Snow, snow, snow!!!!

I got to play in the snow this week. I could hear things under it, so I had to root around with my nose to see what was there. Dad laughed at me - he probably didn't realize I was being quite serious about finding the source.

I was reminded why this is my favorite time of the year (except for the cold air) - the brown crunch-berries are back in season! Dad calls them "rabbit turds" - I call them "DEE-Licious!!!"

More about the cold air that I don't like - I have to hurry when I go to the bathroom outside. I miss my morning walks, but not that much when my feet get cold. Mom got a jacket for me, which is nice. I like to wear it, but they still make me go outside. My favorite spot in the morning is in the dining room - there is a warm spot that is just at my level. Mom lets me sleep on the bed with her and Dad - Dad says winter is here because I have migrated north. I just want to be warm!!!

I was by grandma and grandpa's house this weekend. I had to stay in my crate for the day, and no one else was around all day! I scolded everyone when they came back from wherever they went. I smelled turkey on their breath, and I waited all night and the next day, but no one gave me any.

Mom told me I am going to see the vet on December 21st to take care of my knee that keeps locking up. She said I won't be able to go to the dog park or daycare for about six to eight weeks. She also said I probably won't mind too much if it is cold - I will get to stay inside most of the time.

Well, gotta go - it sounds like Joey is doing something interesting.

Copper

I am a busy Basenji!

Ba-roooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhh!!!!

That is the sound I make when I am happy! I am so happy when Dad comes home from work that I go Ba-rooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh!!!!! sometimes five or six times!

I got to see my doctor twice in the past month. The first time was when I had these itchy bumps all over my hips. Mom called them "hives" and they sure made me uncomfortable. She took me to my doctor and he gave me a shot of something (I DID NOT LIKE THAT SHOT!). Mom and Dad gave me cheese balls for a couple of days after that and I felt better. Dad said I might be allergic to cats, and I will need to take anti-hissssss-tamines because of that.

I went to my doctor again last night. Dad said the doctor smiled when he saw me because he was going to get a big screen TV because of me! I am so happy that someone is getting something because of me! My knee is a little stiff at times, and the doctor said I might need an operation because my kneecap wanders around. I like to wander around too, but Mom and Dad put that darn leash on me all the time and I can't go that far away from them. Unless we go to the dog park - then I can do whatever I want!

I graduated from class at PetSmart. My teacher, Cory, was the coolest! She understood me. I really, really, really will try to quit the Kleenex - that stuff is so addicting! Cory did show me a different thing I could do and get a treat, but you know, it just isn't the same as shredding a good Kleenex!

Well, I need to get to bed - tomorrow is my day at Central Bark!

Ba-rooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

Copper

I am Dog - hear me yodel!

I have had so many adventures since I last wrote, which I probably why I didn't write! Mom and Dad and Joey took me to some really neat places and we did some incredible dog fun things!

My Boat Ride
I rode on a real boat. Uncle Andy took us for a ride on Green Lake. I did my darndest to sit nice. Best of all, I got to ride on Mom's lap! Dad made some kind of pirate joke that I didn't get - something about being a scurvy dog. Joey got to drive the boat, while I waited on the shore with Mom (Dad was so lucky - he got to ride along!)

My new school

I am learning more tricks and stuff at PetSmart. Cory the trainer is teaching Mom and Dad and Joey things I already know how to do - they just don't always know how to ask me. Last night I made everyone so proud - I went into my down position while Sadie and Scout and Chico walked past me. I almost stayed down the whole time, but Sadie (the great big black lab) came lunging toward me and I stood up. Scout is so nice - he didn't bother me at all when he walked by and I looked pretty good because of that.

My Wednesdays and Thursdays

I go to Doggy Day Care!!! Mom takes me to a place called Central Bark in Oak Creek. My first day there was so much fun - I played with every dog I could. I was so tired out I fell asleep in the car on the way home, and slept until 6:00 the next morning. And you know what? - Mom took me back the next day!!!

http://www.centralbarkusa.com/html/locations/oakcreek/details.html

I like going there even more than going to the Dog Park! I see the same friends every week!

Joey goes to school too. I don't think he gets to play with dogs there - that is too bad because we are so much fun!

