sorry puppy fools that it has been a while. you know how the holidays go. doorbells, snacks, parties, crazy mommy. it's been a nuts month. As usual, mommy went overboard and invited everyone over for this big mess of a party. I kept trying to sleep on my chair but there were too many peeps-i could not fit. i spent a lot of the night with aunt michelle and my friend jessica. i did however snag a pig in the blanket (ok 3 of them). bad news-i puked. i was overserved like the majority of the people at the party-including mommy.
i am sorry to say that mark continues to come over and drive my puppy tail crazy. he now has me walking down the road on a waterski rope to 'simulate' off leash. WTF. I am a boater and know what a boat rope looks like-and it is not invisible. i humor him and we have been walking all through the neighborhood and when someone yells 'come' i have stop sniffing like there is a fire and run to mom or dad or mark. just to mix it up, i don't run to the person that actually yells 'come'-that way they are not sure if i get it or not. gives me some leeway. the new nonsense includes 'heel'. i basically have to stay right beside mark when we walk. FUN? I think not. POINTLESS-yes.
Grandma Kathy and Richard came down south for christmas and you know how i love her....and all the toys she buys me. my next door neighbor, kenzie, spent xmas with us too-guess her parents were peace out. i was not to keen on sharing the spotlight but since there were extra peeps in the house, i still got my love. i even let kenzie sleep on the bed and my ottoman. heck-it's the season of giving. i got more toys in my stocking anyway. mom kept trying to get me to sit in my place during xmas but PLEASE just let it GO-it is xmas for heaven's sake. can't a dog catch a break?
mark made a cameo right after xmas too to review the same puppy stuff. heel, come, whatever. i think they all thought that if they brought kenzie out while i was on the leash she would be a distraction -HELLO FOOLS. She has been my bedmate for 6 nights-and is way old news. i would far rather bark at the kids on their bikes. i literally passed out after he left amid the mess on mommy's bed. she and daddy are so selfish-they went out of town for new years and i am here with the doggie sitter-happy new year to me.

Bennie update

Mark didn't make it this week....I am really hoping he has forgotten us and there will be no more havoc going on in my world. I'll keep you updated. I showed them-I sat in my PLACE during the entire Thanksgiving meal. I walked beside Daddy. I had my listening ears on. Everyone thought I was AMAZING. It's important to set the bar low at the beginning.

Mommy loves to tell me the story of how I was adopted and I know you are dying to hear it so I thought I would document it. Mommy loves to tell me this story when I am getting ready to go to sleep....

The first weekend in December, 5 years ago, Mommy and Daddy were running around like fools doing errands and stopped into Petsmart. They had been talking about adopting a puppy and had this great backyard and even a dog door. In true form, they were looking for a dog to fit the door-never ones to make things difficult.

They walked in, and I was in pen, looking around for a family. You can't imagine the people in that place. So many people wanted to hold me but I knew they were not going to be my mom and dad. They are so loud-all these kids, nightmare. They were just using me for some cuddling-cheap thrills. I couldn't complain though-living at a shelter you don't get too many cuddles.

Mommy walked right up to the pen, and picked me up. Daddy was playing with some other puppies (whatever). Mommy smelled like cookies (she loves to bake) and scratched my ears and rubbed my belly. I knew right then that she was going to be my mom. She held me very gently because I was so little, only 5lbs. I had just had surgery so I was a little sore but mommy seemed to know that and was careful. She called over to Daddy and said, "look at this sweet little puppy". Hehe, the joke is on her.. .

That was it. Daddy took me in his arms and would not let me go. They decided to adopt me! As you might expect if you know them, they had no cash on them for the adoption fee but Daddy would not leave me. He sent Mommy to the bank to get money and held me while she was gone. I was pretty excited. I had been scared that I might not have a family and be lonely, but I knew after just a few minutes that I was outta that shelter. My cute little face won them over.
The lady in charge kept saying to Mommy and Daddy , "that little dog chose you....he loves you". Nothing could be more true. We spent the next hour shopping for everything for my new house-it was like Christmas! Beds, toys, food, treats. I was pumped! I kept trying to jump out of the shopping cart because I was so happy (guess that was my telling them what was to come with my energy).

