Padfoot Turns 4!

Happy Birthday to my partner in crime (more like the little tattle tail that makes it impossible to get away with anything but since it's his birthday and Mom is making me be nice...)

On the 17th of August, Sheriff Padfoot turned 4. To celebrate this very special day, the humans allowed the Sheriff to dictate every minute of every hour all......day......long. Which meant, up at 7:30am (does he not realize it is Sunday and that means we get to sleep in?), a long walk in the park, playtime in the pool, lots of belly rubs, and best of all? Pupcakes!

No you didn't misread that, it is in fact P-U-P-C-A-K-E-S! Little muffin size goodness full of applesauce, peanut butter, honey, and yogurt all just for us!

I think they are delicious even if the Sheriff tends to turn his nose up at them.Mom even shared with them with all of our pup friends! Overall, not a bad way to celebrate.

Hope for Rescues

Hello Fur Friends and Happy Friday!

While I was not a puppy mill puppy (that we know of), as a rescue with harsh beginnings, the below message applies. Keep heart rescue Mommy and Daddy's-we all get there eventually! Just give us time, love, and really good belly rubs!

Deputy Dougal Detox

Good Morning Pup Friends and Followers-


As most of you may know, I came to the Homestead with some fairly significant issues-biting when I wasn't happy, growling at everything, shyness with other doggies, and most importantly-marking!


Now I do not understand why marking is a problem-I think it adds a much needed decoration and smell to the house, furniture, Christmas Trees that was lacking before but the humans seem to disagree. The countless number of items I have marked have each sent Mom into a tizzy and have lead to many, many long conversations. Talking not having the desired effect they had hoped (did they really think I could understand?), they took to blocking off certain rooms, crating my during the day, and wrapping me in a diaper at night.


I know some doggies, myself NOT included, have real issues their respective homes, clothing, collars, yards smelling like them. The Sheriff will avoid going potty anywhere in a 100 yard radius of the house if he can avoid it. Me? I don't mind at all! Sometimes getting Mommy and Daddy up in the middle of the night is just too much work so what's a few drops here and there while laying in my comfy bed?


After months of never catching me in the act (I can be quite stealthy if I do say so myself), I've been put on a program. A 30 day marking detox so to speak. What does this consist of you, you ask? No fun that's what!


After studying my behavior, Mom and Dad have decided my marking has less to do with my inability to hold my water and more to do that I think I should be the leader of the pack (caught on quick didn't they?) To establish their leadership, I am required to sit and listen to commands before going outside, going for walks, crossing the street, etc. I also have to have supervision every minute of everyday (not as much fun as one would think-no more sneaking down to the basement to pee on the pool table-I was soooo close to marking all 4 legs too!). I am also be quarantined at night so I can't leave the bed even if I wanted to.


Today is Day 7 and so far, I've been a very good boy!! In order to continue a life of harmony and regular treats, I feel it is in best interest to follow along with the humans request. For now. Here's hoping that on my one year anniversary with Mom and Dad (Labor Day weekend) I will be diaper free!

Dougal the Destroyer

Last month, dad had to go away for business and us pups were left with Mom. Usually ok as we can guilt her into more walks and puppy ice cream. Where Mom fails to be awesome is in playing. Dad taught us this cool game that allows us to nip his hands while we wrestle! It's really a lot of fun but Mom is a bit of a softy and therefore can't handle the pain.


**Sheriff-I'm totally telling Mom you said that**


Wince, hmmm no puppy ice cream tonight I guess. Anyway, to combat our boredom with dear ole Mum, she created a new game. She builds a castle of all of my toys and I get to destroy it! I can literally do this for an hour-it is so much fun!

Run Away Dougal

Hey there pup readers!


No need to apologize for the delays anymore is there because we all know its the same old thing-the Sheriff and I demanding our 4 walks a day, plus a swim in the creek means 0 time for blogging in the summer time!


What it does mean though, is that windows and sometimes (if Daddy's forget to close them) doors are left open to let the beautiful, clean air in. As the Sheriff is not one for exploring on his own, Mom and Dad never had to worry about "latched" doors. Well...you see what had happened was....no there really is no excuse, I wanted out and I figured out how to get there. Picture it:


Beautiful, sunny day in June and the windows are open and Mom and Dad are doing yard work and house work. Usually, the Sheriff is allowed to follow them around outside but for my own safety, I am only allowed in the fenced in backyard. Well, one gets tired of being left out all of the time so when Dad went outside, I noticed he latch the front door. Yes! My chance! Up on my backlegs I went and pushed that door wide open. FREEDOM! Yay, I can go anywhere I want and chase whatever comes in my path-no leash, no Mom making me sit if I pull, just me! And off I go on my adventure-do I choose to cross the street and take a walk around the park or should I stick to the neighborhood? Hmmmm choices.....


