A Weekend with the Pups

I'm spending the weekend (and Monday) here in Virginia Beach with Mom, Dad, and the pups.  On Sunday morning, Mom and Dad went to teach a class at church and attend mass.  I decided to spread God's love through the canine population by skipping the three hour church and substituting it with a three hour doggy nap.  Charlie and Ginsu much prefer Mom and Dad's big bed to the couch or any other napping surface, and so the moment I started walking upstairs, an excited realization dawned on the pups and spurred a race to the bed.  The three of us took up the entire bed and slept until noon, at which time Charlie decided it was indeed time for a trip outside.  Ginsu conceded, but made it known that he could've been equally happy remaining in the bed. 

Once outside, the two seemed well-mannered and obedient for about five minutes.  Ginsu, while waiting by the door to return to the air conditioning, spotted and immediately took off after a small woodland creature.  If you have never chased a small dog, you may not realize that they are quite elusive...and they see nothing wrong with running away from you (because you are yelling, and who wants to be caught by that?).  Well, it took some thought, but I eventually outsmarted them; first by cornering Ginsu behind the dumpster he was investigating and carrying him all the way into the house.  After Ginsu was locked inside, I could focus on the quicker and more camoflauged Charlie.  Realizing that his brother was already defeated, Charlie was a much easier capture.  I merely herded him in the direction of the house, and walked behind him at an angle to prevent quick turn-arounds.

Everyone inside, and big panting smiles all around, the events of two seconds ago are all but forgotten.  Now they plan to sit on the living room couch and wait for Mom and Dad to return from church.

The Adventures of Charlie and Ginsu

I think I'm going to write a book about Charlie and Ginsu, and their adventures in the Virginia Beach house.  Instead of just starting the book, though, I plan to blog bits about their lives, and see how that works.  Well, here's the news:

Mom and Dad re-did the back porch above the garage due to a leak, and finished it with a fabulous wood-looking floor and an umbrella (I have yet to see this).  Since they put in the new porch, they have spent more time outside, and thrown Ginsu's world for a loop.  According to Mom, Ginsu seemed afraid of the new outdoor flooring, and wouldn't come outside unless there was no one left inside to keep company.  It's also possible that Ginsu prefers the plush couch cushions to the rugged porch.  And who could blame him?  He's furry and prone to hot spells...and now that the air conditioning vent is a collar-grabbing monster, it'll be pretty difficult to convince Ginsu that an umbrella is a good substitute for the living room.

In the past week, Ginsu has also become a bit of a bully.  It's certainly possible that his emotions are in such turmoil from the new porch, that he has turned against his brother and best friend, Charlie the papapoo.  Charlie is one year older, and clearly leads the pack when they sit at the windows standing watch.  He looks like a small brown fox with large bat-ears and a pompodore tail.  When he gallops away from you, you can see that his rear legs form perfect 19th century pantaloons.  He's more instinctive than Ginsu, and tends to bury biscuits under blankets rather than torture them killer-whale style (as Ginsu is known to do).  Charlie also enjoys protecting his territory and chasing squirrels, whereas Ginsu only pursues these activities half-heartedly and as a result of peer pressure (exerted by Charlie). 

Recently, Ginsu began stealing Charlie's biscuits (despite having his own) and picking fights.  Just this week, they were spending a leisurely afternoon on the big bed with Mom and Dad when Ginsu struck again.  Dad swatted his nose and scolded him, which either shamed Ginsu to the far corner of the bed or angered him (sometimes you can't tell with Ginsu).  Anyway, he turned and pointed his stinging nose away from Dad (only turning back to sit with Mom for a few moments).  Dad, ever the counselor, then told Ginsu that he loved him, and that he was a good boy...as far as I'm aware, this ended the argument and Ginsu has been quiet and mild-mannered ever since. 

More as the story develops...