Charlie: the not so big boy

The "baby"

Charlie is 2 now, a big boy, except when it comes to "Dad." He has taken to lying on Mike's lap when he's on the computer or watching TV. Suddenly the 'big dog' turns to mush (and so does Mike!)

Charlie likes nothing more than to lie on his back, nestled on your lap, and woe betide you if you want to move! He's learned that "Dad" sits still a lot longer than "Mom" does, so naturally, he sits and stares at Mike until he's picked up. With me, he snuggles in my yarn or with his head on my lap while I am crocheting, reading or watching TV. Sometimes he nestles at my feet until he has enough and clambers his way onto my lap to stare in my eyes until I pick him up and play with him. He loves it when Mike plays catch with him, or when I chase him around the apartment or we play "Where's Charlie" under the sheets. And he still loves to play "Catch the Cat" with Munchie, or when Munchie deigns to rub against him or be affectionate.

Who said dogs weren't adaptable?

He still continues to 'play strange' outside with folks he doesn't know well, while whining when he hears his favorite 'girl' or sees her little greyhound outside. Duchess whines and howls whenever she sees him too. Our "boy" seems to have found a 'girlfriend!' The good thing is, he's every dog's friend, even though many of his dog friends have moved. I've never figured why, although he plays strange, he has the habit of turning to run after the person he's just snubbed when they turn away!

His favorite foods seem to be peanut butter, cheese (hence Chuckie the Cheese Dog), bacon, sausages and chicken. He and Munchie don't vie for the same things (except chicken): Munchie prefers pasta sauce. Charlie is so/so about that. He doesn't get that many treats and sure doesn't eat much in the way of 'people food,' since he's been a dry dog food pup since we first got him.

He's showing the Doxie propensity for sniffing and stubbornness - I see how they may have been truffle dogs. I guess that comes from his  Cocker Spaniel side and their place in hunting. Sometimes I am amazed his sniffer still works! When he gets concentrated on a scent, he can be at the same spot for ten minutes if not prodded to move! Sheesh.

He loves riding in the car, too. Head out the window, ears flapping in the breeze, big smile on his face and tongue hanging out of his mouth. Then, he's all dog! When I am in the car, he sits on my lap with his chin on the edge of the car window, watching the world go by, perking up now and then and settling down again.

He and Munchie got their Easter treats too, though we stopped short of Easter baskets for them. They have their favorite store-bought treats that they get for being 'good,' generally after Charlie's done all the work and went outside. Munchie feels entitled too, cat that he is. And no, we haven't bought him any new clothes.

It's a small family but a good one. Everyone has their place and everyone is comfortable with their lot in life. Who could ask for more?

Charlie at peace on dad's lap

"Bone Appetit!" Treats for all good dogs and cats

Finally, back again after a little hiatus, just in time to start gathering ideas for Charlie's second birthday!

Charlie and his two stuffed "friends"                                                              

This month, our little 'man' will have been with us for a whole year, which means he's turning 2, as difficult as that is to imagine. And how he's grown! Now he calmly greets new pets in the complex, letting them sniff him before running circles around him.  He's gotten to know all the kids, which means he is a popular little guy when they are playing outside. While he still "plays shy" with adults, especially those with something in their hands, he has his definite favorites. And he's still "daddy's boy" while watching TV or cuddling, and "mommy's boy" at meal time. Just like a kid :)

I wanted to get a couple of recipes out to you for your pet's special occasion. We're trying to keep him from eating fatty foods or stuff that isn't healthy for him, and of course, when  HE has a treat, MUNCHIE has to have a treat, so here are a few recipes from  our friends at Betty Crocker. "Bone Appetit" (yeah, I know that's bad, but someone had to say it :)

Homemade Dog Treats:

Cheesy Bacon Biscuits

These super-easy biscuits are like bacon cheeseburgers for dogs! I have to make these for Charlie's birthday - two of his favorite flavors in one.

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 stick margarine, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cups regular oats, uncooked
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 2/3 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 pound crumbled bacon or bacon bits

Mix together butter and sugar, then beat in the egg and baking soda. Slowly add flour and then stir in remaining ingredients. Using a teaspoon, form dough into small balls on ungreased or lightly greased baking sheets. For thinner biscuits, spread flour on the bottom of a pan and flatten cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for 16 minutes. Cool before serving.

Apple Cinnamon Drops

Try topping these with a dab of peanut butter to make these sweet treats even more appealing to your pup.

• 1 large apple, minced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350 ° F (180 ° C). In a large bowl, combine the minced apple bits, honey, water, cinnamon, and oatmeal. Gradually blend in the wheat flour. Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Adjust the size of the drops based on how big a treat you like to feed your dog. Bake for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 ° F, then return cookies to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let the drops cool before serving. Makes about 3 dozen crunchy cookies, depending on how big you make them. (I may even try one of these)

Homemade Cat Treats:

Tuna Pops

If your cats come running to the sound of a can opening in hopes of getting some tuna, they’ll love these easy frozen tuna popsicles. Tuna juice is great for your cat’s health.

