Day 193: Ahhh... It Good To Be Luke

Yep, it good to be Luke for so many reasons... not least of which I handsome boy wif high self esteem.

Self esteem one of most portant things to have in this life. It elevate you past unfair circumstances of all kinds.

Self esteem, along wif hope, is mainstay of survival. And I don't think you truly have hope if you don't know you deserve it.

And see look on my face? That me thinkin... ahhhhh. I got life I deserve what is rich and full, secure and excitin... a life where it seem somefin really good, really full fillin and unexpected is all ways right round corner.

I love the Mom. And I have loved my first Christmas! I come to understand and almost expect bein loved by the Mom... but love been poured on me right and left by my extended family.

Thing a bout where I come from... make Luke grateful for ever gift bag what I can sniff, for ever tin I can poke my nose in, for ever morsel, for ever toy, for ever thought and for ever pat on head.

I feel like I in dream land of fantasy come true. The Mom has been home and wif me almost 24x7 and you might think I spoiled wif all these new toys and treats... but if only you could see me dance when introduced to somefin new... or layin wif toy contentedly suckin... if only you could see me run to kitchen in hopes of scrumptious treat... see my proud sit and my strong shake, high five and down... you would know how much I love my Christmas and all the ways you've made it special.

This been hard Christmas on the Mom for all kinda reasons but she had me who not let her feel one moment lonely or forget joy in little things or quiet times. Luke not try fill anybody shoes cause I got big feet what yearn for shoes of their own. And that somehow big comfort to the Mom.

And long come the Bleu for few days, four now but who countin, and he not try fill shoes neither. He just Bleu. Polite, laid back, go long get long Bleu... who like my toys and get me in trouble for makin him drop em and give em back.

View from Luke perspective... I give of the Mom. I give of the bed. I choose not give of the toys. Does that make me bad boy? The Mom say no, I not bad boy... but I a boy who need learn share toys not be greedy and calculatin.

I try... we see.

Day 59: Random Thoughts

Things I THINK I love:

1. Trips to Galveston.
2. Walks on the beach.
3. Board Meetings.

Things I KNOW I love:

1. Oodles of loving. (Mom's guilt ROCKS!).
2. Bacon and eggs.
3. Aunt Susan's "treats".
4. Muncho chasers.
5. Squirrel chasings.
6. Brushings.
7. Mid-Afternoon Stories.

Things I DON'T Like So Much:

1. Chores. Especially of the Dyson nature.
2. Moonlight work (Mom's), though I'm grateful for the benefits.
3. The storm defender cape. I've personally sent mixed messages as to whether it works. But do I like wearing it? Not so much, but I've also got a gargantuan bo-bo on my butt!
4. Windmills... and warm temperatures on both sides of the door. (Windmill people presented Mom with a bill for $531! Not much market for a PPV dog blog, past my prime for centerfolds, and I ain't deliverin' newspapers, so...)

Things I HAVE TO Get Used To:

1. Mom's thrill (not) over windmill bills.
2. Warm temperatures on both sides of the door.

Things I HATE With A Passion:

1. STORMS.
2. THUNDER.
3. IMPENDING MONDAYS.

Day 58: Random Thoughts

Things I love:

1. Big and happy plans for a Saturday!
2. Visiting with the teller in the bank drive-thru!
3. Coffee and pound cake on the Starbucks patio!
4. Promised destinations reached! Even if it means a baff!
5. Air conditioning in trolleys!!! This cannot be understated!!!
6. Cape and cone free weekends!
7. Aunt Susan aka Sammy's Mom for rescuing MY Mom. And for delivering healthy and tasty treats to help my hind side heal!

Things I don't like so much:

1. Hopes dashed. Plans cancelled.
2. Loud explosions in the trolley. Hot air blowing from her vents.
3. Did I mention hot air blowing from the trolley vents?
4. STORMS. THUNDER.
5. Capes and cones. And a nervous, distracted Mom.
6. Going to bed when it's still daylight. Gonna be a good boy, though, 'cause Mom's stressed!
7. The proverbial dark cloud over mine and Mom's head.

