Are You Scared Yet?

Whenever I'm in  doubt, I turn to Annie. She used to be a scaredy dog, but she's awfully brave compared with me. I appreciate her instinct and wisdom. I still don't like the front yard or airplanes flying above me or doors slamming or...

When Mom and Dad decided to watch The Blood of Dracula while drinking their coffee this morning, I had serious doubts. Scary movie at breakfast time? Don't shake me up!

But it turned out the special effects were down right funny. I'm only eleven weeks old, and I've seen better. Annie and I just didn't get it. Wasn't the movie supposed to be scary?

 Annie was right. Just close your eyes, go to sleep and it will (yawn) be over in a flash...

and hopefully...

you won't...

wake up as a...

MONSTER DOG!

              Boo! Happy Halloween a day early, everybody!

Love ya!
Layla (Boo)

This Book Is Good for You

I'm pretty serious about this writing gig. At least, the pencil chewing part.

           Mom says she likes to make lists, so I'm giving it a try.

When Mom's not writing, she's reading. Yesterday, Annie told you that she and I like to read, too. So this morning, when Mom left 101 TRAINING TIPS FOR YOUR DOG by Kate Delano Condax on the couch, I assumed it was for Annie and me. I heard Mom say it's pretty good, and I agree. It's quite tasty!

Mom says I've totally given life to the phrase "dog-eared."  I say (to quote Weird Al Yankovic,) "Just eat it!"  I'm pretty sure Marley would be proud.

Well, it's the weekend! Have fun! I will!

Love ya!
Layla

My Turn! (Annie guest blogs.) Never Ever Say You're Bored!

"Do not EVER tell Mom you're bored," I told Layla. And she didn't listen. Hey, give her a break. She's only been here eleven days!

 So Mom gave us a book to read. It's called THE DOG BEHAVIOR ANSWER BOOK, which she read when she adopted me. She pulled it off the shelf last week when she brought Layla home and started reading it again just in case she doesn't already know everything.  Personally, I think she does pretty well with rescued dogs. Of course, she picks the good ones. :)  Anyhowl, on the back of the book is a quote by John Grogan, the famous Marley's human. Marley is Layla's hero.    

I've read the book twice and I'm a fast reader. Layla got behind real quick, and I took a snooze on page 57. The section was called "Okay to Growl in Play?" Like duh. This morning we had the best romp ever. Told Mom it's all in fun--she gets a little nervous. Yesterday she broke us up just when we were getting started. Today she grabbed the camera and took videos. Boy oh boy, I thought she took a lot of pictures of ME. But this Layla-dog... We're learning to sleep with flashes going off in our faces.

Okay, well, Layla is still catching up. By the way, she's afraid of the front yard. I don't get it. That's where all the action is. Bikes, cars, walkers. Lots to bark at. She better keep reading... and get over it.

Have a boo-t-ful day! Hope you get lots of Milkbone Biscuits and Beggin' Strips in your Trick or Treat bag on Halloween!  

The Big Sister,

Annie

I Wanna Be Like Annie when I Grow Up

Annie has the coolest toys. Mom says Annie has cool toys because she doesn't destroy them. This is one of Annie's toys (yes, it's a gianormous stuffed lion for human kids) that I am not allowed to play with. Bummer. You can see I gave it my best shot.

Sometimes Mom gives Annie "a Layla break." I'm not sure what I think about this, but I do know that there is a secret place with a big cushion and tons of toys that are NOT mine. We'll see how long that lasts.

Happy woofing Wednesday!

Love ya!
Layla

WHOSE BOWL IS IT, ANYWAY?

Don't we look sweet?

Mom and Dad used to love a show on the "telly" in England called WHOSE LINE IS IT, ANYWAY? When they moved back to The States, the show came with them. Now Mom says she's figured out an updated version of the show for Animal Planet. It's called WHOSE BOWL IS IT, ANYWAY?

I totally believe in sharing. I want, Annie shares.

This is how breakfast time is supposed to go, according to Mom and Annie... 
Red bowls... Annie.  Blue bowls... me, Layla.

