Pajamas' Special Gift

I have fond memories of my childhood dogs comforting me when I cried.  My first dog Christie would stand close and let me bury my face in her back with my little arms wrapped around her neck. My second dog, Bailey would come to my side at the first sign of tears and let me stroke her ears, listening patiently to my woes.

But Pajamas has them all beat. Pj will be fast asleep on her side of the couch, as the movie I am watching comes to a dramatic end.  I sniff as the first tears form in my eyes and Pj's head snaps up, ears lifted  "Mom? What's wrong?"  She quickly runs along the back of the couch and perches herself above my face. She licks my cheeks, my nose, my eye lids.  Slowly at first, but as the tears continue to flow her licking becomes more determined.  She is relentless.  She licks each tear before it has a chance to roll down my cheek and she doesn't stop until my sniffs turn to laughter and my eyes no longer tear.

I giggle and Pj's tail starts to wag, but she doesn't stop licking.  My giggles turn to all out laughter and I stroke either side of her face "Ok, ok I'm good Peej!"  She pulls back and inspects my face.  No more tears.  Her work is done.  She gives me one final lick and then makes her way back to her own side of the couch and drifts back off to sleep.

The bond between a girl and her dog is certainly something to behold!

A Day in the Woods

Today Pajamas and I packed the bike into my little red sports car and made the drive up to New Market for some biking.  Pj relaxed in the seat beside me, in and out of sleep.  Every once and a while though she gets up, stands her front paws on the centre console and gives me a couple short warm licks on the cheek.  She is so affectionate.  At first I wasn't in a very good mood, but with the sunroof open and the sun warming my face I slowly felt my mood change.  The trees look so beautiful and with each gust of wind leaves would swirl around the cars as we moved north on the 404.

When we arrive at the trails Pajamas cannot wait to get going.  She wanders around the parking lot smelling all the smells of the forest while I unpack the bike.  The minute I get on the bike she looses her mind.  She jumps around in front of the bike, her barks traveling well into the forest.

We weave through the trails Pajamas a couple steps ahead.  She looks back often to make sure I'm keeping up.  The trails were covered in bright yellow leaves, as the sun shone through the bare trees.  I love biking in the fall, with the cool breeze on my fast as we wind through the woods.

We biked for just over an hour and then made our way back to the car.  Everything feels better after an hour on the bike.  Pj takes one last drink out of my water bottle and then we pile back into the car.  She sleeps the whole way back to the city while I enjoy one last view of the fall forest before we hit the city again.

And the best part?  I have a pooped puppy for the rest of the day!

Thank Goodness for Pajamas

It's Thanksgiving weekend and I've just arrived home from my weekend morning walk.  Beside me on the couch is my puppy fast asleep, head resting on a pillow, tail tucked in close to her body. I look over at her and smile. She has given me so much to be thankful for.

Thank you for teaching me to love again.  To open my heart and love with all my might, even though I know someday we will have to part.
Thank you for showing me the beauty of the morning.  For sharing a morning sunrise and the crisp autumn air.
Thank you for being the last thing I see before I go to bed and the first thing I see when I wake.  For sensing that moment when I first open eyes and snuggling up close, slowly easing me into another day.
Thank you for helping me to be more active.  For pushing me to walk further, bike faster and get off the couch more often!
Thank you for your slobbery kisses.  Especially when you are licking away my tears, never stopping until my cries turn to giggles.
Thank you for your friendship.  I never feel lonely as long as you are near.

I love you Peej!

That'll Do

Find it
Flick it
Bounce it
Pounce it
                    When there's no ball.......
Roll it
Race it
Toss it
Take it
Throw it
Fetch it!
           .........an acorn will do!

All That and a Bag of Chips

There is a large park near my house that is perfect for an off leash walk in the morning.  I wait until we cross the busy street and head down the main path into the park before letting Pajamas off her lead.  She bolts forward, nose to the ground as I slowly bring up the rear.

I walk further into the park as Pj's nose continues to lead her into a bunch of trees.  Suddenly, she bursts out from between the trees with a huge chip bag hanging out of her mouth.  It drags on the ground in front of her as she barrels towards me into the field.  There is no way I am going to get this bag away from her.  I decide to ignore her, hoping this bag full of crumbs will loose it's appeal when Mom doesn't get upset.

