Five years without our boy...

Can't believe it's been over 5 years since Charlie left us. We lost Jojo last August due to heart failure. I still can't work on his scrapbook, I miss him so much. It's hard to leave them to memory and go on sometimes. Jojo used to follow me around like my little shadow. Do I sound full of myself when I say I was his whole world? He would bark whenever Steve would hug me, "None of that, dad, she's MINE!" I still sit awake and night and miss his particular little snore. Another baby waiting for me at the Bridge.

We also had a little girl named Sophie, who has come and gone. She was a 9-year-old little demon with a tennis ball. She came into our lives and was gone in less than a year from an intestinal infection.

We loved them all and it's so hard to say goodbye. We still miss you Charlie!

Judy, from 7 Bells, passed away last October from ovarian cancer. I know that she's probably in Heaven tending to all the animals who never had a home on earth, and I know she's watching over Charlie and Jojo for us until we're together again. I love and miss you too, Judy! You were seriously one in a million and no one will ever be able to take your place!

Happy Birthday Charlie

I just wanted to let you know I havent' forgotten about you little guy. I"m sure you're just fine,but wanted to let you know you're missed. I hope you're thinking about last year, your birthday cake and the yummy srawberry ice cream and remembering how much we loved you!
Mom

For the Love of Charlie

Since we lost Charlie we've gone on to adopt 2 more foster dogs from 7 Bells Sanctuary in Missouri. Ben and Jojo came to live with us in January and we love them so much! Please take the time to visit your local shelter or sanctuary and give a dog a second chance to have a good life! I love the sign at our local shelter, it says something to the effect of, "Can't decide between the lab, the sheltie and the boxer? Take them all!" They bring so much joy to our lives, I don't know what I would do without all my babies. We have Charlie to thank for all the blessings that have come into our lives since we got him. We still miss him every day, and his ashes sit on the piano as a constant reminder of our little guy. I still shed tears over our loss, but I've been so blessed to have had him in my life.

Here are a couple pictures of the new guys...

This is Jojo. His name is really Johan, but that's such a mouthful and so solemn for such a happy guy. He's 11 (give or take) and if I wanted to, I'd rename him Velcro. He never leaves my side! He loves Charlie's old bed and lays in it all night while I'm working.

This is Ben. He loves his Bobo! He's a very active 10 year old who loves to run and play outside! He's so funny, I love to hold him in my lap because he mumbles constantly. He's so happy to have a home of his own. He used to live with an older man and when he passed away they found Ben sitting on his lap. I'm sure he misses his old friend, but we're sure glad he's here!

This will probably be the last post on Charlie's blog. His story is over. But we've started a new blog for all the fur kids in our family. You can check it out at http://kurtzkidz.blogger.com We'll see you there!

Happy New Year

I can certainly say I hope that 2007 is better for 2006! We got Charlie's ashes back from the vet on Friday, as promised. I was surprised it was done on time because of the holidays. It was like reopening a wound. I think if I put all the skin and hair he lost over the past months in a box it would be bigger than the one his ashes are in. So tiny. So sad. I just can't get over how quiet the house is. Charlie had a very distinctive, deep bark, different from the other 3, and I miss it so much. He would bark whenever it was time to be fed - and he was fed 4 times a day, so we heard a lot of barking! He'd also bark to be let in when he was done outside. I've called for him to come twice this week when I let the others in before I remembered he wasn't there. Steve says he doesn't want to get another dog right away, he thinks 3 is enough for now. I don't think you can ever have too many dachshunds. He may feed them, but I'm the one who spends most of the time with them!

I hope all of our dachsie friends have a very happy and prosperous 2007!

