, confused gift giver

Hi All. Hudson here...

So I just wanted to let you all know that, despite Rudy's struggles with the "specialist" she finds me delightful. Apparently my worst trait is that I'm stubborn. Pfffft to that. She says I get along great with all people and dogs and critters alike. In fact, I've been called a clown.

Now, if Rudy could just get it into his skull that other dogs are good, Mommy and Daddy are in charge, and life is not that difficult, things would be much better for ME.

You see, whenever the specialist (Jen) comes over, I have to do the same stuff Rudy does, and I hate it. I like nice laid back walks. Now I'm wearing a silly haltie and carrying a thousand pound backpack for Heaven's sake. Rudy, Dude, get over it. Your issues are being thrust upon me. I'm just a mellow, used-to-be-evil puppy. And I want my life back.

So, suck it up princess and let it go. Everytime I have that awful backpack forced upon me I think of how this is all YOUR fault. Dude, make it stop. Just make it stop.

Grrrrrr....(but I do like the visits from the "pack" to be honest)

Hudson, the ubermiffed

She's coming baaack....

Hi all. I'm just gearing up for another "visit" from Jen the trainer tonight. Monday went ok...I guess. I barked a bit at other dogs, but walked really well with Hudson, Keira, and Farley. I made it past a few dogs with barking, but no "red zone" stuff, and then THAT dog came up.

We all saw him from down the street. And he saw us. He leaned forward, stared me down, squared off his shoulders and nearly pulled his upright's arm right off. He snarled and barked and wanted to kill us all. I had no choice but to defend my pack. Keira helped me (she's really big and strong), and we both tried to get the jump on this dog. All of our uprights didn't seem to realize that we were trying to save their lives, so they made us calm down and sit.

Then the mean, ferocious killer dog came by and I clearly heard his owner saying, "Good dog. You go. You show them."

I don't get it. I've been told that being an aggressive dog is a bad thing. Mommy and Daddy have given up all the extras to pay for my training because they say I'm worth it and I'm THAT important to them. (Did you get that...I'm worth it, and I'm THAT important to them!!!!!!! Yay on me.)

So why then would this man reward his dog for doing something really bad? I overheard all the uprights talking, and they used words like, "moron" and "jerk." Mommy said that that man was teaching his dog to hurt someone, and should be locked up. I don't get it? If aggression is so bad (and I think I now get that it is) why on earth would anyone TEACH his dog to do that? Does he want people to get hurt?

The world is a strange place.

Well, back to me...the trainer (Jen) says my aggression is no longer red zone. Apparently I'm doing really well. We spent almost an hour with the foreign dogs in MY house, hanging out and resting after our walk. It seemed strange to me. I took it well much of the time, but it really bugged me when Smudgie wanted to play with Keira, so I felt I had no choice but to put a stop to it. I guess I need to work on more stuff. Sigh.

She's coming back tonight, and I think the pack is, too. Whew. It's gonna be a long night.

Take care all, and remember...aggression is NOT good. We should all put a stop to it. I'm doing my part.

Rudy, aspiring pacifist

I have news.

Today I went back to see the "specialist." Her name is Jen, and although she's been taking away lots of my fun I must admit I like her.

I am proud to announce that today I walked with two new dogs, and I almost completely forgot to go crazy and try to kill them. First I walked with Keira. She's big enough to kick my little tushie. Later I walked with a semicute pup named Farley. (Farley needs a home...just like I did.) You can check him out on:
http://home-aidepetconnections.webs.com/adoptables.htm

He's a really nice pup. His eyes are the colour of melted MILK CHOCOLATE. Hmmm....I might be a tad hungry....but I digress.

At one point there were four of us, and we all walked together. We shared a water bucket, and hung out in the shade. I'm exhausted, but kinda happy. I even let Farley sniff my bum, but just a little.

Mommy says I'm going to be a good, trustworthy dog and that soon all my aggression issues on the leash will be gone. I don't know. I want to be the top dog and all...but it's sure nice letting go and letting someone else be in charge.

I'll have to keep you posted.

Take care all,

Rudy, who just might like other dogs after all.

There have been big changes in my house

I'm not entirely impressed, yet somehow I feel calmer and more relaxed. Go figure.

