Boundaries.....

I've always felt I was pretty good at Boundaries.....
You know, how far the World (and your Sister) can push you.
Touch my bowl, and I'm gonna snarl.
Bark at me, and I'll likely bark back.
Put one paw on my front yard, and there's Hell to pay.
And don't even get me started on the UPS Truck!
I'm a Terrier, after all.
That's how an Alpha Guy lives.....
But lately, I've had some pangs of regret.
(Chalk it up to my Catholic upbringing.....That Guilt thing.)
Maybe there's room for a kinder, gentler Mick on this Planet?
I could share my stuff......
I could make friends with our neighbors.....
I could drop a bone at Big Brown's feet.
Really, I could.....
But, would I respect my Terrier Self in the morning?
Actually, I've always been a little suspicious of those 
Mutts that don't know where to draw the line.
Who wag their Tail for just anyone.....
But that's just Me.
An Alpha needs to know where he 
Stands in the World.
Often, an Alpha stands alone.

MICK'S TIP:
Good fences make good neighbors.....
Thanks to Mr. Frost.
But, We All know.....
The smaller the dog, 
the quicker under the Fence!
Boundaries.....
Sometimes,
They're made to be crossed.

ATTACKED !!!

Last Fall, 
Something really scary 
and awful happened.....
It's only now that I can bear to remember.
It was a beautiful, 
golden Colorado morning
And Mom and I were nearly home 
from our morning jaunt.
Flushed, happy, endorphins pumping,
We rounded the corner towards home.....
Suddenly, I heard a deep snarl, 
saw a streak of Shepherd fur, 
and found myself pinned to the ground 
In a nano second.
Mom was kicking and hollering above me, 
But the choke hold continued,  
I couldn't breath
And the light was dimming.....
Jaws were locked on my neck
And my whole body was shaken 
Like the Dog Toy I'd become.......
My World felt like the inside of a
Maytag washing machine.
The shouting and snarling continued.
My life was flashing before me.
Goodbye Mom.
I love You.
It's been A Wonderful Life.
Give my toys to Lucy.
And THEN,  I was released.....
The 130 lbs of Fury was dragged off me,
Still twisting, snarling, snapping.
Mom was breathing hard,
(Or hardly breathing).
I jumped up, 
Glad to have 4 paws on the ground again!
Trembling,
I headed down the block 
as fast as my short Terrier legs could take me,
Towards home.
Once inside, I took stock.....
Paws check.
Tail, check.
Ears, OK.
Neck.....OUCH!
There was a necklace of pain
Wrapping my throat.
Blood was now dripping on my paw.
I was one sorry Westie!
Mom's on the phone......
"Bring him right in.....", they say.
So, to add insult to injury that day,
I'm headed to the VET.
(It's common knowledge how I feel about THAT)
Several shots later, my wounds are salved
And I'm back on the couch.
Wondering if I'll ever be able to walk down
That block again.
Yikes.
But, I'm counting my Blessings.
It could have been so much worse.......
I just hate to think of Lucy messing with my toys!


MICK'S TIP:
I could say, NEVER trust a German Shepherd.
Their Bite is definitely Worse than their Bark.
But, that would be contrary to my democratic soul.
Not every Shepherd is a biter.
Each must be judged on their own merit.
Still, it makes sense to keep your Westie eyes open.....
Perhaps pick a different block?
ACHTUNG!!!

Who Do You Love.....?

Yesterday was Valentine's Day,
Day of hugs, love, and plenty of slobber Kisses!
All week, Lucy and I have been wearing our 
Heart print Scout Scarves.
(She loves hers.....I feel a little less macho in Pink)
Humans on the street thought we were SO cute!
Yikes.
All the fuss was kind of fun,
(Who doesn't like heart shaped dog cookies??)
But it also got me thinking......
What is Love to ME?
Sure, I love my neighbors, my sister, 
My family, my home.....
The deer I bark for, my favorite pee tree.
I love my couch, my bowl, my new Beef Hunk dinner loaf.
I loved Lamb Chop and a hundred other toys.
But who do I LOVE?
Who do I watch for end of day......?
Who do I follow in tireless circles.....?
Whose eyes do I yearn for.....?
Whose nose is my favorite lick spot?
Who's got my heart, 
and I've got hers?
I'll tell you Who...........MOM!
In a Word,
That's what Love means to Me.


