Jack participates with Hopeful Hearts Walk-a-thon

Jack was spotted!  Jack and his mom participated with Hopeful Hearts walk-a-thon, Ottawa, this year.  The raised over $7000 for their cause.  Watch the video carefully for a Black and white Havanese, he will be Jack.  I heard through the grape-vine Oliver was a tad jealous.  Not to fear Oliver, you will be participating in your own walk this month, Purina Walk for Guide Dogs.

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs

Just dropped in to say "Hello"

I received a wonderful "Hello" email today from Jack. Just in time for a wee little 'pick-me-up' to a stressful day. 

So, Jack, Oliver would like to know.... When are you coming over a play date?

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs

Jack Went Out Visiting for Thanksgiving Weekend...

Jack and I went visiting on Thanksgiving weekend and, of course, he won over all. :-) He had a great time greeting and exploring and playing in an enclosed backyard. Given that we live in an apartment right now, the backyard was a real treat for Jack. I had hoped to teach Jack a trick or two to show off to our hosts, but ran out of time before the visit. Nonetheless, Jack saved the day by spontaneously offering up a display of his ability to balance and pivot on his hind legs. Jack at his charming best, collecting more hearts, of course. Jack also met up with a 2 1/2 year old Golden Retriever over the weekend. Unfortunately, the Golden Retriever didn't understand Jack's preferred quiet and exploring kind of play so the visit was a bit tense and filled with lots of Retriever chasing Havanese ... that is, until Jack figured out that he could fit under the shelf of the coffee table and the Retriever couldn't. With some time and protected space to sort himself out, Jack built up enough courage to head out and face the Retriever a few more times. With some attitude and a low growl, Jack effectively pushed a dog more than 7 times his size out of the way while Jack ate what he wanted out of the Retriever's dinner! Sadly, attitude did not hold power over size for long with this Retriever, so when the Retriever tried to pin Jack down with his paw and pick him up like a duck to be retrieved, I had to step in and lift Jack out of a potentially dangerous situation. Jack was very glad to spend a good part of that visit quietly tucked between me and the arm of a chair and out of the way of the Retriever's mouth and paws.

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs

Guess who came over for a puppy play date?

Why Jack came over for a puppy play date!

From left to right, here is Lucy, Oliver, and  Jack.

There is talk of another play date very soon!

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs

Jack new Home, the next day...

Hi Mom!

It's the next day after the day I came to my new home. Does that mean that it is Thursday? I'm kinda mixed up about time right now and Lady is too. It might be because we don't share my routine yet. (Did you know that Lady likes to sleep through the night? What a party pooper! I mean, some of the best play happens during the night, in the dark, right?)

I've learned some new things, Mom. First, I think I've figured out the whole poop deck thing. I used it a couple of times last night, which made Lady so happy that she sang out what a good boy I am ... kind of loudly given that it was the middle of the night. Really. I'm going to have to teach her a thing or two about that. I tried it out a few more times over the day today and I'm certain I understand now. I don't quite get the "getting to the poop deck" thing yet, but if I can see it, I know how to get there and what to do.

I also learned this morning about a "street" and the sounds out there. After I had my breakfast - well, some of my breakfast: I wasn't all that hungry this morning - Lady took me for what she calls a "walk." I don't much like the thing I have to wear around my neck to go on this walk thing - although, Mom, the neck thing says "DOG" on it so I think that means that I'm growing up, right? - but I like the walking part. Lady measured our walk so we can keep track of how I'm doing and not do too much too fast; we walked 1K this morning. (Do you know what a "K" is?) We walked by a grassy place with lots of tall, flat stones and a church, and then along some streets until we came to a place where there were a lot of older kids. There was also a BIG noisy machine going around in circles, sending bits of grass everywhere. Lady let me sit between her knees while I got used to the big machine. I had a BIG long sleep once I got home after that!

I did the walking thing again in the afternoon. We walked about the same distance, but this time, we went downtown. I met some people on the way who all said how cute I am. I try to give my best smile and an extra wide tail wag when people say things like that. Oh, and I saw Kevin when I was downtown! I gave him kisses so he'd know that I still remember him and that I miss him. Lady said that I didn't have to walk home from downtown, but the grass and the flowers and stuff all smelled so good that I just had to walk some more! I had another big sleep after that walk, too!

I didn't want my mid-day meal today, Mom. I didn't feel sick but I didn't feel like eating either. Lady was worried: I saw her checking those puppy parent books she has. I was pretty hungry by dinner, though - two big walks and I played a lot this afternoon, so I was really hungry. Lady put a bit of chicken and brown rice with my kibble for dinner and I ate it all and then asked for more. We went for one more walk after that - just a little one. I got to do my business in a different place, too. That was fun! Oh, and I saw a BIG dog! Wow, it was a big dog. Lady said it would be too soon for me to meet other dogs we didn't know, so I just looked and smiled at the big dog and his man. They seemed nice and friendly. Lady talked to the man across the street, so maybe we'll meet them again on another day.

