Sometimes "leave it" is so hard to do

When we went outside at lunch today I found 2 tasty things: A chunk of pizza bread and a pork chop bone. I gave the bread a "how dare you smell so good" look but I didn't approach it. I gave it lots of room. The pork chop bone I actually picked up for a moment. But I dropped it without Mom saying anything and walked away. It was tempting but it's not what good wonder dogs do.

In other "leave it" news, we went to the movies again. I'm getting so much better about the popcorn thing. We went and saw the new Underworld movie. Mom says she really enjoyed it but I didn't get to actually watch it. We sat where I couldn't see and it was one of those 3D movies and they have yet to make wonder dog 3D glasses. What I can tell you was that it was very loud for most of the movie. Not a good starter one for a Wonder Dog who is still in training but it didn't bother me at all. I even had a nap. I did start poking Mom at one point. She still doesn't why but it worked and she continued to watch the movie in peace and was none the wiser to what I saw. She doesn't always understand but she respects my professional judgement.

Paige the wonder dog.

Bath time–a picture story

Hanging out in the tub while my Furminator conditioner sets

Still waiting

Are we almost ready to rinse yet

Finally done in the tub

You think this is funny

All pretty but still grumpy. I’m so good at this that Mom doesn’t even have to tie me up while I’m on the grooming table.

You mean we get to go home?

Paige the wonder dog

Wintered Happened

For those of you who are from around here, you know that winter can be a long, brutal ordeal. This year, so far (cross your paws), it has been so mild. And I for one am loving it. It’s been right around the freezing point. There has been very little snow and even less reason for people to use that terrible salt stuff on their side walks.

A week ago, we got real winter conditions. It was so cold! Just about –40. I couldn’t even step outside without my boots on. Since I had my boots on, I even wore them around the mall.

He we are in this really cool store. Everything has sheep’s wool in it or on it or as part of it. The best part? They have these stuffed sheep all over the place. Mom had to work with me really hard to leave the sheep alone and focus on her instead. I reminded her that I was a herding breed. She reminded me that I’m a wonder dog and that’s much more important.

And that was all the winter we got. One week. There is still snow and it’s not Mexico here (I hear that it’s really warm there) but we’re back to the freezing mark and it’s nice to go outside.

Back seats simply aren't big enough!

Got to see my home girl Haylie today. Awesome! I don't think I ever get to spend enough time with her. I knew something special was up because Mom's alarm didn't go off this morning. I couldn't figure out why we were sleeping in but hey, we were sleeping in so I wasn't too worried. When it was time to get out the door this morning I was still dragging my paws. I figured we were going to work and I didn't really want to go to work today. But we went downstairs and I couldn't believe who was waiting in the lobby for me. Haylie!! I am one lucky dog! So what did I do? I said hi to her in the best way I knew how: I jumped up and punched her in her shoulders.

Then after much tail wagging, it was time to go on an adventure. The downfall? Our Mom's decided that we should car pool. The back seat in AuntyMaigen's car is not 2 collies big. I don't mind too much. I'm pushy enough to be able to get enough seat to be comfy. It just means that Haylie doesn't get a lot of seat. AuntyMaigen says she's getting a new car and it's going to have one seat for Haylie and one for me. No more sharing. I'm cool with that.

We went down to Now! Radio this morning and picked up some money that they are giving to Hope Heels. While we went in vested up and well behaved, we quickly talked our way out of the vests and got to hang out with radio hosts. I like to talk. Maybe I should think of a career in radio. Mom is poking me and reminding me to say thank you. So: Thank you Now! Radio and Crash and Mars.

After a quick stop at the bank (Haylie and I had to make sure that money got into Hope Heel's bank account) we went to the dog park. And we ran and ran and ran. We ran into a couple other dogs and their people had 2 of the stick/ball things. So we chased balls all over the park. Okay. Haylie chased the ball and I chased her. I don't understand her desire to pick things up in her mouth.

Now we're at work. But it's okay. I have a crazy comfy bed! And a big bowl of water. Now I need a nap and Mom's pushing me off the computer. Something about needing to do work while at work

Puppy Luvs
Wonder dog Paige.

Movie Theater Popcorn… Drool!

Dad came home again. And typically when Dad is home we get to go and see a movie. I like going to the movies. That box that Mom watches at home doesn’t make much sense to me. But there is something different about the movie theatre. I can watch the picture and hear the sound. I like watching movies! And Mom and Dad usually sit where I can see between the seats. I only have one complaint. The newer theaters have great deep pads on the seats and they leave no room under them for wonder dogs. Designers never take us wonder dogs into consideration when they build a place.

The best thing about the theatre is the popcorn. It smells so good and it’s so salty and tasty. Except I’m not supposed to eat it. It’s one of those forbidden foods. *sad puppy* I’m getting better at ignoring it. But it’s hard. Mom was working with me at looking away from the yummy stuff. Look away and get a pocket cookie and Mom’s approval. Not a terrible deal but the popcorn is so good.

We went and saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I thought it was very good. Lots of action, running, fighting and special effects. They kept slowing the camera down so you could really appreciate the explosions or catch small details. I hope they make a third one soon. That guy is such a hoot. And you’re never quite sure who he is or where he is because of his wonderful disguises. I’ll give it 4 barks out of 5.