Mindi and Steve
Heidi, Ruger, Buttercup, and Charlie Brown - Angel Dog

A Not So Very Merry Christmas

We got through Christmas and it was okay. Steve loves his train, the one that I had imagined Charlie would be entranced by. Ruger is afraid of it and Buttercup tried to bite it. I don't think Heidi even saw it. She's been hiding a lot in her blanket. Buttercup wants to be held constantly and if you don't pick her up when she wants to be picked up she barks until you do! Ruger is just Ruger, still a nervous Nellie, even more so. Steve is sad too, I know, although like all men he's being stoic. Buttercup has to go have her nails trimmed and her anal glands cleaned - acutally she needs to see the groomer yet, but I just don't have it in me to go to the vet's office. I can't believe it's only been 4 days. It seems like he's been gone forever. His little room still smells like him, even though Steve and I have both scrubbed the floor. I want to repaint the room. It needed it anyway.

We got a sympathy card from the vet's office today. That was so thoughtful of them. Mom and Bob sent another. It's a big thing to lose a fur baby, it really is. Although I'm sure some people think I'm nuts for being so sad about it. I just have to deal with this grief in my own way. Thanks to all my friends from Lovedachs and my e-mail friends. You're all wonderful - but then you're all doxie people, I expect no less...

Thank you

So many people have said so many wonderful things about Charlie. We can never express our thanks in person to everyone who has taken the time and effort to let us know how Charlie touched their lives or to let us know they lit a candle last night to light his way to the bridge. He touched so many people and he was loved by so many. We'll all miss him. Thanks again. Please feel free to check back on his blog from time to time. As I find older pictures I'll post them.

Mindi and Steve

Charlie's tribute at the Dachshund Memorial Garden

I'm adding the link to Charlie's tribute so anyone who wants to can visit him. If you'd like to take the time you can look up Oscar Kurtz and Schnapps Kurtz and see Charlie's two olders brothers who went to the bridge before him. I"m sure they're playing and having a wonderful time.

http://home.it.net.au/~opalowl/december2006.html
and scroll down to his name or you can click on this link and go direct, but it takes a bit longer to download
http://home.it.net.au/~opalowl/december2006.html#cbkurtz

Mindi

More Pics of Charlie Brown

These pictures were taken the night of the 21st, after he had started sneezing the blood. Obviously, we knew he wasn't going to be around much longer. We had given Charlie his Christmas present early, his squeaky gingerbread man, but he wasn't very interested in it.

Some Christmas Pictures of Charlie

Here are some pictures we took for the Christmas card, but obviously didn't use. I'll be adding some more older pictures too. He loved the other hats and reindeer antlers, he thought they were toys to play with!

From Charlie's Mom - A Sad Day

I write with a very heavy heart today that Charlie went to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. I think he had been struggling for the past few weeks and we had an appointment with Dr. J earlier this week. We knew he was failing, but decided to wait until after the holidays were over before we made a definite decision. But then fate, as it always does, decided to take control of the situation. Charlie started sneezing and coughing up blood last night and we knew it was time. So, yesterday Charlie had an appointment with the vet (sadly, Dr. J wasn't available) and he went to the bridge to wait for us.

I have never in my life felt as sad as I do today. The house is so empty, remarkably so, considering he was only 8 pounds! I'm trying to work tonight, but can hardly see to type through the tears, and when I pass the little room where he slept for the past 15 months, the grief is totally overwhelming. The hardest thing to bear is that I know Charlie wasn't ready to go. When we were in the office waiting for Dr. S to come in, Charlie was actually crying tears. They were running down his face and I had to wipe them away with a tissue as I did my own. He knew he was loved and he was happy, but unfortunately his abused, battered little body couldn't take any more.

I look forward to the day when Charlie, Oscar, Schanpps, and all my other furbabies that go to the bridge before I do will be reunited. I know this will happen as surely as I know the sun will rise tomorrow, but not matter how long it takes it will be too long. Steve and I are both just devastated by the loss.

For anyone who ever knew Charlie or ever had any contact with him, you know he was one special dog with a presence about him that was just a joy to be around. He was so happy to be finally released from the prison of the puppy mill and I know he thanks Sonja and Grandma Judy in helping him find his way home to us. We're so thankful to everyone who ever had any contact with Charlie and to all of Charlie's Angels for being there for him and us. He will live forever in all our hearts.

