Special Day!

Today is a special day....today is MY BIRTHDAY!  I'M 3!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STELLA!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STELLA!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEEEEEE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STELLA!


Ruff, Ruff

Buckle Up!

5 hour trek....let's do this!

Ruff, Ruff

I Just Don't Understand Snow

While Single Girl and I went out for a small walk this afternoon, I was totally confused by the snow. Yesterday I frolicked in the snow with the white fluffy stuff flying from under my paws. But today...as I frolicked, I would walk on top of some and then sink up to my nose in others. What happened to my snow?

Picture it.....walk, walk, walk, sink, jump, jump, walk, walk, sink, jump, walk, sink. Ugh...talk about exhausting.  I wish it was either all hard or all soft. I didn't know what was going on.


Gotta go! Single Girl is telling me it's time to pack to go to the country (Doug and Mary's). I love that place. I can run forever...all over...and usually do.  (Only to get yelled at after.)

Next stop...Western Wisconsin!

Ruff, Ruff!

24 Hour Flu...Well Sort-Of

My last 24 hours have been terrible and I don't know if I should blame myself or Single Girl.

I feel horrible.....and I mean.....horrible!!!

This morning, around 3 am, Single Girl woke up to me puking. Yep...a big, huge, chunky glob of stuff all over the floor. What she didn't know was that it was third time that I had done it. (She didn't hear the first two.)

She was nice enough to get up and clean up my mess. But as she was getting the stuff to clean up my puke she saw what I had done. Yep....I had gone through a barely used garbage bag that she had set on the floor to take out this morning. She didn't get mad...or maybe I should say...couldn't get mad as I was laying on the cool floor next her feeling as if I was going to die.

Once my mess was cleaned up, she put me back in bed with her and rubbed my back. It felt good...until.....LOOK OUT...HERE COMES SOME MORE! I made it off the bed before I puked again. Luckily she didn't get mad, just cleaned it up and put me back in bed with her.

About an hour later I knew I was in trouble....not with her, but with my stomach. To let Single Girl know that I need to go out potty I either do a low bark or scratch at the door. I scratched at the door like crazy!  SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH!!! Single Girl told me that we had just went out and that I didn't need to and to just come back to bed.  Well........I couldn't hold it.  Yep....I didn't mean too, but my tummy was really hurting, so I ended up having "the runs" all over.

Single Girl was concerned that I wasn't coming to bed so she came to check on me. To my surprise she wasn't mad. She just said, "Oh, you poor thing...you really don't feel well. I should have taken you out."  Ummmm, yeah...you think? I was trying to tell you.

Well, I ended up throwing up 3 more times today while she was at work. I have had NO dog food and only 5 unsalted saltine crackers today. Single Girl said that they would be good for me. So far...so good.

Here's to me feeling better and to Single Girl being so nice and understanding. But, hey, don't leave a garbage bag out again.....it's to tempting.

Ruff, Ruff

It's Only Been 6th Months Since My Last Post

Hello, My Readers!

So sorry for my blogging absence. There is no excuse, well...except laziness.  I think Single Girl caught it from some of her students, brought it home and gave it to me. Ha!

I don't even know where to start to get you caught up? We spent our first summer in our apartment and not in our house. I think that made Single Girl a little depressed. I know how much she loved to plant flowers, play in the dirt, take care of the yard, and those sorts of things. I know that I missed running in the backyard. To be free to run whenever I wanted....ahhh the wind on your ears!

This Summer we did find a dog park. It's awesome! I think there is a picture I can post. Let me see if I can find it. Hang on!



The dog park is in Sheboygan and if I could go there everyday I would. I get to run, run, run! It's soooo much fun! I run free for 30 minutes and always meet new friends. You should join me sometime.

Single Girl and I would also go for walks on Lake Michigan. I don't really like the water much, but the smells are AMAZING!  I think there is a picture of this too.




Single Girl was gone A LOT during October and November as she was in charge of her school's musical...The Wizard of Oz. She asked if I wanted to be Toto but I told her,"No, not really. I'll be the understudy, though." I did get my day on stage as Camy was gone. Yep, glad I was just the understudy...too much stress for me.  It was a huge success and I'm very proud of Single Girl. I'm also happy to have her home.  There might be a picture of her and the other organizers that I can post...let me see....






One day while Single Girl was at work I found her new camera...check it

WORD.

YES?

BOO!

Awesome, Right?


Single Girl took me to see Santa! He is super nice so don't ever be scared to meet him.




My BFF, Maggie, celebrated her 3rd birthday and mine is coming soon. Here we are together at Thanksgiving. (Maggie never smiles...so...yeah....)