Apples and Cheese

Mom and I had a snack today. Okay. Mom had a snack and I made cute faces until she gave me some. We were having granny smith apples and cheese. Yummy cheese but those apples are a little tart! So Mom only gave me a small piece of apple. She said I had to eat my apple before I could have any cheese. I tired it but it wasn’t my favorite. So I tried to hide it. I tried to hide it under the long fur in my arm but Mom dug it out and offered it to me again. (Not as gross as it sounds. My arms were just brushed so there wasn’t residual yuckies in them). I tried to use my paw to push it to the far side of my body and Mom found it again. Darn she’s good at this. So I sucked it up and ate it. It actually wasn’t that bad. And then I got the cheese. I got a piece of cheese even bigger than that piece of apple. (Note from Mom: It was a small piece of apple and a small piece of cheese. I’m not over spoiling wonder dog.) I agree Mom. I’m not too spoiled. More cheese please.

Wonder dog Paige.

Casual Fridays

We've made it through another week of work. To get back into work mode after our time off, Mom made me wear my vest all week. She says I did so well that I didn't have to wear it today. She gets to wear her jeans and I get to leave my vest in the drawer.

We had lots go on this week. Here are a few snippets:

We walked to the bus a few times this week during our lunch hour. Mom says I'm getting much better with them. I can get a lot closer to a stationary bus. A moving bus still has to be pretty far away and I still tense up a little bit when they go past but Mom says they are closer. I don't know if I believe her entirely on the distance stuff. Her eyes don't always judge distance too well. And she thinks I'm starting to generalize to large trucks and such. So she thinks.

We were doing all of our bank runs yesterday and I had one bad stop. But there were barking dogs in the car right there. I couldn't help it. Mom waited for me to calm down but she had to get the banking done. When I couldn't get my barking under control, Mom put me back in the car!!! I couldn't believe it! She put me in the car and went into the bank without me! She was really quick in there but she came out a little frazzled. Poor Mom. I over behaved for all of the other stops.

We went to the park for lunch today. You would not believe how icy it is. Nobody remind the weather gods that it's January here on the Alberta Prairies. They haven't sent the cold or the snow yet. We've actually had freezing rain! But we need a few days of sun shine with a wind to be able to melt that dangerous ice and then suck up the moisture (for those of you who don't know it: The ground is frozen solid here and won't absorb any water). I slipped on the ice. It hurt. It still does. Don't tell Mom, 'kay. I'm trying really hard to hide it but I think she knows. All of my paws tried to go in different directions! The good news is that past the ice there was an area where we can all play on less icy ground. So I sucked it up and ran my little puppy heart out.

And now I've slept all afternoon. Mom even let me roll over on my back! She never lets me do that when I'm working. She says it's not very lady like. But it's so comfortable!

Mom says we get to go home now so I have to get my paws off the keyboard.
Paige the Wonder Dog

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Now that I'm back at work, I managed to sneak onto the computer while Mom was eating her lunch.
I hope that everybody had a great holiday season and got spoiled rotten. While I am typically spoiled rotten, I surprisingly had a very unspoiled Christmas. Nobody brought me anything!!! Mom says that I get enough during the rest of the year that I didn't need anything special. I tried to argue but Mom stayed firm on her opinion. Nothing for the dog. The cats didn't get anything special either and they aren't as spoiled as I am typically so I don't feel entirely terrible.

Dad made it home for Christmas. It was so nice to see him. And his work gave him a few days off more than he usually gets when he's home. But not long enough. He didn't even make it to the new years party.

I had to stay home alone twice over the holidays. Just Dad went out with Mom! She tells me that they are looking for a new den for us. I have to stay home because the people who currently live in the dens they are looking at might not like dogs. She says it's important to do this right because they are going to pay a lot of money for this new den and they have to make sure it's the right one. It's going to be worth it because I'm promised to have a lot of room to throw collie parties and my own back yard. I can go hang out outside when ever I feel like it. I can't wait! Don't tell Mom but I took full advantage of my time home alone. I had a couple of great naps on the couch!

On Saturday (New Years eve), I got to go shopping with Mom. We went to the mall on the last Saturday of boxing week. For Mom, this is quite the feat! She says she would have never been able to do that before I got good at my job. We went clothes shopping. Ugh!! I hate buying human clothing. Wonder slowly around the store. I can't talk to anybody and I can't even smell the clothing. Then I have to lay in the change room while Mom tries everything on. Happily, the people at the store were super helpful and Mom found the jeans that she needed. We also went to the smelliest store I've ever been to. It smelled so good in there but a little over whelming! Mom bought lots of hand soap and was thrilled at the deal that she got. I don't get it.

After the mall we went to my store. We had to get food and litter for my cats. And yummy pork bones for me. See, spoiled!

We went to a New Years Eve party at one of Mom's friend's house. It was great to just get to hang out with all the people without my vest on. There is this little dog that lives at that house who has no manners. I have been crazy understanding with this dog. You have no idea. She follows me around with her nose practically in my tail. Literally. And she doesn't understand all the normal "don't" signals. So I finally shouted it at her. I lost it. I turned around really quickly and touched her with my teeth. Thankfully I only had to do it once. She stopped following me around, thank dog! There were a couple times I had to gently remind her that I didn't want her doing it but she understood much smaller signs. Mom was actually proud of me that I stood up to this dog and made myself understood. I thought I was going to be in so much trouble. Touching with your teeth is not good manners. I hope that little white monster remembers our discussion next time I go over there.   I really don't want to ever have to shout at her again.

Mom is shooing me off the computer. She says she has more cheques to write for work. I'll write again soon.
Paige the Wonderdog.