Up. And down. And all around.

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here to share the latest updates from the penitentiary.

Last week was…challenging. We are adjusting to no longer having the Boss here to oversee and moderate the chaos. The first few days after he left us, the Coyote ate better than he EVER has. But then – like someone flipped a switch, he refused to eat at all. So it was back to offering “options” and also to some force feeding. But not to worry- he gives giant tail wags afterwards. Go figure. And then, like a switch was again flipped, he went back to eating again. Who knows. I think I’ll start calling him yo-yo.

Meanwhile, he and I have increased our wrestling match time and Humpty Dumpty games by 500%. To say we are both WILD doesn’t come close to describing our behavior. Sometimes the Warden has to separate us- just to give us a break. And yours truly plays HARD. Our wrestling usually results in screams by the Coyote – but he comes back for more. Mind you, he screams if you try to brush a knot out of his hair…so it’s partly dramatic. Partly.

I have also become an insistent, clandestine thief lately. Whether it’s the Warden’s slipper, one of our bandannas, a glove, a dust cloth, a dish towel- they are ALL mine to steal. And like a baby puppy, I take off- and won’t bring them back. I enjoy the chase.

And if the household insanity and grief over losing the Boss wasn’t enough, last week the Warden lost a very, very dear friend. Shawn was well known in the dog world – he was a CKC Obedience and Rally judge. He was a guy who seemed to have a serious exterior – but if you knew him, you saw that he was a comedian with the heart of a giant marshmallow.

We got to see Shawn and his wife Patty a LOT last year. They and the Warden had a “project” involving pine cones- and they were at our place several times a week. It got to the point that we didn’t even bark (that much) when they arrived- because we were so used to them – and we LOVED when they gave us treats. I even did some heeling with Shawn – I thought he was a pretty cool guy.

So many people were shocked and so very saddened to hear about Shawn’s sudden passing. The world has lost a very good human. He joins his Golden Retrievers at the Bridge- and MAYBE he can teach the Boss not to bark so much. MAYBE. I hope he took LOTS of treats with him….

So while the past few weeks have been pretty rough and we have been kinda surrounded by “end of life” chapters – today we celebrate a “beginning of life” chapter. IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! The world has been graced with 4 glorious years of my joyful, biting self. Speaking of which, I almost forgot to mention a ray of sunshine we saw around here- Joanie came to visit for a few days after the Boss passed. Now usually when visitors arrive, the Warden would let the Boss out to greet them. He would run up, wagging his tail and singing his welcome song. While he was loud, he was always friendly. So when Joanie arrived, the Warden decided to let me be the welcome wagon. We can’t let the Coyote loose to greet visitors. He’d say “hi” and “bye.” He still remains a flight risk.

Anyway, when Joanie arrived, I raced over barking my greeting. When I realized it was her, I spun in circles, brushed against her legs and gave her what I call, a love bite. When I get overly excited, that’s what I do. Some dogs pee. I bite. Neither of which is exactly socially appropriate. So she had a tiny bruise on her arm within 10 minutes of arriving. The Warden threw a toy to keep me occupied. I promptly returned it to Joanie – to make amends for my overly exuberant behavior. I returned it to her every time she threw it. It was also to demonstrate that I CAN be a good boy. Once in awhile. Good thing she’s such a good friend…

So back to my birthday. Because, let’s face it, the world revolves around me. Doesn’t it?! The Warden took me out to take my birthday photo- and in some I look like a cross between Salvador Dali and Geraldo Rivera.

I figured I would get to go to the pet store today to pick out some marvelous treats for my birthday. But noooooo. Today the Coyote has his vet appointment that was canceled when the Boss took his. We KNOW the Coyote goes crazy when he goes to the vet – so (yippee), the Warden has a plan. She’s taking yours truly along. She figures she can trick the Coyote if we BOTH go for a car ride. She thinks he won’t realize he’s going to the vet. This could be interesting. Because let’s face it – she can’t take both of us in. I mean that would be a total gong show. So I’ll stay in a crate in the car while Mr Stress goes in solo.

Maybe we’ll stop at the pet store on the way home….Or she can just cook me a sirloin steak. I’m good with that.

So that’s the current update from the penitentiary. Like I said- up and down and all around. We’re adapting to our “new normal.” Make that our “new abnormal.”

It’s been a time of grief. But as the corgi-loving late Queen once said “grief is the price we pay for love.” And aren’t we lucky to have had all that love in our lives in the first place….

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe. JBJ