I need to finish getting ready for bed, Mom. Lady has already brushed my hair and cleaned my bum. (I kinda got my bum dirty today. Oops.) I had a good nap this evening - I slept beside Lady's chair - but I'm looking forward to a really good night's sleep. Lady was going to take me tomorrow to the big place she calls Toronto, but she said that I'd had enough new stuff today and deserved an easy day tomorrow. She promised to take me into this Toronto place next week instead. So tomorrow morning, I get to play with Lady's friend, Albert. He's funny and nice, so I'm going to try and be really good for him. Oh, and he's really nice to me, too: today, I was shivering while we sat out on the patio (It's cold today!) so when Albert went shopping, he bought a big bed thing that I can use when we're sitting outside on the patio so that I won't get shivery when the patio is wet and it's cold out.

Oh, Mom, can I ask you something? Would it be okay if I called Lady with the Red Hair my mum, too? I mean, she's not my mother - you are - and she's not Juanita-mom. Hmm, isn't Juanita-mom your mum, which means that she'd be my Juanita-grandmum? But Juanita isn't old and aren't grandmums old? But Lady seems like a mum and she smells like she belongs to me. (I slept in Lady's lap twice today to make sure that she knows that she belongs to me.) Anyway, I've been thinking about all of this and wondering.

Must go back to sleep now, Mom. Did you have fun today? How is everybody? Did you know that I'm coming to visit you the day after tomorrow? I can't wait to see you and tell you all about the new things I've been smelling and exploring.

Nighty night, Mom.

with love,
your son,
Jack.

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs

Dear Mom from Jack

Dear Mom,

The Lady with Red Hair said that if I dictated a note to you that she would type it and send it while I nap. So here goes ... !

I got to my new home after a very short car ride. I like my carrier thing - it's not so bad. Well, actually, that might be because the blanket smelled like you and the boys and Lucy and Juanita. And the carrier smelled like you. Thank you for sleeping in the carrier thing to smell it up for me before I got in.

I haven't visited all of my new house yet. Lady said there's a lot to visit and we could take it a little at a time. So tonight, I got to explore the kitchen. Lady was too clever about not leaving naughty things out - drat - but there were new toys waiting for me: a fun rope rolled up in a ball, a funny chewy mouse on a rope, and oh, Mom, the best toy ever: a stuffed dog that looks like Zeus only a bit bigger. His name is Max and he's so much fun to chase and roll with and drag around. He's not quite as fun as Zeus because Zeus plays back, but Max is pretty neat. I played and played and played and ... whew ... played!

Mom! Mom! You have to see the poop deck here! I have my own box with nice grass in it and a yellow post thing that just makes me want to pee. It is so nice that I didn't want to mess it up. Instead, I had an accident in the house. Well, actually two accidents. But Lady was really okay about it. She picked me up part-way through and rushed me outside, and then she cleaned up my accident with pretty smelling soap that bubbles a little bit. I think I sorted out what I was supposed to do so ran around and whimpered when I had to poop so that Lady would take me out, but Lady didn't get it. She thought I was missing you and my sibs. I mean, I was - and I do - but that wasn't what I was trying to tell her. I just couldn't hold it, Mom! Lady got it then and whisked me outside and I was able to finish outside. Boy, you'd think I just won an Olympic event or something the way Lady praised and congratulated me.

Lady and her friend - who's a pretty funny guy, actually - had dinner. It sure smelled good. Pizza, I think. My tummy was growling when they ate, but I was also really tired so fell asleep while they ate.

After they ate, Lady and I came downstairs to her room and I got to explore some more. It's cosy down here. I have my own crate and everything. Lady put my special blanket that smells like you and the gang in my crate. Oh, and I put Max in there. I think you told me that I should play hard to get about the crate - you know, be tentative about going in there so that I might get some treats - but I failed at that. It really is cosy in there and I was so tired.

Lady said that I could still have my dinner after my nap and then we'd explore the poop deck again. I hope that it has stopped raining by then. I don't much like getting wet to go out and do my business. Yuck!

Lady also said that you or Juanita or any of the gang can come and visit me whenever you'd like. I think the plan is for us to be home together tomorrow, just getting to know one another, so please tell Juanita that she can come anytime she might like if she wants to visit and that she's more than welcome to bring you with her.

I'm not too homesick yet, Mom. Lady said that it would be okay if I were and that no matter, I get to see you and the sibs on Saturday - the day after tomorrow. I'll have lots more to tell you then, I'll bet!

Must nap now, Mom. I am all worn out - and I think Lady is really wanting to rest for a little bit too. She smells tired. Please lick Juanita for me and tell her that I won't let her miss me too much; I'll visit lots.

with love,
your son,
Jack

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs

2nd day of Puppy Classes

Oliver and Jack had their second puppy class yesterday. Even though it was during the evening, it was hot for both the four-legged and the two-legged kind.

Oliver is happy he gets to see his brother during class and seems to like to steal his toys right out of their big bag. Just like the real Oliver twist. They are learning to socialize with bigger dogs, an English sheep dog and a large mix.

Yesterday, everyone was learning how to “down”. Which I might point is different from “off”, the action of getting off something or other combo words such as “come-down [from there]” or “sit-down”. We understand these slang words but learning puppy do not really understand English even though they can be amazing learners.

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs

Hunting for Rabbits

Shhh! You need to be very very quite. I am hunting for rabbits.

Secret Lives of Pretty In Pink Dogs