And Now You know.....The Rest of the Story!

Hey Pup Fans.....Lucy (aka Lu Lu Belle) here.
My brother, Mick Wagger, has been monopolizing this story board for months,
and I figured it was my turn to speak up (or is that Arf up?) .....
And, kind of set the record straight, you know?
As you probably read early on, I was a late comer to this family.
Mick, being an only kid and BELOVED, was not exactly ecstatic at my arrival.
The tension in the air when I first walked in that house was THICK.
He wanted to rip my furr out, but instead sat there looking all sweet and innocent.
Mom was fooled.....She thought we'd be instant Pals.....But, I knew different!
SO, as any smart Underdog would, I went on the defensive.....
The minute he went Alpha,
I ripped his furr out first, and drew a little blood along with it!!
So, maybe you think I deserved my new nickname, LUCI-FURR, 
but look at it my way.....
I had to draw the line from the beginning..... It was a matter of survival.
No stealing my food, No sniffing my butt, No sitting on Mom's lap EVER again, 
and every Toy in the house is MINE!
Even if you think possession of Toy is 9/10's of the Law, it's still MINE
and I have every right to approach and plunder.....And, You must RELEASE.
And, no whining to Mom.....
(SHhhhhh....You didn't hear it from ME, but Mick's the Ultimate Momma's Boy)
Suddenly, there was a new set of Laws in the house and they suited me just fine.
As long as you follow those rules, Brother, then all will be happy and peaceful......
Cross the line, and your white bread furr will be hanging from my teeth!
(I may seem PUSHY, but I have my RIGHTS)
Eventually, our best sibling moments actually came on our tandem walks.
We both loved the thrill of the outdoors, and the Call of the Wild.
On our treks, there was no Home Turf to defend, so we relaxed a little and finally had fun!
Noses to the ground and tails wagging, we followed the Sparky Squirrel trail,
Mom wearily dragging behind.....
Somewhere along the line, we formed a Truce and became a Team.
That's when home life became easier for all of us, 
and Mom breathed a huge sigh of relief.
And, my name went from Luci-Furr to Lu Lu Belle.
Of course, it also helped that about that time I FELL IN LOVE!
Yes, you remember, Mick has mentioned my Affaire with Guinness?
Our neighbor..... The Handsome, Salt and Pepper Grey, 
Hunky Husky with the longest Canine eyelashes EVER?
The moment I sniffed him through his white picket fence, I knew I was a goner.....
He had me at WOOF!
Suddenly, life was all Hearts and Flowers and even Mick couldn't ruin my good mood!!

LUCY'S TIP:
Forget the Rules at your Peril.....Every Toy is still MINE!

Stay tuned for more of LUCY'S side of the story.....
Lu Lu Belle here.....Good Day!

News Flash.....

Every morning, Mom and Dad hop out of bed,
make the coffee, take us out and grab the Newspaper from the front yard.
We kids would love it if they fed and walked us right then,
but instead they settle back under covers for what feels like HOURS of READING!
Being patient, obedient pups, we settle in too.....Kind Of.
Those papers are funny things, with lots of squiggles and pictures,
and we're not sure what they say..... but Mom and Dad seem very interested.
Sometimes they laugh, and sometimes they frown, and sometimes Dad just
throws it down on the bed, disgusted.....
But, there's always something to talk about (Especially the Denver Broncos!).
I've even seen photos of Canines and Cats inside (MY kind of story!).
When our patience has finally run thin, Lucy surfaces, 
gives that little low throaty growl of hers, 
and proceeds to stand on top of all that newsprint.
OK MOM!.....We're not messing around now..... 
News Flash.....It's time for our breakfast and a hike!
And, in case that message isn't clear enough, she gives those papers a little chew too!
Thanks Lucy, for bringing our parents back to Earth.
Current events can wait.....We have Canine surveillance to report!!!
Around the block, through the neighborhood, and up into the Foothills.....
Sharing a woof with all our dog neighbor friends.....
Keeping an eye on deer, bear, fox and squirrel.....
Marking our turf every 20 paces.....
Now, that's how WE spread the News.

MICK'S TIP:
If you want to speed up the process, pass a little Gas.
It will definitely get your morning message across.....

Wrinkles......

Oh NO!......I see a WRINKLE,
right on the end of my Terrier nose!!
Looking in the back door glass, I see my life passing before me.
REALLY, can I be 7 years old (that's 49ish for you humans)
and halfway through my life??
It seems just yesterday that I was a footloose puppy,
frolicking through the grass, my only thoughts on kid kibble 
and a great place to pee.....
Tearing through the house near warp speed at Midnight,
with no signs of slowing down.....
Destroying the TV remotes daily,
And, chewing every shoe in sight 
(Dad's best Cole Hahns.....YIKES!.....What was I thinking??)
So, REALLY, has it come to this NOW?
Napping for hours on the sofa back.....
Serious stretching needed for even an "around the block" walk?
Often missing the grazing deer, just a few feet away?
My tummy grumbles at just the hint of a new food?
And, I need to pee constantly, anyplace will do.....
Dozens of rodent toys scattered around, but none really call to me??
And I can't remember where the HECK I left them, even if I was interested.
My pads are like the Sahara Desert, 
instead of the soft velvety paws of yesteryear.....
And, it seems I might be thinning a bit, right between my ears.

YAAWWWNNN.....
9 p.m. bedtime calls and I am definitely ready to turn it in.

They say this is normal, and just a part of joining the more mature
Senior Dog status, but I DON'T LIKE IT!!!
Facing my Canine mortality is something I'm WAY too young for.....