If for some reason you have never been to Charlie's blog before and are touched by his story please, please make a committment to never, ever buy a puppy or a kitten from a pet store. The puppy mills would have a hard time staying in business if they weren't supported by pet stores. Please consider adopting a rescue dog or cat if you're looking for a new pet, there are too many dogs looking for homes to have any excuse to breed a dog or cat just to have a puppy or kitten. Senior dogs need love too, as do dogs with handicaps. And please, please, spay or neuter your pets. Do it for the love of Charlie.

We miss you little man. We'll see you again.

Love, Mom

Naked Dog

I think I'm still losing my hair. Mom and dad were watching a movie with grandma last night and mom was taking dead skin of my back (I know it sounds gross, but it feels so GOOD). All of a sudden a big piece came off and it had hair on it. Mom cried. Jeez mom, it's MY hair! How do you think I feel? I think it's going to be a really cold winter - being naked and all...

I haven't been to see the vet in a long time. Mom says that too, but then she says, "knock on wood". I have no idea what that has to do with anything, but I am glad I haven't had to go to the doctor. Dad was cutting Heidi's toenails Friday night and he made her scream and cry and her toenail was bleeding all over mom's leg. Cool huh? Mom didn't think so I guess, but Heidi got held and petted, and held and petted. It was sickening I tell you, sickening! I wouldn't be such a big baby about such a stupid thing. It's a TOENAIL Heidi, get over it. Geez what a girl she is... (Heidi, not mom.) I saw mom cut her leg in that big bathtub thing once and she didn't cry. She said those words that she doesn't say all the time and she yelled when she said them, but she didn't cry. Mom is NOT a baby.

Dad was gone for a long time last weekend. I guess it was only 4 days mom said, but that doesn't mean much to me. Anyway, when he came home he smelled so great! I just smelled and smelled all the stuff on his pants and boots. Then mom made him take a bath. She said he stunk up the place. I thought he smelled great. I guess he went out with his big gun and shot at some deer and that's why he smelled so good. Or maybe it was 'cause he didn't have a bath for a couple days. Mom made him though. She obviously doesn't know what a GOOD smell is!

I think tonight I'm going to get a bath. I'm not looking foward to it, but mom says I could knock a buzzard off the north end of a southbound donkey and I guess that's a bad thing. I've been trying not to eat so much poop lately, dad's been picking it up and throwing it over the fence so I can't reach it. Not very nice of him, is it? I'll forgive him though, because he got me more rabbit meat dog food. For a while they were buying other food for me. The gravy was nice, but it made me itch, so I got my old food back. Now I don't itch anymore. Guess I'll forgive him for throwing the poop away.

Dad got me some new toys the other day too. He says he got them for all of us, but I know he says that just because he doesn't want the other dogs to know how special I am. It must be hard to be them and never get any new toys. Mom found my favorite peanut treats at the store too. She says if I have to be bald I might as well have my favorite treats. I don't know if that's an even trade - hair for peanut treats, but I'll take them anyway.

Uh oh, dad's home. I gotta get off the computer. Love you all!

Chuck

Hey! Have you Missed Me?

Mom has a job now where she's gone ALL day and I have to stay in the little room with the other kids. I don't like it one bit, but she says it won't be forever and pretty soon she'll be back home with us during the day. Nothing happens during the day when you have to stay in one little room. Do you know how BORED a guy can get with nothing to do? So far I haven't caused any trouble, but I bet I could if I wanted to!

