But Grandma said Come

So before you hear Allana's side of the story, let me tell you exactly what happened.  Grandma and Allana were heading to the other side of the fence.  They had their bathing suits on and their towels wrapped around them.  Now, I see every open door or gate as an opportunity.  Everyone knows the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, so I just took my opportunity.    I darted through the gate, when Allana opened the gate and started to run a lap in the very back of the back yard.  Then, grandma said "Armani come here" so I did.

Well, I always thought that big sparkly blue thing was a trampoline or something.  So when grandma called me I was expecting to walk on the blue stuff over to her..  (Now usually I only come with such enthusiasm when a treat is involved, but remember, grandma is known for extra cookies.)  I leaped from the concrete area in all of my enthusiasm and all of a sudden, there was a splash and I felt this wonderful cool water.  No wonder they have been hanging out in this area of the back yard.  It felt wonderful.  I started swimming towards grandma, who was laughing uncontrollably.  Unfortunately, I could hear Allana calling me too and she sounded a little upset but still seemed to be laughing.  Seeing as I didn't see any cookies in grandma's hands, I decided to turn around and swim back to Allana.  Now, Allana didn't seem as thrilled with my swimming ability as grandma did.  She pulled me out of the pool and starting talking about a bath and deep condition.

I'm not sure why Allana could possibly be upset.  All I did was listen.  Grandma said come and I did and then when Allana said to come, I came back to her.  I think I was once again, just completely perfect as usual.  I hope I don't really have to have another bath.  I just had one last week.  What I do know is the blue sparkly thing in the very back yard is super fun. Grandma didn't think I needed a bath but I have to admit that all the other dogs kept smelling me and walking away from me when I was put on the other side of the fence. I wonder why?

Grandma's here!

Guess what?!  Grandma is here!  I'm so excited.  The other shelties have told me that she is the best at giving extra cookies during the day.  She really loves us and gives us lots of attention and I hope I get some of those extra cookies.  This could be the best week ever.

So Great to be Home!

It feels so great to be home.  I'm sure Laura and Harrison are missing me, but I'm glad to be back home.  Look at this new bed Allana got me!

I don' understand why Stitch keeps staring at me though.

Such a Peaceful Long Weekend

Hello Readers!  This is Stitch filling in for Armani.  Armani was out of town this weekend, visiting Laura and her little sheltie Harrison.  It was the most peaceful weekend in a long time.  I could play with any toy I wanted as I didn't have to share.  When I took my long naps, there was no annoying puppy licking my face to wake me up.  It was so peaceful.  However, Armani came home tonight.  (I'm sure Harrison is happy!)  He's been pretty cute saying "hi" to everyone.  He is pretty cute.  I guess I sort of missed him.

The good thing is I got this new bed!  Allana must have taken Armani shopping to bring me a souvenir home from Houston.

Another Day at the Office

I got to go to work with Allana again today.  There were a few people who I got to play with.  There was a great 2nd great teacher who played with me and the custodians played with me too.  I didn't get to see a lot of kids today so that was kind of a drag.  But during the afternoon, it got a little boring.  I think I understand why Stitch sleeps at Allana's office.

Take Your Dog to Work Day!

So I think Allana was thinking it was take your Dog to Work Day.  Well, that is actually a little later this month, but Allana should be smarter than trying "Take Your Puppy to Work Day".    Now usually, Allana takes Stitch to work and from what I understand, Stitch just curls up under her desk and sleeps most of the day.  I'm not Stitch.  First, I'm not 12 years old, I'm only 8 months old so sleeping all day does not appeal to me at all.  Second, I found Allana's work not very fun.  There were no people to play with.  I saw a few kids at Vacation Bible School early this morning, but that was it.  Her office is deserted, so I had to entertain myself.  First, I emptied her recycle bin.  The paper likely needed to be shredded anyway.  I did try to chew on her desk, but she wouldn't let me.  So I tried chewing on her chair and once again, I heard the "no" word.  I really don't like that word.  I finally had to settle with my toys and a new bone.  I think I like going to work with Dan more than I like going to work with Allana.

