Monday, October 22, 2012

Uba, NW1

Five years ago I was pretty sure that all I would ever know was the plain concrete box I lived in. I was just a little pup, not even six months old, when they took me and my cousins away from the life we knew in the woods and put us in boxes. I started to forget who I was. I forgot about the woods I used to live in and that there was anything outside my box. Some of the other dogs forgot themselves before I did and believed that the box was all there was. Hector didn't forget and he would bark at the people that hosed us and our boxes and it would remind me that once I knew something other than the box.

Five years ago the kind man called Tim climbed up to my box, opened the door and asked me to come out. I was really scared because the box was me and I was the box. I couldn't remember what was outside the box.  Tim reached in and lifted me down to the ground and patted me with kind hands and that was the first day of my freedom. 

Freedom sounds wonderful, but when all you know is a box, freedom is overwhelming. My mom, Lulu, and all my friends spent a lot of time explaining to me that there is nothing to be scared of and that they would keep me safe. They called me “environmentally sensitive” and one friend who helps humans called veterans said I was like her patients who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With help I got brave at home, at pit ed class, in wild places and in a few other places, like Jonny's house. New places stayed scary.

One day we went to a new school where Audie's mom showed us a new game. I didn’t want to go inside the school or eat hot dogs. I was too scared to pay attention. We kept playing the game with the hot dogs and one day I was so interested in using my nose that I started to forget about being scared.  After lots of practice I learned to find birch oil, anise oil and clove oil instead of hot dogs and I got brave enough to look for the oils in different places. When I go to new places now I wonder if there might be a search to do and I don’t want to melt in to the ground so much.
This weekend I gave myself and my mom an early five years free present and earned my NW1 title. I got scared a few times, but I found all the oil and told my mom where it was. The judges gave me two special “Ps” which stands for pronounced and means I was extra good at working with my mom.   
Uba, NW1

Monday, September 3, 2012

This summer I was lucky enough to have my BFF Ivie Lu come over to play a few times. She's great. We take walks, wrestle, and lay around being lazy together. But there's one thing we do not have in common - that would be playing in the water. You see, Ivie loves the water and I do not. Here she is trying to convince me to get in the pool! "No way", I say!!

So I show her that the only thing the pool is good for is a big drink of water. -Grace

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Just Call Me Super Dog

 This weekend I dressed up and went on a walk with all my friends incognito.

I thought that my outfit would let me enjoy the day quietly and the people would pay attention to my sister, Lulu, and my foster sister, Tallulah.
Thats Lulu on my left and Tallulah on my right.
My plan backfired a little. As we walked the people along the way kept calling me. "Super Dog! Super Dog!" they kept shouting. 


I have to admit it was cool to be Super Dog for a day!

hugs,
Uba

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

35 Years



Thirty five years ago - life changed. ( five in people years )

I left on a journey that took me many places.
I made many friends, held a few jobs, and found a family.

  
Things turned out just wonderful.


 So, today
I can't help leaping for joy


or running for joy...


or boucning for joy.


Well....to be honest - it all just makes me smile.




Wishing a Happy Thirty Five to all the pups and people out there.


-Jonny



Sunday, April 22, 2012

My Precious

After dinner treat
the bouncy red rubber ball
it is mine all mine
I am a lucky dog.
hugs,
Uba

Monday, March 19, 2012

iFun Photos

Hi, it's me,Grace. I've been bored with all of this rain, so I resorted to taking silly pictures of myself with the iPad.


Grace The Polar Bear


Grace the Dachshund


Dizzy Grace


Piggy Grace


Gracie Twins

What do you think?

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Squirrel Patrol



No, I have never caught one. Besides, she wouldn't let me if I could. But those irritatingly chatty squirrels live in the tall trees just beyond and mock me from above. So, I feel it is my responsibility, no, it's my duty, to volunteer for squirrel patrol in case they all decide to climb down and invade my lawn!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

My valentine understood me back in the early days when I didn't even understand myself. She taught me everything I know and helped me feel safe. She tolerates me even when I'm really bouncy. She lets me curl up next to her and use her ear as a blanket. I wouldn't be the dog I am without her.
Thank you for being my big sister, Lulu. I love you.

love,
Uba

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Come and Meet Us!

In case you missed it, Jonny Justice, Teddles, and me, Uba, will be hanging out at AnnaBee's in Pacifica on Saturday, January 21st. We will be signing books and answering all your important questions. My good friend Sydney will be hanging out with us too.
Come and say hi, we can't wait to meet you!

Hugs,
Uba

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Getting Strong and Bored

I have been working very hard on getting my strength back after my surgery. First I got to run around and play in the back yard and we started going for nice long walks. After a while Star came to stay with us. We played and went on walks and had a ton of fun together. I thought she would be a great foster sister, but then she went home with her new family.
Then I got really bored, and I spent a lot of time staring at my mom and talking to her about how I wanted my treadmill back and a foster sister.
I had to keep asking, but eventually she got the idea and bought my treadmill back. I am so happy that I can run and run and make myself handsome and buff again.
Then, this weekend, it got even better and a new foster sister came to stay. We are still deciding on her name, but I can tell you she is a superhero and it is going to be a whole lot of fun teaching her about the world.
Lesson number one for the new foster girl - keep your eyeballs out of my pictures!

Hugs,
Uba