I need to go to bed now. I have to get rested up for doggy daycare tomorrow. I am so excited I can hardly sleep!

Talk to you later!

Love,

Copper

Copper - Version 2.0

Yesterday, I got to go to my veterinarian and there was some kind of upgrade done to me. I am pretty sore today, but I do get to wear a really cool thing around my head that gives me all sorts of new features:

- I now get 161 channels when I look up at squirrels in the trees.

- I can hear someone whispering from over two miles away.

-When I yodel, I can knock birds out of the trees because I am sooooo loud!

Mom said I look like some kind of stereo speaker - Dad said "Duh - she is a woofer, you know."

I overheard Mom telling Joey that I had an electronic chip implanted in me. If I get lost, the people who find me would scan me and can somehow tell where I live. Joey asked if they would take me to a supermarket and put me on my back, on the belt to do this. I won't mind as long as I get a belly rub and a treat. Mom said no, this isn't what would happen. Maybe not.

I am still getting used to this electronic chip, though. I swear that I heard someone talking when I walked by the aluminum gutter in the backyard. I sort of felt like someone was watching me. I will have to keep my nose to the ground on this.

Mom, Dad and Joey are staying home from work next week. I am so happy that they are here with me - I feel a lot better when they are around. I will have to write again, soon, to let you know how my week went.

Have a good day!

I'm a Yankee Doodle Doggie!!!

I went to my very first parade today - I think it was held in my honor! So many people wanted to meet me, so I had to oblige. There were sirens, and loud bangs, and lots of music. Joey kept getting stuff thrown at him, so I was a little jealous. But, some nice girls gave me treats, too. Then I was happy.

I showed everyone there that I don't need opposible thumbs to wave a flag! Dad and I walked down the middle of Broad Street carrying a flag - eveyone said I looked cute! I think that means something like sit, but I get petted instead of a treat to eat

I liked almost everything about the parade, except for the critters with the big fuzzy paws. They were kind of scary. Mom said they were "Pom Pom Girls" - I don't know what those are, but I will avoid them for the time being.

I am happy today - Mom, Dad and Joey are spending so much time with me. I was by myself for a while on Sunday and Monday. I heard them talking about going to Summerfest and Six Flags Great America. My neighbors come over to walk me and play, so I didn't mind too much. I met my neighbor cat Taco nose-to-nose. He was so nice, patting me on both sides of my face. I patted him once with my paw, and he ran away. I think he probably had to go to the bathroom or something - he was in a big hurry to get somewhere!

I need to take a nap - I think Mom and Dad and Joey are going to make we walk somewhere this afternoon. See ya.

My head is spinning!!!!

I had such a busy time since I last wrote!

I went to my cousin Hailey's person's high school graduation party. None of my other cousins were there - Riley was at some hoity-toity dog hotel. Hah! - I got to stay at a real hotel! I had a really fun time, but I got kind of tired of being in the car for so long. I was happy to be home.

Mom and Dad have been very good with their games - we played hide and seek, and both found really good hiding places. Dad said Mom was in Ohio. I looked all over the house, but I couldn't find Ohio anywhere. Then a week later, Dad went missing - Mom said he was in Florida! Again, I looked all over the house, but there was no Florida anywhere to be found. I was so happy the night he came out of hiding - I yodeled and kissed him! Then I went back by Mom and laid down.

We all went to Green Bay for a wedding last Saturday. I got to spend time with Huey and Crash, but then I had to go into my crate, which wasn't fair! Dad was in the house - all he did was lay down on the floor in the living room. Mom said he had a muscle spasm in his back, so he had to lay down for a while. I think he is feeling a little better, although Mom has been taking me for walks a little more, lately. I hope Dad feels better soon!

Mom said something about Doggy Day Care - I think I might be able to go this fall. For now, my cat neighbor's people come over to walk me during lunch once in a while. I still need to train them on proper treating. I even remember to sit at street corners all on my own, but they need to remember to reward me!

Gotta go! Talk to you later.