Since I have lived with Mommy and Daddy I have learned the following things:
1. They love to have parties. This is awesome for me-lots of food on the floor and lots of petting my little head. However, doorbells cause me some anxiety so it's a mixed bag.
2. I fit through the dog door and love the backyard-I was a Rinard puppy from the start.
3. They love to go boating. I am not a water dog. They have forced me to adapt.
4. They love the beach-see #3.
5. They take lots of trips so I am very close with my dogsitters.
6. They go to Ohio a bit and that is where my special friend, Grandma Kathy lives. She has extra special toys for me EVERY visit.
7. They love naps. Me too.
8. They have really fun friends that have doggies too-so I am very social.
9. They work a lot-but I get to go to Doggie Daycare. Just to show them how much I love them, I run at the speed of light to them when they pick me up.
10. They hate mud on the floor (not sure why). I love mud.

NO! I just heard Mommy tell Daddy not to make plans on Tuesday because MARK is coming back. SHOOT. You must be kidding. Gotta rest up for another evening of ridiculousness.

Lessons take 4....

Sorry it has been a while since I have posted what's up in my little world. Mommy has been so busy she was not available to proof read (and she loves doing that). Something about a vampire movie that kept her out til 3am on Thursday night when she should have been home cuddling with me.
Anyway-sweet mommy blew the whistle on me. The big guy (Mark, who else?) showed up last Tuesday night to continue the torture. Since daddy had been travel all the week prior, mommy acted like she was boss-telling Mark all about my progress. I take that back-my lack of progress. Something about we are half way through the lessons and I have no puppy clue what 'place' means. Jokes on her......No one seems to get that I am the Doggie Boss.
Just to prove her wrong, I went to 'place' (which btw-all it is is my doggie bed-real tough) not only when they pulled me there in the leash but just to make mommy freak, I did it without my leash. I know what's up. You have to get up pretty early in the AM to trick me....and we all know mommy hates early mornings.
Daddy really wanted to raise the anty, so we headed out to the cul de sac. HELLO people-it's dark, it's cold, and and time for primetime TV. However, since mom has been so beat I am rarely getting my walks (clearly she has her priorities messed up) so I played along.
Well Mark had some plans for me. Jerking my little neck all over the puppy place. Apparently redirecting me is funny to him. Mom just kept clapping. Something about maybe I am not 'unteachable'. I am so over her and the foolish enthusiasm over NOTHING. Then Daddy took over and it was beyond ridiculous. Who wants to take a walk in the cul de sac, and keep changing directions? You don't get anywhere and lord knows we all look like fools.
It's been a long week and we are at Grandma Kathy's and she just won't stop cooking. Smells great, but I did make the 6 hour trip so I could be held for 5 days.....attention please. Talk about annoying-I had to sit on Mommy's lap the whole ride and she is BORING. All she wanted to do was sleep bc of the stupid vampire movie-no fun for me. Boy was I glad to get out of the car and run around the house. The only bad thing is that since Mommy and Daddy are on vacation, everything is a ' training opportunity'.....you can imagine how exhausting it is. Place, sit, stay, down. You sit down Daddy; you lay down Mommy. I will let you know when "you're through". How you like that????
Happy smelling (it is Thanksgiving after all)-
Ben the Dog

Just in case you were confused-mommy edited my cuss words with 'puppy'... so when you see puppy, just know I had another word there first. Use your imagination.

Ben's world gets rocked Episode 3

I am so mad at Mommy.

I tried to go to work with her on Tuesday and sat in her car while she packed it up. She kept saying "Ben, come" but I only do that trick when we play hide and seek. DUH. Mommy made me get out of the car-I know the Bank is not that fun but who doesn't love my company?

