The day came when my two-week probation was over. I still chased my tail and spun–growling, barking, and snapping. That trainer guy said I do it when I’m stressed. Well, wouldn’t you be stressed if you were on probation?
I overheard the peeps talking one night.
FEMALE PEEP: “What in the world have we gotten ourselves into? We had a sedate life with Rex. He’s almost 11 and has mellowed out so much. Remember when he was a terror, full of piss and vinegar?”
MALE PEEP: “I do remember. He chewed up my reading glasses four different times, shredded numerous papers by holding them between his paws and gleefully spitting out the pieces, and tore through the house like a banshee with kleenex plucked out of the trash.”
FEMALE PEEP: “So what are we doing with a puppy in our lives again?”
MALE PEEP: “He’s a year and a half.”
FEMALE PEEP: “That’s still a puppy. And puppies come with problems.”
Me, a problem? Sure, I’m young, but I’ve got enthusiasm. I would call Rex an old codger, that would be a good word to describe him, not mellow. He doesn’t do much but eat, poop, pee, and lay around. Oh, he’ll chase a ball and retrieve it…he is Lab and Retriever for sure…but he doesn’t do much else.
Me, on the other hand, well, I’m different. Not just because I’m young, but, well, there’s a line in a song, or a title or something that goes like this….let me entertain you. I like to grab a discarded sock, throw it in the air, race around the room, fly from the sofa to the floor, to the chair and back again, all the while tossing and throwing the sock around. I do that with the tops off water bottles too. They make a crunchy sound in my mouth.
I like to say my life is filled with gusto, like when I go outside I don’t saunter to the watering area, I dash there, pee, dash to another spot, then pee some more. The big dog relieves himself in one long spurt in one location and it’s done. Me—I like variety and I make the most of every minute.
The thing is, as I listen to these new peeps, I wonder if they have the stamina to deal with me. After all, they’re old codgers too.
* * *
NOTE: If you want to catch up with what happened in LBA (Life Before Adoption), you can look under “Charlie Chat” on the right. All the posts are there, and these new ones about LAA (Life After Adoption) will be there too. Watch for more of Something to Chew On by me, Charlie Bear, in the weeks ahead.
Thanks for stopping by. We love your comments, so feel free to make some. Woof!
Charlie, be careful with bottle caps! If you swallowed one, you could get hurt!
Susan
Hey Susan,
I am careful, and my peeps watch me closely, when I have bottle caps. They give me the biggest ones (the ones from bottles with the wide mouth) and my tiny teeth can’t chew them up so I think I’m good. But I’ll be cautious. Thanks for the comment.
Wiggles & wags,
Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear – I can sympathize with your peeps. I”m 12 years old and I like to eat, sleep, piddle and cuddle. My peep took in an 8-month old border collier to foster and after 4 weeks was ready to throw in the towel. That was after he chewed up MY bed, her quilt, and so on. Fortunately a very nice “forever” family chose him, so now it’s quiet again. But I’ll let you in on a secret: we both miss him and would have kept him if he hadn’t found his own family. Your peeps love you, just try to be as good as you can to reward them.
Dear Tiger,
SO happy that collie found a forever home. It’s so important to give all of us a chance and I’m happy these peeps gave me the second chance for life that I needed. I’m really working on being good. It’s coming.
Woofs and Wags,
Charlie Bear
So you’re an old codger, eh, BJ? Funny stuff. Oh Charlie Bear, you will slow down, too, one of these days, umm, years…
Jean
Dear Jean,
Yup, female peep is an old codger, like Rex. Well, Rex is even younger than her!
Thanks for commenting on my blog.
Woofs to your grand-dog, Crosby,
Charlie Bear
Yeah; Charlie Bear; i like variety to, i also go from place to place to pee, more fun that way, then i always know if some other dog or peeing critter has took my place, but i don’t mind sharing the places too much; do you, or do you like to have all your own places to your self? My ears are doing much better now, my peep mom went to my vet and got some Antibiotic drops to go in them and they seem to be helping a lot, she has to put them in twice a day for 10 days. They must be kept in the Frig. so they are very cold and i don’t particularly like that, when she gets through i get down & roll & roll. I surely be glad when those 10 days gets come & gone, got 6 more to go. Take care, Charlie Bear & Rex and i’ll see you on another time..
Beaugie..
Dear Beaugie,
I like to mark over where big dog goes. He likes to mark over where I go. It’s sort of a contest to see who is the last one to mark. So glad your ears are better and you don’t have to shake, shake, shake when it burns, now you tuck and roll! We’ll count down the six more days for you. Good luck.
See you later,
Charlie Bear
Just like Rex, the Lovely Lucy used to “pluck the used Kleenex out of the trash” and chew on it. I think it is a Golden Retriever thing. But now that she is almost 4, she has out grown it. Well, at least at the office. I don’t know if she still does it at home. =)
Lucy, don’t those Kleenex pieces taste yummy? There’s something about the flaky, soft tissue taste. I’ve tried it and I like it too. Got that great habit from the big dog. He never did outgrow it!
Woofs and whistles,
Charlie Bear