Welcome to Finnegan.

Mommy and Daddy just told me that I have a new baby cousin. His name is Finnegan, and he's just a baby...eight weeks old. She also tells me that with my bad attitude toward others I'll never get to meet him. That seems unfair, but I'll have to keep working on my attitude I guess...or maybe hers.

Anyway, I saw his picture (and didn't even growl at it by the way) and he really is a cutie. And what a lucky dog he is...he gets to live with Auntie Brighit, Cousin Vienna, and Cousin Jzero. They are three of my all time most favourite people...and he gets his own family for Christmas. I'm sure enjoying my Christmas season this year...so far anyway...I just don't understand why everyone gets so nervous when I dig around in the presents. I don't even really know what presents are, so how can I possibly be doing it wrong?

Anyway, welcome to the family little Finnegan. Even though they won't let me see you, please know that I already love you (and so does your Cousin Smudgie).

There's nothing like a family for Christmas!

Take care all, especially little Finnegan.

Big Cousin Rudy

I am NOT a doofus!

Mommy called me a doofus, and I just don't see how this could possibly be fair.

The other day Daddy was home really late and Mommy had to stay and have parent meetings at school, so I was in my crate a LONG time. I had an "accident." It wasn't my fault. It was theirs, but that isn't the doofus part.

When Daddy got home I needed a bath, and my kennel needed cleaning, and he did a pretty good job of both. Smudgie was mad that only I got to do downstairs, and I could hear him fussing. But, when I came up all wet, Smudgie figured out what the missed and ran away. Daddy couldn't even find him after that. Hee hee. It was funny.

So, then it was time to pick up Mommy. The truck was nice and toasty warm, and when we got there he took us inside the building, but we didn't find Mommy. When we finally headed back to the truck she was in there (magic I guess). I got to drink out of the water fountain at the school. It was just my size. Nice.

We came home, and our glorious snow is up to Smudgie's shoulders. Now, he's a shrimp, so for me it's just my ankles.

We came inside and snuggled for a while at the TV, and then we had dinner and went out for our pees. (Here comes the doofus part.)

I was still pretty wet, and it was pretty cold out, but I wanted to play in the snow, so I was mucking about (as Mommy always says) on the deck when I realized I was FREEZING.

I didn't know what else to do, so I curled up and laid down in the snow, waiting for death to take me. It was over. My new life and family began to fade.

Then, a miracle happened! My Mommy (who had been watching me from the door, and had been calling me in but I wouldn't listen), ran out (barefoot - she's awesome!) and grabbed me and dragged me into the warm house.

She put a blanket around me and hugged me and I warmed up really quickly! I was saved! I was saved!

As I was showing my gratitude with an enthusiastic face licking, she said, "Rudy, you doofus, when you feel cold you're supposed to come inside. The door wasn't even closed."

Frankly, I think the name calling was completely uncalled for. How was I to know enough to come in out of the cold?

Sheesh!

Take care all, and stay dry this winter...it could save your life.

Rudy Frost

I think they might have been trying to kill us both!

Yesterday Mommy and Daddy tried to make me wear pretend antlers and sit nicely by the Christmas Tree (you know, the sparkly fake tree you're NOT allowed to pee on) in the living room. Then they kept pointing this device at us that looked like a camera, but who really knows for sure?

So, even though they tried and tried and tried, I managed to escape time after time. Someone must have been lurking in the background, with a real camera, as this is what I looked like:

I heard something about a Christmas Card and all that, but I didn't see one, so I made sure to never, ever stand still. I don't think it was my real Mommy and Daddy with the fake camera/weapon of doom, but rather some aliens from outer space, up to no good. The good news is that the aliens returned my Mommy and Daddy shortly after, but I do pledge to NEVER sit still when a "camera" is pointed at me. I will survive!

Trust no one and take care all!

Major Rudy

The snow is back!

Mommy is complaining a LOT. She says that the big snowstorm made the roads horrible and that Daddy should drive her everywhere. Daddy does not agree.

I try to stay out of their differences of opinion. I just think we should all WALK...everywhere...all day long.

Snow, glorious snow! Oh, how I've missed you.

When Mommy came home from work (what exactly is that anyway?) she took me and Smudgie out in the backyard without any stupid muzzles, and we romped and pounced and played in the snow. I ate so much snow I was worried there wouldn't be any left for anyone else, but turns out, it just keeps on coming down.

I'm soooooooo happy. Bring it on!

Take care all, and I wish you lots and lots of snow.

Rudy Snowflake

There's a snowfall warning in effect.

Mommy and Daddy are unhappy, but this must mean good things for sheepies, right?

Keep your fingers crossed for us...this could be good.

Rudy, who's in Snow Business.

Don't Tell My Daddy

Smudgie fussed to go out just now...it's just after midnight here. Daddy took us out and fed us breakfast (well, fed me breakfast, Smudgie wasn't back in yet).

Mommy came down, and informed Daddy that it was the middle of the night. They argued for a bit, and then she showed him a clock. She stormed out to get Smudgie (I felt sorry for him) and he RAN into the house, right past his bowl.

So, once Daddy figured out what time it was they took Smudgie's bowl away....and now HE'S mad that I got an extra meal (third dinner as I like to call it) and he got nothing.

I knew it wasn't breakfast time yet, but I didn't want to hurt Daddy's feelings. I had to take one for the team.

I won't repeat what Daddy said when Mommy explained what time it was to him, but I really don't think any of those words were really called for. I sure hope I still get breakfast tomorrow.

What an odd night. I hope I get third dinner every night from now on. Thanks Daddy, and sorry Hudson!

Take care all,

Rudy, the midnight snacker

Good bye Malarki

We're all so sorry you're gone. You were very loved and will be greatly missed.

Love,
Rudy, Smudge, and Family.