-Copper

I run with the Big Dogs now

• Rabies shots
• Dog license
• Vaccinations

Yup, I have them all. Guess what that means? - Dog Park!!! I had the funnest day of my entire life yesterday! You are probably wondering how this came about. Last weekend I went to my cousin Cash's house for one of the two-legged critter's (Garrett) birthday party. Cash, Huey and Crash were there too. They all got to run around and chase balls - I did too, but the leash I was on kept stopping me just short once in a while.

This is me chasing a ball with Huey. Mom didn't want me to be off my leash because of cars and every so often my interest in them makes it appear that I want to chase them. There is nothing further from the truth! It is not the cars I am after - I want to get the spinning wheels. Anyway, I was having so much fun running around that Mom had Dad get me a dog license so I could go to a special place called a "Dog Park " and run all around with other dogs.

At first I was a little leery about being with the other dogs (at least, that is what Mom said I was.) So, there was a fenced-in area for puppies (that would be me) and little dogs. I was the only one in there. The big dogs kept asking me if I could come out and play. And guess what? I got to run around without a leash!!! I made so many new friends! I ran with the BIG DOGS!!! I was careful to keep my pack in sight (Mom, Dad and Joey) and I was mostly good about coming back when called. I really hope they bring me here again. When we were done, we went back to the car - Dad said we were parked in a "Barking Lot"

I was so tired after my adventures today that I had Mom lay down next to me. Once she was asleep I relaxed and kicked back. All I did from then on was dream about the other dogs. I guess I didn't make a peep all night.

I graduated from Puppy Class tonight

I graduated from Puppy Class tonight! I even got to show off to the whole class what I taught Mom - when I lift my paw, she gives me a treat. It only took me a couple of days to teach her this. I know how to sit, lie down, and wait at the door. Sometimes I forget things, but Mom and Dad and Joey are very patient with me.

I take my Dad for walks in the morning, usually as the sun is coming up. There are so many interesting smells and sounds, and sometimes I get to meet new critters! My most favorite thing to do on walks is pick up clumps of grass (or sticks, or poop - I found a Ho Ho still in its wrapper the other morning). I still don't like walking in the rain or snow. Brrrr.

I am getting my voice. I figured out how to yodel all on my own! Dad looks so shocked when I do this - its as if I sound like an alien or something. I will try to remember to do a couple of pretend barks just to keep him happy.

I am looking forward to the weekend - I get to go to grandma & grandpa's house again. I hope that fun dog is there. It would be ok if the grouchy ones showed up, too - I think they are kidding me when they growl.

Talk to you later!

Copper

This was way too cool!!!

I had such an exciting day yesterday!!! Usually I stay in my crate all day, but the critter I call Joey left the door unlatched so I could roam around the house all by myself!!! That was way too cool!!! I got to play with toilet paper in both bathrooms, and even got to chew on something leathery in Joey's room.

I was sitting pleasantly for Mom when she came home to walk me - she seemed a bit surprised to see me sitting so nicely. I thought I was sitting so nice before, but I must have improved on that. I was so happy, I sang for Mom before we went on our walk. But, sadly, Mom forgot to leave the door on my crate unlatched when she went back to work so I had to stay in one place until everyone came home again.

Dad showed me how my ancestors were carried to the hunt in Africa. We would help by chasing animals for the hunters. The hunters would carry us to either make sure we had enough energy to run around, or to make sure we actually got to the hunting grounds and not go off after squirrels or bunnies. At least the hunters protected us from cheetahs! I got to nibble Dad's ear while he had me on his shoulders. That was fun.

There is another critter that now has a name. He noticed that puppies have "pie" in them, and I think I love pie, whatever they are. If other puppies have pies in them, then I should too. I am calling him MIKE, as in Means I Keep Eating "pie." MIKE is a friend of JOEY, and I like playing with him.

I met other Basenjis in the neighborhood - Remy and Logan. They are really good about staying in their own yard. Dad said something about an invisible fence, but I didn't see anything. He must be a bit crazy. I also met Jasmine and Sasha, two Malamute Huskies. I tried to take a delicious bone from Jasmine, but she didn't like that. Dad said I will need to remember not to do that again.

Dad said there is an interesting show called Nature on PBS. They will have an episode on the origin of dogs starting April 22. My breed is one of 14 that will be featured. The show is about how dogs changed the world. Part one is this Sunday, and part 2 will be the following Sunday.