It was dark and stormy last night and Mommy was late coming home. Now I know why-she and Claire had Panera take out. Anyone care that I am home scared of the rain??? Guess not. Daddy is away so I am getting no love.

Fast forward to later on Tuesday night.....Doorbell rings-I would rather be alone than have discovered MARK at the door. It's enough to make me stop eating my kibble.
Mark was not here 5 minutes when Mommy began telling him about how I am not really into the training thing. I think she might be on to me. Then I got really MAD-Mark told Mommy that since she has such a sweet heart that it's hard for her to be firm with me. Um....that is the best thing about Mommy. She loves me so much I can get her to do whatever I want. Who is this guy?

Since Mommy is not impressed with my ability to decide when to sit (versus when she tells me), Mark decided to choke me. He kept pulling up on my collar with the leash to tell me what to do. Guess who is not invited to Mommy's next party (and she can throw a great party?)

So here's the kicker-they moved my bed from the great room to the kitchen and kept pulling me over to sit in my 'place'. About 400 times. Who puts a bed in the kitchen? And why would I lay there when the kitchen....when I would prefer to sit by the table and get Mom to feed me? Not a great idea but softer than the tile and if they can bring the food to my bed, then I still win. At least for a few days......

Since it was raining so bad we didn't have to do the silly door stuff-Thank Goodness. Daddy kept calling Mommy to see how it went-Sorry Daddy-It's Mommy and Bennie time:)

Once we kicked Mark out of the house (never too soon for that) Mommy and I got into bed. It was so windy last night that we couldn't sleep (I think Mommy nervous because of the car break in last week-I know, I failed again).

Thus we are up early today. Since I have so many puppy friends, we started a blog today so human and canine alike can learn of my adventures. I wanted to give a special shout out to Ella-can't wait to chill with you thisweekend-maybe for you, I will sit in my 'place'.

Ben's world gets rocked episode 2

Bad news. Mark the trainer came back.
I was chilling on the couch getting ready to watch some Gray’s anatomy and there was a knock at the door. I went nuts not only bc I was being interrupted but because I saw MARK. I should have known when Mom did not have her PJs on by 8…..
On went my leash and back to the ‘sit’ , ‘stay’ nonsense. I was so annoyed that whenever Mark just talked to Mom and Dad and left me alone I wouldn’t even look at them. I stared at the front door-desperate to escape and considering how I could make it out the front door. If I only had opposable thumbs.
Like he was my friend, Mark got down on the floor and told me to lie down. Stop. Hell no. So he pushed on my back to get me to do it. NOT COOL. I did it but was not happy about that. Then it was Mom’s turn. Just to make Mark mad-I did it for Mom the first time. How you like that big guy??? I kept trying to jump in Dad’s lap after this. Stop telling me how cute I am-I know it, I show it.
Mom asked how I was supposed to lay down (like where my legs should be) and Mark said if Mom and Dad were going to “show” me, then I needed to do it one way. He couldn’t finish his sentence because Mom laughed so loud. She said “Show him to who-my friends? He’s from a shelter down the road! You must be kidding.” I did not think it was so funny. I am pretty handsome and cute.
Then it was time to play Hide and Seek. They are taking making me human to a whole new level. What’s next, asking me to make dinner? . Dad hid behind the couch and Mom in the downstairs bathroom. They took turns yelling “Ben, come!” and I had to drag Mark around the house trying to find them (bc I was still on the stupid leash). After the 2nd time-guess what-I knew exactly where they were. If we are going to do this fools, bring it on. At least hide upstairs too.
Then I thought we were headed for a walk outside but all it was was Dad racing out the front door, with me on the leash to see if I would stop at the front door. Well since I love the whiplash of the leash when they jerk it when I leave the house, I thought I would stay put. They all cheered for me like I had invented a chew toy. Whatever.
When Mom and Dad said their prayers last night, I said a special one that I could just get some peace and quiet on Friday. No luck. Mom is working from home yapping away on her conference calls. Going to catch some Zzzzzs
Bennie