My New Year's Revolution!

Today, I'm thinking about changing my ways.

In the last couple of days, all of my mates at day care have been yammering about resolutions. At first, I thought they were saying REVOLUTION. I googled  that on my iPaw and let me just say that i was all FOR it. When I realized my mistake, I googled this other word, RESOLUTION, and realized, well, that that was a different matter altogether and, can I just say,  far less inviting. But, still, maybe I'll give it a try. No one seems to understand that I don't really want to insist on playing ball 24/7, nor do I want to destroy every roll of toilet paper that isn't under lock and key or terrorize that walking squawking creature that my human refers to as Izzy. I'd really rather NOT have the occasional accident in the house, which inevitably leads to my name being taken in vain. I don't relish the taste of shoes, especially the European ones (they taste like chicken), and really, you can only baste so many rawhides in soil and bring them proudly to your owner's bed before it becomes tiresome. So, do I WANT to change? Sure, but this is my nature, and as they say, "A leopard can't change it's spots," and in this case, a golden can't change its, well, goldenness. With all that said, my New Year's revolution, er, I mean RESOLUTION, is to be true to myself...take me or leave me.

Mom, It's the simple things I love the most!

I love toys. I once heard my owner tell someone that she considers herself lucky if the toys she buys me last 3 days.  Now that may be true since I love taking apart things, really, to see how they work, how well they are put together and generally to challenge myself, as well as challenge that 3 day rule my human so proudly states.  Some may call it mass destruction, and that may be true, however, it really is a fun and my favorite kind of playtime.  

So, this past Christmas night, I was given a full stocking of toys!   I was determined that none of these balls, rope toys, stuffing filled birds, bears and whatchamacallits were going to survive for 3 hours, lest of all 3 days!  And I surely did!  Remnants of that silly porcupine vinyl chew toy were strewn in a matter of 5 minutes.  Every ball imploded in a matter of 30 minutes!  Even the so-called super tough, long lasting stuffed stick on a rope never made it to the dawn of the day after Christmas.  

Enough I must tell my owner!  Let me give you a little not so secret hint for future gifts.  Keep in simple!  You don't need to max out your credit cards to purchase toys for me that won't last more than 3 hours.  Can't you see, it's the simple, easy, everyday things that make me the happiest.  Give me old catalogs, paper cartons and boxes and I'll be amused for hours upon end.  I'll take a few of those sticks you gather for the fireplace kindling.  They can last for days and days.  And forget the paper shredder for all those old bills.  I'd love that job as the destroyer of all things not fit for other's to see.  I could work for the CIA with my destructive capabilities.  So, you see Mom, you don't have to worry about toys lasting longer than 3 days.  What I want is simple and cheap, and most of all, it let's me help out.  Cause, you see, I'm a golden girl.  And we goldens don't just want to have fun, we want to be useful too.  What's most important is that these simple things make me happy, and more importantly will make you happy too...especially cause they are free!  Oh, and don't forget that plastic bottle you just tossed into the recycling container...I'm a good crusher too!

My 1 Year Old Lessons!

Yes!  I am one year old now and boy, has the year flown by!  I really learned a lot about myself, my owner and life as a dog!  Thought I would jot down a few of my life's lessons so that other young pups like me might know what to expect.  I am having so much fun and I really have it all!  Looks, charm, personality and best of all when I sorta behave, TREATS!  So, I thought I'd compile a list of what I've learned the past year on planet earth - what's working and what's not so much.  And any pups out there want to hear more detail, drop me a line, if you can get a hold of your peeps computer (ahh, such as I have - one of the best lessons learned!)  


So, here goes:

