Slugger's Rules for Life

(Phoenix, AZ)
Yesterday was Slugger’s birthday,
but we were so busy with the trial
we didn’t get to celebrate in style.
But never fear, his party will come soon
When he’s with friends who can help him celebrate too.

In the meantime, Slugger would like to share with you his views on life. So I'll turn the computer over to Slugger – here is what he writes (with the help of a friend):

Mom never lets me use the computer, so now that I have but these few minutes, I'll try my best to use them to my advantage. Here are my thoughts that I live by:


1. Never pretend to be something you're not. Everyone knows you are a 50 pound lap dog, so don't pretend that you are not.

2. If you have a stick in your mouth, you automatically switch to super overdrive, and will be compelled to run around like you are insane...

3. If your people won't let you on the bed, cry, whine and look pathetic until they do.

4. Be excessive, if they ask you to get a stick, bring back a tree, if they ask for a kiss, drench their face.

5. If someone seems to not want to be friends, follow them around, stare
at them, whine at them, cry, and if they are sitting, sit directly on
them, and kiss them until they can't breath.

6. Always sit where everyone is, and if they are in the same place, like
the couch or bed, make sure to plop yourself in between them, and DO
NOT MOVE.

7. If they try to move you, be stubborn, dig in your heels, and if they
do move you, refer to number 3.

8. If you want to add a little excitement to your life...chase
something, birds, squirrels, raccoons, see how your people come
running and yelling. I have found that porcupines and skunks work
exceptionally well, but don't ever catch them, or you'll end up in
the bath tub or the vet's.

9. Baths are always bad! (Swimming is always good....but that's so different!)

10. Act as silly as you can when you do something wrong, and you should
get away with it. The trick is to make them laugh...(works every time for me!)

11. Work that tongue of yours...let them come close enough and then
surprise them with a lick "snake's style" right on the mouth!

12. Make sure to always go for the most comfortable couch in the house...
even if it is already occupied. Same thing goes for your favorite
lap.

13. When it's in your best interest, always practice obedience, keeping a
keen eye on the hand that holds the treat, unless there is something
more interesting within 100 yards, then ignore everyone and focus
entirely on the more interesting person/dog/thing to the point of
reaching a trance state. (I'm really good at this!)

13. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be
pure ecstasy and prompt you to produce copious amounts of drool to
leave on all interior car windows.

14. Never miss the opportunity to cuddle with a loved one ...

I guess the last one can apply to everyone - human or animal. Okay, I'm off now - after writing all this I need to go cuddle and kiss!!

Wow, that Slugger can write!

This evening we got to attend a "box" practice. They have a box practice down here about every other week. No wonder the Arizona gang does so well at all the distance challenges.

The course from the last round of Regular (Sweepstakes division) at the Championships was set up. We all then got to practice doing the whole course from the box. It was difficult! No one did it perfectly but some of the dogs did really well. Sparkie was very impressive. Wazzu couldn't begin to do it. But she was really happy. In fact, she did 12 weaves faster than any dog there tonight. Go figure!

After box practice ended, I took Boogie out to do a couple little things as he had watched the entire practice from the dashboard of the RV. He had a grand time when it was finally his turn.

People in the PNW need to have some kind of practice or lessons like this if they want to keep up in the distance portion of agility. Hopefully that will happen! I do know some of my friends in WA are working hard on that! "Out" you go!!

Slugger & Debbie
11/26/07