We now have a schedule and routine for everything. Mommy and Daddy walk us together first thing in the morning. Mommy mutters the same thing over and over...."Five forty five is too early for human beings to be awake." I don't know about that, but it's a great time for dogs.

We walk me on this special collar (which I do not like) and I'm not allowed to scan around for danger. Apparently Mommy and Daddy want me to look straight ahead and keep an eye on them. Everything else is up to them. We'll see how they feel about that when we're all killed by Evil Yorkies because they didn't use my early warning system.

We have this stupid blanket that they say "go bed" and point to. And, get this....Hudson and I have to do it. No matter what room they put it in. We still get play breaks and free time, but this sitting on the blanket thing is just crazy.

Yesterday Mommy made us sit before Daddy opened the door and came in. Yikes. What's up with that? It sure made it hard for us to jump all over him and let him know he's loved.

The worst of all?

Daddy won't let me climb on him anymore. I can only come up when I'm invited. Sheesh.

Daddy wasn't happy that Smudgie and I were trying to get up anyway, and he used this really strong loud voice and said, "Down!" We both dropped to the floor, laid down and went to sleep. I know he felt bad about it, but I have to admit, it's nice when the uprights make the rules really clear. Smudgie and I are thinking that maybe we'll try listening to Daddy a little more. It seems like he just might know stuff.

I know he felt bad about it, but we actually kind of liked it. It's nice to not have to be the one in charge of things all the time. I've heard Mommy say that, too...but she says it wistfully (great word, isn't it?).

Well, gotta go. Even my computer time is regimented these days. Take care all, and remember to follow the rules. Apparently it's important.

Rudy (the transforming)

I did NOT like the specialist.

She was nice enough and all, but I did not like what she had to say. She says that I am "guarding" my Daddy and that his energy is all wrong. She says that I don't guard my Mommy as much, but that I still need to work on it.

She made me walk with another dog, and that went fine, until I felt we were too close to my Daddy so I had no other choice but to snarl and scare him off. I did ok when I was with Mommy, but I'm still not great.

Then the "specialist" had another dog sniff my bum. I draw the line at that, and let them all know. She kept doing this "I'm the boss of you" nonsense, and eventually I had to give in, but I didn't like it.

Mommy and Daddy are listening to her very closely and she said that I can't go to Puppyschool anymore or rollerblade (!!!!!!!) anymore, at least until I stop acting this way. How unfair.

I've never had my very own family. I've never had a Mommy and a Daddy and a brother. I'm just making sure that they all know that I'd take a bullet to protect them. They really don't understand me.

Mommy told me that they'll do whatever it takes to help me get through this dog "aggression" thingie. Sheesh. Since we saw that lady Mommy and Daddy make me sit before I get anything, and DADDY WON'T LET ME CLIMB ALL OVER HIM ANYMORE. WAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! That was the best part.

And, even worse, that behaviourist lady (arrrggg) is coming to my very own home tomorrow night to continue. I'm not safe anywhere. (But I did show them all...yes indeedy. I peed in the bedroom this afternoon...which kinda backfired, because I heard it's back to the old crate for me while they're gone as a result. Rats. That is NOT what I was going for.)

Take care all, and stay away from behaviour specialists. They cannot be trusted.

Rudy, the mondo-miffed.

P.S. Hi Uncle Garth! Say hi to Allie for me. I'd never snarl at her. She's awesome, from what I hear.

I WENT ROLLERBLADING TODAY!!!

I have to say that I have the very best Daddy a dog could ever dream of. He takes me ROLLERBLADING! I love it. I love the wind in my (absent) hair, the pavement beneath my feet, and the way everything looks all blurry as I flyyyyyyyyyyy by. I think Daddy's really brave to take two crazy sheepies rollerblading, and I especially like that we each get a turn. Hudson barks when he goes, and all that noise makes me very crazy. It's much nicer when it's just me and Daddy. I think that rollerblading must have been invented especially for sheepies, because we LOVE it.

Check out how my ears fly when I'm running like the wind. See how my feet barely touch the ground. This is true sheepie bliss. Thank you Daddy. You are the absolute bestest person in the whole world. I love you more than I can ever say. And, um, can we go again right now?

Take care all, and rollerblade whenever you can.

Silver Bullet Rudy

So I'm going to see a specialist...

I overheard Mommy and Daddy talking last night. On Saturday I'm seeing a specialist (whatever THAT means) to help me get over my barking and carrying on when I'm on my leash.