Worse than Another Hail Storm.

So yesterday morning while I was busy racing around in the grass in the backyard (well, actually I was digging a new hole in the nice soft grass...but back to my point)  a whole bunch of trucks and cars pulled into the driveway.  Now we do get company around here frequently but we usually don't get so many trucks all at once.  All of a sudden, there were people up on the roof of the house and the kennel/workshop building.  Now, I know Dan goes up on the roof to trim tree limbs, but I've never seen a dozen people up there before.

Before I knew it, these strangers started tearing up the roof.  The noise was deafening.  I couldn't believe Dan didn't hear it.  Now let me tell you how his day usually goes.  He usually gets Allana up for work and gets her out the door no later than 5:30 a.m. so he can go back to sleep.  He stays up late with me, so he likes to sleep in during the morning.  But on this morning, he should have woken up with all this commotion on the roof.  Now we dogs did our part.  We started barking and barking and barking.

Finally, Dan emerged from the house and spoke to these strangers on the roof.  I was a little surprised as Dan was not upset at all this noise at all.  He acted so friendly towards these people.  Well, these strangers stayed all day and at about 7:30 p.m. at night, I did notice the roof looked quiet different.  This is what the new roof looked like.

I think I like this new roof.  I think it looks pretty nice.

Harrison can't be her favorite!

I just happened to be checking out Facebook and I saw where Laura posted that Grandma's favorite grand puppy was Harrison.  There is no way this can be true at all!  Let me tell you why.  First, Harrison is no longer a puppy.  He is the same age as his sister, Harmony, and I can tell you she is not a puppy.  She is three years old won't even play with a puppy.  Second of all, Grandma loves quiet well behaved dogs.  Harrison is not quiet at our house at all.  He barks all the time! The last reason for why I should be the favorite grand puppy is I just should be.  I'm the cutest puppy ever.  I don't bark much.  Well sometimes I misbehave a little, but that makes me so much more adorable.  I just don't get it.  There is just no way Harrison could be cuter than me.

She went to Disneyland and didn't take me with her!

So some of you know that Allana travels for work from time to time.  Now normally, I'm fine with this.  I hang out with Daniel and we watch basketball games together and we eat snacks on the couch.  It's usually pretty fun.  Allana's last trip was not quite what I had expected. 

The first thing that was something I had not experienced had to do with this new puppy.  My new life with a baby sister is not going how I had hoped.  This new puppy, Secret, is getting a lot of Dan's attention.  I am not very good with sharing (as you know) and Dan kept getting distracted by the puppy.  It was hard to keep his attention.  He kept playing with her and taking her out for short walks.  I think my playtime was short changed.

The second thing I found out, was Allana went at Disneyland!  Now, we all know that Disneyland is for kids.  I may not be an actual kid, but I'm kind of like one.  How could she go all the way to California and not take me with her.  Does this seem right at all?  I don't think so.  Now she did try to say that she spent her time at the Aneheim Convention Center, but I looked up Google Maps and it is a very short walk to Disneyland from the Convention Center.  I'm pretty sure she was hanging out at Disneyland the whole time.

Now that Allana is home, I'm hoping things will be a bit better.  Allana took me out for a walk and brushed metonight so I'm feeling a little better.  But let me tell you, the next time I see a suitcase, I'm packing my self.

Puppy Kindergarten Graduation

So off I went to puppy kindergarten tonight.   I figured it would be the typical class.  What usually happens is Allana tries to bribe me with tasty treats to follow her requests.  For example the word "sit" is followed by a delicious treat if I actually sit.  I've learned that if I refuse from time to time, I can increase the number of treats I'll receive when I do honor her requests.  So, tonight, like I said was a little different.  Tonight Allana attempted to get me to do all her requests in a row.  I didn't quite understand this, but I did somewhat comply and all of a sudden, I end up with this little black graduation hat on my head and a certificate at my feet.

I 

I think I prefer the regular routine as I get way more treats and the lady that tells Allana what to do gives me treat all night too.  I'll keep playing along and hopefully I can get all these people in my life trained.

