Year in Review

It's been a while.  It's been quite a year. 
Last you heard, we were living in a crazy little spot waiting for the house to be built.  We moved into that house in the beginning of September, and it's way better.  Really liking the new digs, Mommy did a good job.
But, it's been a rough year.  In October, my sister, Bella, got very sick and went to heaven.  It was a really hard time and I miss her every day.  She was my best friend.  I know I made her crazy but she played with me and when she was here, I was not scared when Mommy and Daddy left the house.  She was a great cuddler too.  Needless to say, I am back to my old ways in some cases.  When Mommy and Daddy left, they were putting me in their bathroom.  Again, not a fan. I decided I had enough of that, so I took Daddy's towel off the rack and tinkled all over it.  Just in case that was not clear enough, I went into the linen closet, and took everything off the top shelf.  That def made my thoughts clear-and back in the kennel I have gone.
But, I have a new friend in the neighborhood.  Jake comes by and walks me after he goes to school so I don't have to be alone too much.  And Mommy works at home when she can.
Just before Thanksgiving, I had some trouble sleeping and headed downstairs to see what I could find.  Everyone else was asleep.  Got up on the new counter (love that space, the granite is lovely), and did some research.  Found some crumbs.  Jumped down.  CRASH.  I had a bit of an accident and sprained my back leg. 
In true form, Mommy wanted to take me to the vet, but Daddy talked her out of it (WTF Daddy?), and I hobbled arounnd for a while.  Thankfully, I have made a FULL recovery.  But I love that island, and just for giggles, jumped up on it yesterday in front of Mommy-just so she knows that I am boss.  STILL.
In other news, I hate diesel trucks.  Man, they PISS me OFF.  We have a bunch here because of the building going on.  Let me tell you, though.  When they come down that street, and Mommy and I are walking, I lose my mind and bark at them, try to run into the street, jump all over.  Big truckers think it's hysterical and laugh at me.  Mommy has stopped saying HI to the construction guys.  I think she is embarrassed.
Even though I am always told how bad I am, Santa came.  I got some new toys, and even some from Aunt Ashley and Grandma Claire.  So there Mommy.  YOU LIE.
So it's New Years.  Lucy is coming over to chill with me while everyone goes out.  She's a good friend. 
I am hoping 2014 is a happier year for me.  I'd like to get to the beach, make some messes, run free, drive a diesel truck and maybe get an electric fence?
Peace.

Summer vacation

Not going to lie, it's been a road trip of a lifetime.  As you may have heard, Bella and I have relocated to an apartment until our new house is built.as such, we decided that Mom and Dad needed to take us on vacation so we could get out of that small space.

Packed up we were and north we went. First stop, grandpa Bob and Grandma Cheryl's.  They may as well live on Mars because we drove forever into the night to get there.  What a place! Huge yard, pond, pedal boat, and horses to bark at!  We made some new friends, Maddie and Charlie, who live there. They bark more than I do, it's just exhausting. Bella and I ran all over, especially greeting everyone at the cookout. I did narrowly escape getting run over but Daddy chased me on the golf cart and saved my life.  After that I had to wear the damn leash. Sucks.

We drove to Mommy's family's lake house next.  It was a monsoon! I was nearly washed away.  Jessica came to visit us, and I sat on the kitchen table as much as I could but Jessica was in cahoots with Mommy and made me get down. 

On a wild hair, we drove south to celebrate the 4th in our nation's capital.  Happy birthday America, let's drive some more.   Daddy felt we should learn about our nation's history. Only the best for us, we stayed right downtown in a hotel that brought me my own bed and special dog bowls.  Lovely place. Bella and I took long walks, learned about history of our country. When Mommy and Daddy headed out, Bella would snore on the feather comforter, and I would stand watch, bark collar on, ensuring safety.  We all went to see where the President lives in a big house.  Not sure how I am liking his policies, so I pooed right on his driveway.  Bennie goes to Washington is my name.  We also saw a street band at the metro!  There were tubas, trombones and saxophones playing music.  Bella tried to join the Band while Mommy and I danced together and let some children pet me.

As we exited the hotel to get into our chariot, there were two dogs in kennels that looked like jot dogs. Bella wanted to eat them, and I was hopeful for a snack. They must be bad dogs if they have to drive in a kennel.  I sit on Mommy's lap.  

Long drive home, lots of traffic and foul language from Daddy. He about killed us at one point. Bella rolled across the backseat and I was nearly flattened like a pancake. Taking my life in my hands sharing a seat with her royal highness. She keeps trying to sit in the front sEat but there just isn't room.  Almost home now. Doing my best to help DAddy drive but he is so 'independent' he insists he has it. Ready to get back to my little pad and bark at the neighbors. 

Moving on

You may have heard that Bella and I wanted a larger yard so we, with Mommy and Daddy, are building a new house.  Packing up this place was a hot mess.  Sadly, Bella's love for cardboard proved a challenge for us.  Most boxes had a bite taken out of them.  I just stayed away, Peed where I could to leave my mark, and barked at everyone who tried to help us. Moving day was horrific. All kinds of random peeps here, Claire loading up the fridge, Mommy all emotional. I cried loudly from my kennel because I could not bark because the shock collar was on. 

Finally Daddy had had enough and put me in Bella's kennel with her. She was PISSED. She hates to share but her kennel is bigger than some condos.......then it was quiet.  Everyone was gone.  No lights were on.  Bella blamed me. She said I had finally pissed everyone off and they had moved out and left us behind. She threatened to eat me if no one came with food.  I told her to just chill and be quiet.  No one likes a complainer.   It was silent for a while until Mommy returned! U knew she would. We got loaded up with some random clothes, pantry items, and toilet paper.  Had to watch Bella with that stuff.  So now we are in an apartment.  Mommy calls it Shan gri la.  I call it Folsom prison because I can't bark nor sing the blues. We have made it clear to our builder that this situation is no good and he better bust a move.  My new yard awaits.