labradors

Mystery Solved. But the Guilty Party Not Fessing Up.

Posted by Barbara Techel

mitten snatcherKylie is truly one of the sweetest dogs ever. Though she didn’t inherit all the typical Lab qualities such as playing fetch, swimming, or hunting, she is the best, most cuddly “big ole bear” ever. She also has a mischievous side about her.

I keep my mittens on the second shelf of a small table next to our kitchen table so they are easily accessible. They’ve been there since the beginning of December.

The last few days I’ve come into the kitchen to find them lying either in the middle of the floor or on the bed that Kylie and Gidget share which is also in the kitchen.

Each time I’ve picked them up and put them back on the shelf, wondering how in the heck they got to the middle of the kitchen. You’d think I’d be smart enough by now to know what’s going on. I’m a work in progress. What can I say?

Yesterday the mystery of my mittens were once again in the kitchen lying on the dog bed.

It finally dawned on me (stay with me here – my blonde hair gets in the way now and then) as I witnessed just then Kylie squeezing her body in between the big table and little one, snout sniffing out the second shelf.

“Aha!”  I said. “You! You are the one whose been snatching my mittens from the shelf!”

Ever so slowly she backed out, head hanging down as she slinked her way toward the bed. Along the way she picked up her favorite stuffed toy, Lambchop.

She had the gall to sit her sweet little butt down upon the bed right in front of my mittens, her puppy dog eyes really playing up the scene now and is if to say, “Oh, how could you?  How could you think me, your sweet dog, the one you call “big ole’ bear” and love with all your heart—how could you possibly think it was me?”

“Not confessing are you, Kylie? Well, okay then. But I’m on to you. I just want you to know that.” I was chuckling the whole time I said it as I reached over to pat the top of her head.

And just so you know, I’ve gotten smarter since the last episode last night and my mittens are now on the top shelf of the table. I might not be able to teach my old dog, Kylie new tricks, but this old dog is catching on.

Kylie Speaks: Life with my Wheelchair Dog Pal, Joie

Posted by Barbara Techel

kylie and joie on deck eDear Joie,

If I could really talk so human’s could understand me, this is what I’d say.  But of course, you already understand me because we speak the same language, which is love.

So, little squirt, I must say, you are so dang cute. The minute I saw you I knew we’d be best of friends.

I loved Frankie very much. But you see, Barb was quite nervous and new at having a wheelie dog around a big ol’ bear like me. She was often afraid I’d forget my strength and hurt little Frankie.  She’s come a long way in trusting me. She is so much more relaxed and at ease now. I like that.

This has meant a whole new world for me having you live with us. I get to run along beside you outside in the yard which is one of my favorite things to do. I loved when you first arrived and I got to show you “the way.”

Mouth wrestling with you in bed is really fun too. It’s fun to see you lay on your back with your black belly pointing to the ceiling. I like to pretend I’m tickling you when I sniff your sweet belly.

I hope you know I’m just teasing you when I try to take a toy from you. I think you do. But the fact you are young and love to play has given me a whole new energy that makes my tail go thump, thump, thump.

I love to look out for you in the yard making sure no harm will ever come to you.  Watching you run beside me with your ears flapping in the wind makes me smile.

Best of all, I love when we hang out on the deck together.  You know why?  Cause Barb and John are at their happiest when we all get to be together. Can’t you just feel the love that oozes out all around us?  All of us being together makes my heart swell with happiness.

Oh, little wheelie squirt, such a delight to have you here in our quaint cottagey home. You brought a new love and light to my days. A thousand Lab kisses and wags of my bushy tail will never be enough to show you how very much I love and adore you. But I think you already know.

Love,

Kylie