Today was our first bigger snowfall. I had a great time frolicing through the snow wearing my jacket! I love my jacket!

I will report back before Christmas.  Be safe until then.

Ruff, Ruff!

Single Girl Is Hurt and I Can't Help!!!

Single Girl came home today with these weird silver things, a very unfashionable shoe and walking super slow with a limp.  In fact, she was so hurt, we didn't even do my potty walk. She just hooked me up and put me outside.

Once I came back in, she sat me down and explained what happened. She told me that she was up on the stage, where the students auditioned for the musical, and as she was going down the steps she missed the two bottom steps.

She said that a really nice lady, Penny, took her to the hospital where they took some pictures of her foot and ankle. The good news....it's not broken. The bad news....it's a severe foot spraine. Which as she explained, she tore the ligament in her foot...the one from her ankle to her toes.

I was sad for her. She looks like she is in a lot of pain.  I am sad that I can't help her. I can't carry her food for her, her drink for her....  I told her that instead of trying to walk on it with her hands full she should just scoot across the floor like I do!

Get better soon, Single Girl.

Ruff, Ruff

It's Been Almost A Month Since My Last Post

Wow!
Things here have been so busy that I've totally not kept eveyone in the loop.

Since my last entry.....

Um, yeah...that new bling...not as cool as I thought it would be. When I bark it beeps then gives me this little weird feeling.  Not a fan. But, at least I still get to wear 2 collars!!

I went to Single Girl's school and heard this great band, Ripchord. I got to stand by the drums. Wow...I hope I get to hear them again. They were rockin'.

I sat in on the musical auditions for The Wizard of Oz. I don't know how Single Girl and the other directors decided who would play what. Everyone who auditioned was AMAZING.

I went and saw my BFF, Maggie, for Memorial Day.  I miss her.

On a sad note, I found out that my cousin, Lucy, moved to Minneapolis. I don't know exactly where that is but I know that I won't be seeing her as often.

As for Single Girl, she's been super busy and has only one week of teaching left. Well, until the summer school thing starts. I'm excited that she will be home with me more. I miss her when she's gone.

Hope all is well with all of you.

Ruff, Ruff

New Bling

I GOT NEW BLING!

IT'S GREEN AND I LOVE IT!

Single Girl and I went to Wal-Mart today and she came out with this cool collar!  I now get to wear two!!

I'm so excited!

Ruff, Ruff


(Hey, Single Girl here! I need to type quick as Stella Puppy went out to go potty. I hope she is as excited about her "new bling" when she goes to bark and gets a vibration.  Here's to treating her barrier issues.)

An apology to Single Girl

I would like to publicly apologize to Single Girl for what I did today, to her, because of my "Reactivity, On Leash Aggression, Barrier Frustration Disorder." 

I'm sorry. I know that we made progress yesterday....but those two Pugs outside the window....
:(

Ruff, Ruff

I've been diagnosed...

Well, after a bunch of research, Single Girl has figured out what I have. I, Stella Puppy, have "Reactivity, On Leash Aggression, Barrier Frustration Disorder."  I don't really think that the word "disorder" is attached to it, but Single Girl says it is.

She tells me that this is NOT something that is life threatening, but something that we will need to work on. She told me that only really observant four-legged friends have it and it's nothing to be ashamed of. She also keeps saying, "I'm so happy that we might have this figured out!"

Let me give you a brief description of what my "disorder" is.  Reactivity,  On Leash Aggression, Barrier Frustration is

 a dog that is “reacting” to som’ thing in its environment. The reactions generally involve barking/lunging/growling but can also involve whining/clawing/biting etc. Essentially, to the human, it would seem the dog is overreacting to som’ stimuli in the environment

We call whatever the dog is reacting to, a trigger. Triggers take infinite forms, from silly things like leaves blowing in the wind, balloons, far away sounds…to the more common stuff; strange people, and strange dogs.

There are two primary motivations that cause this. One is frustration. The other is Fear.

Frustration type aggression usually occurs when the dog is restrained in som’ way. A leash, or a barrier like a fence. These barriers can turn the friendliest dog into a psychopath in moments.

They want to meet/sniff/go see/approach whatever the trigger is (usually a dog/person/animal for frustration based reactivity) and when they find they can’t, they essentially loose it for a moment. All that energy has to come out, and quite often it comes out as a screaming/barking fit. Many of these dogs, unrestrained are quite friendly.

Well, at least we know what it is now and I'm glad to have Single Girl to help me get through it. Know that one can get through anything with someone by your side.

Ruff, Ruff

Doritos....I Win!