This is how I think it should go...
Blue bowls...Layla (me!) 
Red bowls... Layla (me!)

Stay tuned as I change life in the Bowden house...

Love ya!

Layla

Day Nine: Oops!

It happened. I didn't mean for it to happen. I was on top of the back of the couch when Mom said, "Okay, girls! Time to go out." It was a big leap to the floor. I admit it. And the little poop and pee that popped out when my feet touched the carpet? Total oops. I was so embarrassed. (But I'm over it already.)

At least I wasn't the one to race down the driveway to the street when The One Who Shall Not Be Named left the gate open when he left the house this morning. Shame on you, Annie! Mom says it's a good thing Annie knows the words "stop" and "wait." Otherwise she'd have a word or two for TOWSNBN when he gets home!

The pic above was taken on Day 2. Today's pic didn't upload. Mom's oops.

Happy Monday!

Love ya!
Layla

A Day with the Boys

Today while Mom ran around Houston without Annie and me, we were stuck home with the boys.It wasn't so bad, even though I got lost in the bushes in the dark for a couple of minutes. When I figured out where I was and how to get to the door, I ran like the wind. Yeah, I got the need for speed! But now I'm itching like crazy--darn fire ants! Annie and I got lots of treats. Turns out the boys are suckers for  pretty girls like us. Mom makes us work for treats. The boys hand them out just because we're cute.

While Mom was gone, I perfected jumping up on the couch and jumping off. Annie and I are still wrestling over my chew toys. Sometimes I let her have them. Well, that's about all for now. I'm all tuckered out.

This is me and my big brother PJ on the day I came home. I think I've already grown. Doctor Gunn says I could be ten pounds by the time I go back (in two weeks--eight days from now) for my next check up--and a shot. (A shot?!)

 Love ya!

Layla

Life Is Good

Today's treat for Mom: a full night's sleep. Or maybe last night was yesterday's treat for today? I'm not sure how treats work, but Annie's sure getting a lot of them when she's nice to me. I think Annie thinks "Layla=treat."  So...5:45 am is normal getting-up time around here, and I decided to give it a try today. I liked it. So did everyone else. I sure hope I can hold it from midnight to 5:45 am again tomorrow. No piddle mistakes yet--don't want to start now!

Mom was so impressed with my fantabulous behavior since I arrived, she introduced me to a new part of the house today. The media room with the big TV. I'm not much for TV, especially scary sounds--boo, hiss to commercials. Mom likes to sit and read on one of the couches in the media room. In preparation for crazy puppy times (guess I've shown her, right?) she covered the couches with yards of fleece fabric, and today Annie and I were invited in. No big deal to Annie; she's allowed in there all the time. But me? I like soft fleece...

"Ahhhhhh!" That's how I felt about it. I fell asleep on the couch next to Mom while she read a few more pages of her friend Joelle's new novel SKATING AROUND THE LAW. There's a camel in that book. I'm hoping for DOGS! Maybe Joelle can write a book called SLEEPING ON THE COUCH.

I also like hunkering down with my big sister Annie in her crate. I think she's always a little surprised when I walk right in when the door's open--mostly because I walk right over her. It's cozy in there, and she doesn't complain. I like the back corner. She can have the view, and then I let her steal my chew toys.

Well, it's the weekend. I understand the boys (Dad and PJ) are home on the weekends. I don't know what football is, but Mom says it'll be on the big TV screen and I'll find out soon. Annie says it's not her cup of chow, but she's not very interested in sportsy things like I am. (Yay, tennis balls! Do they play football with tennis balls? Is it a dog game?)

Have a wooferful weekend!

Love ya!
Layla

Guest blogger today! Annie takes a turn.

