Wealth Management......

I have rich friends,
and I have poor friends......
I love them all, 
and when we go out to play,
it's hard to tell who is who.....
We all just get along.
The Park is a great equalizer!
Some live in huge houses, 
with special fences 
and real time doggie doors.
Their beds are imported goose down, and their dog food is organic.
Their collars have a special 
paw print logo embroidered on them.
Their toys come from an upscale boutique, just for us Kids, down the street.......
These Pups have the life!
Some of my friends live more simply......
But, they're not whining or unhappy.
Often, they have the very best adventures!
(And, they sure do know how to tree a Squirrel!!)
I kind of think we need us all in this world.....
The strutters and the scrappers.
Some are meant to sit back and enjoy life,
and others are meant to ask questions and push the boundaries.
Some are happy and comfortable where they are,
Some will forever look for adventure, and answers.
Some are content.....Some are restless. 
Some are curious.....Some are wise.
Each is on his path of life...... 
Each has something special to offer when the pack gathers.
The important thing, REALLY, is how we all PLAY together!
At the Social Park, we're all in the Mix.
Butt sniffs are standard..... So are lifted legs.....
A few snarls..... Mostly excited Yips!
Soon, a pack of us is racing down the trail,
 like a South American Soccer Team in pursuit of a winning goal.
This is JOY in it's purest form......This is definition of Dogdom!
Who CARES what kind of percale dog bed might be your birthright?
I'm drooling right along side my Brother! 
YEEEE-HAWWWW!!!
Likewise, at Midnight, when the Fox, Coyote, Bear and Lion stalk, 
does anyone ask whose dog voice howls in protest?
No......We are Universal.....WE ARE ONE.....And, we have each others back!
Aooooooo, AAoooooo, AAOOooooooo !!!
A symphony of voices fills the still, dark air.
Begone Wild Ones! 
You can't stand up to all of US!! 
 AAAaaaarrrrooooo!
These are the Kids that have my back.....
And that security spells true wealth.

(All this, and of course Mom's warm lap at the end of the day.)

MICK'S TIP:
Forget what treats you may or may not have.....
Remember, in the dark of night, it's all about having each other.
I'm pretty sure that's what the Doggie Lamma would say......

Birthday Boy......

Last Friday was my birthday......
Or, so Mom says.
March 28.....
Apparently, a very important date for her.
Because, she had been mentioning it 
ALL week.
Now, I'm not one for tracking holidays,
(unlike a swift ground squirrel for instance!)
and it sort of snuck up on me,
but I sure do LOVE all the treats that go with Birthdays!!!
So, I was really looking forward to the FUN!
Mom said this was a big one, 
because I turned 8
and she says I'm now on the Back Nine.....
(Whatever THAT means?)
So, suddenly on Friday afternoon, 
our kitchen was filled with balloons, 
bows, party hats, and the savory 
bacon smell of dog treats (my FAVORITE kind!)
We even had cupcakes (banana flavor with purple yogurt icing!)
WOW, this is the LIFE!!!
The entire family (Lucy too, unfortunately) gathered in the kitchen
and there were treats EVERYWHERE.
My taste buds were in overload.
Liver, fish, bacon, cheese.....
Then, the presents came out, wrapped in colorful bags 
that I could really sink my teeth into!
There was a Camo T-shirt (unfortunately too small....could it be the treats?)
an Elephant tug toy from Dad,
and a really great purple Monkey from my Human Brother and his Girl.
I quickly forgot the pupperoni stix for a good shake of that Monkey.
I named him Cheech.....It has a ring to it, don't you think??
Mom and Dad had a good laugh at that.
We ALL had a wonderful time, and even Lucy was smiling
(Which, of course, why NOT.....
she's sucking down MY great treats.....
And sneaking off with MY new toys.....
But, I was determined to be good sport.....I'm MATURE now)
Later,I settled down for a wonderful snooze,
and though my tummy was gurgling a bit more than usual,
All in All, it was a Banner Day!!!
They say it's my Birthday.....Da, da, da, da, da.....da.
Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-z-z-z-z-z..........

MICK'S TIP:
Make every day a treat.....
You never know when you might hit the 18th Hole.

TV Hero.....