Laura forgot something

Laura came to visit this weekend and we had a great time hanging out.  She always likes to play with me.  I was a little jealous when she spent so much time playing with the new little tri puppy, but she did play with me a lot, so I'm happy about that.

Laura had to leave this afternoon to head home to Houston.  I saw her pack up her laptop and grab her little suitcase.  I saw her putting her target bags in the trunk of her car.    And then it happened...Laura left for her trip home.  I just had a feeling something was not quite right when I heard it.  It was a high pitched bark that isn't normally here and when I looked it had happened.  Harrison had been left behind.  It hasn't been quiet since Laura left.

But I didn't want a baby sister!

This rainy day stuff is getting even worse.  I was stuck at home almost all day and when Dan and Allana came home, they brought home a puppy!  We did not need a puppy as I'm the only puppy they need.  She is so "adorable" they gave her my play pen.

I don't like this very much at all.  She is stealing all the attention away from me.

A Dark and Stormy Night

It just keeps raining today.  While I don't mind laying in the rain, Dan and Allana don't let me go outside in the rain.  They don't understand how much fun it is to dig up the garden when it rains.  It is so much more fun than when it is wet dirt compared to rock hard dry dirt.  There are big puddles by the gate that I can splash in.  Seeing as they won't let me play in the pool, I think it  only fair that I get to play in the puddles.  Why can't I go outside?  I need to run and play and this running laps around the sofa just isn't the same as running in the backyard.

I Love Dog Show Weekends!

I love these dog show weekends!  We have company again and this time it is Guy and Thelma Mauldin.  I haven't seen them for weeks so I'm so glad they came for a visit.  Guy thinks I'm amazing and thinks I should go back home with him, but Allana told him that I'm a house dog and have my own blog, so I really need to stay with Allana.  I love when everyone wants me!

Star is being a little snobby tonight.  Her and Story both came home with ribbons.  Now, I must admit, I do like the color of purple, and I think I look great next to the color purple.  For example, I have a purple and gold leash so I'm pretty fashionable.  I don't know what all the fuss is about purple ribbons, but I don't like how it takes attention away from me.  Here's picture of the girls with their purple ribbons.

Baby Sister?

Dan and Allana went to visit some puppies this morning and now there is talk of bringing home a puppy!  i don't understand why they would think we would need a puppy around here.  Oh wait...what I meant was another puppy around here.  I am the only puppy they need.  I don't think I need a baby sister.

Substitute Handler at Puppy Kindergarten

So let's revisit this puppy kindergarten thing that I keep getting dragged off to on Thursday nights.  Typically Allana takes me and I get fed lots of treats for doing very simple things, but last night was different.  For some reason Daniel took me to puppy kindergarten.  It started out fine, but then it changed.

Now I don't know if you have ever heard of the "leave it" command.   Let me describe it to you from a puppy's point of view.  The kindergarten teacher told all the handlers to put a delicious treat on the ground and then cover it up slightly and not let the puppy eat the treat.  Does this sound like a good idea to anyone?  I don't think so.  I thought it was pure puppy torture.  Daniel kept waiting for me to ignore the delicious giant treat and to look at him instead to get a little tiny treat.  There is no equity in this at all.  What's next ignoring a new play toy?  I really don't understand this training class at all.

Fortunately, Allana showed up for the second part of the class and then all I had to do was sit or lay down for a treat.  This is a much preferred activity than ignoring a giant delicious treat.  I hope Allana takes me to class next week.  I just attend for the treats.

It was a very scary night!

So I just heard that the scary storm the other night was a tornado.  While I'm not quite sure what a tornado is, this would definitely explain why all the metal furniture in the yard just flew away.  It is still pretty messy outside.  I don't know why Dan and Allana haven't cleaned everything up already.  They seem to go outside and pick up branches a lot, but it sure doesn't see to make a difference at all.  Here's the official link to check out the track of the storm:
http://www.weather.gov/images/ewx/wxevents/SanMarcosTornado.png

I'm just happy the storm is over and I'm safe.