1. My name:  For some reason, my human seems to want to call me "No".  My name is Libby, that's L I B B Y!  Such a beautiful name too.  So, STOP calling me that nasty 2 letter name, it's not working for me!
2. Words:  Yes, I have learned lots of them.  Obviously, or I wouldn't be writing this right now.  A few big one's come to mind though.  First, there is "Here".  Now that means nothing to me.  Again, trying to rename me?  And "Come" isn't really one I like either.  However, if you say "Libby come!", I just may get on board.  Anything with my real name sounds so royal and pretty.  And I just may run right up to you too.  Second, the word "Off" means zip, nada, zilch!  And why does my human insist on repeating it so much?  I really would prefer "Down Libby" (Again, there's that beautiful name thing).  And the word "Stop", well, save your breathe!  And try "Leave it" if you want me to drop something.  I may just consider that.
3. Cars: I hate, Hate, HATE those big chunks of metal moving monsters!  But if you are going to insist on putting me in one, keep those little snacks coming, because sister that is the only way I'll even consider getting into one.
4. Toilet paper, plastic bowls and bottles, socks, clothes, paperback books, remote controls, hats, scarfs, branches, cat toys...need I say more?  LOVE THEM!
5. Water: You simply just can't have enough.  Drinking, playing, swimming, it's all glorious!  Except for the hot tub - i did a few dives into that and I'm just not getting the appeal.  Too warm and bubbly.  No thanks.
6. Cats:  These little creatures are great toys.  Except they do get a bit whiny and will fight back when provoked enough.  However, with my paws and long snout, I usually get the upper hand.  They do have great food though!  They sure are lucky.
7. And finally, wonderful, fantastic BALLS:  The earth cannot ever have enough of anything round - rubber, plastic, soccer, tennis, you throw, I'll catch it!  

Of course, there are so many more things I have learned this past year that it would take days to write about them.  Like I learned there a lot of things in the house that begin with the letter "i".  They are called iphone, ipad, ipod...and such.  I love those things too, mostly because they all fit into my mouth rather easily.  And guess what,  they are so easy to learn to use... that's how I can write all this stuff down!  

Hi, My Name is Libby!

My name is Libby and I was born on October 20th, 2010.  I am what they call a "blonde" Golden Retriever.  Mama K (as I call one of my humans) picked me because I bit her earring off and grabbed her scarf off her neck.  At least that is what I hear her tell other 2 leggers when they ask her how she picked me out of such a beautiful litter of pups.  Truth of the matter is that breeder woman kept the kennel so darn cold, I figured I could wrap myself up in that long warm thing.  Anyway, In December, Mama K came to get me and put me in a big red object that jerked and shook and I hated it, and still do to this day!  What did I get myself into!  I ended up in a warm cozy place with a bunch of rooms and shiny wood floors where I could slide and skid around endlessly.  A place where I could push my head into a door and end up out in wonderful cold white stuff which I could play in forever.  When it was dark outside, she would put me in this metal cage-like thing that I grew to hate, not to mention cramped.  Oh, I fit inside, no problem, however it did not fit all the booty I would collect and Mama K and other people would continuously bring me - red balls, squeaky things, chewy bones, and plastic things.  I needed these with me at all times!  

I do kind of like it here.  There are endless things to explore and, with the exception of this metal cage and having to wear this awful colored thing around my neck with jingly pieces of metal hanging from a ring, I can pretty much do everything I like to do.  I've decided I will stay.  A few other older Retrievers at the kennel told me before I left that I should have a Plan B in the event I was stuck in a place I did not like.  I don't know what that meant, but I think it is really called an escape route.  But I think I'm gonna stay.  I've learned that when 2 leggers call me a lot of names like "adorable", "precious", "nice dog" and "sweet", it's all good.  I've also learned that I think I am blessed with an art to be called these lovable names just by tilting my head, sitting occasionally and following my Mama K around when she says my name "Libby".  I sure can live with that!  Now, if I can only get her to rid of that metal cage...

After I had been here awhile and learned that I needed to go "outside" before I went to bed, in the morning and after I ate, Mama K took me to this place where she would drop me off and I could play with others just like me all day.  With the exception of riding in that big red nasty machine to get there, I love it!  I hear her call in it doggie daycare.  It is fantastic, so much so, that I can bear with the one night a week where I have to be in a class with other dogs and listen to the humans bark out words such as "sit", "stay", and "come".  Mama K slips me little treats if I do what the other dogs do when she says those words.  So, I just glance around and follow everyone else.  How hard is that?  So, I get to go to doggie daycare a few days a week, run, jump, play with a bunch of other dogs and I'm lovin it!  Now, that it is hot outside, I even get to play in water.  Now, THAT is the greatest ever!  The man there Jamie even told her she needs to get me a pool at home because I love water so much.  I coulda kissed him because sure enough, she comes traipsing in this big blue plastic round thing! Wow!  Heaven!
Yep, I think I'll stick around here!  I've learned enough of the 4 legged ways that I think I'm gonna make out just fine.  Now, if I can just figure out a way to get to daycare without riding in that red machine... but I'm working on that...I'll keep you posted!