Mommy just told me really bad news.

It looks like my cousin Malarki is very sick, and probably won't be okay. Smudgie and I are very, very sad, and just want to send out our love and our hugs to him.

You're a great little guy Malarki.

We all love you.

Rudy and Family

Sigh. Last night didn't go so well.

I tried really hard to be good. But Smudgie and I still ended up in our crates. We did what Daddy said, and sat quietly, but then Grandma would toss us a treat, or Grandpa would call one of us and give pats.

That was exciting, so we came closer, and then we got told to go away. I'm so confused.

So, eventually, Daddy put us in our crates and we missed most of the party. Well, I got to watch from my crate, and the Christmas Tree lights were on, which was pretty and all, but still...

I'm very sorry Uncle Bob and Aunt Gail. I just wanted to give you a little love. Having a family is still new to me, and I was just so excited.

On a positive note, despite being really excited I did NOT pee in the house last night, which, if you knew me from before, is HUGE progress. So Mommy and Daddy said not to be too hard on myself. They still love me lots.

Now....here's the thing that's stressing me out today:

Mommy and Daddy have tickets to go see that Cesar Millan guy IN PERSON. I'm sure he'll say something that they'll decide is important and when they come home life will change dramatically for Smudgie and for me. I may have to give up chewing on the singing snowman ornament in the dining room, and maybe they'll finally get Smudgie to not stand in the kitchen licking the dirty dishes in the sink.

Oh woe is us!

Take care all, and don't listen to men named Cesar. It NEVER ends well.

Rudy, who really tries

Welcome Uncle Bob and Auntie Gail!

I'm going to meet my Uncle Bob and Auntie Gail tonight. They apparently flew in from Ontario just to meet little old me.

This having a family thing is awesome. I never dreamed that I'd just keep meeting more and more and more people I'm related to! Yippeee!

My Daddy says that Auntie Gail doesn't like dogs jumping all over her. (Who doesn't like dogs jumping all over them????? Weird.) I will try to be really good. Rumour has it we're going to the park and later we'll roller blade. Smudgie says that Daddy wants us really tired before the big dinner party tonight. I don't get that, but I will definitely not say no to the plans ahead.

Families are awesome. I'm really loving having a family.

Take care all,

Rudy, a True Family Man

What a weird day.

It started off really well. Everyone slept in and snuggled on the bed. For some strange reason Mommy and Daddy are both home. How cool is that?

So, Smudgie and I snuggled on the couch after with Daddy and watched TV while Mommy did some laundry and plunked away on that silly piano. Then, we all had to stand in silence by the TV at eleven o'clock. It was hard for me. They wouldn't let me wander and no one talked. I heard something about Remembrance Day, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to remember, so I just tried to be as good a dog as I could.

After it was over, Mommy and Daddy talked quietly for a bit. I think it had something to do with the moment of silence stuff, but I'm not really sure. This is all new to me.

Then Mommy said, "Let the Christmas Season begin!"

Daddy went to the basement and brought up this big, funny smelling, pretend tree. Mommy said that it's not the peeing on kind. (Seriously? What other kinds of trees are there?) They put it together and hung all sorts of coloured lights and ornaments and stuff on it. I stole some of the stuffed animal type things, but Mommy kept saying no. What a meanie!

So now it's taking up one whole corner of the room...but the nice thing is that they set it up right across from my kennel. I can keep an eye on it all day long while I'm imprisoned in there.

But I should get back to my story, because then the sweetest thing happened.

Mommy pulled out a purple sock (she says it's a Christmas stocking, but I know a sock when I see one!) and she hung it on the front of the fireplace. She said it was Smudgie's Christmas Stocking. His very own. I was so sad that HE got one and I didn't.

Then Mommy brought out this beautiful off white sock with green leaves on it (she says they're called holly) and said, "Merry Christmas Rudy. This is your very own Christmas Stocking."

I've never had my very own Christmas Stocking before. I don't even know what they are...but I do know that even I couldn't get that thing all the way into my tummy. Anyway, she and Daddy gave me hugs and pats and then we all went over to the fireplace and there was a little nail on the mantle, and she hung my stocking up there too, right next to Smudgie's.

I have a Christmas Stocking. This must be just one more great thing that comes with having a family. A Christmas Stocking for little old me...and one that kind of matches my collar and everything, too.

Daddy says Mommy's crazy and that it's too soon for this Christmas thing. I don't know about that, but I sure am glad I didn't have to wait any longer for my very own Christmas stocking.

And then, just when I thought this day couldn't get any better....

Big fluffy snowflakes started to fall.

Merry Christmas to all!

Rudy (proud stocking owner)

I want to tell you about my Grandma and Grandpa

Well, first off let me say, I think it's really cool to have a Grandma and Grandpa. In fact, I have two sets! It's awesome here.

Last night my Grandma and Grandpa came over for dinner. I really like them. I'm learning to not jump on them, and I must say that I'm doing much better than Smudgie with that. I'd love to jump all over them, but I know it's important to use my best manners when they're here.

I spent most of the night laying by my Grandpa's feet, watching him. He's so cool, and I'm pretty sure he really likes me. He smiles at me a lot and makes funny faces sometimes. He's neat.

My Grandma is cool too. She wants to feed me from the table, but Mommy (who can be kinda mean when it comes to this stuff) says NO. Keep trying Grandma. Where there's a will there's a way.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how much fun I had yesterday with my Grandparents. I wish I hadn't fallen asleep at the end, but I was just so tired. Daddy took me rollerblading in the afternoon, just to tire me out. That wasn't fair, but it was fun, so I'll forgive him.

Well, gotta get back to my nap. That was a BIG day. I sure like my whole family. It still feels neat to say....I have a family!

Take care all,

Rudy, who is someone's Granddog!