So much stuff to play with

I've learned one thing about the storm the other night and that is when it storms there is a lot of stuff on the ground the next morning.  I feel like I have a thousand new toys in the back yard.  There are all these little sticks, moss balls, and leaves to play with.  I just don't understand why Stitch does't get all excited too.

Ruff Night

I got to spend the late night/early morning hours in the hallway by the closet tucked into my crate.  I didn't understand this at all.  It was super windy and the the rain was so vertical it sounded like it was going to come through the windows.  Allana and Dan were reading their phones and silencing various alarms that were going off on tablets and their phones.  I heard words such as "severe" and "tornado".   We got through the night and I slept quite well, but Dan and Allana appeared quite tired this morning as they both set off for the day.

Then, all that could be heard through the neighborhood was the sounds of chainsaws.  A quick glance around and this is what I could see...

I guess everyone who had the day off wanted to play with their chainsaws today.

Alamo Area Shetland Sheepdog Specialty

I want to be a show dog when I grow up.  I think it may be the best job in the world.  You get to have all your fur styled and then you get to run around the show ring and then your handler gives you treats!  How amazing is this!  I really, really, really want to be a show dog.  I know I can do it!

House Guests!

Normally, I love house guests.  For example, today,  Mendy, Michiko, and Danny came to visit and they love me and have played with me.  This is why I love house guests.  It would be totally perfect if only Guy and Thelma could have come too.  I hope they are feeling better and they can come again soon.

So, let's get back to the house guest topic and talk about the non-people house guests.  There is this new dog that came with Mendy.  This new dog may look beautiful and sweet if you just look at this photo.

Do not let this pretty little face fool you.  She does not like me at all and keeps snarling at me every time I try to say hi.  She is super sneaky about it too.  She looks all adorable when there are people on the couch with her, but as soon as they leave this girl is really, really mean to me!  I want the people to stay in the room with me.  I'm fearing for my life without adult supervision.

Conformation Handling Class versus Puppy Kindergarten

I think I've told you I attend show dog classes on Wednesday nights.  Daniel and Allana refer to these classes as "handling" class.  I prefer to call it, run around, put your ears up and look pretty and get fed class.  I think they are super fun.  All I have to do is look pretty and I get fed so it is a great time.

Last night I started Puppy Kindergarten.  Puppy Kindergarten was quite different.  There is a person who tells Allana what to do.  While I don't really understand this relationship, I guess I'll find out more if I keep going.  The instructor person taught Allana how to teach me sit.  I really don't understand this so much as Allana taught me sit when I first came home to her place when I was only 8 weeks old.  The procedure really didn't change, but I sure did get a lot of treats.  Every time Allana asked me to sit, there was this clicking sound and I got fed.  I didn't have supper last night and yet I was full when I came home from class.

So while I really don't understand why I go to two different classes, as long as I get lots of treats in both, I think I'm fine with going out twice a week.  I'll keep you posted on how each class goes.  So far so good.

Sorry it has been a little while

I apologize for not getting to the computer in a long time.  I've been a busy traveler.  I did get to go with Allana and Daniel to Guy and Thelma Mauldin's a few weeks back and it has been super busy since.  I had a great visit with my sister who still loves with all the Kismet Shelties.

Allana then left me at home along for a few days.  Once again, Dan I are great bachelors so we held down the fort just fine.  Sometimes it is nice when it is just Dan and I.  We stay up really late and then sleep in the next morning.

Allana was home this weekend and for some reason, instead of watching Hallmark Channel all day, she decided we all needed baths.  I thought I was safe at first.   First it started with Halo and then Stitch.  When Allana looked at me while she was wearing her pink dog bath apron, and I knew it was my turn.  I tried to dart away, but she was extremely fast today.

Well, at least I'm clean now, so I should be able to escape another bath for a week now.  Wish me luck.  For now, I'll just get every toy out of the toy box and entertain myself for a little while.

Please take me with you!!!