Single Girl and I went and got Subway for lunch. Well, more like, Single Girl went and got Subway for lunch.  I tried to get part of her food...but it was a fail....until.....

Picture it...
Single Girl had finished her sub and started her chips...they smelled delish!  I put on my sad face but it got me nowhere. She said, "No! You cannot have my Doritos!" put them in the middle of the coffee table and when to put some of her clothes in the big, loud, spinning thing. As she was doing that I went for it....I took my paw, got ahold of the chips and flung the bag on the floor. Before she heard it, I had had a few nacho cheesey goodies!!

Ha! You think you can keep something from me? Not when I want it bad enough!!

Here's to Doritos!!

Ruff, Ruff

Tick...again

Well, it happened again. I mean I know that I'm sweet and all but can't you stupid ticks just stay off of me? Not only are you gross, but you cause ouchies on me and I don't like it.

Long story short...Single Girl came home Friday night, picked me up, found a thing that looked like a bean stuck to me, did the best she could to get it out and now I have an irritation.

She told me that I would be fine...even though the head is still stuck in me. GROSS!!

We are keeping it clean and putting some goop on it. (That I like to lick off.)

I took some pictures so you could see the critter...and my ouchie.



Thanks for always taking care of me Single Girl!  You're the best.

Ruff, Ruff

I found a new food...

Green Beans!!!
Delish!!

Ruff, Ruff

You are welcome

Last Thursday, Single Girl's 5th Grade Band had a recital. It was a HUGE success!! There was great instrument playing and fantastic refreshments following. How do I know about the refreshments...well, I was the Hoover and scored an M&M cookie that had fallen on the floor and ate it in record time...under a minute!

Part of what Single Girl does in her teaching is teach the students to thank the people that are involved with making their performances/activities a success. She had each student write a thank you note to both the maintenance staff and the kitchen staff.

Here is the fun part. When she told them that I had eaten the cookie off the floor, some felt that they should thank me as well.  Below you will find the thank you notes that Single Girl brought home for me.

Again, you are welcome 5th grade. It was my pleasure to eat that M&M cookie for you!!

This one is hard to read...it says, "Thanks dog you ate that cookie like no ones business your pretty awesome like me heres a picture to show how epic you are"

Ruff, Ruff



Yellow Mustard

Single Girl brought home a sub for supper. She didn't think that I would eat the lettuce that fell out of her sub because it had yellow mustard on it.

HA!

Wrong!

Yellow mustard R.O.C.K.S. !

Ruff, Ruff

I'm Sexy and I Know It...

Single Girl and I were on our walk today when a dog in a truck drove past us. As he went by he barked at me. That's right! You know sexy when you see it!

I'm Sexy and I Know It!

Ruff, Ruff

MILK DUDS!!!

I love milk duds! In fact, I love milk duds sooo much I bothered Single Girl while she was paying our bills to let me outside to have more. Here is how it went.

I went out to go potty (I know...probably too much information for some people, but it's the truth) and found these hard chocolate things all over the ground. I tried one and was in love instantly. Single Girl didn't notice me eating the first few as she hooks me up to my leash and stands in the house to continue to watch her tv show.  When she looked out the door, she noticed that I was chomping on goodness! I got yelled at and yanked back in the house. (No, it was not abuse...so don't go calling the animal rescue people.)

I knew that there were more yummies on the ground so I kept trying to get her to let me out. Bark, Bark, Bark, Bark, Scratch at the door, Scratch at the door, Scratch at the door, Bark, Bark, Bark, Bark, Jump on
Single Girl...over and over. Then, yep, you guessed it,  I got yelled at.  Single Girl told me that she had to pay the bills so we wouldn't go cold, could keep watching Swamp People, and have a roof over our heads.

I didn't care!  I W.A.N.T.E.D. T.H.E. Y.U.M.M.I.E.S.!!!

She got so frustrated with me, she went and picked up all of the yummies and threw them away. She then took me out to show me that the yummies, what she called Milk Duds, were gone. Ha...much to her surprise I found the last one. In your face, Girl!

I've looked for the yummies every time we've gone out since....with no luck.  If anyone has any of those that you would like to get rid-of, you know who to call.

Ruff, Ruff

I Wish...

I wish that I lived closer to my BFF, Maggie! We had such a great time the last few days. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Single Girl that she got her new job, I just miss all of the times that I got to play with Maggie.

My two night sleep-over was a blast. I played chase chase (which is where Maggie and I would take turns chasing each other around the house...up the stairs, down the stairs, on the couch, over a chair, repeat.), chase the kitty, and snow dogs (that's where we run through the snow, dig our noses through the snow for a sniff, and run some more).

