Just a little aside from me...

Hi. Hudson here again. I feel I need to clarify a few things.

First, I was never worried that Mommy was gone forever. I know better than that. Sheesh. I did, however, really enjoy telling Rudy that she was never coming back. I finally have a (sasquatch sized) little brother...it is MY JOB to drive him nuts. That is what big brothers do...even if their little brother is a foot and a half taller than they are.

Also, I was happy to see Mommy when she came home, but I have some sheepie dignity here. There is NO WAY I'm going to hop around like a fool. I'll leave that all to Rudy.

Anyway, to set the record straight, although I was never worried that Mommy was gone forever, I did miss her and I was happy when she came home. I did not see any reason to carry on and let her see that. There's no sense in spoiling her. I did show my affection later by allowing her to pat me for well over an hour. That should be more than enough to show my feelings.

And that's that.

Yours with dignity,

Hudson

I never thought this day would come

Last night, while it was cold and dark and rainy and my heart was breaking from loneliness, something wonderful happened.

My Mommy came home to me.

My heart is so full it's ready to burst. Yay. She came home! I NEVER thought I would see her again.

She smiled and gave us hugs and kisses and pats and told me (not so much Hudson because he was acting all cool and aloof) that she MISSED ME! She said that the voice on the computer a few times this weekend was actually her, and that she was talking to us from her hotel in Vancouver. Why didn't Daddy explain that one? That would have made me feel a whole lot better.

I wanted to make sure Mommy knew how excited I was so I jumped all over her (which she didn't like, actually) and tried to wag my bum all the way off. She laughed. Then Smudgie got really excited (he said he wanted to play, but I know he was just really happy to see her) so he jumped in. I know Mommy doesn't like it when we jump on her so I jumped on him and a bitey fight broke out.

Mommy laughed.

So Smudgie and I wrestled and played and wrestled and played while Mommy and Daddy watched. Daddy told her that we hadn't played all weekend, and it was true. Who feels like playing when your heart is broken?

So Mommy told us all about her trip. She went on and on about these Winchester boys, and said that someone named Jensen Ackles is really, really good looking and exceptionally nice. Again I say, "Let's invite him over for dinner then!" But she doesn't seem to be listening to me.

We looked at about seven thousand pictures of the same ten people, and Smudgie and I fell asleep. It was nice listening to her voice as we faded off. Then later we watched TV for an hour and went to bed. That's when I saw how much my brother missed Mommy. He laid down right beside her and she patted him gently the whole hour. He didn't climb on her, or grouse and go away to his corner. He stayed close the whole time.

It's so awesome to have Mommy back. It's like life is worth living again. She came right in and filled our water bowls. Mommies are helpful that way.

As I write this she's getting ready to go to work. It makes us both sad, but we're used to the work thing...we know she'll be home by dinnertime, and that's okay with us.

Take care all, and kiss your Mommy today. She's worth it.

Rudy, the content

She just sent us a picture of these guys.

I don't know who they are, but apparently they are really important. Mommy swoons over them. I think I recognize them from those TV show episodes that she watches over and over and over, but I'm not sure. She said something about someone named Jared and someone named Jensen.

If she really wanted to meet them that badly, why didn't she just have them come over for dinner? That way we could ALL meet them.

Paws crossed that she comes home soon.

Take care!

Supernatural Rudy

Mommy sent us an email.

This guy, apparently, is one of the people she ran away to Vancouver with. She's very proud of this picture, and says she only has another hundred more (or so) of him.

He seems nice enough. She said he shared snacks from the back room with the group, which seems okay to me. She also says that she will meet "the boys" on Sunday. I thought Smudgie and I were her "boys." I'm so confused.

Daddy says she comes home Monday, but Hudson still says Daddy's lying and that Mommy's never coming back. I don't know who to believe, but it seems to me that if what Hudson says IS true, HE should look a lot more worried. We need Mommy back. Daddy doesn't notice empty water bowls at all.