No matter where I am,
when the TV starts Barking, 
I'm there in a flash!
(Ditto..... Meows, Squeaks, Clucks,
Snarls, Growls or Hisses)
Humans are constantly 
floating on the TV,
and I'm just not impressed.
But, let anything with 4 legs 
( 3, 8 or 100 for that matter)
appear on the screen.....
And I am GALVANIZED!
(Even cartoon animals 
send me spinning.....
Let me at that Wiley Coyote!!!)
Forgive my Hyper Focus, 
but I take this assignment very seriously.....
It is MY job to protect Mom and the entire Family.
I won't have that wayward Canine taking over our house, 
with his whines, barks, running and JUMPING.....Into the Living Room!
I HURL myself against the TV full force, 
Lucy close behind, as we Tag Team the Interlopers! 
Soon the house is filled with our Security Howls.....
AaaaRrrrooooo!.....AAaaaRRrrrooooo.....AAAaaaaaaRRRRrrrrroooooo!!!!!
Boy, does that feel better, and suddenly Fido is GONE.
For the Moment.
But, He'll be back.
(I stake my reputation on it!)
It's curious...... 
Mom must feel super anxious with those strange animals around,
because she's usually screaming at the top of her lungs......
S-T-O-O-O-P-P-P!!!
Don't worry Mom......Mick to the Rescue!
Bark, Bark, Barrrk,BBAaarrrkk, BAARRKKK!!!
Huh?
Suddenly the screen goes Black??
Guess that Rover wisely gave up.....
Mission Accomplished.
It's amazing what a guy can do when he REALLY puts the WHAMMY on it!

MICK'S TIP:
Claim the sofa spot closest to the TV for best surveillance and vigilance.....
Mom will thank you for it!
And, if you need reinforcements,
ACME has some really neat products.

They're BAAACK!

Arf, Arf, ARF, ARRFF, ARRRFFF!!!
I see lights, I hear a car.....I smell MOMMM!
We run to the back door.....Me grinning, Lucy with Lion in her mouth.
Just when it seemed we could wait no longer,
Our Parents stroll in, big bags in hand and looking tan and happy.
We dance and leap, catching serious air,
and throw ourselves into their VERY full arms......
Mom drops her purse, lots of pink stuff scatters, and she laughs!
We get head rubs, chest rubs, and full body hugs......
Lucy is swung in the air and lands like a Parrot on Dad's shoulder.
I go into full throttle lick mode, and cover Mom with kisses.
The slobber is flying, but I'm beyond caring.....
HOOOooooooo.........We are a family again!

MICK'S TIP:
When your Folks are gone, find a sunny spot and sleep a lot.
The time just flies by when you're dreaming of chasing varmints 
across a summer meadow.....
FYI.....I've found fox poop REALLY 
knocks me out!

Vacation..........

One day not long ago, my Mom just disappeared......
(So did Dad too, 
but we can live with that)
It happened in the dark of night, way before the birds start singing.
Our human brother showed up at the door (he's been gone for months too)
and helped with those big bulgy boxes rolling about.
The car was running with lights on.
Hushed voices whispered last minute instructions.....
Lucy and I sat dumbstruck, not believing our eyes.....
They're LEAVING??!??
Our ears were back and sadness was creeping in by the minute.
Mom came over for one last snuggle, and tried to comfort me.....
"Don't worry sweetheart, we'll be back soon. Love you, Be good!"
And then.......... They were gone.
Now, I'm a smart Pup, but I can't tell time and I don't know what "soon" is.....
Our brother fed us, walked us, slept with us.....but, it wasn't the same.
For a LONG time.....
I've got to admit, I was one depressed Pup.
This was no vacation for us.
Even LambChop couldn't console me, and Lucy quit carrying Lion too.
We stood....sad sentinels..... on the sofa back, watching the window all day long,
and wondering..... was our Mom EVER coming home?

LambChop.....

There's a new love in my life.....
And her name is.....LambChop.
Mom brought her home from 
the grocery yesterday
and I was instantly smitten!
Lucy, of course, wanted to be her 
new Best Friend,
but a little snarl from me 
set Lucy straight.....
LambChop is MY Girl!!!
My Girl doesn't bark or bite at me.
She doesn't push me around 
or steal my stuff.
She just winks her dark lashes at me 
and quietly waits 
while I tear out her stuffing 
and nibble on her soft red paws.
Her squeakers are gone now
(Mom always confiscates those!)
but there's something comforting about
her complete and accepting silence.....
It's wonderful to have a friend who knows me so well.
As I drag her into my dark canine cave,
I thank Dog for True Love!
(Lucy, Stand Back!!!)

MICK'S TIP:
Don't leave your Girl lying around.....
Some opportunist is always ready to pounce!
Treat her with respect and care, 
and you'll share many months of Joy!!
(LambChop......Will you marry me?!?!)

Valentines Day.....

Our house seems to be full of red stuff 
this weekend.......
What gives?
Red flowers on the counter, 
red papers on the shelf, 
the sweet smell of candy
and pink scout scarves on Lucy 
and me.....Really??.....PINK for ME?
(I'll be the laughing stock of the neighborhood dogs.....
Guinness, the Husky down the block, would REFUSE to wear pink!)
The upside seems to be lots of kisses 
and hugs for us pups,
and special "hot dog" treats 
in our bowl.....DROOL!
Mom and Dad seem especially happy, and LOVE is in the air!
Of course, Mom..... I'll be your Valentine.....Arffff
Anything (including Pink!) for another yummy Hot Dog!!!

MICK'S TIPS:
To my Friends and Family,
BE MINE.....LOVE YOU.....SWEET THING.....HOT STUFF
(I especially like the last one!)