Pajamas digs her head deep into the bag.  So deep that her head is completely covered.  She shakes her her head and the bag goes flying.  She grabs its out of the air and throws it back up again.  Pieces of the bag are flying everywhere as she bounces around the field.  I've tried call her name, whistling.. it's no use.

Mom has finally had enough.  I grab a forgotten piece of chip bag, laying in the field and head towards her.  The piece of bag peaks her interest and she comes running!  Victory!  I quickly grab her collar and hook up her to the lead.  And then I praise her.  That's right, I fed her a ton of treats, patted her on the head and scratched under her chin.  After all, would you come to me next time I called if I yelled and screamed at you this time??  And what kind of chips had she been eating?  Jalapeno!  Yikes!

Later that day we while cuddling on the couch, I found tiny chip crumbs scattered throughout her fur.   Just another day with Miss Pajamas.  Never a dull moment.

Say it with Pride!

by Mydogbarks @ 2010-07-24

Like most Saturday mornings, Pajamas and I took our walk to the local coffee shop for our morning coffee and treat. Me with my cheddar scone and Pajamas with her bacon and peanut butter treat. The coffee shop has a great patio that faces east, a great place to catch some earlier morning rays before the heat gets unbearable. Pajamas loves the treats from this coffee shop. She sits on the patio looking in the window of the shop while I order my breakfast just daring me to forget her treat! When I come out with both our treats on a plate she licks her lips and sits as pretty as she can. I always like to split the treat into three or four smaller pieces so that she can enjoy it just a little longer.

I am sitting peacefully in the sun eating my scone when two men walk out of the shop and get into a cab. My dog barks. Just one pronounced bark. The people sitting next to me look over and say with a smile "our dog never barks". And I had the most amazing reaction. I laughed and smiled down at my dog and said "Oh, my dog barks!" I was happy! Even a little proud of my little munchkin. She is my dog and I love her just the way she is.

Even the Heat Doesn't Stop Her!

by Mydogbarks @ 2010-07-07 
We're in the middle of a heat wave here in Toronto and every day when I leave for work I worry about leaving Pajamas home in my non air conditioned house. I shut all the blinds and leave extra water to make her as comfortable as possible.

As I walk up the street from the streetcar after work in the sweltering heat I feel a little excited. I feel this way every evening as I head towards home. "Pajamas, Mommy is coming." I'll tell you a secret...sometimes I actually jog up the street cause I just can't wait to see her!

But today, the heat keeps me at a slower pace. I enter my house. And there she is spinning around in circles, with her ball in her mouth. She's ready to go as always. I fill a big thermos with water, change into my coolest sun dress and head out to the park. Pajamas can hardly contain her excitement as I prepare for the park. The minute I open the door she charges ahead and down the driveway. She runs down the street, stopping every two or three driveways to make sure I'm still following. I'm never fast enough for her, especially in this heat!

We get to the park and I claim a spot in the shade the big tree and the game of fetch begins. I don't bring the chuck it in this heat, so she is surprisingly quiet. I toss the ball just a few feet away, but she runs at the ball full of energy and excitement. She stops more often than normal to grab a drink and lays down to catch her breath, but she's as happy as ever.

There is no doubt in my mind that when Pajamas dreams she dreams of running in the park with Mom at her heels and a ball in her mouth on a beautiful sunny day like today.

Crashing Waves of Lies

I took Pajamas down to the beach the other day and the minute her leash came off her barking began. I don't have a ball with me so she proceeds to jump around in front of me, barking so loud her ears are bouncing off the side of her head. She's barking so loud it echos off the houses behind us. A woman approaches, her quiet dog prancing along near by. "Your neighbors must hate you"
I was completely taken aback and before I realized it I was responding with, "She never barks." ..... She never barks? Where in the world did that statement come from? My mind immediately thinks back to this rightly named blog..My Dog Barks.
What prompted me to state such a bold faced lie? I tried to back peddle with embarrassment. "It's only when we're at the beach," I hear myself say. Another lie. "and when she's excited," I add. But, it's definitely more than that isn't it.