My life has been turned upside down by a new puppy. Her name is Layla, and she looks awfully sweet, doesn't she? I have to admit, I was skeptical. Her nails are awfully sharp and she whimpers from time to time, but she's turning out to be a pretty cool little sister. Don't tell her I said that--I'm trying to keep her on her toes. She's got way more energy than me, but she's scared of stuff like lawn mowers and cars. And they thought I was a whimp when it comes to storms. (And, Mom, I know it hasn't rained for over a month, but I keep telling you, get some of those puppy pads for the kitchen. I might be able to hold it for eighteen hours, but Layla won't.) I still can't believe it's Day Five and Layla hasn't made one mistake in the house. Talk about trying to show me up. Here's the thing, she's not as fast as me and doesn't have free reign of the house like me.   

We had a pretty good game of Tug of War going the other night. Yeah, that's me, the miniature schnauzer. Annie Bowden's the name, in case you don't know! And that's a paper towel roller Layla and I are playing with. I'm really not a Tug of War girl, so I let Layla drag me across the kitchen floor while I was trying out her bed. Mom and Dad were highly entertained, but they're big dorks. I keep stealing Layla's stuff, thinking I'll get away with it. But you know my mom, right? She never misses a thing. You can't get away with anything in this house! 

So, what's up with getting up at 3:30 am to piddle? I don't understand why anyone would get up and go out in the middle of the night, but Mom and Layla are up and out almost like clock work. Layla told me they party out there in the dark, but I don't believe it. But today, I decided it might be true. Layla was still wiped out when Mom and I got up at our old usual 5:30am (a decent time) and she slept in. That gave me the perfect chance for time alone with Mom. A trip to the front yard, a little reading and coffee. (Oh, no coffee for me. I tried it last week and burned my tongue.)

I probably shouldn't be telling you this, so shhhh. Mom's been taking naps after breakfast. I'm just saying... 

Layla's a fast learner. She's mastered "go get it" and "give." She knows "home" means the back door when we're outside. She's okay on a leash, too; cause I taught her how. Except she doesn't want to go away from the house. She doesn't like the front yard. And she's shy. (Mom tells me I was shy, but I sure don't remember being shy. Sometimes Dad says I talk too much to the neighbors.) Anyhow, when we're out on our leashes, Layla and I love to race back to the house, and that's a riot. Especially when Mom gets tangled in our leashes. We don't do it on purpose. Well, yeah, maybe we do. 

I'll blog again next week and keep you posted on how Mom and Layla are doing. 

Loving howls,

Annie (The Big Sister)   

How This Blog Got Its Name

A picture of Layla's tail should go right here, but blogger says no photo posting today.  Sorry! :( 
Once upon a time there was a beautiful golden Australian Shepherd Lab Mix, who's name was Kelle. Kelle had been been fooling around with another dog, my daddy, and they'd had unprotected sex. The result was me and my six siblings on, or about, August 13, 2010. We were born under a picnic table at the West Greens Road ExxonMobil office building in north Houston, Texas. I heard it was no easy task getting Mama and us out from under the table. It took cracking cement. It took a skinny woman climbing in to pull us out.

A picture of Kelle should go right here.

Rescue Dog Lady Extraordinaire--Elizabeth--took us her ranch in Waller County, Texas, a good long drive from Greenspoint where we were found. With our photos pinned to bulletin boards, one by one, people claimed us. My adopted daddy said he knew right away when my adopted mommy saw MY picture, that she'd fall in love with me forever. Daddy's pretty darn smart. I love them both!

When Mommy and Daddy drove out to the ranch to meet me, my siblings ate Mommy's shoelaces while I posed for pictures. I'd been pretty sick with hook worms and my poor little tail and back paws were missing some fur. Not everyone falls in love with a puppy who looks like she needs a little work. But not everyone is my new mommy and daddy. (xoxo)

A photo of me and my tail two weeks ago and a photo of my tail now should go right here. Blogger, com' on! 

I surprised them. Just two weeks later, this past Sunday, when they picked me up, my fur was already coming in quite well. I am, as they keep telling me, absolutely beautiful. Okay, I'm bragging, but it's true.

My human sister Kristen and her husband Ryan and his mom came to see us while I was still at the ranch and liked Nicki, who's name will become Ellie on Friday... I'll get to introduce Ellie to Annie at Thanksgiving. Turkey lurky! It'll be a DOG PARTY!!!!!