MICK'S TIP:
Who you Love is Voodoo Magic.
It just is.

Listen to George Thorogood.
(Minus the Cobra necktie)
Now, Who do YOU Love.....??

Celebrate them every day,
And let them know 
with a Hearty Licking!

Sun Kissed.....

This week,
I dreamt I was in Paradise.
On a Winter's day,
Front door open
and Sun streaming in
Through security glass,
The entryway can reach
a very balmy 85 degrees.
Mid morning, after my workout
and local wildlife administration,
I so enjoy a little Sun Kissed snooze.
Aahhhhh......
Delightful to let your cares slip away
In a tropical heat wave!
Surf is pounding, parrots calling
Wind ruffles my bleached out whiskers.
I smell satay on a stick
And the Vendors are calling my name.....
Children are laughing, Perros are yipping,
Nothing to do but soak it all in.
Just another day on Paradise Beach.
Maybe it's time for a little chips and salsa.....
MMmmmmm.
ZZzzzzzzz.

MICK'S TIP:
Savor the moment Kids.....
Real life is back in a flash,
Your Sister chasing your tail
And UPS at the door.
Paradise can't last,
But your Dreams do.....
Ole!

Time to Say Goodbye.....

Last week I realized 
I was going to lose Lamb Chop.
After months of Westie love, 
Her paws were ragged, 
Her face chewed off and 
Her stuffing trailed the house 
like a bad hunter's camp.
She was my one and only Girl,
and while there were always 
multiple toy friends scattered about,
She was the one who meant the most.
Wet from slobbery kissing, 
She now lay pitifully in a pile on the floor.....
Yesterday, Mom stepped in.
"Health Hazard"......She said.
Huh?.....How could that be?
Lamb Chop is the kind of 
Forever Friend 
every Guy dreams of......
Long lashes, sweetest smile, soft and cuddly.
Plus a great personality and a big Heart to boot.
Sure, she didn't say much,
But what guy wants that?
Maybe I got too involved.
Maybe I loved her to death.
But, I wouldn't have it any other way.....
Thank you, LC, for the gift you were.
This morning I woke up, stretched, yawned
and realized Lamb Chop is gone.
Probably in a dust bin somewhere.
It's over.....it's really over.
Time for an Andrea Bocelli CD and 
Lots of wound licking.
Parting is such Sweet, Sweet Sorrow.....

MICK'S TIP:
Best to have an extra Lamb Chop in the wings.
You never know when this one's bound for the trash.
(Hey Mom, when are we heading back to Wal-Mart?)

 

White on White......

Snowflakes swirling over my head......
The softest cold under my feet.
Total quiet wraps Me and Mom.....
As we wander down the white out street.
She's in her world, I'm in mine......
Not a word do I hear her speak.
Still, I know her heart and she knows mine.....
Two separate paths destined to meet.
Perhaps we were one in a different life.
Perhaps we shared adventure big and small.
Perhaps there was love as there is today.....

Two Souls roaming Eternally.
I can't know what lies ahead.....
Being only a Dog after all.
But I trust her to lead me 
to greater good.....
Where all is white, 
and time stands still,
And gentle snow will forever fall.

MICK WAGGER

Bird Watching.....

At the risk of seeming a full blown Geek,
I have to admit that nothing excites Me
Like a morning following our neighborhood Birds!
Just beyond reach,
Two feeders hang over key windows,
And we Kids patrol them like 
Alcatraz  prison guards.
With laser focus, Lucy and I stalk our 
Feathered Friends.....
Robins, Sparrows, Magpies and Chickadees
Ours is a very diverse bunch!
Without a sound we watch, 
'Til every perch is full with busy beaks.
Wings are beating, seed is falling, 
A sacred bird communion!
And just when tension is highest 
And we can stand no more.....
Barrk, Baarrk, BaRRK, BAAARRRK, BARK!
Off they scatter to the trees!!
Lucy and I puff up.....
Once again, we've protected Home and Hearth.
No time for self congratulation though.....
There's more to do.
NOW is prime time to administrate those cheeky Squirrels!

MICK'S TIP:
As You Watchdog, beware your own perch.
I've landed in a heap on the floor more than once.....
Sadly, Canines have no Wings.
Imagine the World if We DID!