Mom and dad think I have pemphigus (I don't know if I'm spelling that right or not), so I take prednisone all the time and I also take Imuran. Aunt Missy and her friend Brad think my hair is growing back in on my sides and on my head, but mom's not so sure. Maybe it is. I know my back feels better, the skin isn't so thick and icky. Mom puts lotion on it every night and it sure feels good when she rubs it in, I wiggle and wiggle and wiggle... Last night she put her pajamas on early and went to bed to watch TV and I got to lay in bed with her under a blanket for a long time. It was so nice. I was kind of mad at dad when he put me in my bed, but I have my heating pad to keep me warm, so it was okay. I guess. It's really cold outside. At least none of that wet white stuff is here yet, but it's been wet and cold sometimes and I don't like that. Dad has to carry me outside after dinner because I run for my bed. He says I have to poop after dinner. How does he know when I have to poop?

Tonight all kinds of weird things are coming to our door and ringing the doorbell. Dad gives them candy to make them go away. The other kids are barking and barking, but I think I'll just stay in my bed and hope the monsters don't find me here.

My dad is the best

Maybe dad finally figured out what was wrong with my back. He thinks I might have something called pemphigus, which is actually and autoimmune disease and is a side-effect of my heart medication (ACE inhibitor). He talked to Dr. J and I'm taking prednisone all the time now and mom and dad think my back is looking better. I don't have any more open sores and it feels good again when dad rubs my back, instead of hurting. My fur isn't growing back, which I'm kind of sad about because that means I still have to wear those darm sweaters, but if I don't have any more sores that's okay with me!

Dad tried to find another heart medicine for me to take, but ACE inhibitors seem to be what I need and we can't find a substitute, so Dr. J cut my dose down to 1/2 a pill once a day. My heart seems to be doing okay with that, so maybe between cutting back the heart medicine and taking the prednisone my back will get totally better. Mom and dad are pretty happy.

It was really cold last week and dad took old the old soft stuff off the living room floor and some guys came in and put in a new floor in our living room. It's like the floor in the kitchen. Mom called them "wood floors". I called them stinky floors last week. Peeeeee Uuuuuuuuuu. It sure smelled bad in here. Mom says it smells better than the old carpet, I guess that was the soft stuff. I have to admit I may have been responsible for that soft stuff smelling bad. Sometimes I guy just has to go and can't quite make it outside, ya know? Mom has to find me a nice soft blankie or something to put in my corner again. It's not quite the same as it was. I haven't even moved my toys back there as a protest about the hard floor.

I'm still loving the heating pad Grandma Judy sent me. Mom has it on low and I sleep on a nice warm blanket in my bed. Better than the hard cold floor any day!

It was raining a lot too in the past couple of weeks, so being the mighty hunter I am, I was catching little snakes that were in the yard and all over the driveway. Dad laughed and said they weren't little snakes, they were only worms. Oh, well. I was having fun hunting them down anyway. Friday I got another bird too. All dad found was the wing and a bunch of feathers. Ha ha! I am a mighty hunter!

I'm the healthy one for a change!

We've had a bunch of sick babies at our house! I told you all about my sister Buttercup hurting her neck. She's feeling much better, but mom and dad still carry her outside and she can't go down the stairs by herself. Mom says she going to get a hernia carrying her around. What's a hernia anyway? Mom is also talking about diet food - I hope she means for the other guys. I don't think I'd like diet food. Mom says she doesn't.

Then, Ruger ate a LOT of chocolate and had to go to the vet! Boy was mom upset. At first I thought it was because the chocolate was gone, but no, she was worried about Ruger. He ate a whole bunch of chocolate that was almost all cocoa, I guess that stuff is BAD for dogs. First she tried to make Ruger throw up by giving him some yucky stuff to drink, but Ruger wouldn't throw up. Them mom had to take him to the vet and THEY had to make him throw up. He came home later that night, but he wasn't feeling very well. He got in trouble from mom yesterday because she found some more chocolate he hid behind the desk in her office, so he got yelled at. Why would he want chocolate when he always gets the good stuff mom has, like bones and stuff? I don't even get those because I can't chew them, but if I did get them I sure wouldn't be eating any icky stuff like chocolate. Mom said next time she gets a dog she's getting something called insurance. I don't know what exactly that is, but mom made it sound like a good thing. If you can eat it, I wish she'd get it now.