I don't think I need to change anything. I think I bark and carry on just fine. Apparently Mommy and Daddy see it differently. The lady said that Hudson could come too. I'm a little nervous. What if she wants me to change things? Change is bad. I've had more than enough change in my life already.

NO MORE CHANGE. I LIKE THINGS JUST THE WAY THEY ARE NOW.

This lady has her own dog pack, and we're going to go walk with them. I have to learn to ignore other dogs and focus on my uprights. Life is soooo cruel. How am I supposed to protect my uprights if I can't bark and carry on?

Well, they can make me go but they cannot make me learn. I think things are just fine the way they are, and I'm not interested. Now that I've got a family I'll do whatever it takes to protect them. Even the Smudgeman (I love that nickname...I'm still stuck with Patootie Rudy).

Take care all.

Rudy, the great protector

Last night was horrible.

Mommy took me back to the vet. I like the vet, but I don't like the things they do to you there. First I got a needle, which wasn't that bad, but then they did that thing to my bum...four times.

Apparently something in there isn't working right and so they had to express them...twice each. Oh the horror! It hurt. It was embarrassing, and it was stinky! (Okay, personally I liked the stinky part, but Mommy and the vet didn't like it so much...especially the poor vet who ended up having to change after seeing me. I felt really bad after that.)

When it was all over I was really upset, but I felt bad for the nice vet, too, so I gave her a kiss to let her know that although I wasn't a fan of her work, it wasn't anything personal. And, to be honest, once she was done I did feel lots better...but I'm still not saying this was a good thing because it really wasn't.

I also heard Mommy on the phone making a "follow up" appointment. So I guess that means I have to go back. I'm not happy.

Take care all, and always guard your flank!

Rudy, with cheeks ablush.

Why is Mommy so proud of Hudson when he's evil?

I get in trouble for all sorts of stuff, but Mommy finds Hudson quite clever. Sunday night I was all snuggled on the bed, in the middle of Mommy and Daddy and Hudson was fussing because I was too close to his spot on the bed. Big deal.

So, he went to sleep on the floor.

But, two hours later he stood at the foot of the bed barking like a crazydog. Mommy jumped up and immediately shouted, "Okay, let's go outside." (I knew he didn't need to pee.) Mommy sounded so excited I jumped up and followed her.

Hudson jumped up and took my spot. Actually, he hogged my spot and Mommy's spot.

Now, I think this was an evil move, and it took Mommy half an hour to fall back to sleep, AND she had to curl her legs up because Hudson wouldn't move.

So why is she only half mad and mostly proud of him? I heard her tell Daddy she was impressed at how clever a strategy he used.

I don't get it. I thought I was pretty clever when I pooped in a neat little (okay big) pile in the living room last night. Mommy was busy and I didn't want to bother her to let me out. So why isn't she proud of me?

I'm so confused.

Take care all.

Rudy, who just doesn't get the pattern.

There are no words...

There are no words to truly convey my shame and horror. I am not now, nor have I ever been, a poodle. This is NOT a good look for a dignified sheepie such as myself.


I must admit, however, my face is particularly handsome. And check out my spotty ears!

Take care all.

Rudy, who is NOT a poodle!

They Lied. No Errands. Cruel Change of Plans!

They didn't take us on errands. They went out for lunch without us. How rude! And, when they got home, they broke the news to me.

Yep. It's Shave the Rudy Day!

And of course, Mommy chased me around with the camera, so you get to see "in process" shots. I'm only sharing this so that you people can alert the proper authorities and make this stop.

NOT FAIR!

I tried hiding in the bedroom, and Mommy picked me up and carried me back. Seriously. She really did that!

NOT FAIR!

I will try to hide the rest of the night, but in case I fail, I love you all, and will miss you all when I go into permanent hiding (or at least until it all grows back).

Take care all, and keep an eye on your fur.

Rudy, the unhappy nudist.

P.S. Don't you love that third picture. Great action shot!

I just wanted to show you...

Smudgie and I really have become best friends. He's the coolest brother a dog could ever have.

I love him so much, and I think he really likes having me around, too. Turns out, this home just keeps getting better and better. I really love it here. Mommy says it's my "forever" home. I really hope that means what I think it means.

Take care all. Gotta go hang with my bro!

Rudy (and family)