Day 49: Random Thoughts

Some days, ain't much happening. And trust me, I count these lazy days of my second life as golden moments! Good time to just sit 'round, scratch what itches and let your mind wander...

1. GRRH COOKIES are good!!! Aunt Elaine ROCKS the oven, ya'all!
2. Squirrels can jump 4 real! Come on... from the oak tree to the top of the hot tub gazebo to the roof of the house to the pecan tree? Wow. I need to work out... maybe even a membership to Goldens Gym???!!
3. Uncle Tom gave me a bye for a "you know what". That's our secret code for 'baff'. (Don't tell the Mom).
4. Glad I'm employed in the fields of hospitality, entertainment & security. I don't think factory work is all that much fun.
5. I KNOW I can dance! And Uncle Stevey gonna teach me all his tricks!

Day 47: A Golden Retriever's Thoughts On Tropical Storms

Edouard (I don't think that's how Uncle Tom spells it) hit today. OK, it was more like a gentle brush against your tail as your wagging it... It got a little wet around here, and seeing as how I'm not exactly into that downfalling water (more of whatcha might call a drinker myself)... I had a good bit of time to think:

1. Pretty much anything that keeps Mom home with me all day ranks four paws belly up!
2. The fact that the trolley is blocked in by the BBQ pit means she can't make a fast escape.
3. Lawn furniture in the house means an obstacle course to the door.
4. Potted plants in the house is a temptation. But no, I didn't.
5. What they need is a weather dog that actually tells the weather. A bit of wind, a lot of rain, but... NO THUNDER, and that's what counts.
6. Puddles are fun to chase skwirls through... slows em down.
7. Racing through standing water should be a substitute and not a reason for a baff!

Day 35: Has It Been That Long?

I suddenly realized a couple of nights ago...

THIS IS MY HOME.

I've grown so comfortable here... with the pace, the schedule, the goings on.

There's a skip in my step that hasn't been there.

And there's a good balance between activity and peace. It's all pretty much predictable in that good 'I need stability' sort of way, and it suits me.

Of course, my Mom IS a social giant... so there's been that to deal with. Heh heh heh heh heh... Sometimes I make my own self laugh!

Luke's Rating System

Zero Paws: World done you wrong. What you got is what you stole.

One Paw: You got some of the basics, like maybe square meals, but shelter is iffy (indoors... what's that?) and you long for 'family' but you ain't feelin' it.

Two Paws: You got the basics of square meals, shelter (indoors and outdoors), but you don't quite feel like you rank 'family' status. Whatcha call second class citizenship.

Three Paws: You got yummy square meals, snacks in between, indoor and outdoor shelter, peoples trying more to change than understand you, medical attention as required... and you rank 'family' but no better. A pretty good place to find yourself!

Four Paws: Meals, snacks, meds. almost full time personal assistant, doorman and valet (time off is by necessity and to keep you humble), freedom to be, understanding of how you be, leading and confidence building, Treated way better than family and living as well as you could ever hope. Just short of over the top!

Four Paw Belly Up!: Over the top conditions! A celebratory leap from your station in life, whatever that might be! Everyone needs over the top spoilin' from time to time. Speakin' only for myself, ain't never had any till these last few months. And Ole C.H. could get used to these momentary luxuries!

There are all sorts of subtleties to my rating system, but for now, I'm holding those really close to the flanks... I'll explain the rest later!

Day Four: Monday Mourning

What is this place called work?

Mom said she had to go there.

So all I have to do is sit here and wonder if she works in a milk bone factory or a plush toy mill...

Well, that and watch CBS.

Anyone out there know what time Oprah comes on? I'm hoping her guests are Gail and that dog that walks on two legs... and definitely NOT that Czar Mea(n)-lon. Pack leader snack leader!