It's been kind of cold outside, so mom put my sweater on me today. It was one of the sweaters that Grandma Carole gave to me last year. I tried to take it off, but it got stuck. Mom couldn't find the camera, but she said it looked like I had a skirt on. Don't girls wear skirts? I think I should be insulted, being the manly dog I am, but I'm not sure.

We found a great big spider outside yesterday. I would have eaten it, but mom actually screamed and grabbed me before I could get it. I guess she doesn't like spiders much. Maybe next time. We had some company at our house and they took it home with them in a jar. I wonder if they're going to eat it? Probably not. Humans don't eat bugs much.

Well, I hear mom coming back, so I better get off the computer. We can't have any more excitement around here. Mom says she had enough, so I don't want her to know I can type!

Love,
Chuck

I've been a resident of Omaha for a year. Can I vote now?

I've been living with mom and dad for a whole year now! They thought I was sick when they brought me home and that I wouldn't be here long. Silly them! Guess I fooled them all, didn't I?

Mom had people over to our house for dinner yesterday and baked me a cake and everything. She said it was the end of summer and we should all have a cookout, but I know that really the celebration was for me... Because I'm special. She tells me that all the time. I bet she just didn't want to tell everyone that it was for me because then the other dogs would be jealous and mom would be baking cakes all the time for their birthdays and to celebrate the day they came to live with her and dad. It would just get to be too much, so she tells everyone it's the end of summer even though I know it's really for me.

My uncle, Tucker the Cat, has been sick again. He has congestive heart failure and grandma and grandpa have to give him some kind of yucky medicine in the morning and at night. Poor Tucker. Mom says that I have it too, but I don't feel sick, so I don't think we have the same thing at all. Besides, mom and dad don't have to shoot medicine in the side of my mouth. Mom hides stuff in my food sometimes though, but I don't spit it out. I'm not BAD like other dogs I know... Don't worry Buttercup, I won't tell mom that you spit that pill out on the carpet in the living room yesterday. She won't hear it from me. Huh uh. No way and I a tattletale...

Grandma Judy sent me a nice warm heating pad that mom and dad put in my bed and it makes me so warm! I don't have to curl up in a little ball to be warm and I sleep really, really good with it. But, I think grandma told mom to put my water up at night because they don't put it in my bedroom with me anymore. I never have to get up and go pee during the night anymore, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm so warm I sleep really good, or because mom doesn't give me my water. I know mom's glad she doesn't have to scrub the floor every day!

Grandma and Grandpa S gave me a new octopus for my birthday. It squeaks and squeaks and squeaks. I guess maybe it squeaks too much 'cause mom put it on the piano last night. She gave it back to me today though. I guess she never found the Kong though. I'm kind of sorry she hasn't found it because I can't remember where I put it!

I'm going to post some pictures that mom took the other day. I don't want anybody to be upset or anything about my back. Really it doesn't hurt. Even where there's scabs, mom and dad put lotion and medicine on them, so they don't hurt, so don't worry about how it looks okay?

I'm starting to lose some hair on my head now. Mom says I'll look like my grandpa Art if that happens. Uh oh.

Gotta get those pictures posted. I hope you like them.

Chuck

Dog days of August

Hey, remember me? I can't believe this month has gone by so fast and I haven't had a chance to get to the computer. It was so hot this month, I spent a lot of time just laying around trying to get cool, so I haven't felt much like typing. :-) There really hasn't been too much going on either. Just eating, sleeping, and spending a little time outside. I've been feeling really, really tired lately too, so I've been sleeping a lot.