• Canned tuna in water
•  Ice cube tray(s)

Open your cans of tuna, as many as you like, and drain the tuna juice into a small bowl. Add some water to the juice, depending on how many cubes you want to make. Pour your tuna-water mixture into the ice cube trays and freeze them overnight. Now you’ve got a great pre-made treat to give your cats anytime!

Tuna Cookies

What to do with all that leftover tuna from making Tuna Pops? Make some Tuna Cookies, of course! The catnip garnish is a nice touch for your kitty connoisseur. Break them into small bits since that's what cats prefer! Turn them into dog treats by substituting canned chicken for canned tuna (you may even want to add some shredded cheese for dogs).

• ¼ cup flour 
• 1 can tuna
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 cup water
• Catnip for garnish
• Baking sheet
• Rolling pin (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Shape dough into very small, bite-size balls and flatten on lightly greased baking sheets. For extra baking fun, roll dough onto a floured surface with a rolling pin and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Bake for 20 minutes or until cookies are firm. Sprinkle catnip on top of each cookie. Be sure to let them cool completely before giving them to your cat. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge to keep them fresh.

Just chillin'...on the couch....

                                                               

Merry Christmas from Charlie and his family. Bless you all on your adventures during the Christmas season and throughout a bright new year. May you find many interesting scents and discover each exciting path along the way!

Charlie's First Holiday Season

Charlie's hopeful Turkey Look

We survived Thanksgiving with no damage to the turkey and no fights between the "kids." Charlie even proved, after the first five minutes of barking at our guest, that he could be a welcome host to our best friend. She was impressed at how closely he watched her and gauged her reaction before he approached her, allowing her to pet and talk to him. His ears moved back and forth as he listened to her voice. Obviously, we haven't had any guests other than maintenance since we adopted Charlie in March. We lead a quiet life.

Mike and Charlie, playing Scrabble at Thanksgiving

Putting up the Christmas tree had to be supervised by both 4-legged creatures, of course. Once set up, both animals seemed comfortable, with Munchie taking up residence on the tree skirt. Charlie didn't like that, but eventually he settled in another warm cozy spot and so far, fingers crossed, peace has reigned in our household.

                             

We look forward to buying gifts for our furry kids and taking pictures as they play with their new toys. Even though we can't believe it ourselves, we are actually considering buying a little elf costume or reindeer ears for Charlie. We don't dare try dress Munchie! Be prepared for more photos!

Last night, Munchie made the great escape from our first floor apartment, pushing out the screen in the window and slithering outside. I had an uneasy feeling when I hadn't seen him for an hour. I shook his cat food bag and called him, but he didn't answer. Shrugging on a jacket, I walked around the complex calling him. Halfway around, I heard Charlie barking frantically. I rushed home, catching a glimpse of white behind the air conditioning unit opposite our place. Charlie rushed back and forth, perched on his little set of stairs while I grabbed Munchie and frog-marched him home, muttering to myself about cat's nine lives and how he had used one by making me walk around, calling him like a fool. 

Once inside, the 'brothers' greeted each other with sniffs, a quick head-boop and brush by Munchie and then the usual yaps and hisses as they chased each other around the apartment. All was right with the world. And yes, I shut the windows.

Here's hoping that all is right and good with your world this Christmas, and that you and your furry children have a wonderful holiday with lots of love, laughter, turkey and quality time spent together. Merry Christmas, from our place to yours.

Charlie's First Thanksgiving

Charlie, the great black blob

Charlie has noticed that something's going on in the house. We put up the Christmas tree, which fascinated him ("A tree, for me??") and he doesn't like it when Munchie lies under it on the new tree skirt, or beside it, on Charlie's steps. At all. he considers it his territory! Munchie takes great glee in antagonizing him.

Munchie, the Thanksgiving turkey

It will be interesting to see how Charlie reacts to us having company over for dinner. That will be a first for him. And we know that the smell of turkey in the air will keep him occupied sniffing for hours. Munchie will probably just hide in the bedroom again, like he always does. At least it will give Charlie a 'taste' of what Christmas is like, and all the fun associated with that holiday!

I know tastes of turkey will be a big hit, and that he will also enjoy a bit of gravy on his dry dog food, but we'll have to be careful that none of us over-indulges. Easier said than done with a feisty little black blob of a dog who can be too cute for his own good!

What he enjoys best is settling between us on the couch to be petted as we watch TV and I am sure there will be some of that going on, too this holiday season, as I hope you take time to do during your holiday. We are thankful for him and for Munchie: for all the love they give us and all the times they make us laugh and smile.

However and wherever you enjoy  your Thanksgiving, be well, be happy, be loved and don't forget your furry little (or big) friends in the excitement!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For the love of dogs: random photos from the Internet

I thought maybe you could use a Saturday smile, so I collected a bunch of photos from various places to share with you. I have no idea where I have collected these from, so I apologize in advance.

My next blog will be "Charlie's new tricks," including how to play with a giant stuffed fish and "peekaboo" under the blankets. But for now, here's your smiles of the day: Let the parade of cute pups begin with my favorite cartoon duo!