Come home Mommy! Come home. I'll never pee in the house again. I promise!

Take care all, and keep your Mommies close.

Rudy, the lonely (and thirsty)

A Glimmer of Hope!

I just heard my Mommy's voice. It seems she's trapped inside Daddy's computer. (I really don't get it.) He says it was a video chat.

Anyway, she SAYS she's coming home in a few sleeps. I don't know if I dare to trust this virtual Mommy, but I choose to be hopeful. She says that today is going to be a great day. Today she gets to meet Misha. I don't know who Misha is, but apparently it's a big deal.

Come home soon Mommy! Or at least get out of that silly computer.

Take care Mommy. We'll leave the Christmas lights on for you.

Rudy, with a glimmer of hope

Still No Mommy

I'm too sad to type. I just wanted you to know that it looks like Hudson may be right. It might really just be me, Hudson, and Daddy from now on. No Mommy. She's in Vancouver (I wonder if that's near Florida?) and we'll never, ever see her again.

I hope Daddy knows how to remove burrs from my fur. I hope Daddy remembers to buy kibble when we run out. I hope Daddy remembers to fill our water bowl. I hope Daddy remembers we like walks and snuggles.

Life, you are cruel.....

Take care all.

Rudy, the lonely

My Mommy Didn't Come Home Last Night

She and that enormous suitcase are gone. Gone gone gone.

Daddy tried to comfort me, but Daddies just can't do that. I need some Mommylove. Smudgie said she went on a plane. Smudgie says she's never coming back. Smudgie says I chased her away by peeing in the house. Smudgie's really mean.

Daddy says she'll be back in a few days and that she loves us and misses us very much. He says she's going to meet those boys she watches on TV all the time, the Winchesters.

Who do I believe? Hudson's my brother and he wouldn't lie. Daddy says comforting things, but does he really think I don't get that those guys are FICTIONAL? How could Mommy be hanging out with people who aren't real?

I'm confused and morose.

Take care all, and keep your Mommies close.

Rudy, mourning the loss of Mommy.

I think I just had an ephipany...

Mommy always says, "Rudy has a family now, and families....."

I think I just figured that one out. A little while ago my eye was kinda sore and itchy. This neat green goo came out, and I didn't want to bother Mommy or Daddy about it, but they noticed on their own.

We went to the vet, and Mommy got medicine and she put it in my eye three times a day. I felt really proud that I got the attention and Smudgie didn't so I sat really nicely each time. It felt good when it went in, and soon my eye stopped bothering me. Now we don't need the medicine, which is good, but I miss the attention.

Anyway, I've been thinking about this and I think I finally get it. A family is someone who loves you and takes care of you...no matter what. All these trips to the vet are to keep me feeling happy and healthy. How sweet is that? All this fuss for little old me?

So, I get it. That's what families are all about. They love you and take care of you and make sure you are happy and healthy and safe.

I'm so happy to have a family. I've been working extra hard on being good. I want to make my family proud.

Take care all,

Family Man Rudy

Mommy is leaving us

Mommy's been packing this gigantic suitcase all week. I think she has everything she owns in it. I heard her say she was going to Vancouver with Uncle Garth. Judging by her bag, it must be a forever thing.

How will I carry on without her? She said we were a forever family. And now she's leaving us. I heard her tell Daddy she's going to hang out with some people named Jared, Jensen, Misha, and Impala.

Woe is me!

Woe is Rudy!

Don't go Mommy. Don't go!

Rudy, the abandoned

Just take a look at this....

Hudson gives me no respect. That's him...sitting on me. Please note my back footie directly under his nose. And he STAYED there and had a nap.

It can be really hard being me sometimes.

Rudy, the Squished

Smudgie hunted (and caught) a free range hamburger!

And Mommy didn't let him keep it.

How is THAT fair?

We don't get our own burgers when we are at home, but yet when Hudson sniffed one out, stalked it, and found it hiding under a bush at Kildonan Park, Mommy took it away from him and THREW IT IN A GARBAGE CAN.