**Mom picks up the story from her perspective.***


After putting a load of laundry in the washer, I come back upstairs and notice I only have one dog following me around. Nothing particularly unusual about that as Dougal will go lay down on the couch or upstairs on one of the beds to see out the window. I start calling for him at the same time Ben walks back in from the front yard


Mom: "Have you seen Dougal?"
Dad: "No, I thought he was in here with you"
Mom: (looking in all of Dougal's favorite hiding spots-under the coffee table, in his crate, under the bed, etc) "No, I haven't seen him. Wait, Ben he isn't in the house..."


Frantic shoe finding and calling for Dougal outside ensues. Neighbors are called and are searching-Dad tackles the neighborhood, Mom the park. Complete strangers are approached about a missing white dog named Dougal and to please try not to approach him (not a fan of strangers and if approach, will run away).


30 very long, heart wrenching minutes later, Dougal is discovered in the neighborhood on the back end of our block, barking at a squirrel he had treed.


***Dougal picks the story back up***


I know I am not allowed to cross any streets without first sitting and getting permission, therefore crossing into the park would never have worked-neighborhood it is! Off I go trotting down the sidewalk, marking my usual favorite telephone poles, chain linked fences, trees, flower beds, etc. Rats! The sidewalk ends and I have to cross the street. So I sit down and wait for permission. Wait..no one is here to give me permission. Now what do I do? Hmmmmm....ok I'll just take a left and stay on the sidewalk...SQUIRREL!!!!!!


Rats, I almost got him. Come back down here squirrel, I dare ya! Oh hey Dad, did you see the squirrel? I almost got him, did you see? Wait, why are you crying? Why are you picking me up? No, wait Dad, can't we still take a walk around the neighborhood? Oh man....

Rock-a-Bye...Deputy?

Howdy folks-


Busy, busy time at the Homestead-chasing anything that moves, barking at the wind, swimming in the local creek, etc. Mom finally had some time to sit me at the computer so I could catch you all up on my daily activities.


One particular activity we stumbled upon completely by accident but everything thinks it is adorable *yuck* so after some prodding, I agreed to share. Remember, I am one handsome, but sensitive Deputy, so no judging! *Big Sigh* Ok, here goes:


One evening, shortly after I arrived at the Homestead, Mom came home in one pissy mood. To combat the mood, she turned on music and danced around the house like some crazy lady. Well, at first I was a little freaked out by the noise and all of the moving she was doing-what would you call that dance move Mom? Sheriff Padfoot, not one for being held, would follow her around and bite her ankles while I just watched. This is fascinating-someone should post that on whatchamacallit you tube. I decided to give it a try so I very carefully walk over to Mom, careful to avoid the swinging feet and arms and jump up on my two back legs. I can do this, see Mom, I can dance too! She picked me up and we danced!


You may ask yourself why this was such a big deal...well if you remember, I was a pretty anxious pup when I arrived at the Homestead and my parents often doubted whether or not they could help me. Well, my dancing with Mom was the breakthrough we all needed-I was safe and I was happy. I put my head on Mom's shoulder and just swayed with her and the music-quickly falling right to sleep.


One thing about us pups, we have very long memories so the next time I felt anxious about something, I quickly ran to Mom and jumped around on my back two legs. Mom, I need to feel safe and happy again. So she scooped me up and instead of dancing (no music handy at the time) she just started rocking me back and forth, back and forth. Yep, you guessed it, fell right asleep again.


This has continued ever since and as last night was my first full on thunderstorm, Mom was ready with the rocking chair (I tend to get heavy after 10 minutes or so) and she rocked me in the chair until the storm was over.


Pups take note: Rocking and dancing does not make you a sissy-it does however provide you a warm and safe place to hide when life gets a little ruff.


Happy Trails! Licks and love to all!


Deputy Dougal 

Deputy 2, Field Mice 0

It's official-


I'm a mouser. Certified and all or at least, I think I am. What does certified mean anyway? If it means, I walk/run along the fence line searching for small, 4 legged creatures that I then pounce on and give the ole wiggle waggle, then that's me! I'm a mouser!


Dad seems proud, the Sheriff horrified, and Mom a bit thankful the whole catching and shaking of the mouse happens outside rather than in the house.


Now if only that cottontail would come back in to the yard....