I had TONS of broccoli. Yum!

Oh...and then there was the guy across the street. What a meanie!  Maggie and I ran off lease, granted we didn't have permission, but we did it anyway. We went into a yard and this guy started yelling, "This is not going to work!" We ran away.  We don't want to go back by him....sorry you don't like small dogs out for a run. Boo to you!

We also went a few sniff adventures with Phil. Phil is a great walker. The problem....we just keep walking...when we hit 1 hour...my little legs couldn't go anymore so I laid down. I was done. Phil carried me home. That was sooo the way to go.  Don't tell Phil, but I do really like him.

Thanks again Maggie for having me over. I love spending time with you.

Time for a nap.

Ruff, Ruff

We snuck on the computer

Stella Puppy and Maggie here.
We need to make this quick because we snuck on the computer while Maggie's Mom is in the kitchen making lunch.

"Hurry, Stella....she's going to be coming back any second!"

Just wanted everyone to know that we are having a great time at the sleepover. Single Girl has a gig she needs to help with so I'm at Maggie's for 2 nights!! 

"We sure are rockin' it, aren't we Stella?!"

Can't wait to go and play outside in the new snow. We love that part. We run and chase and chase and run.

Oh...crap...gotta go!

Ruff, Ruff

p.s. Daycare went better this week. I started to mingle.

Daycare...day 2...and some truths...

Well, yesterday was day 2 of daycare. It turns out that I left some details out of my last entry...see Single Girl found out some of these facts so I feel that I better share before she does. (Unless she already did.)

Day One...
Daycare Truths...
The stuff untold...

1. I spent a lot of time scratching at the door that leads to the lobby and barking.
2. When it was time to go outside to go potty...I refused to go. I was not going to pee infront of all of the new dogs.  I did go when everyone else went in.
3. I spent most of my time next to the activity director.
4. Yes...it's true. I would go up to the others and be just fine but when they came to me I screamed. It's true.

It was stressful. I have only ever been the only dog...unless I had a playdate with my friend, Maggie, or my cousin, Lucy. I'm not used to 8 other dogs and being the new kid on the block.

Day 2
All truths...
I woke up soooo excited to go. Single Girl would say, "Daycare" and I would wag my tag and run to the door. I was excited to go and see all of my new friends.  I got there and saw Kris, the nice lady who checks me in, and she took me up to the playroom. Well, all truths, right....ok....the other dogs got there and I forgot how scary it was. It was play time and I just walked around smelling all of the smells. I spent time by the activity guy and yes, went to the door and barked. On a good note, I didn't scream all day.

Let me explain it this way...Single Girl says that I'm like the loaner on the playground. The one who doesn't play at all...just walks around and watches everyone else. Well, I want everyone to know that even day 2 was scary and not only is it hard to be the newbee, it's hard to decide who you're going to play with. It takes time to figure out what motives they all have.

Single Girl is scared that I will be a daycare failure. I don't think so. I just need more time to adjust. I hear I'm going back 2 more times next week.  I better rest up for more walking around the room and watching everyone else play. Or as I like to call it...playing detective.

Happy Weekend.

Ruff, Ruff

Daycare

First day of daycare and I'm exhausted. It was fun yet scary at the same time. Does that make sense?

I really didn't play with a lot of other dogs today: I mostly just watched. You know....seeing how the whole thing works and stuff. Single Girl is telling me that I get to go back on Thursday this week.  I'm hope I'm up by then.

Ruff, Ruff

Recent Update

Greetings, Readers!
Sorry, again, for my lack of posting the last month or so. Not much has been going on...until now.

I'm going to start school soon. I even got my school shots and everything. I'm excited. It's going to be on Monday nights and I get to spend time with Single Girl and learn stuff. It sounds like some things I learned in Kindergarten...but it should be fun.

Oh....and I get to go to Doggy Daycare for the first time this week. I'M SOOO EXCITED!! Single Girl said that I will get to play with B.I.G. dogs. They don't scare me!  They might be 75+ pounds, but I can take em!

We found out last night that Whitney Houston died. She was popular before I was born, but from all of the clips they were playing of her last night on TV, she was a VERY good singer.  I bet her and Michael Jackson are up in Heaven jammin' away.

As Single Girl and I sit here watching the Grammy's and eating veggies, I can't decide if I like watching football or music shows better. And to be honest...I don't know what Single Girl likes better? She's either yelling at the tv for football or singing with the songs.

Well, I'll let you know how Doggy Daycare goes!!  SUPER EXCITED!!!!!!!

Ruff, Ruff

Oh....and a shout-out to my Aunt Brenda * Love you!!