Life is about as good as it gets I think. Every night when mom has to go to work I go downstairs with dad and watch TV. He spends a lot of time with just me, petting me and putting lotion on my back. What else could a guy ask for? My back was getting pretty sore earlier this month so mom talked to Dr. Jesske and got some MORE pills for me to take. I really don't care though, if I'm really lucky dad gives them to me in a hot dog. If I'm not so lucky he gives them to me in a little chunk of my regular food, but either way I get to eat more, right? I also got a prescription for prednisone, so mom gets to take her medicine back. She doesn't really care though because her doctor said she doesnt have to take it for very much longer. Mom thinks maybe she'll lose weight if she doesn't take it anymore. I hope I don't lose any weight when I quit taking it, otherwise I'd blow away in a strong wind! A kite that pees mom says and then she laughs. Hmph. I don't think it's very funny.

My sister Buttercup is pretty sick tonight. Her neck is hurting her really bad. Mom was crying about it earlier, but dad says not to worry until they go to the vet tomorrow. I guess mom and dad had another fur baby, Schnapps, and he went to the Rainbow Bridge when his back started hurting him, so mom is really worried. I didn't know what to do to make her happy tonight. I peed in the hallway. That's didn't make her happy, but at least it took her mind off of Buttercup for a minute or two. Hey, give me some credit for trying! When mom was trying to get Buttercup to drink some water she took this thing called a heating pad off of Buttercup's back and put it on the floor, so, being the curious guy that I am I decided to lay down on it. Wowser! It was nice and warm! I wish I could have one of those things in my bed. Mom made me get off of it though so she could put it back on Buttercup. I hope she gets me one!

Next week is going to be special for me. I've been living with mom and dad for a whole year! Isn't that great? I can't believe it's been a whole year since Grandma Judy took me in and put me on Petfinder so mom and dad could find me. I've been so lucky! I can't decide what the best part is though, my own bed, ALL the toys, having good friends like Lucy in New York and her human Melissa; Sasha, Roxie and Cosmo in Minnesota and their human Kate; Grandma Judy; all my great friends in Missouri; my own toys; all the cool dogs on Lovedachs; my sisters and brother; my human sister and brother; good dog food; all the toys, my own blanket; applesauce; bananas; my furry cousins, Medusa and Shorty; all my toys; grandma and grandpa Sieborg; grandpa Art; all my toys; going outside and just laying in the sun; chasing the neighbor kids; Mr. Tucker my cat cousin... And did I mention ALL THE TOYS? I wonder if mom will bake me another cake? Ooooooo with ice cream. I love ice cream too...

Well, I think mom is up to check on Buttercup so I better sneak back to my OWN blanket and go back to sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzz

Love ya! Chuck

Hey, I'm Back

Well, really I didn't go anywhere, but I've been so busy (sleeping) that I haven't gotten around to using the computer. The weather here has been really, really hot. I don't want to go outside, but I don't want to get scolded for going potty on the carpet either, what's a dog to do? I spend most of the day laying on mom's lap while she watches TV or reads, which is fine with me, but the other guys get, you know, jealous or something. Heee hee.

My human brother Matt came over yesterday and I let him give me some banana. He doesn't live here with us and when I first met him he scared me a little. He's really, really tall, even when he stands by mom he's really, really tall, so he makes me feel very, very small. I wasn't sure I liked him for a while. Every time he would come over I wouldn't let him get close to mom, I would growl and show all of my teeth, but he would just laugh. He never hurt me so and today he gave me a whole banana (well, little pieces at a time) so I guess he's okay. I let him pet me today for a long time, but when he tried to pick me up I screamed for mom! I don't want to be that high in the air!

I haven't been to the vet in a long time! When mom told grandma that today she said, "Knock on wood". I'm not sure what that means, but maybe you better knock on some wood, just in case. A few weeks ago mom went to get me some food, but they didn't have the good soft stuff in the can, so she bought some of that dry stuff. Yuck. I wouldn't eat it. How can mom and dad expect me to eat the old dry stuff when I'm used to the good soft stuff. It smells so much better and the taste... Yum! After a couple days of me not eating very much (except for bananas and applesauce) mom and dad finally got the idea and went back to the vet and got me some REAL food. I guess they aren't trained as well as I thought, since it took them 2 whole days. I better work on that some more.