What?

Aren't we dogs predators?
Aren't we supposed to hunt?
Isn't eating meat in our blood?
If we're not worried about how the burger got there, why is she?

Some things are completely incomprehensible, and this is definitely one of them.

Can anyone explain?

Tonight (because it's supposed to pour) Mommy and Daddy are having a BBQ. It will smell good, and look good, but do you think they're doing a steak for me and for Smudge? No, I'm pretty sure they are not.

So, why is it that they won't even let us have a burger caught, fair and square and all sporting like in the wild?

I'm sure there are some sort of salvage rights that apply in this situation.

Take care all, and happy hamburger hunting!

Salvage Hunter Rudy

This is starting to bug me...

When I first arrived here, Mommy would explain things to me. She'd usually start with, "You have a family now Rudy...and families (insert comment here)."

At first I really loved hearing that. Mommy would say things like "Families give you love," or "Families scratch your tummy," or even, "Families teach you the rules so you'll be safe." My personal favourite has always been, "Families love you and keep you forever." That's the one thing I waited my whole life to hear! I cannot hear it enough, which is okay, because Mommy reminds me at least once a day. She also says, "Thank you for being our puppy" a lot too. Nice stuff, right?

So, why has she gone and ruined this beautiful phrase I have loved so much? In the last few weeks alone I have heard, "Families....."

-care about you and don't let you eat socks.
-brush the burrs from your fur.
-pull chunks of hair from your ears (she says it's to avoid infections).
-take you to the vet to "keep you healthy." I don't mind the vet. I DO mind the vet's fingers in my bottom.
-love you enough to NOT feed you table scraps. (I'd like a recount please.)
-teach you something called "manners" so you won't scare strangers.
-will not let you run around without your leash.
-squirt eye drops in your eyes just because they saw green stuff come out.
-try to teach you not to bat them with your enormous paws (something about manners again harumphffff!)
-tell you not to bark like a maniac when some strange dog walks past your house....they are insulting me. Doesn't she get it?
-do not let you jump on the kitchen table during dinner. HOW ELSE DO I START ACTUALLY GETTING MY FAIR SHARE?

So, I ask you...how did the phrase "families ___________" get so corrupted? How do I get them to switch back?

Take care all,

Rudy, Family Man

P.S. In the interest of fairness I should mention that I did hear one good one today, and it came with a yummy treat. Mommy did say, "Families share their Rice Krispies Treats, but don't tell Daddy about it." I hope he doesn't read my blog today!

Hi guys.

Sorry it's been so long. Things have been really quiet here. We haven't been getting many walks (pout) and Mommy and Daddy have just been going about life.

We have had a LOT of snuggles, so at least there's that.

Mommy took Smudgie to work on Monday and she's still mad at him. He says there were no kids there so he was bored. Apparently he let her know it by crying loudly the whole time. Then Mommy's friend Ashley came by to borrow some materials and he jumped all over her. Mommy is VERY ticked with him.

She says it's MY TURN tomorrow! Yay. I will be good. I will not whine and whimper. I will not jump all over people. I am so excited!!!!

But I do wonder...where did the children go? And if they're not there, why does Mommy have to go? Oh well, I guess all things will be revealed when I get there tomorrow. How do I make it skip through today and get to tomorrow?

Sorry, I have to end this now. I'm even too excited to type!

Take care all,

Rudy, not too cool for school

My Daddy Has Left Us

I do not know what to say. My Daddy is gone. Possibly forever.

He packed up his PJs and his cell phone (or not, Mommy did not check), and went a million miles away to a place called Latoski. He plans to stay there forever (or maybe just one night) to stay with someone named Allie.

Do you not think Mommy should be at least a little concerned about this.....seriously.....

Smudgie says I am being silly and that I should chill out. He says that Allie is a golden lab who lives with Garth and Shawna and that Daddy is just sleeping there tonight while her family goes out of town to a waterslide park.