What a weekend!!!

I finally met my cousin Riley in-per...er, um..in-dog on Sunday! He is really laid back. I spent the whole day on my leash, though - he had a bone in his crate that was unbelievably irresistable! No gate was going to keep me away from it. So, Dad had enough of this and kept me near him. It wasn't so bad - I did get lots of treats! When we got home, Mom fed me my favorite meal and somehow my food ended up in Joey's shoes. I hope no one noticed.

I also met a German Shepherd named Beth. She has a friend named Mac (Mac-Beth, get it?). Anyway, Beth got off her leash and came running toward me. It startled me, but she seemed fun. I was fine and was going back over to play with her, but Mom picked me up from behind and I was so startled by that I yelped! I got to meet Beth and Mac later on - they are so well behaved I think Dad wants me to be that way, too (hah!)

Dad has been training me in something called "Loose Leash Walking" which seems to mean I get to eat as I walk next to him. Mom and Dad kept me running between them for treats tonight - they were very happy that I listened so well. I took a walk with Dad afterward - this was the 4th one today, so I am pretty tuckered out. My walk with Mom and Joey was the most productive - I found something called a "Bait Fish" which I guess is safer to have in my mouth than the cigarette butts I found while walking with Dad this morning. Anyhoo, it is time to head o

GRRRR - I am a bear today

Mom and Dad and Joey took me for a walk in the woods today. I saw birds and squirrels and smelled pine trees and all sorts of interesting things. The most exciting part of the walk was being a bear. I got to do whatever bears do in the woods. My Dad chuckled when he said that. Mom rolled her eyes.

I have named the Critters!

It took me a month, but I finally came up with suitable names for the critters: The one with the scratchy face is DAD (Drives A Dog - as in drives a dog to the pet store, grandma & grandpa's etc) and the one with the long hair is MOM (Measures Out Meals - my meals!). There is a slightly smaller critter in the house I call JOEY (Just One Extra Yummy- treat, that is) who is much fun to be around, but he listens to Dad too much and doesn't feed me from the table. Mom doesn't either. But, I am irresistably cute (whatever that means).

I discovered the best thing on this whole wide world - Provolone cheese! Dad dropped a piece on the floor and I think I got it before he noticed. As luck would have it, he put some in my Kong but the pieces were too big to come out so I spent a whole hour working on it while Dad and Joey were gone. The next time Dad did this I did a better job and got all the pieces out.

I played with a new toy today. I love it!

Gotta run (and run and run and run)

Ok, so this is a dog blog?

Who ever said I was a dog? I don't bark (hardly ever), I don't shed, I get to sleep as much as I want - hmm, sounds rather catlike. OK, I am a dog. So there!

My name is Copper. I am a three-and-a-half month old Basenji. I have a cousin Riley, a cousin Cash, a cousin Gilda, and two grumpy uncles (actually, they are my cousins, but you wouldn't think so) named Huey and Crash. There is another one called Mouse - I don't know about that one. Also, there are a ton of two-legged critters that I like to be around - especially if they have kibbles, cantaloupe, apples, cheese (I love that stuff!!!), turkey bits (yum!) and Pupper-roni (I do anything for those!).

I really like the two legged critters who let me sleep on their laps when they aren't standing up. If they give me treats, that is even better. Strange thing is that I hear a clicking sound when they feed me for sitting, or peeing outside, or doing something called "Down." I have learned to sit at street corners (click and treat again), and to wait before going into the house (most of the time, anyway - click and treat again!). I get to sleep in a crate at night (it isn't so bad anymore) and I go into a warm bed with the critter with the scratchy face when the critter with the long hair goes into the room with the warm rain. This is the life!

I am taking classes at the Humane Society to learn how to be a puppy. I am the smallest in my class, except for Gus the Rat Terrier, my hero, who came to my rescue when the bigger dogs were pestering me too much. Otherwise, we are doing alot of fun tricks and getting lots of treats. I am getting by on my looks, I guess, although I don't really know what "cute" means.

Well, gotta go chew on something. I haven't gotten in too much trouble in the past 20 minutes or so (that string in the carpet was just irresistable!)

Take care!

Copper