Okay, so Annie taught me how to walk on a leash this week. Yesterday she told me a bath in the kitchen sink wouldn't be a big deal bad, and she lied big time. I thought Mom was gonna drown me. I still haven't make a mistake in the house--but the kitchen and Mom were drenched with tap water. There are no pictures of this horrible event, but I swear, it's true.

My big sis Annie is my new hero. She's quite stunning for a miniature schnauzer. She's not blonde, of course, but Annie is a trim twelve pounds and dark gray with a black stripe down her back. Other dogs would pay to get that done to their fur. Very cool. Annie hasn't figured it out yet, but soon she'll be the little older sister. Our oldest human sister Kristen is the runt of the human side of our family. Dr. Gunn, our vet, says there's no telling how big I'll be. I'm gonna surprise you! I won't be a runt for long!

Okay, Mom says she needs to get back to work at the computer. She's writing a novel or something. I hope it tastes good.

Have a Woofing Wednesday! Hopefully I can post photos tomorrow!
Love ya!
Waggin' my almost furry tail--
Layla

Me and My Annie

Well, Annie has already taught me a lot. This is day three, and I've done my business outside every single time. I walked on a leash for the first time yesterday when Annie showed me how it's done.

The first night, I didn't make but one little peep. Last night, my tummy wasn't feeling good and I peeped a little more. Annie's still wary, and Mom's careful not to leave the two of us alone together yet, but the scariest thing I've encountered is the big cat that jumped out of the bushes at Mom and me at three this morning. I think I jumped higher than Mom. You can see in the picture above, I've figured out I have to suck up to Annie (who would have gone after that stupid cat for me and taken Mom's arm with her.) Annie thinks she owns everything, and that includes Mom, but Mom assures me there's a place in her heart for me, too.

Gotta go, it's bath day. I mean, seriously, you're surprised? Take a look at Annie. She needs a bath. Too bad you can't post smells. But then you probably wouldn't read this blog. Annie never liked playing in the grass until I got here. So how does the saying go? You can't teach an old dog a trick (unless there's a little competition.) 

Love ya!

Layla

About Yesterday--Meeting the family, part one

"Hi, Layla! I'm Annie! That is my mom. That is my dad. That is my boy. This is my yard. That is my house. Okay, these are the rules..."

Yesterday when we got home, my big sister Annie didn't realize I was staying. She was uber friendly. You know, tail wagging, butt sniffing, the whole bit. But then she figured out I'm not going anywhere (except maybe the vet for my first check up.)

Mom put me in an open-door crate and fenced me off. Annie watched. Mom fed me water in a spoon because I didn't get what the blue thing was without my brothers' and sisters' puppy faces in it. Annie had to have water in a spoon too. Mom got her a spoon of her own, and Annie decided the whole thing was ridiculous. She likes her bowl. Now I like my bowl, too.

Mom fed me Puppy Chow in her hand, and Annie was really interested in that, so Mom let her have Puppy Chow in her other hand. I think Annie's too old for Puppy Chow, but I'm only nine weeks old, so what do I know? 

More later about my first big poop, tail wagging and how brave I was during my first night in a house. I didn't cry!

Before I sign off and take a nap, I'm gonna brag. I haven't made any mistakes indoors yet. Seriously cool, right? Okay, I probably will. And I should qualify no mistakes yet. Mom forget to swaddle me getting out of the car after the ride home from the ranch, and I drenched her, hee hee. Silly Mom. Luckily, she's a quick learner--at least with puppies.

Love ya!
Layla

Goodbye, Elizabeth! Thank you for everything! 10-17-10

Today Mom and Dad picked me up at Elizabeth's ranch in Waller County, Texas. My sibs and I knew something was up when we heard the sound of tires on the gravel driveway. We've been saying goodbye to each other for a week now. Luckily, several of my brothers and sisters and have new moms and dads who know each other. My sister Nicki and I will soon be cousins, and my new mom and dad will be Nicki's grandparents--if that makes sense. (You figure it out.)