I do not know what to believe!

Daddy called tonight and Mommy did not seem sad. She is more sad that her Gaziebe Night (whatever that is) was cancelled because her friends are afraid of her. The doctor thinks she has something called West Nile (which sounds like an adventure to me)...but you only catch it from mosquitoes so Mommy is not contagious, but her friends still ditched her anyway....I do not understand uprights.

Anyway, I got to talk to Daddy on the phone, and so did Smudgie. He thought it was freaky and kicked the phone with his foot so I ran up and took the rest of his turn. It was good to hear my Daddy. I miss him so much. He has been gone for nearly two months (Smudgie says hours, but I do not trust him).

So I am off. To pine for my Daddy. Mommy says she will watch Supernatural DVDs and spend the night with Sam and Dean. I wonder if that is better or worse than Daddy spending the night with someone named Allie.....

Take care all, and sleep where you belong. I am off to look for Sam and Dean...

Restless Rudy

Okay, I know this is a lot of posting for one day, but...

DADDY TOOK ME ROLLER BLADING TODAY!!!!

I RAN SO FAST, AND DRAGGED HIM ALONG.

I RAN LIKE THE WIND TO FRASER'S GROVE PARK AND BACK.

WITHOUT STOPPING.

AND I WANTED TO DO IT AGAIN.

WHAT A GREAT NIGHT!!!!

Must sleep now.

Take care all,

RollerRudy

I think I'm in trouble again

Mommy's pretending to be all concerned right now but I'm sure that once she is sure I'm okay then I'll really hear about it.

I threw up a sock in the living room.

I know I wasn't supposed to eat it, but it was in the laundry pile and it smelled sooooooo good. She thought she took it away from me this morning, but I had two. She got the one I didn't swallow yet.

On the way down it tasted so good. On the way back up...not so much.

Why can't I control myself? Swallowing socks NEVER ends well for me. And it's even worse when they come out at the "end" of the journey. But when a juicy, smelly, dirty sock is in my path I can't stop myself. I must eat it. Why don't I ever remember that it's not worth it?

Take care all, and don't eat your own socks! Or your friends' socks either.

Rudy, with the very sore tummy at the moment, who is still looking into the Witness Protection Program

Mommy says Smudgie and I are Ready to Join the OESWWF

I'm not sure I have this right, but she said it stands for the Old English Sheepdog World Wrestling Federation. Apparently she didn't enjoy our wrestling match on the bed this morning as much as we did.

It was a blast. Smudgie and I flew all over the bed, and Mommy was kind enough to lie still (she says we sat on the blankets and trapped her...whatever). She made a great multilevel wrestling surface. We were very careful not to bite her or scratch her face. And I only landed on her face, bum first once. Smudgie got the jump on me and kinda flipped me over.

She totally faked us out by yelling "What's that??" really loud. We ran to the window and she got out of bed and ran all the way down the hall. Funny Mommy.

So, where do I sign up? Do I get a funny costume? Could I just keep wrestling Hudson? I don't really like other dogs, so can I make a career out of only one opponent? Maybe I could make a little extra cash and help out. Whenever we cry as Daddy leaves for work Mommy says that he has to go to work to make the money to buy the kibble. I guess kibble's really expensive...because he works a LOT! If I could make some kibble money maybe Daddy and Mommy could stay home more and we could spend all our days at the park.

I'll have to look into this. Until then, take care all.

Wrestlin' Rudy Patootie (I HATE the Patootie part...sigh...but it's stuck)

We went to that wonderful park again yesterday!

I love that park. It's big and has lots of pretty flowers and nice people, and even a few nice dogs.

We walked and walked, and Hudson's still pretty wimpy. He got tired way before me. Someone has got to remind him that he is two years old, not forty two!