I know a lot about travel.  I've seen suitcases come and go from this place and whenever there is a suitcase it is followed by a person leaving for a couple of days or even longer.  Auntie Laura left with her suitcase and I haven't seen her or Harrison all week. So, I definitely noticed when Allana packed a little suitcase.

When Allana just happened to put the suitcase on the floor.  She was gathering up charging cables for all of her electronics  when I did this...

I'm hoping she will just close the lid and I can go with her.  Last time she had this suitcase out she was gone for two days! It was a very good thing Dan stayed at home and hung out with me last time.

Field Trip to a sheltie Club meeting

I stayed up really late last night.  I got to go to the Alamo Area Shetland Sheepdog Club meeting.  It was wonderful because everyone there loves Shetland sheepdogs and because I got to meet lots of new friends. 

Two of my new friends are the same age as me so they played with me a lot.  We had so much fun.  We got our leashes tangled around everything including chair legs, people's legs, and ourselves.  I'm not really sure what the people were talking about as I was way too busy playing.

I was really tired on the way home.  I did notice that Dan and Allana pulled into a drive through restaurant and picked up something to eat.  They did not share with me.  I was stuck in a crate in the back of the van.  I really don't think that was fair at all.  I think we should have all sat outside on the patio together so I could enjoy a french fry.  I think they just ignore me at times.

I love rain!

This rain stuff is fun for me, but for some reason, Dan and Allana do not want me to play in the rain.  I think it is the best thing ever.  It isn't hot outside when it rains.  The air feels really fresh when it rains.  There are puddles to play in when it rains.  I don't understand why I'm trapped inside just because it is raining outside.  I wish I could go out and play.  I know how nice and soft the dirt gets when it rains, it really is the best time to tear up the grass and re-landscape.  Why won't they let me play outside in the rain?

What's with this gate thing?

I know I'm a sheltie and I was bred to herd sheep and to be a loyal companion.  However, I really do love to play in water.  Dan is attempting to pressure wash all the concrete in the back yard so all of us shelties are stuck behind this gate.  It's like watching all the other puppies play in the puppy pen, but being stuck on the other side of the fence.  This is where I am stuck...

Can you believe the other dogs are just standing there.  Yup, that's me jumping over everyone in the background.  I don't like gates that are closed!

No Pizza for me...

Well, I'm not sure what happened, but Laura left and I never got any pizza at all.  I can see an empty pizza box on the counter, but I did not get even one piece of pepperoni.  I hope Laura comes back again soon.  I still think she is my best chance of getting some pizza.

There's this other sheltie

Now as you all know, I get along with other dogs and especially other shelties, however I've never met Harrison before.  Let me tell you about Harrison.  Harrison looks like this sweet little bright red and white sheltie, however...he has all humans fooled.  He has this adorable face he gives people and they just fall under his spell. 

Last night, when Harrison arrived there was lots of commotion.  He really likes to talk a lot.  So of course we all joined.  It was fine for awhile, but then Dan and Allana didn't really appreciate our vocal endeavors.  I don't normally get in too much trouble but today I did.  I think Harrison is just trying to get us in trouble.

Company!!!!!

I'm so excited!  Allana said Auntie Laura is coming to visit!  I'm so super excited as I've never met her before.  From what I know of Aunti Laura, I have a very good chance of tasting pizza for the very first time.  Stitch told me she is super nice and will want to play with me, but the most important part is that she loves pizza and I may get some pizza.  I'll keep you posted.

I hope she gets here soon...

Not the homecoming I expected...

So Allana was gone for two whole days!  She never came home from work last night.  Dan said she was out of town for a workshop.  All I know is that every night Allana comes home and even if it is late, she always gives me some treats.  Oh sure, I entertain her with a few sits, downs, and comes just to make her happy, but last night I didn't get any treats at all!  I really missed her.

So when she got home tonight, I was super excited to see her.  I thought she would break out the treats right away.  Boy...was I ever wrong.  She scooped me up to give me a hug and then scrunched up her nose and said I smelled like a dog.  Now, at first I thought that was a compliment.  I'm growing up so perhaps I was starting to smell like a dog as I am almost out of puppyhood as I'm three and a half months old now.  Well, this is what followed...

