Friendly Update

August 30, 2007: My spider friend is still in the same place he was two weeks ago when I first told you about him. His web is built over one of my favorite bushes. Today, when I was hiding some tennis balls, I noticed that he has increased the size of his web to catch more yummy bugs to eat! One strand of his web is over 10 feet long! He caught a Lady Bug for dinner! I'll keep watching him and tell you more.

Bouncy Ball

August 29, 2007: My leader, who you know is disabled, is teaching me to play ball so he doesn't have to walk too far to get the balls I don't bring back. Now, he bounces them off the brick wall on the patio. This makes us a little more equal because if he catches the ball, I'm sad, but if he misses I get it and keep it (then, he's sad!). But it is a good game and it's easy for both of us. Yeah!

Weekend Fun

August 27, 2007: Boy, did I have a good weekend! My new friends, Sara and Zachary, came to visit. We played lots of ball--my favorite thing--and ran around a lot. I hope they will come back soon! This morning, about 7:00AM, I was outside when I heard another dog barking nearby. Since I naturally speak and understand "dog," I answered him back with a couple of barks and a long "Oooooooooooo." I can't tell you what that means because you have to be canine, but it was important!

Anticipation

August 23, 2007: I'm looking forward to this weekend. My leader tells me that two special visitors are coming to see me. Their names are Sara and Zachary. I hear they like to play, so I'll be ready!

Inquiry

August 22, 2007: Does anyone know anything about dogbook.com?

Finger Lickin' Good!

August 21, 2007: There are a lot of things that taste good to me like Alpo (of course!), doggy treats, bacon and grass (sometimes). Another thing that tastes good to me is a clean human hand! When my leader washes his hands, I immediately lick them. Strangely, he doesn't seem to like me doing it. My leader's mate makes her hands even more tasty by putting hand lotion on them. Umm!

Giving Thanks

August 20, 2007: I've been here in my new home for over a month (since July 14) and I feel like I've been here my whole life! (That's good!) I've learned many new things and discovered new friends. Sometimes, like tonight, I just sit in my back yard and contemplate how good I have it compared to some other dogs.

Dogcatcher

August 18, 2007: I saw something today that I've heard of but never seen--a dogcatcher! My leader and I were walking in our front yard quite close to the street when we noticed a vehicle drive by. "Clayton County Animal Control" it said on the side (or so I'm told.) I didn't see or hear any dogs. I wasn't worried though because I had my collar and tag on and my leader was holding me on a bright red leash.

Web Slinger

August 17, 2007: While exploring the back yard, I found another animal living there. My leader calls it a "banana spider." It's a large, yellow and black spider that lives on a big web he made above a bush that I like to lay under. He likes to eat bugs (yuk!) that he catches in his web. In the photo that my leader took, you can see he caught a whole dragonfly! Well, if that's what he likes to eat, that's fine, but I prefer my Alpo!

See Sheba

August 16, 2007: I am quite camera shy as you know. Actually, it always reminds me of lightning and thunder which really frightens me. But while I was playing in the back yard, my leader's mate was petting me and my leader took my picture. SO HERE IT IS! (Enjoy it because there won't be many!)

See My Nest

August 15, 2007: I told you last time that I got some new tennis balls. When my leader opened the new cans the pssssst sound scared me at first, but then I saw the bright yellow balls and I was ready to play. He threw several around the yard, but before long he began looking for all those balls he had thrown. You see, I was saving them for later. As I told you on July 18, sometimes I make a bed in the tall grass. That's where I was hiding the tennis balls. In fact, I made a little nest(see the photo). Can you imagine his surprise when he found my treasure?

Doggy Kisses

August 14, 2007: I met two new people today, a man named Bill and a woman named Ashley. Anyone who has read my blog knows what I think of people--I love them! I am very affectionate, so when I meet new people I just explode with joy and "kiss" them. I save little kisses for times when I just want to tell my leader and his mate that I love them. If visitors have time, I am always up for a quick game of ball. BTW: I got some new tennis balls today. What a treat!