Wait.....What's that.....OUTSIDE.....
It's Sparky Squirrel scuttling about, ready to raid the bird feeder!
Arf, Arf, Arffff, Arf, ARFFFFF!!!
Well, that's a relief.....
Guess the old boy still has it.
Anyway, I've always heard..... 
The hearing is the last to go.

MICK'S TIP:
Eat simply, stay active, and ask Mom
to put a little Balm Bag on your paws.
Oh, and stay on top of Sparky.....
It's good for your brain.

GO Broncos !!!

It's August, and my favorite time of year.....Football Pre Season!
My Dad and Brother are rabid about our Colorado team, 
and especially Mr. Manning.....
Suddenly, the TV is on again, and the Announcer's official voice fills our Home.
Orange and Blue are everywhere and those pretty gals are prancing around.
The Broncos White Stallion takes the field !!
(So exciting.....Just let me at him!.....Bark, Bark, Bark, Baark, BARRKKK)
But, the very best part is when we pull out the Wilson and start throwing it around!
Now our walks are not just ordinary strolls, but a chance to play CATCH!!!!!
Or, it would be catch if they'd just throw it to ME.....
Back and forth, back and forth, and WWAAAYY over my head, the ball goes flying.
Down the street we all run, Me leading the drive throw by throw......
I dodge and weave, jump and juke, trying to intercept.
But my Big Brother never throws my way or drops the ball.....
(I try not to take this too personally.....But, work with me, OK?
Sure, I don't have opposing thumbs, and my snout is a bit small to span the pigskin,
but HEY a guy can sure try, Right?? )
Even Lucy gets into the Game.....
She's the unofficial Ref, and snarls if there's a bad play.
(And she's especially bad tempered when we carry HER like the Ball)
Meanwhile, back on the leash, Mom is lurching to keep up.
Every 15 feet or so on the tether, I feel a yank and hear her screech.....SLOW DOWN!
It's a little rough on my neck, but I ignore the burn in pursuit of the Sport.
As they say, no one ever talks about the one who came in Second!
Hey Dad, HURRY - HURRY !!!
I'm OPEN..... Pass it to ME!

MICK'S TIP:
Keep your Sunday schedule free,
Cuz it's gonna be exciting!
 LOOK OUT SAN FRAN....
Here we come!!!

Zen Moments.....

I'm a Zen Master and Yoga Expert,
at least in my own mind.....
Each morning I hop off the bed
(Yes, my Mom is very open minded)
and immediately Assume the Pose.....
Downward Facing Dog.
While stretching out, I spend a little quiet time
thanking God and the Universe for my happy life.
Then, out the back door to commune with the early birds
and breathe deep of the cool, Colorado mountain air.
(Oh, and a little leg lift.....Otherwise known as Donkey Kick)
With full lungs, I send up my ritual praise.....
Bark, bark, Bark, Bark, BARK!!!!!
(So much for the meditative silence.)
Then, it's back to the kitchen for an all natural,
gluten free, high fiber breakfast snack.
Lips smacking, I saunter back into the bedroom 
for a longer series of Yoga positions.....
Chinese Happy Baby, Pigeon, Cat-Cow,
and my final favorite, right on top of Dad's pillow,
the Corpse pose!
AAaaaahhhhhhhhhh......Now this one, I could hold for HOURS!!!
MICK'S TIP:
To fully experience your morning Sun Salutation,
Clear your head of all distractions and focus on 
the Zen of your inner Dog.....
And perhaps Meditate.....on a great Snack!

LIFE.....Roll with it OR Roll in it!

Life can get a little stressful at times.....
Your Sister steals your breakfast,
Your leash is too tight,
The neighbor Cat sits just a hair out of reach,
and leers at you with that teasing smile.....
You know the feeling? 
And it's a Monday, no matter what day it really is!
Some might want to crawl back into that cozy dog bed,
but for me there's a better antidote.....
Take a walk, find a great scented spot (read... wild, dead, poo)
And ROLL in it!
Ahhhh....the JOY of a good stink bath takes all the stress away.
I am left feeling cool, calm and centered again.....
Really, YOU should try it!
Completely Relaxing.
We Canines of this world just might be on to something!!
See you soon, rolling around the block.....
MICK'S TIP:
Be prepared.....A trip to the Groomer is most likely in the forecast.

Checkered Flags......

Sometimes our Living Room feels like a Daytona Speedway.....
Racing down the front hallway and careening off the sofas,
NASCAR has nothing on us!
When Mom's lacing up her sneakers,
getting ready for her morning run,
Lucy and I can barely contain ourselves.....
We warm up along with her, pouncing on each other like
a couple of young cats.....dart and weave, poke and feint.
Just egging each other on!
Soon, the snarls and teeth appear.....play of course.....
And, all Holy H.....breaks out!!
Mom is shouting, "CUT IT OUT!", but by now it's too late.
Down the front hall stretch, me leading with Lu Lu drafting behind,
tearing the finish off the linoleum, we nearly reach warp speed!
Cutting close on the corners, clearing the coffee table with a bound,
and bouncing up to the sofa cushions, with a snappy finish!
Hey MOM, are you ready YET?!?
It's a BEAUTIFUL Colorado morning!
Out the door we both go, leashes taut behind us, and Mom
flailing to keep up.....
Start your Engines kids.....The TRUE Race has begun!!
As the saying goes,
Boogity, Boogity, BOOGITY!.....Let's go racin' Boys!
MICK'S TIPS:
Maintain paw health for optimal traction.
A lower tail position benefits your Drafting technique.
If you know what's good for you.....Always let your Sister WIN!!
MICK WAGGER