She marched me out to the dog room and plopped me into the bathtub.  Next thing I knew, I was covered in suds!  Now, I really don't like baths.  I tried putting my ears down and attempted my poor pitiful me face.  It didn't work, she started singing to me and told me I was the most beautiful puppy ever.  Next, I found myself on the grooming table with a giant hairdryer blasting at me. 

This was not the reunion evening I had planned for me and Allana.  The good thing is Allana said I was nice and clean so now she just wants to hug me.  I guess the reunion wasn't all that bad after all.

It's just one piece in the puzzle

So let me start with, it wasn't me....I share this home with several other shelties and two of them are puppies.  Dan and Allana started working on puzzle last night.  Now, I'm not really sure what the purpose of a puzzle is, but it must be somewhat important as all I heard was the sound of a little piece of colored cardboard hit the ground and then a crunching sound.  All of a sudden, Allana yelled "Noooooo!" and I heard Bree swallow quickly and scamper out of the family room.  There are still plenty of pieces of the puzzle to work on, so like I said, I don't know why it was such a big deal that Bree ate one piece.

Abandoned with Stitch

I don't know what happened today.  By now you all know I go to work with Dan and go on field trips all the time to different places.  Today was different and I didn't like it.  I was left at home...yes, it was like all of a sudden Dan and Allana totally forgot about me.  While at first it was not too bad as I had my comfy bed and lots of toys, but after awhile, I was pretty bored.  I was getting desperate to break out of puppy prison.

Puppy prison is only a nice place to be when you are having a snack or you really need a nice nap where no other dogs will bother you.  But it isn't that great when you want to be running around and playing.  I can do a lap in m puppy prison in less than 2 seconds.  In an effort to break out, I attempted to get my buddy Stitch to help.

Now typically Stitch is a great friend.  Even when I pull on his rough or his tail, he doesn't get upset, but today he was really just ignoring me.  He just kept sleeping all curled up in his bed.  I don't think he even heard my desperate pleas.  What kind of a big brother is that?

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

I Love School!

I totally know what I want to do when I grow up!  Dan and Allana took Bree and me to a ring handling class last night.  It's where puppies go to school to learn how to be show dogs.  It was great! There were all these other dogs and really nice people who loved dogs there.  I got to meet so many new friends.  All I had to do was walk on the leash, stand still (O.K. - that part is really hard!) and look pretty.  I really have the pretty part down but I do need to work a little on the other stuff.  Here's a little photo of me and Bree trying to be show dogs.

 Don't we look like show dogs already!  I think we are both going to be amazing show dogs.

The Trouble with Technology

So let me tell you my thoughts on technology...  I do love technology, after all without technology I would not have this blog.  However, I do  not want to compete with technology.  This is what happened.

I went to work on Monday with Dan.  Now I know that is not a new occurrence as you know I go to work with him pretty much every day.  However, Dan told me some kids would be excited to see me when I got to work.  Well, at first he was right, the four kids were amazing.  They loved me and wanted to play with me, but then all of a sudden, they stopped paying attention to me.  Instead, they got their tablets out and started surfing and playing with their new Christmas presents.  I am not used to not being the center of attention.  My feelings were really hurt.  I hung my little head down and walked out of the room back into the office.  Dan must have noticed I was rather sad, so he scooped me up and took me to his office.  I'm glad Dan loves me.

Today, however was much better.  I went off to work again, but this time, the tablets must have not come to work with the kids. I had three kids all to myself!  It was the best ever.  They played with me and it was the best morning.  I hope they can come to work again without their tablets.  I've decided I do not want to compete with technology ever again! 

This is a picture of my life without technology:

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!  I had a great New Years Eve.  I slept until just before midnight and then all the neighbors started to really step up their fireworks so I woke up.  I stayed up longer than Allana.  She fell asleep early, but Dan was still up and I watch T.V. with him and we watched the ball drop in Times Square together.  I'm a little tired today due to staying up so late last night.  I think I'll go to bed early tonight.  I wonder what Dan is watching on T.V. right now...