Panting with Patience

August 13, 2007: One of the reasons my leader chose me for his companion dog is that I am five years old, not a puppy. Because he has trouble walking or moving quickly, a puppy wouldn't have enough of what I already have plenty of--patience. Today on our walk, I was walking in front of him when he got slower and slower. So rather than going ahead or pulling him along, I just sat down and waited for him to catch up. It was easy for me to do and it helped him, too! That's the good thing about having patience. (Sorry puppies!)

Watching TV

August 11, 2007: My leader and his mate watched a program on TV about training dogs. It was called "It's Me or the Dog." I watched it with them. I perked up my ears and looked at the TV when I heard the dogs barking and complaining. I was ashamed of their bad behavior, so I'm going to keep being a good dog so my leader will be proud of me!

Galumping

August 10, 2007: In the evenings (when it's not so hot!) I usually go for a walk with my leader and his mate. We walk a couple of blocks and turn around. When we get back to our driveway, my leader's mate goes ahead to the gate about 50 feet away. I wait with my leader until she opens then gate. When she's ready, my leader takes off my leash and his mate calls me and claps her hands. I can't resist the opportunity to run as fast as I can towards her! My leader calls it "galumping." (Maybe it's because I'm so big!) Whether he calls it running or galumping, for me it's great fun!

Bedtime for Sheba

August 9, 2007: I guess everyone has a bedtime. Mine is about 8:30PM. I can't read or tell time, but I know when the sun starts to go down it's bedtime. I sleep all night so I can get up early--about 6:00AM. The sun also tells me when to get up, because when I see light coming through the windows, I wake up. I have lots to do!

A Fishy Supper

August 8, 2007: Did you know dogs like to eat fish? Well, I do, at least. I usually eat beef mixed with kibble...umm, umm good. Tonight, my leader was fixing my supper when he realized we were out of beef dog food! What to do? Last night he and his mate had talapia--a nice, white fish--for dinner and there was a piece left over. So I had talapia and kibble. Delicious!

Tale of a Tail

August 7, 2007: Oops! I have to be careful when I walk around the house because my tail knocks things around. So what are tails good for? I have a lovely, furry tail and I use it for balance or to steer myself when I swim. I wag my tail to show people I happy and thump it on the floor when someone calls my name. Some dogs don't have a tail. I feel sorry for them because I could never do without mine! The "End."

Mush, Sheba, Mush!

August 6, 2007: Besides helping to protect the property from rats, etc., I am trying to learn how to help my leader with his disability. He has trouble walking and moves very slowly. One thing I did to day for the first time was help pull him up the steep hill in front of our house. The neighbor had some surgery and we all went up the hill to visit him. I am a pretty strong dog--if I do say so myself--so I kept pulling on the leash while my leader held on and walked behind. Pretty soon we were safely up the hill. I think I will find some other ways to help him, too.

A Disappearing Act

August 4, 2007: My leader says he was hot today because it was 97 degrees. I was hot also, but of course I was wearing a black, fur coat! But a nice thing about wearing a black coat all the time is that when I go out at night, I totally disappear into the shadows. Can you see me in the photo? P.S. I hope my friend Sophie in Dallas did OK at the doggie dentist.

Feelin' Good

August 3, 2007: Don't you like to be pampered? Doesn't it feel great to have your hair combed or your back massaged? Would you like to know what I like? I love it when my leader scratches my throat and under my chin. I just close my eyes and enjoy it. It's great!

Sociability

August 2, 2007: My leader calls me "sociable." He means I like be with others, whether dogs or people. Today, I met two new people and I was very excited. I thought that one of the men was going to give me a piece of his cake, so I sat in front of him and wagged my tail. I reached out for what he had in his hand, but I was wrong! All he had was a napkin. I was disappointed, but I got a good dinner. My leader keeps telling about some visitors that are coming to see me soon named Sara and Zachary. I don't know who they are yet, but being so "sociable," I know I'll like them!

Ivy League

August 1, 2007: During these hot, "dog" days of summer, I look for a cool place to sit and enjoy the day. Today, while on my daily walk to the mailbox with my leader, I found a great spot in the front yard. There is a small garden of ivy surrounded by tall trees. I couldn't help stopping and sitting there for a few minutes and enjoying the shade. Cool!