I have a couple more sores on my back, but dad is putting medicine on them every night. I don't like the stuff, it doesn't taste very good. The sores don't really hurt a lot, except when dad touches them so I cry and stuff and then he feels sorry for me. Sometimes I try to lick them when I think mom and dad aren't looking, but they always catch me. How do they do that? Mom always says, "Charlie stop licking yourself like that?" Well, geez, how am I supposed to lick myself anyway? I heard mom tell dad today that they were looking better and I haven't been licking, so maybe she knows what she's talking about...

All the other guys got their nails cut tonight. Haha! I only have 2 nails and they're short most of the time. Sometimes Dr. Jesske cuts them for me. It doesn't hurt, but you wouldn't know that the way the other dogs carry on. Mom has to hold them while dad cuts their nails and Ruger runs and hides as soon as they get done. Even I'm not that big of a baby. Mom said one time Heidi had her nails cut at Dr. Jesske's office and she cried and screamed so loud they had to come get mom to hold her. What a BABY! I guess that's a girl for you.

Well, I think maybe it's going to rain because it started to thunder a little while ago. I hope it rains, we haven't had any good mud or stinky things to roll in for awhile and rain always helps that. Maybe it won't be so hot outside either. I can't even lay down outside by mom's chair because it's too hot. I don't like it when it's like this. It burns my feet on the cement.

Well, I better go. Thank you to all my friends who read my blog. I didn't forget about you, I've just been a lazy dog. I love you!

Chuck

My pictures

I put some new pictures up from my birthday. I really had a lot of fun. I found a new good thing - strawberry ice cream! Wow! Where have they been hiding that all my life? Mom didn't let me have very much, but it was the best thing I ever ate. She won't let me have any more though, even though it didn't make me itch or anything. Oh well. Grandma and Grandpa came over again and all the people got to eat cake with their ice cream. Doesn't seem fair to me that I didn't even get a piece of my own cake. Does that seem fair to you? Humph. Mom baked a cake especially for me. I put a picture of it down below. Mom thought it didn't look very good, but I thought it was great - it was my very own doghouse! I liked it. Mom is taking a cake decorating class, so I think we're probably going to have lots of cake around the house. I bet I won't get any either. I think mom was going to e-mail our friend Kate in Minnesota to get some good recipes for dog treats. Maybe she'll have something that I can eat too. I remember at Christmas she made some very good peanut butter things, but I don't think I can eat them now.

It's been really nice here, mom had the windows open and I was outside a lot. Then it rained and I didn't like that so much. Now it's hot again and the windows aren't open. I don't like that as much, there's nothing to smell but old inside smells. You don't know how boring it is to be a dog and live inside the house! Mom's glad when I don't like to go out very much, she doesn't want to have to take a bird away from me. All the baby birds are gone now, so mostly I just bark at the ones that come to eat the food that dad puts out for them. Silly things. Dad puts all the bird food in a nice place for them to eat it and they sit in it and flap their wings and get it all over the deck. It doesn't even taste that good. I like to try and eat the corn that mom puts out for the squirrels, but it's hard and I can't chew it. Mom says I'm not supposed to eat it anyway and always takes it away from me.

I still have a sore on my back. You can see it in the picture of dad and me. It just won't go away. Dad puts some medicine on it every night and mom keeps putting lotion on my back, but it's still kind of dry and itchy. I love it when people rub my back - it feels so good! I like the lotion too 'cept it makes me smell like mom! Maybe she can find some lotion that smells like dad. I'm no sissy.

Well, enjoy my pictures. I'll be back with more adventures when I can.

Love,
Charlie

It was my birthday and I got to eat some strawberry ice cream. Ummmmm, it was better than rabbit! 

This is one of my new toys that Grandma and Grandpa got me. It's a squeaky monkey and I love it! I have it next to the piano right now. My favorite hiding place.