We rested in the shade and he hogged the water bottle again. It's a really cute bottle that opens up into a little bowl. It's called a gulpy, and that's all Hudson did...he gulped and gulped and gulped. But Mommy made him slow down. She said he was not allowed to throw up on my on the way home this time. I like Mommy for that.

We found this huge pile of rocks. It was ten stories high (or, as Mommy said, about six feet tall). Smudgie wasn't interested but I climbed to the top with my Daddy. I was so proud as I stood there, looking down on Mommy and Smudge. I laughed and smiled and wagged my bum. I'm such a lucky dog now. Life is grand.

When I looked down I noticed that Mommy was crying. She said they were happy tears, but I don't really understand that. So I did the only thing I could think to do. I jumped up really tall, and kissed her all over her face. She laughed, and didn't even scold me for jumping, so I guess I did good.

I met so many nice people, and only a few dogs I hated. There was a really nice man in a wheelchair. He really liked me and Daddy says I was very good with him. I was a little scared at first because I didn't know what a wheelchair was and I thought it might be scary, but it all worked out really well. He was super nice.

We rode back in the truck and we both fell asleep. When I woke up at home I discovered that NO ONE BARFED ON ME this time. Thank goodness for that!

So we hung out and slept the rest of the day. It was a really good day.

Take care all, and go mountain climbing if you can....it's fun!

Mountain Man Rudy

Does Hudson hate me?

Yesterday started out as the best day ever. We did "errands" again. I don't know why the uprights complain about them so much. Smudgie and I LOVE errands. We get a car ride, and lots of stops and oh, the people we meet!

First we waited for Mommy while she went somewhere so Daddy took us for a walk around a neighbourhood (see, I'm Canadian now...note the silly U in that word) that I've never been to before. It was very nice so I peed on it. Just thought I'd give it my seal of approval.

Then we drove to this place where there were at least a million people. Mommy walked with Smudgie and he kept goosing strangers with his cold nose and sticking his head in their bags. Silly people. They thought it was cute so they would stop and open the bags and let him see. He was sad though...he didn't find any steak.

I got really overwhelmed so I just watched Daddy as we eased our way through the crowd. I didn't even think to snarl at the other dogs and we passed a lot of them. Mommy praised me a lot for this, but honestly, I just forgot I hated them. There was so much other interesting stuff to do.

It ended way too soon, but we went back to the truck and had a big drink out of our special puppy water bottle. Then we drove home. All the windows were open, but it was still hot. When we got home we each had another big drink and then a nap. It was great. Daddy joined us so we squished him. It was cold in the house, and Hudson just got shaved, so he was really really cold.

And then Mommy decided on another errand. Yay. And she made Daddy come too, and she made him bring us. Double yay. So we went off in search of fresh corn for dinner. (Note: She lied. It was not for dinner for dogs...just people...but she did teach me how to nibble on an empty cob. When do we get our own cobs?)

We stopped at two different places, and I again forgot to snarl at a little dog. I was really off my game yesterday.

She found corn so we stopped for a slurpee before going home. Daddy let me try his but seriously????? Banana. What's up with that?

So far a great day, right?

So why on earth, as we pulled out of the 7-11 parking lot, did my dear brother decide to THROW UP on me?

Why?

Oh Why?

It was hot and stinky and no air conditioning and I tried desperately to get away from the barf (although it was stuck to my beautiful fur) but they wouldn't let me into the front seat, so I had to sit that way all the way home.

And of course he didn't stop at one. He heaved all over ME four times.

Does he hate me?

Daddy rushed us all in for a shower. Smudgie HATED his. I LOVED mine. He used strawberry shampoo and I smell really pretty. Then he brushed me and I was in doggie heaven....but this in no way makes up for the betrayal of being barfed on by the Smudge.

I've tried discussing this with him, but he won't. He says what's done is done. I'm not so sure. This better not become a habit.

So that's the story about how Smudgie (or little smudge man as Mommy calls him) completely ruined the best day ever.

Take care all, and don't barf on your dog!

Rudy, the indignant strawberry